5th Annual Health Disparities Institute

Ending Health Disparities: Health, Environmental, and Social Justice in the Caribbean and Beyond

Community Engagement and Outreach Core

Grant Support: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, NIH (# P20MD002286).

Caribbean Exploratory NIMHD Research Center

University of the Virgin IslandsSchool of Nursing

Community Engagement and Outreach Core Members

Mrs. Desiree Bertrand-Director

Dr. Angela Ford-Co Director

Dr. Phyllis Sharps - Mentor

Ms. Sherry Barnaby Ms. Sally Browne Ms. Edris Evans

Dr. George Franklin Ms. Louceta Hodge Ms. Suzette Lettsome Ms. Eurkres Rallings Mrs. Xaulanda

Simmonds-Emmanuel Ms. Ann Thurland Ms. Janette Woods

Mission

• Disseminate evidenced-based information and translation of research findings

• Increase health literacy in the community

• Promote clinical trials offered through the CERC

• Increase knowledge of health disparities with strategies aimed at preventing, reducing and eliminating them.

Accomplishments• Establishment of community partner

relationships

• Dissemination of health information throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands

• Completion of male needs assessment survey

• Dissemination of Health education toolkit

Community Partners• VI Department of Health Community

Health Clinics• Virgin Islands Medical Institute (VIMI)• Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical

Center• Schneider Regional Medical Center• Hope, Inc.• VI Perinatal Inc. (VIPI)• Frederiksted Health Care., Inc.• Bright Stars Inc.

Health information dissemination venues• UVI health fairs

– St. Croix– St. Thomas

• Agriculture and food fair – St. Croix– St. Thomas

• UVI Afternoon on the Green• VI Department of health – St. Thomas• St. Joseph High School (STX)

Health information dissemination venues• Sibilly Elementary School - St. Thomas• UVI Inaugural Open House, St. Croix

campus• UVI - Cooperative Extension Services

(CES), St. Thomas campus• Assistive Technology and Health Fair

Projects

• Male needs assessment survey– Findings presented at National Black Nurses

Association conference (NBNA)– Poster presented at St. Croix Ag fair– Manuscript written

• Health education toolkit – Launched on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John– Presented at National Black Nurses Association

conference (NBNA)– Available on line on CERC’s website– Poster presentation (Dec 2012)

Desiree R. Bertrand, MSN, RN

A HEALTH EDUCATION TOOLKIT FOR THE USVI COMMUNITY: ADDRESSING HEALTH DISPARITIES

Community Engagement and Outreach Core Members

Mrs. Desiree Bertrand-Director

Dr. Angela Ford-Co DirectorDr. Phyllis Sharps - MentorMs. Sherry Barnaby Ms. Sally BrowneMs. Edris EvansDr. George Franklin

Ms. Louceta HodgeMs. Suzette LettsomeMs. Eurkres RallingsMrs. Xaulanda

Simmonds-Emmanuel

Ms. Ann ThurlandMs. Janette Woods

Objectives1. Describe the value of toolkits as a

resource in targeting health education messages to underserved communities.

 3. Describe the stages undertaken by the

Community Core to develop and disseminate a health education toolkit in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

4. Describe outcomes of toolkit usage since the launching the toolkit.

 

Development of the Toolkit

• Health disparities in the USVI – Heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity,

stroke, cancer, diabetes

• Suggestions from Core members, CERC Advisory Board members and CERC PI

Development of the Toolkit

• Feedback from focus groups – St. Croix – St. Thomas

• Feedback from community members at St. Croix Ag Fair 2011

Focus Group Session

Toolkit Presentation• Presented in a white

binder– Overview– User guide

• Each item in toolkit has suggestions on how it can be used

– Evaluation form– Items in toolkit separated

by pocket dividers

Pilot Testing of the Toolkit• Faith-based community was chosen

• Toolkit was launched in Spring 2012

• Faith-based organizations were invited to a launch held at the university– St. Croix – 9– St. Thomas – 10– St. John – 6

Dissemination Plan• Initially to the faith-based community

• Public and private health care organizations

• Health educators in the lay community

• Future plan: Toolkit specifically tailored for men and children

Toolkit ContentCERC Informational Brochure

Know Your Numbers: Women’s Health Test Recorder Pocket Pal

Walk For Fun, Fitness and Health Slide Guide (comes with a water bottle)

Facts on Fast Food Slide Guide

America’s Adult Health Guide

America’s Teen Health Guide

Ask Me 3 Brochure

Four Health Reasons to Eat Local Fruits in Season

USVI Community Health Resources (telephone listing)

Alzheimer’s Disease Fact Sheet

Diabetes 101

Diabetes Fact Sheet: Focus on Health Disparities

Sodium: The Facts

Understanding Adult Obesity

Addressing Childhood Obesity Through Nutrition and Physical Activity

Understanding Youth Violence

CERC Brochure

Overview of the research center

Know Your Numbers: Women’s Pocket Pal

Highlights key health screenings and keeps track of important health information

Walk For Fun and Fitness Slide Guide

25 tips to walk for better health

A water bottle is included

Facts on Fast Food Slide Guide

Gives nutritional information on menu items of the 8 most popular fast-food restaurants

America’s Adult Health Guide Includes many

educational topics and information on prevention and management of chronic conditions 

America’s Teen Health Guide Includes

educational topics such as relationships, fitness, mental health, smoking, sex, drinking and drugs

 Ask Me 3 Brochure

Designed to help patients talk with their healthcare provider

  Four Health Reasons to Eat Local Fruits

Lists locals fruits that grow in the USVI and health reasons to consume these fruits

USVI Community Health Resources

This is a list of telephone numbers of health resource agencies throughout the US Virgin Islands

Alzheimer’s Disease Fact Sheet

Gives information about the disease and how it is diagnosed and treated

Diabetes 101

Addresses the basics of Diabetes

Diabetes Fact Sheet: Focus On Disparities

Gives statistics about the frequency of Diabetes in the USVI and the related outcomes

Sodium: the facts

Discusses the affects of a high sodium diet on blood pressure and potential benefits of reduced sodium consumption

Understanding Adult Obesity Discusses the

prevalence of obesity in the United States

Gives information on how obesity is measured, causes, complications and treatment options

Addressing Childhood Obesity

Strategies done to help promote the health and well-being of children and adolescents

Understanding Youth Violence Discusses the

prevalence of violence in the young adulthood and it’s affect on health

CDC’s approach youth violence prevention is also discussed

Virtual Access http://cercuvi.com

Fact sheets are downloadable

Evaluation form can be completed and submitted online

COMMUNITY FEEDBACK Overall very interested in the toolkit

Interested in “train the trainer” sessions

Currently working with pastors to identify individuals in the church that will be willing to organize health information sessions

COMMUNITY FEEDBACK

Page Loads - number of times page has been visited

Returning visitors – number of returning visitors to website for another visit an hour or more later

COMMUNITY FEEDBACK

Year to date: page loads & returning visits

Questions?