Communtiy participation to decrease health disparities among PHNs Florida

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION TO DECREASE HEALTH DISPARITIES AMONG PHNs IN FLORIDA

Catherine Levonian MSN, RN, BC Shawn Kneipp PhD, ARNP University of Florida College of Nursing

Although many achievements in public health have occurred, health disparities by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status continue. The manner of providing care must change to include an examination of all the determinants of health, principles of equity, and participation by and empowerment of communities of interest. The purpose of this dissertation study is to examine the extent to which a community based participatory approach (CBPA) to public health is being adopted by public health nurses (PHNs) in health departments throughout Florida (FL). This includes examining PHNs perceptions of a) the importance of CBPA to reduce health disparities b) their competence in the use of a CBPA for practice, and, c) the barriers and supports within their respective health departments for adopting a CBPA into public health practice. The method planned is a descriptive, correlational study design using a web based electronic survey. The target population is PHNs working in the US. The total number of RNs currently employed in the 67 health departments in FL is 2, 052. Using a stratified random sampling strategy, a selected subgroup of health department will represent urban and rural areas of the state of FL. Findings from the proposed dissertation research will yield a better understanding of current PHN beliefs and practices related to the use of a CBPA in a State with notable health disparities by race, ethnicity, and SES, and will provide a foundation from which the applicant will develop an ongoing program of research.