Disparities exist by race, ethnicity and geography, as well as, by economic and educational levels. Consequently, the disadvantaged have less access to the health care system and suffer greater health effects and premature death. Therefore, improving the health care system to eliminate health disparities is also a specific target of research by the Bowen Research Center faculty and staff. Collectively, the faculty and staff have a long history of research in this area. Recent developments include collaborating with the Indiana Minority Health Coalition to identify opportunities to reduce disparities and developing expertise in Hispanic health issues, the development of the new Departmental Hispanic Health Initiative and the efforts of the Indiana Area Health Education Centers to eliminate health disparities across populations.

Health Disparities Research Related Activities

Invited Addresses:

• "Indiana's Children with Special Health Care Needs," Indiana State Board of Health, January, 1992.
• "Children with Special Health Care Needs, Participant Survey," Family Health Conference, Indianapolis, October, 1992.
• “Lifestyles: Effect on Community Health and Economics,” Congress on Health Care, Indiana Public Health Foundation, Inc., Indianapolis, April 22, 1999.
• Racial and Ethnic Minority Research Center support – testimony before Indiana Ways and Means Committee on HB 3098, January 30, 2003.
• “Data Quality,” Indiana Minority Health Coalition Leadership Conference, Indianapolis, October 15, 2003.
• “Focus Group Strategies,” Indiana Minority Health Coalition Educational Conference, Indianapolis, May 15, 2004.

Public Service:

• "Children with Special Health Care Needs Program: Client Perception Study." Principal Consultant, Indiana Parent Information Network, 1991

Grants and Awards:

• “Community Intervention to Increase Mammography Screening in African American Women” Co-Investigator, National Cancer Institute ($1,450,000) 1999-2005.
• “Jamaican Health Policy Analysis Planning Session” Principal Investigator, International Development Fund ($4,784) 1999.
• "Faculty Development in Underserved Leadership” Co-investigator, HRSA, ($587,538) 2002-2005.
• “Hispanic Herbal Remedy Research Project” Principle Investigator, Marion County Health Department ($3,000) 2003.
• “Research and Evaluation Support for the Racial and Ethnic Minority Epidemiological Center” Principle Investigator, Indiana Minority Health Coalition ($173,392) 2003-2005.

Publications:

• Zollinger, T.W., Saywell, R.M., Chu, D.K.W., Ziegert, A., Woods, J.R., Labov, D. "A Determination of Institutional and Patient Factors Impacting Uncompensated Hospital Care." Hospital and Health Services Administration, Spring 1991; 10:1, 243-256.
• Zollinger, T.W., Saywell, R.M., Chu, D.K.W. "Uncompensated Hospital Care for Pregnancy and Childbirth Patients." American Journal of Public Health, August, 1991; 81:8 1017-1022.
• Saywell, R.M., Zollinger, T.W., Schafer, M.E., Schmit, T.M., and Ladd, J.K. "Children With Special Health Care Needs Program: Urban-Rural Comparisons." The Journal of Rural Health, Fall, 1993; 9:4 314-325.
• Zollinger, T.W., Saywell, R.M., Smith, M.A., Robinson, R.L. and Knudson, N.E. “Indiana Children’s Special Health Care Services Program: Impact of Administrative Changes on Health Care Utilization, Access to Care and Unmet Needs” Children’s Health Care, Fall 1999; 28 (4):349-364.
• Zollinger, T.W., Saywell, R.M., Smith, M.A., Robinson, R.L. and Knudson, N.E. “Indiana Children’s Special Health Care Services Program: Impact of Administrative Changes on Rural Needs.” Children’s Health Care, Fall 2000; 29 (4): 295-311.
• Russell, KM, Perkins, SM, Zollinger, TW, & Champion, V. “Socio-cultural context of mammography screening use among African Americans.” Oncology Nursing Forum, (in press for January 2006 issue).

Contract Final Reports:

• Zollinger, T.W., Saywell, R.M., Jr., Chu, D.K.W., Ziegert, A., Woods, J.R., and LaBov, A.D. "A Determination of Institutional and Patient Factors Affecting Uncompensated Hospital Care." Medical Benefits, 8,13 July 15, 1991: 5-6
• Zollinger, T.W., Saywell, R.M., Chu, D.K.W., "Uncompensated Hospital Care for Pregnancy and Childbirth Patients." Medical Benefits, 8, 16 August 1991: 9.
• Russell K. and Zollinger, T.W. "Behavioral and Health Status Risk Factors in the Frequency of Injuries in Black and White Preschool Children." American Public Health Association, November 1995.
• Zollinger TW, Saywell RM, Smith MA, Robinson RL, Knudson, NE. “Urban/Rural Comparisons of Children with Special Health Care Needs.” American Public Health Association, Indianapolis, November 1997.
• Zollinger TW, Saywell RM, Smith MA, Robinson RL, Knudson, NE. “Indiana’s CSHCS Program Changes Effect Service Utilization and Unmet Need.” American Public Health Association, Indianapolis, November 1997.
• Belcher, AM, Saywell, RM, Zollinger, TW. “Immunization Rates Among Homeless Children.” American Public Health Association, Boston, November 2000.
• Overgaard AD, Zollinger TW, Saywell RM, Wooldridge JS. “Anti-tobacco Media Awareness by Rural, Suburban and Urban Youth (pdf).” American Public Health Association, San Francisco, November 2003.
• Zollinger TW, Saywell RM, Wooldridge JS. “Racial Differences in Adolescent Tobacco Use, Environments, and Attitudes (pdf).” American Public Health Association, San Francisco, November 2003.
• Jewell N, Russell KM, Zollinger TW, Saywell Jr. RM. “Evolution of a Community-Based Minority Health Research Center.” American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Exposition, Washington D.C. November 2004.
• Limbil T, Zollinger TW, Saywell Jr. RM. “Tobacco Attitudes of Rural, Suburban and Urban Youth.” American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Exposition, Washington D.C. November 2004
• Sevilla-Martir JF, Saywell RM, Zollinger TW, Zoppi KA. “Barriers to Healthcare Access Faced by the Hispanic/Latino Community of Indianapolis.” School of Medicine, Dean’s Grand Rounds, September 2004.
• Champion VL, Springston JK, Monahan P, Saywell RM, Zollinger TW, Russell KM. “Tailored vs. Targeted Interventions to Increase Mammography Screening Adherence in Low-Income African American Women.” 8th National Conference on Cancer Nursing Research, Oncology Nursing Society. Fort Lauderdale, FL., February 2005.
• Russell KM, Champion VL, Springston JK, Monahan P, Saywell RM, Zollinger TW. “A Tailored Interactive Intervention to Promote Mammography Screening in African American Women in Community-Based Settings.” American Cancer Society Conference on Exploring Models to Eliminate Cancer Disparities Among African American and Latino Populations: Research and Community Solutions. Atlanta, GA. April 2005

BACK