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

Abstract #55809

Holly Felix, MPA and M. Kathryn Stewart, MD MPH. Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 5800 West 10th Street, Suite 410, Little Rock, AR 72204, 501-660-7553, Felixholly@uams.edu

Health status measures for the eight states in the Lower Mississippi River Delta region generally reflect a less healthy population than the rest of the country. These indicators of poor health and survival, and the chronic state of economic distress common to this region, have recently been given national attention through federal legislation establishing the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) and earmarking funds for regional distribution. Identifying areas of greatest need within this region may enable state and federal policymakers to target interventions to produce significant health improvements. Likewise, identifying areas that are faring significantly better in spite of poor economic conditions and other risk factors, may enable state and federal policy makers to recognize successful strategies that could be replicated in other areas. This presentation will describe a methodology using Z scores for six mortality-related measures to identify pockets of extreme (positive and negative) health status and discuss how this method can be used to target interventions.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the health disparities in the Lower Mississippi River Delta region of the US
• Identify at least one federal projects that targets a geographic region
• Describe a statistical methodology to identify areas of extreme health status in order to target resources and/or interventions

Keywords: Health Disparities, Methodology

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.