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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Molly A. Rose, PhD¹, Jean Goeppinger, PhD², Laura Gitlin, PhD³, Nancy Chernett, MPH³, and Christine Arenson, MD⁴. (1) JCHP School of Nursing, Thomas Jefferson University, 130 S. 9th Street, Suite 1205, Philadelphia, PA 19107, 215-503-7567, Molly.Rose@jefferson.edu, (2) Schools of Nursing and Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, College Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, (3) Center for Applied Research on Aging and Health, Thomas Jefferson University, 130 S. 9th Street Suite 500, Philadelphia, PA 19103, (4) JMC Department of Family and Community Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1015 Walnut Street, Suite 401, Philadelphia, PA 19107

This symposium presents the translational issues and outcomes of Lorig and colleagues' Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) with African American elders living in urban and rural communities. While previous research has shown that CDSMP improves health behaviors and health status, and decreases health care utilization in young, affluent whites enrolled in an HMO in California, effectiveness has not been established with African American elders. An important goal of Healthy People 2010 is to increase elderly participation in organized health promotion activities. Nevertheless, there continues to be wide disparities between White and African American elders with regard to chronic illness and participation in related health events. Furthermore, low income, minority elders are more likely to suffer excess morbidity and mortality from chronic diseases and have poor access to evidence-based interventions. Using similar outcome measures as Lorig's studies, this session presents outcome data from three geographically distinct sites that implemented the CDSMP (two in an urban area and one in a rural area). Taken together, the results demonstrate the effectiveness of this program with this underserved population and the specific modifications necessary to enhance acceptability and long-term use of disease management strategies. Based on the successful translation of this program for urban and rural African American elders, health professionals should encourage disease self-management programs for diverse populations. This symposium examines the similarities and differences in outcomes across sites, translational issues and implications for sustainability of this proven program.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the symposium, participants will be able to

1, discuss the CDSMP underlying theory, intervention, and evaluation method.
• compare and contrast outcomes of CDSMP in rural and urban areas.
• discuss practice/research implications of the findings.

Keywords: Chronic Illness, Evidence Based Practice

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered