This is an update to SBCMS and Inland Wellness Information Network's African American Health Initiative (AAHI) securing a two-year $268,620 grant from the California Endowment and the activities to date. The grant funds an in-depth health-planning project to study health care access problems in the county. It includes identifying all current prevention and treatment services, programs and providers who deliver any type of care in the county related to heart disease, high-blood pressure, breast and prostate cancers, and HIV/AIDS. The grant requires that 300 African-American residents be interviewed for their opinions of San Bernardino County's health care system and how they feel it can be improved. The grant allows AAHI and the community to identify best practices and programs that will help decrease African American health problems, create a comprehensive strategic plan based on the results of the findings, and have public forums for community comments on the comprehensive plan before the final report is completed. The final report will contain community recommendations to improve preventive and treatment services provided by hospitals, clinics, doctors' offices, the San Bernardino County Department of Health and other health care providers.

Virginia Diane Woods, Dr.P.H.(c), M.S.N., R.N. was hired on August 4, 2003 as the full-time health planning project coordinator. She has 31 years work experience in healthcare administration. As a public health executive, she has been involved in establishing a county health department, managing community health centers, and statewide strategic planning for the development of cardiovascular risk-reduction, diabetes control, and cancer control programs. Since beginning work, Ms. Woods has put forth tremendous effort to organize the planning efforts, and create a health planning presence within the County to get involvement from all sectors within the community - individuals, healthcare organizations, academia, and public officials.

In August a countywide search began to identify three individuals to work as part-time outreach workers. Over 60 individuals inquired about the job, and 43 highly qualified applicants were interviewed. Three candidates were hired: Mr. Lionel M. Dew (High Desert), Mr. Jonathan Buffong (Rialto, Fontana, Westend), and Ms. Joyce Fairman (West San Bernardino, Colton, 29 Palms). Due to the overwhelming needs for clerical support for the Health Planning Coordinator and the Work Groups, Ms. Sherrice Mitchell was hired as a temporary secretary.

The health planning process has attracted tremendous interest among residents and healthcare providers in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Efforts have continued to increase involvement of current AAHI participants, and to meet with major community leaders to determine interesting the project and to obtain commitment to the process.

Sixty community members attended the first public health-planning meeting on August 22nd at the New Hope Family Life Center, 1505 W. Highland Avenue in San Bernardino. SBCMS President and AAHI Director Dr. Sam Wilson and V. Diane Woods emphasized AAHI's motivation to work with black communities in San Bernardino County to lower health disparities of African Americans. Handouts included county maps displaying locations where Blacks have high percentage of the population, DOH statistics on the targeted chronic diseases, a copy of the grant with full budget, information on the participatory health planning process, a timeline of the project and a list of follow-up work groups where volunteers were needed. Thirty-five individuals made commitments to the project and six Work Groups were established - Provider Inventory, Resident Survey, Focus Groups, Best Practices, Strategic Plan, and Public Forum. All meetings are open to the public, and daily individuals join.

Future plans include developing a project media effort to provide regular information to the general public; continual community contacts and events, instrument development and pilot testing, data collection, and AAHI collaborative participation.

If you would like more information on the African American Health Initiative contact V. Diane Woods, Dr.P.H.(c), MSN, RN, Health Planning Project Coordinator, at (909) 825-6526 x 107 or contact Diane by email vwoods@sbcms.org

Include photo of the AAHI leadership photo (leaders standing in front of medical library).