Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion (DHWP) Public Health Grand Rounds (PHGR): Community residents addressing national health issues in the classroom and the home

Background: Detroit, MI is the 11th largest city in the United States. 85% of Detroit's population is African American (AA). Detroit leads the nation in mortality and morbidity associated with infant mortality, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. A lack of accurate information on these disease, discussions between community residents and providers, and residents knowledge on what can be done to prevent these disease has lead the Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion (DHWP) and Wayne State University School Of Medicine (WSUSOM) to collaborate on mechanisms to address these challenges. Method: The DHWP and WSUSOM have collaborated to develop DHWP Public Health Grand Rounds (PHGR). The PHGR seminars use monthly National Health Initiatives (NHI), Healthy People 2010 (HP), and local health issues to educate the residents of Detroit and their providers on health issues and to increase access to DHWP services. Local and national experts present the monthly live seminar. PHGR seminars are recorded and rebroadcast on local Comcast Cable and AT&T U-Verse television, and video streamed on WSUSOM and the City of Detroit websites. Detroit residents and their providers are encouraged to attend and review PHGR in any venue that they feel comfortable. All three venues offer the opportunity for Educational Credits. Results: The DHWP services are more accessible to the residents of Detroit and their providers. The residents are learning about the disease, as they are being rolled out through national media campaigns and supported by the PHGR live and distance learning. Most of the diseases targeted by the NHI have disproportionately high mortality and morbidities among African Americans. The information from the NHI monthly campaigns are reinforced and sustained throughout the year through cable TV rebroadcast and video streaming. PHGR provides a vehicle for residents to discuss NHI, HP, and local health concerns with DHWP staff and their providers. Conclusion: Providing and reinforcing accurate information directly to residents in their homes has increased the use of DHWP services and increased residents literacy on NHI, HP, and local health concerns. The impact PHGR will have on health outcomes will be determined overtime.