Background
The Lindsay Heights Neighborhood is a 110-square block community in Milwaukee’s Central City with a population of over 2,700 households. The residents of this neighborhood are predominantly African American (93.5%). Home to the Lindsay Heights Neighborhood Health Alliance, the community is abundant with talents and assets, but also faces numerous socio-economic and health challenges. African American men, in particular, bear the burden of stunning disparities in social determinants of health (high rates of unemployment, incarceration, and racism) and health outcomes, including the highest mortality rates in the country. The Health Alliance has identified a need to strengthen the African American male leadership in this neighborhood’s community-wide health promotion and disease prevention efforts. Partners have indicated that while programming has been successful in engaging women and children, different engagement strategies and program activities are needed to address men’s health. In September 2010, the Alliance held a preliminary meeting of African American men who live, work, serve, and worship in Lindsay Heights to gauge the relevance of this proposed project. Participants strongly reiterated the need to examine men’s health and the importance of identifying formal and informal social networks in engaging them.
Goal
Develop a plan for a community-anchored initiative that engages African American men in physical activity and builds strong social networks for leadership in health promotion initiatives.
Intended Outcomes
- A “Council of Men” committed to participatory assessment processes that will inform an understanding of African American men’s experiences in engaging in health-promoting routines and the power of social networks in facilitating health behavior change.
- Assessment findings that inform strategies to engage African American men in health promotion routines.
- An implementation plan for an African American men’s wellness initiative.
- A video documenting the participatory assessment process.
- A strengthened partnership between the Health Alliance and the Center for Urban Population Health.
Methods
The Men’s Wellness Council project utilizes community-based participatory research methods. The project will be evaluated by: implementing pre-and post-test outcome surveys, examining monthly process surveys, and assessing rates and continuity of participation.
Timeline: April 1, 2011 – July 31, 2012
Project Partners
Lindsay Heights Neighborhood Health Alliance
Jessie Tobin, M.P.H., Program Manager
Maanaan Sabir, B.A., Program Liaison
Center for Urban Population Health
Amy Harley, Ph.D., M.P.H., R.D., Center Scientist and Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Public Health
David Frazer, M.P.H., Outreach Program Manager
Walnut Way Conservation Corp.
Sharon Adams, Executive Director
YMCA Northside
Shanee Jenkins, Center Director
Funder
Wisconsin Partnership Program Community-Academic Partnership Development Grant
To learn more, contact:
Jessie Tobin, M.P.H., Program Manager
jessie.tobin@lindsayheightshealth.org
(414) 289-7799, x3077
