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SJMO Receives State Grant for Minority Health Month

Pontiac, MI—St. Joseph Mercy Oakland (SJMO) received a Minority Health Month grant of $8,000 from the Michigan Department of Community Health to fund a series of free activities focusing on minority men’s health. Minority Health Month will be observed in April.

The observance will kick off at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 10, at SJMO’s Franco Communications Center with a motivational rally featuring Pete Thomas, former contestant from NBC-TV’s “Biggest Loser”; SJMO President and CEO Jack Weiner and Dr. Tom Rifai, Medical Director of SJMO’s Metabolic Nutrition and Weight Management program.  During the rally, attendees will be invited to participate in a six-week SJMO men’s weight loss competition. They also will receive information on weight management, prevention of chronic disease, nutritional meal planning and the importance of exercise and physical fitness.  At the end of the six-week period, prizes will be awarded to individuals losing the most weight and /or inches.

During Minority Health Month, health screenings and health education activities will focus on chronic health conditions, including cancer (colorectal and prostate), cardiovascular disease (blood pressure and cholesterol) and diabetes (blood sugar and BMI).  Appropriate and timely follow-up will be provided for individuals with abnormal screening results. Informational brochures will be provided in English and Spanish.

Locations for the screenings include: Antioch Baptist Church, Elam Family Barbershop, Catholic Social Services Hispanic Outreach and the North Oakland YMCA.

Part of the observance will focus on National Minority Cancer Awareness Week, April 20-26, to bring attention to the issue of health disparities in minority communities.

Other activities include: the Lighthouse Walk, Cinco de Mayo healthy Mexican foods party at SJMO’s Mercy Place Clinic and a closing rally, at which winners will be announced.

“We are delighted to receive this grant,” said SJMO’s Weiner.  “It allows us to extend our efforts to improve the health of people in the community who might not otherwise have access to basic health care.”

Objectives of this year’s Minority Health Month observance are to increase the knowledge and awareness of minority men’s health issues, individual and community factors that affect health, culturally and linguistically appropriate approaches to men’s health improvement and the importance of regular preventive health visits and screenings.

All activities are free of charge.  The public is encouraged to participate.

To participate in the SJMO men’s weight loss competition or for more information, call Tatyanna Coleman, RN, at 248-333-0840, ext. 231. 

Objectives of this year’s Minority Health Month observance are to increase the knowledge and awareness of minority men’s health issues, individual and community factors that affect health, culturally and linguistically appropriate approaches to men’s health improvement and the importance of regular preventive health visits and screenings.

 

All activities are free of charge.  The public is encouraged to participate.

 

To participate in the SJMO men’s weight loss competition or for more information, call Tatyanna Coleman, RN, at 248-333-0840, ext. 231.