"Providing Infrastructure to Mitigate Health Disparities"
Welcome to Center News - Spring 2022, Issue 1! You are invited to explore this inaugural edition of Center News. In our newsletter, you can expect featured articles from faculty and students on important health issues, highlights of community efforts that serve Greater New Orleans area, and educational tips from experts on how to improve and maintain overall good health. Enjoy!
WHAT'S INSIDE?
DIRECTOR'S CORNER Honoring Dr. Daniel Sarpong, Former CMHDRE Director
A Historical Look... pg. 3 Learn about the Center's history since its 2004 founding
Exclusive Interviews... pg. 4 Current and former Directors share their insight on CMHDRE
Center Health Moments... pg. 5 Student authored articles on health disparities
Pharmacy Corner... pg. 6 What is the Role of a Pharmacist?
Healthy Recipes... pg. 7 Health & Wellness Center offers tasty yet healthy recipes to try
XULA & the Community... pg. 8
Dr. Daniel Sarpong, former Endowed Chair of Health Disparities, and Director of the Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education (CMHDRE) has transitioned from his position. Since 2013, under Dr. Sarpong’s phenomenal leadership as Director, CMHDRE has seen the greatest expansion of its research, through collaboration, partnership, and community engagement. His efforts to highlight engagement and partnership with Louisiana communities have led to CMHDRE leadership for several external academic institutions. For example, Dr. Sarpong served as Director of both the Community Engagement Core of Xavier University’s Research Centers in Minority Institutions Program (RCMI) and the Louisiana Clinical and Translational Science (LA CaTS) Center, as well as Co-Principal Investigator of Louisiana Community Engagement Alliance Against COVID-19 Health Disparities (LA-CEAL). He also mentored many junior faculty, Post Graduate residents, and Undergraduate students, helping them produce research proposals and develop community engagement skills and experience. Prior to joining the CMHDRE, Dr. Sarpong served as a Research Professor with the School of Health Sciences at Jackson State University, and in various capacities at the Jackson Heart Study. Currently, Dr. Sarpong is the Senior Research Scientist in the Department of General Internal Medicine and Executive Director of the Office of Health Equity Research at the Yale University School of Medicine.
Highlights of students/faculty partnering with GNO community
Center Highlight... pg. 10 Learn more about the Health & Wellness Center's efforts
Partner Spotlight... pg. 11 Interview with Sankofa CDC's Founder Rashida Ferdinand
Center Events... pg. 12 We share about the Center's two annual events
COVID-19... pg. 13-14 Read more about how CMHDRE has addressed COVID-19
Connect with CMHDRE... pg. 15
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Introducing Dr. LaKeisha Williams, New CMHDRE Director of Community Engagement and Outreach Dr. LaKeisha Williams will serve as the new Director of Community Engagement and Outreach. Currently a Clinical Associate Professor in the College of Pharmacy. Dr. Williams is an advisor, mentor, instructor, and preceptor to pharmacy students and residents, Dr. Williams is committed to improving health disparities through clinical pharmacy practice, teaching, and community engagement. Her research has focused on approaches to improving medication adherence and mitigating sex and racial health disparities among our elderly and vulnerable populations with chronic conditions. Formerly a Tulane University Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health (BIRCWH) Scholar, Dr. Williams is currently a BIRCWH Associate, LACaTS Community Engagement Grant Reviewer, Board member for the Melia Neighborhood Association, and Steering and Executive Committee member for the Louisiana Community Engagement Alliance (LA-CEAL). As Director of Community Engagement and Outreach, she will continue research and community engagement efforts assuming the role as Co-Principal Investigator of LA-CEAL and Director of the Community Engagement Core of RCMI. These projects aim to improve health outcomes through research, education and community engagement.
