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

Abstract #57325

Chet Evans, DPM, School of Graduate Medical Sciences, Barry University, 11300 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33161, 305-899-3250, cevans@mail.barry.edu

The Hispanic population of the United States is twice as likely to suffer from diabetes as the general US population. The Barry University Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Program has developed a multi-disciplinary partnership with the Florida Department of Health, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Project Access, Dade County Area Health Education Center, and other community health organizations to prevent diabetes that severely impacts the 23,000 migrant and seasonal farm workers (MSFW) of Hispanic descent living and working in rural South Dade County Florida. Diabetes screening, education, and prevention programs are taking place at the Open Door Health Center for MSFWs from Homestead and Florida City. Due to a variety of barriers less than 25% of this population currently receives health care services. In response, the Center cares for patients despite their inability to pay, immigration status, and furthermore, developed an innovative evening and weekend clinic schedule. Podiatric health care initiatives at the Center address Health People 2010 objectives including: 1) Reduce the frequency of foot ulcers in persons with diabetes, 2) Reduce the proportion of adults who are obese, and 3) Reduce the proportion of adults who in engage in no-leisure time physical activity. The free-clinic model now in its third year of operation improves health care access, encourages community collaboration, and offers public health education. All of the community partners are now dedicated to preventing diabetes among this medically underserved population.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe attempts to improve health care access, community collaboration, and public health education to underserved populations at risk for diabetic complications.

Keywords: Diabetes, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Barry University School of Graduate Medical Sciences 11300 NE 2nd Avenue Miami Shores, Fl 33161
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.