"Community-based research: making it work"

Speakers
Juan C. Celedon, M.D., Ph.D. Instructor Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Channing Laboratory Harvard Medical School rejcc@channing.harvard.edu	Ed Fisher, Ph.D. Professor or Psychology Medicine & Pediatrics Division of Health Behavior Research Washington University efisher@im.wustl.edu	Brian Gibbs, Ph.D., MPA, OTR/L Director of the Program to Eliminate Health Disparities Division of Public Health Practice Harvard School of Public Health bkgibbs@hsph.harvard.edu	Karen Peterson, Sc.D. Associate Professor Department of Nutrition Harvard School of Public Health kpeterso@hsph.harvard.edu
"Asthma in the Hispanic population: a community-based Study in Costa Rica"	"Combining Outreach and Research in Disadvantaged Communities"	"Social Transformation and Public Health Practice"	"Lowering Risk in Low Income Postpartum Women"
Abstract: After a brief overview of asthma and respiratory disease among the Hispanic population, this talk will focus on a recently initiated family-based study in Costa Rica. We will discuss challenges of study recruitment and retention in this setting and make recommendations about strategies for enhancing the effectiveness of epidemiological research in cross-cultural settings.	Abstract : This talk will discuss strategies for outreach to disadvantaged communities. Interventions that utilize peer influence, social support, and community organization will be emphasized. The talk will also cover challenges in evaluating such programs and combining them with research. Examples will be drawn primarily from community-based research in asthma and smoking cessation with additional attention to diabetes management and promotion of cancer screening.	Abstract: During this presentation, participants will be introduced to Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) 2010 project, Cherishing Our Hearts and Souls, in Roxbury, MA. This presentations will explore community intervention strategies addressing cardiovascular disease and racism through experience-based social transformation and public health practice models. These models draw on experiences in other disciplines across racial, ethnic, educational, and economic barriers. Concluding this presentation participants will be able to: (1) identify major social transformation models and their contributions towards the production of illness and promotion of health among poor and minority populations; and (2) describe a model that has strong implications for sustainable community-centered interventions involving the elimination of health disparities.	Abstract: Shortfalls and disparities in meeting Healthy People 2010 Objectives for nutrition and activity underscore the need for innovative, community-based interventions targeting these behaviors. Among low-income, multi-ethnic women, the postpartum period represents increased risk for poor reproductive health in the near term and for chronic disease in the long term. Childbearing demands and lifestyle changes coupled with social isolation and poor health status can exacerbate inappropriate dietary intake and low levels of physical activity. This presentation will describe the design and public health partnerships underlying a randomized, controlled community-based intervention trial (NICHD HD37368) testing the efficacy of an education model delivered by community-based paraprofessionals. Strategies to incorporate lessons from international health into the design of programs for multiethnic populations also will be discussed.
Panelist
1 Louise Ryan, Sc.D. Director of the Biostatitics Summer Minority Programs Professor Biostatistics Harvard School of Public Health 2 Tanya Sharpe Coordinator, Violence Prevention Programs Harvard School of Public Health 3 Bill Jenkins, Ph.D. Epidemiologist/Program Manager Tuskegee Health Benefits 4 Brian Gibbs, Ph.D., MPA, OTR/L Director of the Program to Eliminate Health Disparities Division of Public Health Practice Harvard School of Public Health 5 Jonathan Levy Sc.D., 1999, HSPH Assistant Professor of Environmental Health and Risk Assessment 6 Pen Loh, Ph.D. Executive Director Alternatives for Community and Envirnment (ACE) 7 Juan C. Celedon, M.D., Ph.D. Instructor Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Channing Laboratory Harvard Medical School 8 Rosalind Wright, MPH Instructor in Medicine Beth Israel Deaconess Med. Ctr./Harvard Medical School 9 Ed Fisher, Ph.D. Professor or Psychology Medicine & Pediatrics Division of Health Behavior Research Washington University