Continuum of Care for the underserved immigrant and refugee populationa in Colorado

This presentation will highlight the effective methods that have been utilized to bring about reduction in risk of chronic diseases and provide a Continuum of Care for vulnerable American and Pacific Islander (APA) communities of Colorado, especially recent immigrants The screenings and early detection of diseases in vulnerable population is a significant first step that needs to be coupled with education, self-management programs and navigator based follow-up care. Working with community leaders and reaching the vulnerable people at their places of congregation supports good outcomes and is evidence based.

Colorado Asian Health Education and Promotion's (CAHEP) work addresses an unmet need in Colorado's APA community as it serves populations who would not normally participate in preventative health care. CAHEP currently supports screening and follow up care for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and pulmonary diseases. Utilizing the existing methods of access, harbored in community partnerships built on trust, and inclusive relationship with the populations, supports a program that measures true risk elements and records chronic disease improvements over a period of time. The greater vulnerability is detected in the more recent refugee- immigrant populations. CAHEP and its network of provider-partners utilize the paradigm – ‘Take the Service to The People'. This work offers a renewed confidence while encouraging the people to take responsibility of their own chronic conditions; participate in preventative health care; get better informed with the knowledge of risk-factors or triggers and track their disease risk indicators. Results will be presented to support these findings