Friday, December 16, 2011

AAHI Says Farwell to Program Coordinator, Atyya Chaudhry


AAHI Community,

Today AAHI bid a heartfelt farewell to Program Coordinator, Atyya Chaudhry. After having started with AAHI as in intern during her last semester at the University of Maryland College Park, Atyya joined our staff in May of 2010. With her, she brought an unmatched level of energy, enthusiasm, and passion which was coupled with a sincere dedication of serving the community. In her time here, she has contributed tremendously to our growth. She has played a critical role in our health education efforts and is the cornerstone of our ethnic media health education campaign and social media activities. Additionally, she has supported numerous AAHI projects and events and has proven to be indispensable. It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to an impressive young professional. We know that she will continue to be a champion for Asian American health in her future endeavors.

Atyya - we wish you all the best!

Study of Children with Hepatitis B Virus Infection

The Hepatitis B Research Network (HBRN)
Observational Study of Children with Hepatitis B Virus Infection in North America
What is the purpose of this study?
This is a multicenter Hepatitis B virus (HBV) study seeking to enroll approximately 500 children with chronic HBV in order to better evaluate the natural history of this infection in children. We hope to better understand the effects HBV and develop effective treatment strategies with currently available therapies. Study visits will be conducted for 5 years at the time of routine clinical visits. One of the principal aims of the study is to try to understand factors associated with conversion of E antigen to E antibody (which is thought to give the child with HBV a more favorable outlook.) Johns Hopkins represents the only pediatric site in the mid-Atlantic and plans to enroll 80-100 participants. Children who are eligible for future treatment trials will first need to be enrolled in the observational natural history study.

Who can enroll?
Participants are chronically infected with HBV and must be 6 months old to 18 years old.

Who is conducting the research study?
The study is being conducted by researchers at 7 locations in the United States and Canada. It is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Johns Hopkins University is one of the sites. The research team at this site is:
• Dr. Kathleen Schwarz, MD, Gastroenterologist, Hepatologist, Director, Liver Center, Principal Investigator
• Ying Yuan, MHA, Research coordinator
• Douglas Mogul, M.D., M.P.H. Fellow, Pediatric GI

What will be collected in the study?
The research visits will take place at the same time as the clinical visits. These visits will include a physical exam, medical or interval history, laboratory tests and questionnaires. Blood drawn as part of the study will take place at the same time as routine laboratory tests. The clinical visits and clinical lab tests will be billed to third party payors as is usually done for clinical visits. The research part of the visit will be questionnaires and research blood tests to be done on the same blood draw as the clinical tests.

How long does the study last?
This study lasts for up to 5 years.

What if I don’t want to be in the study or if I want to drop out of the study?
Your participation is voluntary. Your child will receive the same level of care whether you decide to participate or not. You are free to leave the study at any time.

Who can I contact if I have questions?
Please call Ying Yuan at 410-955-9161 or email her at yyuan19@jhmi.edu

Please click this link to download a flyer. https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bzy_tqMuNorzNjExMTI2YjYtMjMwZC00ZDgwLTkxM2MtNTRkYjM5ZTkwZDFh

Thursday, December 15, 2011

HIV Prevention and Counseling services

AAHI Community,

Check out this free resource:

Gapbuster Learning Center, Inc. offers free HIV counseling, testing and referral services here at the Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center on Fridays from 4-7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10-2 p.m.

For more information, please contact Yvette Butler, MD or Sheila Clyburn, RN at (301) 779-GBLC (4252) or email gblc_office@yahoo.com.

Address: Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center
3300 Briggs Chaney Road
Silver Spring, Maryland 20904
Tel # (240) 777-8400

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Job Opening at the Asian American Health Initiative

The Primary Care Coalition in collaboration with the Asian American Health Initiative seeks a highly organized and motivated individual for the position of Program Coordinator for Health Education and Health Communication. For more information on the job description, requires, and how to apply, please visit the Asian American Health Initiatives website: http://aahiinfo.org/phpages/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/AAHI-Program-Coordinator.pdf

Recap of Past Events

AAHI Community,

These past two weeks we have had a few events in the community:

On Tuesday, November 29, we celebrated Native American Heritage Month and attended the American Indian Heritage Day Pow-Wow and Health Fair. This event was held at Holy Cross Hospital. We provided health education on various topics and conducted bone density screenings. We thank the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs, Holy Cross Hospital, and our Minority Outreach and Technical Assistance Partners for working on this event!
11-29-11 American Indian Pow-Wow & Health Fair

On Saturday, December 10, we worked with the Korean Community Service Center of Greater Washington (KCSC) to coordinate the results and vaccination round one as a part of the comprehensive Active Care and Treatment (A.C.T.) of Hepatitis B in the Korean Community Project. At this event, community members participated in a health lecture, received one-on-one consultations with physicians regarding their results, and had the opportunity to receive a free vaccination if they were in need of one. We thank our partners and volunteers at KCSC, our volunteer physicians, and our Health Promoter team for making this such success!
12-10-11 KCSC ACT Hep B Results Day

On Tuesday, December 13, we worked with a dental hygienist with Montgomery County, to provide a training to our Health Promoters on Oral Health and Hygiene. The informative training provided an overview of oral health conditions such as cavities, gingivitis, and periodontists, and discussed methods of maintaining proper oral hygiene and preventing oral health disease. We thank Verna Richardson, RDH, MS, for this helpful training!
12-13-11 Health Promoter Training: Oral Health

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Farewell Fall 2011 Interns


Just a few months, AAHI welcomed Fall 2011 interns, Candace Lee and Carolyn Ho, and already it is time to bid them farewell. Candace and Carolyn joined us from the School of Public Health at the University of Maryland College Park. This internship is a part of their undergraduate academic program.

Candace and Carolyn took initiative and actively worked with AAHI on various projects and programs. They conducted small business outreach, participated in outreach events, and developed health education articles. They provided tremendous support in AAHI's ongoing hepatitis B project efforts.

Candace and Carolyn also worked on individual research projects in their respective interests. They orally presented their in-depth research to AAHI staff- Candace presented on Health IT, and Carolyn presented on Mental Health First Aid.

At AAHI, we are proud to graduate another group of interns from our internship program. We thank Candace and Carolyn for their hard work and passion. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors!

