Kalusugan at Kayamanan: (Health and Wealth) of Filipinos in Kalihi

Abstract

Filipinos in Hawaii have high rates of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and the worst measures of behavioral risk factors like tobacco use and poor diet. To address these health issues and create a healthier community, culturally competent programs must be implemented. However, a healthier community cannot be achieved until health is defined. Each community owns different capitals, therefore they all have their own definition of health. The objective of this study is to define health and wealth of Filipinos in Kalihi. This study is working with a local community health center, Kokua Kalihi Valley (KKV), under the Community Education - Civic Engagement (CECE) program. We will conduct cultures circles where Filipinos residents of Kalihi answer questions about health, wealth, and their community. With the community’s responses, we hope to find the root causes of unhealthiness and assess the barriers to a healthy Filipino community in Kalihi. This study aims to empower the Filipino residents of Kalihi to find ways to make themselves healthier on their own terms. Through successful intervention, a greater understanding of the health and health issues of Filipinos in Kalihi can be obtained and used to develop better programs to improve the community’s overall health.