Latin@ Consumer Genetics Education Network: Meeting the need for a culturally and linguistically appropriate genetics education program for Latinos in NYC

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

4015.0: Tuesday, November 06, 2007 - 9:00 AM

Abstract #159490

Rosita Romero, MSW¹, Andel Nicasio, MSEd², Jesus Sanchez, MS³, Alejandro Iglesias, MD⁴, Luis Barrios, PhD⁵, Vanna Nicasio, Trained MD², Mario Cesar Peralta, Trained MD², and Luis Lasose, Trained MD². (1) Executive Director, DWDC, 519 West 189 Street, New York, NY 10040, 212-994-6060, el.centro@verizon.net, (2) Latin@ Consumer Genetics Education Network, Dominican Women's Development Center, 251 Fort Washington Ave. Suite # 1, New York City, NY 10032, (3) Local Evaluator, DWDC, 900 West 190 th street 12M, New York City, NY 10040, (4) Division of Medical Genetics Department of Pediatrics, Beth Israel Medical Center, 350 east 17th Street 6BH10, New York, NY 10003, (5) Latin@ CGEN-Project Coordinator, DWDC, 251 Fort Washington Ave. Suite # 1, New York City, NY 10032

In 2000, the Latin@ Consumer Genetics Education Network (Latin@ CGEN) of the Dominican Women's Development Center (DWDC) initiated a culturally and linguistically appropriate genetics educational campaign for the Latino/a population in Washington Heights/Inwood, NY. Genetics educational materials were developed on basic genetics information and issues of high importance to the Latino/a community, utilizing community based participatory strategies. Community Health Workers (Promotoras) and a local community advisory board were instrumental in developing a Promotoras genetics education training curriculum, bilingual educational DVD and DVD worksheet, and multimedia public announcements (PSAs). Promotoras conducted genetics education workshops and disseminated complementary educational materials to residents and constituencies of community based organizations. Community impact and involvement in creating, implementing and disseminating these educational materials will be shared. The Latin@ CGEN is composed of a group of community members and representatives of community and faith based organizations. It is one of the four programs of the Consumer Genetics Education Network (CGEN) project funded by March of Dimes and Health Resources Services Administration to help increase genetic literacy among Asian Americans, Native Americans, African Americans and Latino/a communities.

Learning Objectives:

Articulate the role of community members, community leaders and health advocates in designing genetics educational materials for the Latino/a community at large.
List best practices in the development and implementation of the Latin@ CGEN genetics campaign and evaluation.
Identify effective strategies to empower community residents with information about genetics and health risk, enabling them to identify their own exposure to potential genetic risks so they can make more informed decisions about their health.

Keywords: Genetics, Latinos

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.

Utilizing Principles of Community-Based, Participatory Collaboration to Create Culturally Competent Genetics Education Resources for Diverse, Underserved Populations

The 135th APHA Annual Meeting & Exposition (November 3-7, 2007) of APHA