The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #45158

Beverly Hyatt Roach, MSPH, RD¹, Kathleen McCloskey, BS, MLS, AHIP², Oscar Abad Gutierrez Tomas¹, Juan Javier Montenegro¹, Isaac Gutierrez¹, Miguel Montenegro¹, Nancy T. Lombardo, MLS², and Derek Cowan². (1) Youth Without Borders Foundation, P O Box 1473, Salt Lake City, UT 84110-1473, (2) Eccles Health Sciences Library, University of Utah, 10 North 1900 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-5890, 801-585-5743, bevroach@lycos.com

Youth Without Borders (YWB) is a community-based non-profit organization with overall objectives of providing development opportunities for youth within a positive framework, and emphasizing values of tolerance and acceptance. During 2002 YWB entered into collaboration with the Midcontinental Regional Medical Library of the National Library of Medicine to employ video and Web technology in bringing health education messages to the Hispanic population in Salt Lake City, Utah. Spanish language educational sessions were videotaped on the theme of Youth Working toward a Healthy Community, including such topics as

· teen communication skills for parents,

· substance abuse prevention,

· tobacco and alcohol media awareness,

· gang alternatives, and

· HIV/AIDS prevention.

Storing copies of the videos on the library’s server enables video streaming over the Internet, and extends the reach of the information to a vast potential audience. The outreach’s effectiveness with the Hispanic population depended on its development by Hispanic parents with many years of experience in education and youth recreation programs. The sessions included direct discussions with small groups in homes and apartments, presenting first to the parents before offering education to their youth. Teaching and reinforcing the parents’ communication skills with their teens was a key element in addressing each of the other respective health messages.

Learning Objectives:

• 3. Participants will identify new uses for technology in developing collaborative educational programs to address needs of minorities.
  4. Participants will identify critical elements of culturally competent educational programs.
  5. Participants will list ways the above concepts can be applied in other community settings.

Keywords: Hispanic Youth, Cultural Competency

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Youth Without Borders 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: employment