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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Maribel Valle, PhD and Judith Rabak-Wagener, PhD. School of Allied Health Professions, Northern Illinois University, Wirtz Hall, Dekalb, IL 60112, 815-753-2436, mvalle@niu.edu

Increasing Latino participation in health care careers is crucial if Healthy People 2010's goal of eliminating health disparities is ever to be attained. The purpose of this study was to determine the success of strategies aimed at increasing Latino high school student commitment to health careers in Northern Illinois. A collaboration between Northern Illinois University's Center for Latino and Latin American Studies and 3 local community colleges, the project was designed to increase the number of Latino students who enter health careers by providing four structured activities throughout the academic year to targeted high school students: 1) school based clubs, 2) service projects, 3) community college outreach, and 4) a service project fair. The evaluation addresses both process and outcome measures. Data were collected through participant observation of project activities. Survey data were collected by program staff at project initiation and at delivery of the community college outreach activities. Archival data, such as e-mail correspondence, meeting reports, attendance lists, and club notes were analyzed. The project was clearly successful in meeting its intended objectives. It exceeded expectations in terms of student participation and service project delivery. Strengths of the project were: 1) commitment of staff, 2) clearly defined role expectations for collaborating agencies, 3) culturally appropriate educational materials.

Learning Objectives: Learning objectives

Upon completion, participants (learners) will be able to
• Identify strategies to recruit Latino high school students into health careers
• Describe mechanisms for identifying possible collaborative relationships between secondary and higher education to facilitate recruitment of Latino students into health careers
• Gain insight into ways in which service learning can be utilized as a mechanism to interest Latino youth in health careers.

Keywords: Health Disparities, Hispanic Youth

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered