Online Program

Oral

The Gulf Coast has experienced multiple natural disasters and, as a consequence, severe reductions in health and behavioral health infrastructure. This symposium will show how the impact of chronic disruptions of public health infrastructure can be mitigated through the resource of integrated behavioral health and primary care services. This symposium presents findings from a series of five-year projects implemented in four Gulf States, evaluated by teams at local universities, and funded by the Deepwater Horizon Medical Settlement. Symposium speakers from each State will describe findings from components of the Integration Model that increased access to mental and behavioral health care throughout the Gulf South: ALABAMA will address techniques to measure the successful integration of services. FLORIDA will offer findings regarding the delivery of pediatric services. LOUISIANA will discuss strategies used to develop health and Telehealth services. MISSISSIPPI will discuss methods used to expand workforce capacity in areas where there is a person power shortage. While specific to the Gulf Coast and disaster recovery, the solutions identified from the Gulf States provide practical insights on how-to address disparities of care on a national platform.

Session Objectives: Describe how chronic disruptions to public health infrastructure elevated pre-existing health care disparities in communities experiencing trauma. Identify opportunities and challenges involved in implementing four innovative health care strategies to expand access to care in rural settings. Discuss research showing the efficacy of solutions in the area of workforce development, access to pediatric assessment/treatment, Telehealth and measurement tool for assessing progress in the integration of primary care and behavioral health services.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)