274949 Epidemiologists, Policy, and Racial/Ethnic Health Disparities

Monday, October 29, 2012 : 1:30 PM - 1:50 PM

Olivia Carter-Pokras, PhD , Deaprtment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD
     
This presentation will discuss approaches that epidemiologists have used to contribute to policy efforts to address health disparities. From examples of how epidemiologic research has been applied to reduce health disparities in the US, Canada and New Zealand, three areas will be discussed: 1) role of epidemiology in definition and measurement, (2) housing and asthma, and (3) food policy strategies to reduce health disparities. Epidemiologists have a role to play in measurement and basic surveillance, and etiologic, intervention and evaluation research. Better preparation to effectively work in effectively work in multidisciplinary teams is needed in order to evaluate multilevel and contextual contributions to disease and gain better insights into evidenced-based health equity strategies.

Learning Areas:
Epidemiology
Public health or related public policy
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Describe training challenges and opportunities for the translation of epidemiologic evidence into policy to address health disparities Discuss health disparities as an example of epidemiologic evidence and policy impact Explain the complexity of health disparities and what is needed to identify effective health equity interventions

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have conducted health disparities research for more than 30 years; am a member of the APHA Education Board and incoming chair of the American College of Epidemiology’s Policy Committee; and am lead author of a 2012 paper on translating epidemiologic research into policy to address health 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.

Back to: 3228.0: The Practice of Epidemiology: Intersection of Science, Service, and Policy