Athens, Georgia: A Microcosm for American Health

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gerogia kids (via @sistersreport)
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Athens, Ga., is like a lot of other U.S. communities.

The Latino population in the 123,912-person city doubled in recent years, including many immigrants who have kids, speak Spanish, lack healthcare, and have low incomes, according to a new report.

One certainty: They face many barriers to health.

“Truly understanding what their needs are and the barriers they face when trying to access existing services for themselves and their children is a cornerstone to the development of relevant programs and policies that affect their overall well-being,” Alejandra Calva, part of a Latino research institute at the University of Georgia, told UGA Today.

What can be done in Athens and communities like it?

Some communities are working hard to reduce the barriers that many Latinos face in accessing health, education, and legal services.

In Corvallis, Ore., Latinos face language differences, complex and confusing documents and processes, lack of knowledge of available services, unreliable transportation, and fear of using government services.

Rocio Muñoz, community health navigator at Benton County Health Department, worked with partners to embed bilingual, bicultural health navigators into Corvallis elementary schools to address these barriers. They developed a model where health navigators are placed in schools to coordinate with students, parents and teachers regarding students’ health records in order to boost access to state and local health resources. Read their full Salud America! Salud Hero Story

In Broward County, Fla., a popular U.S. entry point for many from Latin Americans and the Caribbean, immigrants are plagued by a lack of healthcare coverage, language barriers, and financial obstacles.

Members of Hispanic Unity of Florida
Members of Hispanic Unity of Florida

Hispanic Unity Florida (HUF), an immigrant advocacy group based in Southern Florida, has been working to reverse the negative trends these problematic social and health issues. They work to empower immigrants to become self-sufficient, productive, and civically engaged. They also connect them with healthcare resources offered through the Affordable Care Act. During each Open Enrollment cycle, HUF holds registration events and offers appointments with trained, bilingual application counselors at their headquarters. Read their full Salud America! Salud Hero Story

In Fort Collins, Colo., the amount of Latino families living in poverty and facing obesity-related health issues is on the rise. Dierdre Sullivan and other health advocates formed a partnership, called Vida Sana, and used the promotora model to go into neighborhoods to proactively educate and intervene. Once on the ground, the promotoras go door-to-door, talking to their neighbors and friends, and determined their needs and connected them to the available resources. Read their full Salud America! Salud Hero Story

“The response from our residents has been very, very, very good,” Sullivan said. “We are finding that people are very open to us. We’re very trusted in the community. It is only going to get bigger and better.”

Back in Athens, Ga., researchers will present findings from their community needs assessments to the community.

We hope they follow in the footsteps of some of these model Latino communities.

Doing so can help create a culture of health!

(Main photo via Global Sisters Report)

By The Numbers By The Numbers

20.7

percent

of Latino kids have obesity (compared to 11.7% of white kids)

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