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

Abstract #108054

Laura A. Lorenz, BA¹, Tina L. Harralson, PhD¹, Julie Cousler Emig, LSW², and Joanna Ortez Cruz². (1) Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, Einstein Center for Urban Health Policy & Research, One Penn Boulevard, Wister Tower 4th Fl. Suite 4442, Philadelphia, PA 19144, 215-951-8137, lorenzl@einstein.edu, (2) Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 216 W. Somerset St., Philadelphia, PA 19133

Four focus groups have been conducted with 27 Latina women (Average of 6 participants per focus group) to evaluate an existing program, “Un Corazon Saludable: A Healthy Heart Program.” Age of participants ranged from 24-74. The objectives of the “Un Corazon Saludable” program are to increase knowledge of cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors, promote routine physical activity, and improve nutrition practices of a lower SES population of urban, Latinas in North Philadelphia. In addition to evaluating this existing program, other objectives of the focus group included 1) assessing the impact of the program on quality of life, 2) obtaining feedback on how to improve future programs, and 3) identifying barriers to access community health programs. Questionnaires elicited standard demographic information, language preferences, and interest in alternative health related programs. Themes that emerged from the focus groups were isolation, nutritional modification, and need for social support. Given that CVD is the leading cause of death of Latina women living in the United States, it is imperative to examine this disparity within a cultural, social, and environmental context. Future community health outreach programs will be limited in their effectiveness if they fail to competently consider these contextual components. Discussion will include information collected from 2 more focus group sessions.

Learning Objectives:

• 1)Identifying ways to improve the efficacy of outreach programs.
• 2)Discussing cultural, social, and environmental factors that impact program outcomes.

Keywords: Latinas, Health Objectives

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.