'Promotores' program bridges health care gap for Hispanic community

Published: 2007-07-27

PORTLAND, Ore. (CNS) -- Responding to the unmet health needs in the growing Hispanic community in the Portland area, especially among those new to the United States and for whom English is a second language, a Catholic health system has launched a new initiative. The Parish Health Promoter Program, or "Promotores de Salud de la Iglesia," is a volunteer-driven program targeted to Hispanics that seeks to create healthier communities through parish-based health promotion and leadership training. Providence Health System, made up of seven hospitals, medical clinics, health plans, long-term care facilities and home health services in Oregon, began the program. It is housed within the mission integration departments at the two largest Providence hospitals, Providence St. Vincent and Providence Portland Medical Centers. Based on similar models from Latin America, the program builds bridges among the Latino community, local churches and health care providers using techniques of "popular education."

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