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A HISTORICAL LOOK: BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE 2004
2002
CMHDRE was established. Dr. Kathleen Kennedy became first Center Director
XULA College of Pharmacy receives the first Pharmacy Minority Health endowment grant from NCMH/NIH
2009
Dr. Leonard Jack joins as Co-Director, later becoming full Director
Community Advisory Board established. Current Mayor, LaToya Cantrell, served as member
2011
CMHDRE becomes leader of the Community Engagement and Outreach Resource for the LA CaTS Center with Dr. Kennedy as the Director
April 2019 CMHDRE provides leadership for Community engagement for Xavier RCMI with Dr. Sarpong as the Director
Reestablishment of the Community Advisory Board with new members
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First annual Health Disparities Conference
External Advisory Board established with leaders from institutions nationwide
2010 The Head-off Environmental Asthma in Louisiana (HEAL) Phase II Study began with Drs. Leonard Jack and Kristi Rapp as Co-PIs
July 2019
2007
2020 COVID Response - Partnership with Tulane University on the LA Community Engagement Alliance Against COVID-19 Disparities with Dr. Sarpong as Co-PI
2013 Dr. Daniel Sarpong becomes Director of CMHDRE
2021 14th Annual Health Disparities Conference held virtually
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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS For the inaugural issue we talked to the architects of the center, the past and present directors whose ideas and vision have shaped the Center (CMHDRE) into the community-based research force it has become. We spoke to past directors, Dean Kathleen Kennedy, Dr. Leonard Jack and current director, Dr. Daniel Sarpong. Each shared their thoughts and memories of the Center that have shaped it into what it is today. The main priorities of the Center have been to reduce health disparities by providing infrastructure within and outside of the university for research and service activities, to develop the abilities of younger faculty members, and to establish effective research partnerships. Dr. Kennedy states, “The whole idea of the Center was initially focused on diabetes and diabetes research. Before Katrina, we had a Diabetes Center in Gert Town, and I received a small grant from Tulane to train women to be diabetes educators. They were to go into their churches to provide education.” Cancer was also always a focus of the Center because of the interest of many Xavier faculty members. Dr. Jack adds that the Center “played a significant role in developing the research capacity of pharmacists,” to train them on how to provide the community with verified methods to improve their health.
“The work undertaken by any organization seeking to improve the health of those at highest risk for chronic conditions is never over.”
Early Center achievements included a special issue of the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, which highlighted research led by College of Pharmacy faculty, under the leadership of Dr. Jack. Dr. Kennedy reflects on the Center’s annual Health Disparities Conference, which begun 14 years ago during her time as Director, “The conference was designed to focus on disparities and to educate the public on the pharmacist role in decreasing disparities, to show that pharmacists could be an integral member of the health care team to decrease disparities.”
The Center has been an incredible source for building strength of faculty to carry out research focused on important chronic diseases, including diabetes, cancer and asthma. For instance, CMHDRE worked closely with faculty members to secure funding and conduct research and evaluation of an asthma management intervention among adults. This project, known as the HEAL II project, examined the impact of Hurricane Katrina on air quality and asthma during Dr. Kennedy’s tenure. Faculty also provided pediatric asthma management in community health clinics and medication therapy to address health conditions plaguing New Orleans residents.
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DIRECTOR PROFILES Kathleen Kennedy, PharmD Title: Dean, College of Pharmacy Xavier University Time as Director: 2004 - 2009
Leonard Jack, PhD , MSc Title: Editor-in-Chief, Preventing Chronic Disease Journal, Center for Disease Control Time as Director: 2009 - 2012
Daniel Sarpong, PhD Title: Professor of Biostatistics, Endowed Chair of Health Disparities Time as Director: 2013 - 2021
Under Dr. Sarpong’s leadership, the Center led the community engagement and outreach arms of the Louisiana Clinical and Translational Science Center and RCMI and has received funding for COVID-19 vaccine education and awareness research through the National Institutes for Health (NIH).
