The VI Puerto Rican Public Health Conference, coordinated by the Graduate School of Public Health at the Medical Sciences Campus of the University of Puerto Rico, took place from May 2-3, 2024, at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan. The theme, “Perspectives, Challenges, and Opportunities in Public Health and Health Promotion,” set the stage for presentations like that led by Drs. Cristina Adames and Edna Acosta. Their study within disadvantaged communities of older adults in Puerto Rico sought to understand health disparities and policy responses to COVID-19, revealing significant government actions. Emphasizing the need for public policies promoting access to essential services, especially mental health, their presentation highlighted strategies to address social, ethical, and behavioral inequalities in health service access.
