The Center for Asian Health's ACC coalition and its Advisory Board were established in 2000 as a bridge between the Center for Asian Health and Asian communities of the eastern region of the US. The coalition is an active participant in the Center for Asian Health's community-based activities in research, training and health service delivery. Its membership is comprised of community-based organizations and clinics and health centers that serve primarily Asian American clientele. The coalition represents Chinese, Cambodians, Koreans, Vietnamese, Hmong and other Asian ethnic groups.

The ACCC mission is to mobilize Asian communities to increase knowledge about health disparities among Asian populations, with emphasis on high risk behaviors that contribute to disease and chronic illness, and to promote healthy lifestyles. Coalition members meet quarterly to discuss community health issues, review progress and to develop joint plans with Center for Asian Health. The coalition's Advisory Board, comprised of community leaders, meets more frequently to consider community- or region-wide pressing health issues.

In collaboration with the Center, the ACCC provides technical assistance and skill-building training to community members, and develops and implements culturally appropriate prevention and intervention programs on a wide range of health issues, and supports the Center's community-based research and related activities such as media campaigns, outreach activities, and conduct of educational workshops, among other. To facilitate the work of the coalition, the Center has established a library of Asian language health resources at the Center's site proximal to the Asian communities.

• Building community capacity to ensure sustainability of programs
• Strengthening collaborative partnerships among Asian community organizations
• Establishing a cadre of Asian community leaders in cancer health disparity issues including but not limited to tobacco and cancer control
• Bridging Asian communities, government and community resources
• Reducing cancer health disparities in Asian communities

To join the ACCC, please download the ACCC Membership Information and Agreement form, complete and forward it to Ms. Joanne Rhee, 1415 N. Broad St. Suite 116, Center for Asian Health, Philadelphia, PA 19122. For more details about the ACCC, please call (215) 787-5435.