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

Abstract #110554

Elaine T. Jurkowski, PhD, School of Social Work, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Quigley 4, M/C 4329, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL 62901, (618) 453-2243, etjurkow@siu.edu

The U.S. Surgeon General (1999) suggests that disability due to mental illness in individuals over 65 will become a major public health problem in the near future because of demographic changes. This problem is magnified in rural communities because of the various barriers which play a role in accessing care for rural residents This study examined the perception of older adults relative to substance abuse and mental health issues within a number of rural communities through the Health Belief model (HBM). This theoretical framework was used to identify the benefits of the service delivery process, and to identify barriers to service utilization. A survey questionnaire administered face to face using nine randomly selected senior nutrition sites to secure a sample of 350 subjects. Descriptive statistics, chi square, multiple and hierarchal linear regression were used in the analysis. Findings suggest that there are many misconceptions about what constitutes mental health versus mental illness, and mental health issues are too often perceived to be a function of aging rather than related to impairment. Substance use was not perceived as abuse due to the social mores related to recreational drinking and medication usage. Consumer input is vital in order to ensure services are relevant and timely. The importance of this partnership is further amplified through the Bush's Freedom Commission on Mental Health (April 3, 2003) where goals outlined the elimination of access disparities, particularly within rural communities.

Learning Objectives: