141st APHA Annual Meeting

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293783
Norfolk State University (HBCU), Northeastern State University (TCU), and Northwest Indian College (TCU)

Monday, November 4, 2013 : 3:10 PM - 3:30 PM

Shelia Ward, Ph.D., MPH , Health, Physical Education , and Exercise Science, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA
Women of color, especially African American and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN), are disproportionately burdened with higher rates of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and HIV, lower rates of preventive behaviors such as physical activity, and partner relationship violence. The implementation of the Health and Wellness Initiative for Women Attending Minority Institutions at Norfolk State University (Norfolk, VA), one of the nation's largest Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), has allowed the successful integration of regularly scheduled taskforce meetings composed of campus and community partners (health service providers and resource organizations); mentored student health ambassadors; a healthy living series featuring culturally engaging physical, nutritional and mental health activities; a dialogue series to discuss issues impacting women's well-being, small group female peer-facilitated HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness workshops; an African dance series; free HIV/STD testing and counseling in recognition of several HIV/AIDS awareness days; and campus-community wide events related to chronic disease prevention and ending violence against women, such as “Denim Day.” University impact successes have included the initiative being recognized as a campus-wide health-promoting body, with opportunities to work with related taskforces such as a sexual assault response team (SART) and to revise the campus sexual assault policy.

The implementation of the Health and Wellness Initiative for Women Attending Minority Institutions at Northeastern State University and Northwest Indian College (two recognized Tribal Institutions), also focus on culturally- and age-relevant women's health education and promotion. Northeastern State University (Tahlequah, OK) has used the school paper, student activity boards, school marquees, posters, and Facebook as outreach to students to attend free HIV testing and referral events, sexual health classes, violence against women education and prevention classes, and drug and alcohol education sessions in the dormitories.

At Northwest Indian College (Bellingham, WA) there is a strong relationship with community-service providers that work on issues related to HIV/AIDS and violence prevention. These resources are made available via referrals for students, faculty, staff, and community members. Taskforce meetings, wellness programs condom availability, and a partnership with the Cooperative Extension Office's Traditional Plants and Foods Program provide culturally-relevant diabetes, overweight/obesity, and nutrition educational activities.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education

Learning Objectives:
Describe the planning and implementation of culture and gender-specific health promotion programming for collegiate African American and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) women and women in the surrounding communities.

Keywords: Native Americans, Women's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I’ve been working in academia for 20+ years and public health for 10+ years promoting healthy living through the arts, increased physical activity, and chronic disease awareness, prevention, and management. I’ve successfully received federal, state, and private funding for research and program implementation in those areas as well with a special interest in African American females throughout the lifespan. I‘m published and my extensive presentations have been on the international, national, state, and local levels
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.