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Julie Pham, BS1, Priyadarshini Samanta, BDS2, Christy Inskip, BA1, Susanne B. Montgomery, PhD, MPH3, Patti Herring, PhD, RN4, and Heather Diaz, MPH1. (1) Health Promotion & Education, Loma Linda University School of Public Health, Nichol Hall, Room 1511, Loma Linda, CA 92350, 909 558-8729, sun0moon0@hotmail.com, (2) Health Promotion and Education, Loma Linda University School of Public Health, Nichol Hall Room 1511, Loma Linda, CA 92350, (3) Department of Health Promotion and Education, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Nicol Hall Room 1511, Loma Linda, CA 92350, (4) School of Public Health, Department of Health Promotion and Education, Loma Linda University, Nichol Hall, Room 1501, Loma Linda, CA 92350
With over 88% of seniors suffering from at least one chronic illness, there is an great need to improve senior health. This is especially true for minority seniors living in the inner city who already face health disparities compared to more affluent majority populations. Studies show a positive correlation between social interaction and cognitive, mental, and physical health of seniors, and most minority cultures hold intergenerational social interaction in great regard. Through the Office of Public Health Practice, Loma Linda graduate students developed, and delivered a program, “Building Friendships and a Healthy Community,” based on the senior’s need for social interaction with young adults. The six-month program began with a three-month rapport-building period during which regular social interaction between the seniors and students occurred. This was followed by three-months of health education classes focusing on heart disease and stroke prevention accompanied by ongoing social interaction. Quantitative and qualitative data were used to evaluate the impact of the program. Fifty percent of the participants increased their knowledge of heart disease by 25%, over 25% of the participants increased the number of times they engaged in physical activity, 40% consumed a healthy meal, and attendance increased by four times towards the end of the class. The success of this program revealed the importance of first meeting the minority elderly population’s need for social interaction, allowing us to then more successfully address the other health related program goals.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Elderly, Public Health Education and Health Promotion
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.