4094.0: Tuesday, November 14, 2000 - 1:24 PM

Abstract #17626

Florida Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) 2010 Initiative

FT Close, PhD, CP Brown, DrPH, CM Harris, PhD, KM Harper, PhD, AL Hollis, PhD, and AM Freeman, PhD. College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences/Institute of Public Health, Florida A&M University, Science Research Facility, Room 110, Tallahassee, FL 32307, 850-599-3053, fclose@famu.edu

The Department of Health and Human Services has identified priority areas in which racial and ethnic minorities experience serious health disparities. The Florida REACH 2010 Project proposes to examine the root causes of the disparities in infant mortality rates. The long-term goal of this project is to involve the communities in reducing or eliminating the disparity in infant mortality rates between African American and white populations in Florida. This project involves two Florida counties, Gadsden and Hillsborough, which represent a small rural community and a large urban community, respectively. These counties were chosen because they have racial disparities in infant mortality rates in excess of the state and other comparable Florida counties. Thus, the objectives of the planning year are 1) to utilize existing data and conduct a community specific needs assessment 2) to initiate a community education campaign, and 3)to develop intervention strategies and a Community Action Plan. It is hoped that the Florida REACH 2010 Project in collaboration with community-based coalitions, community leaders, providers, and consumers will reduce or eliminate the racial disparity in African American infant mortality rates in Florida.

Learning Objectives: N/A

Keywords: Infant Mortality, Maternal 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.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA