A.M.I.G.A. Promotoras de salud: An academic-community partnership addressing cancer-related disparities among Latinas

In Wyandotte County (WyCo) Latinos, who represent 27% of the population, confront increasing poverty and language barriers. Moreover, female breast cancer (BCA) mortality in WyCo is higher than the US average, and the proportion of BCA distant stage diagnoses is higher than the surrounding counties’.

In this scenario, KU Medical Center through an American Cancer Society award developed the A.M.I.G.A. promotora program, an academic-community partnership addressing BCA-related disparities in Latinas. Five promotoras were trained on BCA and BCA screening, participated in weekly case discussions and supervision meetings, and completed monthly training sessions in health-related topics and communication skills. They provided culturally and linguistically relevant BCA education and linked women with screening resources. 

Over the year-program, promotoras maintained high levels of BCA knowledge, self-efficacy and motivation. They provided BCA education to 1,101 Latinas at community health events/settings (37%), the Mexican consulate (35%), and safety-net clinics (28%). The majority of women identified were uninsured (99%) and 347 (32%) were age-eligible, had a working telephone number, and were referred for BCA screening. Of them, 202 (58%) reported completing a mammography. Promotoras actively documented participant outcomes throughout the program and contributed to the development of reports to disseminate their results in multiple audiences including APHA.

The A.M.I.G.A. promotora model has the potential to function as a sustainable approach to address cancer-related disparities at large, especially with the Affordable Care Act provisions to incorporate CHW in the healthcare system. Furthermore, the program activities and results are currently informing the development of the Kansas CHW certification policy.