Progreso Latino printed and continues to distribute 500 booklets in English and has plans to produce Spanish booklets as well. The agency passed out 200 booklets in educational sessions to the RI Department of Health Community Interventions committee and the community. The distribution of the booklets was as follows: educational venues (115), focus groups (60), Community Interventions committee members (15), and booklet participants (10).

The use of the Family History Project booklets assisted in the education of Progreso Lation’s clients and assisted them in talking to their family members about genetic diseases that are prevalent in their families. Many of our clients viewed their disease as something that was going to happen to them because their families had it, but many didn’t understand that knowing about a possible genetic disease means that they can take measures to minimize the possibility of acquiring that disease.

The collection of stories for the booklets came from individuals who attended a focus group or from the wellness center participants. The stories were all collected in Spanish and were then translated into English. Progreso Latino was able to put local resources and local stats into the books, which provided more educational and screening resources. A family tree was passed out with the booklets as a way of hopefully having families work to identify their genetic diseases.

Booklets were also passed out at health screenings provided by Progreso Latino for over 400 community members. Screens included measuring blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels; taking eye exams; and testing for HIV. Progreso Latino also developed a play surrounding the information gathered from the project to broadcast knowledge about genetic diseases. The play was practiced and performed by Progreso Latino’s Health Angels and senior citizens.