# Presentation: 522639

## PARTNERSHIPS PROVIDE PUBLIC HEALTH AWARENESS

- Apryl R. Brown, MD, MPH
- Coordinator**/**Director of the** **Detroit Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)

## DIRE STATISTICS OF CERTAIN DETROIT RESIDENTS

- As a citizen of Detroit, Michigan, I have observed that certain segments of this population live beneath the optimal capacity of experiencing healthy and fruitful lives.
- According to the 2000 US Census Bureau:
-  21.7% of families residing in Detroit live beneath the poverty level in comparison to the 9.2% national average
- 26.1% of individuals residing in Detroit live beneath the poverty level in comparison to the 12.4% national average
- 7.8% unemployment rate existed in Detroit in comparison to the 4.0% national average

## DIRE DETROIT STATISTICS

- Detroit, Michigan experienced a 7.5% decrease in the size of its’ population  according to the US Census Bureau, Census 2000; 1990 Census, Population and Housing Unit Counts, United States.
- This outward migration of residents led to a reduction of the city’s tax based population.  Therefore, less finances were available to successfully operate this urban area.

## FORMATION OF THE DETROIT MRC

- During October 2004, the Detroit Medical Reserve Corps was formalized as a faith-based organization and registered in the Office of the Surgeon General, in cooperation with the White House’s USA Freedom Corps and the Department of Homeland Security’s Citizen Corps** **in order to combat serious public health issues manifesting in this urban dwelling.

## PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES CONFRONTING DETROIT RESIDENTS

- Lack of Preventive Health Care
- Racial and/or Ethnic Health Disparities
- Environmental Hazards
- Dissemination of Communicable Diseases
- Widespread Unplanned Teenage Pregnancies
- Dangerous and Violent Life Styles

## LACK OF PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE

- Many patients do not undergo annual medical checkups for reasons such as:
- Lack of health care coverage and/or financial resources
- Lack of transportation to medical facilities
- Lack of time
- Lack of priority until materialization of severe signs and symptoms
- Early diagnosis of many disorders can prevent the development of severe and/or terminal stages of diseases.

## LACK OF PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE

- Often, patients do not realize that incorporating daily health care regimens would lessen the likelihood of them succumbing to chronic and/or widespread diseases such as:
- Daily body cleansing and brushing teeth can prevent extensive systemic illnesses.
- Healthy dietary lifestyles could enable patients to:
- Possess healthier bodies
- Prevent certain types of cancer
- Maintain proper body weight

## RACIAL AND/OR ETHNIC HEALTH DISPARITIES IN MICHIGAN

- Infectious diseases and chronic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and cerebrovasular accidents disproportionally manifest themselves among inhabitants of communities of color.

## ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS IN MICHIGAN

- Many old and/or deteriorated buildings are comprised of walls covered with lead base paint.  Children residing in these vicinities may inhale and/or swallow lead dust, or eat soil and/or paint chips contaminated with lead. This widespread occurrence has caused lead to be the most hazardous environmental substance in Michigan.  The following pathological effects are seen in children untreated for lead poisoning:
- Damage to the nervous system leading to behavior problems and lower intelligence quotients (IQ) in comparison to their nonexposed counterparts
- Hearing complications
- Headaches

## ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS IN MICHIGAN

- Environmental factors which may trigger the onset of the highly prevalent respiratory disease asthma are:
- House Dust Mites
- Animal Secretions
- Molds
- Tobacco Smoke
- Other Air Pollutants

## DISSEMINATION OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES IN MICHIGAN

- The epidemic of communicable agents such as HIV, AIDS, hepatitis, and sexually transmitted diseases must be eliminated in order for people to embrace fulfilled and healthy lives.

## UNPLANNED TEENAGE PREGNANCIES

- Unplanned teenage pregnancies may produce health challenges on both the mother and infant.
- Many pregnant teenagers do not receive adequate prenatal care leading to undetected complications.
- These infants have greater chances of being born premature with low birth weights.
- Young and single mothers must work with great diligence to take care of their infants while completing their secondary education in order to avoid lives of poverty.

## DANGEROUS AND VIOLENT LIFE STYLES

- Children should be encouraged to live wholesome and fruitful lives by:
- Completing their secondary education and achieving academic excellence to the best of their abilities in order to inherit vast opportunities and experience better qualities of life.
- Reframing from involvement with illegal and dangerous activities such as:
- illicit drug trafficking
- gang violence and criminal careers

## MISSION OF THE DETROIT MRC

- This MRC unit is involved in promoting public health initiatives to residents of the surrounding community by forming partnerships with the Detroit Medical Center (DMC), Detroit Health Department (DHD), and other healthcare affiliated organizations.
- Preventive healthcare is provided in the formation of public health lectures, medical literature, and health fairs in order to educate the general public of the Detroit Metropolitan Area about the signs, symptoms, and treatments of major diseases flourishing in epidemic proportions among residents of this community.

