Overcoming Barriers to Care for the Hispanic Population

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Overcoming Barriers to Care for the Hispanic
Population
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Cahaba Valley Health Care

• Edwina Taylor, C.R.N.P.
• Founder, Executive Director
• www.cahabavalleyhealthcare.org
• edwina_at_cahabavalleyhealthcare.org

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How it started

• Bringing Health Care to Hispanic People in
  Jefferson and Shelby Counties, Alabama
• For 25 years the Cahaba Valley Health Care board
  members have been involved in working with
  Hispanic people in Latin America.
• As the Hispanic population of Central Alabama
  grew, a new idea emerged
• Lets help the underserved Hispanic people
  living in OUR area gain access to adequate health
  care

the dream
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Growing Fast!!
Jefferson County Department of Health Data -
Number of interpreters needed for clinic visits
from 1994 - 1999

• Alabama has the third fastest growing Hispanic
  population in the nation
• Alabamas foreign-born population increased by
  three times the rate of the total population
• There are an estimated 100,000 Hispanics living
  in Jefferson County

the facts
Data provided by Hispanic Coalition of Alabama
(HICA)
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The mission of CVHC

• Our mission is to provide access to health care
• for Spanish speaking people in
• Jefferson and Shelby Counties
• that maintains dignity,
• respects cultural diversity,
• and strengthens the Hispanic community,
• understanding that this is our work in Christ,
• manifested in the unified efforts of diverse
  Christian congregations.

the vision
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Getting started

• Key community organizations were approached
• Catholic Diocese
• Catholic Family Services
• Lutheran/Episcopal Diocese
• Jefferson County Health Department
• Shelby County Board of Health
• Cooper Green Hospital
• Hispanic Coalition of Alabama
• Alliance for Hispanic Health

• Key people were also approached
• Lay volunteers
• Social workers
• Local doctors and nurses
• Ministers and Priests
• In April 2000, a board was formed and officers
  were elected.
• Non-profit status was received from the IRS.
• Grant funding research began.

the beginning
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Determining the needs

• Basic Research
• Discussions with local Hispanic stakeholders and
  leaders
• Reviewed local and national data regarding
  Hispanic health care needs
• Information from Health Departments and Hispanic
  Coalition of Alabama and local health care
  professionals

• CVHC Questionnaire
• Gathered information with a needs assessment
  questionnaire, in Spanish, administered to 238
  individuals
• Survey Locations
• Prince of Peace Catholic Church
• St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
• Kingswood Christian Fellowship
• Hispanic Video/Grocery Stores

the beginning
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What we learned
Where Do You Go for Medical Care?
research
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Major Problems
What Is Your Major Health Problem?
research
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Barriers to obtaining health care

• Cultural differences
• Inability to speak English
• Lack of transportation
• Lack of knowledge
• Lack of information

73 found the barriers serious enough to prevent
them from obtaining health care
the facts
Data provided by Hispanic Coalition of Alabama
(HICA)
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Always Listen to Experts.Theyll tell you what
cant be done and why. Then do it.Robert
Heinlein
The impossible just takes a little longer . .
. Edwina Taylor
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The need for health information

• Cultural differences
• Inability to speak English
• Lack of transportation
• Lack of knowledge
• Lack of insurance

What information do you need?
research
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Planning to meet the needs

• Most acute needs
• Vision Care
• Dental Care
• Acute Health Care

• Start with Vision Screening at local churches
  with large Hispanic population
• Use health care professionals
• Use volunteers for administration, translation,
  transportation and facilitation

the action
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Vision Step 1

• Screening
• for vision needs
• held in area
• church facilities
• Equipment provided by donations and outside
  funding
• Referral Clinics address vision problems
  identified during screening
• Printed material provided to patients to enhance
  their understanding

the action
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Vision exam at the screening
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What was the Hispanic communitys response?
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Dental Step 2

• Screening for dental needs held in local church
  facilities
• Equipment provided by donations and outside
  funding
• Referral Clinic to address dental problems
  identified during screening
• Educational material provided to help with good
  dental hygiene

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Dental Exam at the Screening
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Dental Trailer
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Dental work in the Trailer
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Dr. Miller pulled how many teeth?
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Addressing health issues

• Screenings to identify high blood Pressure

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Education-a crucial part of our work
Eye safety Education
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Nutrition Education
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Dental Education
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Case Managementa key component of our work
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How We Involve Local Churches

• Meet with church leaders to share our mission and
  develop interest
• Offer volunteer opportunities for members
• Request help through facilities usage,and
  monetary support

the action
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Other Agencies Who Provide Hispanic Health Care

• Mpower ministries
• Birmingham Health Care
• Cooper Green Mercy Hospital
• St. Vincents Hospital
• Sowing the Seeds of Health
• Sarrell Dental Clinic

• Community of Hope Health Clinic
• Jefferson County Health Dept
• Childrens Hospital
• UABSchools of Dentistry and Optometry
• Sightsavers of America

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How can you help?

• You can get involved by
• Contributions of specific medical equipment
  and/or supplies
• Cash Donations
• Donating time to volunteer
• Donating start-up office equipment
• Serving on planning committee
• Serving on Advisory Board

the action
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Volunteers always needed!

• Translators
• Clerical staff
• Health professionals, including doctors,
  optometrists, dentists, nurses, social workers
  and others

the action
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Funding sources

• Robert Meyer Foundation
• EyeSight Foundation of Alabama
• Honda of Alabama
• Hillcrest Foundation
• Daniel Foundation

• No Federal or State Funding
• Individuals
• Churches

• United Way
• Special Partner

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Burning questions

• 1. Is it legal to give medical treatment to
  undocumented people?
• 2. What about liability?
• 3. Where do I sign up?