ASSURING HEALTH FOR ALL: AN EMPIRICAL CASE STUDY OF THE KANSAS CITY-CHRONIC DISEASE COALITION'S EFFORTS TO REDUCE RISK FOR HEALTH DISPARITIES AMONG RACIAL AND ETHNIC MINORITIES

Abstract

Health disparities have had a deep impact on the health status of minority populations over the last century. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the comprehensive community initiative implemented by the Kansas City Chronic Disease Coalition. The goals of this coalition were to prevent health disparities related to cardiovascular disease and diabetes experienced by African Americans and Latinos. This study relied on two measurement sources: the use of a documentation system to record instances of environmental change and a self-report behavioral survey. Between 10/01 and 9/07, the KCCDC implemented activities to support the mobilization of partners across all sectors of the community. This resulted in 655 community changes. These changes are associated with improvement in population-level outcomes. Between 2001 and 2005, the percentage of African American adults reporting consumption of five or more servings of fruits or vegetables daily increased from 16.4% to 26% (p=0.007).