Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release Date: February 23, 2010

End Date:  February 24, 2010

Contact Person: Ward Lindsay, Development, Planning, & Grants Supervisor

Phone: (810) 424-4352   

RE: Opportunity for Live Feed and Other Interviews at the 2009 Speak To Your Health! Community Survey Results Presentation

        As announced earlier, the public unveiling of the results of the 2009 “Speak To Your Health! Community Survey” will take place on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm in the William S. White Building at the University of Michigan – Flint, located at the corner of Harrison Street and 2^nd Avenue in downtown Flint.  Formal presentation of the results begins at 5:00 pm.  Representatives and experts from the partner agencies that conducted the survey will be available for interviews by media reporters from 4:30 – 5:00 pm and following the presentation at 6:30 pm

        Survey results to be highlighted include:

• The economy and its effects on health

• Neighborhood perceptions

• Incarceration and health

• Nutrition and food access

• Smoking

• Diabetes

• Sleep

• HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted disease

        More than 1,700 Genesee County residents agreed to participate in the 2009 “Speak To Your Health! Community Survey.”  The 2009 survey follows similar surveys conducted in 2003, 2005, and 2007.  Together, these surveys provide unique, high-quality, local health data that are generally not available in most communities.

        The “Speak To Your Health! Community Survey” is a project of the Prevention Research Center of Michigan (PRC/MI).  PRC/MI survey project partner agencies include:  the Dort-Oak Park Neighborhood House, Faith Access to Community Economic Development, Flint/Genesee County Neighborhood Roundtable, Flint Odyssey House Health Awareness Center, Genesee County Community Action Resource Department, Genesee County Health Department, Genesys Regional Medical Center, Greater Flint Health Coalition, Hurley Medical Center, University of Michigan-Flint, University of Michigan School of Public Health, and YOUR Center.

        The goals of the survey are to increase understanding of the health-related behaviors and attitudes of Genesee County residents, to inform the development of health policy, to support needs assessments for developing programs, and to identify community assets and strengths.  The purpose of the PRC/MI is to conduct community-based, participatory research to improve the health of Genesee County residents, especially African-Americans, who experience an unfair share of poor health outcomes.  PRC/MI partner agencies work together to expand and share their knowledge about effective ways to prevent disease and promote health.  Additional information about the PRC/MI is available on its website: www.sph.umich.edu/prc .        

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