Community Health Workers Learn From Patients

In a recent Los Angeles Times article, I read about America Bracho, who started Latino Health Access in Orange County 18 years ago. "She puts more emphasis on education, prevention and participation than medical care."

The California Endowment chose central Santa Ana last year as one of 14 underserved areas across the state to take part in a $1-billion program to focus on building healthy communities.  Latino Health Access has more than 60 employees and hundreds more volunteers.

Mario Marin, 55, learned about the organization 10 years ago after becoming a diabetic. He took free classes on how to manage the disease and soon began teaching them.

Before long, he had given up his job at a Carls Jr. and was working for Bracho's organization full time. Marin said his life is completely different from what it used to be, when he drank regularly, smoked and ate unhealthfully. "I have much experience to share," he said.

During a recent training session for community health workers at a hospital in south Orange County, each of the participants said their name, their favorite food and their hobby.

That, Bracho told the group, is how promotoras connect with their community. They don't develop relationships by asking about glucose readings, but rather by talking about what they have in common: favorite foods and hobbies.

And, she told them, promotoras must be open to learning from the people they are serving.

"Unlike a doctor or a lawyer, we help each other," she said. "It's reciprocal."


I think this is a great model from all medical personnel!