Programming that makes a difference
The Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health is a leading non-profit agency dedicated to providing comprehensive support to the most vulnerable and underserve populations in Mississippi. Our work with local, state, and national agencies provides opportunities that will improve health outcomes by reducing health disparities.
Get Started
Public Health Prevention
Rankin County Opioid Prevention Program
This project utilizes a community-based approach to address the opioid epidemic in Rankin County. This is done through the creation of a Task Force to Address the Opioid Epidemic. Data from the Prescription Monitoring Program was used to develop an Opioid Prevention and Treatment Plan. The Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) is a statewide electronic database designed to collect information on the prescription of controlled substances. These data are used to inform the public and medical professionals about current trends in prescription drug use as well as to prevent the illegitimate use of controlled substances. The project has 5 components 1) Community Needs Assessment; 2) Development of an Opioid Prevention and Treatment Task Force: 3) Development of an Opioid Prevention and Treatment Plan; 4) Development of a Communications Campaign Plan; 5) Community Outreach and Education.
Program Contact: Dr. Sandra Melvin, smelvin@advancingminorityhealth.org.
MS ACE Program
The MS ACE Project aims to contribute to healthy infants and mothers by providing access to services, building capacity, and providing education regarding doulas and breastfeeding. The project also aims to be a part of a coordinated effort to provide data to support overall policy and systems level change that will decrease barriers of access to and increase quality of care for Black mothers and their families. The project will provide a) valuable and reliable data to support a state recognized doula registry; b) evidence to support doulas as a trusted part of a woman’s medical team; and c) widespread messaging to normalize and support breastfeeding mothers. Program Contact: Asia McCoy, Program Manager, amccoy@advancingminorityhealth.org.
Building Capacity to Reduce Tobacco Inequities among African Americans in the Mississippi Delta River Region
This project’s community-based approach provides an alternative to traditional models that tend to separate health outcomes from its context. The community-based model recognizes the importance of treating members of a community as active and equal participants in all phases of the process, if the process is to be a means of facilitating change.To address health equity, we will work with organizations and coalitions engaged in MS anti-smoking advocacy efforts. Simultaneously, we will ignite the potential in African American men impacted by smoking and community-based organizations that have the power of organizing but are not traditionally engaged in tobacco cessation work. We will build capacity of local organizations to strategically approach this work and will empower them to utilize the skills, lived experience, and passion of African American men most impacted by tobacco.The strategic advocacy campaign will be spearheaded with an aggressive community led communications campaign. Created by organizations and advocates, the communications campaign will allow the community to create their own narrative and use their voice to create change.The specific aims of this project are to implement a culturally specific tobacco cessation program targeting African American males ages 12 and older in the Mississippi Delta River Region of Mississippi. The project will be composed of six (6) key components: 1.) Planning and Coordination; 2.) Community Assessment; 3.) Community Organizing and Engagement; 4.) Capacity Building; 5.) Community Led Communications Campaign; 6.) Dissemination. Although this is an aggressive work plan and timeline, these components will occur simultaneously throughout the two-year project period.The target area for this project consists of Adams, Bolivar, Carroll, Coahoma, Claiborne Desoto, Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, Jefferson, Leflore, Panola, Quitman, Sharkey, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tunica, Warren, Washington, and Yazoo counties. Program Contact: Kendria Barnes, tbarnes@advancingminorityhealth.org
Community Outreach, Education and Linkage to Services
Healthy Families Maternal and Child Health Program
The risk of maternal and infant mortality and pregnancy-related complications can be reduced by increasing access to quality preconception (before pregnancy), prenatal (during pregnancy), and interconception (between pregnancies) care. Moreover, healthy birth outcomes and early identification and treatment of developmental delays and disabilities and other health conditions among infants can prevent death or disability and enable children to reach their full potential. The purpose of this pilot intervention is to improve maternal and child health outcomes in the Jackson Metropolitan Statistical Area through health education, outreach and linkage to care utilizing a community health worker model. Overall, the specific aim of this project is to reduce infant and mortality within the JMSA by 5% over the next 5 years. The target area for this program is Copiah, Hinds, Madison, Rankin, and Simpson counties in Mississippi. Program Contact: Asia McCoy, Program Manager, amccoy@advancingminorityhealth.org.
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star Community Baby Shower Program
The community baby shower program provides an opportunity for information to be provided to the community about resources, programs and services for expectant mothers and young children. These community events provide an opportunity for vendors to provide information about their services and to provide needed items to disadvantaged young mothers. Program Contact: Contact: Ms. Asia McCoy, amccoy@advancingminorityhealth.org
COVID-19 Emergency Response Program
The COVID-19 Emergency Response program was designed to assist underserved, disadvantaged communities in obtaining personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies, food and other materials that families need during this difficult time. The Institute has partnerships with the United Way, Jessie NoyseFoundation and the Women’s Foundation of MS to provide this much needed assistance. Program Contact: Asia McCoy, Program Manager, amccoy@advancingminorityhealth.org.
Healthy Homes, Healthy Families Child Lead Prevention Program
Blood lead concentrations have decreased dramatically in U.S. children over the past four decades. However, too many children still live in housing with deteriorated lead-based paint. These children are at risk for lead exposure with resulting lead-associated cognitive impairment and behavioral problems [AAP 2016; ACCLPP 2012]. Each year, approximately 208 children are newly diagnosed with lead poisoning in Mississippi. The Healthy Homes, Healthy Families initiative has the following components: 1) community network; 2) health education and outreach; 3) provide training; and 4) link children to screening services. The project will take place in nontraditional community settings (e.g. Head Start programs, day care settings, after school care) within Adams, Copiah, Hinds, Holmes, Leflore, Issaquena, Sharkey, Warren, Washington, and Yazoo counties in Mississippi. Program Contact: Asia McCoy, Program Manager, amccoy@advancingminorityhealth.org.
Trainings and Technical Assistance
The Institute offers the following trainings for community-based organizations. We are here to help organizations improve their capacity to plan, develop and implement public health programs.
- Community Health Worker Training
- Evidence Based Public Health
- Research Methodology
- Evaluation
- Cultural Competence and Public Health
- Marketing and Communication for Public Health Programs
- Effective use of Social Media
- Grantwriting
Creating equal opportunities for health
African Americans are living longer. The death rate for African Americans has declined about 25% over 17 years, primarily for those aged 65 years and older. Even with these improvements, new analysis shows that younger African Americans are living with or dying of many conditions typically found in white Americans at older ages. The difference shows up in African Americans in their 20s, 30s, and 40s for diseases and causes of death. When diseases start early, they can lead to death earlier. Chronic diseases and some of their risk factors may be silent or not diagnosed during these early years. Health differences are often due to economic and social conditions that are more common among African Americans than whites. For example, African American adults are more likely to report they cannot see a doctor because of cost. All Americans should have equal opportunities to pursue a healthy lifestyle.