La Clinica del Carino Family Health Care Center

849 Pacific Avenue
Hood River, OR 97031

The goal of the Vida Entera y Sana (Whole and Healthy Life) project is to reduce the prevalence of obesity in the target community, particularly among Hispanic farmworkers and their families and to increase the number of Hispanic farmworkers who adopt positive, healthy lifestyle changes with respect to nutrition and exercise. La Clinica del Carino Family and Health Care Center works collaboratively with the Nuestra Communidad Sana, and the Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital to implement the project.

The Integrated Comprehensive Clinical Model (upon which the project is based) consists of enhancing the clinical systems in the medical, dental, and ancillary department programs in order to improve prevention, assessment, and education and treatment of obesity and overweight in the health center participants. Each year 10 obese Hispanic farmworker women participate in a six-month intensive weight loss course focused on healthy eating and exercise. The course consists of weekly meetings that incorporate innovative teaching techniques such as convening at the grocery store to shop together and discuss nutrition labels, and cooking as a group. Clinicians and hospital personnel also participate in the weekly sessions to discuss available health care services in an effort to improve participants’ awareness of and access to the services. Graduates of the program are trained as health promoters who then work with other women in the community to educate and encourage them to address the challenges of achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Beyond the six-month course, project staff provide ongoing education regarding nutrition, exercise, and wellness for participants. As part of the project, clinicians are trained to increase their identification and appropriate management of the overweight and obese individuals. Culturally and linguistically appropriate educational displays are developed for the clinic waiting room every 3 months. Each display is prepared in both English and Spanish and addresses a different obesity-related topic. The project also includes a home gardening program which returns to the target population’s cultural roots and improves their access to fresh fruit and vegetables. The project coordinates the gardening program and provides support to families who want to grow a home garden by providing resources, materials, and volunteer labor.