Addressing Barriers to Health Promotion in Underserved Women

Abstract

Underserved women face numerous barriers to adopting healthy eating behaviors. To develop effective health-promotion interventions for underserved women, barriers specific to the individual need should be addressed. Influenced by individual characteristics, experiences, and culture, different types of barriers (internal, interpersonal, and environmental) can overlap to impede healthy eating in underserved women. On the basis of literature review and qualitative research experiences with underserved women, 4 potential approaches for addressing barriers to health promotion were identified: (1) individualizing interventions; (2) developing collaborative partnerships within the community; (3) using positive deviance inquiry to build on community assets; and (4) changing public policy.