Recorded presentation

Sidney Liang, BS and Sheila Och. Cambodian Community Health 2010 Program, Lowell Community Health Center, 15-17 Warren Street, 3rd FLoor, Lowell, MA 01852, 978-934-0164 ext.206, Sidneyli@lchealth.org

In order to implement effective and sustainable ways of improving the health status of our diverse communities, health and human service agencies, government agencies, medical providers and academic institutions need to have a deeper understanding of a particular community’s beliefs and perceptions. This session will present effective strategies carried out by Lowell Community Heath Center, Cambodian Community Health 2010 (CCH2010) Program in Lowell, Massachusetts. The CCH2010 Program serves Cambodians in Lowell, a community of 25,000 with significant health status disparities and socio-economic needs. CCH2010’s goal is to eliminate health disparities in regards to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes. Strategies focusing on the Cambodian community and its leaders were implemented to better understand these health issues. The program conducted 14 Community Conversations with community members, religious leaders and key informants to obtain data about Cambodian beliefs which took place in non-traditional settings such as temples, churches and other community venues. The Community Conversations provided a wealth of qualitative data which helped in the formulation of the program’s successful community action plan. In addition, the CCH 2010 program has an Elders Council that provides on- going guidance and advice on culturally and linguistically appropriate ways of reaching the community via program activities. Some of these activities include: vegetable and fruit picking trips, community educational groups at the temples, staff education from Buddhist monks on cultural beliefs, meditation classes, stress reduction classes and Emergency Room learning tours.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Articulate effective strategies of establishing trust with community elders and leaders and involve them in active decision making;
• 2. Articulate effective strategies of gathering data on health beliefs and understanding to develop culturally appropriate interventions.

Keywords: Community Involvement, Public Health Education and Health Promotion

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