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

Abstract #117358

Charmaine Ruddock, BA, MS, Bronx Health REACH, Institute for Urban Family Health, 16 E. 16th St., New York, NY 10003, (212) 633-0800 ext.291, cruddock@institute2000.org

Background: Bronx Health REACH is a CDC-funded coalition of over 40 community-wide partners working to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities. The Coalition has concentrated its policy efforts on legislation that will eliminate the institutional and systemic causes of such disparities. Methodology: The Coalition began by conducting a literature review and focus groups to find the underlying causes of racial and ethnic health disparities in the Bronx, NY region. Seven key points were identified and an advocacy agenda was created around each item. The community, including faith organizations, and community organizations were enlisted to utilize this advocacy framework to challenge current policies. Discussion: With its slogan “Make Health Equality a Reality” Bronx Health REACH has achieved the development of a successful, diverse, and growing coalition that addresses issues in health care, prevention, and the underlying causes of disparities in health outcomes. It has increased community awareness and knowledge of diabetes prevention, care and self-management through such interventions as the faith-based outreach initiative and the community health advocacy program. Through its seven point advocacy agenda, community residents have become increasingly adept at navigating the health care system and advocating for the necessary legal and regulatory changes to eliminate health disparities.

Learning Objectives:

• At the end of the session, participants will be able to articulate the use of a policy agenda by a community to advocate for changes at the local and state levels to result in the elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities in the southwest Bronx.

Keywords: Health Disparities, Policy/Policy Development

Related Web page: www.institute2000.org/cdc/reach.htm

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.