Providing community-based health education and screening services for African-Americans

The death rate among African-American men and women suffering from cancer is disproportionately higher than that of other racial groups. Although African-American women develop breast cancer less often than women in other racial groups, their mortality rate is higher due to later diagnosis and entry into treatment. The prostate cancer mortality rate for African-American men is more than twice that of men in other racial groups. Early detection and screening for these and other diseases can significantly reduce the death rates among African-Americans. The purpose of this project is to eliminate health disparities related to breast and prostate cancer among minority populations in rural and inner-city Alabama through the provision of community-based health education and screening services. These services will be provided through partnerships between Oakwood College and several communities in and around Huntsville, Alabama. Teams of nursing and religion students from the College will be trained to deliver brief culturally appropriate health promotion presentations and screening encouragement to community residents at local churches and in other community settings. Cosmetologists and barbers will also be trained to encourage screening. Oakwood College will partner with Highway 53 Medical Center in Toney, Alabama, to implement the various outreach, prevention, and health promotion programs. The Medical Center will provide clinical backup services and serve as a referral site for the project. Although health education and screening services will focus on breast and prostate cancer, information related to diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and hypertension will also be provided.

Grant Details

Amount Awarded $50,000.00

Awarded on: 12/20/2001

Time frame: 1/1/2002 - 4/30/2003

Grant Number: 44579