The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #43137

Irma N. Ramos, MD¹, Genny Carrillo-Zuniga, MD, ScD¹, Marlynn May, PhD², and Kenneth S. Ramos, PhD¹. (1) Veterinary Physiology, Texas A&M University, 4455 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, (2) Center for Housing and Urban Development, Texas A&M University, College of Architecture TAMU 109 C, Lang Architecture Building C, College Station, TX 77843

The NIEHS Center for Environmental and Rural Health (CERH) consists of integrated research cores, facilities cores, and a community outreach and education program (COEP). The present study was conducted to: 1) To assess the knowledge on environmental health of promotoras and the targeted community in order to prioritize their needs, 2) To develop an environmental health curriculum based on community needs and to train promotoras (community educators) and colonia residents along the Texas-Mexico border. The COEP provides bilingual education to rural and disadvantaged communities on how to reduce environmental exposures associated with human illness and provides target communities with scientifically sound information to deal with environmental issues. A cornerstone of this program is an Environmental Health Science curriculum rooted on a “Train-the-Trainer” model of education and outreach. Principal Findings: The greatest strength of this program is the direct participation of the Promotoras and colonia residents. Promotoras’ knowledge increased significantly after the training sessions they received. As educators, they helped refine this research/education/outreach program for expansion to other colonias all along the U.S.-Mexico border. Conclusions: Based on written feedback from the residents of the targeted community, the “train-the trainer” model of education and outreach has been successful. The ongoing work in the colonias promotes strong partnerships between and among colonia residents, community-based organizations, clinicians, public health professionals, and researchers. These partnerships will leave a legacy of disease prevention, behavior modifications and health promotion related to the environment in this region of the State of Texas.

Reference: Ramos I.N., May M., Ramos K.S. Environmental Health Training of Promotoras in Colonias Along the Texas-Mexico Border. American Journal of Public Health, Vol.91(4):568-579,2001

Learning Objectives:

• To assess the knowledge on environmental health of promotoras and the targeted community in order to prioritize their needs,
• To develop an environmental health curriculum based on community needs and to train promotoras (community educators) and colonia residents along the Texas-Mexico border.

Keywords: Community Health Promoters, Environmental Health

Related Web page: www.cerh.tamu.edu

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.