Categoría: Aaron Sanchez

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, California, July 29, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Hyundai today released product details for its 2021 Veloster N model, which now offers a high-performance N eight-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (N DCT), N Light Sport Seats, navigation and a full host of new driver-assistance features. The 2021 Veloster N, including models with the new N DCT, will arrive at Hyundai dealers in October.

2021 Veloster N Video Link: https://www.hyundainews.com/en-us/releases/3096 

«Veloster N demonstrates Hyundai’s approach to high-performance cars. By equipping Veloster N with N DCT, drivers get performance and convenience at the same time,» said Thomas Schemera, Head of Product Division at Hyundai Motor. «Anyone who wants a fun driving experience will jump at the chance to pilot the new Veloster N – an everyday sports car with racetrack capabilities.»

N Eight-speed Wet Dual-clutch Transmission
Hyundai developed the N DCT with manual or fully-automatic modes and eight speeds for improved acceleration and efficiency. N DCT is equipped with electronic actuators that operate the dual clutch, providing ride comfort, fuel efficiency and driving fun. Unlike a dry dual-clutch transmission, the wet N DCT uses oil to significantly improve lubrication and cooling performance, as required of higher-torque applications. The new N wet-type dual-clutch transmission uses an electric oil pump for increased thermal endurance and reduced direct parasitic drag on the powertrain. The N DCT was fully-developed in-house by N engineers, with a fun-to-drive tuning focus.

Race-like Manual Shift Logic
This fun-to-drive tuning target is further enhanced via an aggressive shift feel that is accentuated by «push» actuation. Under braking, with the driver resisting forward g-forces, lower gears are selected with an ergonomic forward push of the gear selector. Conversely, under the rearward g-forces of acceleration, higher gears are selected via a natural, rearward pull of the lever.

N Grin Shift
The N DCT even comes with game-like features that enhance driving fun. N Grin Shift (NGS) increases peak torque by seven percent from 260 lb.-ft. to 278 lb.-ft. by allowing temporary turbocharger over-boost and maximizing transmission response. When activated, the N Grin Shift mode causes the powertrain to shift to its sportiest program for up to 20 seconds (such as for passing). Further, transmission customization settings are now available in the «Custom» screen mode.

N Power Shift and N Track Sense Shift
N Power Shift (NPS) engages when the car accelerates with more than 90 percent throttle demand, mitigating torque reduction by using upshifts to deliver maximum power to the wheels through each gear change. This gives the driver a responsive feeling of dynamic acceleration when shifting, with a factory-estimated zero to 60 mph time of 5.6 seconds. N Track Sense Shift (NTS) discerns when road conditions are optimal for dynamic driving and activates automatically, selecting the right gear and shift timing for optimal performance.

Driving Experience Customization
Along with other updated features, such as Rev Matching, Launch Control and Overboost, Veloster N is optimized to automatically sense driving styles and road conditions to optimize shift points. For example, the car will hold lower gears longer in performance driving for better acceleration out of corners. Conversely, if the driver is aggressively pushing the car on a racetrack, the car will use the full range of available engine RPM to maximize performance. All of these features can be configured in Veloster N’s improved infotainment system, using the latest operating system shown on a high-definition eight-inch display.

N DCT Engineering
The Veloster N DCT transmission employs two clutch assemblies, one for odd gears and one for even and reverse gears. The clutch actuator assembly utilizes a lightweight electric motor-driven system for greater efficiency, optimized shift response and compact packaging. It also deploys an external damper for improved NVH (noise, vibration and harshness). The DCT uses an electromechanical gear actuator, yielding a lightweight design, higher fuel efficiency and precise shifting control via the engine’s electronic control unit. The DCT gearing assembly uses hollow input shafts for an ultra-lightweight and extremely responsive shifting character.

N Light Sport Seats
The new N Light Sport Seats are wrapped in cloth and leatherette upholstery to firmly hold the driver in position during spirited driving. These track-ready seats are thinner and lighter, with a weight reduction of 4.4 lbs. N Light Sports Seats have an illuminated N logo on the upper side of the backrest, adding to the interior aesthetic. The N logo illumination operates in conjunction with other interior lights to create a distinctive interior ambiance.

