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

Abstract #116875

Cornell P. Wright¹, Anita P. Holmes, JD, MPH², John W. Hatch, DrPH, MSW², and Linda H. Gilliam, MD, MDiv¹. (1) Center for Health and Healing, General Baptist State Convention, 200 Meredith Drive, Durham, NC 27713, (919) 572-6374, cornell.wright@c4hh.org, (2) General Baptist State Convention, Center for Health and Healing, 200 Meredith Drive, Suite 103, Durham, NC 27713

The Center for Health & Healing, an affiliated organization of the General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and North Carolina Hospital Association are jointly developing a program designed to increase the number of African-Americans who choose to pursue healthcare careers. The initiative focuses on African-American youth between the ages of 12-17 to broaden their knowledge and excitement about pursuing careers in healthcare. Many students are unaware of the vast number of health careers requiring two or less years of post high school training. Too many African-Americans battle with disproportionate burdens of chronic and terminal diseases leading to preventable early deaths. As an example of health career under representation, the number of RN's has remained the same (7.5%) over the past ten years. The percentage of African-Americans in physical therapy, speech pathology, geriatrics, inhalation therapy and environmental sanitation remain alarmingly low. The primary goal of this initiative is to utilize church-based health clubs to provide knowledge, assistance and training to youth in forty different locations statewide. We believe the utilization of established networks within a structure trusted and respected by youth and their parents provide a special opportunity to help them toward career focus in fields of human services essential to community and national wellbeing.

Learning Objectives:

• Increase understanding of African-American presence in the health professions labor force.
• Gain insight into ways African-American based organizations can enhance efforts to reach and enable youth toward successful entry into health careers.
• Understand the value of community mobilization as a resource toward enhancing individual choices in career selection.

Keywords: Faith Community, Health Promotion

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.