The work of the Center should make a difference, not simply “…make it into nice journals and sit on a shelf.” Unfortunately, Dr. Jack states “the work undertaken by any organization seeking to improve the health of those at highest risk for chronic conditions is never over.” The disparities that impacted our communities a decade ago are still festering and shortening the lifespan of those suffering. Fortunately, the Center consistently seeks solutions so that the university and communities can “… collectively work to solve problems with immediate impact.” The directors insist that the work of the Center should make a difference, not simply “…make it into nice journals and sit on a shelf.”
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HEALTH MOMENTS BLACK MENTAL HEALTH Mental health is important. There is no simpler way to state it. Taking care of one’s psychological well-being is as necessary as looking after one’s physical health. Historically, however, caring for our mental health has not been a priority and speaking openly about having mental health challenges was frowned upon within our society. Thankfully, there appears to be a cultural shift that is pushing back against the stigma associated with mental illness. From articles in mainstream publications on how to develop useful self-care strategies to people using social media platforms to share stories about battling mental illness, more people are now focusing on the significance of taking care of the mind. As honest and sometimes challenging discussions about this topic become more prevalent, there is one particular factor that needs to be at the forefront of every conversation: accessibility. For many, having access to a qualified mental health professional remains a luxury. In New Orleans in particular, there is a shortage in the number of providers available to offer therapy and assessment services, an issue worsened by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Marginalized communities of color have been particularly impacted by lack of access. There must be a more concentrated effort, on the part of mental health professionals and advocates alike, to create systemic changes that will ensure that every person in the city has access to quality mental health care. It is imperative. Chanelle Batiste, M.A., Psychology Intern Clinical Psychology PsyD program, TCSPP-XULA
"Taking care of one's psychological well-being is as necessary as looking after your physical health"
HEALTH DISPARITIES
Good health is a goal shared by the majority of people. What many don’t know is that only 10-20% of their health outcomes, or well-being, are a result of medical care. A massive 80-90% of health outcomes result from influences like where people live, work, play, and pray, as well as genetics. Unfortunately, everyone does not have access to the same healthy resources in their communities. The gaps in opportunities create disparities or differences in health outcomes, that often unfairly affect racial-ethnic minorities and low-income groups. Compared to other states, Louisiana faces challenges in health disparities. Louisiana ranks 49th in the United States for overall health and 47th for the health of women and children. In Orleans Parish, there are major health disparities as well. Across zip codes, life expectancy can differ by 20-25 years. In Lakeview, residents have a high life expectancy of 88.1 years, yet in the Hoffman Triangle, life expectancy is only 62.3 years. People deserve to not only live long lives but to thrive. The burden of factors that negatively impact health must be lessened to improve the lives of people and families. This will happen by achieving health equity, a state where all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential in health and life quality regardless of their backgrounds. By encouraging meaningful collaboration between communities, academia, and political and healthcare leadership, we can make health equity a reality. The problems may be complex, but the duty to enact change is greater. Kyazia Felder, MPH, Xavier University '20
"We can make health equity a reality"
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PHARMACY CORNER THE ROLE OF A PHARMACIST: Pharmacists are key trusted healthcare providers that people interact with on a daily basis. They can be found in various professional settings, and they wear many hats. Pharmacists may be involved in the following, but not limited to:
Pharmacist Roles: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Academics Public Safety Patient Care Drug Manufacturing Drug Quality
