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Abstract #162707

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Linda Sprague Martinez, MA, MA¹, Cileimar Oliveira, MEd², Gena Davis³, Laura Rivera¹, Andrea Thoumi¹, Kirema Garcia-Reyes¹, Jessica Hochstadt¹, Kerline Theodore¹, Daniel Becker³, Laura Herman¹, Alyssa Levin-Scherz¹, and David M. Gute, PhD, MPH, BA⁴. (1) Community Health Program, Tufts University, 112 Packard Ave., Medford, MA 02155, 617-627-5445, Linda.Martinez@tufts.edu, (2) Cambridge College, 80 Prospect Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, (3) International Relations, Tufts University, Cabot Intercultural Center, Medford, MA 02155, (4) Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, 113 Anderson Hall, Medford, MA 02155

As the immigrant population in the United States grows, foreign-born individuals are becoming increasingly critical to the country's culture, society, and economy. However, immigrants are disproportionately affected by barriers to healthcare and social services that may limit their access to quality services while negatively impacting their growth and development. Building on work done by the International Center for Migration and Health on social insertion, the aim of this research study was to facilitate the wellbeing of immigrant communities in Somerville, MA, by providing immigrant services providers with needed data. Conducted in collaboration with the Immigrant Service Provider's Group in Somerville, this study consisted of an anonymous survey of first generation immigrants. What makes this community-based research project unique is that it was designed collaboratively by students, community members and faculty. In order to engage a greater number of undergraduate students in community initiatives, the study was placed in the context of an undergraduate research seminar entitled Community Health: Theory and Practice. This course was different from a traditional university research seminar in that 1) it was open to community partners and as well as students, 2) community partners played a role in the course design and delivery and 3)students were expected to participate as equal members of the research team, which involved changing traditional classroom dynamics. This paper reports on the design and implementation of both the seminar and study itself. In addition we report on preliminary research findings.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the need for partnerships in community health planning and policy development
• Identify non traditional community partners
• Engage students in community-based efforts to impact policy

Keywords: Immigrants, Community-Based Partnership

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.

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• Multimedia recording