The REACH Detroit Partnership, funded through the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health 2010 initiative of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), developed a community action plan (CAP) to reduce disparities in cardiovascular disease and diabetes among African-Americans and Hispanics in the east and southwest sides of Detroit. The Community Health & Social Services Center (CHASS), Inc., in Southwest Detroit, serves as the Central Coordinating Organization (CCO). The initiative builds upon the existing Detroit Community-Academic Urban Research Center (URC), and is in the forefront of local public health efforts by formally bringing the African-American and Hispanic neighborhoods in Detroit together to engage in a community health planning process. REACH Work groups, focus groups and community councils were used to increase knowledge and understanding of the prevalence, impact, health services access and utilization, barriers, protective factors, and effective community intervention approaches and strategies related to cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This paper will present knowledge gained through the process of developing the CAP, as well as an assessment of the relationships developed between the REACH Detroit Partnership and other community-based organizations, health and human service agencies, community leaders, and community members and their role in a collaborative approach to reduce health disparities.
Learning Objectives: 1. Describe how diverse communities can join together in community health planning to address health disparities. 2. Identify the strengths and challenges of community-academic partnerships to plan and develop community-based public health programs. 3. Recognize the importance of participatory and inclusive practices in developing a community action plan
Keywords: Community Health Planning, Minority Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.