## DETROIT MRC MISSION

- A lack of communication exists between patients and physicians.  This mistrust that some individuals experience towards their doctors is referred as to the barrier of the white coat.
- Various myths of health care persist causing patients to be reluctant seeking  professional medical care.
- The goal of the Detroit MRC is to educate the community about significant matters of health in order to break down the barrier of patients seeking attention from their physicians.

## DMC AND DHD

- The Community Outreach/Volunteer Coordinator from the Community Health Institutes of the Detroit Medical Center analyzed our mission and monthly agenda, and proceeded to provide healthcare professionals of various disciplines to lecture to our audience.
- The Senior Public Health Educator from the Detroit Health Department examined our proposed activities, and assisted us in carrying out our goals.

## MAJOR DISEASES AFFLICTING DETROIT RESIDENTS

- Obesity and/or Improper Dietary Lifestyle
- Cardiovascular Diseases
- Cerebrovascular Accidents
- Diabetes Mellitus Types I and II
- Lung, Colorectal, Prostate, and Breast Cancers
- HIV and/or AIDS
- Mental Illnesses such as Depression
- Health concerns pertaining to the Geriatric, Pediatric and Female Populations
- Addictions to Nicotine, Alcohol, and Prescription and Illicit Drugs

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## OBESITY

- Detroit rates among the top 10 cities nationwide with the highest percentage of obese residents which according to the Michigan Surgeon General takes an enormous toll on the health of those afflicted.
- According to Michigan experts, the high rate of obesity is attributed to numerous factors such as:
- Easy access to food
- Lack of recreational activities
- Inclement weather
- Heritage
- Level of income

## REGISTERED DIETITIAN FROM THE DETROIT MEDICAL CENTER

- Responding to address this public health issue of obesity, a registered dietitian from the Detroit Medical Center addressed our audience on how to live a nutritious and healthy dietary lifestyle.
- Attendants of the lecture interacted favorably with the oral presenter and asked numerous questions pertaining to their various issues of health.

## SUPPLEMENTAL MEDICAL LITERATURE

- The Detroit Medical Center and Detroit Health Department provided supplemental literature pertaining to nutrition informing the general public to:
- Consume a daily adequate amount of fluids
- Eat a healthy combination of various food types
- Eat a very limited amount of fatty foods
- Adhere to a moderate exercise regimen
- Live a healthy and wholesome lifestyle

## COLORECTAL CANCER

- March is national colorectal cancer awareness month. Therefore, the Detroit MRC decided to make the characteristics of this disease conscious to the people of the community.
- According to the Karmanos Cancer Institute of the Detroit Medical Center:
- During 2003, more than 5,100 new cases of colon cancer were reported in Michigan.
- Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men and women in the United States.

## COLORECTAL CANCER

- A medical professional from the Karmonos Institute educated the audience about the signs, symptoms, and risk factors  of colorectal cancer.
- Slides were shown that compared pictures of individuals with healthy colons to those showing polyps (noncancerous growths) and full blown colorectal cancer.
- In addition to the lecture, literature pertaining to this disease was distributed to the attendants.

## DISCUSSION AT THE COLORECTAL LECTURE

- A large discussion burst forth among everyone during the topic of being examined for polyps and/or colorectal cancer.  Some individuals expressed concerns about undergoing an invasive procedure such as a colonoscopy in order to receive adequate medical attention.  It was interesting to watch the interactions and listen to the passionate concerns of potential patients.
- Other group participants explained that utilization of the colonoscopy helped to diagnose and remove polyps from their bodies when they did not realize that they had harbored this disease.

## DETROIT MRC GOALS

- In the future, the Detroit MRC will strive to accomplish the following goals:
- Continue to partnership with the Detroit Medical Center and Detroit Health Department in order to address health related topics to the public
- Potential partnership with Detroit science centers in order to provide exhibitions pertaining to important topics of public health
- Partnership with the Leeway Foundation, Inc. who will sponsor our health fairs for children in the community

## DETROIT MRC GOALS

- Continuation of Detroit MRC goals:
- Potential partnership with the Community Health Liaison of the University of Michigan School of Public Health
- Potential partnerships with various community health care and public health organizations in order to provide volunteer assistance
- Recruit medical professional volunteers as well as individuals working in nonhealth care industries

## FUTURE LECTURES

- Public health topics destined to be discussed during 2005 are:
- Cardiovascular Diseases
- Cerebrovascular Accidents
- Diabetes Mellitus Types I and II
- Lung, Prostate and Breast Cancers
- Mental Illnesses such as Depression
- Abstinence among teenagers
- HIV and/or AIDS

## HEALTH FAIRS

- The Detroit MRC will partnership with the Leeway Foundation, Inc. in order to:
- Produce health fairs consisting of educational games for children
- Provide lecturers to speak at health related events
- Distribute the Multicultural Health Report which is a monthly newsletter consisting of public health articles pertaining to Americans of various ethnic backgrounds

## THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH 

- The Detroit MRC will potentially partnership with the University of Michigan School of Public Health Community Academic Liaison Coordinator who has committed to work on connecting graduate students to provide assistance in performing community related activities such as:
- Constructing presentations and/or projects
- Providing knowledge of their perspective fields of study

## THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

- The University of Michigan School of Public Health Community Academic Liaison Coordinator has provided contact information to form potential partnerships with the:
- Detroit Community-Academic Urban Research Center
- Michigan Center for Genomics and Public Health
- Americorps

## DETROIT COMMUNITY-ACADEMIC URBAN RESEARCH CENTER (URC)

- The Detroit Community Academic URC is a collaboration of the University of Michigan and health care related community organizations working together to support research projects promoting awareness of health and good quality life for inhabitants of the east and southwest sides of the city.
- The Detroit MRC could potentially partnership with this organization in order to become involved in several of their community health related projects,  such as:
- Asthma awareness
- Diabetes prevention
- Environmental and Children’s Health

## MICHIGAN CENTER FOR GENOMICS AND PUBLIC HEALTH

- The Michigan Center for Genomics and Public Health integrates the studies of the field of genetics into the public health arena taking into consideration the ethical, legal, and social aspects.
- A speaker from this organization may address various issues relating genetics and diseases seen among individuals of this community.

## AMERICORPS

- In this nationwide organization, students of diverse backgrounds provide community service in various fields of specialty, such as:
- Health and the Environment
- Public Safety
- Response to Disasters
- Education
- Build Affordable Housing
- Clean Parks and Streams

## COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

- Formation of the following partnerships has allotted the Detroit MRC to accomplish part of its’ mission:
- National Association of Black Farmers
- Christ Community Development Corporation (CDC)
- Freedom Institute
- In the Future, our unit will partnership with:
- Civic health care and public health organizations
- Other Faith base organizations

## CHRIST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

- Christ CDC is a faith-based nonprofit organization designed to provide community service to residents of Detroit.
- The Detroit MRC will partnership with this organization in order to put on a health fair for Finney High School students.  A medical professional will lecture on the importance of students living healthy and fruitful lives.

## THE FREEDOM INSTITUTE

- The Freedom Institute is a non-profit organization serving the community for economic, social justice, and political empowerment.
- Professionals of various disciplines dialogue about issues that impact the health, education and welfare of African Americans and other groups.
- The Detroit MRC will partnership with this organization in order to produce a successful health empowerment exposition where:
- Prominent physicians will speak on health related issues
- Vouchers for free health screenings will be distributed
- Literature concerning medical issues and careers in the health care industry will be distributed

## RECRUITING VOLUNTEERS

- The Detroit MRC wants to recruit medical professional volunteers as well as individuals working in nonhealth care capacities.
- Nonhealth care volunteers can perform the following responsibilities:
- Receive disaster response skills preparation by undergoing the Community Emergency Rescue Training (CERT) Program
- Assist recruiting other volunteers
- Perform administrative responsibilities

## CERT 

- Detroit MRC volunteers can complete an emergency care preparatory program by enrolling in 20 hours of training on:
- Disaster preparedness
- Basic disaster medical operations
- Fire safety
- Light search and rescue
- A disaster simulation component is included where participants rehearse skills learned in the program.
- During special events, disasters and/or emergencies, CERT volunteers are qualified to assist victims, and provide critical support to first responders.

## VOLUNTEERS PERFECTING THEIR SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

- MRC volunteers can utilize various avenues such as the following to enhance their skills and knowledge in order to provide excellent community service:
- FEMA online courses
- CDC public health online courses
- University of Michigan School of Public Health Training Center online courses
- Attend medical seminars, conferences, and workshops

## OVERALL GOALS TO OBTAIN

- Recruit volunteers and develop partnerships in order to carry out the public health priorities requested by US Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona
- Recruit volunteers to assist the city of Detroit during special events, emergencies and/or disasters