Words of advice from Candace and Carolyn:

"Come in with an open mind and a willingness to accept any opportunities or challenges that come before you because you will never know where these experiences can take you in the future. You might be surprised. For me, I never expected that I could do health outreach events, but through this internship I learned something new about myself." - Candace Lee

"This internship gives you great exposure and experiences in many public health projects and activities. You’ll meet a lot of great people that you can learn from too. Take initiative and put yourself out there, you’ll never know what opportunities can come from it." - Carolyn Ho

Friday, December 9, 2011

Dec. 4 - 10 is National Influenza Vaccination Week

AAHI Community,

This week, December 4 - 10, is National Influenza Vaccination Week. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "An annual flu vaccine is the single best way to prevent this serious illness."

Montgomery County has one more vaccination date as a part of Montgomery County's 2011-2012 Seasonal Flu Vaccination Campaign. The vaccinations are by appointment only. Click here for more information on the flu clinic and how to make an appointment.

When: Thursday, December 15, 2011
Time: 2:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Germantown Health Center
12900 Middlebrook Road, Germantown, MD 20874

Thursday, December 8, 2011

FREE English Classes!

AAHI Community,

The Literacy Council of Montgomery County will continue offering FREE English classes for adults here at the Regional Services Center. There are classes for beginning, intermediate, and advanced. The classes are held at various centers throughout the County and at various times. Click here for more information, and please share with family and friends!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Cancer and the Asian American and Pacific Islander Community

AAHI Community,

This informative video on Cancer in the Asian American & Pacific Islanders community is by the National Cancer Institute.

World AIDS Day


AAHI Community,
Today, December 1st, is World AIDS Day. HIV and AIDS do affect the Asian American community, and we can help raise awareness.

Did you know...?

- Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that Asian American and Pacific Islanders have the highest rate of increase of new HIV infections in our nation?

- While the rate of HIV infection is increasing in the Asian American and Pacific Islanders group, it is decreasing in other racial and ethnic groups.

- Asian American and Pacific Islanders have the lowest HIV screening rate when compared to all racial and ethnic groups.


It is important to increase our knowledge about HIV/AIDS and raise awareness in our communities. You can read more about HIV/AIDS in the Asian American and Pacific Islanders by clicking here.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Community Resource: FREE Pro Bono Legal Clinic

AAHI Community,

Check out this great resource, and please feel free to share with family and friends!
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Pro Bono Legal Clinic -

The Montgomery County Bar Foundation Pro Bono Program provides FREE Legal Advice Consultations here at the ECRSC for low income residents on the first and second Thursdays of each month from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. The upcoming dates for the legal clinics are December 1 and December 8. A client intake must be completed before 6:00 p.m.

Location: East County Regional Center

3300 Briggs Chaney Road, Silver Spring

For more information, call the Pro Bono Program Monday through Thursday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm at (301) 424-7651, (301) 424-7652 or (301) 424-7633.

To see a flier, please click here.

Lung Cancer Awareness Month

AAHI Community,

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Did you know:
- According to a 2009 finding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the rate of Asian Americans over the age of 12 who use tobacco products is 11.9%?
- In the US, smoking causes an estimated 90% of all lung cancer deaths in men and 80% of lung cancer deaths in women?

If you or a loved one are current tobacco-users and wish to quit, there is a class offered through Holy Cross Hospital, Nixing Nicotine. This FREE, six-week class, meets once a week with a certified tobacco treatment specialist. The class is held at Holy Cross Hospital Professional Community & Education Center, 1500 Forest Glen Rd., Silver Spring, MD. For more information on dates, times, and class registration, click here.

You can also encourage them to call Maryland's Quit-line, 1-800-QUIT-NOW, for a free call, free support, and free medicine. Visit their website here: http://www.smokingstopshere.com/

Monday, November 28, 2011

AAHI in the News

AAHI Community,

One of our goals at AAHI is to educate the community on health concerns and prevention. In order to broaden our health education tactics, we have initiated a health education media campaign through ethnic newspapers. Ethnic newspapers serve as an important platform to reach out to the community and provide health education and information on health resources and services. The health articles we write are culturally and linguistically tailored to address the topic in an appropriate manner. These articles are intended to be beneficial for the readers.

This year we have been working with a few local Asian newspapers to publish these articles for community benefit:

The Epoch Times
Breast Cancer Article
Diabetes Article

India This Week
Breast Cancer Article

Washington Chinese News
Breast Cancer Article

Korean Times
Hepatitis B Article

We thank our media partners for their continual support in building a healthier community!

Friday, November 25, 2011

Forum on Future of Nonprofits

AAHI Community,
Here is an upcoming event open to the public if you or anyone you know is interested in attending. Registrations is required.

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Future of the Nonprofit Sector and Philanthropy
Wednesday, December 7, 2011 • Noon-1:30 p.m. ET

To attend in person in Washington, D.C., register at:
http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2551096398. (Registration is required.)

Panelists:

- David Cay Johnston,
Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist for Reuters (moderator)
- Terri Lee Freeman, president, Community Foundation for the National Capital Region
- C. Eugene Steuerle, Institute fellow, Urban Institute
- Elizabeth Boris, director, Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy, Urban Institute

This last 15th Anniversary Event of the Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy will focus on the future—the challenges and opportunities for the nonprofit sector and philanthropy in the face of evolving economic and political realities and changing sector dynamics.

Join the discussion as a distinguished panel wrestles with big questions:

What are the major forces that will affect the sector going forward?
What kinds of impacts can we foresee?
How can the nonprofit sector help to shape those forces?
Can we envision some optimum outcomes?
Can we begin to articulate strategies that could mobilize efforts to achieve desired outcomes?

At the Urban Institute
2100 M Street N.W., 5th Floor, Washington, D.C.
Lunch will be provided at 11:30 a.m. The forum begins promptly at noon.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Upcoming event: American Indian Heritage Day Pow-Wow and Health Fair

AAHI Community,

November is Native American Heritage Month and on Tuesday, November 29, the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs and Holy Cross Hospital will be hosting the 2011 American Indian Heritage Day Pow-Wow and Health Fair. This event will feature cultural performances and activities as well as health lectures and health screenings.

