faith-based organization working to create a healthier detroit

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FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATION WORKING TO CREATE A HEALTHIER DETROIT HEALTHY COMMUNITIES PROMOTE HEALTHY MINDS & BODIES APHA 139 TH Annual Meeting & EXPO November 1, 2011 By Apryl R. Brown, MD, MPH, FRSPH Detroit Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Detroit MRC Coordinator Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD) Biology Professor

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Faith-based organization working to create a healthier Detroit. HEALTHY COMMUNITIES PROMOTE HEALTHY MINDS & BODIES APHA 139 TH Annual Meeting & EXPO November 1, 2011 By Apryl R. Brown, MD, MPH, FRSPH Detroit Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Detroit MRC Coordinator - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Faith-based organization working to create a healthier Detroit

FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATION WORKING TO CREATE A HEALTHIER DETROIT

HEALTHY COMMUNITIES PROMOTE HEALTHYMINDS & BODIES

APHA 139TH Annual Meeting & EXPONovember 1, 2011

By

Apryl R. Brown, MD, MPH, FRSPHDetroit Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)

Detroit MRC Coordinator

Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD)Biology Professor

Page 2: Faith-based organization working to create a healthier Detroit

2004 STATISTICS OF DETROIT RESIDENTS

As a resident of Detroit, Michigan, I observed certain segments of this predominantly African American population lack the resources to obtain the full capacity of experiencing healthy lives.

According to the 2000 US Census Bureau: 21.7% of families residing in Detroit lived beneath

the poverty level in comparison to the 9.2% national average

26.1% of individuals residing in Detroit lived beneath the poverty level in comparison to the 12.4% national average

7.8% unemployment rate existed in Detroit in comparison to the 4.0% national average

Page 3: Faith-based organization working to create a healthier Detroit

2004 STATISTICS OF DETROIT RESIDENTS

Detroit, Michigan experienced a 7.5% decreased in the size of its’ population according to the US Census Bureau, Census 2000; 1990 Census, Population and Housing United Counts, United States.

This outward migration of residents led to a reduction of the city’s tax based population. Therefore, less finances were available to successfully operate this urban swelling.

Page 4: Faith-based organization working to create a healthier Detroit

FORMATION OF THE DETROIT MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS

During October 2004, the Detroit Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) was formalized as a faith-based organization registered out of the Office of the Surgeon General in order to help address the serious public health issues manifesting within the community.

Page 5: Faith-based organization working to create a healthier Detroit

DETROIT MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS The Detroit MRC is a local unit of the national

community-based organization Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps whose purpose involves addressing the public health priorities of the U.S. Surgeon General including: Increase Health Promotion Improve Health Literacy Increase Disease Prevention Early Disease Detection Decrease Health Disparities Strengthen public health preparedness

Page 6: Faith-based organization working to create a healthier Detroit

DETROIT MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS The Detroit MRC engages in public health

initiatives by forming community partnerships with: Faith-Based Organizations Community-Based Organizations Health Care Organizations Public Health Departments Professional Associations Medical Societies Academic Institutions

Page 7: Faith-based organization working to create a healthier Detroit

DETROIT MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS The Detroit MRC engages in public health

initiatives with the community through participating in events such as: Carnivals Church Events/Programs Health Fairs Awareness Programs Health Care Lectures Health Care Literature Back to School Events

Page 8: Faith-based organization working to create a healthier Detroit

HEALTH According to the World Health Organization

(WHO), health is defined as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

According to the World Health Organization, our level of health is influenced by many variables including the environment in which we work and live, genetics, socioeconomic level, educational status, type of social relationships and access to health systems. These factors are referred to as the “social determinants of health.”

Page 9: Faith-based organization working to create a healthier Detroit

NEGATIVE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS Negative social determinants such as the

following may lead to the onset of racial and ethnic health disparities manifesting among residents of Detroit: Lack of financial support due to high

unemployment rate Lack of social support Lack of adequate education Low socioeconomic status

Page 10: Faith-based organization working to create a healthier Detroit

RACIAL AND ETHNIC HEALTH DISPARITIES

Refer to gaps in the quality of health and health care across various racial and ethnic groups such as African Americans

In comparison to their White counterparts, racial minority groups often demonstrate a higher incidence of: Poor health Preventable chronic non-communicable diseases A higher mortality at an earlier age

Page 11: Faith-based organization working to create a healthier Detroit

HEALTH DISPARITIES IN MICHIGAN AFRICAN AMERICANS

In comparison to the Michigan state average, African Americans have a significantly higher prevalence of: Cerebrovascular Accidents (Strokes) Diabetes Mellitus Obesity Infant Mortality Rate

Cardiovascular and diet-related illnesses are of major concerns for Michigan African Americans.

