141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

286007
Comprehensive health assessments to identify disparities and guide community capacity building in the aftermath of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill

Wednesday, November 6, 2013 : 11:00 AM - 11:15 AM

Lisanne Brown, PhD MPH , Division of Evaluation and Research, Louisiana Public Health Institute, New Orleans, LA
The Gulf Region Health Outreach Program is a series of four integrated, five-year projects to strengthen healthcare in Gulf Coast communities in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle established in the aftermath of the Gulf of Mexico Oil spill. The target beneficiaries of the Outreach Program are residents, especially the uninsured and medically underserved, of 17 coastal counties and parishes in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. The program includes capacity building in primary care as a foundation to increase the mental-, and environmental health expertise of health professionals in the Gulf and health literacy of local communities. A comprehensive assessment of community health needs and clinic capacity in the 17 counties was conducted to prioritize program activities. Results reveal unique differences and vulnerabilities among sub-populations along the Gulf Coast.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Environmental health sciences
Program planning
Provision of health care to the public
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe the components of an integrated clinic and community needs assessment approach to determine health services needs in health-disparate communities. Apply evaluation strategies to demonstrate the role of capacity building in strengthening primary care and specialty services. Discuss the use of a community assessment to map and synergize community assets.

Keywords: Community Health Assessment, Disasters

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: i have more than 20 years experience in public health assessment and program evaluation. I am currently Director of the Division of Evaluation and Research at the Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI), with a staff of 18 evaluation specialists. I direct the Assessment and Evaluation of the Gulf Region Health Outreach Program.
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.