New, Standard Advanced Driver Assistance Features
Veloster N adds a myriad of new standard driver assistance features, including: Forward Collision-avoidance Assist, Lane Following Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist and Rear Cross-traffic Collision Warning.

Hyundai Complimentary Maintenance and America’s Best Warranty®
Hyundai Complimentary Maintenance is the latest addition to the Hyundai Assurance program, which promises to create a better experience for shoppers and owners of Hyundai vehicles. Hyundai Assurance is made up of Owner Assurance, now including complimentary maintenance, and Shopper Assurance, which together offer customers a variety of ways to simplify the buying process and improve the owning and service experience. Details on these promises include:

• America’s Best Warranty: 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty and 7-year anti-perforation warranty
• Complimentary Maintenance: 3 years/36,000 miles of normal oil changes and tire rotations

Hyundai Motor America
At Hyundai Motor America, we believe everyone deserves better. From the way we design and build our cars to the way we treat the people who drive them, making things better is at the heart of everything we do. Hyundai’s technology-rich product lineup of cars, SUVs and alternative-powered electric and fuel cell vehicles is backed by Hyundai Assurance—our promise to create a better experience for customers. Hyundai vehicles are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide and nearly half of those sold in the U.S. are built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. Hyundai Motor America is headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, and is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea.

Please visit our media website at www.HyundaiNews.com

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram 

 

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SOURCE Hyundai Motor America

TORRANCE, California, July 29, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Going on sale August 3, the refreshed for 2021 Honda Odyssey receives numerous updates to styling, along with upgraded technology and safety features to further strengthen its position as America’s retail best-selling minivan for the past 10 years, the top choice of American families looking for the ultimate fun family vehicle. Prices for the 2021 Odyssey start with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $31,790¹ (not including $1,120 destination and handling charge).

A restyled grille and front bumper fascia, revised front lighting and new black trim under the rear window give Odyssey a fresh exterior look. Inside, Odyssey offers upgrades to functionality and luxury: The second-row seats on all Odyssey trims now fold nearly flat, making them easier to remove while enhancing cargo-carrying options, and expanding on the flexibility of Odyssey’s exclusive Magic Slide™ second-row seats.

Odyssey EX and higher trim levels also get restyled seats and new tri-color floor mats, while EX-L and above receive and power lumbar support for the front passenger seat and contrast seat stitching. Odyssey Touring and Elite also get new piano black trim on the dash, doors and front door handles, while Elite receives additional luxury touches.

A new Rear Seat Reminder system is standard and can also be integrated with the available CabinWatch^® child viewing system, an industry first. For the first time, Odysseys equipped with CabinTalk^® and CabinWatch^® can use both systems simultaneously, and the upgrade will be retroactively applied to similarly-equipped 2018-2020 model Odysseys through an over-the-air update.

Also, important upgrades to Honda Sensing^® add Low-Speed Follow, Pedestrian Emergency Braking, and Traffic Sign Recognition to the newly standard suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies.

As America’s best retail-selling minivan 10 years running, American consumers have purchased more than 1.1 million Odyssey minivans during that time, and Odyssey has consistently set the standard for family-friendly features, space and sporty driving performance in a minivan. Odyssey was the first to introduce minivan innovations such as third-row seats that fold into the floor, the first built-in vacuum cleaner, HondaVAC^®, and the first in-cabin rear seat viewing system, CabinWatch^®.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey is made exclusively at Honda’s Lincoln, Ala. auto plant, alongside Pilot, Passport, and Ridgeline, using domestic and globally-sourced parts. Its V6 engine is also manufactured in Alabama, with its 10-speed automatic transmission manufactured exclusively at Honda’s Tallapoosa, Ga. facility.