Teaching future healthcare professionals within universities or colleges (academics), Changing policies, ensuring the public safety and quality of medications (drug quality), Creating medications (drug manufacturing), Making new drugs and treatments known to doctors and patients (drug marketing), Determining whether new drugs are safe and effective (drug trials), Working with patients to manage and improve their health conditions (disease management), and Ensuring patient care and safety (patient care). What makes pharmacists different from other doctors, specifically medical doctors, is that they do not diagnose diseases; however, pharmacists do learn how to interpret and analyze all diseases in their training. Pharmacists work together with other healthcare providers to ensure that patients can have better health outcomes. It is important for us to know and appreciate the role that pharmacists serve in healthcare, and the overall welfare of the community. As there is more education and exposure to the variety within the pharmacy profession, we will see even greater connections between pharmacists and the communities they serve. Sheila Tchombe, MBA, PharmD, Xavier University, College of Pharmacy, '21
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THE PATH TO HEALTH: OUR PHARMACIST APPROVED RECIPES What is the best thing I can take to keep COVID-19 from getting me? I have been asked this question many times over the last few weeks. Along with other faculty, I have manned an "Ask the Pharmacist" consultation station at walk-up COVID-19 testing sites rotating around the city. This, or some variation on this question, seems on many minds around the city. Well, after nearly 38 years in practice reviewing and renewing my understanding of the relationships between nutrients and health, I can say there are really only 2 things: Eat a healthy largely plant-based diet (some meat is okay) and Exercise some every day. It is not a simple thing to do, but it is the single most reliable way to boost our ability to resist disease. Supplements, things like Vitamin C, just don't work. In fact, just for Vitamin C there are over 18,000 studies that failed to prove its value. The recipes attached are healthy ways to begin down this path. Remember none of our recipes were written on that 3rd tablet Moses brought down from Mount Sinai, so please make them better, tastier for you and your family. - Dr. William Kirchain Director, Xavier University Health and Wellness Center
Rocking Roasted Cauliflower
Parade Queen’s Onion Pie
INGREDIENTS: Cauliflower: 1 head, sliced Olive oil: ¼ cup Fresh garlic: 5 cloves, crushed Our Seasoning Mix: 2 tablespoonful Oregano: 1 teaspoonful Baking Soda ¼ teaspoonful Parmesan cheese: ½ cup
INGREDIENTS: Sweet Potatoes: 1-2, chopped Onion: 3 medium onions sliced thin Garlic: 2 cloves, minced Mushroom: 1 cup chopped small Olive Oil: 1 tablespoonful Butter: 1 tablespoonful 5 Spice Powder: 1 tablespoonful Black Pepper: ½ teaspoonful Salt: ¼ teaspoonful
INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat Oven to 450°. Mix together with olive oil, fresh garlic, baking soda, herbs and spices. Once evenly coated, place cauliflower onto pan. Let cook for approximately 20-30 minutes, until desired doneness is reached. Remove; sprinkle parmesan cheese on top. Let cool and serve. NUTRITION FACTS: (Based on a 2,000 calorie diet) Serving size: ½ cup
Percent of Daily Value (% DV) Total fat: about 7g Saturated fat: about 3g Monounsaturated fat: about 2g Polyunsaturated fat: about 1g Potassium: around 220 mg Sodium: around 320 mg Total carbohydrates: about 8 g Total fiber: about 2 g Protein: about 3 g
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(11% DV) (14% DV) (5% DV) (5% DV) (6% DV) (15% DV) (3% DV) (8% DV) (6% DV)
INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat oven to 425°. Fill a pot with the sweet potatoes and water. Cover and bring to a boil, then lower the heat and continue cooking for 10 minutes or until the potatoes are done. Drain and mash the potatoes. Add butter, 5 Spice Powder, salt, and pepper. In a large saucepan over medium heat, add olive oil. Sauté onions until brown over low to medium heat for about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, microwave mushrooms for around 2-3 minutes. Once onions are brown, add in microwaved mushrooms, with liquids and garlic. Continue to sauté until liquid is reduced by half. Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish. Transfer sautéd vegetables to baking dish. Top with mashed sweet potatoes. Smooth down with a spoon or fork. Bake for 10-15 minutes.
