Accomplishments
Tom Joyner Back to School Event
The Office of Minority Health has coordinated the agency’s sponsorship of the Health & Hygiene Zone for the past 3 years. The Tom Joyner Back to School Event is a partnership with KISS 103.1 WLXC .
- More than 5,000 participants
- Screenings were provided
- 375 Vision screenings provided by
- 367 Dental Exams provided by the Colgate Dental Van
- 222 Immunizations provided by Public Health Region 3
- 159 blood pressure screenings provided by Chi Eta Phi, Sorority Inc.
National Minority Health Month - April 2009
The Office of Minority Health (OMH) in collaboration with the March of Dimes African American Steering Committee and the SC Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. hosted a viewing event and discussion of “Unnatural Causes – Is Inequity Making Us Sick? Part II When the Bough Breaks.” The theme: “Ordinary Couples Don’t Plan Their Pregnancies: Be Extraordinary!”
National Minority Health Month - April 2010
The Office of Minority Health (OMH) developed a statewide awareness campaign in observance of Minority Health month. This year’s theme: Man Up for Your Health! Real Men Carry our Communities Forward, prompted OMH to implement a health awareness campaign. The campaign encouraged men to: Be Aware, Get Educated and Take Action. The Governor issued a proclamation (pdf) and a press release was issued. The campaign message was provided to the community through various media outlets:
- The Black News ran a 4 part series. The paper is distributed in all 46 counties of the state
- PSA’s which were aired on KISS 103.1, and WCEO (Spanish)
- Articles in Midlands Live Magazine and The Christian Village Magazine
- TV interview on Awareness on WISTV
- Radio interviews on WLXC 103.1, WFMV 95.3 and WJMZ 107.3
- Website banner ad on Latino Communications webpage (Spanish)
- Website banner on the SC DHEC webpage
Men’s Health Month
OMH, in collaboration SC DHEC STD/HIV Division continued to promote the Minority Health month theme to raise awareness of the importance of men’s health throughout the month of June, Men’s Health month. The Be Aware, Get Educated and Take Action campaign was expanded into June through the following venues:
- Article in Midlands Live Magazine
- Website banner ad on Latino Communications webpage (Spanish)
- Radio interview on WLXC KISS 103.1FM along with STD/HIV staff
“Count for Good Health in 2012!” Calendar (pdf)
The Office of Minority Health (OMH) developed the 2012 health promotion calendar in partnership with Blue Cross/Blue Shield to assist African Americans with reducing their risk factors for serious illnesses.
- A section entitled: "Numbers You Should Know" is included in the calendar along with tools to assist with monitoring your health
- A pull out flier answering the most frequently asked about the flu and the flu shot is also included
- Twenty-five thousand calendars were distributed at a cost of .47 per calendar
IMARA Woman Magazine
The Office of Minority Health (OMH) has been in partnership with IMARA Woman Magazine, a personal lifestyle and growth magazine, targeting women of color to promote health for several years. The magazine reaches nearly 6,000 people. In 2009:
- Articles and ads promoting health prevention and education were published
- OMH coordinated speakers for each of the three IMARA Woman Lifestyle Empowerment Tour stops to present information regarding H1N1, reaching approximately 250 women. The Empowerment tour is an educational outreach initiative which includes interactive health related workshops and health screenings.
H1N1 Focus Groups (pdf)
Under the leadership of the Office of Minority Health, the Division of Immunizations, Clinical Services and the Division of Acute Disease Epidemiology planned, coordinated and conducted 16 focus groups around the state between April 14, 2010 and June 12, 2010. The Office of Public Health Education, several local public health region health educators and other region staff assisted in ensuring groups were available across the state to assist with this process.
The purpose of the focus groups was to explore the attitudes and beliefs that may have contributed to low participation in vaccination efforts for the H1N1 flu vaccine among minority groups including African Americans and Hispanic/Latinos; and college students from a diverse racial and ethnic background. A total of 201 African Americans and college students participated in the focus groups and 40 individual interviews were held for the Spanish speaking Hispanic population.
Summary of Findings:
African Americans:
- The results suggest that there is a strongly held perception among African Americans that the flu vaccine makes you sick. There is another group that believes that the vaccine is not needed but upon further probing most of that group actually believe that the flu shot makes you sick (seasonal and H1N1).
- There was sentiment expressed that the vaccine was untested and rushed to market.
- Also voiced was a fundamental distrust of the government and fear that the whole H1N1 vaccination campaign was an attempt to conduct experiments on minority populations.
- Generally not more than 25% of any of the minority groups had been vaccinated and there were two focus groups were no participants had received the vaccine.
College students:
- Students expressed concern about the possible side effects of getting the vaccine.
- Many chose not to be vaccinated because they believed their own immune systems were sufficient to ward off any cold or flu.
- This population responded overwhelmingly to messages conveyed through digital media both positive and negative.
- They said price was either a primary or secondary determining factor in their decision to receive the vaccine. Many said they would only have gotten it if it were offered at no cost.
- Many of those vaccinated indicated they did so at the direction of their parents, doctor, employer or a proactive student health center.
