VOLUME I, ISSUE 1 JULY 2011

CENTRAL MS AHEC PERSPECTIVES

Central MS Area Health Education Center Launches Youth Health NOTE FROM THE EDITOR Service Corps Youth Health Service Corps (YHSC) is an innovative health awareness program for mid- Access to health care is an important dle and high school students. Young people get answers about health issues that affect issue in today’s society. Access can them and their peers, explore the broad field of public health, gain knowledge of health be influenced by many factors, in- related careers and professions, and utilize health information to take better care of their cluding the availability of a diverse, health, and to help others do the same. While increasing their knowledge of public health, well trained cadre of health care students engage in hands-on learning and service opportunities that allow them to help providers. Central Area redefine health outcomes within their own communities. Health Education Center at Tougaloo College strives to meet the ever increasing demand for qual- "The program provides information about health careers and exposure to health care ity health care by retaining and re- providers that students might not have access to otherwise," says Dr. Sandra C. Hayes, cruiting a qualified health work- director, Central MS Area Health Education Center (AHEC). Mississippi is among states force. Therefore, K-12 pipeline experiencing a shortage of public health professionals, especially nurses and rural health programs and continuing education professionals. The Corps will make a difference in this area by exposing students to pub- programs are an essential activity of lic health, its needs, objectives, and careers. The goal is to stimulate young people’s inter- the CMAHEC. Addressing issues est in health related fields. This leads to the development of future health professionals related to access to health care will and reduces state shortages in this area. require innovative solutions and unique partnerships. The articles Sixty-three students participated in the YHSC during the 2010-2011 school year - 43 featured in this quarter’s newsletter Lanier High School students (Jackson, MS) and 20 William Sullivan High School students. showcase two programs that have (Durant, MS). The Youth Health Service Corps partnered with Jobs for Mississippi Gradu- been implemented by CMAHEC to ates (JMG), another school-based program whose emphasis is on preparing Mississippi expose middle and high school stu- youth for the workforce through education and field exposure. Programs of this nature dents to careers in health. These help students see the connection between classroom lessons and real life applications. programs focus on improving profi- Students were interested in how teen pregnancy, obesity, adolescent depression, under- ciency in math and sciences and age drinking, and other factors impeding teen health could be reduced. Sharpening their increasing knowledge and aware- skills in preparation for graduation, job interviews, college, and careers were also areas ness about health and health careers of interest to students. CMAHEC is hosted by Tougaloo Central MS AHEC is standardizing its YHSC curriculum in anticipation of school districts College and is an affiliate of the within its 10 county service area adopting and/or weaving the program into their regular Mississippi Area Health Education health education programs. The long-term vision is to implement the YHSC in schools throughout the state. If your agency would like to partner with the Youth Health Service Center Program (MS AHEC) at the Corps on health-related community service projects, please feel free to contact us. University of Mississippi Medical Center. The MS AHEC Program is About the Author partially funded by a grant from the Johnnie Hawkins Health Resources and Services Ad- currently serves as the Program Coordinator for the Youth Health Service Corps ministration (HRSA). Page 2

Preconception Health And Its Importance in decreasing Infant Mortality Rates in Mississippi: PPE Training held in Canton, MS Research has shown that pre- Sharkey County being the of Health Sciences at is Dr. Gerri A. Can- conception health is one of the lowest with 3.6 deaths per live non-Smith. Students were recruited from her classes to participate most important and less em- births. Infant mortality rates in the training and to for a PPE team last semester. Other under- phasized aspects influencing are also significantly higher in graduate students were recruited from the School of Social Work maternal and infant health, the Non White population is and Health and Physical Education Department on the main campus and also birth outcomes. The Mississippi . of Jackson State University. Other Historically Black Colleges and risk of maternal and infant The Office of Minority Health Universities (HBCU) that participated in the training included; Tou- mortality and pregnancy re- has designed a Preconception galoo College in Tougaloo, MS, Mississippi Valley State Univer- lated complications can be Peer Educator Program de- sity in Itta Bena, MS, in Lorman, MS, Rust reduced by increasing access signed to educate college stu- College in Holly Springs, MS, and Hinds Community College in to quality preconception and dents, as well as the commu- Jackson, MS. interconception care. At the nity, on the essentials of pre- The Jackson State University PPE team has held several start of the decade, fewer than conception health. The Office meetings since the January training conference, and participated in half of all pregnancies are of Minority Health hosts train- National Public Health Week in April 2011. planned. Unintended preg- ing at various locations across nancy associated with a host the United States to train col- About the Author of public health concerns. In lege students on becoming Lakisha Williams, is a summer intern at Central Mississippi Area response, preconception health Preconception Peer Educators Health Education Center and a Masters of Public Health Student at initiatives have been aimed at in their colleges and commu- Jackson State University in Jackson MS improving the health of a nities. The goals of the train- ing include: Reaching the college-age population with “In 2009, the targeted health messages em- Mississippi phasizing preconception health and healthcare, training infant mortality minority college students as peer educators, and to arm the rate was 10.0 peer educator with materials, deaths per 1,000 exercises, and activities to train other peers in their col- live births.” leges and communities. Some of the key concepts for the training include: Health dis- parities and Minority Health, Infant Mortality, African American health status and its woman before she becomes impact on infant mortality, pregnant through a variety of Preconception health, infant evidenced based interventions. mortality, and prematurity- The Mississippi State Depart- What research says, Precon- ment of Health (MSDH) has ception Care, HIV, STIs and made infant mortality an Preconception health, and agency priority. In 2009), the what a man would do. Once Mississippi infant mortality the training is complete, the rate was 10.0 deaths per 1,000 students receive a certificate live births. The Healthy Peo- of completion and return to ple 2020 goal is to reduce U.S. the colleges to train and edu- infant mortality rate to 6.0 cate on preconception health. deaths per 1,000 live births. (1) To reach the 2020 goal, a re- The Preconception Health duction of 4.0 deaths per Training for Mississippi was 1,000 live births over the next held at the Duncan Gray Con- ten years poses a tremendous ference Center in Canton, MS challenge. Noxubee County on January 22-23, 2011. The was the highest with 21.3 Preconception Peer Educator deaths per 1000 live births and (PPE) advisor for the School Page 3

