I recently attended Communities Joined in Action’s annual conference in San Antonio. It was two days of keynote addresses and plenaries, useful advice from breakout sessions, and a lot of TexMex.
Blog
Driving Away Barriers to Health Access
The days leading up to my 16th birthday, I prepared to visit the DMV to take my road test and get my driver’s license. Once I had earned that license, I celebrated a newfound sense of independence.
Red Line to Root Causes
Since moving to Sunnyside, I’ve been struck by all of the types of houses. Patterns developed over time in Denver’s neighborhoods, due to economic and social forces that run deep through its history.
Waiting for Health Equity
We tackle a lot of complex problems, but none as challenging as health equity. Our systems of power grant privilege and access unequally, meaning some Coloradans benefit while others are harmed.
Paying for Quality Time
At my last physical, I spent an hour in the waiting room and only seven minutes talking to my doctor. When it was time for my exam, she asked me to disrobe and said she’d be back in two minutes.
Promotoras in Action
The peer-to-peer support models promote leadership that is rooted in the idea that communities have a better chance of reaching their goals for health if they are operating and advocating themselves.
#ProtectOurCare
I commend Congress for improving health care services so diseases are less destructive to our communities. However, better health care services are only useful to those who have access to health care.
Prisoner to Mental Health
When my sister had a mental breakdown, she found herself face-to-face with two police officers. They called an ambulance and she was escorted to the hospital where she was placed on a 72-hour hold.
Community Health Workers Fill in Gaps
When community health workers are properly integrated into the health care system, we can expect real, effective change to occur. A little bit of investment in a program like CHWs can make the whole system more functional and stable.
Taking Alphabet Soup off the Menu
I was 16 when I started my first restaurant job. I followed my trainer around during orientation, listening to her spew off a list of acronyms and code words I’d never heard before. 86’ed. BOH. Reset on 16.