Building Healthy Communities (BHC)

MHRC Community Outreach is a Core Channel for leveraging programs, resources and partnerships to have a greater impact on eliminating health disparities

Model

CBPR
Socio Ecological
Our primary target geographic area consists of twenty-three communities. We propose to start our efforts in two adjacent neighborhoods, Norwood and Fountain Heights located in the Northern Corridor of Birmingham, approximately 10 minutes from UAB. . Approximately 95% of the approximately 3000 residents living in the two neighborhoods are African American and considered underserved. The neighborhoods are classified as distressed neighborhoods. Often these communities will have programs that focus on improving living conditions; enhancing home security; allowing for low-cost physical improvements; economic and social opportunities, but there is a lack of health and wellness programs within the communities.

Targeted Population:

In the city of Birmingham, the population is spread out, with 25.% under the age of 18, 11.% from 18 to 24, 30.% from 25 to 44, 20% from 45 to 64, and 13% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. The city's per capita income is $15,663. 25% of the population and 21% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 35% of those under the age of 18 and 19% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Goals and Objectives

The initiative’s goal is to increase awareness of and participation in disease-prevention and wellness activities by organizing community based coalitions to develop a plan of action to specifically focus on planning and implementing prevention and wellness activities in their community.

The initiative’s objectives are:

To devise and employ a strategy effective for low-income people through partnering with local community and political leaders, faith-based institutions, public and private schools, businesses, and community members.
To identify key leaders representing the above organizations and form a Healthy Communities Coalition in each community.
To assist the established coalition in identifying their community’s health needs and priorities.
Based on identified needs, to develop a community-driven disease-prevention and wellness activities plan (i.e. health evaluations and screenings, eat/cook-healthy workshops, walks, etc.)
To organize disease-prevention and wellness days and evaluate outcome.
To expand to other communities in Jefferson County (phase 2) based on the successes and lessons learned in the two neighborhoods identified as pilot (phase 1).