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

CMAHEC COLLABORATES WITH UMC OFFICE OF Eliminating Disparities in Mississippi MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS TO EXPAND STEP PROGRAM

Racial and ethnic minorities science. The program Mississippi leads the nation in the rise in obesity among its are underrepresented in the meets one Saturday each citizens. Almost a third of Mississippi’s adults and children health professions. Educa- month during the school are obese. Many chronic health conditions are related to tional pipeline programs year. Of the participants for obesity. Obesity increases the risk of hypertension, diabe- play an important role in the 2010-2011 school year, tes, sleep disorders, gall bladder and cardiovascular dis- increasing the accessibility 74 were African American eases. Community and environmental factors influence and diversity of health pro- and 23 were Native Ameri- the continued increase in obesity. Studies done by the Cen- fessionals, addressing edu- can. ters for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that coun- cational opportunity gaps ties with higher obesity rates usually have higher rates of and reducing health dispari- Racial and ethnic diversity diabetes. Established lifestyle risk factors such as physical ties. Underrepresented mi- plays an important part in inactivity, high consumption of saturated fat and sodium, norities are more likely to providing quality health and a low consumption of fruits, vegetables, and fiber-rich work in rural areas com- services and access to care grains are associated with increased risk of obesity. Studies pared to their white coun- in rural populations, espe- indicate that children in rural areas, particularly the Deep South, are at increased risk for becoming overweight and terparts. Therefore, increas- cially in the face of a rap- obese. Dietary intake of saturated fat and sodium is well ing the number of minority idly changing healthcare above recommended levels, and consumption of soft drinks health practitioners in rural system. Therefore, CMAHEC strives to develop is significant. Fruit and vegetable intake are well below rec- communities is essential in innovative collaborations ommended levels, and their physical activity level is likely order to reduce health dis- with community organiza- below recommended levels. parities and improve access tions, adopt strategies to to health care. Pipeline pro- that show a strong commit- Dietary guidelines to reduce obesity risk recommend the grams are an important way ment to increasing diver- consumption of five or more servings of fruits and vegeta- to address the shortage of sity in the health profes- bles per day, an adequate intake of fiber-rich foods, a lim- underrepresented minori- sions, and develop sustain- ited consumption of foods high in saturated fat, cholesterol, ties in the health care pro- able funding mechanisms and sodium, and a moderate intake of foods with high fessions and increase access to support diversity enrich- added sugar content. These guidelines are recommended to primary care providers in ment programs. for all healthy individuals older than 2 years of age. rural areas. About the author Access to healthcare is closely related to behavioral risk The CMAHEC collaborated Sandra C. Hayes, DrPH factors because medical interventions may directly or indi- with the University of Mis- currently serves as the rectly impact the nature and extent of the health risks as sissippi Medical Center Of- director for the CMAHEC well as treat health conditions. Many of the obesity risk fice of Multicultural Affairs factors could also be targeted for intervention within the and the Mississippi State school environment. Department of Health Office “Racial and ethnic of Rural and Primary Care to minorities are About the author expand the Science and Sabrina Hogue Technology Program (STEP) underrepresented in Currently serves as an intern with the CMAHEC This program was con- the health ducted during the 2010- 2011 school year. The pro- professions.” gram reached 97 students from Copiah, Hinds, Madi- son, Neshoba, and Rankin For more information, please direct all inquiries to: counties. STEP is designed for students in grades 6-8 Central Mississippi Area Health Education Center and encourages them to be 350 W. Woodrow Wilson academically successful and Suite 3320 increases their awareness of Jackson, MS 39213 health careers. Participants (601) 987-9463 take courses in math, sci- ence, reading and computer