| Learning Objective #1: Describe the MAP-IT Model, a community planning guide for health promotion and disease prevention | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Use the MAP-IT model as a framework for improvement of health status of rural underserved minority populations |
This community project was to expand culturally-sensitive health promotion and risk reduction intervention strategies to improve the health status of a rural underserved minority population group in north Florida. The MAP-IT Model, a community planning guide from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, was applied to create a healthy community, with emphasis on African-American minorities.
Church pastors, health providers, state health agencies and elected officials overseeing the district were contacted to MOBILIZE leadership and support. Questionnaires including demographics, health assessment data, and health promotion surveys were used to ASSESS the health need of the community as well as the resources and other strengths that could be tapped into to address those problems. Findings were: 200 questionnaires were collected. Females responded three times more than males. Single, divorced, separated, and widowed people responded three times greater than married people. More than 50 % had high school or less education. More than 50% did not work. 40% rated that their health was fair or poor. Two thirds of the people said that they did not exercise. 60% did not have dental care. Many chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and arthritis were prevalent in this group. Priority health promotion program areas were exercise (physical activity), healthy eating(nutrition), men’s health (prostate), women’s health (breast exam, menopause), and chronic disease management. They wanted their classes in the evening and on weekends with transportation provided, as 40% do not have cars.
Snack and Learning classes and Health Fairs were PLANNED for action steps. Concrete strategies were IMPLEMENTED to achieve measurable goals. TRACKING the progress is underway. Through community partnership and agency collaboration, closing the gap in health disparities among minority groups by culturally appropriate community-based education and outreach services has limitless possibilities.
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