Women who are low-income, uninsured or underinsured typically lack access to preventative services, which are essential to detecting cancer early. When detected at an early stage, the breast cancer survival is as high as 98% compared to only 27% if detected at a later stage.

AltaMed is dedicated to increasing the number of uninsured women who receive potentially life-saving services, such as breast cancer screenings. Since 2016, AltaMed’s overall breast cancer screening rate increased from 71% to 83%. Latinas represent over one-third of residents in Orange County and also represent nearly a third of women age 40 years and over who have never had a mammogram screening. Women age 65 and older are a growing population in the county and represent a priority group with the highest rates of breast cancer and death, across all races.

For 20 years, AltaMed has honed its capacity to identify, understand, and respond to the unique needs of people living with HIV/AIDS—in particular among the urban Latino communities in Los Angeles. AltaMed provides services to individuals in Service Planning Areas 3 and 7 in LA County which is the home to an estimated 6,754 persons living with HIV/AIDS. AltaMed has helped to reduce geographic and cultural barriers to mental health services for Latinos living with HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles.

2014-2016, Latinos were more than 85% of the total people living with HIV receiving services and were the largest population among all racial/ethnic groups. People living with HIV/AIDS have multiple challenges and complex issues that make it difficult for them to access services, comply with medical care, appointments, and treatment regimens. Studies have shown the value of peer support in a clinical setting. AltaMed offers Healthy Relationships support groups and its psychotherapy groups to those living with HIV, teaching participants how to obtain healthy behavioral skills such as decision-making and problem-solving, and practice using disclosure skills, safer sex negotiation skills, as well as practice both coping skills and motivational feedback.

Workforce Development programs address critical workforce capability and capacity gaps reducing barriers to admission and retention in college, medical school and/or graduate programs and achieve job preparedness and successful transition to meaningful employment.

Health Fellow Program nine-month paid fellowship program provides exposure and experience in a professional work setting to recent college graduates. 255 young adults have been placed into the workforce, medical school, and master’s programs.

Escalera STEM focuses on high school juniors who, because of financial or family reasons, are at risk of not graduating but display high potential for success. Activities include SAT preparation, individualized academic support, financial aid workshops and guided college tours. Students graduate with individualized plans for their futures that includes higher education.

Líderes addresses significant systemic economic and academic barriers that inhibit the ability of many students of color to complete their college education. Líderes provides skills-building and team-building workshops that strengthen first-generation Latino college students who are enrolled in their 1st or 2nd year of college.

Youth Champions empowers youth to enhance their soft skills, such as business knowledge, leadership development, public speaking, strategic thinking, financial literacy and team building.