Happy Monday – healthcare trailblazers,

Looking to connect with Hispanics? Start by engaging promotoras de salud: our most trusted allies for meaningful impact, and faster results.

Trust me, there is no better way.

In this edition, I’ll guide you through three insights, two actionable steps, and my advice to genuinely engage with the heart of the Hispanic community.

Three Insights to Chew on 🌶️

1. What are promotoras de salud?

Promotoras de Salud, which translates to “health promoters” in English, are community health workers who play a key role in providing health education, advocacy, and outreach services within the Hispanic community.

In other words.

They are the neighborhood commadre and compadre, that special someone, who lives and works in our neighborhoods who looks like us and knows our streets, and even our own stories.

Their job is more than just giving health tips, and include the following:

• Health Education: Promotoras de salud educate my community members about various health topics such as nutrition, prenatal care, chronic disease management, immunizations, and preventive screenings.
• Outreach: They conduct activities to connect my community with healthcare services, resources, and programs. This may involve organizing health fairs, workshops, or support groups.
• Advocacy: Promotoras de salud advocate for the health needs and concerns of my community such as working to address barriers to healthcare access and promoting policies that improve health outcomes.
• Cultural Mediation: They serve as cultural brokers, bridging the gap between healthcare providers and community members by understanding and addressing cultural beliefs, and practices.
• Support: Promotoras de salud provide social and emotional support to individuals and families facing health challenges, offering guidance, encouragement, and referrals to appropriate services.

In short, Promotoras de salud play a crucial role in promoting health equity and addressing health disparities by empowering my Hispanic communities to take control of their health and all the access they need.

Here’s why they’re so important and why you should start with them:

When my family and I came to the US over 20 years ago, we didn’t know where to turn. But Juana, a PROMOTORA DE SALUD in Seattle, Washington, was there for my family.

She made sure we were okay and helped us get started in our new life.

I think Juana’s kindness is a big reason why my mother chose to become a nurse, then a nurse practitioner, and later a psychiatrist.

Juana without a doubt did a lot for us.

She helped my mother find places to get food assistance, got my siblings and me into school, and showed us where to go for health services. I remember going to a doctor from El Salvador who worked from an apartment in a LATINO neighborhood.

I remember all of this like it happened yesterday. So much so, that I even had a few tears coming down my cheeks as I wrote this part of the newsletter.

Now, as I wipe away these tears, I want to tell you once again that if you ever want to connect with my community, start by getting to know our PROMOTORAS. Trust me, they’re the heart of our LATINO neighborhoods.

Feel free to reach out to me. I’ll be more than happy to lend you a hand. I guess this is my way of saying thanks to Juana for helping us when we first came to the US.

I will ensure that you are connected with a promotora network, or at the very least, one who can offer their support and guidance.

2. They Build Trust:

I know you already know this, but saying it makes me feel better.

• Trust is like the secret ingredient in a delicious recipe, everything needs to come out just right.

Promotoras de Salud are like the trusted chefs in their neighborhoods, known for cooking up solutions to health challenges. They’ve built strong bonds over time, earning the respect and confidence of the community members they help.

They aren’t just seen as health educators or outreach workers.

They’re like the aroma of a home-cooked meal, drawing people in with their familiarity. Because of this trust, people feel more at ease sharing their health concerns, even the ones that are tough to swallow.

Knowing they have someone they can rely on, people within my community are more likely to reach out for help when they need it.

This trust isn’t just good for people, it’s like the secret sauce that brings the whole community together. When people see their neighbors getting support from Promotoras, they’re more likely to follow it.

Creating a welcoming and supportive environment, where everyone feels like they’re part of the same culinary masterpiece.

In the end.

Building trust isn’t just about cooking up friendships; it’s about creating a place where everyone feels valued and encouraged to take care of their health, and Promotoras de Salud are the only ones who do this best.

• They are the master chefs who sprinkle a dash of care and guidance into the community’s recipe for well-being.

3. They Share Knowledge:

Promotoras de Salud are like the friendly chefs in the neighborhood kitchen, serving up health knowledge with a side of warmth and understanding. They’re trusted guides with the knowledge to turn complex health topics into simple, easy-to-digest bites.

They share their wisdom in all sorts of ways, whether it’s through cooking classes, one-on-one chats, or community gatherings. They dish out essential tips on staying healthy, fighting off sickness, and knowing when to seek medical help.

• They make sure to tailor their teachings to suit everyone’s tastes.

By passing along this knowledge, promotoras help families make smart choices about their health, and when Hispanics understand how their bodies work and how to take care of them, they can cook up better strategies for staying well.

Here’s the beautiful thing.

Once this knowledge spreads throughout the neighborhood, it’s like adding a pinch of spice to a dish, it creates a domino effect. As more people get in on the recipe for good health, the whole community gets a taste of the benefits.

It’s like a flavorful chain reaction that makes life better for everyone in the neighborhoods of my community.

Therefore, Promotoras de Salud are like the secret ingredients that make the recipe for a healthier, and happier community. They’re the friendly chefs who brighten the kitchen and light the way to better health for all.

Two Actionable Steps to Take On 🌮

1. Support Their Training:

To empower Promotoras to sprinkle their magic more effectively, it’s crucial to marinate them in quality training. Think of this as seasoning your best dish; you want a mix of flavors that blend perfectly.

In this case, the blend includes a deep dive into various health topics, mastering the art of sensitive conversations, and most importantly, keeping the community closer to healthcare services.

