Elaine T. Jurkowski, PhD, School of Social Work, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Quigley 4, M/C 4329, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL 62901, (618) 453-2243, etjurkow@siu.edu

Healthy People 2010 has made some significant strides in ascertaining the importance of disability surveillance. Coupled with these indicators of incidence and prevalence of community impairment, is the growing numbers of community census with impairments and chronic conditions. This phenomena pushes for the need to ensure that the public health workforce is adequately prepared to work with and address planning needs for people with disabilities and impairments. This paper builds upon the work of Meyers et al. (1999) and Jurkowski & Welch (2001, 2003) who examined the status of disability content in public health and social work curricula. This paper will present survey results from a survey conducted among Schools of Public Health (n=26) which sought to gain insight as to how the integration of disability content within the core course content areas of public health curricula and allied health professions was currently taking place. The survey also addressed feedback on which models of which best facilitate integration of disability content, given the current economic and other restraints faced by Schools. Findings suggest an integration model would be most preferred by Schools of Public Health, however resources are necessary in an effort to meet this vision. The discussion will provide an overview of content areas to address and resources which can be used to infuse content about disability into curricula. Recommendations and resources which can address the findings from the study will be presented.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the session, participants will

• Be familiar with the state of Schools of Public Health and their current status on the integration about disability for public health and allied health professional education.
• Identify some content areas which should be addressed within core course content areas of public health education.
• Be acquainted with some educational resources which can be used to integrate these materials into curricula to strengthen our public health workforce.

Keywords: Disability Studies, Public Health Curriculum

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.