Karen L. Reddick, MA¹, Angela Ford, MSW², Mario Browne, BS³, Raymond A. Howard, MBA³, Rachael J. Berget, MEd³, Sekai Turner, PHD³, Victoria Garner, BS³, Stephen B. Thomas, PhD⁴, Veronica Sansing, BS³, Devon Taliaferro³, and Tatiana Maxenkova, MS¹. (1) Center for Minority Health, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, 130 DeSoto St, 125 Parran Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, (412) 624-5665, Kreddick@cmh.pitt.edu, (2) Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 125 Parran Hall, 130 DeSoto Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, (3) Center for Minority Health, University of Pittsburgh, 125 Parran Hall, 130 Desoto Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, (4) Director, Center for Minority Health, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health, 125 Parran Hall, 130 Desoto Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, disparities in the burden of death and illness experienced by African-Americans, as compared with the U.S. population as a whole, have existed since the government began tracking such statistics. In response to the goals identified in Healthy People 2010, the University of Pittsburgh Center for Minority Health (CMH) at the Graduate School of Public Health, established Health Disparities Working Groups based on the seven (7) priority areas identified for the Center. The Working Group concept is one strategy used to bring together lay people and professionals from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines to collaborate with the Center in promoting health. The Working Groups plan, organize and implement an annual collaborative community-based health promotion activity related to their particular priority area. While all events target African Americans, they are free and open to the general public. Working Group ‘signature events’ take place during April each year, which is observed as National Minority Health Month. Key components featured at most of the signature events include the use of the arts, health screenings & assessments, and creating a ’fun environment’ to promote health awareness. The strength of the Working Group process is grounded in the Center’s philosophy of inclusion and is open to any adult interested in participating. Group members serve as conveners, while CMH staff provide administrative support and assist with a variety of tasks.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. List goals of the Working Group model
• 2. Describe the role between the Working Groups and Center for Minority Health
• 3. Discuss the benefits of changes in the Working Group format
• 4. Identify ways parity is infused in the Working Group process

Keywords: Health Disparities, African American

Related Web page: www.cmh.pitt.edu/workgroup.htm

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'm employed by the University of Pittsburgh at the Center for Minority Health as a Project Director