The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48597

Bonnie Pete Thomas, MD, Marcus Murray, Donald McDaniels, BA, and Marcus Johnson. Project Brotherhood: Woodlawn Health Center, 6337 S. Woodlawn, Chicago, IL 60637, 312-747-7705, bonnie_w_thomasjr@yahoo.com

Problem: African American men in Chicago have the shortest life expectancy of all ethnic groups and obtain primary health care less often than others. An assessment was made of traditional health care delivery by staff and patients of an urban community health center. A clinic session was developed to increase primary health care service utilization among Black men and to improve their retention in care. Methods: Comments from participants of eleven different focus groups were obtained, relevant literature was reviewed and staff suggestions were made. An outpatient primary care clinic was developed. The structure of the clinic does not follow the traditional medical model, instead it is based on cultural empowerment. An analysis of patient visits over a six month period was initiated to obtain the number of unduplicated patients and frequency of visits for medical and social services. Data from this review will be presented to show what impact the care model has on recruitment and retention of Black men into primary care at this health center. Expected Results (Hypothesis): Acknowledgment of the social and cultural experience of the targeted patient population is important to increase service utilization. Based on this newly developed model of care, which incorporates patients’ past or current experiences with health care, their employment status, their cultural beliefs, education and lifestyle, we anticipate an increase in service utilization among Black men obtaining and continuing primary health care.

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