New podcast dives into the lived experiences of U.S. Latinas from birth to age 20

POSTED ON Oct 06, 2023

LWC Studios has launched a new original documentary podcast called “100 Latina Birthdays” that focuses on Latina health and lifetime outcomes.

The show’s creator, Juleyka Lantigua, aims to update the narrative about Latinas in the U.S. and establish their role in the health and future of the country.

The series consists of original documentaries that follow Latinas’ health and lifetime outcomes in the United States from birth to age 100.

The first season explores the critical issues faced by U.S. Latinas from birth to age 20, with future seasons planned to cover life up to age 100.

The podcast delves into the lived experiences of Chicago-area Latinas and their families and sheds light on the challenges and opportunities to achieve health equity.

These powerful stories illuminate the social and structural determinants of health for U.S. Latinas and can catalyze action toward systems change.

Reyna Noriega created the podcast’s cover art, and Paulina Velasco is the show’s editor.

The series’ primary grant providers are the Healthy Communities Foundation, Woods Fund Chicago, the Field Foundation of Illinois, and the Chicago Foundation for Women. Mujeres Latinas en Acción is the series’ fiscal sponsor.

Latinas will constitute a quarter of the country’s population by 2050, yet they continue to face health obstacles that reduce their quality of life, social mobility, and lifespans.

Hispanic women have a 50% higher death rate from cervical cancer than non-Hispanic women.

Latinos are three times more likely than non-Latinos to be uninsured. Heart disease is the second leading cause of death among Hispanic women.

Latinas have far higher rates of high blood pressure and obesity.

The Chicago Department of Public Health’s 2021 data showed that Latina pregnant women in Chicago were hospitalized for COVID at a higher rate.

Maria Pesqueira, the president of Healthy Communities Foundation, the series’ lead sponsor, added that the podcast can catalyze action towards systems change, and these powerful stories illuminate the social and structural determinants of health for U.S. Latinas.

For episode transcripts in English and Spanish and all episodes, visit 100LatinaBirthdays.com