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

Abstract #69226

Nancy E. Oriol, MD¹, Alba N. Cruz, PhD, MPH², Rainelle White², Toni K. Williams, BS², Linda Clayton, MD, MPH², and Michael Byrd, MD, MPH². (1) Office of Student Affairs, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, 617-432-1570, nancy_oriol@hms.harvard.edu, (2) The Family Van Program, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, 25 Shattuck Street, Suite 306, Boston, MA 02115

Racial and ethnic health disparities, particularly those related to chronic illness continue to be an alarming public health problem in the United States. Research shows that lack of or inadequate health care exacerbates this problem. Oftentimes, cultural, linguistic, logistic and psychosocial barriers discourage individuals with health insurance from obtaining care. Additionally, a lack of insurance compounds these issues and prevents individuals from receiving ongoing and coordinated care for their chronic illness. Furthermore, a recent Institute of Medicine study documents how the clinical encounter can be an important variable impacting health disparities. All of these studies highlight the structural and process inequities apparent in our current health care system that contribute to ongoing health disparities. They also speak to a lack of understanding among health care providers on the origins and perpetuation of health disparities. This presentation will describe how the Family Van Program, a community-based mobile health services model of care, addresses these issues by providing “outreach” and “inreach” for Boston’s most vulnerable populations to secure appropriate healthcare including screening, self-care education, management, referrals and follow up. It will also demonstrate how the Family Van model helps providers contextualize the social determinants of health disparities and better understand behavior and lifestyle issues that affect the health and well-being of urban communities. Results from preliminary data analysis will be provided that document the findings of the Family Van’s experience at the patient, provider and medical student levels and further demonstrate this community- based model’s potential for reducing ongoing health disparities.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this session, the participant (learner) will be able to:
• 1] Understand the effectiveness of mobile health services, as a community based health care model, in engaging hard to reach populations. 2] Recognize the potential for mobile health services to address health disparities. 3] Identify the key components for establishing successful mobile health services that serve to build a continuum of care within existing health care delivery systems.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I am the Founder and President of The Family Van Program at Harvard Medical School.