Oral

Hispanics represent an estimated 13% of the US population (US Census Bureau, 2002) and during the next two decades their numbers are projected to dramatically increase. The lack of health care and disease prevention are serious problems that have lead to a disproportional burden of chronic and infectious diseases. Access to adequate health care, tailoring prevention programs and increasing access to insurance are major challenges that must be addressed to improve every ones health. In particular, promotoras and health advisors have been used in the Hispanic community to address health problems. This session will describe how promotores can change health outcomes, serve to screen for cervical cancer, build capacity and promote health of women.

Session Objectives: 1. Describe the community health worker promotora model as a central capacity building element in systems of health care. 2. Identify strategies of community capacity building to engage different partners in support of community health workers/ promotores de salud. 3. Know strategies to improve collaboration between multiple groups that target community health issues. 4. Know how capacity building was delivered to community health promotoras. 5. Articulate the role of Women's Health Advocates (WHAs) in designing and facilitating social support groups. 6. Know how social support affects psychosocial factors that influence healthy eating, exercise, weight and related risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing