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

Abstract #109978

Amari Sokoya Pearson-Fields, MPH, Mautner Project, the National Lesbian Health Organization, 1707 L Street, NW, Suite 230, Washington, DC 20036, 202-332-5536, apearsonfields@mautnerproject.org and Ami Gaston, MA, Mautner Project for Lesbians with Cancer, 1707 L Street, NW, Suite 230, Washington, DC 20036.

Data has shown that African American lesbians and bisexual women who participate in proactive healthy behaviors such as weight control, proper nutrition, exercise, and regular physician visits are more likely to include breast and cervical cancer screening in their self-care regimen. Therefore, it may be advisable to develop cancer prevention programs that holistically address multiple health behaviors within a culturally appropriate framework. The Spirit Health Education Circle (SHE-Circle) represents a health education program aimed at increasing cancer screening among African American lesbians and bisexual women in a way that incorporates mind, body, and spirit, and utilizes peer support for healthy living and cancer prevention education. The program components include a series of health education booklets which address nutrition and exercise, smoking cessation, breast, colorectal and reproductive cancer screening, and coming out to your healthcare provider. Additionally, we have created an on-line wellness community; a health passport and an educational curriculum which will be available to interested participants and organizations providing services to African American lesbians and bisexual women nation-wide. Alternative health practices which are aimed at integrating as well as elevating the mind~body~spirit connection are incorporated throughout this program and include techniques such as energy and breath work; stress reduction and relaxation through meditation/visualization; and Reiki & Shiatzu. This presentation will outline the components of the program as well as the development process for the materials, website, and curriculum.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the importance of integrating mind body and spirit in cancer prevention.
• Describe a culturally competent health educaiton program for African American lesbians.
• Understand the importance of support for healthy living strategies.

Keywords: African American, Cancer Prevention

Related Web page: www.shecircle.org/index2.php

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.