Health Literacy and Promotion

Eastern AHEC’s programs are designed to expose health professions students with multiple experiences in the community serving those who are medically underserved, which often includes those of racial and/or ethnic minority status and disadvantaged white people. The health profession student is often challenged to appropriately communicate so as to be understood while simultaneously establishing a mutually satisfying relationship with the consumers/patients.

Health Literacy: The degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services for appropriate health decision (1). Low or limited health literacy can be described as a weakness or complete failure in connecting the audience with appropriate health information materials, services, or resources.

Cultural Competence: The continuous process of seeking cultural sensitivity, knowledge, and skills to work effectively with individuals and families from diverse cultural communities with their culturally diverse providers. Cross-cultural efficacy implies that the caregiver is effective in interactions with individuals of different cultures and that neither the caregiver nor the patient’s cultural is preferred or a more accurate view.(2)

"A Conversation with Health Care Providers:" The Health Literacy class designed a presentation for reception staff, doctors and other health care providers to share their cultural beliefs and attitudes towards health care based on their experiences in the United States compared with health care they received in their country of origin. The goal of the presentation is to assist hospitals and community health centers to provide culturally appropriate services to their patients of Hispanic origin. The presentation has been approved for Nursing Continuing Education Credits. For more information contact: Catherine Russell (860.705.4423)

Universal Health Care Campaign in Connecticut: The Universal Health Care Foundation is the sponsor of this statewide campaign to bring health care to everyone in the State of Connecticut. Eastern AHEC has a small role in the campaign which is to present the possible universal health care models that are being proposed by the Foundation and discuss the potential impact doctors and other health care providers. The other role of Eastern AHEC is to spread the word of the campaign and generate active support from the community through the Promotores de Salud Program. For more information visit: www.healthcare4every1.org

Health Promotion After School in Willimantic: This program provides first through fourth grade students with highly interactive and fun health related activities as part of a four series cycle that includes science enrichment, homework, and physical fitness. The program coordinator and engages rewards students for their participation by assisting him with magic tricks. An annual mini health fair is provided to the parents and they are given materials throughout the school year as they pick their children up at the end of the day for reinforcement.