A family history demonstration project among women in an urban Appalachian community.
BACKGROUND
Family health history (FHH) is promoted to consumers by the Surgeon General as a tool to improve health and prevent disease. However, few FHH resources exist for medically underserved populations such as the urban Appalachian community in Southwest Ohio.


OBJECTIVE
To engage and educate urban Appalachian women about the importance and collection of their own FHH.


METHODS
Researchers partnered with six community organizations to develop a model Family History Demonstration Project. Focus groups were held with urban Appalachian women to determine how they would like to learn about their FHH. Resources and an educational intervention were developed based on focus group findings with input from the academic and community partners. Participants in the project recorded their family history and evaluated the education sessions and materials.


RESULTS
Eleven fact sheets and four educational presentations were developed based on feedback from the target community. One hundred women participated in two family history education sessions. Learning objectives for both education sessions were met. All participants recorded their family history electronically or on paper and 91% of participants found the first education session (ES1) very helpful at teaching the importance of FHH.


CONCLUSIONS
Community organizations and university researchers partnered to develop a model Family History Demonstration Project with input from community members. Evaluations of the project were positive. Future efforts should focus on sustainable dissemination of the educational programs and resulting health outcomes.
Wallace
Jody P
JP
St. Elizabeth Medical Center, USA.
Baugh
Carol
C
Cornett
Sandra
S
Hood
Bonnie
B
Prows
Cynthia A
CA
Ryan
Norma
N
Warren
Nancy Steinberg
NS
Au
Margaret G
MG
Brown
M Kathryn
MK
Glandorf
Kathy
K
Jarrell
Judy L
JL
Nolan
Timothy L
TL
Sorrell
Jeff
J
Walters
Jennifer
J
Myers
Melanie F
MF
D000328:Adult; D001061:Appalachian Region; D019058:Community Networks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D057220:Health Literacy; D006801:Humans; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008875:Middle Aged; D009820:Ohio; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult