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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Doris Addo-Glover, RN, MSN, Quality Improvement, CareFirst BlueCross Blue Shield, 100 South Charles Street, Tower 11, Baltimore, MD 21201, 410-528-7133, doris.addo-glover@carefirst.com

To reduce health disparities, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, a managed care organization, collaborated with minority populations and communities to institute three programs: diabetes among Latinos, cervical cancer among Vietnamese women, and cardiovascular health in African Americans. Diabetes affects the Latino community at a rate almost twice that of non-Latinos. To address this disparity, a three year diabetes program was launched to support evidence-based approaches to improve Latino health status in a clinic setting. Health providers using the chronic care model track client services and provide ongoing evaluation of interventions. Culturally competent health educators provide case management and trained peer counselors or “promotores” make home visits to enhance self-management strategies. A three year partnership with the Boat People SOS, a Vietnamese organization promotes education, early detection and treatment of cervical cancer. Vietnamese women have five times the risk of developing cervical cancer compared to Caucasian women. In a multi-method intervention, a mass media campaign targets local and national audiences while bilingual health advocates and trained volunteers provide on-going case management and home visiting services to link women to service providers. In an effort to promote cardiovascular health among African Americans, a community organization trains outreach workers, barbers and hair stylists to provide health education and blood pressure screenings in barbershops and hair salons. These programs reflect a commitment by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield to improve the health of the diverse communities it serves and to demonstrate collaboration with the community as an effective strategy to advance health care effectiveness and quality.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the session, learners will be able to

1.Identify health disparities related to diabetes, cervical cancer and cardiovascular disease among Latinos. Vietnamese and African Americans.
• Identify a manged care organization's effort to reduce health disparities among minority populations.
• Identify collaboration with community organizations as an effective strategy to reduce health disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation