COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION TO DECREASE HEALTH DISPARITIES AMONG PHNs IN FLORIDA

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 dissertation study sample will include all PHNs currently employed in the 67 health departments in FL.

The method planned for the dissertation study is a descriptive, correlational study design using a web based survey. Preliminary work to evaluate the validity and reliability of an existing measure of CBPA prior to use in the dissertation study, included administration of the survey to PHNs attending the 2007 conference and other PHNs. Findings from the 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.