A National Health Information Initiative to Reach Patients and Communities of Diverse Races and Ethnicities with Conditions of the Bones, Joints, Muscles, and Skin

Background:  Significant disparities exist in the access that racial and ethnic minority populations have to meaningful, easily understood, and culturally and linguistically appropriate health information about conditions of the bones, joints, muscles, and skin. The National Institutes of Health (NIH)’s National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) developed the National Multicultural Outreach Initiative to help address disparities in the availability and access to research-based and culturally relevant health information among various multicultural groups. 

Program background:  NIAMS conducted audience research with adults from multicultural backgrounds who have diseases and conditions of the bones, joints, muscles, and skin. NIAMS was able to gain insight into their culture, health beliefs, and health-seeking behaviors and barriers, an area of research that has not been widely studied. Focus groups were conducted in five cities along with nationwide, in-depth telephone interviews with African Americans, Hispanics and Latinos, Asians and Pacific Islanders, Alaska Natives, and American Indians and Native Hawaiians. The information gathered from this audience research led to the development of culturally targeted health planners. The planners provide health information and raise awareness about available resources from NIAMS, NIH, and other Federal agencies that can help people cope with their chronic disease or condition to improve their quality of life.

Evaluation Methods and Results: In preparation for a national distribution effort, NIAMS conducted a pilot study in four states to test distribution methods used by four different community-based organizations, and to evaluate the effectiveness of health planners tailored to American Indians and Hispanics/Latinos. In the selection of pilot sites, NIAMS was able to leverage existing partnerships with two federal agencies and key stakeholders. Two pilot sites focused on outreach through community health workers as a channel for accessing multicultural communities. Effectiveness of dissemination methods and use of the planners will be determined by tracking inquiries and information gathered from the targeted populations and the community-based organizations.

Conclusions: Ultimately, NIAMS will apply what is learned from the pilot study to enhance the health planners for all four ethnic populations; to compare commonalities and differences for the most effective distribution channels for each ethnic population; and to make strategic decisions for the national distribution effort in 2013.

Implications for research and/or practice: Through the NIAMS National Multicultural Outreach Initiative, NIAMS will:

• Improve availability of and access to research-based and culturally relevant health information on bones, joints, muscles, and skin for racial, ethnic and underserved populations;
• Emphasize that research is the foundation for progress in achieving better bone, joint, muscle, and skin health;
• Support and involve community, voluntary, and professional organizations, and other governmental agencies in multicultural outreach.