Washington, D.C. suffers from more than one health crisis. And the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services in D.C. just happens to be a Latina. She tells Maria Hinojosa how her cultural dexterity can be an asset in a job that requires her to work across government departments, from law enforcement to housing to health access. They also discuss drug use and HIV, and how the city is tackling both of these problems.

Appointed Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services by District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray in February 2011, Beatriz “BB” Otero oversees ten health and human services city agencies responsible for the delivery of services to the district’s residents. Her office supports the Mayor in coordinating a comprehensive system of benefits, goods and services across multiple agencies to ensure that children, youth, and adults, with and without disabilities, can lead healthy, meaningful and productive lives.