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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Martha Ann Terry, PhD, Tammy Thomas, MSW, MPH, Ilene Katz Jewell, MSHyg, and Natasha Brown, BS. Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 221 Parran Hall, 130 Desoto Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, 412-624-8139, tlthomas@pitt.edu

Health disparities exist in many areas, and adult immunization is one of these. For instance, African American and Hispanic adults are less likely to be immunized against influenza and pneumonia, despite nationally known guidelines that recommend both vaccinations for people over 65 and people with certain chronic health conditions. To contribute to the understanding of reasons for the disproportionate immunization rates, we conducted an observation study designed to explore features of medical practices that facilitate and impede adult immunization. Observations were carried out in 14 medical offices and health centers in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Seven of those practices serve a high percentage of African American patients and seven serve a majority of Caucasian patients. Building on previous work, trained observers noted physical features such as location, layout and exam room size; interactions such as those between staff and providers and between providers and patients; presence/absence of culturally appropriate general reading materials and educational information; gender and ethnic/racial composition of staff, including providers; and accessibility. We will discuss the similarities and differences across practices, highlighting features that appear to be critical in encouraging or discouraging adult immunization, with a focus on the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine.

Learning Objectives:

• Heighten awareness of adult immunization disparities
• Increase understanding of features of medical practices affect immunization rates
• Identify areas for interventions to increase immunication rates

Keywords: Immunizations, Access to Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered