In its continuous effort to reduce the incidence, burden, and impact of health problems among Hispanics, and as part of a multifaceted approach to lower the levels of high cholesterol, depression, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases among Latinos, the National Council of La Raza’s (NCLR) Institute for Hispanic Health (IHH) is developing a community-driven model of health education that will mobilize and support the work of promotores de salud (lay health educators) through the development and testing of a comprehensive media and health promotion tool kit.
Research shows that heart disease is the number one-cause of death among Hispanics (and all Americans). The American Heart Association (AHA) reports that heart disease claims the lives of 30% of the more than 107,000 Hispanics who die each year. However, studies suggest that Hispanics are generally unaware that high blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease. According to AHA, approximately half of Hispanics have a total cholesterol level of 200mg/dl or higher (considered borderline to high risk).
Sana la Rana
In light of this, IHH initiated a new project in March 2003 with support from Pfizer, Inc: Sana la Rana. The goal of this community outreach project is to develop educational materials to assist promotores de salud in their cholesterol training sessions with Hispanic residents of local communities.
Sana la Rana seeks to:
- Share new knowledge with promotores de salud working with the Latino community to improve heart health.
- Facilitate the implementation of activities and conduct training sessions to educate the Hispanic community about the dangers of high blood cholesterol and its implications for heart health.
- Facilitate partnerships among community-based organizations, promotores de salud programs, Latino communities, and the health industry to foster positive health outcomes for Hispanics.
Sana la Rana will be coordinated and implemented through two community-based organizations that are already operating promotores de salud programs in those cities targeted by the initiative: Abriendo Puertas in Miami, Florida and Gano Carecen/Pro Salud in Houston, Texas.
