Prosumer Mujeres, an organization that promotes Latinas health in the community

Over the past two years, a research group in the Center for Healthy Outcomes in Aging of the College of Nursing and Health Innovation has worked with a local network of older Latina women from Mountain Park Health Center to discuss the strengths, resources and barriers to physical activity, including acceptable types of physical activity and the development of intervention programs. The partnership with this exceptional group of women has resulted in effective recruitment and retention strategies throughout metropolitan Phoenix neighborhoods.

The group’s community advisory board chose the name "Prosumer Mujeres" for their group to reflect “empowered consumer women.” Prosumer Mujeres also has corroborated culturally and contextually relevant strategies and theoretical support for employing a social support model to guide two studies, Mujeres en Accion (Walking in Hispanic Women) and IMPACTO: Intervencion de Motivacion Para Actividad Fisica (IMPACT: Intervention to Motivate Physical Activity).

Eight founding members of the board for Prosumer Mujeres recently worked with worked with local community activist Judy Butzine to support two other board members’ entries into an on-going art exhibit in downtown Phoenix. The exhibit of 20 works of art, titled "Practical Acts of Peace Building: Recognizing the International Day of Peace and Mind-Body Wellness," will continue until January 11, 2010 at University Center on the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus.

Prosumer Mujeres has expanded to include local and national community leaders with diverse professional backgrounds to help raise the visibility of the board’s mission and goals in promoting Latina health, according to Adriana Perez, project director. The first inaugural dinner held in late April was an exciting introduction to the board’s efforts, accomplishments and commitment to Latina health, and an opportunity to discuss the four areas of the advisory board’s participation: 1) monitoring research relevance for Latinas, 2) resource development for Latina health, 3) community integration for research and service-learning opportunities and 4) participatory roles in forming research directions for Latina health.

Prosumer Mujeres will continue to meet annually, where current health issues affecting Latina women can be discussed and will include a series of newsletters to communicate initiatives and activities of board members in order to remain connected throughout the year. The advice, guidance and support of Prosumer Mujeres is evidence that community members are demonstrating support for ASU's College of Nursing and Health Innovation in the interest of sustaining integrity in Latina healthcare as community partners.
 
The result of their work and the importance of Latina health were showcased on NBC Nightly News, KAET Channel 8 Horizonte program, the NPR Phoenix affiliate station KJZZ-FM, and through Radio Campesina, which serves several Hispanic communities in Arizona, California and Washington state.