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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Dara Mendez, MPH, Maternal and Child Health, University of North Carolina, Campus Box 7400, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, 919-724-6250, ddhall@email.unc.edu, Jennie Burnet, PhD, Anthropology, University of North Carolina, Campus Box 3115, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, Amanda Crowe, MA, MPH, Independent Health Communications Consultant, 7006 Metropolitan Place, Falls Church, VA 22043, and Shelia Bunch, PhD, MSW, School of Social Work, Eastern Carolina University, 216 Ragsdale Building, Greenville, NC 27858.

Background: Racial and ethnic health disparities in infant mortality continue to exist in North Carolina.

Purpose: Focus group research was undertaken as a component of the North Carolina State Infant Mortality Collaborative to understand the relationships between women's overall health, health disparities, health behaviors and infant mortality.

Methods: A convenience sample of 21 focus groups was recruited between April and June 2005 from 13 counties in North Carolina. Facilitators used a structured interview guide. Key themes included preventative health behaviors, health information, social support networks, health care services, pregnancy, prenatal care, and racial and ethnic health disparities.

Results: There were 204 participants, and 95 percent were women. African-Americans comprised 67 percent of the total sample. Racial and ethnic health disparities were primarily discussed in the context of health care services and interactions with the health care system. Respondents reported racial discrimination in interactions with physicians, lack of adequate patient-provider communication, and differential power relations between the patient and provider. Racial and ethnic minorities noted a shortage of minority health care providers, and respondents in eastern North Carolina indicated a lack of adequate health care facilities in their region. Respondents' reports of the legacies of slavery and segregation were more pronounced in eastern North Carolina. Socioeconomic factors and stress were also mentioned as contributing factors to health disparities.

Conclusion: Several contributors to health care disparities were noted. Understanding community members' perspectives about contributing factors to racial and ethnic health disparities gives insight for future research and interventions targeted to address disparities.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Describe at least four possible contributors to health care disparities.
• Identify the links between women's health, self-care and behaviors.
• Discuss factors that promote and prevent healthy behaviors.

Keywords: Health Disparities, Women's Health

Related Web page: www.nchealthystart.org/downloads2/SIMS%20Final%20Report%20web.pdf

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered