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.