Place Matters - http://www.jointcenter.org/placematters2
Coahoma-Sunflower-Washington Counties
http://www.jointcenter.org/placematters2/articles/37/1/Coahoma-Sunflower-Washington-Counties/Page1.html
By Super Admin
Published on 09/3/2007
 
MID-MISSISSIPPI DELTA PLACE MATTERS TEAM

PARTNERS:
  • LOCKARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL/SUNFLOWER COUNTY
  • GEORGE OLIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL/COAHOMA COUNTY
  • MCBRIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL/WASHINGTON COUNTY
  • SANDERS ELEMENTARY/WASHINGTON COUNTY
  • CATCH,COORDINATED APPROACH TO CHILD HEALTH, MSU,SUNFLOWER WASHINGTON AND LEFLORE COUNTIES
  • EXCEL BY FIVE, MSU EXTENSION SERVICES
  • ORGAN WISE GUYS
  • DELTA NUTRITION INTERVENTION AND RESEARCH INITIATIVE


PLACE MATTERS is a national initiative of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, Health Policy Institute (HPI) designed to improve the health of participating communities by addressing social conditions that lead to poor health. The Mid-Mississippi Delta Team (MMD) has targeted childhood obesity as the focus of its work. With the reduction in childhood obesity, the assumed consequences would be a reduction in Type II Diabetes and Cardiovascular disease. In addition, improved nutrition choices would improve learning capabilities.

According to aneki.com, the United States has the highest obesity rate in the world. In 2005, Mississippi’s obesity rate of 30.9% was the highest in the nation. CDC reported in 2001 that 14% of Mississippi children are overweight and an additional 15% are at risk for becoming overweight. The rates are even higher in the African American population, with obesity rates in boys as high as 49% and 39% in girls. In the 2006 school year, the CATCH program has provided screenings measuring the obesity rate to the children of two of the Mid-Delta counties. Screening results are pending at this time. The screenings were done on children from the public schools within the Mid-Delta counties which consist primarily of African-American children who are at or below poverty level.

Overall health indicators ranked by state places Mississippi at #50, tied with Oklahoma. These factors coupled with limited physical activities create an environment that is not conducive to good academic outcomes. Children who struggle with hunger, stress and inadequate rest are limited in their ability to learn.
The MMD plans to develop and help communities implement strategies to help combat factors associated with childhood obesity. The focal point of each community will be selected schools in each county. By working with community leaders and schools, the approach will have community involvement and leadership, resulting in sustainability with minimal dependency on the MMD.

A meeting with leaders from the three counties, with the involvement of motivational persons with experience in similar projects has been projected for the fall, 2007. Originally this was planned for June, 2007. Complications in receiving the available funds for this meeting hindered the completion of the meeting.
Sunflower County members have been instrumental in seeking funds for playground development and equipment. The CATCH program has conducted screenings to gather baseline data on students in Sunflower as well as Washington County. In addition, they have provided funds to buy exercise equipment to be used in the schools in a structured program.

Coahoma County had a health screening for the parents at George Oliver. Screenings were also done by the National Baptist Congress of Christian Educators on 54 students, in order to measure BMI.  Changes have made in the local hospital to offer low fat, low calorie choices to patrons of the cafeteria. An active Diabetes Support Group has had the opportunity to have BMI screens and has also adopted 10 minutes of exercise to be incorporated into each meeting. Fall plans for Coahoma County are to do screens in the Head Start for BMI with nutrition lessons to be provided.

Washington County has two focal areas. Hollandale with the Sanders Elementary, and Greenville with McBride Elementary. The Hollandale sight has partnered with Delta NIRI this summer. Students are given nutritional opportunities for learning in the morning, with nutritious snacks offered. In the afternoon, the children spend the early evening learning the game of soccer and participating in league competition. This project involves approximately 100 children.

The Greenville sight has had difficulty in establishing a firm relationship with the selected school. Potential resources have been identified and long term commitment is pending. Potential areas of involvement with MMD are: improving and developing the playground, improving landscaping on the school property and involving the students in the process, health screens and providing Organ Wise Guys material for early elementary students. Funding complications prevented the purchase of the material.

