• About 1 in 3 Latinos have limited English proficiency⁶ in an English language dominated health care system. According to a study conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs and Research, nearly 6 in 10 Latino adults have had difficulty communicating with a health care provider because of language. ⁸
• About 1 in 4 Latinos live below the poverty line⁶ which makes things difficult when it comes to finding affordable care.
• Latinos are less likely than non-Hispanic Whites to engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors like eating fruits and vegetable and engaging in physical activity.⁷

In areas where there are many low-income Spanish speaking families, like the colonias of the border towns in Texas, large grocery store chains that sell fresh produce are many miles away. In these areas, public transportation is virtually non-existent, and families must shop from places that sell highly processed foods like convenience stores.

Many of MHP Salud’s direct service programs operate inside the Rio Grande Valley’s colonias, which are defined by The Texas Office of the Secretary of State as residential areas along the Texas-Mexico border that may lack basic living necessities like potable water, septic or sewer systems, electricity, paved roads, or safe and sanitary housing.

1. They provide information and education: In our Community Health Worker-led program, Juntos Podemos, CHWs reach Latino communities by conducting outreach in the colonias, schools and community centers of the Rio Grande Valley on the southern border of Texas. They provide families with health education and information that’s in Spanish and relatable to the cultural experiences they share with the community. For example, they discuss things such as the amount of salt in traditional dishes like Carne Guisada (a traditional stew made with beef) and explain the effects of a poor diet on the arteries and the heart.

2. They establish a supportive structure for an active lifestyle using community resources: During the Juntos Podemos group sessions, CHWs facilitate 15-minute exercise routines that fit the lifestyles of their participants. They teach them low-intensity exercises, like arm lifts, that can be done for free at home or a nearby park. They educate community members on the benefits of an active lifestyle and how it positively impacts the effects of chronic diseases. Those who are involved in the sessions are often so empowered, they establish a daily routine to stay active with their neighbors.

3.  They provide culturally relevant demonstrations on how to make healthier eating choices: In Vivir una Vida Plena, CHWs organize group sessions in some of the most trusted places in the community like schools and community resource centers. During these sessions, they demonstrate how busy, hard-working families can make affordable healthy snacks using local produce and items that they bought at nearby stores. They go even further by explaining how to read the nutrition labels, using foods that are staples for many Latino families as examples.

4. They help navigate the health care system: For non-English speaking low-income families, our health care system can be intimidating. Trying to enroll in the insurance marketplace can be challenging because of the number of options available. . Many are also concerned that they won’t be able to afford health care. In our Navigator program, CHWs help community members by providing clear information and assisting with applications to get them on a pathway to obtaining affordable health insurance.  CHWs help anyone seeking coverage and can help Latinos who suffer from chronic diseases like Diabetes understand their options.

5.  They encourage individuals to keep up with their health: The advice and care Community Health Workers give allows them to develop meaningful relationships with participants. By building these trusted personal relationships, CHWs can exert greater influence on topics such as the importance of attending appointments or taking prescribed medication.