The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #41722

Gale Kittle, RN, MPH, Barrow Neurological Institute, 222 West Thomas Rd., Suite 404, Phoenix, AZ 85013, 602.406.3674, gkittle@chw.edu and Gladys Gonzalez-Ramos, PhD, Ehrenkranz School of Social Work, New York University, 1 Washington Square North, New York, NY 10003.

A funded community needs assessment study, under the auspices of The National Parkinson Foundation, has been undertaken in different regions of the U.S.,including Puerto Rico. The study was designed to develop model outreach strategies to underserved populations and to better understand the multiple needs of culturally diverse caregivers and persons affected by Parkinson's disease[PD]. The World Health Organization has identified PD as a critical public health issue[Janca,1999]. PD is a major cause of mortality among the elderly, but has been little studied in diverse cultural and racial populations. This is so, despite the fact that groups such as Latinos are increasing in numbers and rapidly aging in the U.S. Health care needs and barriers to access are multidimensional and reflect medical, linguistic,social and financial factors [Carillo,Trevino,Betancourt& Coutasse,2001].

In keeping with recommendations from The National Alliance for Hispanic Health [2001] the needs assessment study involves persons and caregivers affected by PD, and community leaders/key informants in shaping effective outreach and service delivery models. Focus group data consisting of interviews with community leaders about barriers to accessing health care experienced by culturally diverse elderly and ways to best meet these needs,as well as data from persons and caregivers affected by PD from diverse backgrounds speaking about their needs will be presented. The regions from which data will be presented are New York, Chicago,IL., Phoenix,AZ., West Palm Beach,FL. and Puerto Rico, with data mostly reflective of Latino groups in these different regions.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe ways to effectively do community outreach to underserved populations
• Describe health care needs of elderly Latino persons and caregivers affected by Parkinson's
• Articulate ways to best meet health care needs in diverse underserved populations affected by Parkinson's

Keywords: Underserved Populations, Access to Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The National Parkinson Foundation
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Consultant