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Innovative community clinic-based program to address health disparities and social determinants of health through community organizing. The Healthy CENA (Communidad, Ejercicio, Nutricion, Accion) Program
Methods
Promotoras de Salud engage in community-participatory activities to increase access to healthy foods and physical activity opportunities in Santa Fe’s underserved, mostly Hispanic, south side. Children with a BMI greater than the 85th percentile are referred to a Registered Dietitian for assessment and receive a home visit from a promotora. Enrolled families are given access to healthy cooking classes, group exercise activities, and free vouchers to a community fitness facility. The Dietician meets with participants again at 6 months and 12 months.
Results
Community organizing activities have resulted in adding exercise and nutrition classes to after-school programs in at-risk neighborhoods and starting a local farmer’s market with 16 culturally relevant vendors. Seventy-four families have enrolled in the clinic-based program with 40.6% of participants showing a reduced BMI at 6 months and 58% reporting reduced empty calorie intake. Fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity levels will be quantified by October 2014.
Conclusion
By integrating peer-led community organizing and patient support, Healthy CENA is an effective primary care clinic-based model to empower communities to address health disparities by increasing access to healthy foods and physical activity. Intensive peer support for families also reduces BMI in at-risk pediatric patients.
Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programsAdvocacy for health and health education
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Describe how to address social determinants of health and health disparities through community organizing
Explain how a Community Health Clinic can engage in activities which address social determinants of health and health disparities
Keyword(s): Community-Based Partnership & Collaboration, Health Disparities/Inequities
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Public health and clinical nurse with several years of expeience managing health education and outreach efforts for La Familia Medical Center ubcluding managing CHWs.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
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.