Public Health Education, Advocacy and Outreach

The Public Health Education, Advocacy and Outreach activities focus on educating and changing individuals, organizations, institutions, the environment and policies. Faith-based Health Coordinators and Community Health Advocates teach people affected by diabetes and heart disease to understand their illness and care for themselves effectively. Training materials have been developed to train lay educators, and health advisories have been developed to educate the public.

We also work closely with community residents and leaders, to better understand the root causes of racial and ethnic disparities in health outcome, and assess the ways the health care system treats people differently based on race and insurance status. This effort has resulted in a newsletter that outlines our Statewide Advocacy Agenda, a slide presentation, called Inequality by Design, and a video titled Voices for Health Equality (34.5MB Quicktime). This group also reaches out to health care providers to promote culturally competent care and address systemic barriers to care.

Community Health Advocates on the Frontline

We recruit and train community residents experienced in community activism to engage the community in our various programs. Advocates find and help diabetics increase their understanding of diabetes; their ability to manage treatment plans; and their effectiveness in communicating their needs to healthcare personnel. To get the word out, Advocates have gone door-to-door, set up booths at health centers and health fairs, and worked through our faith-based coalition.