Immigrant Health Outreach Project

In collaboration with the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), FAHSI is conducting a Filipino Immigrant Health Outreach Project to provide health education workshops to inform the community about available health resources. The outreach and education effort will target uninsured and undocumented Filipino immigrants, as well as members of mixed-status households, and will focus on how to access preventive and primary care, as well as emergency care.

Primary Purpose and Need
 
The primary purpose of the Filipino Immigrant Health Outreach Project is to provide direct outreach and education regarding access to and understanding of health care services to Filipino immigrants in New York City, through a
series of community workshops facilitated by a bi-lingual Health Educator.

Anticipated Impacts
 
FAHSI anticipates that the Filipino Immigrant Health Outreach Project will
have the following impact on the community served:
 
  • Increased awareness and understanding of health care resources, especially bi-lingual and free/low-cost health services available to participants in the New York City area especially in Queens;
  • Increased awareness and understanding of the health care insurance system, especially as it pertains to participants’ immigration and economic status; and 
  • Increase of participants’ confidence and empowerment in navigating the
    health care and insurance systems.

In November 2004, FAHSI held its first Community Health Fair at the Philippine American Center as one of the initial outreach events for the project. FAHSI will continue providing referrals as well as direct case management assistance to those with more immediate health needs.

Recent Activities
  • In November 2007, FAHSI held its annual health fair in Our Lady of the Snows  Church in Floral Park, NY, in collaboration with other health care organizations and agencies.
  • Also in November 2007, Executive Director Johanna Martinez participated in a press conference on the need for translation of medical prescriptions for English-limited immigrants. The media event was organized by Make the Road New York, an advocacy organization.