Thursday, August 28, 2008

Promatoras de Salud

Promatoras de Salud in the News

The Promatoras de Salud of PJD go out into homes weekly to provide health education to those in the community of Cameron Park. Each promatora works with a community leader who gathers friends, family, and neighbors in their home for an educational presentations important health issues. The themes are as diverse as the needs of those we serve, heart disease, diabetes, and depression are just a few of the themes presented. These gatherings are times not only to learn but to share the needs of those in the community who need assistance. This is the way that PJD receives many referrals...someone, who knows someone, who is sick and needs help.
Below is a local news clip of Lupita Sanchez, PJD staff member, making a home visit to check a client with diabetes. Diabetes is the focus of many of our programs at the Project. It is a disease of epidemic proportions in this community.

"Las Promotoras de Salud describes individuals who take
responsibility for
promoting health, well-being, skills, and knowledge to
the community in
culturally responsive and respectful ways. The most
important qualification one
must possess to serve as a promotora is to be
someone whom others know, trust,
and respect. Their primary function is to
educate others about healthier
behaviors and the resources available in the
community."
-USA-MEXICO, Border Health