148407 Public Health Promotion Strategies for Health Care Practitioners in Underdeveloped Third World Nations

Monday, November 5, 2007

Marian M. Inguanzo, ACSW , Social Service Consultant, Bronx, NY
Mitchell A. Kaplan, PhD , Private Evaluation Consultant, Brooklyn, NY
Dr. Douglas E. Campbell , Roxbury Podiatry, Roxbury, MA
Established in East Africa 2 years ago through the efforts and support of several regional non-government grassroots organizations and local health care professionals the Tanzania Intergenerational Health Chapter initiative represents an innovative community health care model that is designed to promote illness prevention and management and enhance the process of healthy aging among the older adult population of cultural diversity who reside in this underserved area.

This presentation will also evaluate the efficacy of the utilization of public health resources and care giver supportive service intervention strategies by health care professionals as a vehicle for promoting effective assisted living arrangements that will allow older adults of diversity living East Africa to remain independent active members of their communities. The Tanzania Intergenerational Health Chapter is an evidence based health initiative that promotes community health awareness, education, and prevention through a collaborative process of intergenerational involvement between younger and older adults in the communities targeted for service intervention. The beneficial outcome effects of the project will be to improve the overall physical, psychological and social functioning independence and well being of the older adults in East Africa who participate in the program through improved coordination of essential health care and supportive services in these communities.

Learning Objectives:
To demonstrate how the public health goals of the Tanzania Intergenerational health Chapter initiative can be utilized by health care professionals to promote better health and an improved quality of life for the older adult population in East Africa through the implementation of disease prevention strategies and supportive service intervention techniques that promote independence and continued active community involvement. To broaden public knowledge and raise community awareness of disease prevention and management programs and resources that health care providers can use to self empower older adults in East Africa to take steps that can help them to improve their overall health status and independence capability. To develop public knowledge of international intergenerational social support systems that provides caregiver and other essential supportive services to older adults and children in East Africa.

Keywords: Health Promotion, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: International Health and Aging
See more of: Gerontological Health