Red Hope? The Blacklisting of Hope Foye (Her Story, Her Songs)

The CDC, NIH and IOM among other agencies that collect population data on health behaviors acknowledge the significant health disparities existing across diverse populations, despite public health efforts to reduce or mitigate those disparities (National Academies of Science, Speaking of Health/Executive Summary, 2002, p. 1). Speaking of Health (2002) also noted “to effectively influence individuals in diverse populations to engage them in healthy behavior, public health practitioners must understand the social and cultural contexts that shape individual behavior” (Executive Summary, p. 1). The aging population for example, is a population that struggles with depression, loneliness, chronic pain, poor eating habits and a host of other serious issues, namely being devalued by the general population and mainstream media. What are some innovative tools available for community health organizers to work with change agents within the elderly population that can improve the outlook of growing old, being accepted, and improving self-care? One important tool which can be used to foster changing unhealthy behavior is the use of documentary films that value the elderly's role in the home and in society. Films that trigger a palpable connection with the viewer can begin the journey toward contemplating behavior change. Excerpts from the film Red Hope? The Blacklisting of Hope Foye (Her Story, Her Songs) will be presented in the program as an example of how media can depict positive role models to begin the process of influencing healthy behavior. A brief discussion will address some of the approaches used by the filmmaker to reflect the possibilities of a healthier lifestyle when the elderly is a viable member of the community.