Date: Tuesday, November 29
Time: 4:00pm - 7:30pm
Location: Holy Cross Hospital,
1500 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910

For more information about the event, check out the flier.

Monday, November 21, 2011

November is American Diabetes Month

AAHI Community,

November is American Diabetes Month. Did you know that diabetes is the 5th leading cause of death for Asian Americans? Furthermore, Asian Americans have a higher risk of developing diabetes compared to non-Hispanic whites. Diabetes is a serious illness that affects our communities. It is important to help raise awareness and educate our family and friends. You can learn more about diabetes by clicking here.

You can check out diabetes resources on Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Service's calendar of events.

Holy Cross Hospital also offers a free diabetes prevention class to individuals diagnosed with pre-diabetes. For more information, click here.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

FY2011 Annual Report

We are delighted to share our Fiscal Year 2011 (FY11) Annual Report. FY11 was a year of implementation and action. We carried on programs and projects from last year, such as the Hepatitis B project, and implemented new ideas such as small business outreach and health education articles in ethnic media. Please join us in reflecting on the successes of FY11 by reading our annual report.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

ACT Hepatitis B Screening Event Recap

After months of planning, AAHI collaborated with the Korean Community Service Center of Greater Washington (KCSC) to implement phase one of the comprehensive hepatitis B project. On Saturday, November 12, AAHI, KCSC, Global Mission Church (GMC), and a robust group of volunteers coordinated the screening day event. Prior to having their blood drawn for a hepatitis B test, community members attended a culturally and linguistically tailored health education lecture on hepatitis B. All participants will regroup in about one months time to receive their screening results, have a one-on-one screening consultation with a physician, and receive a free vaccination if needed. AAHI thanks KCSC, GMC, the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA), and all of the volunteers for a smooth and successful event.
11-12-11 KCSC ACT Hep B Screening Day

Monday, November 14, 2011

"Grants101" Workshop

Empowering Community Health Organizations (E.C.H.0.) Project 2012:

On Wednesday, November 9th, AAHI hosted the second workshop in a series of practical and professional workshops designed to empower and enhance the ability of community leaders to develop culturally and linguistically competent health programming to serve Asian Americans in Montgomery County. The workshop was facilitated by four expert panelists: Lauren Stillwell, Donor Services Manager, The Community Foundation for Montgomery County; Peggy Fitzgerald-Bare, Council Grants Manager, Montgomery County Council; Barbara Goliday, Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Holy Cross Hospital Foundation; and Stacey Williams, Grants Coordinator, Office of Minority Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The panelists provided an overview of federal grants, County Council grants, and foundation grants. This event brought together a diverse group of community leaders hailing from various backgrounds. There were over 50 attendees representing 27 organizations. A sincere thank you to our expert speakers and our attendees for making this workshop a great success!

11-09-11 E.C.H.O. "Grants101" Workshop

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Recap of Past Events

AAHI Community,

We have had a full calendar these past few weeks! We attended three outreach events in the community, the Chinese American Senior Association (CASSA) health fair on October 29th, the Sri Lankan Buddhist Ceremony at the International Buddhist Temple on October 30th, and the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center (CCACC) health fair on November 5th. At all of these outreach events, we helped educate the community on several health topics such as cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, hepatitis B, and community resources to name a few. At the CASSA and CCACC health fairs, we were also able to conduct bone density screenings for the community.

In addition the the outreach events, we attended and presented at the American Public Health Association 139th Annual Meeting and Exposition. We had the opportunity to conduct three oral presentations and one poster presentation. It was a wonderful opportunity for professional development.

CASSA Health Fair, October 29, 2011:
10-29-11 CASSA Health Fair

International Buddhist Temple Ceremony, October 30, 2011:
10-30-11 Sri Lankan Buddhist Festival

APHA Meeting, October 31-November 1, 2011:
10-31-11 & 11-01-11 APHA Conference

CCACC Health Fair, November 5, 2011:
11-5-11 CCACC Health Fair

Monday, November 7, 2011

Call for Nominations for the Asian & Pacific Islander National Cancer Survivors Network National Advisory Council

The Asian & Pacific Islander National Cancer Survivors Network is seeking nominations for the National Cancer Survivors Network National Advisory Council. The deadline for nominations is December 1, 2011. Please click here for more information or read below. For the nomination form, please click here.

"APINCSN was founded in 1998 by Susan M. Shinagawa and the late
Reverend Frank Chong and is a network of cancer survivors, their
family members, health care providers, researchers, and community
members and organizations who are concerned about the issue of
cancer and survivorship in the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and
Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) communities. APINCSN is a program
of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF).
A volunteer National Advisory Council shall provide guidance to
assist APINCSN in pursuing its mission, vision, and goals.
Membership in the National Advisory Council shall come from the
United States and Pacific Island Jurisdictions and provide APIAHF
staff with input and recommendations on community-driven
strategies to enable them to better plan, implement, and evaluate
activities.Go to www.apincsn.org for more details."

Monday, October 24, 2011

2011-2012 Seasonal Flu Vaccination Campaign

AAHI Community,
Montgomery County's 2011-2012 Seasonal Flu Vaccination Campaign will start next week.

Flu information directly from Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Website:

"Montgomery County health officials will offer FREE seasonal flu vaccinations on the dates and times listed on the calendar. There WILL NOT be any preservative free injectable vaccine available at the County clinics this year.

Some local retail locations have flu vaccine available now and all Montgomery County residents over the age of six months should get vaccinated.

Health officials encourage everyone to help prevent the spread of flu and many other contagious diseases by practicing the following good hygiene habits:

* Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue; immediately throw away used tissues.
* Sneeze and cough into the upper sleeve, not the hands.
* Wash hands frequently throughout the day.
* Wash hands by scrubbing together for 20 seconds with soap and warm water.
* Stay home from school and work is symptoms develop such as a fever, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, headache and body aches."

All vaccinations are by appointment only. To make an online appointment, click here. If you do not have access to internet, please call 311 or 240-777-0311 to make an appointment.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Recap of Past Event: World of Montgomery Festival

AAHI Community,
On Sunday, October 16, the Asian American Health Initiative participated in the World of Montgomery Festival in Wheaton, Maryland. The Festival included various art and cultural activities celebrating the rich diversity of Montgomery County. In addition, there was a health fair, Ama Tu Vida, that AAHI tabled at. AAHI educated the community and provided literature on various health topics including cancer, hepatitis B, diabetes, osteoporosis, patient-provider communication, and community resources. Thank you to World of Montgomery and Ama Tu Vida for inviting us to participate!

