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

Abstract #113277

Viki Marsh, MEd, CHES, Project Director, Breast and Cervical Cancer Project, Cuyahoga County Board of Health, 5550 Venture Drive, Parma, OH 44130, 216. 201.2001 X 1505, vmarsh@ccbh.net, Donna Burke, BSN, CCM, Director Community Health Services, Cuyahoga County Board of Health, 5550 Venture Drive, Parma, OH 44130, Yachun Ku, PhD, Executive Director Cleveland Chinese Senior Citizen Association, 2999 Payne Avenue, Suite 210, Cleveland, OH 44114, and Vickie Campbell- Konah, RN, Director of Cancer Control, American Cancer Society, Cuyahoga Area Office, 10501 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106.

There are approximately 25,245 Asian-Americans in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, which is 1.8% of the total population. Of this group 7,229 are Chinese, most of whom live within the city of Cleveland. Poverty, cultural beliefs, language barriers, mistrust of western physicians and unfamiliarity with the U.S. health care system all contribute to poor utilization of necessary education, prevention and supportive services. Recognizing the health disparities of the Asian community, the Cleveland Chinese Senior Citizens Association (CCSCA) began providing an annual health fair for the medically under-served and low income elderly in 1991. Through these annual health fairs, further relationship building evolved with several community-based agencies. In 1995, the Ohio Breast and Cervical Cancer Project (OBCCP) initiated the free mammogram program at the health fairs and eight women participated. In 2004, the OBCCP and American Cancer Society (ACS) had 74 women receive mammograms and 31 women had Pap tests. The first year the paperwork was filled out at the health fair and the women had to go to a hospital for their services. In subsequent years, we have provided all services on site, even the pap tests. The women are very receptive and the volunteers for translation are available at that time as well. A long standing collaboration exists between the CCSCA, ACS, OBCCP, and the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation of Cleveland, who provide translation services. Through assessment and the evaluation process we have collectively identified barriers unique to this population and have modified service delivery to achieve success.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify key leaders and advocates in the Asian community and health and social service agencies with similar goals and objectives.
• List three strategies to implement the Breast and Cervical Cancer Project (BCCP) in the Asian community.
• Describe successes and challenges of providing BCCP services to the Asian community.

Keywords: Access and Services, Asian Women

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.