260140 Development of a Health Promotion Program for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities: Integrating Community Engagement and Established Guidelines

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Alicia Dixon-Ibarra, MS , College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Simon Driver, PhD , School of Biological & Population Health Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Jeff McCubbin, PhD , College of Applied Human Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collin, CO
BACKGROUND: The group home(GH) setting can be a barrier to physical activity(PA) for those with intellectual disabilities(ID). GH providers often do not prioritize healthy behaviors, are inconsistent role models due to high staff turnover, and are resistant to change established routines. One way of tackling these challenges is through specially designed health promotion programs(HPP). The purpose of this presentation is to describe how to develop a HHP through community-based participatory research(CBPR) and established HP guidelines for adults with disabilities(Drum et al., 2009). METHODS: CBPR provides the framework where GH managers, staff, and residents can take an active role in designing and implementing a HHP. To conduct CBPR, the following steps should be taken: 1) Conduct a needs assessment with the disability community to define the problem, 2) Integrate stakeholders throughout the planning and analysis phases, and 3) Establish an “Advisory Group” to delineate the problem, brainstorm solutions, and critique program materials. In addition to community engagement, addressing operation, participation, and accessibility issues within the HPP is critical(Drum et al., 2009). Operational components include disability-appropriate measures, theoretical means to explain constructs, and process evaluation. Participation can be addressed through CBPR and self-determination within the program. Furthermore, the program should be socially, behaviorally, programmatically, and environmentally accessible and affordable. RESULTS: This presentation outlines necessary steps in developing a HPP. The development of a HHP for the GH setting will provide context for the methods. CONCLUSION: HPPs designed by and for persons with disabilities will promote a healthy environment that supports desired behaviors.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Chronic disease management and prevention
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning

Learning Objectives:
1.Describe the process for developing a health promotion program for persons with disabilities based on community-based participatory research. 2. Discuss the importance of addressing operation, participation, and accessibility issues when developing a health promotion program. 3. Demonstrate the step by step procedures in the development of a health promotion program for adults with intellectual disability.

Keywords: Health Promotion, Disability

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a PhD candidate in the Movement Studies in Disability Program. I have been mentored by Jeff McCubbin,PhD and Simon Driver,PhD who have extensive experience in developing health promotion programs for adults with disabilities. Dr. McCubbin was one of the experts involved in the development of the health promotion guidelines discussed in the abstract. I have personally been involved in multiple projects for adults with intellectual disabilities. The proposed presentation is my dissertation topic.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

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.