The newly immigrated Latino population in the southeastern US has high fertility rates and low access to reproductive health information and services, resulting in significant health disparities. Research conducted in South Carolina indicates a vast need for preconception health education among Latinos in order to address these disparities effectively before pregnancy occurs. PASOs (meaning "steps" in Spanish) is a community-based organization responding to the need by incorporating a preconception health outreach and education strategy into its program model using best practices and community input.  Founded in 2005, and hosted by USC's Arnold School of Public Health and partner organizations around the state, PASOs' mission is to help the Latino communities of South Carolina and service providers work together for strong and healthy families.  PASOs provides education, family support services, organizational capacity building and community leadership development throughout SC. 

PASOs' preconception health strategy focuses on the importance of folic acid in preventing Neural Tube Defects (NTDs), understanding reproductive anatomy and family planning methods, and accessing to health care services at the right time.  All this is done through culturally relevant messages, community outreach, health education workshops, engaging materials, community health workers (promotoras) and strategic partnerships.

One innovative way PASOs engages with the Latino community around preconception health is through its radio show, PASO a PASO, which takes place on a monthly basis in three regions of the state. Each month features a different topic that follows PASOs' educational curriculum. Health information is presented in a way that values Latino culture and celebrates strengths. The radio show takes on a personal approach as the promotoras share knowledge gained from their own experiences. Oftentimes the show features interviews with visiting experts who complement the promotoras by offering more in-depth information. Listeners are invited to share their feedback on the air and connect with PASOs for additional resources. PASOs is now releasing its first series of radionovelas, or radio dramas, that invite listeners to learn about reproductive life planning in an engaging and entertaining way. This grassroots approach provides a unique and empowering space for the voices of the community to be heard. All of these elements make PASOs' radio program a successful way to reach the Latino community with vital information about how to be healthy before, during, and after pregnancy.  Please see PASOs' website for more information about this program and other initiatives. 

Amor y Salud (Love and Health): a preconception health campaign for second-generation Latinas in Oregan   

     

Amor y Salud was a preconception health approach targeting second-generation Latinas in five counties in Oregon. The campaign used culturally appropriate, 12 one-minute radionovela episodes on nine radio stations, each on a preconception health topic. The campaign materials, including the episodes, were posted on social media sites. The Amor y Salud Facebook page was visited more than 11,000 times, and the episodes were played a total of 776 times. Use of a radionovela, combined with community partner involvement and social media, appears to be an effective tool for delivering preconception health messages. Click here to learn more. 

Lifting Latina Voices Initiative of the Feminist Women's Health Center in Atlanta, GA, seeks to address comprehensive reproductive and sexual health issues faced by Latinas, especially those who are low-income and uninsured. From providing basic sex education information on sexually transmitted infections, to fostering communication skills among friends, mothers, and daughters, LLVI cultivates Latina self-awareness, growth and empowerment.

 

LLVI provides opportunities for leadership for Latinas through the Latina Leadership Committee, educational workshops, grassroots organizing, and related projects. Through our advocacy trainings and programs, we will work to ensure that Latinas' voices are heard and counted in the policy debates that affect their lives, realities, and communities.  See LLVI's website to learn more. 

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