Hispanics/Latinos:
- One on one interviews held in the Hispanic/Latino population showed that 40% of those questioned had received the H1N1 vaccines; although many felt the process was inconvenient unless offered on-site at their place of employment. However, most felt that the H1N1 vaccine was “good” for your health.
- The majority of the forty persons interviewed did not see their local health departments as a resource – some were not even aware of the location of the health department or what services were offered.
- The majority also indicated that the ads and printed materials they saw about the flu were not culturally appropriate and therefore, less effective than they could have been. They were simply a Spanish version of an English publication
A copy of the full report will be made available by the end of September. Contact the Office of Minority Health at 803 898-3808.
Real Men Checkin’ It Out
The Office of Minority Health has contracted with Public Health regions 7 and 5 to replicate the Real Men Checkin It Out initiative.
- Region 5 (Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun and Orangeburg counties) conducted three screening events and reached approximately 63 men in 2009.
- To date, Region 7 (Berkley, Charleston and Dorchester counties) has conducted several screenings and have reached approximately 100 men, screenings continue.
Faith Based
- Faith and Health Grant Success
- Over 50 churches representing each region throughout the state have been involved in this initiative.
- Over 25 churches have created written policies that support physical activity, improved nutrition and the elimination of tobacco use.
- The 4th Annual Capacity Building and Leadership Institute was held January 24, 2010. Train the Trainer workshops were held on Body and Soul, Search Your Heart, Color Me Healthy, Walk to Jerusalem and Count Your Steps.
- Church Partner Showcase was held June 11 – 12, 2010 to provide a forum for churches to showcase their health ministry successes and to honor their work over the years. Workshops were held on various subjects to address health ministry sustainability such as: Program Expansion, Community Participation and Motivation.
- Technical assistance has been provided to non partner churches as well, regarding the development/expansion of health initiatives.
- Interagency Faith and Health Workgroup Group
The Office of Minority Health reconvened the Interagency Faith and Health Work Workgroup comprised of staff from the Health Services and Environmental Quality Control Deputy areas in October 2009. The purpose of the Interagency Faith and Health Workgroup is to centralize agency efforts regarding the implementation of faith based initiatives. It will also assist with identifying resources for the agency and the state of South Carolina.
- Protect Your Body. Protect Your Temple Faith and Health Toolkit (pdf)
The Office of Minority Health (OMH) developed the Protect Your Body. Protect Your Temple Toolkit to assist African American faith based organizations with the implementation of health initiatives. The toolkit has been disseminated to:
- Partner churches affiliated with the Faith & Health grant.
- Health Leaders affiliated with the AME church.
- Partnership with AME – Road Map to Healthy Living
In 2008 the Right Reverend Preston Warren Williams, II sought to continue the church’s vision of, “A healthy African Methodist Episcopal Church congregation living in healthy communities”. Under Bishop Williams’ leadership and guidance, working with the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control’s Deputy Commissioner for Health Services and the Office of Minority Health, a sequel to the plan was developed. The sequel, Road Map to Healthy Living, focuses on four specific long term goals and 12 strategic goals. These goals, strategic goals and strategies will help move the 7th Episcopal District toward reaching its vision of a healthy African Methodist Episcopal Church congregation living in healthy communities.
The four main areas of focus for this plan are: 1) Infants, Children and Youth, 2) Adults and Seniors, 3) Access to Care and Information, and 4) Mental Health and Wellbeing. The plan addresses prevention, reducing risks associated with poor health outcomes for the six priority health areas (heart disease, stroke, HIV/AIDS, infant mortality, cancer, diabetes and immunizations), and eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities.
Power to Prevent Partnership with Greenville Hospital System (pdf)
The Office of Minority Health contracted with Greenville Hospital System to implement the Power to Prevent Diabetes Prevention Program.
Professional Development
During FY 2010 the Office of Minority Health provided internship to a student seeking her Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology from the University of Washington, St. Louis, Missouri, and two students seeking Master degrees in Public Health from the University of South Carolina. OMH staff also served as preceptors for two MPH students from USC and Walden University. These students have successfully completed their course work and have received their degrees.
Management Academy of Public Health (MAPH)
MAPH is a management training program designed to prepare health professionals for new management challenges in community health. MAPH builds skills in managing money, people, data and partnerships. Candidates participate on a team with 3-6 professionals and are charged with the task of writing and presenting a public health business plan designed to address a key public health problem.
- OMH Assistant Director participated in the MAPH cohort of 2008-2009.
Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Training
The Office of Minority Health re-designed the CLAS training, a required class for all DHEC staff. Training is now available online through e-Learning.
Language Evaluation Interview (LEI)/Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI)
To meet the needs of the growing Hispanic/Latino population, OMH is working with USC HABLA to develop a new process to determine the proficiency level of Spanish speaking bilingual DHEC staff. This new process allows us to identify and ‘qualify’ bilingual workers so that they can do their job in Spanish as well as identify those who have the skills needed to serve as a ‘qualified’ interpreter for the agency.