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

Abstract #68639

Robert Bosarge, RN, BSN¹, Shawn M. Kneipp, PhD, ARNP², Joan B. Castleman, RN, MS³, Joanne T Richard, ARNP, PhD², Nancy Tigar, RN, DrPH², Beatrice Ellis⁴, and Jean Munden, RN, BSN, MPH¹. (1) Each One Reach One Community Cardiovascular Health Program, Alachua County Health Department, 224 SE 24th Street, PO Box 1327, Gainesville, FL 32606, 352-334-8889, Robert_Bosarge@doh.state.fl.us, (2) College of Nursing, University of Florida, PO Box 100187, Gainesville, FL 32610-0187, (3) Health Care Environments and Systems, University of Florida College of Nursing, Box 100187, Gainesville, FL 32610, (4) Northeast Neighborhood Watch, 316 NE 14th Street, Gainesville, FL 32641

Two primary objectives of the Each One Reach One Program are to reduce health disparities and address cardiovascular risk factors in an underserved population. While the importance of the concept ‘continuity of care’ is well understood within the context of providing care to individual patients/clients, it is equally important to practice with communities. This paper describes the relevance of maintaining continuity of care for initiating a cardiovascular health program in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Evidence for funding the program came directly from data that had been gathered in a prior comprehensive community health assessment. Once funded, program staff interviewed both formal and informal leaders. Strong perceptions of abandonment and of feeling used were discovered during this initial assessment phase. Further examination revealed that these feelings were largely the result of little or no perceived follow-up after the completion of several earlier studies and university student projects in the same neighborhoods. These attitudes were identified as potential barriers for the program, and efforts were made to communicate the connection between residents’ participation in the earlier community health assessment and the creation of the Each One Reach One Program. Successful community acceptance of the program was highly dependent on demonstrating this link. This paper provides additional examples from the program to support the inclusion of continuity in any plan to care for a community. Further applications will also be discussed with respect to relationships and how they may foster healthy behaviors, and motivate and support changes to improve health.

Learning Objectives:

• 1) Describe how continuity of care was applied to the community of East Gainesville.
• 2) Describe how continuity of care was essential to the community’s acceptance of the program.
• 3) Discuss further applications of continuity of care with this project and other similar community-based interventions.

Keywords: Community-Based Partnership, Health Advocacy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Alachua County's Each One Reach One Community Cardiovascular Health Program - funded by the Preventive Health & Health Services Block Grant from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Coordinator of program, funded by Preventive Health & Health Services Block Grant by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.