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Grantees Address Racial and Geographic Health Disparities

Culturally Sensitive Services

TCWF provided a two-year, $100,000 grant for core operating support to AmASSI Center in Inglewood. AmASSI provides culturally specific health promotion and disease prevention services primarily to African Americans and Latinos in South Los Angeles. AmASSI has a particular focus on providing mental health, HIV prevention and case management services. According to the Los Angeles County HIV Prevention Plan, African Americans and Latinos are those most at risk for HIV infection.

“When it comes to HIV prevention, research has demonstrated that it’s not enough to simply educate people about how the disease is transmitted if you want to change high-risk behaviors,” said Cleo Manago, CEO of AmASSI Center. “Changing behavior also lies in strengthening the protective factors of self-esteem, cultural pride, a sense of belonging and hope for the future.”

AmASSI serves more than 5,000 men, women and youth annually and provides health promotion services in a center that affirms cultural values and traditions. HIV/STD prevention and other health-related educational programs are provided at all activities, which include “Poetry Slams,” concerts, fitness classes, nutrition classes, “Same Gender Loving Couples” and “Heterosexual Loving Couples” support groups, case management services, math and literacy tutoring, and economic development classes. HIV testing and counseling are also available. The center is located in a highly visible location at a major crossroads between an area high school and a middle school.

“Within the context of AmASSI’s cultural activities and special events for the entire community, HIV prevention education and case management are accepted,” said Fran Jemmott, TCWF program director. “It is one of a very few places in South Central L.A. where young people can go and have HIV prevention issues addressed.”

Geographic Isolation and Other Access Barriers

California’s geographic diversity also contributes to health disparaties. The largely agricultural San Joaquin Valley is growing faster than any other area in California and ranks among the highest in the state for medically uninsured residents. One provider addressing the needs of the uninsured in the area is Su Salud (Your Health). Housed at San Joaquin General Hospital, Su Salud provides health education and disease prevention services to 200,000 Stockton area residents within the San Joaquin Valley.

“Bringing health education to the workers is an exciting new step for Su Salud.”

“We provide our services in Spanish and English, but because we serve people at varying literacy levels we also provide opportunities for people to learn visually and experientially,” said Al Murillo, president of Su Salud. “An example is our breast model with a lump in it that teaches women how to do self breast exams.”