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

Abstract #113253

Adriane K. Griffen, MPH, CHES, Spina Bifida Association of America, 4590 Mac Arthur Blvd., NW, Suite 250, Washington, DC 20007, 202-944-3285x13, agriffen@sbaa.org

Spina bifida is the most common and permanently disabling birth defect causing paralysis, neurological disorders, and learning disabilities. Today, 80-90 percent of infants born with spina bifida live. The Spina Bifida Association of America (SBAA) works to enhance the lives of all affected. As a result of The Evidence-Based Practice in Spina Bifida: Building a Research Agenda conference, SBAA realized there is an immense need for a basic health guide for the growing population of adults living with spina bifida. The Health Guide for Adults Living with Spina Bifida was developed using a social marketing methodology. Social marketing is the application of marketing concepts to encourage proactive and willing behavior change of target audiences; in this case, adults living with spina bifida. Audience research was conducted with adults who have spina bifida to develop the content and assess usability (t1-April 2004: telephone discussion group; t2-September 2004: focus groups (2), telephone discussion group; t3-March 2005: focus groups (2), individual interviews). The findings of this research were utilized in the content development and dissemination of the Health Guide for Adults Living with Spina Bifida (available Summer 2005). To assess the impact of the health guide on health behavior of adults, a series of questions on self-care health practices have been added to SBAA's National Survey of the Spina Bifida Community (baseline-September 2004, March 2005; t1-September 2005). Online and paper guide dissemination results and analysis of impact on health behavior of adults living with spina bifida will be available at time of presentation.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Apply social marketing methods for health promotion efforts among people who have a disability
• Discuss health needs of people who have a disability, specifically spina bifida
• Describe how social marketing methods can be used for health promotion efforts among people who have a disability

Related Web page: www.sbaa.org

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.