Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
• Describe knowledge about influenza disease and vaccination of 50 to 64 year olds with chronic health conditions
• Identify effective concepts and messages that encourage older people with chronic health conditions to be vaccinated.


Background:
CDC identifies adults 50 to 64 as a primary target group for annual influenza vaccination because this group has an “elevated prevalence of certain chronic medical conditions.”

Objectives:
• To assess perceived benefits and barriers to influenza vaccination.
• To assess the effectiveness of CDC's outreach materials with older adults with chronic health conditions.


Methods:
Thirty focus groups were conducted with African American, Caucasian, and Hispanic adults aged 50 to 64 with chronic health conditions in Chicago, Houston, Oakland, and Philadelphia in 2005. All Hispanic groups were conducted in Spanish.

Results:
Thirty focus groups were conducted with African American, Caucasian, and Hispanic adults aged 50 to 64 with chronic health conditions in Chicago, Houston, Oakland, and Philadelphia in 2005. All Hispanic groups were conducted in Spanish.

Conclusions:
Older adults with chronic health conditions need outreach materials that define chronic conditions, include examples of chronic conditions, and state that people with chronic conditions are at greater risk of suffering from complications of influenza and should receive influenza vaccinations annually. Several outreach materials must be developed that use concepts, messages, and graphics that are effective, relevant, and culturally appropriate for specific segments of 50- to 64-year-olds with chronic conditions. Messages should use facts and emotional appeals.