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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Priya M. John, MPH¹, Nancy Jewell, MPA², Virginia A. Caine, MD³, and Mary McKee, MSW³. (1) Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University, 680 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60611, 312-503-1312, p-john@northwestern.edu, (2) Indiana Minority Health Coalition, 3737 N Meridian, Indianapolis, IN 46205, (3) Public Health Administration, Marion County Health Department, 3838 N Rural St, Indianapolis, IN 46205

Obesity has long been recognized as a health issue that disproportionately affects minorities. Key stakeholders, utilizing a community organizing and building approach, developed an innovative approach to obesity resulting in a plan of cultural consensus, community empowerment, and widespread collaboration. The Indiana Minority Health Coalition, a statewide non-profit organization that specializes in improving the health of minorities using its sixteen local coalition affiliates, convened a stakeholder meeting for the inauguration of their health disparities initiative. Obesity was recognized as one of the three major priorities of the initiative. A committee was formed to address this issue, and a logic model was utilized to bring a wide spectrum of professionals to a shared agenda of obesity prevention in minorities. The need to change the built environment, and advocating for minority representation on school wellness councils were among some of the recommendations from the sub-committee. The logic model was condensed into an action plan that will be a catalyst for further policy change, community based activities, and minority empowerment. Program planning and outcomes will be highlighted, as well as roadblocks and challenges faced by the obesity sub-committee and the initiative.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to learn about obesity in relation to minority disparities.
• Participants will be able to identify key stakeholders needed to form an obesity sub-committee.
• Participants will understand the program planning process for the initiative, as well as the challenges involved in the planning process.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered