Using CBPR to Decrease Health Disparities in a Suburban Latino Neighborhood.

Area of Science:

• Community Health
• Public Health Interventions
• Health Disparities Research

Background:

• Two high-risk suburban neighborhoods were targeted for health and social resource delivery.
• A community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach was employed to assess feasibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the feasibility of a CBPR approach for delivering health and social resources.
• To engage stakeholders in designing and implementing a neighborhood-based intervention.

Main Methods:

• A neighborhood-based intervention was designed with stakeholders, targeting a Latino immigrant population.
• Intervention included screenings (hypertension, diabetes, depression), primary care access, and navigation support.
• 216 participants were enrolled, with health and social service utilization measured at baseline and 1 year post-intervention.

Main Results:

• Baseline data revealed low health insurance (5.1%), limited primary care access (16.7%), and high chronic illness prevalence (38.4%).
• A majority reported low perceived health (56%) and high depression risk (33%).
• Primary care service use increased from 33.8% to 48%, and social service use reached 62% post-intervention.

Conclusions:

• Neighborhood-based interventions using CBPR effectively identify and connect underserved individuals to essential health and social services.
• The CBPR model facilitated access to primary care and social support systems for a vulnerable population.