Unidos Hablemos Virtual Conference Series
‘Welcome to Allergy & Asthma Network’s Unidos Hablemos virtual conference series.
We invite you to join us as we address ongoing disparities and barriers to care for the Hispanic/Latino community living with allergic, respiratory, and skin diseases.
Our Unidos Hablemos virtual conferences are bilingual events, available in Spanish and English.
Session 6: Let’s Talk About Food Allergies: What You Need to Know
The Allergy & Asthma Network presents this webinar series, Unidos Hablemos, to address disparities and barriers in the Hispanic and Latino community for individuals living with food allergies.
Join us for a free virtual presentation to learn about food allergies! First, Lucy Melendez will share her journey of living with food allergies; walk us through her day-to-day life, how she takes care of her health, and how food allergies affect her family and well-being. We hope her story will help others feel seen, supported, and less alone. Then, Dr. Juan Carlos Murillo Delgado, a specialist in Allergy and Immunology and Internal Medicine, will discuss what food allergies are, how to stay safe, and share helpful tips. No medical knowledge is necessary to participate. This is a safe space to learn and ask questions.
The webinar will be offered in both English and Spanish. Everyone is welcome!
Free Webinar: July 15 at 5:00 p.m. ET
By the end of the webinar, you will be able to:
- Understand what a food allergy is.
- Know the signs of a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
- Learn what to do if you or a loved one has a food allergy.
- Get tips on talking to your doctor about allergies.
- Hear from someone who lives with food allergies in our community.
Continuing education credits are not available for this webinar.
Moderator: Ruthie Marker
Ruthie Marker is the Education Program Manager at Allergy & Asthma Network and serves as an asthma educator for the Trusted Messengers Virtual Asthma Coaching Program. With a strong commitment to health equity, she focuses on empowering individuals through culturally responsive asthma education, helping them better understand their condition and manage it effectively. Ruthie specializes in bridging language and cultural barriers to ensure every participant receives personalized, accessible, and impactful support.
Physician Speaker: Juan Carlos Murillo, MD
Dr. Juan Carlos Murillo completed his Pediatric and Adult Allergy/Immunology fellowship training at the Mayo Clinic and Phoenix Children’s Hospital in Arizona. He is passionate about medical education and the care of his patients, with a deep commitment to training future physicians and advancing allergy care. A native of Venezuela, he initially attended the University of Los Andes in Venezuela where he graduated cum laude in Medicine. He then completed a post- doctoral research fellowship in Cornea and Immunology at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute – University of Miami School of Medicine, followed by residency training in Internal Medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center of Florida. He served as Internal Medicine Chief Resident and is Assistant Professor at the Florida International University (FIU), Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Florida College of Medicine.
Patient Speaker: Lucy Melendez
Lucy has managed a wide range of food allergies, including shellfish, blueberries, black pepper, antibiotics, and adhesives, for most of her life. Eating out is always challenging for her, whether she’s at home or traveling. She’s had to make tough choices, such as skipping group meals while studying abroad in Italy and Madrid. Her experiences have taught her how isolating and stressful food allergies can be. By sharing her story, she hopes to raise awareness and help others feel understood.
The first 100 patients or caregivers living in the United States and Puerto Rico who register and attend the full virtual conference presentation are eligible to receive a $25 gift card.
You must live in the United States or Puerto Rico and provide a valid address and phone number to receive the gift card.
The registration information is only for Allergy & Asthma Network use and will not be shared with any outside organizations including government agencies or pharmaceutical companies.
If you are unable to attend, still register! We will send a link to you after the event so you can view the on-demand recording.
Some Zoom registration fields may not appear in Spanish. In the top right corner of the registration page, you can select Spanish as the language to complete the form.
Special thanks to Genentech for providing funding support to make this webinar possible.
Session 6: Let’s Talk About Food Allergies – What You Need to Know
Recording
On July 15, 2025, Allergy & Asthma Network presented this Unidos Hablemos virtual conference on to address food allergy disparities and cultural barriers faced by the Hispanic/Latino community living with food allergies.
Research reveals that food allergies may be under-diagnosed and under-treated in the Hispanic/Latino community. Board-certified allergist Juan Carlos Murillo, MD, joined us to discuss signs and symptoms of food allergies, what to do in case of a serious allergic reaction, and how to overcome barriers to stay safe.
Patient speaker Lucy Melendez shared her journey of living with food allergies. She walked us through her day-to-day life, how she takes care of her health, and how food allergies affect her family and overall well-being. She wants her story to help others feel seen, supported, and less alone.
What we covered
- A closer look at food allergies and how they can impact the Hispanic/Latino community.
- How disparities in care and cultural barriers impact people in this community from getting the treatment they need.
- Dr. Murillo provided practical advice on living with and managing food allergies, including the signs and symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, or anaphylaxis.
- What questions to ask your doctor about managing food allergies.
- Lucy Melendez shared her story of living with food allergies and provided an understanding of the healthcare challenges Hispanic/Latino families face at home, school and work.
Resources
What is a Food Allergy?
Food Allergy Treatment and Management
Living with Food Allergies
Food Insecurity and Food Allergies
Affording Allergen-Free Foods
Health Equity in Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Red Alergia y Asma
Special thanks to Genentech for providing funding support to make this virtual conference possible.
Session 5: Chronic Urticaria in the Hispanic/Latino Community: More Than Hives
Recording
In the last 10 years, we have seen a rise in chronic urticaria research, especially in the Hispanic/Latino community and Latin American countries. Chronic urticaria is a serious skin condition marked by hives that last six weeks or longer.
Socioeconomic factors, including language barriers and lack of access to acute and preventive care, may play a role in the severity of chronic urticaria in this community.
