San Ysidro Health Center, Inc.

4004 Beyer Boulevard
San Ysidro, CA 92173

The purpose of the Health Education and Access for Latinos (HEAL) Project is to reduce health disparities in the Latino community by increasing early detection of cardiovascular risk factors and promoting therapeutic lifestyle changes. The project is carried out through a coalition comprised of San Ysidro Health Center, Inc., Casa Familiar, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, and St. Charles Catholic Church, and targets low income, underserved Latinos residing in South San Diego County, including National City, Chula Vista, Otay, Imperial Beach and San Ysidro.

Project activities focus on promoting and improving awareness of, and access to, health education opportunities; improving knowledge about diabetes, heart disease and stroke, and obesity and overweight; improving utilization of screening/testing for early detection and control of cardiovascular disease and diabetes; changing modifiable health-related behaviors to improve risk and control of cardiovascular disease and diabetes; and linking participants to a “medical home” for ongoing prevention and private care services and follow up. Health education and screening are provided at collaborating partner facilities and public housing complexes, and during annual events and health fairs. Health education is delivered in individual or group sessions, focusing on diet, physical activity, and tobacco avoidance. Once screened, participants are provided basic test results counseling and, if necessary, assistance in scheduling appointments for follow-up care with their primary care provider or at one of the grantee’s four primary care centers. Those participants utilizing the services of the clinics are assigned a primary care provider who identifies treatment service needs and develops a comprehensive treatment plan. A case manager is assigned to follow the participant for care coordination, on-going monitoring and health maintenance.