Health Promotion
The Health Promotion Program focuses on prevention services. The program provides basic preventative education and services to low income Latino community members. The program has an emphasis on reducing instances of diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol and HIV/STDS.
We accomplish our goal through:
• One on one education about prevention
• Health fairs and workshops
• Basic health services such as cholesterol, HIV, and blood tests
• Referrals to local healthcare providers and programs
Latino communities face inequalities in health coverage, access to health services, and overall health status. In 2007, 32.1 percent of the Hispanic population was not covered by health insurance, as compared to 10.4 percent of the non-Hispanic White population in the US. Uninsured adults are less likely to seek preventive care, screening services, and appropriate disease management. Also, they are more likely to have poorer health compared to insured individuals.
A new survey by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the University Of Minnesota School Of Public Health shows the percentage of Hispanic/Latino Minnesotans without health insurance at 28.6 percent. This is higher than the rate for the white population at 7.8 percent.
Heath disparities include:
• Hispanics/Latinos living in the US are almost twice as likely to die from diabetes as are non-Hispanic whites.
• Hispanics account for a disproportionate percentage of new cases of tuberculosis. • They also have higher rates of high blood pressure and obesity than do non-Hispanic whites.
• In 2006, Latinos accounted for 17% of new HIV infections in the 50 states and the District of Columbia during that same year. The rate of new HIV infections among Hispanics/Latinos in 2006 was 2.5 times that of whites.
• According to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Statewide, HIV infection rates for Latinos were five times greater than whites. In 2009, 996 Latinos were also infected with other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.
Community HIV Health Education~ 01/01/11
Centro Campesino has received funding from the Minnesota Department of Health to expand our Community HIV Health Education and Risk Reduction initiative. The goal is to educate Latino community members about the risks of HIV infection. Through this initiative we are able to provide free HIV education and tests. Centro Campesino is committed to the prevention of transmission of HIV, STDs and hepatitis in the Latino community.
Pilot Free Clinic for Low Income People~ 06/01/10
Centro Campesino in partnership with Allina Hospital in Owatonna is coordinating a pilot free clinic for low income residents in southern Minnesota. The clinic has been placed at Centro Campesino and it has been providing free medical consultations to low income residents since June 2010. The clinic is open every other Thursday. We hope to materialize this work through the opening of a formal clinic in the future.
