The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #41830

Danielle E. Ruedt, MPH and Theresa Sipe, PhD. College of Health and Human Sciences, Georgia State University, Office of the Dean, Atlanta, GA 30303, 404-651-2209, druedt@gsu.edu

The overall goals of Healthy People 2010 are to increase quality and years of healthy life and to eliminate health disparities. Health disparities are particularly prominent among racial/ethnic minorities. During 2001, the Georgia Fatherhood Services Network offered more than 3000 noncustodial parents job readiness and life skills workshops, short and long-term job skills training, and assistance securing stable employment for the purpose of paying child support obligations. In an effort to explore health disparities among racial/ethnic minorities, the purpose of this presentation is to report the perceived health needs of African-American noncustodial fathers. Understanding of the perceived health needs of this racial/ethnic population will direct planning of health promotion and education as well as health provision for a historically underserved and hard-to-reach population.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe demographic characteristics that typify noncustodial fathers who are unable to pay child support in the state of Georgia.
• Define the major barriers fathers face to employment that result in the absence or interruption of health care coverage.
• Identify the perceptions of health needs of African-American noncustodial fathers participating in the Georgia Fatherhood Program.

Keywords: Minority Health, Health Needs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Support from this study was provided by State of Georgia Department of Human Resources contract 427-93-25446.