VIP: Vaccinate for Influenza Prevention
Influenza disproportionately affects African-American, Latino and other minority and low-income older adults. Complications related to influenza may result in hospitalization and subsequent declines in wellbeing among older adults, especially those with chronic health problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and asthma. Although more Americans are getting vaccinated each year, significant disparities between minority and white adults persist and disparities increase as income and health care access decrease. In densely populated residential communities, an increase in vaccination rates can greatly improve both individual and community health. V.I.P.: Vaccinate for Influenza Prevention is designed to increase knowledge, promote positive attitudes toward and increase influenza vaccination rates and at the same time to encourage a proactive and sustainable approach to health maintenance among low-income, primarily minority older adults living independently in senior housing buildings in Hartford, CT.
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Project Staff
ICR
Jean J. Schensul, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Kim Radda, RN, MA.
Project Director
William Disch, Ph.D.
Senior Data Analyst
Elsie Vazquez, BA.
Intervention Facilitator
Ken Williamson, Ph.D.
Intervention Scientist
Michelle Garner, BA
Data Manager
University of Connecticut Health Center, Center on Aging
George Kuchel, M.D., FRCP
UCHC Principal Investigator
Rita Jepson, M.D.
Co-Investigator
Assistant Professor, UCHC
Allison Kleppinger, MS
Research Assistant
Jan McElhaney, M.D.
Consultant
Hartford Housing Authority
Elizabeth Rodriguez
Wanda Moore
VNA Health Care Inc. of Greater Hartford
Laurie St. John, R.N., M.S.N.
North Central Area Agency on Aging (NCAAA)
Carmen Y. Reyes, M.S.M.
Laurie Brooks
Project Abstract
Please read the project abstract here.