Asian Pacific Community Health Action Model: The Arizona Experience

A framework has been developed and implemented to mobilize the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) community to address health-related needs in Tucson, Arizona. There are four components in the Asian Pacific Community Health Action Model: (1) Acquire Knowledge – about API health issues, (2) Increase Health Issues Awareness – in the API community, (3) Work with API Leaders – from various ethnic communities to develop and implement an action plan, and (4) Work with Larger Community – in addressing API health issues. In 2008, the model was developed to provide a framework for working with minority communities to address their health needs. The first two model components have been addressed (Acquire Knowledge - through health internet websites, health publications, and community surveys, focus groups and meetings, and Increase Health Issues Awareness – Arizona API health information disseminated through the State of Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders in Arizona Report in October 2008, Southern Arizona Asian American & Pacific Islander Conference in April 2009, and Asian and Pacific Islanders Community Health Assessment Meeting in February 2010). The Tucson API community has begun to address the last two components (Work with API Leaders – a Health Work Group has been formed, and Work with Larger Community – a partnership has been formed between the Asian Pacific Community in Action located in Phoenix with the Tucson API community). The model presented can be used by other API communities to address their health-related needs. This presentation describes the model implementation and the lessons learned.