Community Health Screenings Can Complement Public Health Outreach to Minority Immigrant Communities

Objectives: We sought to provide culturally competent, community-based respiratory health screening and education in minority communities with high concentrations of Latino immigrants on Long Island and to assess the impact of this intervention on their decision to seek medical care.

Methods: Seven health care screenings were performed in communities with high concentrations of immigrants from Latin America. A subgroup of participants who identified themselves as Hispanic/Latino were analyzed. After completion of a respiratory health questionnaire and spirometry, screening scores were calculated, education provided, and recommendations were made for medical evaluation in those who screened positive. A positive screen was defined as abnormal respiratory symptoms, abnormal spirometry, or both. Follow-up contacts were made at 1, 6, and 12 months to assess compliance with the recommendation to seek care in those who screened positive.

Results: High positive screening rates for both men (64%) and women (61%) were found. Of the participants who screened positive and were advised to seek medical care, 52% did so. Compliance with the recommendation to seek care was associated with the presence of an identified medical provider at baseline. Of those who screened positive and who did not comply with team’s recommendation, 75% were unable to identify a health care provider.

Conclusions: A significant number of participants who screened positive could not identify a health care provider and did not follow-up with the recommendation to seek medical evaluation. Community-based screenings provide an opportunity to access at-risk immigrant populations for health screening and education, and to facilitate referral and access to medical services.