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Faith-based organization working to create a healthier Detroit

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

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Faith-based organization working to create a healthier Detroit

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  1. Faith-based organization working to create a healthier Detroit HEALTHY COMMUNITIES PROMOTE HEALTHY MINDS & BODIES APHA 139TH 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

  2. 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

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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.”

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. 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

  14. 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.

  15. 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.

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. 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”

  19. 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

  20. 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

  21. 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.

  22. 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.

  23. 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

  24. ACKNOWLEDGES • Funding: • Detroit Medical Reserve Corps • Environmental & Occupational Safety Services • Mentors: • Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps • Sources: • Michigan Minority Health Coalition • American Public Health Association • Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps • Detroit Medical Reserve Corps • US Census Bureau

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