Literature and practice are limited on strategies to reach elder Southeast Asian refugees by using their strengths and resilience. This article presents the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-funded Cambodian Community Health 2010 Program in Lowell, Massachusetts, as a case example. It provides refugee history, project background, community survey results about strengths and risks, literature on Strengths-Based Approaches, outreach activities, and evaluation. The focus is elimination of health disparities in cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Key findings highlight involving elders in organizing events, avoiding reliance on literacy, integrating health promotion with socialization, using ties with Buddhist temples, developing transportation alternatives, and utilizing local Khmer language media. Implications include applicability to other refugee communities with low literacy, high levels of trauma, limited English, and strong religious involvement.
Primary substance use prevention programs for children and youth: A systematic review
An updated synthesis of research on substance abuse prevention programs can promote enhanced uptake of programs with proven effectiveness, particularly when paired with information relevant to practitioners and policy makers.To assess the strength of the scientific evidence for psychoactive substance abuse prevention programs for school-aged children and youth.A systematic review was conducted of studies published…