NUTRITION FACTS: (Based on a 2,000 calorie diet) Serving size: ½ cup Total fat about 5g Saturated fat about 2g Monounsaturated fat about 2g Polyunsaturated fat about 1g Potassium around 450mg Total carbohydrate about 35g
Percent of Daily Value (% DV) (8% DV) (9% DV) (5% DV) (5% DV) (13% DV) (7% DV)
Sodium around 60mg. Total fiber about 4g Protein about 4g
(4% DV) (16% DV) (8% DV)
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XULA AND THE COMMUNITY
CHMDRE is dedicated to positively impacting the health and wellness of Louisiana communities, by engaging and partnering with the community to research health issues, identify effective solutions, and to provide health education and awareness. The Center is a reflection of the Xavier community at large. Xavier faculty members and students are committed to partnering with community organizations and leaders to serve those who are most harmfully impacted by health disparities. We highlight some of those efforts in this publication.
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XULA AND THE COMMUNITY
Demarco Smith (Junior, Chemistry PreMed, Biology) performs respiratory system simulations for Benjamin Franklin Elementary School students at STEM NOLA's mini STEM Fest.
Dr. Yingnan Zhao, Assoc. Professor gives talk on diabetes management at Comprehensive Diabetes Care health and education program intervention event ‘A Touch of Sugar.’
Pharmacy residents talk to Back to School - Vaccination Festival event attendees about COVID-19 vaccinations.
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Sydney Kirven (MPH Candidate) serves at a cooking class for the Healthy HeartBeats, a lifestyle change program on hypertension of nonprofit Sankofa CDC.
College of Pharmacy Muslim Student Association members and Qatar University rotation students provide health screenings to residents at the MLK Weekend of Peace Health Fair (2020)
Rho Chi Honor Society provide blood pressure and BMI assessments, and education to families at the Bayou Classic Walk-Around-the-Dome Health Fair.
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CENTER HIGHLIGHT College of Pharmacy, Health and Wellness Center (HWC)
The College of Pharmacy's Health and Wellness Center (HWC) was established in 2008, in partnership with Walmart stores, as an extension of CMHDRE in the community. The Center is staffed by clinical pharmacists and directed by Dr. William Kirchain. HWC focuses on providing services that prevent diseases, promote early action or intervention, to respond to health issues, and that promote overall health and wellness in the community. The Health and Wellness Center offers free disease screenings, nutrition and medication counseling, as well as diabetes and blood pressure management, healthy eating, and weight management programs. Pharmacy students working at the Center lead free and fun, healthy cooking classes for community members. With creative names like “From ma head TO-ma-TOES” and “Don’t be medi-OKRA,” the classes teach ways to buy and cook healthy foods that improve health outcomes, especially for those that are impacted by the lack of access to healthy and affordable food. Students are trained on developing and communicating healthy eating options most useful for specific diseases. Many of these services are offered within the clinic, however the Center also partners with different community-based organizations (CBOs) to conduct services at community facilities and at health fairs. Some of these include: the annual Essence Festival, 100 Black Men of America Annual Convention, Bayou Classic 5K Walk/Run, and other organizations such as the Hispanic Apostolate of New Orleans and the Sojourner Truth Neighborhood Center. Most recently, the Center's Director and Pharmacy residents offered medication counseling to residents receiving COVID19 testing and vaccinations.
HWC offers screenings and counseling to residents in 9th Ward with the Healthy Corner Store Collaborative's Good 2 Go program.
College of Pharmacy students volunteer with HWC to provide disease and nutrition education at the NASA Michoud health fair.
