Category: Health

La novena Exposición Anual Latina de Chicago regresa del 22 al 24 octubre y estará enfocada en programación de salud y bienestar y nuevos logros de tecnología. Los organizadores anuncian que la exposición de este año será la primera conferencia latina en la ciudad de Chicago contando con un presentador de inteligencia artificial para todas las sesiones de panel en el auditorio. El presentador de IA llevará una nueva dimensión a la experiencia de la exposición, reflejando su compromiso de conectar a las comunidades latinas con las tecnologías emergentes y conversaciones que moldean el futuro, La celebración de tres días comienza el jueves, 22 de octubre con el ‘Spotlight Latina Awards Brunch’ [Brunch de los premios Sportlight Latina], de 11:30 a.m. a 2 p.m. en el icónico Walnut Room en Macy’s. La exposición continúa el viernes, 23 de octubre y el sábado, 24 de octubre en Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Jackson Blvd., reuniendo a líderes de cuidado de salud, funcionarios electos, empresarios, organizaciones comunitarias y el público. Para más información, visite www.TheLatinaExpo.com.

Cook County Health se unió a funcionarios estatales y a líderes del Condado de Cook el 23 de agosto para marcar 100 días hasta que los cortes de elegibilidad del Medicaid federal entren en efecto, exhortando a los afiliados a mantenerse vinculados a la atención y a informarse sobre los próximos cambios. Comenzando en el 2027, debido a provisiones en la cuenta H.R.I. del presupuesto federal, tendrán que:

• Mostrar que trabajan o se ofrecen como voluntarios por lo menos 80 horas al mes o asisten a una escuela por lo menos medio tiempo; o tienen un ingreso de por lo menos $580 al mes; Y

• Renovar su Medicaid cada 6 meses (en vez de cada 12 meses)

Estos nuevos requisitos impactarán a los inscritos que son elegible al Medicaid como resultado de la expansión de Medicaid de la Ley de Cuidado de Salud a Bajo Precio (ACA), también conocida como “adultos de la ACA”. Los ‘adultos de la ACA’ son 1) entre las edades de 19-64, 2) no solo tienen también Medicare, y 3) no tienen hijos dependientes viviendo en casa. Cook County Health y CountyCare —los planes de atención administrada de Medicaid del sistema de salud— han estado trabajando para informar a los afiliados y a la comunidad sobre los próximos cambios mediante reuniones comunitarias con líderes locales, debates interactivos en línea y eventos públicos de re-determinación abiertos a todos los miembros de Medicaid. Cook County Health ha lanzado una red para pacientes y residentes con una lista de recursos consolidada para información de cuidado de salud gratis y a bajo costo, comida, vivienda y recursos de inmigración. Ese sitio está localizado en cookcountyhealth.org/resources.

To make it easier for families to get their children vaccinated, CCDPH is hosting free community back-to-school vaccination clinics throughout suburban Cook County through October. Families are encouraged to first contact their child’s healthcare provider to check vaccination records and schedule any needed vaccines. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to check their child’s vaccination record now rather than waiting until a vaccine is required for school. Staying on schedule protects children during the ages when they may be most vulnerable to serious illness and helps prevent outbreaks in schools, childcare settings and communities. To find a free CCDPH vaccination clinic, learn more about childhood vaccines and find information about staying up to date, visit everyvacinecounts.com.

Mayor Brandon Johnson, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and the Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced details for the 2026 Healing Arts Chicago Summit, taking place on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Malcolm X College. Returning to Malcolm X College, where Healing Arts Chicago artists receive their training and certification as community health workers, the annual summit will begin with remarks from city officials and a keynote address by Tricia Hersey, artist, activist, and founder of The Nap Ministry and the Rest Is Resistance framework. Interested attendees can register via Eventbrite. For more information, including the full Healing Arts Chicago Summit schedule, visit Chicago.gov/HealingArts.

Para facilitar a las familias la vacunación de sus hijos, CCDPH está ofreciendo clínicas de vacunación comunitarias de regreso a la escuela en los suburbios del Condado de Cook, durante octubre. Se aconseja a las familias que primero se comuniquen con el proveedor de salud de su hijo para revisar el récord de vacunas y programar las vacunas que necesite. Se aconseja a padres y encargados que revisen el récord de vacunas del niño ahora, en vez de esperar hasta que se necesite una vacuna para la escuela. Siguiendo el programa se protege a los niños durante las edades más vulnerables a enfermedades graves y les ayuda a prevenir contagios en las escuelas, en las guarderías y en sus comunidades. Para encontrar una clínica de vacunación CCDPH gratis, informarse más sobre las vacunas en la infancia y como mantenerse actualizado, visite everyvacinecounts.com.

El Alcalde Brandon Johnson, el Departamento de Asuntos Culturales y Eventos Especiales (DCASE) y el Departamento de Salud Pública (CDPH) anunciaron detalles de la Cumbre “Healing Arts Chicago”, que tiene lugar el sábado, 10 de octubre, de 11 a.m. a 4 p.m. en Malcolm X College. Regresando a Malcolm X College, donde los artistas de Healing Arts Chicago reciben su entrenamiento y certificaciones como trabajadores de salud comunitarios, la cumbre anual comenzará con palabras de funcionarios de la ciudad y un discurso de Tricia Hersey, artista, activista y fundadora de The Nap Ministry y del marco conceptual “Rest is Resistance”. Los asistentes interesados pueden inscribirse vía Evenbrite. Para más información, incluyendo el programa completo de la Cumbre “Healing Arts Chicago” visite Chicago.gov/HealingArts.

