Established in 1989, Pilipinos for Community Health (PCH) at UCLA has advanced its efforts to educate and provide health services to the socio-economically disadvantaged community of the Greater Los Angeles area. While addressing health issues that are prominent in the Pilipino community, we also acknowledge that these health problems are common in other underserved communities, and so we choose to serve every recipient, regardless of nationality. With the health field as its outlet for service, PCH serves various groups at the university, local, and international levels. Through its three main components of (1) Community Outreach, (2) Preventive Health, and (3) Pre-health Advising and Mentorship, PCH aims to help the community make wise health decisions and strives to provide members with valuable learning experiences.
PCH is a proud project of the Community Service Commission (CSC), the largest completely student-run, student-initiated community service organization in the nation. See www.communityservicecommission.org for more information.
Health Sites
With a focus in hypertension, nutrition, and obesity, Health Sites give members the chance to interact with community members and engage them in health-related conversations. Volunteers provide free blood pressure screenings, Body Mass Index (BMI) measurements, advice for adopting healthier lifestyles, and other resources such as a list of free clinics. At these Health Sites, PCH aims to raise awareness in the community about commonly preventable diseases and encourage healthy habits.
PCH Component: Preventive Health
When: Six times a quarter, during the weekend
Where: Seafood City Supermarkets at Panorma City and Carson City
Did you know?
- Since one of the most dangerous aspects of hypertension is its asymptomatic nature, nearly one-third of people who have hypertension are not aware of it
- Filipino Americans have a higher prevalence of hypertension and cardiovascular disease than other Asian American groups
- Within LA County, over half of adults are considered overweight or obese
Our Lady of Peace (OLP) Health Fair
Partnering with the OLP parish, PCH members work with Asian Pacific Health Corps (APHC) and Latino Student Health Project (LSHP) to organize a health fair that serves over 400 people in need of health services. Screenings will be provided to test for diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. Opportunities for service recipients include the following: blood pressure readings, body mass index measurements, dental check ups, mammograms, pap smears, glucose/cholesterol tests, a chance to speak to a physician, and many other informational opportunities.
PCH Component: Community OutreachWhen: Once a year, in the month of February
Where: The Our Lady of Peace Parish Church in North Hills
Did you know?
- 22.2% of the North Hills population is under the poverty level, 8% higher than the California statistic
Being a "Senior Buddy"
Starting in 2010, PCH will be volunteering at two elderly caregiving facilities in the West Los Angeles Area. Members will be trained to understand and recognize issues affecting the elderly such as dementia and physical weakness. Volunteers will then meet with their “buddy” weekly and carry out creative, mind-stimulating, and fun activities that the residents would not experience otherwise. This program will provide needed companionship to residents.
PCH Component: Community OutreachWhen: Weekly (varies per site)
Where: Two West Los Angeles elderly caregiving facilities
Medical Outreach Project (MOP) and Medical Outreach Banquet (MOB)
Recognizing the need for service to the global community, the Medical Outreach Project (MOP) was established as an international outreach effort to provide medical support, supplies, pharmaceuticals, and diagnostic equipment to disadvantaged areas in the Philippines. Even the most basic medical supplies improve the preventive health care within these impoverished communities. PCH accomplishes this mission to provide aid by collecting sponsor donations, fundraising in various forms, and hosting the biennial Medical Outreach Banquet (MOB), a formal benefit dinner whose proceeds go entirely to purchasing and sending these basic health necessities. Held at UCLA, MOB also serves to raise student awareness about poverty and international health care. Past themes include "Bigayan" (Giving) and "Bagong Bukas" (New Tomorrow). PCH has consistently raised $2500-3500 each banquet, sending supplies to areas such as Pangasinan and Calamba.
PCH Component: Community OutreachWhen: Biennially (This year - sending medical supplies. Next MOB - 2012).
Where: UCLA
Red Cross Blood Pressure Certification
Through the American Red Cross, PCH members have the opportunity to be properly trained in measuring blood pressure. During the training, students also learn much about hypertension. Volunteers are able to use this new skill at Health Sites, the Our Lady of Peace Health Fair, and other community events. Through various much appreciated on-campus funding sources, PCH is able to offer this to volunteers free of charge.
PCH Component: Preventive Health
When: Once a quarter
Where: On campus at UCLA
Did you know?
- Blood pressure is the force the blood exerts against the blood vessel walls as it travels throughout the body
- Blood pressures at or below 120/80 mm Hg are considered to be normal
PCH Barangay Groups
"Barangay" is a Pilipino term for village or neighborhood. Pre-Health Advising and Mentorship aims to create a sense of community within PCH itself through the formation of small Barangay mentorship groups. Barangay groups are organized according to the academic and career interests of general members and meet for a small portion of each general meeting. Though Barangay activities are first and foremost a space for peer mentorship and support, they are also meant to provide a space for self-reflection, fun, and friendship.
PCH Component: Pre-health Advising and Mentorship
When: During PCH general meetings
Where: On campus at UCLA
Mentorship through Filipino Americans in Medicine (FAIM)
The FAIM Medical Mentorship program specifically assists potential pre-med PCH volunteers in becoming competitive applicants for professional schools. Developing individualized relationships with a medical student from the UCLA Geffen School of Medicine, volunteers have the opportunity to shadow medical students, learn more about biomedical research, socialize with other medical school mentors, and be guided on relevant topics relating to medical school.
PCH Component: Pre-health Advising and Mentorship
When: Varies
Where: On campus at UCLA
Pre-health Panels
Once a quarter, PCH provides the opportunity for undergraduates to interact with a variety of graduate students and professionals in Pre-health Panels, which includes a time for questions and small group interactions. Invited guests often include physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, public health administrators, dentists, and academic and clinical researchers. PCH hopes to foster ambitions to succeed in graduate and professional schools, as well as an avenue for career exploration. Networking with these professionals not only offers volunteers the chance to develop real-world skills, but also develops inspiration for students to pursue the career best suited for them.
PCH Component: Pre-health Advising and Mentorship
When: Once a quarter
Where: On campus at UCLA
EMAIL:
ADDRESS:
Pilipinos for Community Health
407 Kerchoff Hall
308 Westwood Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90024