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Raising Awareness, Improving Skills: A Strategy to Address Health Disparities among Southeast Asians in Connecitcut
Southeast Asians tend to be healthier than whites and other ethnic groups, studies reveal a large disparity in health status among subgroups indicating poor access, language challenges, physician distrust, and cultural misunderstandings.
Recognizing the unique needs of Southeast Asian communities in CT, the University of Connecticut, School of Medicine, Community Based Education Office, in collaboration with the Connecticut Multicultural Health Partnership, developed and implemented an educational series delivered state-wide. The program highlights the following: immigration history and demographics; health status, traditional health beliefs and practice; risk factors and challenges; effective strategies for outreach and patient-physician communication approaches.
To date, six programs have been offered with over 350 participants. Audience members include: physicians, social workers, public health professionals, trainers, and consumers. Venues were held in academic settings, state and community organizations. Ethnic food was provided at each setting along with a discussion and presentation of traditional practices (e.g. water blessing offered by Cambodian monks).
Evaluations are overwhelmingly positive revealing: increased knowledge, effective demonstrations, skills development for workplace and individual advocacy. Participants reported that the information learned would influence their approach in clinical practices and the community. Cultural competency is an important tool for educating professionals and consumers in a variety of settings.
Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programsAdvocacy for health and health education
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Learning Objectives:
Identify and discuss the cultural influences on health care beliefs, practices and perceptions in Southeast Asian immigrants
Demonstrate the need for improving health care delivery, access, and promotion
Identify strategies, innovative approaches for providing sensitive and appropriate care
Keyword(s): Asian Americans, Community Health Programs
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a Community Based Education Specialist at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine where I precept and participate in educational activities that include: health concerns related to the LGBT community, cross cultural communication skills and strategies for eliminating health disparities. I develop and maintain community relationships between the medical students and outside organizations where they learn about health disparities, cultural barriers and other aspects of medicine not found in a classroom setting.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.