Last Updated: October 22, 2024
RHHD recently welcomed a new Tuberculosis outreach worker: Mario Martinez!
Mario has been part of the RHHD team for years. He previously worked in COVID-19 containment and as a Community Health Worker (CHW) in the Southwood Resource Center.
Tuberculosis is a contagious illness that can affect the lungs and other parts of the body. TB is treatable, but treatment takes a long time and can be more complicated if you’re experiencing chronic diseases like diabetes.
Mario’s teammates say that he is already skilled at helping people through the testing and treatment process, especially if they have a chronic disease or speak Spanish.
Public Health Nurse Gabrielle Alvarez shares that “Mario has already surpassed our hopes for a much-needed TB outreach worker. Our work with tuberculosis relies heavily on trust, and he has already formed a close working relationship with all of our active patients and their families. Why? In large part because he can relate to our clients as a native Spanish speaker, gathering the nuances of our patients through face-to-face communication. I also believe it’s because he holds himself in a dignified way that just emanates openness to helping our clients with their complex social issues.”
Gabrielle has watched Mario help patients access and develop a regular schedule for the TB treatment while offering support refilling prescriptions and even locating housing and employment resources. “Untreated active TB is both highly fatal and highly contagious, putting the community and the patient at serious risk,” she says. “Mario very well may be the reason these two patients do not succumb to their disease. He has also contributed to containing tuberculosis in our population at large in a way that we will never be able to quantify.”
Below, Mario explains how his background and training have led him to making this impact in TB work.
Mario continues to think like a Community Health Worker.
When I started as a CHW, I didn’t know much about the position or what my responsibilities were going to be. As I learned more, I realized, I’ve been doing this my entire life, with my aunts or with my mom, advocating and translating for them. As a teenager, I felt like it was my obligation to help family members or friends. Going into a doctor and explaining what my mom was feeling was uncomfortable at times. I felt the pressure of not leaving anything out and making sure my mom understood.
As a CHW, you’re trying to help people make appointments and take care of themselves, which can be hard for members of Hispanic communities. When you tell someone, “You have diabetes, or you have any chronic disease,” there can be a mentality of “whatever happens will happen.” That goes hand in hand with mental health. We don’t talk enough about the trauma that we’ve experienced as immigrants in leaving our country behind. That’s something I learned in CHW training. People wait until a health issue is extreme and they reach the limit and then they have to go. The barriers to accessing care aren’t always transportation related. I try to step back and let people express what they need before I jump in, and then I help when there are steps that could take a long time for someone to do by themselves.
He knows how much representation matters.
There are a lot of non-native Spanish speakers who do a great job translating and advocating for Spanish-speaking patients, but it’s not quite the same as working with a native speaker. It’s important to have Hispanic employees and native Spanish speakers, because we have been through similar situations and can relate without judging. When I talk to clients, they start opening up and telling me a little bit more about things not just related to TB. And then I can connect them to other resources.
When we see someone who is familiar, we immediately feel a sense of relief. I know I can ask the questions I have to that person. More inclusivity in medical and health department staff matters.
It’s important to have someone who can explain next steps and risk factors clearly and calmly.
When I meet with a patient who has tested positive for active tuberculosis, I explain how TB works. That communication is especially important for patients with conditions like diabetes, for example. It’s important for people to manage their diabetes in order have the best results from their TB treatment.
I’m honest and upfront about explaining the risk but also try not to scare people. I explain what can happen if they don’t follow treatment or if they don’t give the health department accurate information.
Above all, Mario says, he relies on slowing down enough to check for understanding and going deeper into questions. If, like Mario, you’re invested in community health and well-being, here’s how you can get involved:
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Consider CHW training. Mario says that training can “put a title to things you already know so that it makes more sense.” His training makes it easier for him to connect his current clients to other resources. Learn about training options through the Virginia CHW Association.
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Join the RHHD Community Health Improvement Planning Committee! We can live in communities that take more steps to prevent and manage chronic disease with your help.
Health Literacy Check: Find and share information about tuberculosis in Arabic, Ukrainian, Spanish, and Amharic!
Mario (front right in sunglasses) celebrated Southwood Resource Center’s recent anniversary with RHHD teammates!