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

Abstract #114680

Gloria Lewis, MA, Minnesota Department of Health, 85 E 7th Place, Ste 400, St. Paul, MN 55101, 651/297-5813, gloria.lewis@state.mn.us

This session will describe Minnesota's experience using a community based approach in its statewide initiative to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities. The Minnesota Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative (EHDI) grew out of a grassroots effort of populations of color and American Indians that demonstrated the devastating impact of health disparities on their communities. From conception to implementation, communities of color and tribes have been involved in the EHDI. As a result, the EHDI is a comprehensive, community-driven initiative that builds on the strengths of communities.

This session will describe the vital roles communities have played in the development and implementation of the EHDI, the lessons learned and successes of this community-led initiative. The first part of the session will describe how the knowledge and expertise of communities of color and tribal communities shaped the development of the EHDI legislation, the request for proposals and the selection of the grantees. The second part the session will describe the partnerships created through EHDI and the methods used to build the capacity of the EHDI grantees and how this led to changes in systems-level outcomes. Finally, the session will provide some examples of the innovative work from EHDI grantees.

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

• Describe how the knowledge and expertise of communities of color and tribal communities in Minnesota helped shape the Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative.
• Recognize the benefits of community and government partnerships when developing statewide programming.
• Develop a plan for community involvement in policy and programming. To understand the benefits of community and government partnerships when developing statewide programming. To learn about the culturally specific programs of Minnesota’s Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative grantees.

Keywords: Health Disparities, Community Collaboration

Related Web page: www.health.state.mn.us/ommh

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.