San Diego Black Health Associates 

New Location, Improved Access at 5275 Market Street, Ste C San Diego, CA 92114

 

 
 

PAST  SDBHA  PROGRAMS

Over a 20-year period, SDBHA has operated specific programs aimed at improving the health status of black people and other people of color. In addition, SDBHA is a resource for healthcare professionals, organizations and laypersons. Through the use of dedicated volunteer members, SDBHA has developed strong working relationships with a variety of community agencies and organizations, including the African American church. Through these collaborations, we have been successful in maximizing the impact of our community health promotion activities.

Faith-Based Approach to Community Health (F-BACH)

In cooperation with the African American churches SDBHA is pursuing the elimination of ethnic health disparities. Once a month a health forum will be held in the community to enhance the awareness and identify remedies for health issues prevalent in our community. These forums will bring together the churches, the community, local businesses, and service providers in an effort to improve the health of African Americans.

Early Childhood Development

Through the African American churches health messages regarding the promotion of early childhood development are reaching the community. Building off the previous computer enhancement program SDBHA and the Telehealth Church Network sends out health related messages to African Americans.

Breast Cancer Awareness & Screening

In association with the San Diego Black Nurses Association and the African American churches, SDBHA provided awareness programs and referrals to women in the community. In each church congregation educational sessions for women were held to improve the awareness of breast cancer.

Community Tobacco Education Program

The SDBHA implemented an anti-tobacco program in the San Diego area, working with the organization of youth groups in African American churches to reach out to the community about smoking.

Church-Based Computer  Enhancement

Developed computer capabilities for community health education in African American churches. Fifteen total churches received free computer systems and training.

Community Prostate Cancer Screen Program

Worked with local African American agencies to conduct free prostate screenings for indigent, non-insured males in the community.

"Steppin' to Health" Project

The “Steppin’ to Health” Project is a three year project funded by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health.  The Project was developed by the San Diego Black Health Associates to build upon the existing relationships and sustain the best practices of the Faith Based Approach to Community Health Project (FBACH). The goal of the Project is to educate, screen, prevent and control diabetes in the African Americans community, with particular focus on persons who are overweight or obese.

The objectives of the “Steppin’ to Health” Project are as follows:

  1. Develop a community-wide information and education campaign regarding diabetes, and its related risk factors

  2. Conduct diabetes risk assessments and screenings for diabetes and pre-diabetes,

  3. Promote increased physical activity and

  4. Provide nutrition education

The program offered health education on diabetes prevention and control, obesity prevention, wellness club support, diabetes risk assessments and screenings to individuals and groups in the Central San Diego community.  We also participate in health fairs, health forums, and other health related events within the community. The project staff has been very busy in this the first year of implementation.  Key activities resulted in meeting our goal for health education and signing up community members to be come members of the “Steppin’ to Health” Wellness Clubs.  To become a Wellness Club member, all you need to do is express a desire to be physically active on a regular basis, sign up to receive health education from the Project and help motivate others to live a healthier lifestyle.