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Nurse Perspective

Health Promotion in the African American Community

Published May 5, 2008 12:57 PM by Guest Blogger

By Teresa R. Wilmore, BSN, RN, nursing supervisor, St. Joseph's Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Teresa is also pursuing her MSN in community health at West Chester University, West Chester, PA.

Are you aware that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in African Americans, killing over 101,000 men and women in 2004 alone? Did you know that nearly 52,000 African American men and women between the ages of 45 and 84 died of cancer or that their incidence of stroke was almost twice that of whites in 2004? As the American Heart Association has noted in the above significant facts, the African American community is being ravished by diseases that could be better controlled through more effective health education and promotion. Many communities have programs that offer sessions on the top three offenders -- hypertension, stroke, and cancer -- but unfortunately, somewhere between the healthcare system and the community a communication gap exists. As healthcare providers, it is time for us to speak up and do something about it.

Being a young African American woman who grew up in the inner city, it was understood that the importance of "community" served as the heart of many activities. The word "community," as defined by Merriam Webster's dictionary, is a unified body of individuals. As a culture, the advancement of our community, in all aspects, will always remain a great focus. Though there are other important issues that tend to take precedence, health must come back to the forefront.     

Health promotion within the community has been in place in various settings over time, from hospitals to churches to recreation centers. These are important places to hold information sessions because it is where the people are. As healthcare providers, we need to improve on thinking outside of the box to begin delivering more health promotion sessions and activities that reach the African American community in other places. Venues such as concerts, social gatherings, and shopping areas, encourage crowds and may include the target audiences that need to be addressed. Information given there should be in a straight-to-the-point fashion, with pamphlets or handouts with catch phrases and attention grabbers. Awareness is the first, key step to change. Once the people become familiar with the issues, more engaging health promotion events can be developed. These events should be detail oriented, yet captivating with creative and innovative ways of delivery, focusing on health promotion such as screening and risk reduction for example.

We are nurses -- healthcare professionals who the public trusts for our skills and compassion. Health issues, like those greatly affecting the African American people, challenge us to showcase our knowledge and experience. Take this time to speak up; not only for the nursing profession, but more importantly, for the African American community.

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3 comments
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We as nurses, perpetual teachers, are privledged to have the trust and respect of our communities.  We can raise the bar for our influence and effect change by doing exactly what Ms. Wilmore is proposing, thinking outside the box.%0d%0a%0d%0aIn every one of our communities there are Mavens, as idenitfied by Malcom Gladwell in "The Tipping Point", women who have the trust of the people around them.  We can find those women in our churches, community centers, workplaces, and schools.  We ask these "Mavens" to be our partners, ambassadors, spokesperson.  Collaboration is the key to reaching the people who may not yet realize the importance of addressing  their health needs.  Partnering with people who they already trust, and most importantly know and have a history, will facilitate distribution our life-changing messages.
cynthia peel-knight, RN Certified Imago Educator, consulting - 818-384-8907, One Conversation May 28, 2008 3:24 PM
Orlando FL

We as nurses, perpetual teachers, are privledged to have the trust and respect of our communities.  We can raise the bar for our influence and effect change by doing exactly what Ms. Wilmore is proposing, thinking outside the box.

In every one of our communities there are Mavens, as idenitfied by Malcom Gladwell in "The Tipping Point", women who have the trust of the people around them.  We can find those women in our churches, community centers, workplaces, and schools.  We ask these "Mavens" to be our partners, ambassadors, spokesperson.  Collaboration is the key to reaching the people who may not yet realize the importance of addressing  their health needs.  Partnering with people who they already trust, and most importantly know and have a history, will facilitate distribution our life-changing messages.
cynthia peel-knight, consulting - 818-384-8907, One Conversation May 28, 2008 3:20 PM
Orlando FL

I also believe that innovative health promotion activities and projects can help more people get involved with taking action in their own well being.  As nurses, we have a big responsibility to the communities we serve.  This entry brought up a great point that needs to be addressed by all.

Carl, ICCU - RN, Pennsylvania Hospital May 16, 2008 10:15 PM
Philadelphia PA

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