271272 Improving Access to Cancer Care for Latinas in Alameda County through a Community Health Advocate Model

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Alicia Riley, MA , Women's Cancer Resource Center, Oakland, CA
Studies have demonstrated the negative impact of low socioeconomic status on cancer outcomes, and brought attention to socially driven disparities in cancer outcomes across ethnic groups in the U.S. As mortality rates for breast cancer have improved for some populations, African American and Latina women continue to present with late stage diagnoses and die from this disease. This program explores participation of Community Health Advocates (CHAs) within Latino communities as a vehicle for improving health. The Women's Cancer Resource Center's Community Health Advocate (CHA) program uses lay volunteers who are trained to provide cancer support services and education to Latina women and facilitate access to screening, diagnosis, treatment, practical assistance, and navigation. CHAs are cancer survivors and former caregivers who conduct early detection presentations and support women through their breast cancer journey. CHAs offer peer emotional support, translation, home visits, navigation, and more. WCRC utilized the validated FACT-G survey tool to assess the impact of these services on the quality of life of clients. This was supplemented with qualitative data attained verbally from clients. Client-specific outcomes were also tracked using Efforts to Outcomes software. The CHA program helps hundreds of women with breast cancer in both Alameda and Contra Costa Counties yearly. Education presentations by CHAs reach an additional 1000 underserved women, pre-diagnosis. Preliminary results suggest the CHA model is effective in improving access to diagnostic and treatment services for cancer among underserved Latina women in Alameda County. The survey results also highlight unmet needs and areas for programmatic expansion.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs

Learning Objectives:
Explain the mechanisms by which Latina Community Health Advocates (promotoras) are reducing barriers to accessing high-quality cancer care in underserved Latino communities. Discuss the need for culturally-tailored programs like the Latina CHA program. Identify challenges to sustaining and scaling up a successful promotora model.

Keywords: Latino Health, Lay Health Workers

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I was the Latino Program Manager at the Women's Cancer Resource Center from 2009-2011 and since pursuing my Masters in Public Health and continued involvement with the WCRC as a volunteer consultant to carry out the FACT-G analysis of the CHA program.
Any relevant financial relationships? Yes

Name of Organization Clinical/Research Area Type of relationship
Women's Cancer Resource Center non-profit organization Consultant and Employment (includes retainer)

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4175.0: Barriers to wellness: Gender and ethnic-specific interventions