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

Abstract #114307

JoAnn M. Thierry, PhD, MSW, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control, 1600 Clifton Road, Mail Stop E-88, Atlanta, GA 30333, 404-498-3022, jxt4@cdc.gov

Breast cancer is a major public health concern for all women including women with disabilities. Disabled women are just as likely as women without disabilities to have ever received a mammogram; however, they are significantly less likely to have been screened within the recommended guidelines. The public health community has increased breast cancer awareness and encouraged women to adopt preventive practices through the use of health communication messages and campaigns, yet few communication messages exist that target women with disabilities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a qualitative study to explore the barriers to breast cancer screening for women with physical disabilities. Barriers identified included: perceived susceptibility, pre-occupation with other health issues, not knowing where to go for accessible screening, difficulty with positioning, inaccessible facilities and equipment, and provider knowledge and attitudes. Disabled women also identified the lack of health promotion messages and materials that reflect their unique needs and concerns as problematic. Consequently, CDC undertook the development of culturally relevant concepts, messages, and health promotion materials designed to increase awareness about breast cancer screening among women with physical disabilities. English and Spanish materials were developed and pilot tested in two communities. Communication goals and objectives, target audience profiles, message development and testing, prototype materials (e.g., posters, print materials, MP3 files), and effective communication channels will be discussed. Implications for future public health practice including best channels for product dissemination, tracking and implementation, and evaluation will be addressed.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to

(
• recognize at least three barriers to breast cancer screening among women with physical disabilities; (
• identify critical components of a health communication campaign; and (3)discuss effective methods for disseminating health promotion information to women with physical disabilities.

Keywords: Disability, Health Communications

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.