Slide 1

“Engaging The Community in Health
Education & Outreach”

15th Annual Healthy Carolinians Conference
October 11, 2007

George G. Hill, Public Health Consultant
Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities (OMHHD)
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services


Slide 2

National Institutes of Health
Defines Disparities as…
“The difference in the incidence, prevalence,
mortality, and burden of disease and other
adverse health conditions that exists among
specific population groups in the United
States”*
*National Institutes of Health, Addressing Health disparities: The NIH program of Action. What are
disparities.
Available at http:healthdisparities.nih.gov/whatare.html.


Slide 3

Health Disparities Defined
By
NC Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities

A Working Definition:
Significant differences or inequalities in
health that exist between whites and
racial/ethnic minorities.
Source: NC Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities


Slide 4

OMHHD & MHAC
Established in 1992 by House Bill 1340,
Part 24-Section 165-166
15 Member Minority Health Advisory
Council
– Advise Governor & Cabinet Secretary
– Influence Policy & Legislation


Slide 5

Our Mission…
To promote and advocate for the
elimination of health disparities among
all racial and ethnic minorities and other
underserved populations in North
Carolina.


Slide 6

Our Vision
All North Carolinians
will enjoy good health
regardless of their
race/ethnicity, disability
or socioeconomic status


Slide 7

Our Focus Areas…
Capacity Building (State & Local)






Research and Data
Culture and Language
Policy and Legislation
Communications
Partnership Development


Slide 8

Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities’

Call To Action Model
Source: NC Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities 2003

Integrated Approach to Eliminating Health Disparities
Develop Partnerships Engage Communities

Influence Policy

Source: NC Office of Minority Health
and Health Disparities

Equip
Staff
Equip
the
Disparity
&Volunteers
Gap Coordinator


Slide 9

Engage Communities
For CHAP
 Identified Stakeholders & Introduced

Program Concept
 Conducted Community Needs Assessment
 Prioritized & Addressed Their Felt Needs
 Participated in Community Activities


Slide 10

One Strategy To Engage Communities:
Community Health Ambassador Program
Goal …
To Build the Capacity Of Communities to:

 Prevent Illness and Prevent Complications

 Recognize Early Warning Signs
 Increase Access To Health and Human Services and
Resources.


Slide 11

Community Level Capacity Building
(Organizations)
OMHHD
Community Focused Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative

$2million – 2005 General Assembly
Promoting Healthy Lifestyles:
 Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Infant Mortality
Homicide, Cancer,
Motor Vehicle

 FBOs, CBOs, Tribes, LHDs





Awareness/ Health Literacy
Screening/ Early Detection
Reduce Access Barriers
Partnerships


Slide 12

Community Level Capacity Building
(Individuals)
OMHHD
Community Focused Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative:

Community Health Ambassador Program
Recruit & Train Community Leaders
Partnership with ONSMS
Approved Course Credits via NC Community College
System


Slide 13

Community Health Ambassador Program
Participants Are…

Trusted leaders
Volunteers In Community
“Advocates” not Experts
“Bridge Builders”


Slide 14

Community Health Ambassador
Program Major Components…
Curriculum = 20 Classroom Hours
Approved for 2.0 CEU s
Focus Areas = Diabetes, Cancer
Requirements:
–
–
–
–

Resource Directory
100 Encounters in Year 1
Sign MOA ( Healthy Lifestyles)
Continuing Education Session (1/year)


Slide 15

Community Health Ambassador
Program Major Components con t…
Stipend For Course Completion
Active Partners:
Statewide Coordinator
FBO s & CBO s
NC Community College System
ONSMS
Local Health Departments
3 Instructors


Slide 16

Community Health Ambassador
Program Major Components…
Pilot in Spring 2006
34 Faith-Based & Community Based
Organizations
Curriculum
11 Training Sessions Completed
Course = 20 Classroom Hours
Focus Areas = Diabetes, Cancer


Slide 17

Community Health Ambassador Program’s Outreach
2006- 2007

Camden
Northampton
Gates
Currituck
Warren
Pasquotank
Hertford
Vance
Person
Halifax
Watauga
Wilkes
Perquimans
Granville
Yadkin
Bertie
Orange
Mitchell
Forsyt
Guilford
Wilson
Chowan
Durha
Avery
h
Yancey
Alamance
Nash
Caldwell
m
Madison
Alexander
Davie
Edgecombe
Washington
Dare
2
Martin
Iredell
Davidson
Wake
Tyrrell
Burke
Chatham
Catawba
Haywood Buncombe McDowell
Rowan
Randolph
Franklin
Pitt
Swain
Beaufort
Hyde
Lincoln
Johnston
Greene
Graham
Henderson Rutherford
Cabarrus
Lee
Jackson
Gaston
Harnett
Wayn
Moore
Stanly
Lenoi
Polk
Cherokee
Cleveland
e
Macon
Transylvania
Montgomery
Craven
r
Pamlico
Mecklenburg
Clay
Sampson
Jone
Cumberland
s
Anso Richmond Hoke
Union
n
Duplin
Scotland
Carteret
Onslow
Robeson
Bladen
Pender
Ashe

Alleghany

Surry

Rockingham
Stokes
Caswell

New
Hanover

Columbus
Brunswick


Slide 18

“It is easier to raise a strong child than to repair broken men”
-Frederick Douglass-


Slide 19

On Behalf of the OMHHD
Thank You for Being a Partner in the Fight to
Eliminate Health Disparities!