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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Anne L. S. Rogers, MEd,, ABD, CHES, Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Office of Substance Abuse, 11 State House Station, Marquardt 3rd Floor, Augsta, ME 04333-0011, 207-287-4706, anne.rogers@maine.gov and Angela Westhoff, MA, Healthy Androscoggin, Central Maine Medical Center, 364 Main Street, Lewiston, ME 04240.

A Cultural Subpopulation is defined as any subpopulation which shares a distinct set of cultural characteristics that appear to influence the substance abuse patterns and related impacts within that group. Culture is defined by the National Center on Cultural Competence, Georgetown University as “an integrated pattern of human behavior, which includes but is not limited to—thought, communication, languages, beliefs, values, practices, customs, courtesies, rituals, manners of interacting, roles, relationships and expected behaviors of a racial, ethnic, religious, social or political group; the ability to transmit the above to succeeding generations; dynamic in nature.” These characteristics may influence or be related to specific risk or protective factors (i.e. social norms related to substance use or availability of specific substances) and/or to unique aspects of their relationship to the larger social environment (i.e. the impact of advertising promotions targeting a specific cultural group). There may also be connections between substance abuse and other disparities (i.e. chronic disease rates, sexually transmitted disease rates, disproportionate involvement in the criminal justice system, child abuse or domestic violence, etc.), which, if better understood, might improve the effectiveness of collaboration between prevention practitioners in different fields. The information provided in this presentation will summarize the findings from six studies on cultural subpopulations in Maine which are adults 65 years and older; Women 18-25 in college; 18-24 year olds not in college full-time; 18-24 year old GLBTQ; and the Sudanese and Cambodian populations.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

• Describe the needs and readiness of older adult populations in relation to substance use and abuse issues.
• Identify substance abuse issues in older adults, 18-24 year olds, GLBTQ, and Cambodian and Sudanese populations.
• Create a plan that targets substance abuse issues in similar populations in their community.

Keywords: Research, Substance Abuse Prevention

Related Web page: www.maineosa.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: This is new research in Maine, the six studies should be completed by July 2006. If this proposal is accepted by APHA, it will be the first National public presentation of the collective studies.

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation