What We Do
- ACHC conducts a wide range of programs and activities in Asian and other diverse communities experiencing health disparities;
- ACHC supports and provides assistance for community-based initiatives that focus on exploring culturally-appropriate solutions to urgent community health needs;
- ACHC conducts education/training and screening programs on a variety of health problems such as mental health, Hepatitis, breast and cervical cancer, stomach and colorectal cancer, osteoporosis, hypertension, and smoking-related health problems;
- ACHC provides health educational materials to communities using a variety of venues that would raise the awareness level of health problems;
- ACHC works with partner health providers to raise their level of awareness of the special needs of diverse communities through education and hands-on experiences;
- ACHC provides technical assistance to local, regional, and national communities in program development and implementation;
- ACHC assists institutions and Federal and state agencies in the recruitment of racial/ethnic minorities for clinical trials that aim at improving health;
- ACHC provides assistance to young health professionals (advanced students, scholars, clinicians) that would enhance their career development in health issues.
Our Programs
Cancer Control Programs
English Chinese Korean Vietnamese
The DHHS and the American Osteoporosis Foundation has identified osteoporosis as a significant health problem among Asians, especially Chinese. The ACHC has been instrumental in the translation and adaptation of the DHHS Surgeon General’s Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis. This community-based program addresses both the Surgeon General’s bone health management as well as cultural factors that promote healthy bone (e.g., indigenous exercises and diets). Although the program targets the age group 50 and above, it can be adapted to younger-age groups for prevention.
Cancer Control Programs
Breast Cancer
This is an educational and interventional program aimed at increase knowledge and awareness of breast Cancer among Asian American women as well as available community information and resources that would lead to mammography screening and follow up in abnormal findings.
Colorectal Cancer
This program is designed for Asian Americans who are 50 years and older. Its purpose is to increase knowledge and awareness, its prevalence among various Asian ethnic groups, its signs and symptoms and its relationship to diet, and various strategies for its detection. The program’s aim to encourage Asians to seek screening at recommended intervals.
Cervical Cancer
The purpose of this program is to increase knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer among Asian women, its prevention and early detection. The program explores psychosocial, cultural and healthcare system barriers Asian women face. The program’s ultimate objective is to facilitate cervical cancer screening and follow up in abnormal findings.
Hepatitis B /Liver Diseases
HepB is an infectious disease that affects many Asians. Vaccination against the hepB virus can prevent Asians against the disease. Chronic hepB infection can lead to liver complications including hepatic cancer. This program aims to increase knowledge and awareness of hepatitis B virus and how it is communicated, how to prevent infection, and strategies to deal with chronic hepB. It also addresses intervention issues and resources at local and state levels, in particular vaccination programs.
Tobacco Control
Among Asians in general and men in particular, tobacco and tobacco products are used as ‘lubricants’ for communication. This program is designed to address smoking behaviors among new Asian American immigrants and insular Asian communities who maintain strong cultural ties with their respective countries. In addition to increasing knowledge of the adverse effects of tobacco consumption on health, this program provides culturally appropriate one-on-one counseling as well as other assistive therapies for smoking cessation.
Osteoporosis Intervention
English Chinese
The DHHS and the American Osteoporosis Foundation has identified osteoporosis as a significant health problem among Asians, especially Chinese. The ACHC has been instrumental in the translation and adaptation of the DHHS Surgeon General’s Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis. This community-based program addresses both the Surgeon General’s bone health management as well as cultural factors that promote healthy bone (e.g., indigenous exercises and diets). Although the program targets the age group 50 and above, it can be adapted to younger-age groups for prevention.
Diabetes
English Chinese Korean Vietnamese
This culturally appropriate prevention and intervention program address both juvenile as well as adult onset diabetes. The program targets underserved Asian Americans in low socioeconomic status. The educational intervention is designed to increase knowledge and awareness of diabetes and risk factors associated with the disease. Because most Asians in the eastern region of the U.S. are new immigrants, emphasis is placed on changing diets and acculturation and their impact on health. The program discusses disease management and directs Asians to sources of information, especially related to screening or care. Blood draws usually accompany the program.
