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

Abstract #109956

Rachel Davis, MSW, Larry Cohen, MSW, Diane Aranda, MPA, and Danice Cook, BA. Prevention Institute, 265 29th Street, Oakland, CA 94611, 510-444-7738, larry@preventioninstitute.org

Poor health and safety outcomes are disproportionately high among low-income people and people of color. With an increased recognition of health disparities, there has been an emphasis on treatment and intervention. There is also a need to prevent health disparities before the onset of injury, illness, or death. This approach includes creating healthier living environments. Prevention is a proven strategy for improving health outcomes. An estimated 50% of all deaths in the US are preventable. The leading causes of death are heart disease, cancer, stroke, unintentional injuries, and diabetes, and they are influenced by conditions in the community environment.

With funding from The California Endowment, Prevention Institute developed a set of materials and tools for policymakers, funders, practitioners, and advocates to advance a preventive approach to improve community health and reduce health disparities. This includes identifying the most promising practices to address health concerns, considering health impact assessment and advancing policy to change the built environment, increase social capital, strengthen services and institutions, and address structural factors. These materials and tools are informed by secondary research and interviews with advocates and practitioners. The research and training materials builds on the Institute's existing tools, research, and publications on community health and health disparities, including Health for All: California's Strategic Approach to Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, an effort co-chaired by APHA. These materials and tools address the roles different sectors can play and how to translate concerns about medical conditions into action to improve community health and reduce health disparities.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the importance and effectiveness of using place-based strategies to reduce health disparities
• Understand how the environment plays a role in shaping behavior
• Understand the roles various sectors play in advancing a preventive approach to improve community health and reduce health disparities

Keywords: Primary Prevention, Health Disparities

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