"Berkeley's School of Public Health has given me access to settings, from board rooms to local community groups, to observe how various organizations approach serving disadvantaged populations. I especially appreciate my peers and faculty who offer rich, diverse experiences that reinforce my personal development as a health professional and leader."Center for Multicultural Health
The Center for Multicultural Health (CMH), part of Center for Public Health Practice, connects students to internships, projects, jobs, conferences and other experiences for students to enhance their practical skills and make a difference in local multicultural health issues.
Current CMH projects:
Solano County African American Disparities Elimination Project:
Solano County Million Pound Challenge
With an overall mission to "improve the health status of Solano County African American residents to meet Healthy People 2010 Standards," the Solano County African American Disparities Elimination Project has developed the "Solano County Million Pound Challenge" (MPC). The MPC is a healthy eating/active living program that is geared towards reducing rates of obesity, cancer, diabetes, and hypertension by supporting health education in the African American community and beyond. To date, seven out of 10 African American adults residing in Solano County are overweight or obese (roughly 42,000 people). Solano County ranks number 51 out of 58 in the state for overweight and obesity. The overall goal is for Solano County residents to lose a combined one million pounds over three years. Additionally, residents will be supported in efforts to increase community health and awareness by attending workshops, participating in health education programs, and increasing their physical activity levels. The MPC is forming collaborations with key partners including faith-based organizations, local business owners, city officials, health care providers, health departments, grocery stores, health clubs, celebrity supporters, and many more.
Alameda County Coalition for Language Access in Health Care
In Alameda County, approximately 35 different languages are spoken by residents, with Spanish, Cantonese, and Mandarin cited by providers as the most frequently encountered languages, and 37.5 percent of residents are LEP (Limited English Proficiency) persons. Many health providers, primarily private practice providers, have not had the opportunity to receive language access services to assist them to provide care for their patients. In response to this issue, the Alameda County Coalition on Language Access in Health Care (ACCLAH) was formed in 2004. With support from The California Endowment, ACCLAH completed Phase I of the plan to develop a countywide, cross-sector health care coalition to expand language services. In Phase I, ACCLAH convened meetings with stakeholders and conducted a needs assessment on a cross sector of providers, including a survey of Alameda County physicians, focus groups with each stakeholder group, and cross-sector stakeholder meetings. In Phase II, ACCLAH will implement key strategic projects based on the priorities and interests identified by stakeholders. ACCLAH will take a three-prong approach: 1) build its capacity, 2) engage in subcontracting efforts to fund collaborative projects at the service delivery level, and 3) conduct innovative, key strategic projects that seek systems changes to improve language access.
"-ISMs" Initiative
In recent years, people working on health disparity and cultural competence initiatives in Bay Area public health and health care organizations have found that powerful and underlying "-isms" sometimes limit their ability to move these initiatives forward. These "-isms" include racism, classism, sexism, ageism, heterosexism, able-bodyism, etc., and involve issues of oppression, bias, and privilege.
The —ISMs Initiative conducts trainings and conferences for practitioners to:
- Address these "-isms" in organizations
- Support conversations with colleagues about challenges and promising practices in this area
- Provide a space to support one another in dealing with these issues
Working on these "-isms" is a complex and long-term process. These trainings and conferences are a starting point for the development of community-based plans and support networks. The intended audience includes those working in public health or health care (including mental health) organizations who are currently addressing the "-isms" within their organizations or who are interested in beginning this work in the future.