in_the_media

Working with community members to improve Latino health

Media Outlet: 

Philadelphia Inquirer

Historically, Latinos have been the group least likely to have a primary care provider, but research has shown that using people from the community to encourage preventive care has been successful. In Philadelphia, volunteers called promotoras were first put into action three years ago, when Matthew O'Brien, professor of medicine and public health at Temple's School of Medicine, helped open the Puentes de Salud clinic. "That's really the skill set of a promotora...someone who is a natural leader and has an extensive social network," he said.