Please view photos of the event here:
10-16-11 World of Montgomery Fair

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Training Opportunity

AAHI Community,

Next week there will be a Minority Outreach & Technical Assistance (MOTA) training on using Healthy Montgomery.

Date: Wednesday, October 26
Time: 6:00 - 9:00p.m.
Location: Holy Cross Hospital, Professional & Community Education Center, 1500 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring, MD 20901

About Healthy Montgomery from their website:
"The Healthy Montgomery community health improvement process is a community-based effort to improve the health and well-being of Montgomery County residents. Healthy Montgomery is under the leadership of the Healthy Montgomery Steering Committee, which includes planners, policy makers, health and social service providers and community members. The community improvement process includes data collection, identification of areas for improvement, priority-setting, collaborative efforts to address the priority needs in Montgomery County and monitoring the success of the improvement efforts."

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

KCSC ACT Hepatitis B Event

The Korean Community Service Center of Greater Washington (KCSC) will be hosting a hepatitis B event, Active Care and Treatment (ACT) of hepatitis B in the Korean community. The hepatitis B screening event will be held on Saturday, November 12 at Global Mission Church in Silver Spring. Participation is free, but preregistration is required. Space is limited. For more information please view one of the fliers:

English flier
Korean flier

CCACC STOP B Health Fair & Open House

The Chinese Culture and Community Service Center, Inc. is hosting a free health fair and open house on Saturday, November 5 from 1:00-5:00p.m. The Screening, Treatment, Outreach, and Prevention of hepatitis B (STOP B) event will include blood tests for hepatitis B. Preregistration is required for the blood tests. The event will be held at 9366 Gaither Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877. For more information, please click one of the fliers:

English flier
Chinese flier

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month



AAHI Community,

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is a real health concern for Asian American women.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
- "Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Asian American women"
- "Asian American women are the least likely to have ever had a mammogram"

The best prevention for breast cancer is getting screenings in a timely manner. There are more treatment options for breast cancer when it is caught early. Because breast cancer may not have symptoms in the beginning states, it is very important to follow screening recommendations. Women are encouraged to do breast self-exams every month to check for lumps or any other abnormalities. Also, the American Cancer Society recommends that women receive Clinical Breast Exams (CBEs) every 3 years starting from the age of 20. When women have reached age 40, they should receive a CBE every year. Furthermore, the Office on Women’s Health supports the guidelines that women should receive mammograms every 1-2 years starting at the age of 40.

To learn about local screening options for low-income, uninsured, Montgomery County residents, please contact one of these organizations (further eligibility criteria applies for each program):

1. Women's Cancer Control Program
Contact and scheduling information: 240-777-1750

2. Breast cancer screening program sponsored by Susan G. Komen for the Cutre, Holy Cross Hospital, and Holy Cross Hospital Foundation
Contact: Leticia Addo at 301-754-8407 or addol@holycrosshealth.org

Thursday, October 6, 2011

AAHI "Grants 101" Workshop

AAHI Community,

AAHI will be hosting a second technical assistance workshop this fall as part of the E.C.H.O. Project. The workshops are designed as a series of practical and professional technical assistance training workshops to empower and enhance the ability of community leaders to develop culturally and linguistically competent health programming to serve Asian Americans in Montgomery County.

Do you want to broaden your understanding of grants? Do you want to learn tips and strategies for writing a successful grant? Join us for this interactive workshop where our expert panelists will provide an overview of federal grants, County Council grants, and foundation grants. Community leaders and organizational representatives who serve Asian Americans in Montgomery County are encouraged to attend. Attendees will have an opportunity to network with the panelists and ask individual questions.

“Grants 101”
Date: Wednesday, November 9
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (including a light dinner and networking from 5:30-6:00)
Location: Silver Spring Civic Building, Spring Room, One Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Parking in the County garage is free upon exit after 6 p.m

RSVP is required and space is limited. Please view the flier for required RSVP information and email AAHI Program Coordinator, Atyya Chaudhry at Atyya.Chaudhry@montgomerycountymd.gov by Thursday, November 3rd. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ms. Chaudhry via email or telephone at 240-777-1871.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Recap of Past Events

AAHI Community,

This past weekend, we had an exciting and eventful weekend in the community! Our staffers and interns attended two health fairs in Silver Spring, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. At the health fairs, we provided health education and brought literature on various health topics including cancer, osteoporosis, hepatitis B, diabetes, and community resources. We also engaged the community in health education using our interactive Wheel of Health Education. At the events, we were also able to screen community members for bone density. We thank KCSC and SASDA for inviting us to these wonderful events!

Korean Community Service Center (KCSC) Health Fair: Saturday, September 24

09-24-11 KCSC Health Fair

Southern Asian Seven Day Adventist Church (SASDA) Health Fair: Sunday, September 25

09-25-11 SASDA Health Fair

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

FREE Cancer Screenings!

AAHI Community,
Please take advantage of this wonderful opportunity and share with your family and friends. Holy Cross Hospital will be hosting a FREE cancer screening and education day. This is an opportunity to become proactive about your health and take preventative steps.

Check out the flier for more information:

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Welcome Fall 2011 Interns!

AAHI is pleased to welcome our fall 2011 interns. Carolyn Ho and Candace Lee are both seniors and are joining us from the School of Public Health at the University of Maryland College Park.

Join us in welcoming our interns and reading their introductions:

Carolyn Ho
Hi, my name is Carolyn Ho and I am a senior at the University of Maryland, College Park. In December, I will be graduating with Bachelor degrees in Behavioral and Community Health and Psychology. My interest for joining Asian American Health Initiative stemmed from my desire to obtain an in-depth understanding of how a public health organization works and to be part of a team who is very hands-on with the Asian American community. I have a strong interest in mental health so I hope that I can provide some innovative ideas for AAHI in that area. I would like to come out of this fall internship experience with a breadth of knowledge on the AAPI community as well as improved skills sets to help further my professionalism development in preparation for post-graduation. In the future, I hope to pursue graduate studies in Pubic Health and work for a public health organization. I am excited to be part of the AAHI team and look forward to the opportunities and learning experiences that I will encounter during my time here.


