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Abstract #151740

Sylvette La Touche, MA, NCC, Amy S. Billing, MSSA, Nancy L. Atkinson, PhD, Jing Tian, MD, and Robert S. Gold, PhD, DrPH. Department of Public and Community Health, Public Health Informatics Research Laboratory, University of Maryland, College Park, Suite 2387 Valley Drive, College Park, MD 20742, 301-405-8292, latouche@umd.edu

The University of Maryland's Public Health Informatics Research Laboratory and Maryland Cooperative Extension have collaborated with the USDA in creating the ‘Eat Smart, Be Fit, Maryland!' website. This website is an interactive health promotional tool which caters to the needs of underserved populations in Maryland by enabling them to learn and implement better nutrition and physical activity practices. This website was built to address an important issue presented in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services policy directive, Healthy People 2010. This directive was to promote digital inclusion among populations who have traditionally been excluded, namely minority, low-income and rural populations. Over a five year period, the research team has sought to build alliances with the target population through various collaborative efforts. In addition, we have conducted needs and assets assessments, concept, message and usability testing, and implemented and evaluated a comprehensive program plan that could be used in an underserved, rural setting.

This presentation will discuss how to recognize and overcome potential obstacles that are faced in the creation of a web portal and health communications campaign targeted towards underserved populations. A general overview of the implementation process and the lessons learned from establishing a statewide campaign will be shared. Additionally, strategies for using health informatics as an instrumental tool to eliminate health disparities and close the digital divide amongst underserved populations will also be explored.

Learning Objectives: By the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Address obstacles that researchers may face when creating a health education campaign
• Articulate at least three components for implementing and establishing a statewide campaign.
• Develop an action plan for eliminating health disparities through digital inclusion.

Keywords: Health Disparities, Health Information

Related Web page: www.eatsmart.umd.edu/

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.