2021 Honda Odyssey Pricing & EPA Fuel Economy Ratings

Exterior Design Changes
All 2021 Odysseys now feature more powerful and efficient LED headlights as part of a new front-end design that includes a new front bumper fascia with redesigned fog light housings, and a bold new blackout grille topped by a chrome strip. The design is echoed in the rear with new gloss-black trim under the rear window, accented by a chrome strip. Odyssey Touring gets 19-inch wheels for the first time, while the Odyssey Elite receives newly styled, machined and painted Shark Gray 19-inch alloy wheels. For the 2021 model year, the premium colors Platinum White Pearl, Deep Scarlet Pearl, Pacific Pewter Metallic, and Forest Mist Metallic are available for $395.

Interior Upgrades
With its exclusive Magic Slide™ seats, available in EX and higher trim levels, Odyssey offers the ultimate in second-row seating flexibility, and for 2021 that flexibility is expanded with outboard seats that fold nearly flat, making them easier to remove for maximum cargo space. The standard three-across mode offers enough room to fit three child seats, and each second row position is equipped with lower anchors and upper tethers. Remove the center seat, and you have Wide Mode, which creates a wide pass through to the third row. With the click of a handle mounted on the outboard seats, the two can be pushed together at the middle for Buddy Mode, or moved to either side for Super Mode, allowing easy outboard access to the third row.

Odyssey’s cargo management is further improved for 2021 with the addition of grocery bag hooks on the back of the third-row seats in the rear cargo area, and an updated center console with slots to help manage charging cords for smartphones or other devices. Also for EX and above trims, the Cabin Control™ app has been redesigned with an easier-to-use interface.

Odyssey EX and above trim levels come standard with new tri-color floor mats that not only give Odyssey a more upscale look, but help maintain that look by hiding dirt better. Odyssey EX-L and up add new contrast stitching on the leather seats in all three rows, new storage pockets on the second row outboard seatbacks, and the front passenger seat receives adjustable lumbar support.

For Odyssey Touring and Elite, there’s new piano-black interior trim and a new USB charging port in the third row, for a total of five throughout the vehicle. Also, the CabinWatch^® and CabinTalk^® features have been more seamlessly integrated in the Display Audio system, and two additional parking sensors in front expanded the sensing zone.

The 2021 Odyssey Elite receives additional exclusive updates, giving owners a more luxurious driving experience. These include perforated leather for the first and second rows seats, with contrast stitching and piping on all three rows. Elite trims also feature exclusive dash trim with a deeper metallic look, plus newly designed 19-inch alloy wheels and auto-dimming side mirrors.

Honda Sensing^® controls have been simplified with the use of a single integrated system switch to control Collision Mitigation Braking System™ and Lane Departure Warning, rather than separate controls for these functions. The single switch also controls the blind spot information system. Mounted on the dash to the left of the driver, a single press opens a menu on the Odyssey’s TFT meter display, where the driver can then turn functions on and off using steering wheel controls.

Powertrain
Odyssey drivers benefit from the confidence-inspiring power of a standard 3.5-liter V6 i-VTEC^® engine producing 280 horsepower (SAE net), mated to Honda’s refined and responsive 10-speed automatic transmission. Fuel efficiency is aided by Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM^®), with the capacity to seamlessly switch between three- and six-cylinder operation, helping Odyssey receive EPA fuel economy ratings of 19/28/22 mpg (city/highway/combined).

Powertrain Specs

Safety and Driver-Assistive Technologies
In addition to becoming standard across the lineup, Odyssey’s Honda Sensing^® suite is updated with expanded features and capability: a more advanced front radar unit enables Pedestrian Emergency Braking; Traffic Sign Recognition is newly added; and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) now includes Low-Speed Follow, which extends the automatic following capability to stop-and-go traffic situations down to 0 mph. The new Electric Brake Booster that enables ACC also enhances pedal feel for more confident braking.

Odyssey’s new Rear Seat Reminder system alerts drivers to check their rear seating area when exiting the vehicle after placing children, pets or other precious cargo there. When the vehicle is switched off, a chime sounds, and a message to check the rear seating area appears on the instrument panel. On Touring and Elite trims, the Rear-Seat Reminder system is integrated with the CabinWatch^® rear-seat camera system, the first integration of a rear-seat camera into a Rear Seat Reminder system in the industry. When activated, in addition to the audible and text warnings, the Rear-Seat Reminder uses the CabinWatch^® camera to display the rear seating area on the center console’s Display Audio screen.

