The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #50229

Gloria Giarratano, RN, PhD and Celeste Carter, DNS. School of Nursing, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1900 Gravier Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, (504) 568-4172, ggiarr@lsuhsc.edu

This presentation will describe the implementation and evaluation of a community health program that uses multiple partnerships among faith-based, private, public, and academic networks to facilitate access to preventive cancer screening and education. The Partners in Health: The Breast and Cervical Health Cooperative (PIH), is a community health education intervention, designed to increase the participation of traditionally underserved and at-risk women in breast and cervical health programs. Key to its success has been the utilization and enhancement of existing partnerships between community and professional groups and organizations that seek to meet the needs of low income and underserved residents in selected neighborhoods in New Orleans, LA. For the past two years, PIH has demonstrated an ability to change women’s knowledge regarding cancer early detection and to motivate women to seek those services. Since inception, the program has reached approximately 2700 women through community based educational programs. Screening mammograms have been completed in 1589 of the women to date. Natural community settings, such as neighborhood centers, churches, schools, and work sites, have been key to the success of this program. To extend outreach to the underserved, presentations have also been given at laundromats, private homes, and beauty salons. Specific objectives of the program are to change knowledge, facilitate access to preventive health services, and improve compliance with recommended breast and cervical cancer screening and early detection practices among the target population.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the role of public, private, faith-based, and academic partnerships in community health program development.
• Analyze the effectiveness of community partnerships in developing and implementing a breast and cervical cancer screening program.

Keywords: African American, Breast Cancer Screening

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Stanley Scott Cancer Center
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