The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #43345

Adewale Troutman, MD, MPH, Fulton County Department of Health & Wellness, 99 Jessie Hill Jr Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303, 404 730 1202, drtroutman@mindspring.com

The continued presence of health disparities dispite the national attention, growing resource allocation and local action highlights the fact that the direction we as a nation are taking is flawed. This paper addresses a unique approach to eliminating health disparities among African American men. The development of the African American Male Empowerment Network which utilizes a group process led by trained professional facilitators and an original multi module curriculum, focuses on improving health and the elimination of health disparities by addressing issues of social justice and the creation of health equity as the basis for male empowerment. A baseline instrument and research design aim at evaluating involvement, readiness for change, attitudes and knowledge about wellness and movement towards a healthier lifestyle. The program also seeks to build community capacity through the training of lay facilitators in the curriculum and the group process. Further, the paper provides the results of the first years successes in organizing these groups and their accetance by the general community in the city of Atlanta.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to articulate the elements of social justice, identify an empowerment process in African American males,describe the relationship between the group process, curriculum development, community capacity building and the reduction in health diaparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.