Free Asthma Screening for Latinos (2001)
The American Lung Association targeted the Latino community to raise awareness about asthma and proper asthma care. It organized a free screening at Resurrection Parrish in Santa Rosa to help Hispanics find out what they can do to prevent wheezing attacks and where to receive proper medical care. The Lung Association focused on Latino families because often they have not received adequate information about how to spot the signs of asthma, they may not have health insurance, and they may not receive consistent medical treatment.
Cesar Chavez Health Fair (2003 & 2004)
Provide important bi-lingual/bi-cultural information on what is asthma, triggers and allergens, and how families can make their homes trigger free for the children that have asthma. Provide information about accessing health care, and the importance of consistent asthma management. (1000 people during two years).
Asthma Friendly Schools Initiative (2004-2005)
Partnering with the Roseland School District to develop a bi-lingual/bi-cultural asthma management plan for the schools. The School outreach committee includes community members and the Roseland children’s Health Center to first identify the specific educational and medical needs of the 1400 students in the district and then develop a plan of action that can include concrete actions such as finding health care for the uninsured, cleaning up indoor air quality of the school facilities, and developing alternative physical education activities for kids with severe asthma.
Media Outreach to Hispanic Community
In 2003 Univision (Santa Rosa) invited the coalition to appear twice on the Retrato Hispano morning show with Maria Fincher. The first time to discuss what is asthma and it’s affect on Latinos in Sonoma County and the second was to discuss asthma and the elderly as part of the “Años Dorados” series.
Asthma Workshops for Child Care Providers
June 2004 we implemented “Contando Contigo,” an asthma 101 workshop for Latino childcare providers in Sonoma County. It was offered as a certification program to the 4C’s childcare network and 20 providers participated.
Bilingual Asthma Management Tool Kits (2003 and 2004)
Pulling together best practices for delivery of asthma education and management, the Sonoma County Asthma Coalition, with the American Lung Association as lead agency, developed 100 Asthma Management Tool Kits for providers and patients for use with community clinics serving bilingual population. These asthma management tool kits have been highly rated by physicians and patients in use in community clinics.
