The Asian Health Initiative (AHI) was established in 1995 by Tufts Medical Center to address health disparities in the local Asian community. It focuses on key health issues like heart disease, cancer, nutrition, fitness, and senior health. AHI partners with several community organizations to implement culturally competent programs. Initial programs provided education, outreach, and direct services. Evaluation found that knowledge of heart disease doubled on average for those who participated in workshops at one community center. Going forward, AHI will continue working to improve health in Asian communities through collaboration and innovative education.

1. Community Health Improvement Programs
Asian Health Initiative: Identifies Public Health Issues in the Local Asian Community
Sherry Dong, Director
Matthew Manning, Program Assistant
Program BackgroundProgram Background
Objectives of ProgramObjectives of Program
Findings to DateFindings to Date
The Community Health Improvement Programs (CHIP) mission is to
sustain the health and well being of residents in communities that have
historic or developing relationships with Tufts Medical Center.
Tufts MC established the Asian Health Initiative (AHI) in 1995 to
address health disparities in the local Asian community. We work
collaboratively with local community-based organizations to address
those health issues in a culturally and linguistically appropriate setting.
Current health priorities focus on physical and emotional health,
including heart disease, breast and cervical cancer, physical fitness and
nutrition, family stress reduction, and senior health improvement.
We are partnering with Asian American Civic Association-Sampan
Health Column, Asian Spectrum, Boston Asian Youth Essential Services,
Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center, South Cove Manor Nursing
Home, Wang YMCA, and Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center to
address these health concerns. These programs are currently in their
first year of funding.
The AHI programs were able to implement education and outreach
activities to their respective communities and provide direct services to
people in need in the first six months of programming. Outreach
includes social media postings, public service announcements, health
columns in the local newspaper, and flyers.
•Promote healthy habits and choices in the Asian American
Community.
• Provide culturally competent resources for healthy living to low
income families in the Boston Asian community.
•Prevent Chronic illness , such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular
disease through fun interactive programming like:
• Physical fitness and nutrition activities for sedentary teens
• Elderly rehabilitative services
• Stress management programs
• Resources minimizing barriers to better health outcomes
Statement of ProblemStatement of Problem
The Asian/Pacific Islander community is among the fastest growing
populations locally and nationally. It now comprises 3.6% of the total
population nationally, and 3.8% of the total population in
Massachusetts.
Asian immigrants often underutilize health care services, and often lack
the information necessary to practice preventive health maintenance.
This can be attributed in part to cultural differences and linguistic
barriers, as well as financial concerns, such as lack of health insurance.
•> 50% of Chinatown residents are non/limited-English proficient *
•30% of Chinatown residents live below the federal poverty level, while
the median income is $28,000, compared to the Boston average of
$40,000 *
(*Boston Public Health Commission, “The Health of Chinatown 2002.”)
Figure 1.
Heart Disease Workshop Pre & Post Knowledge Survey
Number of Participants
• The following graph and statistics were collected from a single AHI
program- The Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center.
The Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center’s mission is to empower
Chinese- speaking elders to better manage their chronic conditions.
Heart disease was the topic of choice among the elders. Informational
workshops were held to discuss heart disease prevention and
management, importance of healthy diet, regular exercise and
compliance of medications.
Quincy Tower Heart Disease Workshop (5/5/14-6/16/14): Knowledge of
heart disease increased from pre to post workshop (n=15). On average, a
majority of the patients doubled their knowledge of heart disease.
The AHI Programs will continue to strive toward improving health in their
communities, encourage collaboration amongst Tufts MC and other AHI
organizations, and create innovative ways to promote health education,
prevention, and awareness.
Community Health Improvement Programs at Tufts Medical Center is
proud to support our community organizations. We encourage proposals
for the next funding cycle.
For more information on CHIP/AHI programs, please visit our website at:
www.tuftsmedicalcenter.org/commhealth
Future DirectionFuture Direction