Tragically, every year in the United States dozens of children die in vehicles from heat-related illnesses. In 2019, Honda joined other major automakers in pledging to install RSR systems in all of their vehicles by 2025, and Honda expects most of its models to feature the system by 2022.

The 2021 Odyssey earns a 5-star Overall Vehicle Score from the NHTSA and is targeted to receive a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, including the highest available rating of «Good» in all IIHS collision tests thanks to its second-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) structural design, and a «Superior» rating for frontal cash prevention. Also, the updated standard LED headlights have been designed to provide improved illumination, and are anticipated to achieve a score of «Good» in the rigorous IIHS headlight standard.

Trim Level Summary

About Honda
Honda offers a full line of reliable, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive vehicles with advanced safety technologies sold through over 1,000 independent U.S. Honda dealers. The Honda lineup includes the Fit, Civic and Accord passenger cars, along with the HR-V, CR-V, Passport and Pilot sport utility vehicles, the Ridgeline pickup and the Odyssey minivan. Honda’s electrified vehicle lineup includes the Insight hybrid-electric sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V Hybrid, and the Clarity series. 

Honda has been producing automobiles in America for more than 35 years and currently operates 19 major manufacturing facilities in North America. In 2019, more than 90 percent of all Honda brand vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

For More Information
Additional media information including detailed pricing features and high-resolution photography of all 2020 Honda models is available at hondanews.com. Consumer information is available at automobiles.honda.com.

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SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

JAKARTA, Indonesia, July 29, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Archipelago International, Southeast Asia’s largest privately owned and independent hotel operator, today announced that it has been awarded the management contracts for a further two hotels in Cuba. The first of these is the iconic Panorama Hotel in Havana. To be rebranded as the ASTON Panorama Hotel, the property, which first opened its doors in 2002, comprises 320 rooms and is best known for its impressive architectural design and superb location, facing the sea in the city’s Miramar district.

The second hotel is the Holguin Costa Verde Hotel, which will be rebranded as the ASTON Costa Verde Beach Resort. This resort is located in the Holguin region of Cuba on its northeastern coast and comprises 749 rooms, 4 pools, 9 restaurants and 7 bars offering a great selection of á la carte, buffet, beachside and poolside dining options.

Both hotels are due to open on 1^stDecember 2020 and will join Archipelago’s growing portfolio in Cuba, which includes the GRAND ASTON Cayo Las Brujas Beach Resort & Spa and two upcoming hotels, GRAND ASTON Varadero Beach Resort and GRAND ASTON La Habana Hotel, both currently under construction and scheduled to open in 2021.

«We are delighted to be given the opportunity by Grupo de Turismo Gaviota S.A. to introduce our very successful ASTON brand to Havana and Holguin, particularly at such landmark hotels. Since its opening, GRAND ASTON Cayo Las Brujas has consistently ranked as the No.1 hotel in its region for guest satisfaction and quality audits. This operational excellence is now more important than ever and will continue to be post Covid-19, as guests will expect and demand higher standards of hygiene and safety practices from hotels. Cuba is best positioned to alleviate these concerns, as it is recognized as one of the safest destinations in the world, has an excellent healthcare system and is taking a holistic approach as a nation to ensure its tourism offerings meet new standards and expectations», commented Gerard Byrne, Managing Director, Archipelago Overseas.

According to Archipelago’s President & CEO, John Flood «We will continue to invest in the resources needed to ensure that the hotels we manage and operate in Cuba perform above and beyond our guest’s expectations. There is no doubt that in the post pandemic travel context, Cuba will stand out as one of the world’s leading destinations for safe, healthy and environmentally friendly travel».

About Archipelago International

Archipelago International is one of the most trusted names in Asian hospitality, operating over 150 hotels with a further 50+ currently under development across Southeast Asia, the Caribbean and the Middle East. With 20,000 rooms in more than 60 destinations, the Group’s brands include GRAND ASTON, ASTON, Collection by ASTON, The Alana, Huxley, Kamuela, Harper, Quest, NEO and favehotels.

