Community mobilization around mental health, chronic disease and acculturation in Hispanics: The Illinois healthy minds, healthy bodies project

In the US, the majority of existing research on psychological adjustment to chronic disease has been concentrated on the majority white population belonging to a relatively higher social status compared to African Americans or Hispanics. In addition, there are few studies that have targeted interventions to these vulnerable groups, in particular, among rural immigrant Hispanic populations. This community mobilization project, funded by the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD), involved the formation of 5 partnerships to conduct a series of community-based participatory action research (CBPAR) projects to explore the relationships of acculturation and certain mental health conditions (e.g. stress, depression, health-related quality of life) with chronic diseases among a diverse group of rural Hispanic immigrant populations in Illinois. Using the CBPAR approach each community engaged in an assessment phase involving collection of data regarding the relationships between acculturation, mental health and chronic disease, developed small scale mobilization projects to address identified needs for health education/health promotion strategies in these areas, conducted evaluations of these efforts and created materials and programs for dissemination that can be used in other similarly situated communities. Findings suggest that Hispanic community members, in collaboration with multiple community partners, can create and sustain programs but they must be family oriented, gender specific (when feasible), location neutral, and low to no cost. The set of community research findings contribute to the need for culturally relevant and community friendly programs for Hispanic immigrants who experience difficulties in their mental and physical health due to the assimilation process.