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

Abstract #74170

Linda L. Delp, MPH and Linda L. Delp, MPH. Center for Labor Research and Education, UCLA, Box 951478, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1478, 310 794-5976, ldelp@ucla.edu

In this presentation, I discuss efforts in California to bridge the gap between academic research and union/community activism to address issues facing homecare workers and their ability to provide quality long term care for the elderly and disabled population. This arena is currently in a state of flux, as union organizing campaigns have brought the number of represented workers to well over 100,000. Union and coalition efforts throughout the state have had uneven success in raising wages above the minimum and in changing policy to provide health benefits. What is the role of academic research in these efforts to improve wages, benefits and working conditions? I discuss two models: 1) The California Homecare Research Working Group brings researchers together with union and consumer activists to develop and implement a research agenda. 2) An innovative university-based community scholars class brings union and community activists to the university setting to develop collaborative research projects with students and faculty. Issues both groups confront include: 1) What is the role of research in supporting advocacy efforts to improve workers’ lives and the provision of quality care? 2) What is the balance between research and activist needs? 3) How can we develop models of participatory action research that include as equals researchers and activists? 4) Do these models work in other areas where health and labor issues converge?

Learning Objectives:

• 1-List 2 models of collaboration between reseachers and union members to improve the health of workers
• 2-Articulate the difficulties that arise from research collaborations between epidemiologists and unions
• 3-Develop research partnerships models between researchers and union that give equal partnership to both actors.

Keywords: Home Care, Union

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.