Although the MMD is not funding many of the planned interventions, they are inspiring communities to develop opportunities to improve the health of the children and as a result of the interventions, the parental health should also improve.
Coahoma-Sunflower-Washington Counties Team Profile
MID-MISSISSIPPI DELTA PLACE MATTERS TEAM

PARTNERS:
  • LOCKARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL/SUNFLOWER COUNTY
  • GEORGE OLIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL/COAHOMA COUNTY
  • MCBRIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL/WASHINGTON COUNTY
  • SANDERS ELEMENTARY/WASHINGTON COUNTY
  • CATCH,COORDINATED APPROACH TO CHILD HEALTH, MSU,SUNFLOWER WASHINGTON AND LEFLORE COUNTIES
  • EXCEL BY FIVE, MSU EXTENSION SERVICES
  • ORGAN WISE GUYS
  • DELTA NUTRITION INTERVENTION AND RESEARCH INITIATIVE


PLACE MATTERS is a national initiative of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, Health Policy Institute (HPI) designed to improve the health of participating communities by addressing social conditions that lead to poor health. The Mid-Mississippi Delta Team (MMD) has targeted childhood obesity as the focus of its work. With the reduction in childhood obesity, the assumed consequences would be a reduction in Type II Diabetes and Cardiovascular disease. In addition, improved nutrition choices would improve learning capabilities.

According to aneki.com, the United States has the highest obesity rate in the world. In 2005, Mississippi’s obesity rate of 30.9% was the highest in the nation. CDC reported in 2001 that 14% of Mississippi children are overweight and an additional 15% are at risk for becoming overweight. The rates are even higher in the African American population, with obesity rates in boys as high as 49% and 39% in girls. In the 2006 school year, the CATCH program has provided screenings measuring the obesity rate to the children of two of the Mid-Delta counties. Screening results are pending at this time. The screenings were done on children from the public schools within the Mid-Delta counties which consist primarily of African-American children who are at or below poverty level.

Overall health indicators ranked by state places Mississippi at #50, tied with Oklahoma. These factors coupled with limited physical activities create an environment that is not conducive to good academic outcomes. Children who struggle with hunger, stress and inadequate rest are limited in their ability to learn.
The MMD plans to develop and help communities implement strategies to help combat factors associated with childhood obesity. The focal point of each community will be selected schools in each county. By working with community leaders and schools, the approach will have community involvement and leadership, resulting in sustainability with minimal dependency on the MMD.

A meeting with leaders from the three counties, with the involvement of motivational persons with experience in similar projects has been projected for the fall, 2007. Originally this was planned for June, 2007. Complications in receiving the available funds for this meeting hindered the completion of the meeting.
Sunflower County members have been instrumental in seeking funds for playground development and equipment. The CATCH program has conducted screenings to gather baseline data on students in Sunflower as well as Washington County. In addition, they have provided funds to buy exercise equipment to be used in the schools in a structured program.

Coahoma County had a health screening for the parents at George Oliver. Screenings were also done by the National Baptist Congress of Christian Educators on 54 students, in order to measure BMI.  Changes have made in the local hospital to offer low fat, low calorie choices to patrons of the cafeteria. An active Diabetes Support Group has had the opportunity to have BMI screens and has also adopted 10 minutes of exercise to be incorporated into each meeting. Fall plans for Coahoma County are to do screens in the Head Start for BMI with nutrition lessons to be provided.

Washington County has two focal areas. Hollandale with the Sanders Elementary, and Greenville with McBride Elementary. The Hollandale sight has partnered with Delta NIRI this summer. Students are given nutritional opportunities for learning in the morning, with nutritious snacks offered. In the afternoon, the children spend the early evening learning the game of soccer and participating in league competition. This project involves approximately 100 children.

The Greenville sight has had difficulty in establishing a firm relationship with the selected school. Potential resources have been identified and long term commitment is pending. Potential areas of involvement with MMD are: improving and developing the playground, improving landscaping on the school property and involving the students in the process, health screens and providing Organ Wise Guys material for early elementary students. Funding complications prevented the purchase of the material.

Although the MMD is not funding many of the planned interventions, they are inspiring communities to develop opportunities to improve the health of the children and as a result of the interventions, the parental health should also improve.