Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #108015

Ana M. Malinow, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Pediatric Emergency Center, Ben Taub General Hospital, 1504 Taub Loop, Houston, TX 77030, 713-873-2597, Ana_Malinow@hchd.tmc.edu and Brian H. Howard, MPH, Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, University of Texas School of Public Health, 7000 Fannin, Suite 2056 K, Houston, TX 77030.

Evidence that U.S. health care is in crisis has failed to drive health-care policy and practice. A striking example is the lack of policy response to the growing number of uninsured Americans despite ample evidence that uninsurance is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and waste. Neither research data nor activists' calls for justice have proved able to decisively affect policy determinants such as public knowledge, attitudes, values, sense of urgency, funding, and voting behavior. In an attempt to join the strengths of research and direct action for policy change, Health Care for All Texas organized a six-city tour of a photographic essay on the uninsured, adding qualitative and emotional depth to the evidence base on uninsurance. Effects on viewers' attitudes were assessed with a questionnaire. Large majorities said the exhibit caused them to see uninsurance as more likely to affect people like themselves and as more harmful to people's lives than they had previously believed. Most viewers reported an increased sense of urgency about reform and an increased likelihood of supporting candidates who favor universal health care. While not negating bias in this self-selected sample, effects were significant even among viewers who had never been uninsured and who did not consider health care “a right.” Survey results suggest that a photography exhibit can affect certain determinants of policy. As a whole, the project encourages more pluralistic, synergistic definitions and uses of evidence, along with quantitative assessment of what constitutes effective activism.

Learning Objectives: After this session, participants will be able to

• Discuss ways of defining, complementing, and translating evidence that are likely to affect determinants of policy.
• Evaluate the usefulness of qualitative photographic evidence in promoting policy change.
• Apply preliminary concepts of evidence-based activism as a stimulus to policy effectiveness in their own research and activism.

Keywords: Health Care Reform, Advocacy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation