摘要：In 1996 we launched a community–provider partnership to raise immunization coverage for children aged younger than 3 years in Northern Manhattan, New York City. The partnership was aimed at fostering provider knowledge and accountability, practice improvements, and community outreach. By 1999 the partnership included 26 practices and 20 community groups. Between 1996 and 1999, immunization coverage rates increased in Northern Manhattan 5 times faster than in New York City and 8 times faster than in the United States (respectively, 3.4% vs 0.4% [t = 6.05, p < 0.001] and vs 0.6% [t = 5.65, p < 0.001]). The coverage rate for Northern Manhattan stayed constant through 2000, although it declined during this period for the United States and New York City. We attribute the success at reducing the gap to the effectiveness of our partnership. WE CONDUCTED A STUDY TO assess the effectiveness of our community–provider partnership in reducing immunization disparities among the disadvantaged communities of Harlem and Washington Heights in Northern Manhattan, New York City. Previous studies showed that interventions by either health providers or community organizations alone had limited impact on immunization coverage. 1– 4 Our partnership combined the efforts of health providers and community organizations.