Candace Lee
Hi, my name is Candace Lee. I am a senior at the University of Maryland College Park, School of Public Health and pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral and Community Health. I was interested in interning at AAHI because I wanted the opportunity to interact with the diverse Asian American community and gain a better understanding of AAPI’s health status in the county I grew up in. As an intern, I am excited for opportunities to participate in the planning and implementing of health innovations and strategies, while acquiring the professional skills beneficial for my future career. I also want to invest quality time assisting AAHI on researching other unaddressed and important health issues that may have been overlooked, thus expanding AAHI’s resources and services. Currently, I have a growing interest on the field of Health IT because I am intrigued by how technology and health could be interrelated to improve the health care system and ultimately the health of individuals. After graduation, I plan to further my studies in Health IT.

Friday, September 16, 2011

September is Fall Prevention Month

AAHI Community,

Did you know that falls are the number one cause of injury-related emergency room visits and hospital admissions for Marylanders over the age of 65? Falls are a serious health threat that can lead to long-term disability and loss of independence. Falls are very preventable; to learn how to reduce your risk for falls, check out AAHI’s website for a resourceful poster on fall prevention. The poster is available in English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Adventist HealthCare Center on Health Disparities 5th Annual Fall Conference

AAHI Community,

Adventist HealthCare's Center on Health Disparities in partnership with Kaiser Permanente Thrive, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, the Asian American Health Initiative, the African American Health Program, and the Latino Health Initiative, will be hosting their 5th Annual Fall Conference, “Partnering Toward a Healthier Future: Achieving Health Equity through Health Care Reform,” this November. The free conference will focus on the impact that the implementation of health care reform will have on improving the health of vulnerable populations and the elimination of health disparities.

Date: Wednesday, November 2
Time: 8:30am – 4:00pm
Location: The Marriott Inn & Conference Center, University of Maryland University College
3501 University Blvd. East, Hyattsville, Maryland 20783
Registration: Click here

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Eighth Annual Health Disparities Conference

The Maryland Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities Presents Maryland’s Eighth Annual Health Disparities Conference. This free conference, Maryland's Health Workforce: Promoting Diversity and Strengthening the Pipeline, will be held in October.

The purpose of the conference is to highlight ways to build health professions
educational partnerships that reduce student barriers, strengthen the pipeline,
promote diversity, and ultimately reduce minority health disparities.

Target Audience: Academic representatives, health providers, students,
community advocates, health departments, other governmental agencies,
legislators, non-profit & for-profit entities, and the business community.

Date: Tuesday, October 4
Time: 8:30am - 4:00pm
Location: The Marriott Inn & Conference Center, University of Maryland University College
3501 University Blvd. East, Hyattsville, Maryland 20783
Registration: Click here

For more information, please view the flier:

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month


AAHI Community,
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Help raise awareness by sharing information with your family and friends.

Prostate cancer is cancer that begins in the tissues of the prostate. The prostate is a small gland in the male reproductive system.

Did you know that…?

- Prostate cancer is the most common cause of death from cancer in men over age 75
- The risk of developing prostate cancer increases among Asian American men when they immigrate to the U.S
- Men who abuse alcohol, tire plant workers, farmers, and painters are at a higher risk for developing prostate cancer?

Learn more about prostate cancer, risk factors, symptoms, treatment and prevention by reading AAHI's cancer facts booklets, available in multiple languages: English, Chinese, Korean, Hindi and Vietnamese.

If you are a Montgomery County resident and are interested in getting a screening (eligibility criteria applies), you can contact Montgomery County Cancer Crusaders at 240-777-1222 for more information. You can also contact MC311 for information on other screenings; call 311 if you are in Montgomery County and 240-777-0311 if you are outside of Montgomery County. Visit MC311’s website for more information.

Friday, September 2, 2011

September is Healthy Aging Month

There are many health observances in the month of September, two of them include Healthy Aging Month and National Cholesterol Education Month. As individuals age, it is important to maintain good health and overall well-being. Check out these free resources from local hospitals that are specifically designed for the aging & senior population (eligibility criteria may apply):

Suburban Hospital HeartWell Program:
Description: HeartWell is a nationally recognized program helping senior citizens maintain their health and independence. Appropriate for adults ages 55 and over who have a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or other chronic illnesses. Through this approach, participants discover how to reduce the frequency of hospitalizations while maintaining a high level of independent functioning. The HeartWell Clinics focus on preventive guidelines, symptom recognition and management, medication, diet, and lifestyle enhancements, as well as providing nursing consultations from Suburban Hospital RN’s on blood pressure monitoring and individual health education. Free! For more information, call 301.896.6507.
Locations and Dates:
City of Gaithersburg Senior Center, 80 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg MD: Tuesdays | 9 am - 2 pm

Holiday Park Senior Center, 3950 Ferrara Drive, Wheaton MD:
Tuesdays | 9 am - 12 pm
Wednesdays and Thursdays | 9 am - 3 pm

Long Branch Community Center, 8700 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring MD:
1st Thursday of each month | 10 am - 2 pm

Margaret Schweinhaut Center, 1000 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring MD:
Wednesdays | 10 am - 2:00 pm

For more information on HeartWell, click here.



Holy Cross Hospital Senior Fit Program
Description: Senior Fit is a 45-minute exercise program for adults age 55 and older that focuses on upper- and lower-body strength, balance, agility and cardiovascular fitness. Offered at 20 locations in partnership with Kaiser Permanente. You may enroll at any time.
Class schedule:
For more information call 301-754-8800 or visit their classes & events website.



Holy Cross Hospital Better Bones Class
Description: Better Bones is an osteoporosis prevention and management exercise class that focuses on maintaining bone density while improving strength, flexibility, and balance. Some exercises are done seated. For adults ages 55 and older. You may enroll at any time.
Class schedule:
For more information visit their classes & events website.

