Health Education

AIRRC is launching a pilot health access and education program for African immigrants and healthcare professionals. The goal of the program Swahili for Ankili Ni Mali (Knowledge is Wealth) is to improve the overall health and healthcare access of African immigrants and their quality of life. AIRRC works closely with the San Francisco Department of Public Health, health clinics and healthcare professionals to provide information and resource referral bank. The Ankili Ni Mali initiative involves a coalition of AIRRC personnel, volunteers, board members, and San Francisco healthcare professionals.

The outcome of this grant will be to ensure open access and advocacy for African immigrants, professionals, and asylees. It is estimated in the African Center that one out of 3 clients enters the office prior to employment with severe chronic diseases, and life-threatening illnesses such as terminal cancer, HIV AIDS, diabetes, and hypertension. These ailments mirror the growing health crisis and global disparities on the African continent. The Ankili Ni Mali health care education program is proposing to change this. A brochure outlining services and volunteer opportunities for the Ankili Ni Mali health program is available. Resource directories for African immigrants and refugees will be available in 2006.