Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release Date: February 16, 2010

End Date:  February 24, 2010

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

Phone: (810) 424-4352   

RE: 2009 Speak To Your Health! Community Survey Results Presentation

    How has the global economic crisis affected the health of Genesee County residents?  Has it affected access to health care?  What about our neighborhoods?  Are we getting enough sleep?  Just how healthy are we?  The answers to these questions and more were collected from over 1,700 Genesee County residents who participated in the 2009 Speak To Your Health! Community Survey.  Survey results will be presented for the first time to the public on 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 NE corner of Harrison Street and 2^nd Avenue in downtown Flint.

    Survey results to be highlighted include eating habits, physical activity, neighborhood perceptions, incarceration and health, smoking and smoking policy, and sleep.

    The Speak To Your Health! Community Survey was first conducted in 2003 and repeated in 2005, 2007, and 2009.  Data from all years will be presented to show changes in our health over time.  Attendees will also learn how local organizations can access this information for their own work, including writing grant proposals, developing and evaluating programs, etc.

    For more information and to RSVP, call the Genesee County Health Department at (810) 424-4352.

    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 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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