The Alzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter welcomed its first cohort of DEI interns who have spearheaded many projects in the last few months including an exploration behind the Chapter's recent launching of a Promotores de Salud Volunteer program.
Olivia Johnson, who is currently pursuing her Masters in Public Health at Clark Atlanta University, an HBCU, had never heard of Promotores and set out to explore the background of the program and why the Illinois Chapter decided to launch one. Below is her op-ed.
Author Olivia Johnson:
Who Are Promotores?
Promotores are dependable community members who offer culturally appropriate health education and assistance. By assisting in navigating the healthcare system, gaining access to services, and comprehending medical information, they act as liaisons between healthcare providers and their communities. Promotores aim to improve conditions so all people can grow up healthy, well-educated, and productive citizens (Visión y Compromiso, n.d.).
Promotores address the socioeconomic determinants of health and speak up for the needs of their community by arranging community health activities, making house calls, and offering one-on-one assistance. They can provide excellent and individualized care because of their intimate ties and comprehension of the social and cultural environment of the community.
(History and Background)
In the middle of the 20th century, promotores emerged in Latin America, mostly due to the absence of healthcare resources in remote and underdeveloped areas. A grassroots strategy for health education and prevention, the promotore model was created by utilizing these workers' respect and trust in their local communities. Due to its great effectiveness, this paradigm subsequently extended to other countries, including the US.
The promotora model became popular in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s, especially in Hispanic and Latino populations that faced comparable obstacles to accessing healthcare. To meet the changing requirements of varied communities, promotores' roles have evolved throughout the years to embrace a wider range of people and health-related issues.
Promotores are now acknowledged as essential contributors to public health, serving as a human link in the complicated healthcare system and being a major factor in the decrease of health inequalities.
(Personal Experience)
When I discovered Promotores, I was honestly taken aback. Being a first-generation American with Jamaican parents, I had always understood the concept of mutual support and community solidarity within our circles, but I had never come across a term that expressed it quite so well. Though it may not have a formal name, Jamaican culture has its unique methods for sharing resources and watching out for one another. Finding a codified notion such as Promotores was eye-opening, especially as it relates to community health and education. The phrase initially struck a chord with me because it captured a feeling I had as a child: individuals banding together to support one another, exchange knowledge, and fill up resource gaps.
Though I was unaware of its name and structure beforehand, it seemed like a well-known idea. It reminded me of the various ways we all contribute to each other's well-being and got me thinking about how different communities have their ways of offering support and communication. I appreciate the help and advice that the people of the community provided us. Observing how Promotores serve a similar purpose in other communities by providing individuals in need with culturally relevant health information and support is encouraging. It's incredible how many groups and cultures support and care for one another in unique ways.
The Vital Role of Promotores
(Shared History and Personal Ties)
Promotores frequently have cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic ties to the people they serve because they are perceived by the community as peers who are aware of their particular struggles, this shared experience immediately builds trust. Promotores build deep personal relationships through regular conversations, house visits, and involvement in community events, which makes them accessible and dependable sources of support.
(Cultural Competence and Language Skills)
Promotores can give care that is sensitive to cultural differences because they have a thorough understanding of the customs, values, and beliefs of their community. They can guarantee that health messages are acceptable and relevant by customizing interventions and health education to fit with cultural norms. Furthermore, many promotoras speak more than one language, removing linguistic obstacles and guaranteeing precise, unambiguous contact with community members.
(Empowerment and Advocacy)
By tackling the social determinants of health and offering resources, information, and assistance, promotores speak up for their communities. They promote a sense of agency and self-efficacy by arming people with the information and resources they need to take charge of their health and well-being. In addition to enhancing health outcomes, this advocacy fosters long-term trust since promotoras consistently show a commitment to the welfare of their community.
Promotores establish credibility by regularly participating in their communities. People in Latino communities need to know they can rely on their promotora, thus consistency and dependability are essential. Inquiring about the needs of the community and maintaining a consistent, reliable presence help promotoras build enduring relationships. Promoters target the Latino community in particular, which makes it easier for them to overcome obstacles related to language and culture. They make healthcare information more relevant and accessible to their community members by understanding cultural contexts and offering information and support in Spanish. Wendy emphasized that “Promoters target the Latino community in particular, which makes it easier for them to overcome obstacles related to language and culture. They make healthcare information more relevant and accessible to their community members by understanding cultural contexts and offering information and support in Spanish.”
(Interview with Wendy De Leon)
Wendy De León is a Mobile Care Consultant and the lead for the promotores training program for the Alzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter. I asked Wendy a series of questions about her experiences and how Promotores makes a difference.
