Immigrant Health Access Project (IHAP)
Contact: Kathy Hinshaw and H’Tuyet Rahlan at 336.334.5411
Goal: The Immigrant Health Access Project (IHAP) recognizes language and cultural barriers as the principal healthcare "problems" for growing number of new immigrants in the Greater Guilford area. The provision of culturally and linguistically appropriate services is critical to deal with disease-specific treatment and establish prevention programs to low-income immigrant and resident minority populations.
Objectives: IHAP aims at eliminating language and cultural barriers to health services by:
- coordinating the outreach efforts of experienced cross cultural Lay Health Advisors,
- coordinating a Guilford County interpreter's bank,
- increasing collaboration with "safety net providers," and
- transferring experienced Lay Health Advisors in the Guilford County Health System.
By providing opportunity for acculturating immigrants and proactively connecting these with the general health care system, IHAP Lay Health Advisors engage the immigrant communities across the country in physical activity programs, nutrition education, and case management efforts that assist immigrants find the way in a new healthcare system.
Population/Area Served: Guilford County. Reaching over 500 immigrant families per year from Asia, Latin America and Africa.
Sponsoring Source: Moses Cone and Wesley Long Community Health Foundation.