Upcoming Events

AAHI will be participating in a few events this September:

1. Filipino Mass, 25th Anniversary Event
Date: Sunday, September 11
Time: 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Location: St. Rose of Lima Church
11701 Clopper Rd, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878
Description: This event is a celebration in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Filipino Mass

2. Korean Community Service Center (KCSC) Health Fair
Date: Saturday, September 24
Time: 10:00am - 3:00pm
Location: Korean Baptist Church
310 Randolph Road, Silver Spring, MD (Lower Level Followship Room)
Description: KCSC's 29th annual health fair will include health information and health screenings.

Be sure to check out our calendar of events for more information on upcoming events and other resources in the community.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

What's Your Story?

AAHI community,
The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders wants to hear your story. They are calling for Asian American and Pacific Islander communities to share their experiences and much more through a video or essay challenge. The video should be under 3 minutes and the essay under 1,000 words. The deadline for submission is midnight November 1, 2011.

Message from the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders:
There is nothing more powerful than the stories of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Our stories define who we are, and they reflect our impact on the community around us. At the White House Initiative on AAPIs, we seek to amplify these voices nationally. We are pleased to announce the first ever White House Initiative Video Challenge, called “What’s Your Story?”

We’re calling on you to produce a video, up to three minutes long, telling us who you are and how you have impacted those around you. In your video, answer the questions: How have your unique experiences shaped who you are today? And in what ways are you making a difference in your community? Everyone is welcomed to participate.

We will review the submissions and post a select number of entries on the White House website. In addition, we’ll invite a group of exceptional AAPI leaders to share their stories in person at the White House this fall as special guests in a White House Initiative on AAPIs event. To learn more about the challenge, watch our call-out video here:


To submit your video and learn more about the challenge, go to www.whitehouse.gov/whatsyourstory. The deadline for video submissions is midnight on November 1, 2011.

Thank you and we look forward to hearing your stories.


Monday, August 29, 2011

Heart Success: A Workshop For Heart Failure, Prevention & Recovery

AAHI Community,

Holy Cross Hospital is offering a free workshop on heart health, Heart Success: A Workshop for Heart Failure, Prevention & Recovery.
Dates: Wednesday, September 14, 10:00am - 2:00pm
OR Wednesday, November 9, 10:00am - 2:00pm
Location: Holy Cross Hospital Senior Source, 8580 Second Avenue, Silver Spring, MD
Description: Learn about the early signs and symptoms of heart failure, heart-health nutrition, medication and weight management. Have all of your medication reviewed and your blood pressure checked. Enjoy a heart-healthy lunch with a cooking demonstration.
Registration: click here for more information on registration

Friday, August 26, 2011

Internship Opportunities in NYC

AAHI Community,
There are some wonderful internship opportunities in the NYC. Please feel free to share with family and friends in that area who may be interested.


Project RICE Internship Opportunity
Project RICE is a community-driven initiative to promote diabetes prevention among Korean American and South Asian American immigrants in New York City using a CHW model approach. We are looking for interns to assist with developing outreach and educational materials, translations, attending educational sessions, and data collection and analysis.

Capacity-Building Internship Opportunity
The Center for the Study of Asian American Health (CSAAH) will be hosting a conference this Fall that aims to create a comprehensive, multi-level approach to promoting health equity for underserved populations. We are looking for a highly organized intern to assist with the creation of the agenda, reaching out to speakers and participants, developing conference materials, and all other logistics.

Please visit the NYU PRC student training website for more application instructions and materials.

Contact: Smiti Kapadia
Project Coordinator
Tel: 212-263-8949
Fax: 212-263-4086
Email: smiti.kapadia@nyumc.org



Thursday, August 25, 2011

Navigating Your Vascular Health: A Free Screening and Education Day Event

Washington Adventist Hospital will be hosting this free event, Navigating Your Vascular Health: A Free Screening and Education Day Event, on Sunday September 18. The event will include free vascular screenings and a free health education lecture, Understanding Your Vascular Screenings.

Date: Sunday, September 18
Time: 1:00-4:00pm
Location: Washington Adventist Hospital, Short Stay Unit
7600 Carrol Ave., Takoma Park, MD 2091
Registration: Space is limited. Please call 1-800-542-5096 for your appointment.

Check out the flier for more information:

Updates on Hurricane Irene and Emergency Preparedness

AAHI Community,
As you may have heard through the news, our area may be impacted by Hurricane Irene this weekend. In case of an emergency, it is important to be prepared. Please read the news release (below) from Montgomery County on Hurricane Irene. The news release has helpful tips on preparing for the hurricane and other important information on emergency preparedness. We also encourage you to sign up for Alert Montgomery, the County’s notification system. Learn more about emergency preparedness from the County's Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security.

Additionally, if community members have any questions or concerns, they may call MC311. It is the phone number for Montgomery County Government information and services. If you make the call in Montgomery County, dial 311. If you are outside of Montgomery County, dial 240-777-0311. Trained representatives who speak Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese and French are available, as is a language interpretation service for other languages.

Please share this information with your family, friends and community. Stay safe!
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PRESS RELEASE FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY

For Immediate Release: 8/25/2011

Hurricane Irene May Impact Region in Coming Days; Residents Urged to Prepare for Hurricanes and Other Emergencies

Currently at category 3 status, Hurricane Irene may impact the region in the days ahead, and officials remind residents that they should prepare for the possibility of high winds, power outages and flooding. The hurricane season traditionally runs through November.

Anyone who has not already signed up for the County’s Alert Montgomery notification system is encouraged to do so by going to https://alert.montgomerycountymd.gov and selecting the types of emergency alerts they are interested in receiving regarding weather, severe traffic, schools, park and government facilities, athletic fields and public events; along with the devices they would like the messages sent to (cell phones, text pagers, wireless PDAs, home and work emails).

During severe weather and all other times, residents are reminded to call 9-1-1 only in emergencies that threaten life or property, which includes any type of fire or serious medical condition, when there is fear for personal safety or the safety of others, or during a crime in progress. Calling 9-1-1 for the wrong reason or calling the number inadvertently may keep someone else from getting the help they need. DO NOT call 9-1-1 to ask for directions; check on power, phone, or cable outages; inquire about road or weather conditions; check on the status of school closings; for information about public services; or to report situations that are not emergencies. If you do call by mistake, please stay on the line until the call taker can confirm that you do not require emergency assistance.

