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

Abstract #117364

Jean J. E. Bonhomme, MD, MPH, Behavioral Sciences and Health Education Department, Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30322, (404) 712-9518, jbonhom@sph.emory.edu

Racial and ethnic minority males are demonstrably less likely to have had physician contact in the past year or to carry health insurance than whites or women. Many of the CDC-defined leading causes of death affect men more than women, and often affect minority males disproportionately. Distrust of the healthcare system, culturally fostered and deeply ingrained stoic attitudes towards pain and illness, language barriers (including reading level), and overall lack of familiarity with the healthcare system contribute to widespread underutilization of preventive health services by minority males relative to other demographic groups. For Asian-Americans, the multitude of languages, nationalities, and cultures may constitute an especially formidable barrier. The resultant increased risk of illness and death borne by minority males may impact minority communities on many levels, frequently limiting their overall potential for health and economic productivity. The second annual Community Health and Men's Promotion Summit (C.H.A.M.P.S.) took place in 2004 at the Atlanta Civic Center, evidencing substantial African-American, Latino and Asian male participation. Successful outreach was attributed to advertising through multiple media venues, including radio, television, multilingual posters, and newspaper advertisements (including ethnic language publications); enlisting Latin-American and Asian-American community associations to recruit and transport individuals to the event; engaging entire families to bring men and facilitate their understanding of health regimens; promoting understanding of disease processes and management; emphasizing the participant as a whole person, “not just a prostate”; addressing performance concerns (including sexual performance); and presenting health screening to men in the form of a male-identified community event.

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