Dr. William Kirchain Director, Health and Wellness Center Associate Professor, Division of Clinical and Administrative Sciences, College of Pharmacy
Center walk-ins are welcomed. Hours: Mon.- Fri. 9:00am-5:00pm 5110 Jefferson Highway Harahan, LA 70123 If you would like to partner with the Health and Wellness Center to offer educational services to your community, please use the contact information below: (504) 733-1127 | wellnessctr@xula.edu Facebook: Xavier University of LA Health and Wellness Center
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COMMUNITY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT Sankofa Community Development Corporation (CDC) Sankofa CDC, a non-profit organization located in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, was founded in 2008 to support restoration of the area and provide resources in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Their first project was a monthly community marketplace where residents could buy locally grown fruits and vegetables, music, art and food. It has since expanded to offer social services and transform neglected land to improve community health and economic growth. We interviewed Founder and Executive Director, Rashida Ferdinand, to learn more about Sankofa CDC and partnerships with our Centers:
Rashida Ferdinand, Founder and Executive Director, Sankofa CDC CMHDRE: How did Sankofa's partnerships with CMHDRE and the Health and Wellness Center develop? RF: The Health and Wellness Center and Sankofa CDC began working together in 2016 to include nutrition education and health services at our weekly farmers market. Dr. Kirchain, and College of Pharmacy students gave education on calories and food quality to community members. Dr. Kirchain is a member of Sankofa’s community advisory board and advises on nutrition training and education of participants of the Sankofa Healthy HeartBeats program. This program reaches diabetic and pre-diabetic individuals, and those interested in learning how to prepare healthier food to reduce
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cardiovascular risk. CMHDRE has supported evaluation of our impacts. We began working with Dr. Sarpong on evaluation for the Health, Education, Agriculture and Leadership (HEAL) Project with children at KIPP Renaissance School in 2013. CMHDRE: What would you say the impact of these partnerships has been on the Sankofa, CDC community? RF: People like to have a professional with experience and knowledge to relay information and one who takes time to talk with them with care. Our partnerships give us another component of professional expertise in our approach. We created a space where people can talk about their wellness outside of a medical setting, where these conversations are normal. Program participants talk about the foods they eat, stressors impacting their health, and measure their blood pressures together. Our intention is to transform those conversations into action and work with our partners to be accountable to this impact. They have helped us create models that can be applied in other under-resourced communities. CMHDRE: What are some challenges in your efforts and can you lend advice on working in academic-community partnerships? RF: We work together with community partners to share ownership of our work. Obtaining the resources to remain consistent, productive, and sustainable is a challenge. Organizational capacity is also important and having a committed team ensures the operation of programs and administrative leadership. The primary challenge is implementing innovative ways of combating systems of social and health disparities.
CMHDRE: How else can CMHDRE, the Health and Wellness Center and other academic-based institutions address social health disparities in New Orleans? RF: The centers could lead policy development to address research findings with community partners. There are many determinants of health, and an academic arm can help when we do this work collectively. We want to look at our impact, data on the need, and how we change systems impacting the need. Another role is hands-on education of students, like those who work with Dr. Kirchain. It is great to have young adults budding in their careers who are interested in community engagement, taking their time to learn from and respectfully share information with people. CMHDRE: What are some current projects or programs, and upcoming opportunities for service at Sankofa, CDC? RF: Sankofa, CDC is establishing a 3,000 square foot Fresh Stop Market and Wellness Center, including a fresh produce market, healthy cooking and cardiovascular health workshops led by community health ambassadors, and a locally-owned beverage kiosk. We will work with businesses on St. Claude Ave, to support economic development in the Lower Ninth Ward. We are also developing a 40-acre wetland park on Florida Ave. to support improvement of our natural environment and health and wellness by transforming a blighted space into a booming oasis of life. The wetland park addresses how communities are maintained and respected, and the effect of environmental factors on physical health and stress. This project is an opportunity for residents, visitors, and nature lovers to engage with the environment.
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CENTER EVENTS “The Future of Health Speaks: Health Innovation – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” In February 2020, CMHDRE hosted the inaugural interdisciplinary, student-led symposium, themed “The Future of Health Speaks: Health Innovation – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly." The symposium welcomed about 70 attendees, including undergraduate and graduate students, community members, and public health professionals to engage in dialogue on the impacts that new and innovative health interventions might have on communities, especially vulnerable populations. The theme of health innovation, technology, and public health interventions was identified by a brilliant group of seven graduate students studying various health disciplines, including maternal health, environmental justice, food justice, and pharmacy, from LSU Health Sciences Center, Xavier University's College of
Pharmacy and Department of Public Health Sciences, and Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. The event included graduate student research presentations and a panel discussion on topics such as pharmaceutical interventions on medicinal cannabis, podcasting on public health issues, methods for safer
(formerly Deputy Director, Brotherhood, Inc.) and Dr. Chris Sylvain, (Founder, Best Life Pharmacy), offered words of insight on community partnership in future health efforts. This event worked to bridge the gap between lay and academic communities, and to move forward together to achieve a common vision: improving health equity in our city, state, and nation.
