Healthy Changes Programs

Healthy Changes Program (HCP) aims to increase access of underserved, low-income, Limited-English proficient (LEP) residents of Orange County (OC) to culturally and linguistically appropriate preventive health and health care services, information and resources for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. We have learned that our Cambodian community members continue to face a lot of barriers when accessing health care services. Reported barriers include: lack of English, lack of transportation, lack of ability to navigate the OC’s complex health care system, significant concerns about their health beliefs and practices, lack of ability to complete intake/medical forms, and lack of culturally and linguistically competent health care providers. HCP has been created to help address these gaps in accessing health care services for the Cambodian population. HCP program offers:

• Individual/group health education regarding diabetes, heart disease, and stroke
• Health navigation/care coordination/case management services provided by our bilingual/bicultural health navigators
• Preventive health screening
• Nutrition education and healthy cooking demonstration classes
• Exercise class, walking club, and yoga class
• Translation and interpretation services

This program serves approximately 300 participants per year and outreaches to over 2,000 community members per year. Our program offers wellness activities and health-promoting classes on a weekly/monthly/quarterly basis. We are proud to report that over 90% of our participants reported that they had better access to preventive health and health care services as a result of participating in our program. Moreover, an increase in physical activity within the past week was reported by 92% of our participants and 80% of participants reported that they have consumed more fruits and vegetables and less sugar and salt. In addition, 90% of our program participants reported that they have had at least one preventative health screening within the past year.  For more information about this program, please contact Amina: Health Program Director, @ aminasm@cambodianfamily.org.