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

Abstract #72956

Joanne B. Genet, PA¹, Jane Garcia², Dolores Moorehead³, Esther Gutierrez¹, Lindsey Dohlman⁴, Marianna Moore⁵, and Harriet Karis⁶. (1) Patient Navigator Program, Contra Costa Health Services, 597 Center Ave., Suite 125, Martinez, CA 94553, 925/313-6763, jgenet@hsd.co.contra-costa.ca.us, (2) La Clinica de la Raza, 1515 Fruitvale Ave., Oakland, CA 94601, (3) Women's Cancer Resource Center, 5741 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, CA 94609, (4) American Cancer Society, 1885 Oak Park Blvd, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, (5) The Wellness Community, 3276 McNutt Ave., Walnut Creek, CA 94596, (6) Hospice of Contra Costa, 2051 Harrison, Concord, CA 94520

The Contra Costa Women’s Cancer Initiative (WCI) is a multi-agency effort to address the health disparity between Spanish-speaking Latinas and white women through increased education and access to early breast and cervical cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment. The WCI is a four-year initiative that is privately funded. It utilizes a broad spectrum of approaches to address these issues. Patient Navigators, promotores, and community health workers who are bi-lingual, bi-cultural are key to the success of the WCI. The Promotores and Patient Navigators increase community educational capacity through breast health workshops, house parties and the involvement of faith-based organizations. Patient Navigators and community health workers assist women with breast and cervical cancer screening appointments. Patient Navigators pair with clients through the diagnostic and treatment process. To support the work of the Patient Navigators, promotores, and community health workers, agencies have addressed the cultural competency issues through board development and expanded agency capacity. Agencies of the Women’s Cancer Initiative are the American Cancer Society, Contra Costa Health Services, the Wellness Community, La Clinic de la Raza, Hospice of Contra Costa, and the Women’s Cancer Resource Center.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session the participant will be able to:
• Identify the factors leading to health disparities in cancer services for Spanish-speaking women and the utilization of patient navigators, promotores, and CHW to address this need. 2)Distinguish the different roles of patient navigators, promotores and CHWs needed to assist women into and through the complexities of the medical system. 3)Describe three types of agency capacity building used for organizational change that is necessary to address multi-cultural populations.

Keywords: Access and Services, Breast Cancer Programs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: 1) Contra Costa Health Services, Patient Navigator Program 2) American Cancer Society 3) The Wellness Community 4) Women's Cancer Resource Center 5) Hospice of Contra Costa 6) La Clinica
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.