Innovative Solutions; Engaging Non-Traditional Partners to Reduce Health Disparities

In this paper the authors describe the role that diverse coalition membership played in the development of a series of innovative projects implemented by a community based coalition to reduce the health disparities experienced by two underserved, predominantly Hispanic, urban neighborhoods located in the Arizona-Sonora border region. This coalition is a model for the organization and functioning of strategic community mobilization to reduce health disparities. The projects developed and implemented by the coalition were made possible by the engagement and recruitment of diverse partners (both traditional and non traditional health coalition partners). Although the focus of this coalition is on diabetes and substance abuse, the interconnection of local economic, health, and social issues led to the involvement of a diverse membership that included agencies and organizations not traditionally associated with health programs. Not only were the usual health organizations involved, but libraries, grocery stores, transportation systems, neighborhood associations, and city urban planning and design departments all played important roles. Further, the coalition includes community members as well as the organizational members. The broad base of the membership has made accessible a wide range of talents and innovative viewpoints that have led to the development of creative and effective approaches to reduce health disparities.