Program Overview

Adult immunization rates in the United States fall short of the goals established by Healthy People 2010. Low rates of immunization are a contributing factor to the 50,000 deaths among adults that occur from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) each year. Immunization rates for ethnic minority populations in the United States are even lower than those reported for the population as a whole, resulting in a significant health burden for ethnic minority populations. Multiple societal, provider/office system-related, and patient-related barriers exist that prevent the elimination of racial and ethnic disparities in adult immunization rates. Effective methods for overcoming these barriers include increasing access to health care in minority neighborhoods, adjusting provider practices and office systems, and improving patient education regarding VPDs and vaccination. Community outreach programs have also proven effective at increasing immunization rates among racial and ethnic minority populations. This program examines the disparities in vaccination rates and discusses strategies to eliminate them in order to minimize the morbidity and mortality associated with VPDs in ethnic minorities in the United States.

Educational Objectives

After completing this activity, the participant should be better able to:

• Describe the substantial racial and ethnic disparities in adult immunization rates, the burdens that result from these disparities, and the factors that contribute to them

• Create and apply effective strategies to reduce the barriers that contribute to racial and ethnic disparities in adult immunization rates

Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of primary care physicians and other health care professionals who wish to learn more about strategies to improve adult vaccination rates in ethnic minority populations.

Accreditation Statement

SciMed is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation

SciMed designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Faculty Disclosure

SciMed requires all individuals who are involved with the development or delivery of content in any of its activities to disclose any financial relationships they may have with commercial interests. Should SciMed determine that any of the disclosed relationships constitute a conflict of interest, as defined by the ACCME, SciMed will act to resolve such a conflict.

When asked to report relevant financial relationships with commercial interests, faculty reported the following:

George C. Hill, PhD
No relevant financial relationships to report.

Richard K. Zimmerman, MD, MPH
Grants/Research Support: Merck & Co., Inc., MedImmune
Consultant: Merck & Co., Inc.

All SciMed personnel involved in the development of content for this activity have no relevant financial relationships to report.

The materials for this activity were peer reviewed by Robert Lyon, MD, Assistant Professor, Medical College of Wisconsin. Dr. Lyon has no relevant financial relationships to report.

Faculty

George C. Hill, PhD
Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Levi Watkins Jr. Professor and Associate Dean for Diversity in Medical Education
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Nashville, Tennessee

Richard K. Zimmerman, MD, MPH
Professor with Tenure
Department of Family Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Staff Physician, East Liberty Family Health Care Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania