After a three-year break, UC Davis Health will host its popular Spanish Mini Medical School this Saturday at the UC Davis MIND Institute.

Although in-person registration is full and closed, viewers can watch a live broadcast of the program on YouTube (a link will be provided upon registration).

This daylong educational conference, which was last held in 2019, before the pandemic, features speakers from UC Davis and other organizations who touch on topics important to the Spanish-speaking population. The presentations range from chronic conditions to the importance of physical activity, to general everyday health tips.

“The Mini-Medical School in Spanish has consistently served approximately 120 participants from the local communities,” said Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola, founding director of the Center for Reducing Health Disparities and director of the Clinical and Translational Research Center Community Engagement Program.  

This time, he said, even more people will be able to take advantage of the programming because it’s being made available online.

“This is a 13th-year effort featuring a wide range of health and mental health-related topics of significant interest and relevance to the intended audience,” Aguilar-Gaxiola said. “The purpose is to enhance the public trust in science and translate it into practical, easy to understand information that can be incorporated into everyday life.”

The purpose is to enhance the public trust in science and translate it into practical, easy-to-understand information that can be incorporated into everyday life.” —Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola

The conference, which fills up every year, is a prime opportunity for middle-aged and older adults, along with caregivers, to learn in their native language how to live healthier lives.

The in-person audience will also get to ask questions of the health professionals.

Presentations include:

• “Opioids in America and the public health crisis,” by David J. Copenhaver
• “Memories of the Heart,” by Gladys Maestre
• “What is long COVID? How do we know if we have it?” By Carolina Reyes
• “The Good Life: A virtual program on healthy aging,” by David Johnson
• “Mental health and wellbeing among immigrants,” by Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola

The mini medical school will take place on Saturday, April 29, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will be livestreamed free via YouTube. Those who wish to attend online should RSVP to receive the YouTube link and additional details about the programming.

“It’s amazing to be a part of trail blazing efforts that highlight the key issues facing our community,” said David Copenhaver, an anesthesiologist and chief of the UC Davis Health Division of Pain Medicine.

“The Spanish Mini Medical School serves as a vital means to communicate the real evidence regarding health and wellness, the challenges, and opportunities available to our patients. We look forward to having a dynamic, engaging discussion and providing the region with the most up-to-date information regarding their health care,” he added.

The conference is sponsored by the UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and the Center for Reducing Health Disparities.