El Centro Hispano, Inc.

201 West Main Street, Suite 100
Durham, NC 27701

The goal of the Motivando Actitudes Salud Program -Motivating Healthy Habits (Project M.A.S.) Is to reduce the high risk behaviors associated with the development of diabetes and obesity/overweight among Hispanics/Latinos in Durham County, North Carolina. El Centro Hispano is the lead organization for a coalition that implements the project. The coalition members are the City of Durham Department of Parks and Recreation; Lincoln Community Health Center, and Duke University.

The project provides diabetes/obesity education and awareness messages to approximately 1,000 Latinos/Latinas each year via street and community outreach. The Health Education Team, assisted by ten Lay Health Educators (LHEs), conducts outreach in local Latino stores, at health fairs, work sites, and recreational facilities. Community workshops are conducted to provide diabetes prevention education through lectures, games, videos, and demonstrations. The LHEs provide educational information to those in their social networks and encourage them to develop healthy lifestyle habits. The LHEs also refer community members to local health facilities for treatment and further screening services and to parks, recreational facilities, and other resources for physical activity. Project staff also provides one-on-one prevention education to community members in person or via telephone. Latino families are also provided interpreting, translation, and advocacy services to improve access to health care. Duke University provides the health education team with information on health care and treatment services, and recruits nutritionists and other professionals as needed for community workshops and training of lay health educators. Sporting events, leagues, and clinics (e.g. baseball, soccer, swimming, martial arts, dance and cheerleading) geared toward fitness for youth ranging from 5 to 10 years of age are provided by the City of Durham Department of Parks and Recreation. The Lincoln Community Health Center conducts outreach and community awareness events (i.e., annual Health Fiesta, Playing It Safe event) and monthly screenings.