Hello Everyone:
Today is a bright day isn't it? Even though the weather is not that hot! But it is cool.
Good health is key. With a growing population in the DMV, especially in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties, Maryland USA, it is beyond what is expedient to what is morally right. And something must be wrong if we spend more time organizing and dressing up for the increasing wake keeping and funeral ceremonies than reducing the funerals by preventing some of the diseases that killed. How can going to wake-keeping be more exciting? Some get drunk while drinking. Others buy a new outfit for the day. We manifest great grief but could not help the person while he/she was alive by supporting health programs. Africans, we need to have our collective heads examined.
As you may know, the cooperative approach is a prerequisite in developing a comprehensive blue print , including data collection, on the Health of the Community. After discussions with/among Continental Health providers with evidence of their work , including best practices, it is a unanimous consent that a collaborative health program, the Continental Health Initiative, is past due. The African Women Cancer Women Association (AWCA), both in the local USA and medical missions in Africa, has been a model.
Based on the Needs Assessments, calls are going out to organizations and interest groups in these areas and some are leading killers:
- Cancer gender specific
- Cancer general
- Diabetes
- Mental Health, including rising case of depression)
- HIV/AIDS
- Hepatitis
- Stroke
- Heart Disease
The health programs are designed to be culturally relevant, developmentally appropriate (from youths to the elderly, including grandmas and grandpas who never went to school) and linguistically specific.
This is also a reminder to individuals and sponsoring groups for the Launching of Obamacare with a Community Health Navigator. Navigators are in-person counselors who have direct contact with uninsured Continental African residents trying to understand the Affordable Care Act as they decide on health plans. The Navigators will do more: assist in enrollment, help residents to gain access to preventive health care and promote health literacy. Some Navigators like Theresa Ofong even take patients to doctor's appointments.
This cause cannot wait; Obamacre goes into effect on October 1, 2013
The Power of indigenous Africa Diaspora is recognized by the World Bank, the African Union and other global entities. We are more than $120 billion effect in assistance to Africa. This overwhelms foreign aid. If you go to www.caslight.org, download the document and see page 34.
Best,
MsJoe