Latina Health
Ana María Campaign
Spanish-language Educational Materials
Insight into Latino Culture and Relevant Health issues
www.MamaSana.org
Partnerships and Community Outreach
Qualitative Research and Recommendations
Training
Media
The Foundation is committed to reaching out to the state's growing Latino population. In 2000 it launched the Ana María Campaign, North Carolina's first public health education campaign developed solely for Latinos by Latinos. Over the last ten years, the Foundation has developed a variety of culturally and linguistically appropriate health resource materials and media for women and, recently, men. The Foundation stays current on the needs of the Latino community by conducting qualitative research and maintaining partnerships with community groups that work directly with Latino families. At the same time, the Foundation serves as a resource for non-Latino providers and organizations who want to reach out to the Latino community. The Foundation uses several strategies to improve the health of Latinas and their families:
This campaign focused on increasing awareness among Latinas about infant mortality and women's health, increasing the use of the NC Family Health Resource Line and educating about the importance of child health insurance. Health education materials and media telling the story of Ana María and her family were developed on the topics of folic acid consumption, infant safe sleep and child health insurance.
The Foundation fully understands that culturally and linguistically appropriate health educational materials and messages are the most effective way to raise awareness of resources, health services and positive lifestyle behaviors among Latinas. Members of the intended audience are involved in material development from the beginning to the end.
Insight into Latino Culture and Relevant Health Issues
Through monthly electronic newsletter articles first in Maternidad Latina (Latina Maternity) and now in Healthy Start Happenings the Foundation shares information to help health and wellness service professionals and community leaders better understand and communicate with the Latinos they serve.
This Spanish language Web site provides culturally and linguistically appropriate information and links to resources on women's, infant and child health topics.
Partnerships and Community Outreach
Working with partners to reach the Latino community with a variety of messages is of utmost importance to the Foundation. Recent partnerships include:
Hablando Lo Prohibido (Speaking the Forbidden) Part of the North Carolina Reproductive Justice Coalition the Foundation was involved in planning and presenting at this Spanish-language conference which reached over 100 members of the Latino community with information about sexual health, mental health and human rights in Chapel Hill.
Reproductive Health Training for Promotoras
In partnership with El Pueblo Inc. and Wake County Human Services, lay health advisors (promotoras) in Wake County received training on a range of reproductive health topics.
Child Car Safety Seat Campaign
A State Farm Insurance Good Neighbor Citizenship grant allowed the Foundation to donate 100 child car seats to Latino families in Durham and Raleigh. With the help of our partners El Pueblo Inc. and La Ley 96.9 FM (a Spanish language radio station), four live remote events were held. The seats were raffled, installed in the families' cars by trained bilingual technicians and families were trained on the proper use.
Safe Fish Consumption Project
In collaboration with Duke University and the N.C. Division of Public Health, the Foundation conducted interviews and focus groups and developed a brochure about safe fish consumption for pregnant and postpartum Latina women. These brochures were distributed by WIC clinics across the state. In addition, three one-minute videos and one half-hour public affairs show were developed and aired on the Spanish language stations Univision and Telefutura in the Raleigh/Durham television market.
Qualitative Research and Recommendations
In collaboration with the N.C. Division of Public Health, Women's and Children's Health Section, the Foundation has conducted qualitative research in a variety of health areas and provided recommendations to improve health services to Latinos. Details are available in the following reports:
Training
The Foundation provides training on how to work with the Latino community and how to best use our materials. For information about the FY 10-11 trainings for bilingual promotoras (lay health workers) and community agencies on reproductive health and family planning, email Information@NCHealthyStart.org.
Media
Radio and television are the preferred method of communication for many Latinos and the Foundation has responded by developing PSAs, short videos, and even a radio-novela (radio story) to deliver important health messages. Foundation staff work closely with the Spanish language media outlets and appear on radio talk shows, provide interviews and write articles on relevant topics.
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Last updated: January 2011 |
