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

Abstract #118072

Joann T. Richardson, PhD, School of Education, Department of Exercise Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, 817 W. Franklin Street, P.O.Box 842037, Richmond, VA 23284-2037, 804-827-9345, jtrichar@vcu.edu, Gwendolyn G. Parker, MS, FNP-C, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, 401 College Street, P.O. Box 980037, Richmond, VA 23298-0037, Michael Pyles, PhD, Department of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, P.O. Box 980533, Richmond, VA 23298, and Unyime Nseyo, MD, University of Florida Medical School, Division of Urology, P.O. Box 100247, 1600 S.W. Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32610-0247.

In the 21st century, health education and health promotion is increasingly reliant on computer-based telecommunications and information technology. For minorities and persons of low socioeconomic status (SES), this preponderance of health information via computers has widened the already existing information gap since they are the least likely to have access to new computer technology within or outside the home. Consequently, the resulting digital divide isolates them from the latest findings and recommendations for prevention, early detection or treatment to attenuate the dire consequences of disease and reduce health disparities. In few cases is this need for information more evident than in prostate health for African American men, who experience the highest prostate cancer incidence and mortality in the world. Inasmuch as African-Americans account for one-third of the nation's poor, combining race and low SES reveals an even greater risk of adverse prostate cancer outcomes, largely due to being chronically uninformed and out of the mainstream of state-of-the-art health information. This study assessed the receptivity of African-American men to a user-friendly, easily accessible, community-based e-health education modality for prostate health information. Inquiry regarding specific factors affecting their receptivity included (a) ease of use (b) the use of text, graphics and/or sound, (c) the time commitment (d) the location (e) privacy, and (f) preference for traditional information methods (e.g., brochures, lectures) vs. cutting edge methods. Receptivity was determined based on responses focusing on informational content and format, community site selection, confidentiality and information method preferences. The outcomes of this study inform policymakers regarding the need to move forward with community-based efforts to bridge the digital divide and ensure health information parity for all.

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

• Describe the barriers and facilitators associated with e-health technology applications for African-American men,
• Assess the appropriateness of informational content and format, time commitment and community sites for the e-health technology application,
• Apply the strategies in developing community-based e-health technology applications.

Keywords: African American, Cancer

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.