Workshops on managing chronic diseases available for Spanish speakers

The Merced County Department of Public Health has launched a weekly program to allow Spanish-speaking residents to discuss how chronic diseases have affected their lives and learn about improving and managing their health conditions.

The first of six sessions took place Thursday night, when nine community members discussed self-management of their conditions. The sessions will continue each Thursday night for the next five weeks.

“Participants here get the tools they need so they can be proactive with their chronic diseases,” said Amalia Madrigal Hernandez, supervising health educator for Merced County Department of Public Health.

Each workshop touches on a different subject, Madrigal Hernandez said, and is derived from Stanford curriculum.

Healthy eating, physical activity, how to communicate with medical physicians, and dealing with depression triggers are all topics touched on, as well as learning how to take a proactive role in managing chronic conditions.

“We’re trying to teach them a healthier lifestyle,” Madrigal Hernandez said. “We have residents who have changed their lives completely.”

Floripes Dzib, a Livingston resident originally from Mexico, said she joined the workshops to learn more about health not just for herself, but for her family, as well.

“I want to learn about illnesses for my family,” said Dzib, 37. “It’s important for me to learn for my parents and friends in case they have any issues I can help with.”

The workshops are unique because, not only do community members learn about health through the curriculum, they learn about health management through each other.

“It’s an opportunity for them to have a support group that empowers one another,” Madrigal Hernandez said. “They learn so much from each other because sometimes they realize they have the same chronic conditions and can help each other.”

Everything that is said in the classroom stays in the classroom, Madrigal Hernandez said, and the goal is to make each participant feel as comfortable and open as possible.

“It’s whatever comfort level they are in,” Madrigal Hernandez said. “It’s important to keep the trust between the health department and residents.”

Karina Sandoval of Atwater attended the first session Thursday because she said the classes help people be realistic about their health and be aware of how they can better manage their situations.

“It’s good they have these classes not only to learn but to prevent,” Sandoval said. “If you can prevent them (chronic illnesses), then that’s good.”

The free workshops are open to anyone in the community. They will be from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 260 E. 15th St. every Thursday night through Oct. 6. For more information on the workshops or to enroll, call 209-381-1223.

“Our goal is to expand the program and reach all the populations throughout the county,” Madrigal Hernandez said. “We want to make proactive individuals who understand their chronic conditions.”

This story was originally published September 2, 2016 at 5:14 PM with the headline "Workshops on managing chronic diseases available for Spanish speakers."