Adapting a Family-Based Health Education Program for Mandarin-Speaking Families

Academic Mentor | Grace Park
Community Partner 1 | Avicenna Community Health Center
Community Partner 2 | Chinese American Association of Central Illinois

Project Description
Many immigrant families face significant barriers to accessing healthcare due to language differences, cultural factors, and limited trust in healthcare systems. As a result, modifiable risk factors for conditions such as hypertension, cancer, and mental health disorders may go unaddressed, contributing to underdiagnosis and underutilization of preventive and behavioral health services. These challenges are especially pronounced among immigrant communities with limited English proficiency.

This project builds on the Abriendo Caminos model, a family-based health education workshop series developed by University of Illinois Extension that promotes healthy eating, physical activity, and mental well-being through culturally responsive, family-centered programming. Drawing on community focus group work completed in 2025, this project adapts the program to meet the needs of Mandarin-speaking families in Champaign County. The pilot workshop series will promote health literacy, preventive care, and behavioral health through culturally tailored workshops conducted in Mandarin Chinese.

The project will partner with local community organizations to recruit participants and pilot the adapted program in Spring 2026. The workshop series will include weekly sessions focused on nutrition, physical activity, and family functioning, with programming designed to support both parents and children. Data collected before and during the pilot will inform future refinement and scalability of culturally responsive health education interventions for immigrant communities.

Role of the Community-Academic Scholar
The Community-Academic Scholar will be involved in multiple stages of this community-engaged health education project. The scholar will support analysis of data collected from the Spring 2026 pilot workshops, including behavioral surveys and other evaluation measures, to assess program outcomes and areas for improvement.

In collaboration with the research and community partners, the scholar will assist with developing and refining culturally responsive health education content. The role will include conducting literature reviews related to health literacy, preventive care, and immigrant health, as well as supporting community outreach and data analysis efforts.

The scholar will also volunteer weekly at Avicenna Community Health Center to observe the experiences of patients with limited English proficiency, gaining firsthand insight into barriers to care and culturally responsive healthcare delivery. This role is expected to require approximately 8–10 hours per week and will provide hands-on experience at the intersection of community health, education, and research.