Aware's Barbara Rugen and Linda Workman are consulting with the Latino Health Collaborative on strategies to embed community health workers in the Latino community. They would be trusted members of the community, trained to report to healthcare personnel but also draw on public health practices in their own culture. The program includes educating the community on several critical issues and challenges faced by Latina women and girls:
Communication Challenges: There is a significant lack of communication about reproductive health between mothers and daughters and in schools. This gap prevents essential knowledge and understanding from being passed down and leaves young girls uninformed about their reproductive health.
Violence and Abuse: Issues of rape and domestic violence within the community pose serious threats to women's health and well-being. By addressing these issues, the community health workers can promote women's safety and overall health.
Cancer Prevention: Educate the community that condoms are not only for family planning but also crucial for preventing infections that can lead to cancer.
Prenatal Care: Provide adequate prenatal care, especially since traditional diets may not always provide the necessary nutrients. Educating mothers about the importance of prenatal vitamins can help improve maternal and child health outcomes.
Teen Pregnancy: There is a concerning rise in pregnancies among young girls aged 12-18 in the Latino population. Implementing programs focused on birth control and overall women's health education from an early age can address this issue and empower young girls to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
Community Support and Education: Provide courses for mothers and daughters to foster open communication and reduce stigma around discussing reproductive health. Creating safe spaces for these conversations can help women and girls to seek the support and information they need without feeling embarrassed or ashamed.
In summary, by working with community health workers to address these multifaceted issues—from communication barriers to violence prevention, cancer awareness, prenatal care, and teen pregnancy prevention—Aware aims to enhance women's health within the Latino community, thereby promoting stronger families and healthier futures.
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