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Abstract #156638

Natalie D. Hernandez, MPH and Liany Elba Arroyo, MPH. Institute for Hispanic Health, National Council of La Raza, 235 Peachtree Street, NE, Suite 2000-20th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30303, 404-658-1711, nhernandez@nclr.org

Introduction: In 2004, Georgia had the fastest-growing Latino population in the U.S., thus increasing awareness of the health concerns and challenges faced by the Hispanic community and those who serve it. Nevertheless, there was no comprehensive resource available which detailed the health needs of the Latino community in Georgia or how to best reach and serve this growing population. The National Council of La Raza's Institute for Hispanic Health (NCLR/IHH), in collaboration with Healthcare Georgia Foundation, developed the Georgia Latino/Hispanic Health Agenda and Leadership Project to collect information that accurately reflects the health care needs of this rapidly-growing population and to establish policy objectives that adequately address their health needs.

Methods: First, focus group discussions with community-based organizations (CBOs) were conducted throughout the state, as well as key informant interviews with Latino health leaders. A comprehensive literature review of peer-reviewed journals and the collection of Georgia-specific health information from state and national databases supported this research and enriched the Health Agenda.

Second, the project focused on increasing the capacity of Latino CBOs to advocate for health care changes in their local communities, increasing the community's capacity to serve as statewide advocates and as an information resource on Latino/Hispanic health.

Conclusion: The outcomes of this research have become an important resource for those in Georgia who work with Hispanics and may also serve as a model for other states in the Southeast with growing Hispanic populations who want to comprehensively document health needs.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify strategies for conducting research in partnership with Latino community-based organizations.
• Discover how to promote and strengthen collaborations and partnerships among Latino CBOs; academic and research institutions; local, state, and federal governments; and other private organizations to shape health programs and health policy.
• Discuss larger implications of research findings on health policy and practice.

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.