What?

A model program delivered by lay Latino health educators to improve the health and wellbeing of low-income Montgomery County Latino residents.  The focus is on preventing tobacco use, promoting healthy eating and physical activity, and facilitating access to healthcare.

Where?

Vías de la Salud health promoters conduct outreach and education activities within schools, safety net clinics, community centers, and churches, and with neighbors and family members.

How?

Vías de la Salud accomplishes its goals by training and empowering volunteer lay health promoters to:

• Help families complete Maryland Children’s Health Insurance Program (MCHIP) and Care for Kids (CFK) applications.
• Inform residents about programs and resources available in the County.
• Educate the Latino population at health fairs and other community events.
• Conduct education sessions.  Interventions range from one-on-one sessions and small group activities to larger efforts comprising 15 or more individuals.
• Plan and perform physical activity sessions (“Caminatas”).
• Advocate for health issues and policies that benefit the Latino community.

Who?

Vías de la Salud is currently comprised of volunteer health promoters throughout Montgomery County.  All health promoters are grassroots Latino community members who share the cultural, linguistic, and demographic characteristics of the population Vías de la Salud serves.