Whenever a hurricane threatens a region, within 24-36 hours a hurricane watch will be issued. A hurricane warning will be issued if hurricane conditions are expected within 24 hours or less. Hurricane conditions include winds of 74 miles per hour (64 knots) or greater, and/or dangerously high tides and waves. Actions to protect life and property should begin whenever a warning is issued.

Below are some more preparedness tips for hurricanes and other storms:

Before a Storm

• Put copies of important documents in a safe place, preferably a waterproof container. Important documents can include passports, birth certificates, insurance policies or anything else that might be needed immediately or cannot be easily replaced.

• Have enough cash for a few days – ATM’s may not work during power outages and stores might not be able to take debit and credit cards.

• Make sure vehicle gas tanks are full.

• Secure or bring inside exterior items that might become windborne, such as lawn furniture, toys and garden tools.

• Fill prescriptions that might be needed and stock up on any necessary medical supplies.

• Keep flashlights and battery-powered radios with extra batteries on hand, along with a basic first aid kit, emergency food and water, and a non-electric can opener. Have enough non-perishable food and water for at least 72 hours.

• Listen to the radio or television for hurricane progress reports.

• Clean out gutters.

• Turn the refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting in anticipation of a power outage. Open the doors only when necessary and close quickly.

• Refrain from putting out trash cans the night before the regular pickup.

During a Storm

• Avoid using candles for lighting. Use a battery-powered flashlight.

• Never use a candle when fueling equipment such as a kerosene heater or lantern, since the candle flame can ignite fumes from the fuel.

• Try to stay in an interior room or away from windows.

• Stay calm and do not call 911 unless it is an emergency.

• If flooding occurs, turn off electricity at the main breaker.

• During a power outage, turn off major appliances. This will minimize losing power again through a power surge and protect the equipment when power returns.

• Do not go outside. Flying debris from high winds is a danger. As the eye of the storm passes, there will be a short period of calm followed by rapid wind speed increases to hurricane force that will come from the opposite direction.

After a Storm

• Do not touch fallen or low-hanging wires of any kind under any circumstances. Stay away from puddles with wires in or near them. Do not touch trees or other objects in contact with power lines.

• USE PHONES ONLY FOR EMERGENCIES. Call 911 only for life-threatening situations.

• Call police or your utility companies immediately to report hazards such as downed power lines, broken gas or water mains or overturned gas tanks.

• Avoid areas subject to flooding, including low spots, canals and streams. Do not attempt to drive on a flooded road –you can be stranded or trapped. The depth of the water and the condition of the road is not always obvious.

• Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers, downed wires and other hazards.

• For downed trees on public property, call 3-1-1 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays (or 240-777-0311 from outside the County or from a cell phone) or go to http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/311 at any time to report the problem. If live wires are involved, the tree is blocking a roadway, the tree is on a structure, or if persons are trapped under the fallen tree, call 9-1-1.

• Trees that have fallen on private property are the responsibility of the property owner. The County’s Office of Consumer Protection advises homeowners to deal with established businesses only, and to call Consumer Protection first to check a business’ complaint record. Consumer Protection can be reached at 240-777-3636.

• For non-emergency police assistance, call the police non-emergency number, 301-279-8000.

• If case of a power outage, residents are urged to take steps to ensure that food left in the refrigerator and freezer is safe. According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service, meat, poultry, fish and eggs should be refrigerated at 40° F and frozen food at or below 0° F, which may be difficult with a prolonged power outage. Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature. A refrigerator will only keep food safely cold for about four hours if it is unopened. Food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, soft cheeses, butter and leftover cooked meats, casseroles and pizza should be thrown out if they have been held above 40° F for over two hours. A full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed. To be sure a particular food is cold enough; take its temperature with a food thermometer. Never taste food to determine its safety.

• Do not operate charcoal grills, propane camping stoves or generators indoors.

Important Utility Numbers:

o Pepco: 1-877-737-2662

o BG&E: 1-877-778-2222 or 1-800-685-0123

o Potomac Edison (Allegheny Power): 1-800-255-3443

o Washington Gas: 800-752-7520

o WSSC: 1-800-828-4002

For more information about emergency preparedness, go to the County website, www.montgomerycountymd.gov, check the County’s Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Montgomery-County-Government/53568216648?ref=ts or sign up to receive County tweets from Twitter, http://twitter.com/#!/MontgomeryCoMD.

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Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Your Help Needed!

AAHI’s partner, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) of NIH, needs subjects for a new health planner for Asians/Pacific Islanders that they are developing.

They will be conducting several photo shoots in the Montgomery County/DC area the weeks of August 29th and September 5th to photograph adults of all ages who have conditions and/or diseases of bones, joints, muscles, and/or skin. Participants can self-diagnose for these diseases/conditions. (A medical doctor’s diagnosis is not required.)

Each adult participant will receive $75, and will need to sign a release form. Each participant should expect to spend between 1-2 hours and are welcome and encouraged to bring their family members along.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Kim McGraw at kmcgraw@iqsolutions.com or 240-514-0300.

Thank you very much for your consideration.


Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Job Opportunity in San Francisco

AAHI Community,
If you know anyone who is interested, please feel free to share:

San Francisco Health Clinic seeks Associate Medical Director – Bilingual in Chinese

North East Medical Services, a non-profit community health clinic in San Francisco is seeking a Full-Time Associate Medical Director to join its Medical team. The Associate Medical Director is appointed by and reports to the Medical Director as the Associate Chief Medical Officer of one of the community health clinics and is charged with providing leadership in all areas relating to the clinical operation. The Associate Medical Director is responsible for recommending and implementing clinical policies and procedures; supervising the clinical staff in their medical, nursing, and administrative duties; insuring continuous quality improvement in all clinical activities; and acting as an integral part of the senior management team of the health center. He/She provides outpatient care in the clinic and night and weekend calls; Maintains licensure in good standing in the state of California. Qualifications: Bilingual in English/Chinese and Board Eligible/ Certified Primary Care Physician. NEMS offers a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package including: malpractice coverage, pension, medical, dental, vision and a forgivable loan program. Contact Nara.Ng@NEMS.org or go to our website at www.nems.org for more information.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Fourth Annual MCPS Back- to -School Fair



AAHI Community,

Montgomery County Public Schools is hosting their fourth annual Back- to- School Fair.

