1. 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 Engaging The Community in Health Education & Outreach

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.

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

4. OMHHD & MHAC Established in 1992 by House Bill 1340, Part 24-Section 165-166 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

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

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

7. Our Focus Areas… Capacity Building (State & Local) Research and Data Research and Data Culture and Language Culture and Language Policy and Legislation Policy and Legislation Communications Communications Partnership Development Partnership Development

8. Source: NC Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities Call To Action Model Source: NC Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities 2003 Equip Staff &Volunteers

9. Engage Communities For CHAP Identified Stakeholders & Introduced Identified Stakeholders & Introduced Program Concept Program Concept Conducted Community Needs Assessment Conducted Community Needs Assessment Prioritized & Addressed Their Felt Needs Prioritized & Addressed Their Felt Needs Participated in Community Activities Participated in Community Activities

10. Community Health Ambassador Program One Strategy To Engage Communities: Community Health Ambassador Program Goal … To Build the Capacity Of Communities to: Prevent Illness and Prevent Complications Prevent Illness and Prevent Complications Recognize Early Warning Signs Recognize Early Warning Signs Increase Access To Health and Human Services and Resources. Increase Access To Health and Human Services and Resources.

11. 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 Community Level Capacity Building (Organizations)

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

13. Participants Are… Community Health Ambassador Program Participants Are… Trusted leaders Volunteers In Community Volunteers In Community Advocates not Experts Bridge Builders Bridge Builders

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)

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

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

17. Community Health Ambassador Programs Outreach 2006- 2007 Scotland Guilford Rockingham Moore Anso n Union Richmond Mecklenburg Cabarrus Stanly Surry Ashe Wilkes Yadkin Forsyt h Stokes Davidson RandolphRowan Lincoln Cleveland Gaston Iredell Caldwell Alexander Catawba Burke McDowell Buncombe Rutherford Polk Madison Yancey Watauga Cherokee Graham Clay Macon Jackson Swain Avery Davie Montgomery Mitchell Henderson Transylvania Haywood Wake Granville Person Orange Lee Hoke Robeson Columbus Brunswick Pender Bladen Sampson Duplin Onslow Jone s Lenoi r Wayn e Johnston Harnett Carteret Craven Pamlico Beaufort Hyde Tyrrell Dare Gates Hertford Bertie Martin Pitt Greene Nash Franklin Warren Halifax Northampton Edgecombe Vance Durha m 2 Alamance Cumberland Washington Currituck Camden Pasquotank Perquimans Chowan New Hanover Chatham Caswell Alleghany Wilson

18. It is easier to raise a strong child than to repair broken men -Frederick Douglass-

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