On April 24, 2025, Allergy & Asthma Network presented this Unidos Hablemos virtual conference to address cultural barriers in chronic urticaria care. We examined how urticaria manifests across various skin tones, key root causes, effective symptom management, and available resources.
What we covered
- Board-certified allergist Santiago Eduardo Martinez, MD, discussed the diversity of chronic urticaria across multiple skin tones, with a focus on the Hispanic/Latino community.
- What causes chronic urticaria, what can trigger them, and how to treat hives that keep coming back.
- What to do if there is no known cause of your hives.
- Strategies for symptom management and how to find practical support to develop a culturally sensitive treatment plan.
- How to access resources to help you or a loved one better manage chronic urticaria.
Resources
Chronic Urticaria Toolkit
Podcast: Chronic Urticaria In the Hispanic/Latino Community
Podcast: A Patient’s Experience with Chronic Urticaria and Skin of Color
What are the Different Types of Hives?
Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria
Chronic Hives: 10 Actions to Support Your Mental Health
Special thanks to Novartis and Genentech for providing funding support to make this virtual conference possible.
Session 4: Eczema in the Hispanic/Latino Community: More Than What You See
Recording
Eczema occurs in all races and ethnicities, but it is often more severe and persistent for people – especially children – in the Hispanic/Latino community. Why is this? Hispanic/Latino health is often shaped by factors such as language and cultural barriers, lack of access to acute and preventive care, lack of health insurance, and even concerns with immigration issues.
On March 27, 2025, Allergy & Asthma Network presented this Unidos Hablemos virtual conference to address cultural barriers in patient-doctor communication about eczema care.
What we covered
- How cultural perceptions about skin appearance can foster misunderstandings, stigma, and shame.
- Strategies for culturally respectful communication and community support.
- The emotional toll that eczema has on patients within the Hispanic/Latino community.
- Why emotional and mental health support is vital for holistic care, particularly in areas that are underserved, and where to seek help.
- The role of alternative or traditional remedies and how to safely integrate them into a culturally sensitive treatment plan.
- Pediatric dermatologist Esteban Fernandez-Faith, MD shared practical tips on how to advocate for proper care.
Resources
EczemaInSkinofColor.org
Health Equity in Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
What is Eczema?
Eczema Patient Resources (including videos and podcasts addressing skin of color)
Special thanks to Incyte, who has provided funding support to make this virtual conference possible.
Session 3: COPD and the Hispanic/Latino Culture
Recording
Hispanic/Latino people face unique barriers to medical care for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They tend to have lower rates of health insurance and experience language barriers when they seek COPD care. As a result, they are less likely to receive a formal COPD diagnosis and more likely to miss out on preventive care and treatments.
On Dec. 4, 2024, Allergy & Asthma Network presented this Unidos Hablemos virtual conference to address disparities and barriers to care for the Hispanic/Latino community living with COPD.
What we covered
- How COPD disparities impact social determinants of health and quality of life.
- Why COPD is too often under-diagnosed in the Hispanic/Latino community.
- How immigration challenges can impact access to obtaining COPD medical care.
- Patient information and advice on how to manage and treat COPD.
- How to advocate for yourself or a family member so you get quality, affordable healthcare.
Resources
What is COPD?
BiologicMeds.org
Ask the Allergist Video: Is It Asthma or COPD? Or Both?
Health Equity in Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Special thanks to Genentech and Viatris who have provided funding support to make this webinar possible.
Session 2: Food Allergies and the Hispanic/Latino Culture
Recording
A bilingual event, available in both English and Spanish!
The Hispanic/Latino community has among the highest rates of food allergy in the United States. The community also has higher rates of severe allergic reactions, allergies to multiple foods, and food allergy-related emergency department visits.
On June 26, 2024, Allergy & Asthma Network presented this Unidos Hablemos virtual conference to address the disparities and barriers to care for the Hispanic/Latino community living with food allergies.
What we covered
- Board-certified allergist Vivian Hernandez-Trujillo, MD, addressed food allergies and anaphylaxis, and how these conditions affect the Hispanic/Latino community.
- We discussed food allergens, prevention and treatments.
- We heard about how to manage food allergies at social events, such as family gatherings.
- Spanish teacher and food allergy advocate Nyshae Gibson, MEd, shared her experience with food allergies growing up in Puerto Rico and now caring for children with multiple food allergies.
- We discussed how to raise awareness of food allergies and advocate for yourself or a family member living with food allergies.
- We learned the importance of Hispanic/Latino participation in clinical trials for food allergy research.
Resources
What is a Food Allergy?
Food Allergy Treatment and Management
Living with Food Allergies
Food Insecurity and Food Allergies
Affording Allergen-Free Foods
What if I Can’t Afford Epinephrine?
Red Alergia y Asma
Special thanks to Genentech, who has provided funding support to make this virtual conference possible.
Session 1: Eczema and the Hispanic/Latino Culture
Recording
On May 1, 2024, Allergy & Asthma Network presented this Unidos Hablemos virtual conference to address the disparities and barriers to care for the Hispanic/Latino community living with eczema.
What we covered
- How eczema may look different in skin of color
- Why eczema may sometimes be more persistent and severe among Hispanic/Latino people
- How to prepare for a doctor’s visit to discuss eczema
- What questions Hispanic/Latino Americans want answered regarding their health
- How Hispanic/Latino Americans can take charge of their health
Resources
EczemaInSkinofColor.org
Health Equity in Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
What is Eczema?
Eczema Patient Resources (including videos and podcasts addressing skin of color)
Special thanks to Incyte, who has provided funding support to make this virtual conference possible.