Date: Saturday, August 27th
Time: 12-3:00pm
Location:Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Drive, Rockville
Parking information: Limited free parking is available at Montgomery College, across the street from the fair. Free parking and bus transportation is provided to and from the fair throughout the day from 12 high schools.

About the fair: Montgomery County Public Schools' Back-to-School Fair is a way to welcome students and families to a new school year, share information about school system programs, provide access to community resources and have fun at the same time.

This year marks the fourth annual Back-to-School Fair. About 12,000 students, parents and community members attended last year's fair to discover the many resources that MCPS and the community have to offer. Advance funds and donations from area businesses and organizations helped make the fair possible, provide backpacks and offer prizes to participants.

Families who have attended the fair appreciate how the school system, community organizations and businesses join together to support parents and celebrate the start of the school year.

For more information, please click here.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Free Diabetes Classes

AAHI Community,
Our local hospitals are a wonderful resource for health education classes, health events and other health-related activities. There are many free classes offered through these local hospitals that are beneficial for the community. Adventist HealthCare has two upcoming classes that focus on diabetes education and meal planning. These classes are offered on several dates, times and locations.


Nuts and Bolts of Diabetes

Description: This class is an introduction to basic diabetes self care. The focus is on understanding the physical effects of diabetes, treatment goals and how to make lifestyle changes that promote good health.
Registration: 800-542-5096
For the schedule of classes, please click here.

Carbohydrate Counting and Diabetes Meal Planning
Description: The focus of this class is on developing carbohydrate counting skills for the purpose of optimizing blood glucose control. Discussion will include heart-healthy foods, label reading and planning meals.
Registration: 800-542-5096
For the schedule of classes, please click here.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Free Blood Pressure Screenings

AAHI Community,
Do you know your blood pressure levels? Have you recently checked your blood pressure?
Check out these free blood pressure screenings offered at a variety of times and locations throughout the County.

Adventist Healthcare free blood pressure screenings schedule : click here

Suburban Hospital free blood pressure screenings schedule : click here

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Free Citizenship Class

AAHI Community,
The Montgomery County Charles W. Gilchrist Center for Cultural Diversity is hosting an 8 week citizenship class to help individuals perepare for the interivew and test. If you know someone who is interested, please feel free to share this information and flier.

Dates: Thursdays starting September 15, 2011
Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
Location: Upcounty Regional Services Center, 12900 Middlebrook Rd., Germantown, MD 20874

To register and for more information, contact Patty Larson, Upcounty Program coordinator, at 240-777-6950 or view the flier:

Affordable Care Act 101

AAHI Community,
Are you interested in learning more about the Affordable Care Act and how it impacts your life? You can join an interactive conference call discussing the benefits and provisions of the Affordable Care Act, hosted by the HHS Center for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

Dates: Tuesday, August 23, at 8 pm ET
Wednesday, August 31, at 12:30 pm ET
Wednesday, September 14, at 12:30 pm ET

RSVP: To attend, please RSVP to partnerships@hhs.gov.

You can view the powerpoint slides by clicking here.

Did you know...?
- young adults can stay on their parent’s health insurance until the age of 26, even if they don’t live at home or are married?
- there is now a plan for people with pre-existing conditions to access health insurance called the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan?
- 8 million children who are currently uninsured are eligible to receive care through the Children’s Health Insurance Program known as CHIP?

There are millions of people who lack access to health care, essential for healthy children, families and communities, throughout the United States. Many families don’t know what their options are to access better care.

Now you can learn more about many provisions that are currently in place that could help you and those in your congregation or community.


Monday, August 8, 2011

AAHI Says Goodbye to Summer 2011 Interns


Another group of interns has come and gone. Summer 2011 interns, Katherine Ip and Andrew Poo joined the Asian American Health Initiative on the first of June. Both are rising juniors, Katherine from the University of Maryland's School of Public Health and Andrew from Emory University. As summer interns, their time here was short but rewarding. Katherine and Andrew had an opportunity to conduct outreach to small businesses and provide health education and information on health resources and services. They reached out to several restaurants and cafes. Both Katherine and Andrew were keen on participating in outreach efforts.

In addition to working with AAHI staff on their programs and projects, Katherine and Andrew completed a research project on health equity. This research project opportunely coincided with "Peer Learning with King County", a two day peer learning session with King County on their Equity and Social Justice Initiative. In light of their experience learning from King County, Katherine and Andrew created a comprehensive presentation on health equity and discussed topics such as equal access, ties to social justice, individual change and much more.

At AAHI, we are proud to graduate another group of interns from our internship program. We thank Katherine and Andrew for their hard work and passion. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors!

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Local Resources in the Community

AAHI Community,

Montgomery County is full of resources that are available to assist the community. Please see below for a few current opportunities:

Free English Classes
The Literacy Council of Montgomery County will be offering free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for adults starting in August 2011. The classes range from beginners to intermediate and advanced. They are offered at a variety of centers and libraries throughout the County. Please click here for the flier in English. You can access a flier in Chinese by clicking here, and one in Korean by clicking here.

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Free Legal Advice Clinics
The Montgomery County Bar Foundation Pro Bono Program in partnership with the East County Regional Services Center will have free Evening Legal Advice Consultations for low income community residents throughout the year.
Dates: The clinics will be held on the 1st & 2nd Thursday of each month
Location: Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center
3300 Briggs Chaney Road
Silver Spring, MD 20904
Tel: (240) 777-8400

Please click here for more information.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Celebrating Our Health Promoters

AAHI Community,
On Thursday, June 30th, AAHI hosted an end of fiscal year celebration for their dedicated team of health promoters. The celebration was held at the Executive Office Building in Rockville. The evening consisted of various activities: wheel of health education raffle prizes, human bingo and a review of health promoter contributions in fiscal year 2011. The health promoters also contributed to the celebration by bringing a variety of dishes and desserts from their respective cultures.

At AAHI, we deeply appreciate the commitment and passion of our health promoters. They serve as the eyes and ears of the community and help educate AAHI on cultural competency. Even beyond outreach activities, health promoters assist AAHI on various projects. We thank you for your work and we hope that together we can build a healthier community.

Pictures from the celebration:
06-30-11 Health Promoter Celebration