 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Suzanne Christopher, PhD, Adina Smith, PhD, Alma Knows His Gun McCormick, and Vanessa Watts, BS. Department of Health and Human Development, Montana State University, 104 Hosaeus Complex, Bozeman, MT 59717, 406-994-6321, suzanne@montana.edu
During this presentation we will discuss the lay health advisor (LHA) project’s outreach methods and activities provided to the women on the Apsáalooke Reservation. The project, Messengers for Health on the Apsáalooke Reservation, is a community-based cervical health project funded by the American Cancer Society. With this project we hope to impact the disparity that exists regarding cervical cancer among Native American women. Twenty-six Apsáalooke women have received training by the project to conduct cervical health outreach throughout the reservation. These LHAs, known as Messengers, are women who are natural helpers in the communities and recognized as a person others turn to for advice and support. The LHA project coordinator, an Apsáalooke woman, works closely with the Messengers empowering them and providing support and encouragement for their activities. She and the Messengers work closely together to provide educational outreach concerning cervical health. We will discuss various methods and strategies for outreach. These activities include 1) informal one-on-one daily outreach activities with women in the community, 2) close coordination with the Indian Health Service during women’s health screening days, 3) providing school presentations for girls in grades 6-12 and at the Little Big Horn College, 4) community workshops held in various districts on the reservation, and 5) educational outreach booths at women’s health clinics and health fairs. We will also discuss which activities were most effective and provide reasons why.
Learning Objectives:
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.