Health ministry and other government and community officials from 10 Latin American nations will attend a two-day international conference organized by the UCLA Blum Center on Poverty and Health in Latin America.

The conference, which takes place Tuesday, May 6 and Wednesday, May 7 at UCLA, provides a forum for international stakeholders to exchange information and build networks among institutions, organizations and individuals on research and programs aimed at reducing poverty and improving health throughout Latin America.

Speakers in some sessions will also release data on health inequities in Latin America as well as data on the success of a results-based financing model to promote health in the region.

Conference speakers who are available for media interviews include Dr. Michael Rodriguez, professor of family medicine and director of the UCLA Blum Center; Dr. Ferdinando Regalia, chief of the social protection and health division with the Inter-American Development Bank; and Dr. Emma Margarita Iriarte, executive secretary of the Salud Mesoamérica 2015 Initiative, who can discuss the importance of investing in maternal and child health.

Full schedule for the conference titled "Connecting International Partners to Strengthen Health Systems and Respond to Health Inequities."

Read a story about graduate students presenting at the conference.

Media wishing to cover the conference can contact Enrique Rivero, UCLA Health Sciences Media Relations, erivero@mednet.ucla.edu, (310) 794-2273; cell, (310) 597-5768 on the day of the event.