WASHINGTON – The Department of Health and Human Services has unveiled CuidadodeSalud.gov, the first website of its kind in Spanish to connect consumers to new information and resources aimed at helping them access quality, affordable healthcare coverage. 

HHS announced the launch on Sept. 8.

Consistent with the mandate in the Affordable Care Act, CuidadodeSalud.gov is the partner site of HealthCare.gov, which was launched in July 2010, and is the first website in Spanish to provide consumers with both public and private health coverage options tailored specifically for their needs.

"CuidadoDeSalud.gov, like HealthCare.gov, is an unprecedented website which provides consumers with the power of information at their fingertips," said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "Individuals, families, and small businesses will be able to easily compare both public and private health coverage options tailored specifically for their needs, "CuidadoDeSalud.gov will give Latinos across the nation better information about the choices they have, how much they cost, and what they can expect from their doctor – specific to their life situation and local community."

The website is also a one-stop-shop for information about the implementation of the Affordable Care Act as well as other healthcare resources. It connects consumers to quality rankings for local healthcare providers as well as preventive services.

CuidadodeSalud.gov is particularly important for Latinos, who have the highest rates of uninsurance in the natio. More than one in three Latinos are uninsured, Sebelius said, and without healthcare coverage they have less access to care. Latinos are only half as likely to have a usual source of primary care, and half of Latinos do not have a regular doctor. Twenty percent of low-income Latino youth have gone a year without a health care visit – a rate three times higher than that for high-income whites.

Latinos also suffer disproportionately from chronic health diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.  Latinas have disproportionate rates of cervical cancer, which they contract at twice the rate of white women. Since 1998, mammography levels have been lower among Latinas compared with non-Hispanic white and black women.

In October 2010, CuidadoDeSalud.gov will include price estimates for health insurance plans. In the weeks and months ahead, new information on preventing disease and illness and improving the quality of healthcare for all Americans will also be posted.