ABOUT


Compared to their white counterparts, Latinx children and youth are disproportionately affected by a variety of health issues - from diabetes to major depression - and the experience of immigration is exacerbating health inequality.

Nationwide, an estimated 4.5 million children, who are U.S. citizens by birth, live in families where one or more parents is undocumented. Extensive studies have shown that fears of deportation for parents and loved ones, as well as divisive media targeting the Latinx community, results in reduced usage of healthcare; avoidance of social institutions; and increases in both anxiety and depression among Latinx children and youth.

At Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) we want to help address this systemic health inequity.

To do so, we are partnering with Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) to launch a national competition inviting creative social entrepreneurs to invent solutions that address the underlying issues leading to health inequity for Latinx children and youth.

We will focus specifically on addressing the various impacts of immigration on health, namely: increases in anxiety and depression; reduced access to healthcare; and reduced access to social institutions and services.

THREE KEY STAGES

INSPIRATION SUMMIT

Hosted at Pollution Studios in Boyle Heights on January 29th, we're bringing the community together to kickstart the conversation and gain greater insight into the issue our challenge will be tackling. The day will feature:

  • Latinx spoken word artist performance
  • Pecha kucha presentations
  • Design thinking workshops
  • Latinx-owned business catering

TECH CHALLENGE

In March we will be launching a Global tech challenge inviting entrants to design solutions to the impact of immigration on:

  • Mental wellbeing
  • Access to healthcare
  • Access to social services

Three winners of the challenge will receive $10,000; $7,000 and $5,000 in seed grant funding to bring their ideas to life and impact the lives of Latinx children and youth.

WINNER PILOTS

Following a judging process and award-ceremony we will be focussed on turning their ideas into live projects.

To do so, alongside the seed funding we will provide winners with a support team consisting of UX designers, Developers, Innovation experts and community leaders.

By collecting data on the impact of these ideas we hope to support the winners in continuing the services.

A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN