The Georgia Healthy Family Alliance Awards $10,500 in Second Cycle 2016 Community Health Grants To Support Good Works of GAFP Members
The Georgia Healthy Family Alliance (GHFA) awarded three Community Health Grant Award applicants $10,500 in second cycle 2016 grants. Grant awards were made to GAFP member affiliated organizations that support GHFA program priorities including underserved populations and outreach programs that promote healthy practices consistent with the principles of Family Medicine. The application deadline for first cycle 2017 grants is February 1, 2017. Visit http://www.georgiahealthyfamilyalliance.org/grants/ for more information or to download the application. The 2016 second cycle Community Health Grant Recipients are:
“Family Medicine Weight Loss Initiative”, Gwinnett Strickland Family Medicine Residency Program, GA $3,500
The prevalence of obesity in Gwinnett is profound. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) of Wisconsin estimates an obesity prevalence of 32.1% in females and 31.2 % in males in Gwinnett County and these numbers continue to rise. Physical activity plays an invaluable role in the prevention and treatment of obesity and has been shown to reduce the risk of these chronic conditions. Our residents routinely educate patients on obesity, but more needs to be done to promote healthy lifestyle changes in this overwhelmingly underserved population which has limited resources. Grant funds will provide Activity Trackers to patients with a BMI of greater than 30 who are at risk or have obesity-related co-morbidities such as diabetes and heart disease. These patients will have once a month visits with residents for weight management education and guidance, including review of exercise trends for the month, a written exercise prescription recommendation, weight monitoring, BMI waist circumference and nutritional counseling. Specific patient numbers may vary but target patient goal will be roughly 270 patients.
“Adult Disability Medical Home,” Urban Family Practice, Marietta, GA $3500
ADMH serves patients and families at Urban Family Practice Associates which has achieved Level 3 certification as a Patient Centered Medical Home. In identifying vulnerable and underserved patient populations, we recognize that adolescents and adults with Down Syndrome and other developmental disabilities are best served by the patient centered medical home model. We believe that there are no such programs currently operating within the framework of an existing Patient Centered Medical Home through a private family practice. Approximately 65% of our patients are from metropolitan Atlanta, 25% from rural Georgia and 10% from other neighboring states or moving to Georgia. Patient ages range from those transitioning in their teens/early twenties to those beginning to show loss of functioning in late 30’s and 40’s and beyond. Currently, our youngest patient is 12 years old, and our oldest is 70.
UFP recently piloted a group visit workshop that focused on nutrition and exercise. This grant will extend this concept and provide 3 workshops through the next year. The UFP team will provide a minimum of three education sessions (two centered toward persons with disabilities and one centered to their primary caregivers). The workshops will focus on skills that enhance independent living.
“Get Screened: Preventing Colon Cancer” Mercy Health Center, $3,500
This year, approximately 140,000 new cases will be diagnosed and more than 50,000 deaths will be caused by colorectal cancer. The real tragedy is that colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most preventable forms of cancer, and thousands of these deaths could be avoided through routine colorectal screening. When colorectal cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, the five-year survival rate is 90 percent. However, this rate drops to 13 percent when colorectal cancer is not diagnosed and has metastasized. Large disparities exist in access to colorectal cancer screening and treatment. Today the incidence rate of CRC is higher for African Americans than for white men and women, and the mortality rate is 40 percent higher. Less than 20 percent of uninsured individuals will undergo CRC screening, which is a significantly smaller percentage than those who have health care coverage. Funds from the Georgia Healthy Family Alliance will help provide screening and diagnostic testing for the uninsured population served by Mercy Health Center in Athens/Clarke County and the 5 surrounding counties. The funds are earmarked for immunoassay fecal occult screening for patients who are determined to be at high risk of developing colorectal cancer. Additionally, it will allow Mercy to better prioritize the patients who are seen for colonoscopies.
These are only a few of the important programs your colleagues are lending their talents and time to statewide! Please consider making a contribution so that the Alliance can continue to support important projects like these. All donations are tax deductible. Make your Alliance contribution easily online at www.georgiahealthyfamilyalliance.org/donate/ or contact Alliance staff at ksinkule@gafp.org or calling(800) 392-3841.