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

Abstract #116017

Martha Andom, MPH, Arlington County Communicable Disease Bureau, 1800 N. Edison St., Arlington, VA 22207, (703) 228-5314, mandom@arlingtonva.us

Nauck is a small historically African American community located in Arlington County, Virginia, with a population of nearly 4,000 residents: 60 % African American, 20 % White, 4.5% Asian, and 16 % Latino and other recent immigrants). With a median household income far below that of the larger Arlington community, African American residents face numerous challenges to their health and wellbeing. A targeted community assessment was completed in November 2004 by Public Health Nursing students from Georgetown University. Interviews with community leaders, including two ministers and the presidents of two civic associations, residents, and health care providers revealed that: many residents are underinsured or uninsured, and consequently, many utilize the emergency room for their health care services; Nauck averages 1.7 deaths per week. Ill health is an accepted part of life in the Nauck community; residents lack understanding of the need for regular medical checkups and are unaware of available low-cost preventive services; and lastly, providers are unaware of Nauck community needs. Subsequent to the release of the health assessment report, additional meetings were held with stakeholders to explore ways to meet the needs of the community. A partnership was formed among a community church (Lomax Baptist Church), Arlington County Public Health Division, a civic association, and two nursing schools. Volunteering the church building as a site for student nurses to deliver health education and to host health fairs, the church pastor recruited members of his congregation to participate in the health offerings. This presentation will detail the development of the partnership, its early successes and challenges.

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

• Articulate ways in which the various entities within a public/private partnership can work together in meeting the needs of a vulnerable population.
• Describe how a public/private partnership of a faith-based organization, governmental agency, community members, and a public and private university can facilitate the delivery of essential public health services.

Keywords: African American, Health Disparities

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