Program Overview

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center has long served as an example of how communities, academic health programs and health practitioners can work together to promote the health and well being of all members of the community. As an extension of this leadership, the Ethnic Health Institute (EHI) was formed to expand opportunities for community outreach and coalition building around chronic disease prevention and health promotion.

EHI is a community service of Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, engaged in coordinating health education, research, health provider training and community outreach and awareness for the entire community, with a special focus on the underserved and minority populations.

Local and national studies continue to indicate that minority populations, regardless of socioeconomic status, suffer disproportionately from health conditions that are both preventable and treatable. EHI aims to enrich the quality of life in ethnically and culturally diverse communities by exploring ways to improve health education, inform underserved populations about health issues of special concern to them and then connect those populations to resources in the community.

As part of Alta Bates Summit Medical Center’s commitment to improve access to health education and healthcare services for all populations, EHI is a model program for diverse communities throughout the nation.

Target Groups

In order to improve the health of an entire population, groups most at-risk for experiencing above average incidences of chronic disease, death and disability must be targeted. Therefore EHI’s target populations are the poor, underserved and minority members of the community.

A Model of Effective Outreach

EHI developed the C.A.R.E. model as an effective tool to address the health needs of underserved, poor and minority communities.

C = Community Awareness

To bring health education, health promotion and disease prevention to populations through educational materials, screenings, forums and the media. EHI is involved with producing and distributing culturally relevant and sensitive health materials and information. The Institute works with existing Alta Bates Summit programs, in particular, Health Ministry, Asian Outreach and Health Access Programs, which have established strong community partnerships. In addition, EHI sponsors two media programs addressing ethnic health issues hosted by Dr. Mike LeNoir, including "Ethnic Health America", which airs on cable TV and "About Health", a weekly radio program on KPFA.

A = Alliances and Community Outreach

Improving the health status of the community by developing community partnerships and collaborations. Taking resources and information to a local level and connecting people to appropriate resources in the community.

R = Research / Outcomes

Identifying appropriate data and information as a basis for measuring the outcomes and effectiveness of EHI coordinated efforts.

E = Education

Improving the information base of and facilitating training for health care providers serving ethnic populations.