Abrazar (“embrace” in Spanish) is a non-profit, direct service organization providing services to residents in Orange County to address social determinants of health (SDOH) since 1976.

Abrazar is dedicated to embracing the diversity of families in our community, educating them on the resources they provide through their community collaborations and empowering the community to improve the quality of their lives through programs addressing health equity. 

Abrazar strives to embrace, educate and empower children, families and individuals with the necessary tools to foster health equity. Promoting diversity and delivering collaborative services are critical to the success of the organization’s more than 30 programs.

During the pandemic, Abrazar formed the Community Health Equity Navigator (CHEN) program to further improve health access and equity by connecting low-income and isolated community members with needed services that address SDOH. Through CHEN, Abrazar and collaborating community partners have hosted more than 250 mobile vaccination clinics and vaccinated more than 50,000 Orange County residents in priority health equity ZIP codes. 

For more information about Abrazar, please visit www.abrazarinc.com or contact CEO Mario Ortega via email at m.ortega@abrazarinc.com or phone at 714-278-4672.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers found among women in the U.S. Women are at higher risk for getting breast cancer as they get older. The good news is that the risk of getting breast cancer can be lowered by keeping a healthy weight, eating fruits and vegetables, staying active, and drinking less alcohol.

Individuals can take steps to lower the risk of getting breast cancer and find it early when it may be easier to treat. One step is to know how your breasts normally look and feel. By doing monthly breast self-exams, changes to your breasts, such as a lump, can be found early and should be shared with your doctor right away.

For some, breast cancer starts with no symptoms at all. That is why getting a mammogram — an X-ray of the breast to screen for breast cancer — is so important. For most women, it is recommended to talk to a doctor about getting a mammogram starting at age 40 to screen for breast cancer. No-cost mammograms are a preventive care service covered by CalOptima Health.

Did you know CalOptima Health offers eligible members a no-cost $25 health reward gift card for completing a mammogram screening? Visit www.caloptima.org/healthrewards to view or print current incentive forms.

Influenza — also known as the flu — is a serious illness. Some of the symptoms of the flu and COVID-19 are similar, making it hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. People with chronic conditions are at a higher risk of having serious health problems from the flu. Today, the flu shot remains more important than ever to help you, your family and your community stay healthy and prevent severe illness.

The flu shot can’t give someone the flu, and it is considered safe. Getting the flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to lower the chance of needing to go to the hospital. CalOptima Health members can get the flu shot at no cost.

You can get a COVID-19 vaccine and a flu shot at the same time, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC also states that everyone 6 months and older should get a flu shot. If you have questions or concerns about the flu shot or COVID-19 vaccine, talk to your doctor or a pharmacist to learn what health actions are right for you.

Click here for tips to help prevent the spread of the flu and COVID-19.

More than one out of three Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths in the United States each year are from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Recent research also shows that an unsafe sleep environment remains a leading cause of infant death. While sleep is a big challenge for families with babies, following safe sleep recommendations can prevent many fatalities.  

Click here to watch the CDC’s Safe Sleep video. HCA’s SIDS program assists families affected by Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths, expands awareness and promotes community risk reduction and prevention measures. If you have questions or want more information about the program, please contact Orange County SIDS Coordinator Rona Tagayun at 714-834-8076.