261697
You're the Quarterback: Increasing the Capacity of African American Men in Central Baltimore Neighborhoods
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
: 9:45 AM - 10:00 AM
You're the Quarterback: Gameplan for Life (YTQ:G4L) is a community-engaged research and intervention project developed to assist African American men in central Baltimore neighborhoods with employment and health insurance. Out of the surveys administered to over 80 men so far, we have found that over 60% of the study sample is unemployed, over 40% are uninsured, and nearly 50% owe child support. Our survey research informed the design of the intervention, leading to the creation of group discussions or training camps where men could receive information while expressing their feelings regarding their circumstances. Monthly training camps were employed by navigators or coaches to connect men to resources and agencies that address the issues that keep men from obtaining employment and health insurance: lack of job training, lack of education, criminal records, and child support or arrears. After listening to and working with men to engage community resources and implement their plans, a surprising connection between the child support system and mental health emerged as a key theme. The program is being implemented in unconventional settings, including a Head Start center and a health care center, and may soon expand to serve men involved in programs designed to reduce infant mortality. By being designed as a male-focused, male-centered, and culturally-tailored intervention, YTQ:G4L is emerging as an exciting intervention to help African American men become better able to fulfill the role of a father in the lives of their children and families.
Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health
Learning Objectives: 1) Discuss the impact of unemployment and uninsurance on the lives African American men living in central Baltimore.
2) Describe the intervention designed to connect men with employment and health insurance.
3) Articulate strategies for empowering underserved men to engage the conditions that confront them.
Keywords: African American, Male Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have engaged in community-based participatory research (CBPR) projects in both Memphis, TN and Baltimore, MD; first as a student research coordinator and now as a principal investigator. In addition, as a health disparities researcher, I have both studied the causes of disparities and helped design interventions to help address disparities.
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.
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