Recorded presentation

Nancy Jewell, MPA, Research and Training, Indiana Minority Health Coalition, 3737 N. Meridian Street, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46208, Kathleen M. Russell, DNS, RN, School of Nursing, Indiana University, 1111 Middle Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5107, Terrell Zollinger, DrPH, Bowen Research Center, Indiana University, 1110 West Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, 317-278-0307, TZollinger@indiana.edu, Robert M. Saywell, PhD, MPH, School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Indiana University, 1110 West Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, and Nancy A Jewell, MPA, Terry & Associates, Private Consulatant, 8484 Laurel Valley Drive, Indianapolsi, IN 46250.

As a result of an innovative strategic planning process, involving the mobilization of community and political supporters, a minority health research center, the Racial and Ethnic Minority Epidemiological Center, was created under the auspices of the Indiana Minority Health Coalition. The center is a unique entity in that it governed by a statewide not-for-profit community agency rather than a university or health department. It was created by statute and receives state funding. The mission of the Racial and Ethnic Minority Epidemiological Center is “to serve as a centralized source for the collection and dissemination of information that will influence policy and provide directions for the enhancement of health activities targeting Indiana’s various racial and ethnic minority populations.” This presentation will provide a description of the significant historical milestones in the creation of the Center, its evolution in setting up the governance and infrastructure, and the current projects in which Center staff are engaged as a result of inclusive strategic planning. Key to its mission is the integration of a participatory research approach in its projects, and a priority to disseminate and promote the utilization of results back to minority communities as well as to other audiences.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Relate how a nontraditional approach was used in the establishment of a statutory minority health research center.
• 2. Compare the similarities and difference in governance and structure of the Indiana Minority Health Coalition’s minority health research center with other established centers.
• 3. Describe the participatory action research approach used in center projects.

Keywords: Epidemiology, Ethnic Minorities

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: Dr. Zollinger is currently being paid as a consultant on current projects with the Epi-center but volunteered during the planning process of the Epi-center.

Recorded presentation