Our Programs
Patient Navigator Program
In 2007 the Livestrong Foundation awarded funding to Familias to develop the first cancer patient navigation program in Oregon for Hispanic cancer patients and their families. Familias currently receives funding from PacificSource Foundation and Susan G. Komen for the Cure for patient navigator services to children, adults and breast cancer survivors. The patients served by Familias reside throughout the state of Oregon.
Our patient navigators assist patients and their families through:
- Cancer education to understand the disease and treatment options
- Support in accessing financial, housing and other support services
- Reducing language and cultural barriers to quality cancer treatment
- Psychosocial support for survivors and their families as they adapt to their life changes post cancer treatment
- Palliative care for patients and their families including psychosocial and spiritual support and referral to appropriate community social service services
- Nutrition and exercise program
- Monthly cancer support group
Community Based Participatory Research
The staff of Familias en Acción partner with academic institutions to conduct Latino health research. Our research in partnership with research institutions such as Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Knight Cancer Institute provides valuable insights as to how to engage men in health for their families, the role of depression in young Latino male cancer survivors and culturally responsive health promotion for Latinos.
Annual Latino Health Equity Conference
The third annual Latino Health Equities Conference sponsored by Familias en Acción will be held on May 17, 2012. The Latino Health Equities Conference provides a forum to focus on individual and community pathways to health equity through research, programs and policies. The interactive annual conference serves an important role in bridging the gap between health research/practice and Latinos to develop strategies for health equity.
Health Equity occurs when all people have “the opportunity to attain their full health potential” and “no one should be disadvantaged because of their social position or other socially determined circumstance.” Health, health care, working and living conditions are essential to life. Complete Health Equity is the absence of all disparities in health, health care, and the living and working conditions that influence health. (American Public Health Association, 2011).
The objectives of the Latino Health Disparities Conference are to:
- Enhance participants’ understanding of social, economic and political factors for health equity
- Understand major disease prevention and health promotion challenges facing Latinos and potential solutions to those challenges,
- Build understanding of culturally appropriate public health practice and research to promote health for Latinos
- Develop strategies for partnerships between Latino communities and key stakeholders in building community capacity for health through research, education and advocacy
- Provide strategies and tools for students and organizations to increase the number of Latinos in health careers
eSaludToday: Online Health Magazine for Latinos
Familias en Acción is developing a cutting edge, bilingual, Global Hispanic Health Web Publication 
The mission of eSaludToday.com is to promote healthy communities for Latino young adults and their families by utilizing social media to stimulate interest in and provide access to reliable health information and research.
Latinos in their early 20’s and 30’s spend an average of 30 hours per week interacting on line. They value on-line content like no other segment of the population, seeing it as a practical resource for news, information and connection. If we want to impact this generation (“Net Generation”) we need to make the information interesting to them and easily accessible in modalities that they find comfortable—and where they spend their time.
This publication will bring attention to important physical, emotional, social and spiritual aspects of health that affect young Latinos today…and will present them through web-based ezine, video and blog modalities. Riveting articles will delve into topics of health equity, sustainable communities, nutrition, exercise and other relevant issues, all tailored to young adults. The content authors will be as broadly based as the range of topics—researchers will share latest studies and findings, and health experts will bring pertinent new information.
