The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #53088

Isabel Auerbach, MPH¹, Buffy Bunting, MPH¹, Sylvia de Trinidad, MPH¹, Christina Goette, MPH¹, Susana Hennessey-Lavery, MPH¹, Yin Yan Leung, MPH², Michael L Radetsky, MA, MPH¹, Mele Smith, MPH¹, Virginia Smyly, MPH¹, and Ana Validzic, MPH¹. (1) Community Health Education Section, San Francisco Department of Public Health, 30 Van Ness Ave, Suite 2300, San Francisco, CA 94102, (2) Newcomers Health Program, San Francisco Department of Public Health, 1490 Mason Street #107, San Francisco, CA 94133-4222

The Community Action Model (CAM) builds community capacity by mobilizing community members and agencies to change environmental factors promoting economic and environmental inequalities that result in increased health risks. The CAM model is based on the theory of Paulo Freire and is asset-based (builds on the community’s strengths to create change from within). Fundamental to this model is a critical analysis identifying the underlying social, economic, and environmental forces creating the health and social inequalities in the community.

The CAM approach is to work in collaboration with communities to provide a framework for community members in order to acquire the skills and resources they need. Advocates can then investigate the health of their community as well as plan, implement and evaluate actions that change the environment to promote and improve community health. The CAM assumes an ongoing process. As advocates experience success with their first action, they develop confidence and skills to take on new endeavors resulting in further community change.

During the workshop, the participants will learn how the CAM training is coordinated and how the participants are recruited through outreach from specific programs at the San Francisco Department of Public Health. Participants will learn the 5 steps of the CAM, examples of successful outcomes (including tobacco control, violence prevention, and traffic safety), and the function of ongoing consultation by DPH staff, including informal brown bag lunch meetings. Finally, the facilitator will outline how other organizations can start their own CAM teams with consultation and web resources.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, the participant (learner) will be able to:
• describe the 5 steps of the Community Action Model (CAM);
• articulate how the CAM training is coordinated for community-based organizations and activists;
• describe examples of successful community-based outcomes;
• recognize the function of ongoing consultation by DPH staff; and
• apply CAM in their own communities with consultation and web resources.

Keywords: Community Health,

Related Web page: 204.68.210.4/chpp/cam.htm

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.