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

Abstract #65918

Derek M. Griffith, PhD¹, Elvira Mebane², Leo Allison², Eugenia Eng, DrPH³, and James C. Thomas, MPH, PhD⁴. (1) Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 319C Rosenau Hall, CB #7440, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7440, 919/966.8650, derek_griffith@unc.edu, (2) Orange County Health Department, United Voices of Efland, P.O. Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278, (3) Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Rosenau Hall - Campus Box 7400, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7400, (4) School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Department of Epidemiology, Chapel Hill, NC 27599

While there is no consensus on what constitutes men’s health, there are health disparities associated with being male, and especially with being an African American male. Although the factors that contribute to health disparities for African American men are complex and multifaceted, many of these problems have been linked to access to health care, their social and historical context and male gender socialization. For men who are poor, especially those in rural communities, the problem of accessing health care is magnified, and their options fewer, making county health departments a critical health service provider and potential partner in these areas. This presentation describes the findings of the first phase of a two-stage, two-year feasibility study, the goal of which is to develop an ecological analysis of the health care access barriers and facilitators for African American men in a rural Southern community. In year one of this community-based participatory research project, we are exploring the ecological, social and historical forces impacting health disparities that will be the foundation of a multi-component, multi-level intervention involving community residents, community-based organizations, churches, and the local health department. These men, along community residents, churches, health providers, and community-based organizations are working together to raise awareness and strategize to address the problem, and we are building on existing efforts to raise awareness of men’s health needs. The study included social forces interviews of community residents, focus group interviews with men and women, field observations, and secondary data analysis.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to: (
• recognize the factors impacting access to health care for African American men in a rural community, and (
• articulate the advantages and challenges associated with taking a community-based participatory approach to health disparities research in rural communities.

Keywords: African American, Male Health

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.