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

Abstract #60236

Eduardo R. Ochoa, MD¹, Creshelle R. Nash, MD, MPH¹, Holly Felix, MPA², Tracy L. Gatlin³, M. Kathryn Stewart, MD MPH², and Joseph W. Thompson, MD, MPH². (1) College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 5800 West 10th Street, Suite 808, Little Rock, AR 72204, 501-364-4363, ochoaeduardor@uams.edu, (2) Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 5800 West 10th Street, Suite 410, Little Rock, AR 72204, (3) Arkansas Minority Health Commission, 1123 South University, Suite 312, Little Rock, AR 72204

Background: The Arkansas Minority Health Commission (AMHC) was legislatively established in 1991 to “assure all minority Arkansans access to health that is equal to the care provided to others citizens...and to seek ways to provide education, address, treat and prevent diseases and conditions that are prevalent among minority populations.” The Master Tobacco Settlement Agreement provided funding for the AMHC to implement a minority health initiative based upon the outcome of a strategic plan. Concurrent to this was the proposal of an Interim Study on Health Disparities by a state legislator. These events provided the opportunity to develop a research plan, build internal capacity and inform health policy and planning. Methodology: The research plan utilizes both quantitative and qualitative methods to develop a needs assessment in response to the legislature’s interim study proposal. First phase quantitative data analyzed include morbidity/mortality data, hospital discharge data and Census 2000 data among others. The second phase entails a telephone and focused interview survey of minority Arkansans. Results: The research proposal was drafted and accepted by the AMHC and received institutional approval from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Funding was secured with legislative approval from the AMHC’s tobacco settlement dollars. Discussion: By collaboration with physicians and health policy professionals in a climate of funding availability, a state minority health commission without a research agenda, internal capacity or vision to formulate policy is able to inform a strategic plan for elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities in Arkansas.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session the learner will:
• 1. Describe methodological techniques and tools utilized in Arkansas to inform a strategic plan to address racial and ethnic health disparities.
• 2. Discuss the importance of collaboration between legislators, appointed officials, physicians and health policy professionals to develop an evidence-based approach for policy formation.

Keywords: Minority Health, Health Disparities

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.