Using a community readiness model to help overcome breast health disparities among US Latinas

The aim of this article is to illustrate how investigators can use a strength-based model, such as the Community Readiness Model (CRM), to help overcome breast health disparities among Latinas living in the United States. In this effort, I describe a CRM study conducted between the years 2001 and 2002 in four predominantly Latino communities in Colorado. First, 19 key informants were interviewed to assess their perceived level of community readiness to encourage Latinas participation in breast cancer prevention and control activities. Next, 3.3 Latinas over the age of 50 participated in focus groups to further examine perceptions of barriers and,facilitative factors to participate in the activities. Lastly, 14 one-on-one interviews were conducted to clarify and expand on the information provided by key informants and focus group participants. We bridged this research to practice by creating and testing (with 22 Latinas) breast health educational materials that address in a culturally sensitive manner Latinas' main concerns about participating in these lifesaving activities.