Initiatives/Partnerships
Influenza Initiative
Influenza Vaccination Campaign State Partnership Grant
In 2010, the Office of Minority Health (OMH) received funding from the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health to implement a three year initiative to address the disparity that exists in the minority community regarding influenza vaccine uptake. The initiative seeks to develop and maintain partnerships with local and statewide stakeholders to increase consumer education and awareness about the flu and the flu vaccine. The initiative will also work with healthcare providers to link them with training opportunities that exist regarding the flu and flu vaccination safety."Questions & Concerns: The Flu and the Flu Shot” Community Toolkit
The Office of Minority Health (OMH) developed the “Questions & Concerns: the Flu and the Flu Shot” Toolkit to provide leaders in minority communities with the information needed to educate their community about the flu and the flu vaccine. The toolkit includes: a 12 minute video with answers to the most commonly asked questions regarding the flu, a PSA script, church bulletin inserts, a poster and fliers which can be reproduced to be distributed to churches, businesses and other local organizations.
Faith and Health Initiatives
Faith and Health State Partnership Grant
In 2005, the Office of Minority Health (OMH) received funding from the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health to implement a five year statewide faith and health partnership initiative. The initiative assisted 50+ churches with the development/expansion of health ministries focusing primarily on the cardiovascular disease risk factors of physical inactivity, nutrition and tobacco prevention. Churches were provided technical assistance which enabled them to implement proven health programs (ie. Walking to Jerusalem, Color Me Healthy etc.) and adopt policies regarding tobacco prevention, nutrition and physical activity.Faith and Health Toolkit (pdf)
The Office of Minority Health (OMH) developed the Protect Your Body. Protect Your Temple Toolkit to provide African American faith based organizations with ideas and resources to help plan, develop and implement health related programs and activities focusing on physical activity, nutrition and tobacco prevention. The toolkit includes: education and awareness activities, best and promising practice model, ideas to consider and sample policies.“Protect Your Body…Your Temple” Church Bulletin Inserts
The Office of Minority Health has developed church bulletin insert focusing on minority health issues affecting African Americans. The inserts contain educational messages focusing on risk factors and the six (6) priority health disparity areas that disproportionately affect the African-American community.Seventh Episcopal District of the AME Church
The Office of Minority Health (OMH) assisted the African Methodist Episcopal Church with the development of the 2009 strategic health plan entitled “Road Map to Healthy Living”.
The Office of Minority Health (OMH) partnered with Greenville Hospital Systems (GHS) to implement the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) Power to Prevent initiative. Power to Prevent is designed to encourage African Americans who are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes to become more physically active and eat more healthful foods as a way to prevent or delay the disease.
The Office of Minority Health has partnered with Blue Cross/Blue Shield of SC for the last 18 years to develop this yearly calendar promoting good health habits in the African American community. This year’s calendar, “Count for Good Health in 2012!” focuses on "Numbers You Should Know." It provides information on healthy blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides levels; healthy waist measurement and body mass index. Tools and tips are included to help monitor your health and keep you on track. There is also a pull out flier answering the most frequently asked about the flu and the flu shot. Twenty-five thousand (25,000) calendars were distributed to businesses, churches, homes and other groups across South Carolina.
Cultural Competence
Cultural competence principles and application(s) guide the efforts of the Office of Minority Health (OMH) in advancing minority health. Cultural competence in public health is the ability of systems to provide services to customers with diverse values, beliefs and behaviors including meeting the customers’ social, cultural and linguistic needs. OMH provides leadership in the development, implementation and evaluation of the agency’s Cultural Competence Initiative. The Office coordinated the development and currently provides leadership in monitoring and evaluating policies that govern Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS). CLAS policies provide guidance and direction for the integration of cultural competence concepts and principles into all aspects of the agency’s operation.
Language Assistance Program
The Office of Minority Health (OMH) has been charged with coordinating and monitoring the agency’s Language Assistance Program for Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals. Limited English Proficient individuals do not speak English as their primary language and may have difficulty speaking, reading or understanding English at a level which permits them to interact effectively. SC Department of Health and Environmental Control is required by Federal mandate to provide interpreter (oral) and/or translation (written) services to those we serve.
- Interpreter Qualification Program – SC DHEC has developed an Interpreter Qualification Program (IQP) to train linguistically proficient bilingual Spanish speaking workers on how to be an interpreter for the agency. These bilingual workers provide this service at no charge to our clients.
- Telephone Interpreter Service – SC DHEC provides telephone interpretation services in over 170 languages at no charge to our clients.
- Translation Services – SC DHEC translates documents and other print materials into needed languages for our clients.
Professional Development
OMH provides mentoring, practicum, internship and other opportunities to agency staff, public health students and others interested in minority health. For more information contact OMH.
Commissioner’s Advisory Council for the Elimination of Health Disparities (CACEHD)
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control is committed to eliminating health disparities and improving the health of all citizens as addressed in the Agency’s Strategic Plan. Recognizing the complexity and critical nature of eliminating disparities, the Commissioner convened the Commissioner’s Advisory Council on Eliminating Health Disparities in 2007. The Council, with members representing government, business, academic, community, health care and other entities, serves as a forum to discuss issues, strategies, and opportunities toward a shared goal of improving the health of minorities and eliminating disparities. The Council provides guidance to the agency in the development of policies, programs, and services targeting minorities.
Real Men
Real Men Checkin' it Out” is a community driven, culturally appropriate education, screening and health initiative that addresses prostate cancer in the African American community. The initiative is designed to be implemented by community and faith based organizations by providing prostate cancer education, screening and follow-up through culturally appropriate social marketing outreach strategies. Real Men was developed by the Office of Minority health (OMH) in 1998 and has since been successfully replicated and implemented in various community/faith based organizations through partnerships developed with Palmetto Health Office of Community Service and DHEC Public Health Regions 5 (Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun and Orangeburg counties) and 7 (Berkley, Charleston and Dorchester counties).
Minority Health Report Card
The Office of Minority Health (OMH), collaborating with the Bureau of Community Health & Chronic Disease Prevention is working to develop the first Minority Health Report Card to assess the state’s progress towards achieving Healthy People 2010 goals. The Report Card will provide data on the six identified priority health disparity areas.
Minority Health Database
The Office of Minority Health (OMH) is in the process of re-designing the Minority Health Database in collaboration with the Division of Biostatistics in response to a recommendation made in the 2002 Health Disparity Study Report directed by the SC General Assembly. The purpose of the database will be to provide a systematic approach to identify, summarize and disseminate information regarding initiatives addressing priority health disparity areas in minority communities. The database will facilitate improved coordination and collaboration between entities focusing on eliminating health disparities in the state. The database will be constructed during FY 2011.