Community Efforts to Reduce Health Disparities in Kansas City
Author Information
Author(s): Vicki L Collie-Akers, Stephen B Fawcett, Jerry A Schultz, Valorie Carson, John Cyprus, Joseph E Pierle
Primary Institution: University of Kansas
Hypothesis
To what extent did the KC-CDC serve as a catalyst for community changes?
Conclusion
The coalition's actions were responsible for numerous community changes that may improve health outcomes for African Americans and Hispanics.
Supporting Evidence
- The coalition facilitated 321 community changes from October 2001 through December 2004.
- 75% of the changes aimed to reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
- 56% of the community changes targeted primarily African Americans.
- 38% of the changes involved providing health-related information to residents.
Takeaway
A group in Kansas City worked together to make changes in the community to help people stay healthier, especially for those who are often not as healthy.
Methodology
An empirical case study design was used to document and analyze community changes facilitated by the coalition.
Potential Biases
Most data were based on reports by coalition partners and were not independently verified.
Limitations
The case study design limits the ability to determine causal relationships between community changes and health outcomes.
Participant Demographics
The target population included primarily African Americans (56%) and Hispanics (13%) in an economically disadvantaged area.
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