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SOURCE Archipelago International

WESTON, Florida, July 28, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Cleveland Clinic Florida’s Weston Hospital has tied for the top spot as the No. 1 hospital in the Miami–Fort Lauderdale metro area for 2020-2021, according to the newly released annual ranking of Best Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. It is the third consecutive year Weston Hospital has earned the top ranking in the Miami–Fort Lauderdale metro area. The annual survey ranks 67 hospitals in the local metropolitan area of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties as well as throughout the state of Florida.

Overall, Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital tied for the No. 5 ranking in Florida. Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital tied for No. 19, and Cleveland Clinic Martin Health tied for No. 28 in the state. A complete list of newly ranked hospitals is available online at www.usnews.com/hospitals.  

«We continue to focus on quality care and excellent outcomes, and it is an honor to be acknowledged for the work that we do on behalf of our patients,» said Joseph Iannotti, M.D., Ph.D., Interim CEO and President of Cleveland Clinic Florida and Chief Academic and Innovation Officer. «This recognition belongs to our caregivers who are committed to putting our patients first.»  

The Gastroenterology and GI Surgery Program at Weston continues to be recognized nationally, as it was ranked 29th in the United States. It is the only gastroenterology and GI surgery program in South Florida to be ranked nationally and one of only four in the state.

In addition to the local and state-wide rankings, four of Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital specialties ranked «high performing» for 2020-21. High performing specialties include Geriatrics, Nephrology, Neurology & Neurosurgery, and Pulmonology and Lung Surgery.  

Cleveland Clinic’s Weston hospital also rated «high performing» in seven common conditions and procedures evaluated by U.S. News & World Report which include Aortic Valve Surgery, Heart Failure, Colon Cancer Surgery, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Hip Replacement, Knee Replacement, and Lung Cancer Surgery.

Cleveland Clinic Florida’s Treasure Coast hospitals have also been recognized by U.S. News & World Report for high-quality care. Cleveland Clinic’s Indian River Hospital and Martin Health hospitals ranked high performing in Heart Failure, Colon Cancer Surgery, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Hip Replacement. 

Indian River Hospital tied for the No. 19^th ranked hospital in Florida, an improvement from 27^th in the state last year. Martin Health tied for the No. 28^th ranked hospital in Florida.

U.S. News publishes Best Hospitals to help guide patients who need a high level of care because they face particularly difficult surgery, a challenging condition, or added risk because of other health problems or age. Objective measures such as patient survival and safety data, the adequacy of nurse staffing levels and other data largely determined the rankings in most specialties.

About the Cleveland Clinic Florida Region 
The Cleveland Clinic Florida region is a nonprofit, multi-specialty healthcare provider that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. The Florida region now includes Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, and Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital, with five hospitals and numerous outpatient centers in Broward, Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie Counties. The Florida region is an integral part of Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, where providing outstanding patient care is based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Physicians at Cleveland Clinic are experts in the treatment of complex conditions that are difficult to diagnose. For more information about Cleveland Clinic Florida, visit www.clevelandclinicflorida.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Media Contacts:

Arlene Allen-Mitchell (954) 270-9666 / allena@ccf.org 
Natalie Alatriste (305) 801-8775 / natalie.alatriste@rbbcommunications.com

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SOURCE Cleveland Clinic Florida

ARLINGTON, Virginia, July 28, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — March of Dimes, the nation’s leader in the fight for the health of all moms and babies, and The Humana Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Humana Inc. are working together to address the racial disparities and social determinants of health that contribute to the U.S. maternal and infant health crisis.  March of Dimes and The Humana Foundation will support communities across the U.S. in building cross-sector alliances that alleviate social and structural systems of inequities and implementing solutions that improve maternal and infant health. By sharing local data and best practices, March of Dimes will create a national network of support that can help drive systemic change to end the health equity gap affecting moms and babies across the country.

The Humana Foundation invested $3 million in this partnership as part of its $50 million commitment to providing immediate and long-term relief and recovery to communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19.  The initiative will focus on six communities across the U.S. where Humana and The Humana Foundation are already working together with partners to improve health and well-being.

