Punjabi residents in Fresno find a lifeline in a community-led health program

Introduction

In the heart of California's Central Valley, a vibrant community of Punjabi residents has long faced significant challenges in accessing critical health services. This issue has been particularly pronounced for descendants from the Indian state of Punjab, one of the largest ethnic groups in the region. Despite these hurdles, a dedicated community-led health program has emerged as a beacon of hope, providing essential support and resources to those in need.

The Challenges Faced by Punjabi Residents

Descendants from the Indian state of Punjab often struggle to access critical health services due to several barriers. One major issue is the lack of sufficient translation services. Many medical facilities and healthcare providers do not offer adequate support for non-English speakers, making it difficult for Punjabi residents to navigate the healthcare system. Additionally, the economic demands of low-wage agricultural and meatpacking jobs further exacerbate the problem. Long working hours and grueling labor conditions often leave little time or energy for seeking medical care, let alone understanding complex health information.

The Jakara Movement: A Community-Led Health Program

The Jakara Movement, a nonprofit organization founded in 2000, has been at the forefront of addressing these challenges. Initially focused on youth leadership and development, the organization expanded its scope during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fresno County hired the Jakara Movement to help with contact tracing and educate residents about the virus. This initiative laid the groundwork for a broader community health program.

Expanding Services and Outreach

With support from the city of Fresno, the Jakara Movement launched a health literacy program. Community health workers set up tables at local gurdwaras (Sikh places of worship) where they offered information in Punjabi about managing ailments such as diabetes and hypertension. They also translated health documents, signed people up for Medi-Cal and other government programs, and answered questions about finding medical care, dealing with wage theft, and resolving immigration issues.

Community Engagement and Impact

Word of the assistance soon spread. Inderjeet Singh Brar, a 55-year-old Punjabi resident, received critical help signing up for rental assistance and Medi-Cal, allowing him to stay housed after losing his job and receive treatment after a heart attack. He began bringing his neighbors to meet with the health workers, emphasizing the trust he had in the organization.

“Jakara helped me when I really needed help, so that’s why I trust Jakara for other community members,” he said through a translator. “When I was drowning, they threw me a lifesaver.” This sentiment is echoed by many community members who have benefited from the Jakara Movement’s services.

Health Resource Fairs and Door-to-Door Services

The community health workers also began organizing health resource fairs for Punjabi residents. These fairs brought in medical providers to offer free health screenings and local agencies like the Department of Social Services and Area Agency on Aging to sign people up for Medi-Cal, Medicare, and other safety-net programs. Community health workers regularly go door-to-door in Punjabi neighborhoods to offer their services and inform people about upcoming events.

Door-to-Door Outreach: Bridging the Gap

Mandip Kaur, a leading community health worker, emphasized the importance of going door-to-door. “We’ve learned we have to go to people. We have to go to where they’re at; they’re not going to come to us.” This approach ensures that the services are accessible and relevant to the community’s needs. When someone has multiple responsibilities and stressors, seeking out health resources can be overwhelming, and this initiative helps alleviate that burden.

The Role of Community Health Workers

Community health workers like those from the Jakara Movement play a crucial role in bridging the gap between healthcare providers and underserved communities. They provide culturally sensitive information, assist with administrative tasks, and help navigate complex healthcare systems. The Jakara Movement’s workers have organized over 41 health resource fairs, taught more than 90 workshops on health-related topics, and helped at least 4,000 people with various health-related issues.

Future Directions and Research

The Jakara Movement is committed to expanding its services and understanding the specific needs of Punjabi residents. Simranjit Mann, a graduate student in public health from California State University, Fresno, highlighted the need for more research on culturally effective interventions for Punjabi communities. She noted that there is a scarcity of research on the healthcare needs of Punjabi people living in the U.S., and expanding these types of programs will require more data to understand what works best for replication.

Conclusion

The Jakara Movement’s community-led health program has proven to be a lifeline for Punjabi residents in Fresno. By addressing the unique challenges faced by this community, the program has not only provided essential health services but also fostered trust and engagement within the community. As the organization continues to grow and adapt, it serves as a model for addressing health disparities in other underserved communities across the nation.

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References

-: Bridging Access: Nonprofit newsrooms unite to address healthcare disparities. https://inn.org/news/bridging-access/ -: Punjabi Californians Find a Lifeline Through Community Health Program. https://www.yesmagazine.org/health-happiness/2024/08/16/california-community-health-care -: Punjabi residents in Fresno find a lifeline in a community-led health program. https://stocktonia.org/news/state-news/2024/10/13/punjabi-residents-in-fresno-find-a-lifeline-in-a-community-led-health-program/