DHAS - From the Division Director
Fall '03
by DHAS Director, Loretta Davis-Satterla
Just as the feature story for this issue focuses on one of the poorest nations
of Africa, I would like to talk about how Michigan is addressing one of its
communities most in need.
Governor Jennifer Granholm appointed a Task Force as a response to the civil
unrest that occurred on the streets of Benton Harbor earlier this year. In order
to take a holistic approach to addressing the community problems in Benton
Harbor the Task Force consisted of issue specific workgroups. At the request of
State Surgeon General Kimberlydawn Wisdom, I joined the Health Awareness and
Improvement Workgroup.
This Workgroup is comprised of residents of Benton Harbor, as well as
representatives from several health service agencies. The community
representatives of the Workgroup took an active leadership and participatory
role in the Workgroup’s process and the healthcare agencies partnered with
consultative and other supportive assistance.
The role of the Workgroup was to learn what were the important health issues
according to the people who live in Benton Harbor. In order to determine the top
health priorities a health survey was distributed to the residents that asked
the following questions:
1) What are your health concerns that are not being met?
2) What are your family’s health concerns that are not being met?
3) What do you feel are Benton Harbor’s health concerns that are not being met?
4) If the state were going to give resources (money, people) for health issues
in Benton Harbor, where would you want it spent?
Surveys were distributed door to door, on the streets where the unrest occurred
and in various places of worship. Because of the dedication and commitment of
workgroup members, 444 residents were able to make their voices heard. It came
as no surprise that HIV/AIDS and STDs were identified among the top five health
concerns. In addition, substance abuse also ranked in the top five.
Staff of the Division of HIV/AIDS & STD (DHAS) worked closely with the Workgroup
to develop sustainable strategies. The strategies include, but are not limited
to increased awareness, education, and testing for sexually transmitted diseases
and HIV. We have assigned additional staff to work within the City of Benton
Harbor and we have established new partnerships with community-based agencies
and leaders. Several of the strategies are long-term. However, because DHAS had
already identified Benton Harbor as an area in need of increased targeting, we
were able to implement many strategies immediately.
The process that was used by the Workgroup is one that is familiar to and has
been very effective in the HIV/AIDS community. It affirms that by reaching out
to a broad, representative group of those most affected, not a select few, the
information obtained is rich, and can be trusted to guide resource allocation
and future initiatives.
If you would like to read the complete report presented to the Governor, go to
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/BH_final_report_76471_7.pdf
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