Jackie Cason, RNC, MSN, School of Nursing, Georgia Southwestern State University, 800 Wheatley Street, Americus, GA 31709, 229-931-2278, jbc@canes.gsw.edu, Teresa C. Juarbe, RN, PhD, Department of Family Health Care Nursing, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, 2 Koret Way Room 411-Y, San Francisco, CA 94143-0606, and Maria Warda, RN, PhD, Dean, School of Nursing, Georgia Southwestern State University, 800 Wheatley Streeet, Americus, GA 31709.

Rural Georgia has become substantially more diverse in the last decade. Hispanic and other minorities now account for more than one-third of the total population of Georgia. As Latinos have become concentrated in rural areas, researchers have documented greater poverty, lower salaries, and lower education of rural Latinos when compared to Latinos employed in urban areas.

This descriptive study was conducted to complete a community health needs assessment survey in partnership with the School of Nursing and a rural Hispanic community faith-based organization. A standardized community health assessment questionnaire was used to assess community health needs perceptions. Twenty-one family interviews were conducted at the home setting or at the church by nursing students and members of the community.

Participants identified diabetes (23.8%) and respiratory problems (23.8%) as the two most important health problems in their community. The third most important health problem identified was hypertension (14.3%). The mean age of participants using health services in this survey was 30.69. Seventy-six percent of the participants did not have any type of health insurance.

Results from this survey were used to implement faith-based community nursing interventions to address these perceived community health problems including an influenza vaccine clinic and an educational session on respiratory health. A health resource guide was also developed for the community. The success and challenges of community partnerships between universities and faith-based organizations will be discussed.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this session the participant will be able to

• Describe strategies to develop health interventions that are culturally sensitive and important from the perspective of the community.
• Describe an example of an evidence-based population focused project in a Latino population.
• Identify strategies to provide nursing students opportunities with experience providing care to vulnerable populations.

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.