PROMOTE HEALTH EDUCATION

Newcomers to the United States often face obstacles and situations that affect their health and well being such as having come from war-torn countries; post-traumatic stress disorder; culture shock; grieving losses of loved ones, hopes, dreams, and productivity; reversal of traditional roles; loss of status; intergenerational conflicts; work frustrations; and feelings of isolation. In addition, a number of factors often make it more difficult for newcomers to seek healthcare and/or navigate the healthcare system in the United States. These include limited English language skills; inadequate health education information; cultural concerns when seeking healthcare; and the inexperience of healthcare providers in interacting with people from widely diverse cultural backgrounds.

In responding to the health care concerns and needs of the African newcomer community, ECDC has sought to design an approach that combines direct services with culturally sensitive health promotion and health education. ECDC has over 19 years of experience in providing a variety of health-related services, including:

• familiarizing newcomers with the roles and services of area healthcare providers and how to access healthcare services;
• holding cultural competency training sessions for area service providers;
• providing translation and interpretation services to area health departments;
• translating health materials into languages spoken by refugee newcomers;
• conducting a Health Needs Assessment Survey of African-Born Residents in the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area;
• conducting HIV/AIDS peer education along with group and individual outreach interventions;
• educating newcomers about the harmful effects of smoking and environmental smoke;
• advocating for clean indoor air policies; and
• increasing newcomers' knowledge about preventive health and health screenings.

Funded by the Centers for Disease Control, ECDC's Diabetes Education and Prevention project is both national and local in scope. It is being conducted in Chicago, Illinois, Denver, Colorado, Houston, Texas, San Diego, California, and Washington, D.C. The project is assessing the burden of diabetes among African newcomers, developing culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach materials, and conducting education outreach.

ECDC also airs health information segments as part of its weekly Amharic-language radio program, Negarit, which is broadcast Saturdays in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area on New World Radio, WUST 1120 AM. To listen to a recent Negarit program, click here.