Health Promotion

Mission: The Tibetan Association of Northern California’s (TANC) Health Promotion Program seeks to promote wellness and a healthier lifestyle amongst its members by offering linguistically and culturally sensitive health education program and services.

Structure and Roles: Health Promotion Programs are designed, administered andmonitored by a Health Promotion Program Committee (HPPC) whose members consistof volunteers from health care field. HPPC reports to the TANC Program Committee, which in turn is accountable to the TANC Board. The TANC Program Committee nominates HPPC members. The Committee will have a minimum of five members and each member is expected to serve for a period of at least two years.

Committee members have the following responsibilities:
• Organize two health camps a year (July and October) and follow up with the at risks members
• Respond to queries made to the Community Health Hotline in a timely manner
• Disperse health related information, and play the important role of health promoters, educators, and health screeners in the community
• Attend health fairs and related events as TANC representatives
• Provide content and information for a health section on the TANC website
• Fundraise and solicit both cash and in-kind donations for the Health Program
• Be a mentor for members interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare sector
• Designate at least one member from the committee sit on the TANC program committee, which meets once a month
• HPPC members will maintain patients’ health related information private

Current HPC Members: Tenzin Dasal Chuteng, Tenzin Dawa, Dechen Dolkar (Committee Chair), Dede Dolma, Dr. Yangdron Kalzang, Kelsang Norbu, Dr. Dekey Sangmo, Pasang Lama, Lobsang Nyima, Tenzin Palzom, Dawa Subhar, Deyang Tesur and Dechen Tsering (TANC President)

Programs and Activities

I. Health Camps and Screenings:

TANC Community Health Promotion Program organizes two free health camps a year (one of which was held during the weekend events celebrating the birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama). HPPC members along with other resource people perform health screenings such as taking blood pressure and blood sugar. Their vital signs such as blood pressure & their blood sugar will be recorded in booklets and given to them to follow their progress in future. Those community members with high readings of blood pressure & blood sugar will be given brief teachings on hypertension & diabetes and their risks. They will also be given teachings on preventable risk factors such as diet and exercise. And those at-risk-individuals who have no health insurance will be given information and direction to free clinics & their progress will be followed up. Women will be given information on importance of screening for breast cancer and will be instructed how to do self breast exams and seek immediate help in case of abnormal findings. Men and boys will be given information & instruction on testicular cancer & self testicular exam. Information related to healthy food choices & healthy eating, importance of exercises, where to go for free follow-up appointments, and insurance coverage will be disseminated to any interested community members. Community members will also have the option to get checked by Tibetan doctors and get prescription for Tibetan medicine. TANC also occasionally collaborates with other nonprofits to make more complete free physical and other preventative screenings available at some of these camps.

II. Community Health Hotline:
TANC members can call a dedicated number (415) 358-0699 if they have any health related questions or concerns, and leave a message. HPPC members will be made available to answer questions or help members find the information they need. These healthcare volunteers can talk to members in Tibetan or English and follow up with patients concerning the correct use of medications and other aspects of chronic disease management, e.g., for diabetes, asthma, hypertension, and other primary care sensitive conditions. They can help translate the medical information given by providers into lay terms. All calls and information shared will be kept strictly confidential. No information about the member will be provided to anyone without the member’s written consent. This number is, however, NOT for medical emergencies.

III. Dispersal of Health Related Information:
Immigrant communities such as the Northern California Tibetan community face special challenges with regards to access to health related information and healthcare coverage. TANC’s Health Promotion Program will have a separate health section on its website which will have useful and timely information on a number of things including the following:
• Health care coverage programs available to immigrants such as Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and eligibility information for these and other government programs
• Health care coverage available for recent asylee
• Information on Hepatitis B, TB, healthy eating, etc.
• Advice on finding health care providers
• Standards for preventive care
• Health crisis such as outbreaks and epidemics
• Tibetan medicine and doctors in the area

Community Service Credit

TANC is committed to encouraging its members, particularly the younger members, to get into community service. TANC will therefore offer community service credit for members interested in volunteering or interning with the health program. It will provide a letter specifying the number of hours volunteered. Individuals must log at least 50 hours of community service in order to be eligible for the TANC letter, which the applicant can
forward to their schools or include in their school applications.