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

Abstract #112533

B. Lee Green, PhD¹, Steve Dorman², Brian Rivers, PhD, MPH¹, Daphne C. Watkins, BA¹, Desiree Rivers, MSPH¹, and Kyrel L. Rowell, MPH¹. (1) Texas A&M University, Center for the Study of Health Disparities, 112 Harrington Tower, TAMU 4222, College Station, TX 77843, 979-862-4403, lgreen@tamu.edu, (2) Division of Health and Safety, Texas A&M University, TAMU 4243, College Station, TX 77843-4243

Health disparities are one of the nation's most pressing public health concerns. Research is needed to help delineate the causes of health disparities and discover solutions for its reduction and elimination. The challenge before us is to develop effective tools, programs, and services that will impact health disparities and provide opportunities for a better quality of life. The purpose of this session is to discuss the development of a health disparities EXPORT research center, the Center for the Study of Health Disparities (CSHD). Prior to the development of the CSHD, a National Institutes of Health funded Center; coordinated efforts at Texas A&M University (TAMU) that focused on health disparities were non-existent. In response, a systems approach was implemented and collaborations with TAMU, Prairie View A&M University (a Historically Black College and University (HBCU)), and the Bryan-College Station Community Health Clinic (a federally qualified health center), were established. Through the collaborative research relationships, special efforts were implemented to identify and transition faculty without terminal degrees and outstanding bachelor's and master's students into the doctoral granting institution, thereby creating a mechanism for training future professionals and researchers in the area of health disparities. This collaborative effort, in addition, extends to community-based organizations. Significant progress was accomplished during the first year of the project. The linkages and collaborations among university researchers, administrators, and community stakeholders were vital to the overall success of this project. This session will discuss the project's activities, effectiveness, outcomes, and challenges, as well as its institutional impact.

Learning Objectives:

• To discuss the effectiveness of an academic based Center for the Study of Health Disparities in creating the capacity to conduct health disparities research.
• To discuss the steps involved with implementing a transdisciplinary systems approach to eliminating health disparities.

Keywords: Health Disparities, Infrastructure

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