Hypertension
English Chinese Korean Vietnamese
Asian Americans are as much at risk for hypertension as African Americans and Hispanics. Factors which may precipitate hypertension include smoking, particularly among males, high risk occupations, problems related to acculturation, socioeconomic status, changes in diet, and lack of information about health and healthy lifestyle. The program provides information on the nature of hypertension and strategies to prevent hypertension from becoming chronic. The program provides information on where to seek assistance if at risk, and how to monitor blood pressure and manage it with physician assistance.
Heart Disease
English Chinese Korean Vietnamese
Heart disease is a correlate of diabetes and smoking significantly increase the risk for the disease. The aim of this program is to increase awareness of risk factors that contribute to heart disease in Asian Americans. Although genetics and familial factors are risk factors in heart disease, the program also focuses on lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, and stress reduction) and routine checkups that can substantially reduce risks for developing heart disease.
Salt Reduction Project - Philadelphia Healthy Chinese Take-out Initiative
The Philadelphia Healthy Chinese Take-out Initiative, "Less Salt, Healthier Eating," is a joint effort among Temple University's Center for Asian Health, the Asian Community Health Coalition, the Philadelphia Chinese Restaurant Association, and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. See details, click here.
Patient Navigator and Community Health Worker Training (a Certificate Program)
This is a community capacity building program for training patient navigators and community health workers. A large subset of the Asian populations is unaware of mainstream health services, hence need patient navigation assistance in understanding physicians’ recommendations or coordination follow up care. The program is designed to train local bilingual patient navigators and community health workers to facilitate patients’ movement through the health delivery system.
Mental Health
Mental Health Programs
Mental Health Training
We focus on increasing access to mental health training for Asian Americans.
- Make mental health services more affordable. Many Asian Americans suffer from poverty, especially considering that the top several countries that immigrate to the US are from Asia. In 2017, one-third of Asian Americans with depression could not get care due to cost.
- Reduce language barriers and stigma toward mental health services. More than one-third of Asian Americans have limited English proficiency. Lawmakers can increase the number of interpreters in health care settings to make mental health services accessible to patients regardless of language proficiency.
- The best way to combat stigmas is to become educated about mental health facts and engage positively with people who experience mental illness.
Other ways to combat stigmas include:
- talking openly with family, friends, or using social media
- promoting the idea that physical and mental illness are equal
- avoiding the use of language that may be negative or discriminating
- telling the media when they are promoting stigmatizing content or ideas
- showing compassion and empathy for people with mental illness
- seeking treatment and being open and honest with others about it
- trying to avoid self-stigmatization and embracing empowerment over shame
- committing to being StigmaFree
Mental health Resources
"Asian Americans have long encountered barriers to accessing health and mental health care due to linguistic, cultural, insurance, and other barriers," explained the Asian American Psychological Association in a written statement given March 18, 2021, at a U.S. House of Representatives hearing on discrimination and violence against Asian Americans.
"Fear/anticipation of future racism may prevent Asian Americans from accessing needed resources, such as health and mental health care," the statement continued. Because of this, online resources can be a particularly important tool for providing advice, support, and information on mental health for Asian Americans.
- Asian American Psychological Association
- Asian Mental Health Collective
- National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
- Asian American Health Initiative
- National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance
Referral to multilingual mental service providers
We focus on increasing access to mental health provider services for Asian Americans.
- Conduct research on disaggregated Asian Americans. All Asian Americans are not alike, but research often lumps Koreans, Japanese, Filipinos, Chinese, etc. together. Some studies of disaggregated Asians show that Korean Americans are twice as likely as Chinese Americans to experience depressive symptoms, and Japanese and Korean American men are at higher risk of suicide than other Asian American men. Separating these groups out helps us to understand the needs of this population better so we can better address them.
- Reduce language barriers and stigma toward mental health services. More than one-third of Asian Americans have limited English proficiency. Lawmakers can increase the number of interpreters in health care settings to make mental health services accessible to patients regardless of language proficiency.
Promote cultural competency and diversity among mental health professionals. 13% of Asian Americans report experiencing discrimination at a health clinic. The lack of Asian American knowledge and representation in the mental health workforce likely contributes to the disparate environment. Having more training in cultural competency and increasing cultural diversity among mental health professionals are some steps toward making the mental health care setting friendlier to Asian Americans.
Scholarship Program
ACHC provides assistance to young health professionals (advanced students, scholars, clinicians) that would enhance their career development in Asian health issues. If you are interested in this program, please download the application form, complete and email to [email protected] system.
