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Somali Health Care Initiative
Wellshare International
122 West Franklin Avenue, Suite 510
Minneapolis, MN 55404

Target Audience:
Somali women
Fees:Free
Contact Info:

Description:
The Somali Health Care Initiative works in partnership with Somali community organizations to promote sustainable behavior change among Somali adults and youth.  The Initiative uses cross-cutting strategies such as community-based fitness classes, nutrition classes and food demonstrations, and youth-driven outreach to reduce health disparities.  A special focus of the Initiative targets youth ages 11-18 and utilizes materials from Media-Smart Youth  and Jump Start Teens to teach young Somalis about the importance of eating healthy and being active.  The unique structure of the Somali Health Care Initiative means that programs can be modified to promote healthy culturally specific foods and practices and tailored to meet the needs of the Somali community and partner organizations.

The Somali Women’s Breast Cancer Project reduces breast cancer disparities among women by conducting culturally appropriate breast health education via home visits and small group presentations. The project reduces disparities by raising awareness and motivating women to seek screening and schedule mammograms. Since its inception, the program has reached more than 1000 Somali women.

For Somali women to have the same chance of surviving breast and cervical cancer as women in Minnesota in general, educational programs must address Somali women’s low awareness of breast cancer, their fear of diagnosis and of mortality, and language barriers. WellShare community health workers are  trained to educate the Somali community about breast health and to conduct outreach for Somali women on prevention of breast cancer. Our community health workers have a unique bond with women of the Somali community—sharing the same language, culture and religion, and similar experiences of living in the United States. These connections help women of the Somali community trust the information we bring to them.

Last updated: 3/14/11
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