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Men's Health Project
Community Messengers Project
The Men’s Health Project is the result of an ongoing partnership between the Multnomah County Healthy Birth Initiative and the Center for Healthy Inclusive Parenting (CHIP) at Portland State University. Recognizing that health disparities can be improved upon for African American babies when the whole family is healthy, the partnership began with two primary focus areas:
- Raise awareness and change behaviors among young African American men to address preventable health disparities (hypertension, diabetes, and stroke)
- Explore innovative and responsive strategies to the emerging interests and needs of African American men related to health
From fall 2006 to fall 2008, the project evolved from a small health education and blood pressure monitoring intervention with young African American men to a community-wide effort of men promoting good health for themselves, their families, and their community. Below are some highlights of the achievements by the African American youth, men, supporters in the North/Northeast Portland community, and the project staff.
- 80 men attended 10 men’s health forums
- 45 men and youth trained to do blood pressure monitoring
- 565 people contacted directly by youth and men to share health information
- 305 community members who have received blood pressure screening and health information
- 110 community organizations and businesses contacted to join the movement to improve the health of men in the African America community
The Men’s Health Project has 11 areas of focus. Men, women, and community organizations are encouraged to engage with us to help plan and implement specific activities in these areas:
- Men’s health forums
- Blood pressure project
- Research
- Grants and contracts
- HBI program support
- Community information, education, and blood pressure services
- Men’s Health Fair
- Community partnerships
- Youth and family education
- Men’s health advocacy
- Health services access and partnerships
If you are interested in working on Men’s Health Project activities or want more information, contact Chuck Smith at 503-725-4815, smithch@pdx.edu