February 9, 1995
ILLINOIS HEALTH PROMOTION PROGRAMS RECEIVE NATIONAL RECOGNITION
SPRINGFIELD, IL -- Dr. John R. Lumpkin, state public health director, today announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has honored five health promotion programs and one individual in Illinois with national 1994 HHS Secretary's Community Health Promotion Awards.
"Those recognized exemplify communities that care," Dr. Lumpkin said. "The creative thoughts behind these programs have successfully brought lifesaving and life-enhancing resources to segments of the community that otherwise may have gone without."
The awards, which are presented every two years, are based on community need, coordinated efforts between public and private entities, well-conceived and effective objectives and strategies, creativity and potential for replication.
Recognized this year by HHS Secretary Donna Shalala were--
AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY HEALTH PROMOTION
To make oral health care more readily available to financially disadvantaged children in DuPage County, parents, community and school groups, and medical and dental providers were asked to be a part of this initiative.
As a result, disadvantaged children have access to oral health counseling, routine dental treatment through local dental offices, emergency dental treatment through area hospitals, and oral hygiene items, such as toothbrushes and toothpaste.
Area residents also can take advantage of oral health education programs and water testing for fluoride levels.
OUTSTANDING PROGRAM IN COMMUNITY HEALTH PROMOTION
Nine of 11 beauty shops in the community of Woodstock were recruited in the fall of 1994 to educate women about breast cancer risks and the importance of screening for breast cancer.
Nearly 70 low-cost mammograms were performed for area women after participants were surveyed about the importance of screening for breast cancer. Coupons for mammograms were made available at beauty shops and area physician offices. Seven of these mammograms detected abnormal findings that required physician follow-up. The program is currently being expanded into other local communities.
This health fair for low-income and minority children in the Lake County area combined community resources to meet the back-to-school health needs for children who do not have access to these services.
The first health fair, held in August 1993, served 1,880 children from 490 families. A fair held in August 1994 served more than 1,000 children from 600 families. Children were provided transportation to the health fair, physical examinations, immunizations and school supplies. Area medical providers volunteered their services and more than $25,000 in donations was raised.
Many of Haymarket's clients are substance abusers who have been involved with injection drug use and prostitution. Haymarket recognized the need to educate this hard-to-reach population because of the high risk of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS.
Educational sessions have been offered to clients addressing their attitudes, beliefs, values and emotions, not only by health educators, but also by their peers. Since 1991, nearly 4,000 men and women have taken advantage of this program.
LETTER OF RECOGNITION FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH PROMOTION
Homosexual and bisexual men account for 60 percent of all reported AIDS cases in suburban Cook County. The Cook County Department of Public Health developed this program to target these men, to encourage them to adopt safer behaviors and to take advantage of HIV counseling and testing.
The health department also collaborated with community-based social and support groups for gay, lesbian and bisexual adults, college students and youth in the area.
AWARD FOR COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
Dr. Rousonelos has practiced medicine in the Joliet area for 37 years and was instrumental in establishing the Will-Grundy Medical Clinic in 1985 to improve access to care for the area's 14,000 medically-underserved. When the clinic was officially opened two years later, it was one of only three in the country.
Dr. Rousonelos currently serves as a physician volunteer for the clinic, while holding down his own practice, and serves on the clinic's board of directors.
He also is active in the community as a board member and immediate past president of the Joliet Area Hospice, president of the advisory board for Catholic Charities' senior companions program and a board member of Daybreak, a local organization that aids the homeless.
Individual representatives of the programs will receive their awards from Dr. Lumpkin at 10:30 a.m. in a ceremony at the State of Illinois Building, 160 N. LaSalle St., Chicago.
  |
Illinois Department
of Public Health 535 West Jefferson Street Springfield, Illinois 62761 Phone 217-782-4977 Fax 217-782-3987 TTY 800-547-0466 Questions or Comments |