«Our fight to end maternal and infant mortality and morbidity cannot be achieved without closing the health equity gap,» said Stacey D. Stewart, President and CEO at March of Dimes. «Through this partnership with The Humana Foundation, we will take action to support system changes that lead to real measurable improvements in health, as well as a fair and just opportunity for health for all moms and babies.»

The U.S. remains among the most dangerous developed nations for childbirth—especially for communities of color. Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causesⁱ, and Black babies are twice as likely to die before their first birthdaysⁱⁱ compared to their White counterparts. Systemic racial injustice affects not only health care, but also social determinants of overall health (i.e. access to food, education, housing, jobs). These factors, together with the direct experience of racial discrimination and unequal treatment, built and continue to build a health equity gap that is directly and negatively impacting moms and babies of color.

«The COVID-19 health crisis exposed needs that the most vulnerable among us were experiencing before the pandemic began and has intensified those needs, especially for those disproportionately affected by the virus,» said Walter D. Woods, CEO of The Humana Foundation. «By addressing social determinants of health and systemic racial inequity, we hope to close the health equity gap for mothers and children across the country.»

Initiative Details

Using The Humana Foundation’s investment, March of Dimes will build partnerships with local public and private organizations that leverage Collective Impact, a proven approach for solving complex societal challenges, to improve maternal and infant health within a community. To begin, partners will identify and align on the underlying causes and systems challenges that negatively affect moms and babies locally. They will then build a common agenda and deploy evidence-based strategies to address these factors and drive improved, measurable health outcomes. March of Dimes will provide these communities with technical assistance and targeted interventions, such as access to its prenatal and NICU education initiatives and professional education, such as implicit bias training.

March of Dimes’ Mom & Baby Action Network, a consortium of national partners dedicated to addressing inequities in maternal and infant health, will serve as the national backbone of support for these local communities. Bringing the Network and communities together online and/or in-person will create a system of support and information sharing to disseminate best practices that can encourage other communities to join in this initiative and scale up systemic change to eliminate the health equity gap.

March of Dimes Health Equity Initiatives

March of Dimes has been at the forefront of the fight for health equity for decades by championing policies, building awareness of the issues, funding research and providing programs and resources to help achieve parity in maternal and child health. It is committed to leveling the playing field and working in the following areas of impact:

• Improving access to care: March of Dimes ensures the best possible start for parents-to-be and their babies by providing access to care, in-person and online education. Prenatal Education, Support and Care initiatives address social determinants of health by partnering with providers to implement culturally relevant, skills-based learning experiences before and during pregnancy. NICU Initiatives provide education for NICU staff and empower, educate and support families to help improve the patient experience and health outcomes for NICU babies.
• Training providers to tackle bias: Implicit bias and stigma experienced by patients coupled with institutional racism, partly contributes to the disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes. This year, March of Dimes launched an implicit bias training for providers to uncover institutionalized racism in the health care system and training health care workers not to perpetuate the cycles of discrimination. In addition, the Beyond Labels website was created as a resource to raise awareness of stigma and work to help eliminate these disparities by addressing the root causes.
• Advocating for policies that promote safe and healthy communities: March of Dimes has a robust federal and state advocacy agenda and network focused on systemic solutions to health inequity. Join our Advocacy Action Center to add your voice to the thousands of March of Dimes advocates calling for policies that promote the health of women, children and families.

«Disparities in birth outcomes matter to everyone—as the strength of communities lies in the health of its people and begins with moms and babies,» said Dr. Rahul Gupta, Chief Medical and Health Officer, Senior Vice President and Interim Chief Scientific Officer at March of Dimes. «Our work is centered on a vision where every mom and baby is healthy, regardless of race, geography or income and health care is just and equal. We hope you join us in this vital work to end the health equity gap.» 

About March of Dimes
March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy so that every baby can have the best possible start. Building on a successful 80-year legacy of impact and innovation, we empower every mom and every family. Visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org for more information. Visit shareyourstory.org for comfort and support. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

About The Humana Foundation
The Humana Foundation was established in 1981 as the philanthropic arm of Humana Inc., one of the nation’s leading health and well-being companies. Located in Louisville, Ky., the Foundation seeks to co-create communities where leadership, culture, and systems work to improve and sustain positive health outcomes. For more information, visit humanafoundation.org.

