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Portland State's Institute on Aging has launched a three-year study of arthritis among Oregon's Hispanic population. The study, which places major emphasis on community partnerships and community solutions, is funded by a $461,000 grant awarded by the Northwest Health Foundation.

Titled “Arthritis Among Hispanics In Oregon: Developing Community Solutions,” the study will focus on the challenges Hispanics face in coping with arthritis. A later phase of the study will be to develop an appropriate, culturally sensitive plan for dealing with arthritis among Hispanics.

The grant was prepared by Institute on Aging faculty members Chad Cheriel, senior researcher and principal investigator for the study; Sharon Baggett, senior research associate; and Margaret Neal, professor and researcher; along with Mark Kaplan, associate professor in the School of Community Health.

"Our overall aim is to work collaboratively with the partners and the community to develop a comprehensive plan for improving overall quality of life of Hispanics by reducing the ill effects of arthritis," Cheriel said. He points out that the study focuses specifically on Hispanics in Marion, Polk, Washington and Yamhill counties but could be extrapolated to the Hispanic population in all of Oregon.

Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, Salud Services of Tuality Healthcare, and Susanna Maria Gurule Foundation are the key Hispanic partners for the study. Other community partners are the National Arthritis Foundation, Northwest Senior and Disability Services, Oregon Department of Human Services, Oregon Rheumatology Alliance, Washington County Disability, Aging and Veteran Services.

“The research team is exceptional," said Judith Woodruff, director of Strategic Initiatives at Northwest Health Foundation. "In terms of community-based participatory research, this project hits the mark. Not only will this study improve the quality of life of Hispanics with arthritis, it will also test the effectiveness of a collaborative approach that teams academic researchers with community-based organizations. Our hope is that the results can then be replicated to help meet other health needs of the Hispanic population."

Through interviews, surveys and focus groups, the group will build a database on the characteristics of, beliefs about, and treatment behaviors related to arthritis among Hispanics in Oregon; develop a comprehensive plan for minimizing the ill effects of arthritis on the population; and test and evaluate one or more of the strategies developed. The database, findings and successful model(s) developed from the research will result in reduced disabilities, improved health and improved quality of life for the Hispanic population in Oregon.

Northwest Health Foundation focuses on issues of health and health care in Oregon and Southwest Washington, seeking concrete solutions to today's health care problems while advocating to prevent tomorrow's. It emphasizes collaborative dialogue in the community.

Established in 1969, the Institute on Aging at Portland State University is a multidisciplinary research and training center located within the School of Community Health in the College of Urban and Public Affairs. The Institute focuses on research, education and training, and community service related to the issues, policies, and programs that affect the quality of life for elders and their families.

For more information on the study of arthritis among Hispanics in Oregon, please contact Chad Cheriel at 503-725-5237 or email ccheriel@pdx.edu

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Source:
Sharon Baggett (503-725-5237)
PSU Institute on Aging


For Immediate Release (#05-096)