October is almost over, and we don’t want to miss the chance to celebrate California Promotores Month, a time to pay tribute to the work and dedication of community health workers to the health and well being of our local communities. What is a promotora?

 A promotora is a person outside of the traditional medical system who is trained to serve his or her community conducting outreach on topics of health and wellness. Because they come from within the community they serve, promotores act as a cultural bridge between health care institutions, professional providers, and local residents in need of health care services and information.

Because they provide insight into a community’s health-related attitudes, habits, and behaviors, promotores have increasingly become important partners in community-based health education and prevention, particularly in communities that have been underserved by the health care system. The medically underserved span a range of populations, but they tend to possess one or more of the following characteristics: un- or underinsured; chronic illness, such as diabetes or heart disease; low socio-economic status; located in a geographically isolated or high density, urban area; non-native English speaker; and/or limited literacy.

In Imperial County, there are several health care providers and programs that make use of a community health worker model, such as Comite Civico del Valle, Inc., Imperial Valley Child Asthma Program, Clinicas De Salud Del Pueblo, California Rural Legal Assistance, Between Women Inc., and El Centro Regional Medical Center. Their models focus heavily on healthy living and prevention and the delivery of basic health information, particularly in the areas of maternal and child health and chronic diseases, such as asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and HIV/AIDS.

Studies into promotora models are demonstrating their effectiveness. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, integrating community health workers into health programs has been associated with improvements in access to health care, prenatal care, pregnancy and birth outcomes, client health status, health- and screening-related behaviors, and reduced health care costs.

For these reasons, I believe that the work of community health workers is vital to our communities and should be celebrated. That is why 73 Members of the Assembly joined me in supporting ACR 75 to establish October as California Promotores Month. The purpose is not only to recognize promotores but to learn from their unique perspective about health care delivery among hard-to-reach populations. This is vital information or those of us who work on health policy or in health services delivery.

Let me share with you a few examples of what my office has done this month to reach out to community health workers in the 80th district. On the 15th, the fourth annual Fiesta Campesina was held in the town of Mecca and attended by thousands of farm workers and numerous community-based health providers. At the event, I held a special presentation to appreciate promotores and the contributions they make to community well being and access to care. Just last week, on Friday, October 23, I hosted a breakfast reception in Brawley to meet personally with our local community health workers, to hear about the specific issues they are tackling, and to thank them for their work. More than 35 promotores from the previously noted local organizations attended.

Before October passes us by, let’s take a moment to appreciate these unsung community health heroes. They are the foot soldiers of community-based health education, disease prevention, and community wellness, and we can learn so much from them.

V. Manuel Pérez is your representative in the California State Assembly. Prior to being elected, Assemblyman Pérez served as a Community Health Director for the Borrego Community Health Care Foundation. Feel free to contact him at his district office in El Centro (336-8912).

For up to date information:

Comité Cívico Del Valle Inc.
699 E Street
Brawley, CA 92227
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Office: (760)351-8761
Fax: (760)351-8762