Concilio Latino de Salud: Prevention resource

Its programs help Latinos, the homeless, gay and lesbian, and prisoners

An organization in Phoenix is promoting a healthy lifestyle is reaching out to those who may be headed  toward an early grave.
 
“We want to promote a healthier lifestyle for the community,” says Martha Burrel, project coordinator of Minority Substance Abuse and HIV Prevention for Concilio Latino de Salud. “Whether it be providing a safe place to access information or going out and informing the public.”
 
Although a valuable resource for Latinos, the organization also provides programs that help various segments of  Phoenix residents, including homeless, gay and lesbian, and prisoners.
 
“We go into the prisons and help out these men become better citizens so when they are released, they can help out the community instead of harm it,” says Burrel.
 
Dr. Elizabeth Valdez, president of Concilio Latino de Salud, adds, “No matter where they come from or who they are, we want to increase the protective factors and decrease the number with diseases.”
 
Concilio is a grassroots organization created in 1989, and specializes in helping to educate and inform Latinos about disease prevention and promote heath awareness.
 
“More Latinos are dying, each year, from diseases that could have been prevented,” says Valdez. “Had those people had more information, they might be alive today. Our job is to inform to stop this cycle.”
 
Valdez says that “Diseases like diabetes, cardio vascular, obesity and HIV that affect the Latino community are preventable and could be self managed with the right information.”
 
Although Concilio Latino de Salud does not directly treat health issues, it does provide information and refers many to local physicians.
 
“We are one of those resources that people who may not know where to go can contact and be led in the right direction,” says Burrel.
   
Concilio Latino de Salud is funded by the county, state, federal grants and other contributions. The contributions allow it to get its message across.
 
Spreading the word and gaining trust of the community, says Burrel, is a  “…win-win situation for everyone. Latinos gain information and then go out and spread the word.”
 
Valdez and Burrel believe there is still work to be done within the community, but believe they have made an impact.
 
“The success (of the organization) is having a story to tell,” says Valdez. “Today, we are able to implement in linguistic appropriate programs, influence policies and help to decrease health disparities.”
 
For more information about Concilio Latino de Salud and other programs about disease prevention, visit www.concilio.org  or call (602) 285-0970.