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

Abstract #67247

Alicia Procello, MPH, The California Wellness Foundation, Suite 1700, 6320 Canoga Avenue, Woodland Hills, CA 91367, 818-593-6600, aprocello@cwf.tcwf.org and Larry D. Hill, MPA, Partners for Health, 1744 4th Street, Richmond, CA 94801.

This session will provide an overview and concrete example of strategies to increase the racial and ethnic diversity of the public health workforce. Healthy People 2010 gives priority to the elimination of racial and ethnic disparities in health status and identifies health workforce objectives to achieve this. Diversity in the health workforce has been shown to increase access to care, increase the understanding of cultural health beliefs and integration those beliefs to the benefit of patients, and presents employment opportunities for broad segments of diverse communities with varying degrees of educational attainment.

Increased diversity in the public health workforce can be achieved by partnering with ethnic specific community based organizations. These organizations have established relationships, provide social support and can identify ethnic minorities who wish to pursue employment, training and/or academic preparation in the health professions. The California Wellness Foundations’ Diversity in the Health Professions priority area is designed to fund strategies to diversify the health workforce. Organizations such as the California Rural Indian Health Board and the Chicano/Latino Student Organization will help participants assess their organizations health workforce needs and share successful strategies to developing partnerships with community based organizations to meet these needs.

Learning Objectives:

• Assess and develop an organization’s health workforce needs as they relate to the ethnic and racial diversity of their target population.
• Identify, develop and implement mutually supportive partnerships with community based organizations to increase the ethnic diversity of an organization.

Keywords: Workforce, Community-Based Partnership

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The California Wellness Foundation California Rural Indian Health Board Chicano/Latino Student Organization
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: TCWF grantees: California Rural Indian Health Board, Chicano/Latino Student Organization