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Community Health

“If the problems are in the community, the solutions are in the community.”

-- Dr. Gilbert Friedell, M.D.

In an ideal world, healthy women are a part of healthy families, and healthy families make up healthy communities. “When a woman falls ill, the entire household suffers.” There has been a dramatic increase in the health issues that attack our communities. Physical, emotional, and financial factors all play an integral part in a healthy community. It is imperative that diversity, socioeconomic, and psychosocial behaviors are all considered when developing and planning programs for communities. Health is a very important service to the community.

Involving women in their healthcare makes a profound statement. Research has proven that teaching women and their families how to be self-health advocates; and training them to be the “gatekeepers for health” in their own communities gets results. Developing and engaging community-based health coalitions and giving them a voice creates strong individuals, strong families and healthy communities.

“Tell me, I’ll listen. Show me, I’ll remember. Involve me, and I’ll understand.”

-- Proverb

The goals of the Community Health Program Coordinator are to:

conduct quantitative and qualitative research;
assist researchers with needs assessment activities;
recruit and retain “hard to reach” populations for those research activities;
identify and coordinate volunteers / coalitions within the state of South Carolina;
collaborate with health educators, public health officials, nursing and community members to identify special health concerns;
partner with the College of Health, Education, and Human Development faculty members and various other colleagues to identify continued funding; and
oversee the Tri-County Community Action Teams.

Programs

Because of collaboration between Clemson University Cooperative Extension, TCAT and others, there are research, education and service learning opportunities available through the following:

Golfing for a Cure: The Golfing for a Cure tournament acts as a twofold event that serves as an educational fundraiser. Proceeds are used to inform and educate women and their families on the prevention of cancer and to promote the possibility of cure through early detection and diagnosis.
Health, Healing & Humor: Health, Healing & Humor is designed to challenge participants to become self-health advocates for themselves and their families. To promote positive health changes in their respective communities.
Healthy Spirits: Healthy Spirits is cardiovascular disease intervention project offered to African-Americans in Anderson and Oconee through their churches.
Learn, Share, & Live: Learn, Share, & Live is an educational program designed to introduce the concept of awareness, to show how early detection of breast cancer saves lives, and to demonstrate the connection between an abstract concept (breast cancer) and a concrete exercise (bead necklace).
Coalition Building: Strong community programming encompasses collaboration / networking, capacity and coalition building, strategic planning, and community assessments.

Community Health Resources

American Cancer Society - committed to fighting cancer through balanced programs of research, education, patient service, advocacy, and rehabilitation
AnMed Health - a community-wide system (in Anderson, S.C.) for improving the health status of its citizens
Cancer Prevention & Control (CDC) - develops, implements, & promotes effective cancer prevention & control practices
Clemson University Department of Public Health Sciences
Clemson University School of Nursing
Consumer Advocates in Research and Related Activities - encourages people affected by cancer to provide their viewpoint and ideas directly to the National Cancer Institute
Education Network to Advance Cancer Clinical Trials - identify and implement evidence-based approaches to effective cancer clinical trials education, outreach and recruitment
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation - education and research on breast cancer causes, treatment and the search for a cure
National Cancer Institute - the federal government’s principal agency for cancer research & training
Partners for a Healthy Community - develops and nurtures healthy communities through partnerships
S.C. African-American Tobacco Control Network - provides the people of S.C. with a variety of tools for tobacco control
S.C. Cancer Alliance - coordinates comprehensive cancer control planning and implementation for S.C.
S.C. Division of Cancer Prevention and Control - collaborates with individuals, organizations and communities to encourage and facilitate cancer prevention, early detection and appropriate care for those diagnosed with cancer
Joseph F. Sullivan Center - provides practice opportunities for students and faculty while providing quality health care services to target populations
Susan G. Komen Upstate South Carolina Affiliate - the Upstate S.C. affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

For more information on the Community Health programs, contact Marian A. Robinson.

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Clemson University Cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture, South Carolina Counties, Extension Service, Clemson, S.C. Issued in Furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914.