The purpose of the Hispanic Outreach Project was to provide data necessary for determining the health needs and decision practices of Hispanic women living in a rural Appalachian county. Over 100 families participated in this unique project-a collaborative effort between University researchers, a local cancer coalition, the American Cancer Society and area health agencies. The Project identified many barriers Hispanic women face when accessing local health services. Barriers limited the number of Hispanic women receiving breast and cervical screenings and follow-up. This valuable information guided the planning process for a Hispanic health fair, part of a community event called Festival De Otoņo. The Project researchers trained a lay health advisor from the Hispanic community to address barriers to accessing local health services for breast and cervical screenings. Results from the Hispanic Outreach Project clearly showed a special need for in-depth cancer education and training among all Hispanic women in this rural area. The Lay Health Advisor Model is now being utilized as a method of recruiting women into church- and community-based programs for a variety of health concerns. By offering training to lay persons in the community, professional knowledge and techniques are shared with laypersons in the context of empowering them. This is a cultural model that builds on the strengths within the community and considers the influence of naturally existing sources of social and community support. The Project is using the Lay Helper Model to train other women as Lay Health Advisors, through the "each one, reach one" strategy.
Learning Objectives: The participant will be able to: 1) discuss the knowledge, beliefs and barriers to preventive health screening among low-income Hispanic women; 2) identify community and service-providers' barriers to providing health services; 3) apply a collaborative Lay Health Advisor Model as a method of recruiting women into church- and community-based programs for health promotion interventions
Keywords: Breast Cancer Screening, Hispanic
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Clemson University
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.