307568
Opening the Doors for Diverse Populations to Health Disparities Research: Reducing Asian Health Disparities through Research Training, Practice, and Community Partnerships
The pipeline for individuals from underrepresented populations into careers in health disparities research needs to be expanded (Rosenstock, et al., 2008). As noted by Riegelman, “it has become evident that undergraduates seek and appreciate public health approaches and public health courses” (2007, p. 237). This appreciation by undergraduates has not increased enrollments in graduate education related to health disparities enough to meet the growing need for health disparities researchers. Therefore, there is a need for the creation of “pipeline programs” (ASPH, 2008, p. 20).
Objective
The Drexel University School of Public Health’s “Opening the Doors for Diverse Populations to Health Disparities Research” Program is focused on addressing the barriers to health disparities science education that socially, economically, and environmentally disadvantaged groups’ experience.
Methods
The Opening Doors Program recruits graduate (doctoral and master’s) students in public health programs for 8-months of faculty-mentored research, and undergraduate (juniors and seniors) and medical school students for 10 weeks of faculty-mentored research. All students take part in professional development and ethical/responsible research seminars. Several students are engaged in ongoing research exploring health disparities among the Asian population. They sought to examine health outcomes among each ethnic group within the Asian population
Results
Students learn to disseminate information through inter-sectoral collaborations with Asian Community Based Organizations, Philadelphia Department of Public Health and national/state agencies on Asian American Affairs. Students complete additional training in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to evaluate and map the cultural competence of health promotion/ education materials utilized among this population in the Greater Philadelphia area.
Conclusions
Students evaluated evidenced-based interventions of health disparities in chronic disease among the Asian community, and translated these interventions to create policy briefing materials to local and state government agencies. Through the process, they were empowered to conduct health disparity research as part of their career.
Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programsChronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related public policy
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health
Learning Objectives:
Describe the Opening The Doors program approach to foster future health disparity researchers.
Demonstrate the value of the program with example of the Asian health disparities research projects
Keyword(s): Asian Americans, Health Disparities/Inequities
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been one of the research mentors on the Opening the Doors grant for the past two years. I have sponsored 4 students focusing on the Asian Health Disparities in the Philadelphia Region. I am a member of several Asian Advisory Committees related to the American Cancer Society, AARP, Hepatitis Foundation and Health Partners.
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.