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Health Programs
Asian Community Health Coalition (ACHC) uses multi-dimensional, evidence-based and culturally appropriate strategies and programs to reduce Asian risk factors and promote healthy lifestyles. Currently, ACHC has 11 culturally appropriate and mostly evidence-based programs aimed at reducing risk factors and promoting healthy lifestyles among Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Hmong and others in the United States. Evidence to date indicates that these programs have narrowed significantly these risk disparities as well as effecting changes in lifestyles in subsets of these ethnic groups who received the interventions.
All Asian Community Health Coalition (ACHC) programs are culturally appropriate and are administered in English, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese and Cambodian languages.
Breast Cancer -
This is an educational and interventional program aimed at increase knowledge and awareness of breast Cancer among Asian American women as well as available community information and resources that would lead to mammography screening and follow up in abnormal findings.
Cervical Cancer -
The purpose of this program is to increase knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer among Asian women, its prevention and early detection. The program explores psychosocial, cultural and healthcare system barriers Asian women face. The program’s ultimate objective is to facilitate cervical cancer screening and follow up in abnormal findings.
Colorectal Cancer -
This program is designed for Asian Americans who are 50 years and older. Its purpose is to increase knowledge and awareness, its prevalence among various Asian ethnic groups, its signs and symptoms and its relationship to diet, and various strategies for its detection. The program’s aim to encourage Asians to seek screening at recommended intervals.
Hepatitis B /Liver Diseases -
HepB is an infectious disease that affects many Asians. Vaccination against the hepB virus can prevent Asians against the disease. Chronic hepB infection can lead to liver complications including hepatic cancer. This program aims to increase knowledge and awareness of hepatitis B virus and how it is communicated, how to prevent infection, and strategies to deal with chronic hepB. It also addresses intervention issues and resources at local and state levels, in particular vaccination programs.
Tobacco Control
Among Asians in general and men in particular, tobacco and tobacco products are used as ‘lubricant’ for communication. This program is designed to address smoking behaviors among new Asian American immigrants and insular Asian communities who maintain strong cultural ties with their respective countries. In addition to increasing knowledge of the adverse effects of tobacco consumption on health, this program provides culturally appropriate one-on-one counseling as well as other assistive therapies for smoking cessation.
Osteoporosis Intervention
The DHHS and the American Osteoporosis Foundation has identified osteoporosis as a significant health problem among Asians, especially Chinese. The ACHC has been instrumental in the translation and adaptation of the DHHS Surgeon General’s Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis. This community-based program addresses both the Surgeon General’s bone health management as well as cultural factors that promote healthy bone (e.g., indigenous exercises and diets). Although the program targets the age group 50 and above, it can be adapted to younger-age groups for prevention.
This culturally appropriate prevention and intervention program address both juvenile as well as adult onset diabetes. The program targets underserved Asian Americans in low socioeconomic status. The educational intervention is designed to increase knowledge and awareness of diabetes and risk factors associated with the disease. Because most Asians in the eastern region of the U.S. are new immigrants, emphasis is placed on changing diets and acculturation and their impact on health. The program discusses disease management and directs Asians to sources of information, especially related to screening or care. Blood draws usually accompany the program.
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Asian Americans are as much at risk for hypertension as African Americans and Hispanics. Factors which may precipitate hypertension include smoking, particularly among males, high risk occupations, problems related to acculturation, socioeconomic status, changes in diet, and lack of information about health and healthy lifestyle. The program provides information on the nature of hypertension and strategies to prevent hypertension from becoming chronic. The program provides information on where to seek assistance if at risk, and how to monitor blood pressure and manage it with physician assistance.
Heart disease is a correlate of diabetes and smoking significantly increase the risk for the disease. The aim of this program is to increase awareness of risk factors that contribute to heart disease in Asian Americans. Although genetics and familial factors are risk factors in heart disease, the program also focuses on lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, and stress reduction) and routine checkups that can substantially reduce risks for developing heart disease.
Salt Reduction Project - Philadelphia Healthy Chinese Take-out Initiative
The Philadelphia Healthy Chinese Take-out Initiative, "Less Salt, Healthier Eating," is a joint effort among Temple University's Center for Asian Health, the Asian Community Health Coalition, the Philadelphia Chinese Restaurant Association, and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. See details, click here.
Patient Navigator and Community Health Worker Training (a Certificate Program)
This is a community capacity building program for training patient navigators and community health workers. A large subset of the Asian populations is unaware of mainstream health services, hence need patient navigation assistance in understanding physicians’ recommendations or coordination follow up care. The program is designed to train local bilingual patient navigators and community health workers to facilitate patients’ movement through the health delivery system.
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