142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

Annual Meeting Recordings are now available for purchase

308975
An Exploration of the Health-Related Needs and Assets of Children Living in Community Founded by Former Slaves

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Sunday, November 16, 2014

Moya L. Alfonso, MSPH, PhD , Jiann Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
Gayle Jackson, PhD , Willow Hill Heritage and Renaissance Center, Savannah, GA
Gemma Skuraton, BS , Community Health Behavior and Education, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Statesboro, GA
Emily Earnest, BS , Community Health Behavior and Education, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Statesboro, GA
Jeseseme Omoraun, BA , Department of Community Health Behavior and Education, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Statesboro, GA
Kristen Pruitt, BS , Jiann Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
Kandyce Reeves, BS , Department of Community Health Behavior and Education, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Statesboro, GA
Shalisa Robinson, BS , Community Health Behavior and Education, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Statesboro, GA
Yvette Steele, BS , Department of Community Health Behavior and Education, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Statesboro, GA
Pei-Ling Tseng, BN, MEd , Department of Community Health Behavior and Education, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Statesboro, GA
Chantavious Wyatt, BS , Department of Community Health Behavior and Education, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Statesboro, GA
Alvin Jackson, MD , Willow Hill Heritage and Renaissance Center, Savannah, GA
Background: African American children living in rural, underserved communities are at increased risk for negative health outcomes. The history of Willow Hill, a rural Georgia community, can be traced back to slavery. The purpose of this study was to assess the health-related needs and assets of children in Willow Hill with the intent of informing the use of a school founded by former slaves to meet community health needs.  

Methods: A concurrent mixed methods design was used to gather quantitative (i.e., secondary analysis, intercept interviews) and qualitative (i.e., focus groups, individual interviews) data.  Descriptive statistics were calculated.  Qualitative data were coded and major themes were identified and illustrative quotes selected. 

Results: On a 10-point scale, lack of physical activity (M= 7.74), alcohol use (M= 7.66), and tobacco use (M=7.62) emerging as the top three health-related issues for youth in Willow Hill.  In interviews, obesity was the number one self-reported health issue. Contributing factors included poor diet, physical inactivity, and lack of resources for physical activity and healthy food options. Culture, faith, and characteristics of youth (e.g., “good kids”) were noted as major assets. 

Conclusion: Obesity was the number one health issue reported in this former slave community.  Environmental factors such as lack of grocery stores containing healthy food options and lack of infrastructure to support physical activity emerged as major barriers to addressing obesity.  Culture, faith, and characteristics of youth will serve as key resources in transforming a well-loved institution into a resource for prevention and education.

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Advocacy for health and health education
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Diversity and culture
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Discuss historical factors that affect the health and wellbeing of African American youth residing in rural, underserved communities. Identify the major health needs of African American youth residing in rural, underserved communities. Identify assets that can be used to address the health needs of African American youth residing in rural, underserved communities.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have considerable expertise in community health assessment. I supervised this assessment in conjunction with the Willow Hill Heritage and Renaissance Center and graduate students.
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.