Health Coalitions Success Stories
Mississippi Delta Coalitions Promoting Health
Breast Cancer is the most common form of cancer among women in the Mississippi Delta and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women. Considering the techniques that are now available to detect breast cancer at an early, more treatable stage, too many women are needlessly dying from the disease. Studies indicate that with the widespread use of early detection techniques, death rates could be greatly reduced. Ann Twiner, SNW Area Health Agent with the Mississippi State University Extension Service teamed up with the local librarian of Sunflower County, and other interested partners to present several Breast Cancer Awareness programs throughout the county and area. Through these programming efforts over 100 women were reached, learning the importance of early detection. Many attendees expressed an interest in continued support and education. The need lead to the start up of a Cancer Support Group in the Sunflower County, which meets once a month with a cancer related educational topic.
Managing diabetes can be a confusing and frightening ordeal. However, for diabetic patients in the Greenville area, life can be a little easier. Thanks to the efforts of the Washington County Diabetic Council, a Diabetic Support Group is now meeting monthly in Greenville. The Council invites speakers from among health care professionals and health educators to speak at each session on a variety of topics vital to the diabetics’ health and well-being. A free lunch is provided through sponsorships from local hospitals, pharmacists, or drug representatives. The Council is made up of people in the community including registered dieticians from Delta Regional Medical Center and Kings Daughter hospital, Stay Home Health Agency, social workers, MSU Extension Service, and other interested parties. The Council meets monthly and plans out programs for the year.
Itawamba County
Itawamba Rural Health Coalition co-sponsors the annual Senior Safety Day featuring educational booths and health screenings. Educational sessions are offered on fire safety, scams among seniors, health issues, fitness after 50, and emergency situations. This has become a popular event among senior adults. Other sponsors often include the Itawamba Department of Human Services, Itawamba County Development Council and Itawamba County Extension Service.
Health screenings are important, but sometimes, we don’t realize how important, until lives have been saved! At some health fairs men have had prostate screenings and results indicated elevated PSA readings; whereby they were advised to see their physician. Early diagnosis and treatment more than likely may have saved lives. At one particular event, a son was sharing that his Dad would probably not be alive today if it had not been for a health screening at a local health fair. Romona Edge, MSU Extension Service County Director of Itawamba County assists with the annual senior safety day events.
Regional Diabetic Coalitions Receive Grant Funding
Four regional diabetic coalitions in Winston, Kemper, Noxubee, and Montgomery counties each received $10,000 start-up grants to fund projects related to prevention, awareness, and control of diabetes. The funding comes from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Appalachian Regional Commission and is known as the Appalachian Diabetes Control and Translation Project. This project helps county-level coalitions organize around the problem of diabetes and includes training about planning, implementing, and evaluating their specific projects. After a needs assessment, Winston county decided to focus its efforts on the senior citizen population, 4-H Youth (ages 5-18), and Rural African Americans (ages 19-45). The target audience for Noxubee county are the senior citizens, youth, (ages 10-18), and poverty/welfare recipients. Kemper County will concentrate on the youth, young adults, and senior citizen population and Montgomery County will focus on senior citizens and elementary children. Coalitions can be very instrumental in combining resources to address problems in a community and create broad community change. It is the ultimate goal of the diabetic coalitions in each county to affect change and fight against diabetes. Continue reading to learn about some of the activities related to regional funding.
The Noxubee County Diabetes Coalition participated with Macon Main Street in Let’s Go Walkin Mississippi. This walk was sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi to promote healthy lifestyles. The coalition mission statement is to provide intervention to individuals in Noxubee County concerning diabetes with an emphasis on Type 2 Diabetes through education in an effort to promote lifestyle changes. Coalition members also participated in the health fair sponsored by Noxubee General Critical Access Hospital. Kemper County Diabetes Coalition, MMAD, (Mississippi Mobilization against Diabetes) has been busy with several events highlighting health awareness and education in their community related to diabetes. Josephine Tate, Kemper County Area Extension Health Agent and coalition member reported the observance of a Women’s Health Day at a local church where nurses conducted health screenings, which included blood pressure checks, glucose level testing, and body mass index screenings. Health presentations were delivered and a healthy food preparation demonstration was conducted. Another event currently being sponsored by the coalition is a 12 week health and fitness program called “Getting Fine in 2009”. This is a twelve week health and fitness program meeting once a week for one hour offering thirty minutes of health education information and thirty minutes of physical activity. Twenty eight people are participating in the program.