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

Abstract #69768

Melva V. Thompson-Robinson, MSPE, DrPH¹, Donna L. Richter, EdD², Cassandre Larrieux, MPH¹, Marya Shegog, BA³, Leah Trahan³, and W.H. Oglesby, MSPH⁴. (1) Institute of Public Health, Florida A&M University, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 207C Science Research Center, Tallahassee, FL 32307, 850-599-3108, melva.robinson@famu.edu, (2) Norman J. Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Health Sciences Building, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, (3) Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina Norman J. Arnold School of Public Health, Health Sciences Building, Room 216, Columbia, SC 29208, (4) Department of Health Promotion, Education, & Behavior, University of South Carolina, Norman J. Arnold School of Public Health, Columbia, SC 29208

Historically, mistrust and lack of collaboration have existed between Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and predominantly white colleges and universities. In recognition of the need to better address health disparities and foster a true spirit of partnership, the Transassociation Partnership Project was developed through discussions between representatives of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH), and Minority Health Professions Foundation (MHPF). Demonstration projects were funded to ascertain if these two types of institutions that have not traditionally collaborated can be equal partners in health disparities research. One project funded through this partnership involved collaboration between the Institute of Public Health at Florida A&M University and the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina. The purposes of this project are: 1) to examine the impact of African American women’s knowledge of partner risk for HIV on sexual risk behavior, and 2) to determine this population’s comfort with focus groups as a data collection methodology. In addition to briefly describing the project and initial results, the lessons that have been learned through participation in this partnership will be discussed. Factors serving as facilitators, barriers, and benefits for both institutions in partnering for health disparities research will be identified.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss factors influencing the parternship between two types of institutions of higher learning in order to conduct health disparities research
• Describe the benefits of partnership between two types of institution of higher learning to conduct health disparities research

Keywords: Partnerships, Research

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.