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Concurrent Session D3
Making Connections: Multifaceted
Approaches to Mental Health
Incorporating Critical Consciousness into HIV Prevention
Interventions for Diverse Groups of Youth
Gary Harper, PhD, MPH, MPH Program, DePaul University;
Andrew Riplinger, BA, DePaul University
According to the Critical Consciousness (CC) component of Freire’s
pedagogy, people must develop a critical analysis of the social conditions
that perpetuate their marginalization or oppression before they
mount effective resistance. Since many of the communities most
impacted by HIV are those that experience varying degrees of societal
oppression, interventions that enhance CC can assist in the development
of a critical understanding of the role that negative social influences
(e.g., racism, heterosexism, and sexism) can play in increasing
sexual risk behaviors; thus fostering collective resistance to health
damaging societal notions. Although programs that promote CC have
been applied across a variety of areas in health education, they have
been underutilized in HIV prevention. This presentation will detail
the use of a CC coaching technique in the implementation of two
culturally tailored HIV prevention programs for youth at high risk for
HIV—African American gay/bisexual male youth in the US and rural
male youth in Kenya. These illustrations will be used to demonstrate
the ways in which CC techniques can be tailored to culturally diverse
populations, and incorporated into HIV prevention and other health
promotion interventions. Ways in which CC strategies can result in
sustained improvements in health by fostering positive psychosocial
development and engagement in health behaviors among youth will
be discussed. Incorporating CC into HIV prevention interventions
for diverse populations is a promising strategy to unveil a variety of
historical, political, social, and cultural factors that serve to promote
oppression among marginalized populations.
Alzheimer’s and Diabetes: Exploring the Connection
Michael Splaine, MA, Healthy Brain Initiative, Alzheimer’s
Association; Catherine Morrison, MPH, Alzheimer’s Association
An estimated 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. By
2030, the number of people aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s
disease is expected to reach 7.7 million. Of Medicare beneficiaries with
Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, 23 percent also have diabetes.
Alzheimer’s disease increases the health care costs of individuals with
diabetes by 60 percent. Beyond the cost element, emerging research
shows that diabetes may be linked to an elevated risk of developing
Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. The purpose of this presentation
is to present the evidence regarding, and increase knowledge
about, the connections between Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive health,
vascular health, and diabetes. Additionally, the presentation will
facilitate understanding of the impact on racial and ethnic minority
communities. Current programs and policies for addressing both
conditions will be explored. For the first time since its inception in
1979, the federal government’s Healthy People report includes national
health goals and objectives related to Alzheimer’s disease and other
dementias. With the intersection of two public health crises and
growing prevalence of both Alzheimer’s and diabetes, action is necessary
to define the connections between the conditions, create tailored
interventions, and prepare for the future.
Status of Alzheimer’s Disease State Plans: A Policy Review
Catherine Morrison, MPH, Alzheimer’s Association; Michael Splaine,
MA, Healthy Brain Initiative, Alzheimer’s Association
Status of Alzheimer’s disease State Plans: A Policy Review
Background: An estimated 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimer’s
disease. By 2030, the number of people aged 65 and older with
Alzheimer’s disease is expected to reach 7.7 million. In order to address
this growing public health threat, many states have started planning
for the crisis and have begun to take action to confront the looming
Alzheimer’s disease epidemic. Currently, 13 states have official state
Alzheimer’s disease plans, and many of them have included recommendations
on how to deal with the disease from a public health
perspective. For the first time since its inception in 1979, the federal
government’s Healthy People report includes national health goals and
objectives related to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Purpose:
The purpose of this analysis is to present a portrait of actions to
address Alzheimer’s disease from a public health perspective throughout
the United States. This presentation will summarize states’ priorities
and specifically focus on the level and extent of authority, process,
use of data, and outcomes in the state plans. Methods: Information is
gathered through research, state legislative and regulatory monitoring,
and direct communication with state health and aging officials.
Discussion: Information in this analysis highlights key trends in state
actions and policies to address Alzheimer’s disease from a public
health perspective. Specific case studies from the state level are
included in order to document the process. This analysis should help
improve future development of state Alzheimer’s plans as well as assist
the public health community in campaigns and activities surrounding
Alzheimer’s disease.
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SOPHE-NACDD 2011 Joint Academy and Midyear Scientific Meeting