Our Health, Our Lives, In Our Hands
The New York Times recently covered the story “Surgeon General Sees 4-Year Term as Compromised.” Former Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona said the Bush administration would not allow him to speak or issue reports on emergency contraception and sex education among other issues. When public health issues are not disclosed to the public for political rather than scientific reasons, we can be grateful to the many community-based organizations filling this informational void and working to protect the publics’ health.
The promotoras (community health educators) of the Dominican Women’s Development Center (DWDC) are a group of 10 women living in Washington Heights, NY who are filling the public health informational vacuum. Luz Bermudez, a promotora, has been living in Washington Heights for over 40 years. After attending a community gathering on the high risk and prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Washington Heights and Inwood, Luz said, “I signed the contract to become a promotora, - I knew I needed to become more deeply involved, I knew that the information I shared could save someone’s life.”
A true leader, Luz was quick to recruit more promotoras. “I got involved because of Luz”, said Argentina Cruz, “I have known her for 16 years, she is my friend and we have always been involved in community work.” Luz and
They casually approach and educate individuals in street corners, providing condoms and informational pamphlets. In Washington Heights/Inwood, the business community is also involved. Beauty salons, barber shops, travel agencies, bars, record shops, and other businesses are visited by the promotoras at which both clients and employees are informed. The participating businesses then serve as distribution sites for condoms and educational materials. The promotoras also host house meetings – a type of sexual and reproductive health Tupperware party. “Talking about sex and sexuality brings about many giggles but the participants leave the gathering with life-saving information they can share with others,” said Argentina.
The work of the promotoras made them perfect candidates for the Latino Reproductive Rights Project, (LRRP), a joint effort between The Hispanic Federation and the National Institute for Reproductive Health. As a member agency of the Hispanic Federation, the Dominican Women’s Development Center has integrated this project into their work. The aim of LRRP is to increase knowledge in the community to:
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increase personal action by reassessing behaviors and attitudes
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increase awareness through information dissemination
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urge Latino leaders and legislative officials to safeguard Latino reproductive health and rights
This spring, the promotoras attended a training organized by the LRRP. The training focused on adolescent pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, cervical cancer, and information on the HPV vaccine and emergency contraception. At the training, Luz said:
“My grand-daughters are 13, 17 and 20 years old- I talk to them and tell their mother to make sure that they are informed. I am excited to learn about the new HPV vaccine and share this information with my family and the rest of the community. Now we have another way that we can help protect our girls from future sexually transmitted infections and cervical cancer.”
The promotoras have easily integrated information about the human papillomavirus (HPV), the sexually transmitted infection present among 20 million Americans. Half of those infected are sexually active young people, ages 15-24. Most of the HPV infections do not cause any symptoms, and are usually cleared by the body, but some “high risk” strains can lead to precancerous cells on the cervix and cancer. Pap tests have drastically reduced the overall number of cervical cancer incidence and mortality in the United States.
In the Latina community, however, there is still work to be done; the rate of cervical cancer among Latinas is twice that of white non-Latinas, and the death rate from cervical cancer is 40% higher than among other groups. Through the Latino Reproductive Rights Project and the work of the promotoras, we expect to increase attention and action on these issues. By informing and educating the communities of the importance of regular pap screening and the new HPV vaccine, we are working to reduce this disparity in our Latino communities.
In June 2006, the FDA approved a vaccine, Gardasil, which protects against the two strains which are responsible for approximately 70% of all invasive cervical cancer cases and for approximately 90% of all genital warts. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have recommended universal vaccination for girls’ ages 11 and 12, and vaccines to be offered to girls and women between the ages of 9 and 26.
Gardasil’s three dose series costs a total of $360, not including administrative and doctor’s fees. The CDC has made the vaccination available to low income families under the Vaccines for Children Program. In the New York area, a call to 311 will easily put you in touch with your local health center which offers the vaccine at no or a low cost.
Our most important message is that cervical cancer incidence and mortality is preventable. Regular pap screenings help detect HPV and the development of cancerous cells in and around the cervix. Detected at an early stage, cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treated cancers. Since May, the promotoras have now reached over 690 individuals and their street work continues.
“We are happy that the promotoras have expanded their educational repertoire,” says Maria Jaca, HIV/AIDS Coordinator for the DWDC. “We have too many women in our communities that say, ‘I am married, that is not going to happen to me.’ I too was married and thought or did not think this could happen to me,” said Maria. “It was at a pre-natal visit when I learned that I was HIV positive…” Maria’s mission is heard in the optimistic conviction of her voice and visible on her campaign t-shirt - Latinas Get Real.
- Maricela Ureno, Director, Latino Reproductive Rights Project
For more information contact:
Dominican Women’s Development Center 212.740.1929
Hispanic Federation 212.866-HFAYUDA (1-866-432-9832)
National Institute for Reproductive Health 212-343-0114