The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #54692

Karen Silver, MPH, Office of Communication, Health Education and Public Liaison, National Eye Institute, 31 Center Drive, MSC 2510, Bethesda, MD 20892-2510, 301-496-5248, krs@nei.nih.gov and Rosemary Janiszewski, MS, CHES, Office of Communication, Health Education, and Public Liaison, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, 31 Center Drive MSC 2510, Bethesda, MD 20892-2510.

In 2002, the National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP), coordinated by the National Eye Institute, began the development of an outreach program to educate American Indians and Alaska Natives about diabetic eye disease and the need for people with diabetes to receive regular dilated eye exams. NEHEP convened an American Indian Alaska Native Work Group as an initial discussion and preparation for developing a communication plan to increase awareness of eye health among this population. Multiple geographic, tribal, IHS representation, and other national organizations participated. The first step in developing an education program is to communicate with members of the audience to identify health priorities and understand the environment for accessing health services and information. The NEHEP team conducted focus groups and key informant interviews at five sites in Indian Country: North Dakota, Alaska, Alabama, Washington, and Arizona. The purpose of this formative research was to acquire a general understanding of what information on diabetic eye disease would be helpful for American Indian and Alaska Native communities, how to make it culturally appropriate, how to create effective messages, and also provide insight into appropriate materials development and available dissemination channels. The process was reciprocal and a summary report was shared with the host tribe, village, or sponsors of the visit. This information gathering process will result in the development of a communication plan crafted specifically to develop materials and provide outreach and education on diabetic eye disease to American Indians and Alaska Native with diabetes.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the need for developing culturally appropriate programs and materials; and
• Describe a process for working with the American Indian and Alaska Native population in the development of programs.

Keywords: American Indians, Health Education

Related Web page: www.nei.nih.gov/nehep/outreach.htm

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.