Office of Minority Health

Grantee Information

Organization: Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities (OMHDD)

Organization Address: 4815 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR, 72205

Phone Number: 501-280-4192

Fax Number: N/A

Organization website URL (if any): https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/minority-health

Brief Description of the Organization: The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) and Office of Minority Health & Health Disparities (OMHDD) envisions a state in which health disparities are eliminated, thereby better ensuring optimal health for all Arkansans. The mission of the OMHHD is to provide leadership in improving health outcomes by advocating for health equity. As part of the current ADH strategic plan, OMHHD and the four ADH Centers work collectively to advances health equity in the face of increasing challenges.

Grant Project Information

Title of Grant Project: Arkansas Minority Barber and Beauty Shop Initiative

Amount of OMH Award: $185,000

Name of Project Director: Michelle Smith

Phone Number of Project Director: 501-280-4192

E-mail Address of Project Director: michelle.r.smith@arkansas.gov

Abstract

Arkansas has the highest stroke mortality rate in the nation and ranks at or near the bottom for health status among the states. The major risk factors for stroke are hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. Data also shows that only 75% of those with high blood pressure are aware of it and of these, only 69% are receiving treatment. Further, of those receiving treatment only 59% are adequately controlled. Thus, the overall blood pressure control rate in the state is less than 30%. In addition, only 62% of diabetics in Arkansas are aware of their diagnosis, only 45% of known diabetics are receiving treatment and only 28% of all diabetics have their condition under control. To address the inordinate burden of hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and other heart conditions on African American and Latino individuals, OMHDD will expand upon the pilot project they developed in 2012 titled the Arkansas Minority Barber & Beauty Shop Health Initiative.

Under previous funding, OMHHD was able to host three Barber & Beauty Shop Health Initiatives. With this new funding, OMHDD will transform this pilot project into an effective community-based model that can improve health outcomes in geographical hotspots and address health disparities that are impacting minorities in Arkansas. OMHHD will modify the hypertension screening/management of black men in barbershops model to make it more inclusive. African Americans and Latinos of both genders will be included in the program and interventions will be implemented/monitored by OMHHD. The intention is to provide access to free chronic disease screening to high-risk minority population groups in the selected Red Counties. Specifically, OMHHD plans to provide blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, and BMI screenings; lifestyle modification and counseling for hypertensive, smoking, and obese individuals; referrals for those without insurance or a provider; and, collect data using customer survey and nursing referral forms. OMHHD will track those who receive referrals for risk factors reduction and hypertension management, and monitor their adherence (or non-adherence) to treatment and/or lifestyle changes to reduce obesity and smoking habits by improving hypertension status. Specific data collections tools will be used to collect comprehensive data on the participants’ medical history, access to care, risk factors, knowledge and practice, and screening results. With a primary reporting focus on hypertension, obesity, and smoking, data will also be collected for screening results on blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, Body Mass Index (BMI), smoking, physical activity, and nutrition risks. Following the screening, individuals will be tracked with the goal of lowering hypertension rates with proper treatment and reduction of obesity and smoking rates.

OMHHD intends to provide chronic disease screening/education/referral services to high-risk minority populations at barbershops and beauty salons, which has proven to be effective in reducing hypertension rates in African Americans. Over the 5 year course of the grant, OMHHD plans to screen at least 2,500 clients, identify all of those at risk for the target conditions, and make referrals to a medical facility for treatment as needed. The intended results are:

• To increase the number of adults, identified at the Arkansas Minority Barber and Beauty Shop Health Initiative, whose blood pressure is under control. Specific objectives include:

• Providing blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose and follow-up screenings to 500 barber shop and beauty salon clients in selected counties annually;
• Referring 100% of those identified as at risk for hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol to a medical facility for treatment;
• Following-up with customers will be conducted to determine whether at least 80% of those referred received medical treatment;
• Documenting at least 50% of medical appointments for those referred.
• To decrease the number of adults identified at the Arkansas Minority Barber and Beauty Shop Health Initiative who are obese. Specific objectives include:

• Providing BMI screenings and follow-up screenings to 500 barber shop and beauty salon clients in selected counties annually;
• Referring 100% of those identified as at risk for obesity to a medical facility for treatment;
• Following-up with customers to determine whether at least 80% of those referred received medical treatment;
• Documenting at least 50% of medical appointments for those referred.
• To decrease the number of adults identified at the Arkansas Minority Barber and Beauty Shop Health Initiative who smoke cigarettes. Specific objectives include:

• Providing tobacco use follow-up screenings to 500 barber shop and beauty salon clients in selected counties annually;
• Referring 100% of those identified as using tobacco and wanting to quit to the Arkansas Tobacco Quitline;
• Following-up to determine if at least 80% of those who completed a Quitline Referral Form were contacted by a Stamp Out Smoking (SOS) Tobacco Quitline representative;
• Documenting SOS calls for at least 50% of those who completed a Quitline Referral Form.

To evaluate program effectiveness, OMHHD will conduct an outcome evaluation of the implemented activities. Throughout the project, screening data such as blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, BMI, and smoking status measures will be collected for new and follow-up participants. OMHHD will also track the participants’ adherence to the use of medication and other protocols. All clients will complete surveys at each event on the services, education, and referrals received. De-identified outcome data obtained from the outcome evaluation questionnaires will be entered and managed via SurveyMonkey. Data will be analyzed on an annual basis for comparison to measure progress in meeting the goals as well as the Healthy People Leading Health Indicators. Chronic disease diagnoses including early stages, full blown, and critical stages will be cross tabulated by demographic characteristics, access to care status, knowledge of disease, and most importantly by risk factors. OMHHD will also calculate 95% confidence intervals to test the significance of results. Data obtained from Nursing Referral and Patient Follow-up forms will be utilized to examine the compliance among participants receiving referrals. Compliance with regards to treatment (e.g., keeping doctor appointments or taking hypertension medication) and management of risk factors (e.g., exercise and proper diet to reduce obesity; smoking cessation) will also be examined.

NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP FOR ACTION TO END HEALTH DISPARITIES GOALS

Awareness : Increase awareness of the significance of health disparities, their impact on the nation, and the actions necessary to improve health outcomes for racial, ethnic, and underserved populations.

Health System and Life Experience : Improve health and healthcare outcomes for racial, ethnic, and underserved populations.

Data Research and Evaluation: Improve data availability and coordination, utilization, and diffusion of research and evaluation outcomes.

RELATED HEALTHY PEOPLE 2020 OBJECTIVES & SUBOBJECTIVES

• HDS-12 Adults with hypertension whose blood pressure us under control
• NWS-9 Obesity among adults
• TU-1.1 Adult cigarette smoking