1. ADDRESSING LUPUS DISPARITIES THROUGH COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS Karen Mancera-Cuevas MS. CHES, Patricia Canessa, PhD, Rosalind Ramsey-Goldman, MD, DrPH Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago IL – Salud Latina/Latino Health The goal of REACH LUPUS, “Roadmap for Education and Access Care for Chicago Hispanic LUPUS”, is to reduce health disparities in a Hispanic-Mexican community in Chicago’s Pilsen community. Our aim is to increase and improve lupus awareness among individuals where there is little knowledge of this condition because of historical self-reported lupus health disparities by this community. To address the project aim a partnership was developed by Northwestern University engaging trusted providers in the targeted community, which included Salud Latina/Latino Health, Casa Michoacan, and Lower West Side Mercy Medical Clinic, all with different roles but committed to engage key voices in the community to resolve this disparities gap with a culturally and linguistically competent approach. Background: Latinos/Hispanics constitute the second largest population group in the U.S.; Research indicates that despite the fact that they are a relatively healthy and young population at arrival, their health conditions have began to demonstrate deteriorating outcomes. There is limited research on SLE and Latinos/Hispanics however clinical practice has shown a sudden presence of Latinos seeking care for rheumatic disorders. Therefore this project focuses on improving community knowledge about SLE and other rheumatologic diseases and in influencing health seeking norms among Latinos/Hispanics likelihood of seeking early diagnosis and care. Methods: A community education strategy was built based on prior demonstrations of the effectiveness of Social Network models, such as the CDC recommended evidence-based practice Popular Opinion Leader (POL) model. An adaptation of the POL model was conducted by Salud Latina/Latino Health, a capacity building partner expert in the adaptation of behavioral models. Meanwhile, Casa Michoacan, a well- known agency focused on immigrant assimilation and well-being adaptation recruited trusted community leaders who identified themselves as MONARCAS (in recognition of the migrant butterfly from Michoacan), and that could influence health seeking norms and behaviors in the targeted group. Following the training, POLs delivered information in the community through palm cards, conversations with their networks and presentations to key community-based institutions. While the POLs disseminated information, they kept track of the distribution of their messages, and information that was registered in a digital mapping system. Results: At the end of the project, 25 POLs were trained in a cultural and linguistic specific curriculum learning about the significance of SLE in the Latino community, increasing the utilization of timely medical care via (Lower West Mercy Clinic), and improving patterns of stigma, communication with health providers, self and engaging in community health advocacy. Funding Source: Grant number 1 CPIMP121064-01-00 from the Departments of Health and Human Services Office of Public Health and Science (DHHS OPHS). The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the DHHS OPHS.