Page 12: Faith-based organization working to create a healthier Detroit

ADDRESSING HEALTH DISPARITIES

The Detroit Medical Reserve Corps has hosted a series of guest lecturers from the Detroit Medical Center in order to educate the community how to properly maintain their health and decrease the onset of preventable chronic non-communicable diseases which lead to the onset of health disparities.

Page 13: Faith-based organization working to create a healthier Detroit

OBESITY Detroit rates among the top 10 top cities

nationwide with the highest percentage of obese individuals which takes an enormous toll of the health of those afflicted.

According to Michigan experts, the high rate of obesity is attributed to numerous factor such as: Easy Access to Unhealthy Food Lack of Recreational Activities Inclement Weather Heritage Level of Income

Page 14: Faith-based organization working to create a healthier Detroit

REGISTERED DIETITIAN Responding to address this public health

issue of obesity, a registered dietitian from the Detroit Medical Center addressed our audience on how to embrace a nutritious and a healthy dietary lifestyle.

The attendants of the lecture interacted favorably with the oral presenter and asked numerous questions pertaining to their health.

Page 15: Faith-based organization working to create a healthier Detroit

GUEST LECTURERS A cardiologist spoke to the community about

preventing the epidemic of cardiovascular diseases.

A cancer specialist educated the audience about the risk factors and signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer.

Both lecturers were very engaging with the community and were very open to answering questions from the audience.

Page 16: Faith-based organization working to create a healthier Detroit

HEALTH FAIRS The Detroit MRC has participated in health

fairs sponsored by other faith and community-based organizations in order partake in: Educational lectures Distribution of health literature Fun games Aerobic exercise Healthy eating Preventive health care

Page 17: Faith-based organization working to create a healthier Detroit

HEALTH EXPO The Freedom Institute is a non-profit

organization serving the community for economic, social justice, and political empowerment.

This organization sponsors an annual health fair held in conjunction with the Freedom Weekend Events sponsored by the NAACP Detroit Branch. The Detroit MRC has participated in this event

which is usually well attended by approximately 400-500 people

Page 18: Faith-based organization working to create a healthier Detroit

NATIONAL HEALTH CARE DAY OF SERVICE

U.S. President Barack Obama declared June 27, 2009 as the National Health Care Day of Service asking all communities throughout the country to engage in health related projects in order to bring awareness to health reform

In Detroit, the Detroit MRC partnered with community and health leaders, faith and community-based organizations, and medical societies working to produce the event:

“Look Good! Feel Good! The Presidential Way”

Page 19: Faith-based organization working to create a healthier Detroit

NATIONAL HEALTH CARE DAY OF SERVICE

The emphasis of this event involved various ways of engaging in health promotion and not just learning about the detection of diseases.

The public participated in: Aerobic exercise routines for young and middle

age adults as well as senior citizens Eating healthy food freshly prepared at the event Learning how to grow a vegetable garden Learning how to shop healthy with reasonable

prices Discussions with nutritionists, mental

professionals, and medical professionals

Page 20: Faith-based organization working to create a healthier Detroit

NATIONAL HEALTH CARE DAY OF SERVICE

This day long event ended with a forum composed of local political and community leaders, and medical professionals.

They had a very open and interesting dialogue with the audience about health reform and the road blocks to obtaining adequate health

Page 21: Faith-based organization working to create a healthier Detroit

PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS The Detroit MRC has participated in a

citywide exercise involving public health preparedness

The exercise drill consisted of a simulated bombing incident Some volunteers played the roles of recue

workers Other volunteers played the roles of victims

As simulated victims, we also had to actually stay overnight in simulated shelter which was a very humbly experience.

Page 22: Faith-based organization working to create a healthier Detroit

RECRUITING VOLUNTEERS The Detroit MRC recruits volunteers who

work in all career disciplines including both health care/public health professionals as well as nonpublic health individuals.

Individuals who are interested in addressing the well being of the residents of Detroit are invited to participate in community-related events.

Page 23: Faith-based organization working to create a healthier Detroit

FUTURE DETROIT MRC GOALS Continue to be involve in the community in

order to address the special needs of Detroit residents

Continue to form community partnerships in order to effectively reach all individuals of the community and just the employed and medical insured.

Continue to invite interested people to become active with the Detroit Medical Reserve Corps

Page 24: Faith-based organization working to create a healthier Detroit

ACKNOWLEDGES Funding:

Detroit Medical Reserve CorpsEnvironmental & Occupational Safety Services

Mentors:Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps

Sources:Michigan Minority Health CoalitionAmerican Public Health AssociationCivilian Volunteer Medical Reserve CorpsDetroit Medical Reserve CorpsUS Census Bureau