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2010 Health Campaign
A primary focus of our 2010 activities is on the health
issues of Iowa’s minorities. This year we are concentrating
on a powerful 'anti-smoking' message targeting minority
youth. We will approach our anti-smoking message with a
blend of major positive education and entertainment
activities that will feature "headliner" entertainers and
speakers on the national, state, and local levels. Our plan
includes 3 statewide educational forums and 2 separate
entertainment venues targeting minority youth.
We will remain consistent in our efforts to bring a positive
message to Iowans that serves to enlighten policymakers,
practitioners, and the general public
regarding the disparate economic and social hardships
experienced by minorities, particularly African-Americans,
concerning health issues and stimulates discussion on
solutions.
We also present the esteemed James Derham Award to the Iowa
health practitioner of the year that has done important work
in the minority community. Past recipients include Paul
Danforth, Dr. Russell Adams, Dr. Julius Conner, and Dr.
Ronnie Hawkins. Sponsorships are available for this
activity.
Problem:
The CDC analyzed data from the biennial national Youth Risk
Behavior Survey (looking at the most recent data from
2001-2007), which shows that current cigarette use among all
high school students in the United States declined from 1997
to 2003, but stabilized from 2003 to 2007 and reported a
current use rate of 20% in 2007. The overall current use
rate for African American students showed a gradual decline
from 14.7% in 2001 to 11.6% in 2007. Use by African American
male students has been stable since 2001, while African
American females reported a use steady decline in current
use since 1997 for a rate of 8.4% in 2007.
According to
information released by the Centers for Disease Control
(CDC), a national health objective for 2010 is to reduce the
prevalence of current cigarette use among high school
students to 16% or less.
The Iowa Department
of Public Health has been doing a biennial Iowa Youth
Tobacco Survey since 2000 and the findings (dated October
2009) show that up to 90% of smokers begin smoking in middle
or high school. During 2000 to 2008, current smoking by high
school students declined by 40% and the report shows that
20% smoke cigarettes. Although the Iowa Department of Public
Health has recently established Priority Population Tobacco
Networks, no current information on tobacco use by African
American high school students has been made available.
Data shows that: 1)
while African Americans start smoking at a later age,
overall they are less likely to quit smoking; 2) African
Americans are more likely to develop smoking-related
diseases (lung cancer, heart disease, etc.) than other
populations, and 3) education and employment status has a
disproportionate impact on whether and how much African
Americans smoke. Over time, African American health issues
associated with cigarette smoke will exact a
disproportionate cost on the private and public health
system. Community outreach targeting African American youth
is a highly cost effective intervention, especially where
there is no evidence of any intervention.
Strategic Solutions:
The Iowa Department of Public Health recommends that, among
other successful interventions, community anti-tobacco
campaigns must continue to prevent or stop youth from
smoking. The Iowa Juneteenth Observance is Iowa’s largest
African-American produced event and an excellent source for
a unique approach to reach out to African Americans,
particularly students, with an anti-smoking message that
blends education with culturally-based entertainment.
June 19
Neighbors Day activities at
the Iowa Juneteenth Observance finale in Evelyn Davis Park.
The featured entertainment is Afroflow, which is
culturally-based (Afro centric) music and poetry, flowing
from Africa. Michael “MIKE-E” Ellison is a Hip-hop and
spoken word recording artist, actor, and philanthropist.
MIKE-E was born in Ethiopia, where he supports orphan
outreach and healthcare programs, while maintaining
nationwide recognition with one of the country's most
popular hits "Ethiopia (Everything Will Be Alright)."
Stateside, the Detroit-based lyricist is recognized for
repeat performances on HBO's Def Poetry Jam, appearing
regularly in nationally televised spoken word vignettes for
the NFL, and teaming with the American Cancer Society (ACS)
to orchestrate and headline the nationwide AfroFlow Tour – a
live music concert and groundbreaking cancer awareness
initiative. Mike- E leads a group of 10 to 12 artists
performing live music, song, poetry, and dance. Mike-E will
be available to do advance promotional and community
outreach appearances leading to his show on June 19 at the
IJO Neighbors Day activities.
Sponsorship is available
for this event: Contact Gary Lawson at 515/707-4768
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