Oral

Successful models for influencing healthcare practices, policy, regulations and/or legislation through advocacy with external stakeholders will be discussed. Healthcare needs of individuals with mental illnesses will be discussed. A discussion of how epidemiology courses assist public health nurses acquire skills in the systematic analysis, interpretation, and use of health data, necessary to identify health status, plan programs and evaluate outcomes will be the focus of the research presented in this session.

Session Objectives: Discuss two innovative strategies to address the major healthcare needs of severely mentally ill individuals. Discuss how to train advocates for health care of underserved populations. Analyze outcomes and implications of an applied epidemiology course to the evidence-based practice of public health nurses.