Mariyana Spyropoulos, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, will host her third Mental Health Summit on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at the Maywood Courthouse in partnership with Cook County Presiding Judge Geary Kull. The event will focus on discussing mental health services, emergency hospital orders, powers of attorney, guardianship, special needs trusts, crisis intervention, firearm restraining orders and Mental Health Treatment Court. The Mental Health Summit will be held at Maywood Courthouse, Courtroom 102, 1500 Maybrook Drive, Maywood, from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Attendees will also have the opportunity to obtain mental health resources from local service providers. To register, scan the QR code on the attached flyer or visit www.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org.

Photo Credit: Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County Mariyana Spyropoulos

Food insecurity in Chicago is widespread and worsening, according to the 2026 Hunger in Chicago Report released on Monday by the Greater Chicago Food Depository in partnership with NORC at the University of Chicago. Based on a June survey of 1,200 Chicago residents, the report finds that 36% of Chicago households — about 417,000 households — lack consistent access to enough food. And nearly 1 in 2 Chicago households with children (47%) are struggling to put food on the table. The findings show that cost of living is outpacing people’s ability to make ends meet. Rising costs and historic cuts to critical safety net programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are forcing hundreds of thousands of neighbors to choose between groceries and essentials such as housing, utilities and medicine. Key findings include:

• More than one in three Chicago households are food insecure. As of June 2026, 36% of Chicago households — approximately 417,000 households — reported not having consistent access to enough food.

• Families with children are at even greater risk. Nearly half of Chicago households with children, 47%, are struggling to put food on the table, compared with 30% of households without children.

• Unaffordability is driving the crisis. Forty percent of Cook County households cannot afford the basic cost of living. Since 2021, food prices have increased 22% and rent prices have risen 31% in the Chicago metro area.

For the full report, visit chicagosfoodbank.org.

Courtesy of Dr. Michael Denz, Orthopedics

I’ve always considered myself an athlete, someone who’s enjoyed exercise. I know that’s not for everyone, in fact, growing up I had friends and family who could think of plenty of things they’d rather do before activities requiring physical exertion. My love for being active, however, is why I chose to become an orthopedic specialist.

I can’t imagine living life without the ability to be fully independent or enjoy activities I love because of my physical limitations. There’s the joggers, cyclists, softball players, and pickleball fanatics; I can help them get that joy back again – pain free. And there’s also the lifelong gardeners who’ve lost their ability to bend and plant seedlings or weed a flower box. The retirees who can remember when they didn’t dread climbing stairs or walking their dog; I love telling everyone that I have solutions that can give all that back to them.

Yes, I’m a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon, but that doesn’t mean the first solution begins in an operating room. My philosophy is to help patients understand all their available options to get back to living life pain free, what outcomes they should expect from a procedure, and allow them to make an informed decision. There are, in many cases, less invasive options before choosing surgery or joint replacement. My job is to let a person know what they can do to eliminate joint pain and treat them using the best of my training, skills, and experience. Their responsibility begins after that. This is a partnership. The patient must do what is prescribed, whether that’s initial rest or a dedicated exercise routine to regain strength and flexibility.

Orthopedics and technology have advanced significantly, and recovery is faster than ever, typically at home, without the need for hospitalization. In no time, many people I help exclaim, “Why didn’t I do this before now?!” We at Saint Mary of Nazareth care for a community with many aging residents who suffer with arthritic joints or damage to their cartilage or ligaments. It’s human nature to put off with dread what we imagine we may have to do to eliminate our discomfort or pain. But, even for the multitude of patients for whom I’ve replaced shoulder joints, knees and hips, the relatively brief recovery far outweighs living with suffering.

And for those who do their part – the physical therapy, the exercises to regain their strength and range of motion after a procedure – having their life back to live it as they choose and to do the things they love make it all worthwhile. We have a terrific team of nurses, technicians, and therapists at Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital who find joy in seeing their patients smiling again.

Photo Credit: Prime Healthcare

On September 9th, the Cook County Health Office of Behavioral Health convened more than 800 representatives from behavioral health and community organizations across the County at its second Behavioral Health Summit at the UIC Forum. The theme of this year’s summit, Driving Action to Impact, reflected a shared focus on moving beyond discussion and towards solutions that strengthen partnerships, expand access to care, and accelerate meaningful change across Cook County’s behavioral health system. The day began with opening remarks from local leaders, who emphasized both the urgency of the behavioral health crisis and the need for continued collaboration and investment. Despite an increasingly challenging federal funding landscape, Cook County expects to continue prioritizing grant opportunities that put resources directly into the hands of community organizations providing critical behavioral health services. The event builds on the progress achieved at the first summit in 2024, held shortly after the establishment of the Cook County Health Office of Behavioral Health (OBH).  For more information or resources, visit obh.cookcountyhealth.org.

Photo Credit: Cook County Health