URGENT UPDATE: A groundbreaking community health initiative, ¡Coma, Muévase y Viva! (“Eat, Move, and Live!”), is transforming the lives of rural Latino families in Southern California. A study led by the University of California, Riverside confirms that this program is significantly improving diet, fitness, and chronic disease management among underserved populations.
Just announced, the results highlight how the program, crafted by City of Hope, utilizes trusted community health workers known as “promotoras” to deliver culturally relevant health education. This tailored approach is crucial for the low-income, rural Latina community, which faces severe health disparities, including high rates of diabetes and obesity.
The urgency of this initiative cannot be overstated. Latino communities, the largest rural minority in America, often encounter barriers to access healthy food, safe exercise areas, and essential health information in Spanish. The Eastern Coachella Valley, where this program is active, reports some of the highest diabetes rates in California.
The 10-week virtual program, conducted in Spanish with Purépecha translation, combines health education, cooking demonstrations, and exercise sessions. Each week focuses on critical topics such as diabetes management, nutrition, and cholesterol, featuring affordable recipes that resonate culturally. Sessions are energized with group workouts set to lively Spanish music, making health education enjoyable and engaging.
In late 2022, focus groups involving 20 low-income, Spanish-speaking Latina women assessed the program’s effectiveness. Participants reported substantial improvements in understanding diet and exercise, leading to healthier habits such as increased fruit and vegetable consumption and reduced intake of sugary beverages. Many also experienced weight loss, elevated energy levels, and enhanced confidence in managing their health.
Ann Cheney, a professor at UC Riverside and senior author of the study published in BMC Public Health, stated, “Our findings show that programs like ¡Coma, Muévase y Viva! can improve quality of life for underserved rural Latino populations.” The study underscores the value of integrating local voices, cultural traditions, and community networks in health education.
Participants have not only benefited individually; many have shared their newfound knowledge with family members, fostering healthier lifestyles at home. The program’s use of platforms like WhatsApp has facilitated trust and engagement, further enhancing its impact.
Jacqueline Moreira, program coordinator and lead author of the research paper, emphasized the program’s community-led approach. “Programs like ¡Coma, Muévase y Viva! show that when communities lead the way, health education becomes more effective and empowering,” she said.
As the study reveals, the importance of culturally responsive public health programs is critical for populations facing significant barriers to care. The success of ¡Coma, Muévase y Viva! provides a vital model for delivering accessible, relevant, and sustainable health education in underserved areas.
What’s next? Communities and health advocates are watching closely to see how this model can be replicated elsewhere to combat health inequities. More information on the findings is available in the research paper by Jacqueline Moreira et al, titled “¡Coma, Muévase y Viva!: qualitative findings from a dietary and lifestyle change intervention for Latinas in the rural desert region of Inland Southern California,” published in BMC Public Health.
This urgent development signals a promising path forward for community health initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of vulnerable populations across the nation.
