Improving the Health of Immigrant Workers PASOS: Improving the Health of Immigrant Workers PI: Marc Schenker, MD, MPH University of California at Davis Funded by NIH NIDDK #1R18DK096429-01A1
Our Objective & Our Approach The goal of our public-private partnership is to improve the health of agricultural workers, most of whom are Latino immigrants. We will implement a culturally tailored lifestyle education program at the field site targeting obesity and diabetes prevention.
Our Multidisciplinary Team UC Davis, Dept. of Public Health Sciences UC Davis, Dept. of Agricultural & Resource Economics Reiter Affiliated Companies (RAC) UC Berkeley, Health Initiative of the Americas USDA, Western Human Nutrition Research Center
Our History Working Together 2009-2010 – Developed obesity and diabetes prevention program and pilot tested with RAC workers 2011-2013 – RAC continued to deliver the program to workers in CA and Mexico 2014 – Awarded a National Institutes of Health grant 2014-2019 – Implementation of the program and dissemination of information to other growers
The Health Context Rates of obesity are at epidemic levels in the US (33% of the population is obese) Diabetes prevalence is over 11% Latinos have higher rates of diabetes and obesity than whites
Our Approach Promotoras deliver obesity & diabetes prevention lessons in an interactive format at the worksite during lunch The Pasos program is delivered in weekly sessions for 12 weeks Supplemental activities are held in the evening and on weekends Photo Credit: Reiter Affiliated Companies
Our Curriculum Session topics include: 5 Steps to a healthy life Understanding my heart Overweight and our children Measuring my portions Measuring my portions II Silent killer (blood pressure) Understanding diabetes Understanding diabetes II What is cholesterol? Maintaining a healthy weight Review of all topics Graduation The importance of physical activity and drinking water will be highlighted in every session
Cinco Pasos Each session begins and ends with the group reciting the five steps used as framework for the sessions: Move! Drink water Eat fruits and vegetables Measure (portions and waist) Share! (what you learn with family & friends)
Have fun! Supplemental activities include cooking demonstrations, hiking groups, and ZUMBA! http://youtu.be/Qx9oO9r3HSw
Measuring Results Anthropometric: Weight, Height, Waist Circumference, BMI Biometrics: Blood Pressure, HbA1c, Cholesterol Knowledge and Behaviors: Diet, Physical Activity, Mental Health Economic: Absenteeism, Retention, Injury, Health Care Costs
Our Pilot Findings Reduced weight, BMI and waist circumference Increase in physical activity Improved diet Increase in water consumption
Our Vision Motivate and empower workers to adopt healthy lifestyle choices resulting in improved health outcomes. Demonstrate the economic viability and sustainability of the program and encourage other growers to implement it with their workers.
Questions Contact Heather Riden, Study Project Manager, with any questions (heriden@ucdavis.edu)