Project Overview

Since 1983, Curamericas Global has been tackling health related issues in vulnerable and forgotten communities throughout the world.  However, we recognize that these same issues plague local populations in the United States.  We seek to reduce costs and increase health for all in the LatinX community in three communities surrounding Philadelphia.  Members of this community, especially children, suffer from inadequate knowledge of the health care system.  Our goal is to connect this forgotten population to the benefits of health care and increase their ability to take control of their own health.

Curamericas Global’s Strategy in Philadelphia

In June 2018, Curamericas Global Program and Operations Manager, Barbara Muffoletto, designed and conducted a workshop for the CCATE about CBIO Methodology.  Having heard of our stunning results in reducing child and maternal mortality rates in other countries around the world, CCATE hopes to learn, reflect, and emulate the same approach to tackle specific health challenges in their own Latinx and immigrant communities.

They training centered around four main points regarding the CBIO Methodology:

• the central components
• its importance
• the step-by-step process
• its benefits in program design and measurement.

Curamericas Global also introduced the care group model to alleviate concerns that the new program would only serve those already engaged and supported by CCATE.  They hope to change habits and behaviors rather than treating already-present diseases without losing sight of the prevalent diseases.

CCATE is adapting the methodology to the domestic context with impact and program design centering around issues other than mortality while maintaining its rigor.  The next step is for CCATE to select their health focus and target population.

Another important aspect in this partnership is CCATE’s participation in our Strategic Partnership meetings in Bolivia and Guatemala. Representatives from CCATE have seen our mature and successful partnerships in other contexts. They understand and buy-into our vision for community-owned health. Leaders also understand and have internalized the importance of data-driven decision making. They have been amazed at the data collected and used in our project sites.

Next Steps for CCATE

CCATE is making an effort to talk with parents about their role in helping their children succeed.  They do so by helping to create a supportive home environment.  The involved of the entire family in the development of the child or teen is paramount to success.

Next steps include:

• Formalizing a health committee
  • This step sets clear expectations and includes mapping the CCATE community to better locate their beneficiaries.
• Community empowerment
  • This is needed for partners and participants in the fight against health challenges.  The bedrock for strong health systems rests on empowering communities to be involved and in charge of preventing diseases to improve health.

Looking to the future, CCATE sees a growing need to improve the health of Latinx living in Norristown.  They have already started looking into solutions to address childhood obesity, such as community gardens and cooking classes.  Their desire is to empower the local community to take control of their own well-being and take steps to give back to the larger Norristown area.

Project Area

CCATE, Centro de Cultura Arte Trabajo y Educacion (The Center for Culture, Art, Work, and Education), is located in Norristown, Pennsylvania.  This small town just outside of Philadelphia is densely populated with members of the Latinx community who lack access to the health care system.  26% of the local population is of Hispanic or Latino origin up from 11% just a few years ago.  CCATE’s is fueled by the belief in the ability of people to learn, grow and rise above their circumstances.  CCATE reaches hundreds of people in Norristown every year with daily after school programming, cultural events, and classes for adults.

26% of the adult population in Norristown is in fair or poor health.  This is a staggering number when compared to only 14% in the greater Philadelphia area.  Norristown residents are also more likely to struggle with obesity and obesity related issues.  13% of adults are living with diabetes and adults in the community are two times more likely to struggle with asthma.  29% of the population is diagnosed with mental health related illnesses.[1]  All of these number are extremely alarming when you take into account that over 9% of the population is uninsured.  This increases the number of unnecessary visits to the emergency room or urgent care practices.  CCATE seeks to educate the local population about appropriate health care practices and empower them to take control of their own health through CBIO methodology.

For more information about our work in Philadelphia, please contact us toll-free at (877)510-4787 or email our office at [email protected].

[1] Public Health Management Corporation, Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, 2018.