144 Latinas, Tabaco, y Cáncer: Developing Community Capacity to Promote Health

Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Exhibit Hall (Kansas City Convention Center)
Mrs. Athena Ramos, MS, MBA, CPM , Center for Reducing Health Disparities, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
Ms. Antonia Correa, MA , Center for Reducing Health Disparities, UNMC , Omaha, NE

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this presentation attendees will be able to:

  1. 1. Discuss the importance of addressing Latina health through a culturally-relevant, holistic approach. 2. Describe one example of a community-based health promotion intervention including its long-term impact on the physical, emotional, spiritual and social development of Latinas. 3. Describe how this intervention has transformed the social landscape of South Omaha (a predominately Latino community) and has been used to promote social advocacy from and within the community.

Cross Cutting Program Area(s): Communications and Media and Tobacco Control Movement – Skills Building

Audience:

The groups that would benefit from this workshop include: community program managers, practitioners, coalition members, and those interested in reducing health disparities.

Key Points:

Latino families represent the largest growing minority group in the U.S.  Latinas traditionally serve as the gatekeepers to healthcare for their families and communities.  Yet, many are unaware of the importance of creating healthy lifestyles including smoke-free environments.  Increasing awareness empowers women to take action to improve their own health and the health of their families.

The Latinas, Tabaco, y Cáncer group is engaged to fight tobacco and prevent cancer through education and advocacy. This group of Latinas come together to: (1) Increasing awareness on the dangers of tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke and (2) Developing projects to influence the social norms around tobacco. 

Research has shown that cultural and linguistic barriers keep Latinas from accessing healthcare through traditional channels. Trusted bilingual/bicultural women lead the group using an interactive approach that addresses health holistically. Implementation has resulted in Latina women adopting preventative behaviors, influencing behaviors family members, and changing the social norms of the community.

Educational Experience:

The participants will learn about this community program and its implementation through a traditional lecture format and strong discussion.  Presentation will feature audiovisual components including photos, radio, and TV spots.

Benefits:

The presentation will be especially beneficial to those interested in reaching a Latino population by effectively using community gatekeepers and grasstops to build the movement.  It will also highlight strategies for keeping community programs sustainable and relevant over the long-run.