In my conversations with Wendy, I learned that promotores contribute significantly to their communities by disseminating important health information. They serve as dependable go-betweens for the community and healthcare systems, offering information on subjects including cancer, heart disease, and now Alzheimer’s and dementia. Promotores assist in closing the gap between patients and doctors by providing support and direction in a familiar and trustworthy way. Wendy also shared how many people in the Hispanic and Latino community find visiting doctors uncomfortable. She explained that Promotores are people’s neighbors and friends, making them more approachable to ask questions.
Wendy became involved in Promotores after learning about another Alzheimer’s Association Chapter’s successful adoption of the Promotores concept in California. She was then motivated to emulate the remarkable training program that was created in California, given the sizable Hispanic and Latino population in Chicago. Promotores receive training that lasts for around two hours and includes a presentation on dementia and Alzheimer's disease and the resources the Alzheimer’s Association has available to share with community members both in Spanish and in English. In addition to discussing what Alzheimer's is and what Promotores should expect, the training also contains data and videos that explain how the disease affects Hispanic and Latino communities at higher rates than other populations. The training, which is conducted in Spanish, concludes with a Q&A period for any questions the future Promotores may have about the disease.
Promotores must exhibit empathy and be dependable community members to be successful. They have to be open to learning new things all the time and show compassion to others. These abilities enable them to establish connections with individuals in the community and provide health information in a sympathetic and perceptive way.
The Alzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter is one noteworthy success story in their establishment of a Promotores training program; of the participants in the program, 29 were female, and one was male. The participants were enthusiastic to learn about Alzheimer's and couldn't wait to use what they had learned to benefit their local community. This zeal was a tremendous example of why nonprofit organizations like the Alzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter need to consider new ways of raising awareness and connecting individuals to essential support and resources.
By promoting their work and bringing attention to their initiatives, the public may help promotores. Promotoras can have a greater impact if their programs are promoted and advocated for. Public support is essential because this is the first time promotoras have been included in the Illinois chapter. For Wendy, seeing the generosity and gratitude of the Hispanic and Latino community at health fairs and other events is the most fulfilling part of the job. It is immensely satisfying to witness people value the knowledge regarding Alzheimer's disease and to believe that their efforts are having a genuine impact.
Wendy De Leon offers the following advice to anyone thinking about becoming a promotore: be excited about learning and sharing information and take the training seriously. Being an advocate is a big service to the community, and it takes commitment and a sincere desire to have a good influence.
(Purpose of the Promotores Program by the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter)
The "Promotores" program was created by the Alzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter to fill in important knowledge and support gaps for communities impacted by Alzheimer's disease. Community health workers, who serve as a vital link between the community and healthcare practitioners, are referred to as "promotores" since they are dependable members of their communities. To enhance outreach, education, and support for families suffering from Alzheimer's, this initiative was created to take advantage of the special talents of these local leaders.
A local organization's partnership was essential to the program's success. Local groups are well-versed in the unique requirements, cultural dynamics, and available resources of the community. The Alzheimer's Association can more effectively adapt the program to the local environment, improve outreach initiatives, and foster trust thanks to this relationship. Additionally, local groups offer important networks and resources that can help the program become more sustainable over time and engage more people, increasing its effect and community integration.
(The Future of Promotores)
Due to various pressing circumstances, the function of Promotores is becoming more and more crucial, particularly in underprivileged neighborhoods. Healthcare inequities are still growing, preventing many communities from having enough access to healthcare. Financial difficulties, cultural disparities, and language limitations frequently keep people from getting the care they require. Promotoras play a crucial role in overcoming these gaps by offering culturally appropriate health education and assistance. Their presence is essential for addressing health literacy, building community trust, and making sure people have access to the information they need to make healthy decisions.
The work of Promotores is more important than ever in promoting health equity and improving results in marginalized communities, given the rise in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and the persistent challenges faced by public health crises.
As a Jamaican-American student pursuing my Master of Social Work at Clark Atlanta University, I’ve always been passionate about using my voice and skills to uplift those around me. That’s why my role as a DEI intern with the Alzheimer’s Association means so much to me.
I’m Olivia Johnson, and my journey is all about creating spaces where everyone—no matter their background—feels seen, heard, and valued. Through my work, I’m dedicated to fostering social justice and inclusivity, aiming to make real, lasting change within diverse communities.
References
Visión y Compromiso. (n.d.). Who are Promotores? Visión y Compromiso. https://visionycompromiso.org/who-we-are/who-are-promotores/
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