Our 2006 convening and connected activities focused on HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness for a population often overlooked and/or ignored in health policy for Latinas. There exists a growing prevalence of HIV/AIDS among women in highly mobile migrant communities on both sides of the border. This challenges us to bring a broad based coalition to the table, acknowledging that solutions locally must respond to transnational factors.

The convening took place on February 2nd and featured three of the most important leaders on health policy for Latinas. Xóchitl Castañeda of the California-Mexico Health Initiative offered a perspective on the relationship between Mexican migration and HIV/AIDS transmission for women on both sides of the border. Barbara Garcia, Deputy Director of Health for San Francisco, spoke on health services and the role of Latino/a-serving agencies, drawing on her previous work as Director of Salud Para La Gente in the Pajaro Valley. Juanita Quintero, of UCSF offered a regional perspective on her work with Latina health in San Francisco.