It’s more than just Spanish materials: Utilization of a culturally competent based model for chronic disease prevention in a faith based community

Heather Diaz, MPH¹, Lourdes Vizcaino, BS², Kanchana Bhat, BSc³, Julie Pham, BS¹, Christy Inskip, BA¹, Patricia Gonzalez, BS¹, and Marlon Minera, BS¹. (1) Health Promotion & Education, Loma Linda University School of Public Health, Nichol Hall, Loma Linda, CA 92350, 909 558-8729, HeathDiaz@netscape.net, (2) Western States Affiliate, American Heart Association, 1003 East Cooley Drive, Suite 102, Colton, CA 92324, (3) Department of Environmental & Occupational Health, Loma Linda University School of Public Health, Nichol Hall, Loma Linda, CA 92350

Heart disease is currently the leading death of Latinos in the US. Model programs offering culturally competent approaches that advocate prevention of chronic diseases with Latinos are highly sought after. Latinos report that few community programs aim to be applicable to their culture, often isolating them. The “Por La Vida” model focuses on the utilization of community based health workers promoting health and wellness among their own community, and has shown promise regarding the prevention of breast cancer and diabetes. In February 2003, graduate students of LLUSPH, in collaboration with the American Heart Association, implemented a heart disease prevention program at a community church using the Promotora model framework. The program aimed at impacting the church community at the social-cultural environmental, and at the direct individual level. Macro components focused on institutional change, and incorporating and building on neighborhood community assets. Individual assessment measured clinical lab level changes (blood pressure, glucose levels, serum cholesterol, and BMI, body fat %), increases in knowledge, and personal life impacts. Six bi-monthly classes conducted in Spanish, four social events, and a neighborhood walking club was implemented over 8 months. Results reveal an increase in prevention knowledge and improved clinical lab changes (decreases in blood pressure, cholesterol, body weight, fat %). Qualitative results document drastic life changing results for participants consisting of weight loss, improvements in nutrition, adoption of exercise routines, and lowered blood levels. Sustainability focuses on establishing a church health advisory committee and implementing phase two of the project run solely by Promotoras.

Learning Objectives:

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to
1. Identify ways to implement health programs in underserved communities using the
Promotora model.
2. Identify certain cultural issues that affect the participation of communities in health
promotion programs for Latino populations .
3. Discuss the impact of socio-environmental changes in programs that focus on changing the individual.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation

Innovative Strategies to Promote Access to Services

The 132nd Annual Meeting (November 6-10, 2004) of APHA