kalusugan coalition blog

If you subscribe to our newsletter or read any number of local Filipino media in NY/NJ, you know that Kalusugan Coalition (KC) regularly sponsors community health fairs throughout Queens, NY and Jersey City in collaboration with community and faith-based organizations, businesses, and other key stakeholders.   From 2005 through 2008, KC, with support from dedicated partners such as PACCAL and Philippine Forum, reached out to 1400 Filipinos! 

On July 12, 2008, KC co-sponsored the New York premiere of Santa Mesa (Dir/Writer Ron Morales) at the Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF). Santa Mesa is a coming-of-age story of Hector, a U.S.-born Filipino who after his mother unexpectedly dies is sent to live in Manila with his estranged grandmother. They experience a overwhelming cultural and emotional divide that is exacerbated by the lack of a common language. For more info about the film, please visit santa mesa

Additional information about AAIFF, please go to aaiff '08

On June 14, 2008, Pamela Santos, an Academic Detailer from the American Cancer Society, gave a presentation during the June General Membership meeting about tobacco cessation and Queens Quits.

Since 2005, Queens Quits - one of the New York State Department of Health Tobacco Control Program Cessation Networks - has been organizing provider education about cessation treatment.

Queens Quits is a partnership between the Queens Health Network (QHN), which includes Queens Hospital Center (QHC) and Elmhurst Hospital Center (EHC), the American Cancer Society and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Throughout the year, Training Leaders at each hospital hold meetings to educate doctors about different treatments.

On May 31, 2008, Kalusugan Coalition co-sponsored a spring health fair with the Women’s Workers Project and CAAAV: Organizing Asian Communities. The screening was held at the Women’s Workers Project/Kalayaan Office in Woodside, NY. A multitude of services were offered including a spinal health workshop, appointments for breast/cervical cancer screening, HIV testing and counseling, blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose checks, health education,
and information about health insurance and referrals to health services. 

In April and May 2008, KC participated in several advocacy activities to raise awareness about the needs and challenges facing Asian Americans in New York City. Pictures below include KC with other Project CHARGE partners meet with NYS Assembly Member Dick Gottfried and Jay Duller with Michael Cho of the Korean American Counseling Center participate in NYC Budget Vigils.

Topnotch Electronics' 4th Annual Phil - US Expo was held on May 17 and 18, 2008 at the New Jersey National Guard Armory in Jersey City. It attracted thousands of Filipino Americans from the Tri-State NY/NJ/CT area. The two-day festival featured special guests Kapuso stars Katrina Halili, Jay-R and Allan K. plus multiawarded broadcaster Arnold Clavio of "Unang Hirit".

As part of an ongoing series for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, NY1 is profiling Asian American issues throughout the week. Today's segment is on health insurance. The story which includes interviews from Project CHARGE partners (Kalusugan Coalition and CACF) aired on the NY1 morning news.

On May 16, 2008, Rhodora Ursua and Noilyn Abesamis-Mendoza were invited to speak on the community advocacy panel at the 2008 City University of New York (CUNY) Conference on Asian American Women. The event was held at the CUNY Graduate Center, Elebash Recital Hall in Manhattan.

People of what age group are the least likely to use health care services?

People of what age group are the most likely not to have health insurance?

One in five people of what age group has suffered a serious health problem, but not received adequate medical care?

The answer to these questions – teens.

This is surprising for many, especially since the adolescent and young adult years represent a crucial, but often difficult period in a person’s life – when young people face unique physical, emotional, and social challenges, as well as choices that can have lifelong consequences.

On April 12, 2008, Lily Ann Divino, LMSW, a social worker at the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center presented on adolescent health issues facing Filipino youth at the KC General Membership Meeting.

The Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center is finding ways to bridge the gap between the need for, and the delivery of, health care among teens. The Center provides free healthcare yearly to 10,000 urban adolescents, ages 10 – 24, in the five boroughs of New York City and beyond, addressing their physical, reproductive, and mental health needs regardless of their ability to pay. It is also one of the major training sites for health professionals in adolescent health and the Center participates in research and disseminates information geared toward policy making, health promotion, and the treatment and prevention of disease in adolescents.

The Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center is located at 312-320 East 94th Street, New York, NY 10128. For more information about the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center, call (212) 423-2900. For a medical appointment, call (212) 423-3000.

Since 2006, KC has coordinated 40+ screening events, reaching over 1300 individuals. From these community health screenings, 112 who met eligibility criteria were invited to participate in Bukal Sa Puso: Project AsPIRE’s 6-month health promotion program on heart health. The orientations took place on March 1, 2008 at the Sheraton La Guardia Hotel in Flushing, NY and on March 8, 2008 at Saint Peter’s College in Jersey City, NJ. Smaller orientation sessions were held through April as well.

On February 25, 2008, KC members joined close to 1,000 immigrant rights advocates in Albany for the New York Immigration Coalition's "Immigrants' Day of Action". The day started with a morning program at the Hart Lounge in the "Egg".  We heard speeches from community members and leaders on NYIC's policy priorities and recommendations as well as the importance of upholding the rights of immigrant communities in New York State.  This was followed by a march and a rally at the steps of the Capitol Building.  The afternoon ended with legislative visits. KC along with our health advocates spoke about ways to improve access to health care for all New Yorkers, including immigrants and their families, by doing the following: 1. Reduce communication barriers and expand opportunities for bilingual/bicultural health care workers, 2. Guarantee access to affordable health care for all New York residents, including immigrants, 3. Wage a campaign to reassure immigrants about their rights to safe and affordable health care.

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