Imagine this.

As a health system, tech organization, or even a small clinic, your main dish is to enrich Promotoras with the best training available. Now, I’m telling you, this isn’t just a sprinkle of salt; it’s the whole kitchen flavor.

Here’s what should be on the menu:

• A hearty mix of health topics, from the common cold to preventing diseases.
• Techniques for initiating conversations about tough issues, seasoned with empathy and understanding.
• Recipes for connecting people with the right health service needed.

In other words, Promotoras as the chefs of community health, need to know every ingredient of local health concerns and the best remedies with preventive spices to use at the right time.

They must also become gourmet listeners, serving empathy and support without a side dish of judgment.

As you and I know, navigating the healthcare system in America is like following a complex recipe. This is the main reason, Promotoras should be familiar with every single step, from all the initial preparations of making a simple appointment to to the final garnish of specialist care, as well as community support options.

Yes, I understand.

This might sound like preparing a fiesta for a family gathering, but with the right approach, your Promotora network will become the star chefs of community health.

Just between us.

To keep everything moving forward smoothly, don’t just stick to the basic recipes. You can always expand their cookbook to include emergency care, mental health awareness, and managing chronic conditions. This way, we can ensure they’re ready to support whenever it’s needed, providing continuous care that tastes just right, when is needed.

Ensuring Promotoras are well-trained is like perfecting your signature dish. It enhances the support they provide and strengthens the trust and bond they share with their community.

Lastly, DO NOT forget to keep this in mind.

A well-seasoned Promotora is the secret ingredient to a healthier, more connected neighborhood. Therefore, let’s make sure we’re giving them all the flavors and seasoning needed to make every interaction a delicious experience for my Hispanic community.

2. Link Up with Healthcare Providers:

Think about this part like making a great salsa. Just as you mix different ingredients to get the perfect flavor, we need to mix Promotoras with doctors, clinics, and hospitals to make health care better for everyone.

This mix helps ensure that the advice from Promotoras is fresh and accurate, and it makes getting medical help as easy as picking up a tortilla from the local market.

But, please that there’s more to it than just sharing the latest health tips or making appointments smoother.

When Promotoras team up with healthcare providers, it’s like adding a pinch of salt to a dish, it brings out the best in both. Providers start to understand what life is really like for the people they’re helping. They learn about the health questions that keep people up at night, and what might be stopping them from walking through the clinic door.

Let’s say the following.

Lots of folks are buzzing about a new health scare but aren’t sure if it’s serious enough to see a doctor. This is when Promotoras can come in to pass info to the medical teams, who can then whip up a special session, right in the heart of the neighborhood.

It’s like bringing the doctor’s office to the community plaza, making healthcare as welcoming and familiar as a weekend family barbecue.

Now, all these partnerships can spark all kinds of events, like health fairs or nutrition workshops, sprinkled throughout the community like chili flakes on your favorite dish. They invite people to pop in for a quick check-up, learn tips for a healthier life, or even get a shot, all without going too far from home.

And just like adding a squeeze of lime to brighten up a meal.

These connections between Promotoras and healthcare providers can make people feel more comfortable with the idea of getting medical help. Knowing there’s a bridge between their community and the health world can turn a terrifying hospital visit into a more friendly, familiar experience, which is what we all want.

In essence, blending the world of Promotoras with healthcare professionals isn’t just about making sure the health advice is top-notch. It’s about creating a community fiesta where everyone is invited to the table, ensuring health is accessible, understandable, and part of everyday life, just like the beloved dishes we all experience in our kitchens.

One Piece of Advice to Cherish 💃

Understanding the role of Promotoras is like sharing a family recipe; it’s passed down through stories, rich with tradition and care.

Each story from those they’ve helped is a key ingredient in the bigger recipe of community health. Note that these aren’t just tales; they’re real-life moments where Promotoras sprinkle kindness and knowledge, making a significant difference in our community’s well-being.

This mission is close to my heart; I’ve embraced it myself.

Listening to them is similar to gathering in a kitchen, where each shared challenge adds a complex flavor and every solution is a carefully chosen spice that enhances the whole dish.

What’s most amazing about listening to their stories is realizing how healthcare, when delivered with understanding and a personal touch, can make everyone feel seen and valued, much like a meal prepared with love.

Now, paying attention to the experiences of Promotoras and the people they support teaches us the best ways to extend our hands and hearts. They inspire us to contribute our unique spice to the community pot, finding ways to foster a healthier, and more connected neighborhood.

Consider my journey, why do you think I’ve made making healthcare Hispanic-friendly my mission?

You see, at the end of the day, when it comes to my community.

Everything is about uniting, sharing our stories and strengths, and ensuring that our community’s health table is rich, diverse, and welcoming to everyone.

Conclusion 🤝🏽

Promotoras de Salud teaches us that good health care IS NOT only found in hospitals or clinics. It’s part of our communities, our homes, and the friendships we share with those next door.

In essence, when we back up these incredible community health workers, we’re doing more than just improving health care. We’re with no doubt building stronger, healthier neighborhoods.

Therefore, let us together continue to support and cheer on the fantastic efforts of Promotoras de Salud.

Thanks for being here to honor the amazing role Promotoras de Salud play within our Hispanic community. Let’s keep telling others about the great work they do and work hand in hand to make sure every neighborhood benefits from having these powerful community champions.

Hasta la próxima, mis amigos ✌🏽

Have a great weekend…