urban gardening, HIV among sex workers, hospital-based therapeutic food pantries, and others. Dynamic community leaders, Veronica Magee
Annual Health Disparities Conference For the past 14 years, the CMHDRE in partnership with the College of Pharmacy, has hosted a 3-day Health Disparities Conference. This event allows attendees to discuss health challenges in communities nationally and is an opportunity for them to both share existing methods that address them, and to collaborate with one another to build new approaches that improve health equity. Attendees include clinicians, such as pharmacists, nurses, physician assistants, and allied health professionals, as well as health policy makers, researchers, community health leaders, faculty members and students who all work in partnerships across fields to eliminate health disparities. The 2021 Conference, with the theme "The Evidence of Personal and Societal Determinants to Achieve Health Equity as Public Health Practice” was held in April. The conference gave participants a better understanding of
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how we can individually and collaboratively work to achieve health equity and emphasized equity as an important value of public health. The event was our first virtual conference, hosted by Zoom, so that attendees could still participate in the conference safely despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Students shared presentations about their research on Youtube for public viewing. Some of their topics included, A Descriptive Assessment of COVID-19 Test Site Volunteers, GIS Mapping of Breast Cancer Access Gaps For Black Women, Medical Education Efforts to Address Interpersonal Violence, Digital Tools to Improve Help-Seeking In Latinos With PTSD, amongst others. The 15th Annual Conference was held virtually on March 30th - March 31st 2022 with the theme “Interprofessional Approaches to Mitigating Health Disparities: A Paradigm Shift.”
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COVID-19 EFFORTS From 2020 to present 2022, the Center has made an effort to address inequities in health outcomes of chronic diseases, and their impacts on the physical, mental, and social health and wellness of African Americans, Latinos and other communities of color. Through partnerships with Universities and community organizations, research, and community education and awareness, the Center has and will continue to provide pertinent information, resources, and health education to see our communities thrive beyond the coronavirus pandemic. See below for an overview of virtual and in-person community events done to address COVID-19.
Community Events Addressing COVID-19
Future and current pharmacists serve at community partner, Together Gert Town Neighborhood Association's, event by providing education about COVID-19 and vaccinations to attendees. (August 2021)
Pharmacy residents partnered with LCMC Health. The City of New Orleans Health Department, and the Louisiana State University Health Science Center, to offer COVID-19 testing and consultations to local community members at Xavier University's Convocation Center in New Orleans on Tuesday, April 21, 2020.
COVID-19 Virtual Events
Seen in pictures above: Dr. Keeyan Davis, Dr. Kabrea Jones, and Dr. William Kirchain
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COVID-19 EFFORTS Louisiana Community Alliance Against COVID-19 Health Disparities (LA-CEAL) In 2020, the Center, in collaboration with Tulane University, received the Louisiana Community Engagement Alliance against COVID-19 Health Disparities (LA-CEAL) grant from the National Institutes of Health. LA-CEAL is an alliance of universities, healthcare professionals, community pharmacies, faith-based and non-profit organizations, and Federally Qualified Health Centers working together to halt the damaging impacts of COVID-19 on communities of color, especially minority groups. The Center has built partnerships with churches and community pharmacies across the Orleans, Jefferson and East Baton Rouge parishes and engaged in virtual group discussions, one on one interviews, and phone and in-person surveys to identify community thoughts and beliefs about COVID-19 and vaccinations. Community feedback has helped LA-CEAL implement strategies that provide reliable and trustworthy education and financial resources to the community.
