Melissa K. Thomas, MSA, BS, BA¹, Doretta K. Thomas², Ella Miller², and Martha Byler². (1) Community Outreach, OhioHealth, 1087 Dennison Avenue, Columbus, OH 43201, (614) 544-5287, thomam3@ohiohealth.com, (2) Project Hoffnung, PO Box 28103, Columbus, OH 43228

The Amish have settled in at last half of the states in the US and in numerous international locations. Despite the large presence of Amish settlements around the globe, lack of evidence-based research on this population has resulted in poor information about the health care needs of this often closed community.

For the past five years, Amish and non-Amish community outreach coordinators (COCs) have worked together in several settlements throughout Ohio to help identify the needs and concerns of Amish and Mennonite communities surrounding cancer. Extensive survey data collection, coupled with focus group and key informant interviews from the world's largest Amish settlement, provided the basis for developing a breast health program. The results have yielded a culturally competent education program about breast cancer that is delivered in various settings to address the high breast cancer mortality rates discovered in the world’s largest Amish settlement.

Dissemination techniques, coupled with the various stages of program development, will be discussed by Amish and non-Amish CHWs. Additionally, strategies to address cultural and literacy considerations of working with what is often a tri-lingual community will be shared. The presentation will provide an opportunity to experience two unique perspectives when working with a culture: as the outsiders looking in and also as insiders looking out at the rest of the world.

The results of this study provide insight into the cultural factors that impact Amish and Mennonite communities in accessing, participating, and continuing effective breast health behaviors.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able to (1)identify the reason why Amish and Mennonites migrated to the US; (
• list the roles Amish and non-Amish CHWs play in their community outreach efforts; (
• discuss dissemination strategies to deliver the message about breast health ; and (
• list three key areas of the culturally-competent education program developed by the community and local CHWs.

Keywords: Special Populations, Cancer

Related Web page: www.projecthoffnung.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: grants, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation