The current COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the severity of health disparities and access to care by vulnerable populations in Texas.  Loss of employer-based insurance coverage during the pandemic has increase the number of uninsured in Texas to 5 million, including 623,000 children - the highest rate in the U.S.  Access to care is also negatively influenced by adverse social determinants of health - further exacerbating health disparities for underserved populations. In this session, participants will learn about the disproportionate impact of social determinants of health on underserved segments of our community from experts in the fields of public health and demography, explore opportunities to leverage community resources to reduce barriers to care, and engage in a vibrant discussion regarding advocacy efforts to change legislative priorities in Texas.

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Panelists:

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Carlos Roberto Jaén, MD, PhD, Chair, Department of Family and Community Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, Lozano/Long School of Medicine

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Linda G. Solis, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Humanities, University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine

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Rogelio Saénz, PhD, Dean of the College of Public Policy, Endowed Chair at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

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Sandra G. Guerra, MD, MPH, FACPM.  Assistant Medical Director, San Antonio Metropolitan Health District