Health Confianza
Health Confianza (Spanish for Trust or Confidence) is a health literacy project providing workforce training, education, health information and resources to the greater San Antonio area. We are rooted in the belief that health literacy – which is the ability to find, understand and use health information so that you and your family can be as healthy as possible – is a valuable tool in achieving health equity for all.
Established in 2020 as a direct response to the Covid pandemic, Health Confianza has set out to address the health disparities experienced by our mostly Hispanic and Black neighbors living in 22 San Antonio-area zip codes. Many of the families living in these neighborhoods are low-income, lack access to healthcare providers and are un- or under-insured. The pandemic is a challenge for all of us. It can be especially difficult for people in our local community who have job instability, housing insecurity or lack transportation.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, these areas have consistently reported the highest number of Covid cases and the lowest Covid-19 vaccination and booster rates in the city. Since 2020, more than 50% of all deaths related to Covid-19 in San Antonio occurred within this concentrated area. Additionally, these zip codes have historically high rates of diabetes, heart disease and other preventable illnesses, which makes them more vulnerable to Covid and more at risk of serious cases or hospitalizations.
Our mission is driven by the belief that health literacy training and education can transform communities, organizations and policies, helping to increase health equity and confidence in the health care system. We believe that together we can prepare San Antonio for a healthier future for generations to come.
BUILD TRUST
As public health experts, community health workers and medical professionals, we understand that trust and communication are key to effectively promoting healthy behaviors and outcomes. As a result, we are working to train, educate and foster a supportive network of individuals, community health workers, health professionals, health providers and community organizations who share our goal of increasing access to healthcare, resources and timely, accurate health information.
We believe this community-focused model can help to build public trust and transform the healthcare system, making it more equitable for all.
Our Partners
Health Confianza is a collaborative effort led by the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, UT Health San Antonio and the University of Texas at San Antonio. The COVID-19 Community Response and Equity Coalition, via the Education Workgroup, serves as the advisory group for this project, with many coalition members assisting with implementation and evaluation. Click the link below for a full list of participating and supporting partners.