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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Debra L. Murphy, PhD, MPH, Psychology, Huston-Tillotson University, 900 Chicon Street, Austin, TX 78702, 512-799-3637, dmurphy54@aol.com and Shannon Jones, MPH, ATCDHHS Health/AIDS Institute, 900 Chicon Street, Austin, TX 78702.

Background: Through a collaboration of a Historically Black University (HBCU), consumers, and the county health authority, focus groups with African American consumers conducted by students in a Racial Disparities in Health course, yielded findings that were presented to stakeholders, including policy makers, at a Health Disparities Summit. The objective was to engage students in a collaborative advocacy/activism learning experience to impact policy. Methods: Focus questions addressed the following perceptions pertaining to health disparities (awareness, knowledge, and information; behavior; accessibility; advocacy; and solutions). The questions were administered to five groups of 5-10 African American consumers in the five-county radius; summary data themes gleaned were presented by students to key policymakers at the Summit. Results: Denial and a fatalistic orientation were found to be juxtaposed against a backdrop of systemic barriers (economic; clinic inaccessibility/unavailability; poor quality of care; and information/patient rights unavailability/inaccessibility). The self reinforcing cycle of clients creating their own primary care experience through ER access was cited as disadvantages, yet advantages (regular one-stop shopping visits had created a climate of familiarity). Conclusions: This collaborative effort found that the confluence of systemic barriers with survival needs painted an unlevel healthcare playing field. Emphasis on personal responsibility for health cannot be absolved, but findings warrant the need for an equal refocusing on systemic variables, as has been suggested by other studies. Findings have been placed on the Mayor's Quality of Life Improvement Task Force action agenda, resulting in a since of empowerment by students to impact the political process through activism/advocacy.

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

• Develop a university level course in the biopsychosocial aspects of racial disparities in health that teaches students strategies for advocating and activism that can impact policy regarding racial disparities in health;
• Develop university, community, and local area governmental collaborations to impact racial disparities in health.

Keywords: Health Disparities, Collaboration

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation