Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to define what an underserved community is.
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to identify barriers that hinder vaccinations in underserved communities.
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to apply new ideas to reach community residents living in underserved communities.


Background:
In many communities adolescent and adult immunizations rates are still low. For many years public health providers and public health officials have been trying to fix the problem. In some situations they have succeeded and in others they have failed. Geographically vaccinations rates are low in communities that are underserved and undeveloped. These communities are located in areas where unemployment rates are high, crime rates are high and education is low. For many individuals vaccinations are the least of their concerns. Today as health professionals seek to increase immunization rates among these two populations we must not ignore the barriers that hinder them from receiving vaccinations. Health professionals and health providers have to be willing to find new ideas to increase vaccinations rates for adolescents and adults.












Setting:
Various public health settings including clinics, community centers and schools.


Population:
Adolescents and Adults


Project Description:
Public health service providers will learn about what an underserved community is, how to address the different barriers hindering vaccinations and how to develop new ideas to increase vaccination rates in adolescents and adults.


Results/Lessons Learned:
Public health officials will be able to reach more adolescents and adults who are less likely to be immunized. This will then increase the health of adolescents and adults.