A multi-level promotora program to prevent chronic disease in Latino families

Promotoras de salud (Community Health workers) are an integral part of the health promotion work at the Central American Resource Center, a community-based non-profit in San Francisco's Mission District. The promotoras implement health interventions on several levels after participating in an intensive training on leadership, facilitation, capacity building, and health education around diabetes, nutrition, and physical activity.

In the initial stages of the program, the promotoras referred families to the agency's physical activity and nutrition program and conducted popular education workshops on health topics in Spanish with groups throughout the community as well as in health fairs and at community events. Their participation has expanded through a collaboration with the local medical clinic and mental health non-profit to provide information and serve as a bridge between families of children at high risk for chronic disease and health providers. The promotoras also lead community members in creating opportunities for social interaction and physical activity and have taken a leading role in community policy initiatives to make the community a safer environment for families. In leading these interventions, the promotoras have become skilled leaders and important resources for the community.

Through developing their own capacity, providing culturally appropriate and relevant health information, identifying and referring families to resources, and mobilizing community members for community-level change, the promotoras are strengthening the ability of community members to make healthy choices related to nutrition and physical activity.