Recorded presentation

Carlessia A. Hussein, RN, Dr PH, Cigarette Restitution Fund Program, Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 201 W. Preston Street, Room 500, Baltimore, MD 21201 and Arlee W. Gist, BA, Cigarette Restution Fund Program, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 201 W. Preston Street, Room 500, Baltimore, MD 21201, 410-767-7117, agist@dhmh.state.md.us.

: Maryland utilized tobacco settlement dollars to fund a Minority Outreach and Technical Assistance (MOTA) program. The goal of the program was to apply a comprehensive model for outreach and technical assistance to African Americans and other minorities in the development and implementation of local health plans to control cancer and reduce smoking. The objectives of MOTA are to conduct systematic outreach techniques to engage minority groups’ involvement, strengthen and develop relationships in the minority communities, provide technical assistance to foster success, and to enhance the infrastructure of minority groups. Sustainability is a critical outcome measure that can be attained through a network of well-informed minority groups. A cohesive network consisting of community-based minority organizations will lead to the reduction of minority health disparities. The MOTA program has funded 181 groups including African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans and women in all sectors of Maryland. Active partnerships have been established with local health departments, thousands of minorities have received training; all local health departments have minorities actively participate on their advisory coalitions for cancer and tobacco.

Learning Objectives:

Participants attending this session will be able to (1)institute a minority health network linked to local health departments to combat health disparities that are prevalent among minority populations and (
• provide technical assistance to community-based minority organizations that will aid them to build sustainable infrastructures and reach more people in their communities.

Keywords: Community-Based Health Promotion, Minority Health

Related Web page: www.mdpublichealth.org/crfp

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.

Recorded presentation