Established in 1999, the Health Partnership Program (HPP) is a collaborative research program that bridges the needs of Hispanic/Latino communities in the Washington, DC area and the intramural science program at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), a component of the National Institutes of Health. The HPP targets rheumatic diseases because of their significant impact on public health and individual quality of life. For example, arthritis is the leading cause of disability, and the rate of arthritis and its associated disabilities is higher among persons with low education and low income. Lupus, another rheumatic disease, is more common in women of Hispanic/Latino, Asian, African American and Native American descent. In order to incorporate the needs of the targeted communities and build a sustainable program based on respect and understanding, community representatives have been part of the HPP from the very beginning. NIAMS provides science-based materials and resources and community based organizations and leaders provide expertise and guidance. This presentation will introduce the premise behind the HPP, noting health disparities. In addition, it will present the process by which program partnerships were forged, highlighting processes in community organizing, trust building, and priority setting with Hispanic/Latino communities.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: (1) Identify three strategies for community outreach focusing on arthritis and Latinos. (2) Recognize challenges of recruitment of Latinos into clinical investigations. (3) Describe a community-based health promotion program, which targets rheumatic diseases and multicultural communities.
Keywords: Latinos, Arthritis
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services
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.