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Research article
First published January 2006

Salud Para Su Corazón-NCLR: A Comprehensive Promotora Outreach Program to Promote Heart-Healthy Behaviors Among Hispanics

Abstract

This article describes results of year-1 implementation of the Salud Para Su Corazón (Health For Your Heart)—National Council of la Raza (NCLR) promotora (lay health worker) program for promoting heart-healthy behaviors among Latinos. Findings of this community outreach initiative include data from promotora pledges and self-skill behaviors, cardiovascular disease risk factors of Latino families, family heart-health education delivery, and program costs associated with promotora time. Participation included 29 trained promotoras serving 188 families from three NCLR affiliates in Escondido, California; Chicago, Illinois; and Ojo Caliente, New Mexico. Using several evaluation tools, the results showed that the promotora approach worked based on evidence obtained from the following indicators: changes in promotora’s pre-post knowledge and performance skills, progress toward their pledge goals following training, recruiting and teaching families, providing follow-up, and organizing or participating in community events. Strengths and limitations of the promotora model approach are also discussed.

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References

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Published In

Article first published: January 2006
Issue published: January 2006

Keywords

  1. participatory research
  2. community outreach
  3. lay health workers
  4. Latino families
  5. cardiovascular health

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PubMed: 16410422

Authors

Affiliations

Hector Balcazar
Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Texas School of Public Health, El Paso Regional Campus at Houston.
Matilde Alvarado
Office of Prevention, Education, and Control at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute/National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.
Mary Luna Hollen
Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the School of Public Health, Health Science Center, University of North Texas in Fort Worth.
Yanira Gonzalez-Cruz
Esperanza Vazquez
Centro San Vicente in El Paso, Texas.
Kristine Lykens
Department of Health Management and Policy at the School of Public Health, Health Science Center, University of North Texas in Fort Worth.

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