Hispanic/Latino Heritage

In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week. The observance was expanded in 1989 by Congress to a month long celebration (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15).

September 15th was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16th and 18th, respectively.

We celebrate the culture and traditions of U.S. residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

For More Information, see the US Census Bureau's Facts for Features, Hispanic Heritage Month .

CDC highlights a new collaboration with Hispanic-Serving Health Professions Schools (HSHPS).

HSHPS and the CDC are committed to investing time and resources to diversifying the public health workforce in addition to improving Hispanic health nationwide.

CHDIR, 2013

CDC's Collaboration with Hispanic Serving Health Professions Schools (HSHPS)

As we celebrate Hispanic/Latino Heritage month this year, CDC highlights a new collaboration with Hispanic-Serving Health Professions Schools (HSHPS). As a result of many years of successful collaboration, CDC recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HSHPS focused on promotion of a diverse public health workforce and improving Hispanic health. Coordinated by CDC's Office of Minority Health and Health Equity, the new MoU provides greater communication channels between CDC and HSHPS faculty, students, recent graduates, member institutions and affiliates.

The agreement facilitates collaboration with HSHPS across a number of areas, including dissemination of CDC scientific and programmatic information, training and funding opportunities, as well as publicly available internship and employment opportunities. The collaboration will also support the development of joint training programs focused on engaging public health professionals who are representative of or have experience serving the Hispanic community.

HSHPS and the CDC are committed to investing time and resources to diversifying the public health workforce in addition to improving Hispanic health nationwide. This alliance will expand horizons and offer opportunities to both groups while staying consistent with their respective missions. Through this partnership, it is expected that public health practitioners will get increased support for providing better services to the Hispanic community, and that CDC will have a greater connection to emerging Hispanic health leaders.

HSHPS, headquartered in Washington, DC, is a 501 (c) member-based non-profit organization established in 1996 and composed of schools of medicine, public health, nursing, pharmacy, and dentistry that strive to strengthen the Nation's capacity to increase the Hispanic health workforce to serve and promote the health of Hispanics.

Hispanic Serving Health Professions Schools (HSHPS)

CDC Health Disparities & Inequalities Report (CHDIR)

The CDC Health Disparities & Inequalities Report - United States, 2013 (CHDIR) is important for encouraging action and facilitating accountability to reduce modifiable disparities by using interventions that are effective and scalable. The report also underscores the need for more consistent data on population characteristics that have often been lacking in health surveys such as disability status and sexual orientation. For examples of some important health disparities affecting the Hispanic/Latino population reported in the CHDIR, see the Hispanic or Latino Populations web page.