WHAT: Federal and state government agencies, community-based organizations and thousands of volunteers will come together in October to help improve the health awareness and well-being of the underserved Latino population during Binational Health Week (BHW). Cities and towns in both the United States and Canada will deliver health promotion and health education activities through workshops, health fairs and medical screenings to benefit this population.

One of the primary focuses of this year's BHW will be preparing for public health emergencies, with a specific focus on creating awareness in the event of an H1N1 outbreak. The campaign's objective is to promote awareness, prevention and response action regarding this issue. This year's events also will focus on prevention of addictions, nutrition, awareness of a stroke and living green.

WHO: The consular networks of seven Latin America countries serve as partners for Binational Health Week, including Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Additionally, the Institute for Mexicans Abroad, the Mexican Secretariat of Health and Foreign Affairs, the California's Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Consejo de Federaciones Mexicanas en Norteamerica, the California Endowment, the California Wellness Foundation, and the University of California's Health Initiative of the Americas will help coordinate and staff events for BHW. Events will be held in 40 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces.

Beginning in February of each year, federal, state and local government agencies, community-based organizations, universities, the media, philanthropic entities, unions, faith-based groups, public health professionals and thousands of volunteers enthusiastically get together every month to plan the services to be offered. Participation in last year's BHW reached a new high, with an estimated 22,905 volunteers from 10,377 agencies taking part. It is estimated that over 500,000 people received services.

WHERE:
• Inaugural event: Binational Policy Forum on Migration and Health, Oct. 5-6, 2009, in Santa Fe, N.M. Location: Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder Resort. For forum details and registration information, please visit www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=759062.

• Local and regional events in more than 300 cities and towns: Oct. 3-15, 2009. For more information, including a calendar of local events, please visit www.binationalhealthweek.org.