The Fulton County Georgia Department of Health and Wellness (FCDHW)BreasTest and More Program began enrolling eligible women for breast and cervical cancer screening in September, 1996. The population served is predominately African American. However, in two communities of southeast Fulton County, the majority of the population served are Southeast Asian women. Many of these women are Vietnamese refugees ages 50 years and older. Recognizing the special needs of this target group and related barriers to care, the staff of health centers located in these communities, developed and implemented culturally competent strategies and flexible scheduling. The goal was to improve access and compliance to care. Breast and cervical cancer screening services are available five days a week and during extended hours, including weekends, at selected community-based sites via the mobile health unit. Services are provided by a team of public health nurses, support staff and an interpreter. With the assistance of a FCDHW Vietnamese interpreter, staff have become more knowledgeable of the target community.
A one day conference entitled "Communicating Across Boundaries", was held in September, 2000. The health department partnered with the National Asian Women's Health Organization (NAWHO),CDC,the American Cancer Society and the State of Georgia's Cancer Screening Section. The conference focused on exploring strategies for outreach, describing best practice models, improving screening efforts and increasing healthcare staff cultural competence. Two FCDHW staff attended NAWHO's national conference in 1998. The county public health nurse practitioner who attended the conference now serves as Georgia' only NAWHO trainer/consultant for public health staff.
Learning Objectives: NA
Keywords: Asian Women, Breast Cancer Screening
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Fulton County Georgia Department of Health and Wellness
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.