Kevin Sitko, a second year medical student at the UNC School of Medicine, is working in two of the Health Disparities Initiative’s pilot practices this summer.  As part of his responsibilities he was given the task of choosing a community outreach project in the same area where the practices are located.

For his outreach efforts, Kevin is working through the Hispanic Health Initiative under the name El Proyecto Bienestar (The Wellness Project).  This initiative focuses on conducting health risk appraisals for members of the Hispanic community in Siler City and surrounding areas.  The appraisals involve measuring serum glucose and cholesterol levels, measuring blood pressure, making some body measurements (such as height, weight, and body composition), and a health questionnaire.  The measurements attempt to identify health risks of participants and provide health improvement advice and referral services where appropriate. 

Kevin manages these health appraisals on a daily basis at the local Hispanic Health Initiative office and also at several larger community events planned to take place during the summer.  The appraisals are an attempt to reach out to the underserved Hispanic population in Siler City and decrease morbidity and mortality related to diabetes and cardiovascular disease within this group.

(Below: Kevin Sitko conducting a Health Risk Appraisal at the Hispanic Health Initiative in Siler City).