E-Newsletter, Spring 2010
Table of Contents
Contributions to the Newsletter
Last summer, Common Pathways organized a series of neighborhood conversations in collaboration with its organizational partners who included UMass Medical School, YWCA, and Great Brook Valley Health Center among others. The “neighborhood conversations,” funded in part by the Harvard Catalyst, were small group discussions. The goal was to listen to residents’ personal perspectives and priorities around health issues, such as weight, physical activity, and nutrition.
Partners such as Women Together, Oak Hill CDC and Friendly House held conversations that resulted in representation from a wide range of population segments throughout Worcester. The results of this initiative highlighted the strong connections between life stressors, health behaviors and mental health risk.
The findings were presented to the community at large at The Common Pathways Semi-Annual Report to the Community held on October 14, 2009 at the YWCA of Central MA. The conversations were so successful that they will be continued this year and will also expand to include all the CHNA 8 towns.
To learn more about these conversations, and read the report of findings, visit Common Pathways.
The Boston REACH US CEED Coalition has partnered with the Boston Public Health Commission, the Harvard School of Public Health, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital to hold five focus groups on the topic of HPV and the vaccine.
The Boston REACH US CEED Coalition wants to find out the best way to inform Black women about HPV and the vaccine. If you are a Black woman between the ages of 30-70 years old, living in Boston, and are the primary caretaker of a Black girl or young woman (age 7-20) you may be eligible to participate.
All focus groups will be conducted in English and last for approximately 90 minutes. For your time and participation you will receive $50 compensation. For more information call: The REACH US CEED Coalition at 617.534.2489.
The Boston Alliance for Community Health held several community events in the fall. They were involved with a community meeting in Grove Hall, in Dorchester, addressing violence issues, as well as other community "town hall" events in Jamaica Plain, Dorchester, Roxbury and other neighborhoods. At these events, Barbara Ferrer and other members of the Boston Public Health Commission presented local data, regarding both health disparities and community assets.
On February 5, 2010, the YWCA of Greater Lawrence organized the “Wear Red Day” event at the Senior Center in Lawrence to raise awareness about heart disease and stroke in the community. Over sixty people attended the event, and many got into the spirit, participating in an aerobic exercise session led by Ramon, a well-known aerobic instructor.
Volunteers from the Senior Center, MassCONECT, YWCA, VNA, Merrimack Valley Elderly Services, REACH 2010, Greater Lawrence Family Health Center, the Mayor’s Health Task Force, and the Latino Health Institute supported the event. Highlights of “Wear Red Day” included health education tables, a health snack demonstration, giveaways of red apples and other healthy snacks, and a raffle.
MassCONECT partner, Vilma Lora, Director of Women’s Health at the YWCA, addressed the audience about the importance of heart health and how to recognize the signs of a heart attack and stroke.
Congratulations to all who contributed to this successful event.
Join the Boston REACH US CEED Coalition as they explore the intersection of structural racism, poverty and health in a series focused on food, access, housing, education and employment.
- April 5: Education
- May 3: Employment
Coalition meetings are held at Codman Square Tech Center, 450 Washington Street, Dorchester, MA. Arrive at 5:30pm for dinner and stay for the meeting from 6:00-8:00pm. Please contact Erline Achille at 617-534-2844 for more information about each meeting.
The Boston Alliance for Community Health continues to work on their new strategic plan. The next meeting on March 22nd will meet at 622 Washington Street in Dorchester from 9:30-11am.
Upcoming meetings in Worcester include:
- April 22: Common Pathways Leadership Council Meeting, 7:45-9:30am, location TBD
- June 17: CHNA 8 Meeting, 5:30-7:30pm, location TBD
Join the Lawrence YWCA and Holy Family Hospital as they explore health topics related to diabetes in a 4 part lecture series.
- April 7: Know your Resistance
- April 14: Know your Nutrition
- April 21: Know your Health Steps
- April 28: Know your Options
The lectures are open to the public and will be held at the Lawrence YWCA, 40 Lawrence Street in Lawrence from 6-7:30pm. Spanish interpreters and childcare will be available and food will be provided. To register for any of these lectures, please call 1-800-488-5959.
Taking it to the Curbside: Engaging Communities to Create Sustainable Change for Health
April 6, 2010
Location: Joseph B. Martin Conference Center, Harvard Medical School
Click here for registration information
31st Annual Conference of the Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium
April 13-14, 2010
Location: Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, Marlborough, MA
Click here for registration information
The Eighth Annual Cancer Survivorship Series: Living With, Through and Beyond Cancer
April 13, 2010
Part I: Trouble Sleeping? Sleep Better to Feel Better: Tips You Can Use
Location: Virtual meeting via online or conference call
Click here for registration information
Part II: Communicating with Your Health Care Team After Treatment: Making the Most of Your Visit
May 18, 2010
Location: Virtual meeting via online or conference call
Click here for registration information
MassCONECT Media, Communications and Dissemination Working Group Conference calls
2nd Monday of each month from 3-4pm
MassCONECT Community Advisory Group Meeting
Tuesday, April 27th
More details to follow
Contributions to the Newsletter
Please share your upcoming events & activities with the MassCONECT network!
If you would like your events highlighted in the next MassCONECT newsletter, please contribute them online via the link to the new Events tool on the web site at:
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/massconect/resources-links.
If you have any questions about making a submission, please contact Lisa Lowery at lisa_lowery@dfci.harvard.edu