Humana and The Humana Foundation are dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility. Our goal is to ensure that every business decision we make reflects our commitment to improving the health and well-being of our members, our employees, the communities we serve, and our planet.

ⁱ [Petersen EE, Davis NL, Goodman D, et al. Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Pregnancy-Related Deaths-United States, 2007-2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2019;68(35):762–765.]
ⁱⁱ [Ely DM, Driscoll AK. Infant mortality in the United States, 2017: Data from the period linked birth/infant death file. National Vital Statistics Reports, vol 68 no 10. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2019.]

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SOURCE March of Dimes

SACRAMENTO, California, July 28, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — In an effort to increase the number of bilingual allied healthcare workers in California, Futuro Health is recruiting 1,000 Spanish speakers from across the state for a tuition-free, industry-specific online English course.  

There are more than 200 languages spoken in California, and 44% of California households speak a language other than English. Of those, 28% report Spanish as their primary language. Additionally, nearly 7 million Californians report they speak English «less than very well.» 

Allied health roles include a wide range of clinical, administrative and support functions, such as medical assistants, certified nursing assistants, respiratory therapists, radiology technicians, care coordinators, health IT specialists, licensed vocational nurses and others. In California alone, there is a demand for an estimated 500,000 new allied healthcare workers between now and 2024.

«There are healthcare employers who would prefer that more bilingual candidates knock on their door,» Futuro Health CEO Van Ton-Quinlivan said. «For the future of care to be equitable, we need the workforce to reflect the communities being served – especially as California grows and greys.»

To help boost the number of allied healthcare workers who speak English well, Futuro Health and its partner Voxy, which provides online task-based English-language learning courses, have teamed up to offer the English for Allied Health course. This course equips students with the English vocabulary they will need to work in allied healthcare roles.

«The pandemic has shed light on health disparities,» explained Executive Vice President, UNITE-LA, Alma Salazar. «Part of the solution is to have those who live locally serve their community. This training is an example of how to open up access for more to consider healthcare roles.»

The course is open to native Spanish speakers who want to improve their English in order to perform better in their current care-related role or to prepare for an allied healthcare program of study. Course topics include introduction to allied healthcare, scheduling and billing, medical history, basic nursing skills and much more.  

Both the tuition and the registration fees are waived for 2020. Students will only pay $20 per month for their education and training membership. Students may sign up for the English for Allied Health course at any time and create a profile on the Futuro Health website to register for these fall 2020 start dates: August 10, August 24, September 7, October 5, November 2 and December 7.  

«Monolingual Spanish-speaking patients, especially elders, are often hesitant to freely express their concerns during medical visits. Through this program at Futuro Health, we can build and strengthen the English language skills that Latinx healthcare workers need to provide empathy and care for patients navigating the English-speaking healthcare environment,» said Hortencia Armendariz, board member for Futuro Health and leader of the Healthcare Justice Division of SEIU-UHW.  

Futuro Health’s goal is to graduate 10,000 new licensed and/or credentialed allied healthcare workers by 2024 to meet the growing need.  

«Because of our commitment to fully serve our diverse client base, we have a great need for good vocational English programming, and we’re delighted to find Futuro Health already partnered with the same provider we would have chosen,» said Blake Konczal, executive director of the Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board. «In many instances, industry-driven vocational training is de facto inaccessible to many clients because such offerings are not coordinated with appropriate Vocational English as a Second Language Program classes.» 

About 

Futuro Health improves the health and wealth of communities by growing the largest network of credentialed allied health workers in the nation starting in California. We believe investing in education and skills training and retraining results in better-paying jobs for workers, better service for patients and better workers for employers to hire. Kaiser Permanente and Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) partnered to establish Futuro Health in January 2020 with a $130 million commitment.  

Contact: Celina Shands | 858-735-2883 
cshands@FuturoHealth.org 

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SOURCE Futuro Health