May is Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage month

The Center for Asian Health Equity (CAHE) celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May with colorectal cancer and behavioral health programs designed to target high-risk Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPIs) populations. Currently, Asian American colorectal cancer screening rate is among the lowest in the country.

The Center’s colorectal cancer screening program, Cook County Colon Cancer Alliance to Reignite and Enhance Screening (CARES) funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is increasing screening rates among the Asian-American patients served by two partnering community health center systems, Asian Human Services Family Health Center and Heartland Health Centers. Indeed, 21% of CARES partner patients are Asian-Americans, and colorectal cancer screening rates for this group has increased more than 20% through CARES program.

CDC patient education materials have been translated to seven Asian languages.

Through support from the University of Chicago Community Benefit Grant Program and collaboration with the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, CAHE has partnered with other community-based organizations to implement “Empower to Live (E2L): Chicago South Side Colorectal Cancer Education Program” colon cancer screening initiative. The Bridgeport Free Clinic and Chinese American Service League have provided culturally tailored colorectal cancer education to 176 Asian-Americans and screenings have been completed for 130 of them.

In addition to these programs, the Center continues to investigate health care equity and mentor student leaders in the community. Center Director Dr. Karen Kim’s research on community-based linkage to care programs is published on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

“Community screening events may seem small, but providing a space for the Chicago Vietnamese community to talk about 'silent killers' is a powerful way to begin addressing it,” said University of Chicago Public Health student intern Jessy Nguyen, at a Diabetes screening event with the Vietnamese Association of Illinois.

In recognition of Mental Health Month, CAHE renewed its effort to lead the Coalition for Asian Substance Abuse Prevention (CASAP). Now in its eighth year, CASAP continues to bring together the community to prevent substance abuse and promote overall wellness among youths in the Chinatown area. CASAP also will be hosting BASSET-certified responsible beverage-server training as a part of its ongoing efforts to educate community members on under-age drinking.

May events sponsored or supported by the Center for Asian Health Equity include:

• May 13-19 — National Prevention Week, inviting Chinatown youth to submit logo ideas that captured substance use prevention and mental wellness
• May 17 — Colorectal Cancer Screening with the Vietnamese Association of Illinois, over 30 adults attended the colorectal cancer education session and 15 received free ”fit kits.”
• May 23 — Twitter Chat on Hep B Awareness, answering live Twitter questions on Hepatitis B with the U.S. Department of Health and Services Office of Minority Health
• May 31—| World No Tobacco Day, Tobacoo Breaks Hearts media campaign highlighted the danger of tobacco to cardio vascular health to Chicago’s Asian communities
• Throughout May — Hepatitis Awareness Month, CAHE advocated for several Hep B United and Hepatitis B Foundation events including #HepBeLIvER and #justB storytelling social media campaigns

The Center for Asian Health Equity (CAHE) is a partnership between the University of Chicago Medicine and the Asian Health Coalition that brings together the assets of a world class research institution and a respected community health coalition to investigate health disparities that affect Asian American populations and take action to advance health equity. We take a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach to research, engage our communities, and disseminate information. To learn more, visit www.asianhealth.org.