REACH LoWELL, led by Lowell Community Health Center, seeks to eliminate disparities among the Southeast Asians and Hispanic/LatinX communities as it relates to diabetes. The REACH LoWELL Coalition is led by Lowell Community Health Center and includes key partners such as Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association, City of Lowell, Coalition for a Better Acre, Greater Lowell Health Alliance, Merrimack Valley Food Bank, and Mill City Grows in the implementation of the project. The program’s evaluation will be conducted by JSI Research and Training Institute (JSI). REACH LoWELL includes culturally tailored health promotion activities, systems change to increase physical activity and access to healthier foods in the community; and increased community-wide education, with the aim of increasing knowledge of health care systems. Program outcomes include:
• Expansion of and increased use of appropriate and locally available health and community programs to help in chronic disease management;
• Increased knowledge of health disparities, cultural competence and community resources among Southeast Asian and Hispanic/LatinX communities;
• Increased engagement and participation in physical activity;
• Increased satisfaction and engagement among stakeholders and community members;
• Improved health outcomes as a result of systems changes implemented; and
• Increased availability and access to healthier food options.
