The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #40459

Helda Lucia Pinzon-Perez, PhD, CHES¹, Vickie D. Krenz, PhD, MSPH¹, Sean Schafer, MD², Victor Torres, PhD³, Norman Hearst, MD, MPH², Judith T. Gonzalez-Calvo, PhD⁴, and Lisa Chaney, RN⁵. (1) Department of Health Science, California State University, Fresno, 2345 East San Ramon Ave, M/S MH 30, Fresno, CA 93740, (559)278-5329, hpinzonp@csufresno.edu, (2) Family Medicine Residence Program, University of California- San Francisco, University of San Francisco- Fresno, Fresno, CA 93740, (3) Chicano-Latino Studies, California State University, Fresno, 2345 East San Ramon Ave, Fresno, CA 93740, (4) Sociology Department, California State University Fresno, 5340 N. Campus Dr., M/S SS 107, Fresno, CA 93740, (5) Madera Unified School District, Fresno, Fresno, CA 93740

The incidence of Cervical Cancer among Latino women in the Central California Valley is the highest of all ethnic groups. This presentation addresses the impact of culture on health-related decisions, discusses barriers and alternative solutions to increase Latinas' participation in research projects, and discusses culturally-sensitive strategies to get Latinas back in Public Health. This research project involved three major components: 1)the review of 600 charts from participants enrolled in a managed Medicaid system, 2) the development of personal interviews with the participants (conducted in English or Spanish based upon participants' preference), and 3) the proposal of a comprehensive program to motivate Latinas to comply with pap-smear screening recommendations.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participant will be able to

• Recognize the major cultural factors influencing Latinas' decision to take a pap-smear
• Discuss barriers to participation of Latinas in research projects
• Discuss strategies to motivate Latinas to actively participate in research projects
• Analyze the role of Latino women in Public Health

Keywords: Latinas, Migrant Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: This research project has been sponsored by a grant from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (Formerly known as HCFA).
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: This research has been sponsored by a grant from the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services