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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Blanca M. Ramos, MSW, PhD¹, Ramon Rodriguez², Myrna L. Friedlander, PhD³, Ingrid V. Rodriguez Albert, BA³, Peter Lenz, Esq², and Janine M. Jurkowski, PhD, MPH⁴. (1) Center for the Elimination of Minority health Disparities (NIH-NCMHD # 5RDMD001120), University at Albany School of Social Welfare, 1400 Washington Avenue, Richardson 109, Albany, NY 12222, 518-442-5365, ramos@albany.edu, (2) Resource Center for Independent Living, 2540 Riverfront Center, Amsterdam, NY 12010, (3) Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York, ED 220, 1440 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222, (4) Department of Health Policy, Management, & Behavior, University at Albany School of Public Health, One University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144

One strategy to eliminate healthcare disparities for Latinos is influencing the higher education curriculum to enhance the cultural competence of students in health professions. This helps prepare future healthcare providers to overcome cultural barriers known to contribute to Latino's healthcare underutilization, deferral, and low patient treatment compliance. This presentation describes the development and pilot testing of a culture immersion program in a rural Latino community as part of an NIH funded project. Faculty from a northeastern university and community leaders partnered to work collaboratively. Graduate students moved for a short time from their cities of residence to live with Latino families, visit healthcare organizations, and participate in community activities. Participants observed, learned, shared, and exchanged information focusing on what shapes Latinos health beliefs, practices, and help seeking preferences. Students could critically analyze their own biases, prejudices, stereotypes, and clinical uncertainties with regard to Latinos within the context of this population's ethnic reality. Pre and post questionnaires indicated personal and professional satisfaction through exposure to Latino language, family and social life, food and customs. Participants developed a deeper understanding of Latino cultural traits such as familism, simpatia, and collectivism, becoming acutely aware of personal and systemic barriers underlying healthcare disparities. The success of this pilot project was largely due to effective community-academic partnership and collaboration. This experiential learning will be presented within the context of relevant literature. References will be provided. Implications of cultural competency in the workforce to eliminate health disparities through health education and health promotion will be discussed.

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