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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Hang T. Nguyen, MPH1, Carol J. Matthews, MPH, CHES1, Nhu Hao Duong, MBA2, and Elizabeth Le, BS2. (1) Health Promotion and Wellness Department, CalOptima, 1120 W. La Veta Ave., Orange, CA 92868, (2) Customer Service Department, CalOptma, 1120 W. La Veta Ave., Orange, CA 92646, (714) 246-8442, hnguyen@caloptima.org
The fastest growing Asian Pacific Islander ethnic group in the United States is Vietnamese American with the largest numbers residing in Orange County, California. Vietnamese American is the third largest group in Orange County’s Medicaid (Medi-Cal) membership. CalOptima is the Medi-Cal manage care program for Orange County. CalOptima’s “Health Education and Cultural and Linguistic Group Needs Assessment” report (March 2000) identifies language and lack of familiarity with available programs as barriers to assessing health care among this population.
In response to the needs identified, staff implemented several interventions; conducting member needs assessment, holding focus groups, training staff on cultural and linguistic issues, developing educational materials messages, and outreaching to members through different media.
Media efforts are based on findings from several reports. The "Vietnamese Health Promotion Project Assessment" (March 1998), stated that radio was the most effective media for providing health information. The “Health Education and Cultural and Linguistic Group Needs Assessment” shows reading materials on preventive health care issues were of more interest to this population than watching videotapes, listening to audiotapes or attending small group classes. Staff supplemented existing efforts with outreach via the radio, mail based educational programs, and a telephone health library. All media outreach interventions are in Vietnamese and are coordinated by Vietnamese staff. Collaboration with experts in health care field, who are well respected in the Vietnamese community such as local health care agency, coalitions, physicians, health care clinics and other health professionals, are utilized to ensure content and cultural and linguistic accuracy.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Asian and Pacific Islander, Public Health Education and Health Promotion
Related Web page: www.caloptima.org
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Radio stations - VNCR - Vietnam California Radio (106.3 FM), Saigon Radio Hai Ngoai (106.3 FM), Little Saigon Radio (1480 AM);Orange County, Health Care Agency; Vietnamese Community of Orange County (VNCOC), Asian Health Center; Nhan Hoa Comprehensive Hea
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.