title: Translating research into action: reducing disparities in mental health care for Mexican Americans.
abstract: This article describes a case study in which epidemiologic research findings were translated for multiple stakeholders and applied to reduce disparities in mental health services for Mexican Americans in Fresno County, California. The aims of this evidence-based process were to educate the community and mobilize action, translate research for multiple stakeholders to inform practitioners and policy makers about the need for improved mental health care for minorities, and effect regional policy changes to increase and improve the availability, accessibility, and appropriateness of mental health care for Mexican Americans. Through this process, a community-driven and consumer-oriented model evolved, which resulted in the allocation of resources to expand mental health services in rural areas of Fresno County. The authors discuss the process of translating research into action, key antecedents to an effective outcome, and lessons learned from the process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, California State University, 5310 North Campus Drive, Fresno, CA 93740-8019, USA. sergioa@csufresno.edu
authors.forename: Sergio A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Aguilar-Gaxiola
authors.forename: Lynnette
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zelezny
authors.forename: Betty
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Edmondson
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alejo-Garcia
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Vega
mesh_terms: D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy*; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors