The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #42998

Ellen D Smolker, MPH¹, Eugenia Eng, DrPH¹, Bernice McElrath, BA², and Naomi Robinson, BA². (1) Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, 2020 Wa Wa Avenue, Durham, NC 27707, (919) 489-1379, smolker@email.unc.edu, (2) Surviving Angels Inspirational Images Project, P.O Box 962, Robersonville, NC 27871

During March 2001 through April 2002 13 African American breast cancer survivors from eastern North Carolina (self-named, Surviving Angels) used the participatory action research method, photovoice, as a means to voice their survivorship needs to influential people in their communities. Specifically, the Surviving Angels took photographs that represented specific aspects of their survivorship experience that they chose to explore. During monthly meetings the Angels used these photographs to trigger in-depth discussions about their needs as long-term survivors, and how these needs can be addressed within their communities. At the completion of the project the Surviving Angels hosted a forum for influential people in their communities who they recognized as advocates for breast cancer survivors. During this forum the Angels not only presented their photographs and the themes that emerged during their discussions, but also engaged the influential advocates in a discussion about why these needs exist and how they can better be addressed within their communities. Here we present the action steps that emerged during the forum and assess how well the forum set the stage for survivors and advocates to actually forge collaborative partnerships in developing strategies for addressing the needs of breast cancer survivors in rural eastern North Carolina.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe a participatory action research strategy to provide the means for survivors to voice their needs to influential people in their communities;
• List specific action steps that can be taken to address the needs of survivors
• Understand the rationale for forging collaborations among survivors and influential people in their communities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.