Malden, Massachusetts is an urban city with a population of 53,000 and a per capita income of $15,820. Currently, Malden has a rapidly increasing immigrant population. Asians and Haitians represent the largest newcomers at 16% and 4%--the third highest in the State. Malden High School now has a majority “minority” population of 52% with 61 languages spoken. Due to discrimination, and language and access barriers, Malden’s immigrants are at increased risk for a host of health and social problems. To address these issues and better serve Malden’s cultural minorities, Healthy Malden, Inc. has developed a comprehensive 4-pronged public health education program to reduce prejudice and increase cultural competency. Established 7 years’ ago as a partnership between the Mayor’s Office and the local hospital, Healthy Malden, Inc. is the umbrella for 9 community task forces that address identified community health issues. Task force members represent all segments of the community-- government, education, healthcare, mental health, faith community, businesses, social services, youth-serving organizations, advocacy groups, children and families. Components of the new program include: (1) community-led discussions on diversity guided by the national organization Study Circles; (2) mini-conferences implemented by newcomer populations; (3) youth-led prejudice reduction initiatives guided by the National Conference on Social Justice and the Governor’s Task Force on Hate Crimes; and (4) a community-wide diversity day. Through an independent evaluation, this model is being assessed using quantitative and qualitative measures.
Learning Objectives: By the end of this session, participants will be able to do the following. (1) Understand how changing demographics impact a community and community-based health education programs. (2) Realize the importance of serving cultural and linguistic minorities within community-based health education programs. (3) Learn about an innovative four-pronged model for developing a culturally competent and inclusive health education program and how to evaluate such an approach. (4) Identify and implement strategies to become more inclusive of the communities they serve within their programs.
Keywords: Cultural Competency, Health Education Strategies
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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.