Caribbean Exploratory NIMHD Research Center University of the Virgin Islands School of Nursing

1. 5th Annual Health Disparities InstituteEnding Health Disparities: Health, Environmental, and Social Justice in the Caribbean and BeyondCommunity Engagement and Outreach CoreGrant Support: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, NIH (# P20MD002286). Caribbean ExploratoryNIMHD Research CenterUniversity of the Virgin IslandsSchool of Nursing

2. Mrs. Desiree Bertrand-Director Dr. Angela Ford-Co Director Dr. Phyllis Sharps - Mentor Ms. Sherry Barnaby Ms. Sally Browne Ms.Edris Evans Dr. George Franklin Ms. Louceta Hodge Ms. Suzette Lettsome Ms. Eurkres Rallings Mrs. Xaulanda Simmonds-Emmanuel Ms. Ann Thurland Ms. Janette Woods Community Engagement and Outreach Core Members

3. Mission • Disseminate evidenced-based information and translation of research findings • Increase health literacy in the community • Promote clinical trials offered through the CERC • Increase knowledge of health disparities with strategies aimed at preventing, reducing and eliminating them.

4. Accomplishments • Establishment of community partner relationships • Dissemination of health information throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands • Completion of male needs assessment survey • Dissemination of Health education toolkit

5. Community Partners • VI Department of Health Community Health Clinics • Virgin Islands Medical Institute (VIMI) • Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center • Schneider Regional Medical Center • Hope, Inc. • VI Perinatal Inc. (VIPI) • Frederiksted Health Care., Inc. • Bright Stars Inc.

6. Health information dissemination venues • UVI health fairs • St. Croix • St. Thomas • Agriculture and food fair • St. Croix • St. Thomas • UVI Afternoon on the Green • VI Department of health – St. Thomas • St. Joseph High School (STX)

7. Health information dissemination venues • Sibilly Elementary School - St. Thomas • UVI Inaugural Open House, St. Croix campus • UVI - Cooperative Extension Services (CES), St. Thomas campus • Assistive Technology and Health Fair

8. Projects • Male needs assessment survey • Findings presented at National Black Nurses Association conference (NBNA) • Poster presented at St. Croix Ag fair • Manuscript written • Health education toolkit • Launched on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John • Presented at National Black Nurses Association conference (NBNA) • Available on line on CERC’s website • Poster presentation (Dec 2012)

9. Desiree R. Bertrand, MSN, RN A HEALTH EDUCATION TOOLKIT FOR THE USVI COMMUNITY: ADDRESSING HEALTH DISPARITIES

10. Community Engagement and Outreach Core Members Mrs. Desiree Bertrand-Director Dr. Angela Ford-Co Director Dr. Phyllis Sharps - Mentor Ms. Sherry Barnaby Ms. Sally Browne Ms. Edris Evans Dr. George Franklin Ms. Louceta Hodge Ms. Suzette Lettsome Ms. Eurkres Rallings Mrs. Xaulanda Simmonds-Emmanuel Ms. Ann Thurland Ms. Janette Woods

11. Objectives 1. Describe the value of toolkits as a resource in targeting health education messages to underserved communities. • Describe the stages undertaken by the Community Core to develop and disseminate a health education toolkit in the U.S. Virgin Islands. • Describe outcomes of toolkit usage since the launching the toolkit.

12. Development of the Toolkit • Health disparities in the USVI • Heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, stroke, cancer, diabetes • Suggestions from Core members, CERC Advisory Board members and CERC PI

13. Development of the Toolkit • Feedback from focus groups • St. Croix • St. Thomas • Feedback from community members at St. Croix Ag Fair 2011

14. Focus Group Session

15. Toolkit Presentation • Presented in a white binder • Overview • User guide • Each item in toolkit has suggestions on how it can be used • Evaluation form • Items in toolkit separated by pocket dividers

16. Pilot Testing of the Toolkit • Faith-based community was chosen • Toolkit was launched in Spring 2012 • Faith-based organizations were invited to a launch held at the university • St. Croix – 9 • St. Thomas – 10 • St. John – 6

17. Dissemination Plan • Initially to the faith-based community • Public and private health care organizations • Health educators in the lay community • Future plan: Toolkit specifically tailored for men and children

18. Toolkit Content CERC Informational Brochure Know Your Numbers: Women’s Health Test Recorder Pocket Pal Walk For Fun, Fitness and Health Slide Guide (comes with a water bottle) Facts on Fast Food Slide Guide America’s Adult Health Guide America’s Teen Health Guide Ask Me 3 Brochure Four Health Reasons to Eat Local Fruits in Season USVI Community Health Resources (telephone listing) Alzheimer’s Disease Fact Sheet Diabetes 101 Diabetes Fact Sheet: Focus on Health Disparities Sodium: The Facts Understanding Adult Obesity Addressing Childhood Obesity Through Nutrition and Physical Activity Understanding Youth Violence

19. CERC Brochure • Overview of the research center

20. Know Your Numbers: Women’s Pocket Pal • Highlights key health screenings and keeps track of important health information

21. Walk For Fun and Fitness Slide Guide • 25 tips to walk for better health • A water bottle is included

22. Facts on Fast Food Slide Guide • Gives nutritional information on menu items of the 8 most popular fast-food restaurants

23. America’s Adult Health Guide • Includes many educational topics and information on prevention and management of chronic conditions

24. America’s Teen Health Guide • Includes educational topics such as relationships, fitness, mental health, smoking, sex, drinking and drugs

25. Ask Me 3 Brochure • Designed to help patients talk with their healthcare provider

26. Four Health Reasons to Eat Local Fruits • Lists locals fruits that grow in the USVIand health reasons to consume these fruits

27. USVI Community Health Resources • This is a list of telephone numbers of health resource agencies throughout the US Virgin Islands

28. Alzheimer’s Disease Fact Sheet • Gives information about the disease and how it is diagnosed and treated

29. Diabetes 101 • Addresses the basics of Diabetes

30. Diabetes Fact Sheet: Focus On Disparities • Gives statistics about the frequency of Diabetes in the USVI and the related outcomes

31. Sodium: the facts • Discusses the affects of a high sodium diet on blood pressureand potential benefits of reduced sodium consumption

32. Understanding Adult Obesity • Discusses the prevalence of obesity in the United States • Gives information on how obesity is measured, causes, complications and treatment options

33. Addressing Childhood Obesity • Strategies done to help promote the health and well-being of children and adolescents

34. Understanding Youth Violence • Discusses the prevalence of violence in the young adulthood and it’s affect on health • CDC’s approach youth violence prevention is also discussed

35. Virtual Access • http://cercuvi.com • Fact sheets are downloadable • Evaluation form can be completed and submitted online

36. COMMUNITY FEEDBACK • Overall very interested in the toolkit • Interested in “train the trainer” sessions • Currently working with pastors to identify individuals in the church that will be willing to organize health information sessions

37. COMMUNITY FEEDBACK Page Loads - number of times page has been visited Returning visitors – number of returning visitors to website for another visit an hour or more later

38. COMMUNITY FEEDBACK Year to date: page loads &returning visits

39. Questions?