The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #43077

Neva Kayaani, RN, BSN¹, Alice Canner Garnanez, RN, BSN¹, Phoenix Phoenix, RN, BSN¹, Gayle Williamson², and Stuart Noble². (1) Public Health Nursing Department, Northern Navajo Medical Center, U.S.P.H.S. , I.H.S, P.O. Box 160, Shiprock, NM 87420, (2) Four Directions Health Communications, Northern Navajo Medical Center, U.S.P.H.S. , I.H.S, P.O. Box 160, Shiprock, NM 87420

This presentation will demonstrate the process of developing a program to emphasize social marketing of Public Health to educate population based individuals, systems, and communities on the Navajo Nation. A strategic planning meeting by the Community Health Service branch of the Navajo Area Indian Health Service at Shiprock Service Unit in New Mexico, was held in 1999. This revealed a knowledge deficit within the health care setting and the community about what Public Health is and how it affects our lives. Based upon these findings, University of New Mexico offered “Public Health 101- Train the Trainers” to employees who were willing to teach a class on the fundamentals of Public Health to Shiprock I.H.S. employees and the Navajo Nation at large. “Fundamentals of Public Health” was then designed to reflect the history of public health in relation to the Navajo Nation. The compilation of the class material included a video developed by the North Carolina Public Health Department, which sought to educate the general public on the importance of Public Health. The concept of the video was excellent, but based on evaluations it needed to be culturally appropriate in order to be an effective teaching tool. The Departments of Public Health Nursing, Office of Environmental Health, and the Four Directions Health Communications collaborated to produce “Chei’s Dream”, a video that depicts what life would be like without the presence of Public Health on the Navajo Nation. “Chei’s Dream” will be v iewed during this presentation.

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

• Identify the need for Public Health advocacy in their respective communities.
• Discuss and analyze collaborative efforts needed in their communities to develop Public Health advocacy programs.
• Recognize the importance of and apply community based social marketing of Public Health.

Keywords: Navajo, Public Health Advocacy

Related Web page: N/A

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: N/A
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.