Main description:

The 1980s opened a discussion of the varying nature of health in different segments of the United States. Falling under the rubric of "health disparities," a great deal of research has been published demonstrating the substantial differences in health status within a population. The causes of health disparities are varied and not always clear but most researchers agree that disparities are a reflection of social and economic inequities and political injustice. One of
the obstacles to addressing disparities is the lack of meaningful health data especially for vulnerable populations, which is often nonexistent despite being a critical factor for informing health programs and policies at the local level. This book provides a model for combating health disparities
by describing how the authors gathered local health information, engaged the community at every step of the process, and created movement toward evidence-based sustainable change.

This book describes how a landmark health survey in Chicago generated dramatic data that are allowing investigators throughout the city to move from data to action and from observation to intervention. In providing a detailed description of how the community-focused collection and analysis of health data can serve as an impetus for improved well-being, Urban Health is an invaluable resource for researchers, community groups, students and professionals.

Contents:

Contents

Chapter 1. Introducing the Sinai Model for Reducing Health Disparities and Improving Health
Steven Whitman, Ami M. Shah, and Maureen R. Benjamins

Chapter 2. A History of the Movement to Address Health Disparities
Jade L. Dell and Steven Whitman

Section 2
The Importance of Local Data: Introduction to Section 2
Ami M. Shah, Steven Whitman, Maureen R. Benjamins

Chapter 3. Sinai's Improving Community Health Survey: Methodology and Key Findings
Ami M. Shah and Steven Whitman

Chapter 4. The Jewish Community Health Survey of Chicago: Methodology and Key Findings
Maureen R. Benjamins

Chapter 5. The Chicago Asian Community Surveys: Methodology and Key Findings
Matthew J. McGee, Lucy Guo, Ami M. Shah and Hong Liu

Chapter 6. Comparing the Health Status of Ten Chicago Communities
Ami M. Shah

Section 3
Translating Data into Action: Introduction to Section 3
Steven Whitman, Ami M. Shah, and Maureen R. Benjamins

Chapter 7. Working Together to Live Tobacco Free: Community-Based Smoking Cessation in North Lawndale
Joseph F. West and Charlene J. Gamboa

Chapter 8. Combating Childhood Obesity through a Neighborhood Coalition: Community Organizing for Obesity Prevention in Humboldt Park
Adam B. Becker, Katherine Kaufer Christoffel, Miguel Morales, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Jose E. Lopez, Matt Longjohn

Chapter 9. Fighting Childhood Obesity in a Jewish Community
Maureen R. Benjamins

Chapter 10. Disproportionate Impact of Diabetes in a Puerto Rican Community of Chicago
Steven Whitman, Jose E. Lopez, Steven K. Rothschild, and Jaime Delgado

Chapter 11. Pediatric Asthma in African American and Latino Chicago Communities - Local Level Data Drives Response
Helen Margellos-Anast, Melissa A. Gutierrez

Chapter 12. Humboldt Park: A Community United to Challenge Asthma
Molly Martin and Juana Ballesteros

Section 4
Implications

Chapter 13. Community-Based Health Interventions: Past, Present, and Future
Leah Ansell
Chapter 14. The Future Holds Promise
Steven Whitman, Ami M. Shah, and Maureen R. Benjamins

Index