Black people are dying and suffering from preventable chronic diseases at alarming rates. Find out how community partners are working together to create a critical mass of African Americans who are "evangelical" in their commitment to promote healthier lifestyles.
The Bay Area African American Health Initiative
The 2003 Bay Area African American Health Summit in Oakland, California rejuvenated and inspired Blacks in the Bay Area to re-commit to good health and promote healthy lifestyles in our communities. Two key accomplishments are:
• The Black Paper, a participatory community research report:
Download entire report (Zip, 8.2mb).
• The Bay Area African American Health Initiative (BAAAHI).
The Bay Area African American Health Initiative is a dynamic multi-pronged effort to support collaborative efforts with the many diverse African American health and service oriented organizations in the Bay Area.
Inspired by Harriet Tubman, the conductor of the Underground Railroad, African Americans in the Bay Area are asked to guide themselves and others to the freedom good health brings. A critical mass of 4,605 Africans Americans from 7 Bay Area counties will become health conductors. To meet the goal of building Critical Mass many programs have been put in place. Below is a brief description of each one.
Council of Elders
A combined total of over 400 years of experience is represented by the Council of Elders who serve as an advisory body for the Bay Area African American Health Initiative. Members of the Council of Elders are: |
Lead Agencies working to organize in key focus areas
| "Access to Health Care" | African American Wellness Project |
| "Public Awareness and Education" | Healthy Oakland |
| "Lifestyle, Self-Care and Physical Exercise" | YMCA of the East Bay |
| "Socio-Political Environment" | The Greenlining Institute |
Bi-Annual Bay Area African American Health Summit
Organized by a diverse planning committee the Health Summit's goal is to convene two days of activities that support improving the health of African Americans in the Bay Area. A Health Summit Conference for African American leadership and an intergenerational public Health Expo are offered. The next Health Summit is January 28, 29, 2005.
Black History Month Public Health Awareness Campaign
Utilizing the power of the media that includes traditionally Black newspapers health promotion messages are delivered by various community partners in the BAAAHI.
For more information on programs of the Bay Area African American Health Inititiative contact the Bay Area Black United Fund at 510.763.7270 or cwinlock@babuf.org. |
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