LA-CEAL Community E-Newsletter Community members shared that they would appreciate follow-up on the project and continued engagement from LA-CEAL. Thus, the Community E-newsletter was established in an effort to send progress updates, educational resources and information to community liaisons so that they may share with their congregations and networks. The newsletter is sent out bi-weekly with important discussions about the efforts to put a halt to COVID19.
LA-CEAL Community Small Grant Program The small grant program provided funds to community organizations and churches who conducted events that offered COVID-19 vaccinations, and vaccine education to the community. Some awarded organizations coupled their events with a Back to School drive or other health promotional activity. Through these events, over 500 people received vaccinations in Louisiana.
Together Gert Town Neighborhood Association hosted a fun-filled event for local residents to enjoy, with giveaways, free food, games, music. COVID-19 vaccines were offered as well as voter registration.
Faith Presbyterian Church hosted a Back to School Event and Vaccination Drive on Aug 7, 2021, in collaboration with the Louisiana National Guard and vaccinated 13 people.
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CONNECT WITH CMHDRE What's Up Next in Center News? We would like you to submit to our next issue. Submissions will be accepted until June 30, 2022. You are invited to submit to any of the following sections:
XULA & The Community Members of the Xavier or local community can submit 2 - 3 photos of their efforts serving residents of Louisiana to improve health and wellness. Please include a caption for each photo that indicates the event/activity and who is shown in the photo.
COVID-19 Efforts Members of the Xavier community can submit 2 - 3 photos showing how they have worked to address COVID-19 in the community. This might include partnership with community groups to provide testing, vaccination, education, amongst other efforts.
Community Partner, Faculty, or Student Spotlight Submit the name and email address of a New Orleans community member, or a Xavier University faculty member or student that should be highlighted in our next issue of Center News because of their commitment to community engagement, service and advocacy. In your submission, add why you feel they should be chosen.
For more information or questions about submissions, please contact Tynesia Fields at tfields6@xula.edu.
You are the expert on both health inequities and community strengths. We want to hear from and partner with you! Let us know how you think the CMHDRE can serve the community to move toward health equity for Black and Latino community members in New Orleans and Louisiana. If you, and your community organization would like to partner with us through research, education or service to improve health outcomes, email tfields6@xula.edu For more information, and to connect with the Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education, please follow the social media platforms below:
@XulaCMHDRE
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XULA Health Disparities Research & Education Center
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Editorial Board Members: Chamika Hawkins-Taylor, PhD, MHA Assistant Professor, Division of Clinical and Administrative Sciences, College of Pharmacy Cheryl Hayes, PhD, RPh Assistant Professor, Division of Clinical and Administrative Sciences College of Pharmacy Amy Thierry, PhD, MPH Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health Sciences LaKeisha Williams, PharmD., RPh Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Clinical and Administrative Sciences College of Pharmacy Dinithia Sampson, PhD Assistant Professor, Division of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences College of Pharmacy Tori Wiley 2023 PharmD Candidate College of Pharmacy, P3 Tynesia Fields, MPA Editor-in-Chief WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO: Bobby LeDuff, PharmD College of Pharmacy, '21 Morgan Jackson Xavier University of LA, '20 Former Marketing & Communications Specialist
OVERVIEW The Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education (CMHDRE) Newsletter is published semi-annually. CMHDRE’s mission is to improve health outcomes of diverse communities disproportionately impacted by health and health care disparities, through community engagement and partnerships in research, education, and practice. The purpose of this newsletter is to conveniently disseminate news about the activities, events and developments of the Center, share research results pertinent to improving minority health disparities, and provide accessible and culturally relevant health education and educational resources to community members of Louisiana.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This newsletter is a production of the Center For Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education, supported by Grant, 5 S21 MD 000100-12 from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH).