Health Screening and Holistic Health Conscientization by 2017

We shall engage all the African Immigrant/Refugee groups, association and entities in owning skills to demand for health screening and information for:

1. Hearing and Vision Screenings

Output by 2017:
We shall have identified community leaders and engaged in dialogue and generated action at 60 venues from Berkeley, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Omaha, Fayetteville, Anchorage, Chicago Lexington, Boston, Waltham, Atlanta, Worcester, New York, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Huntsville, Montgomery and San Francisco with hearing and vision screening information (e.g., balance and vestibular evaluation, comprehensive hearing tests). Anticipated reach using peer driven messaging (PDM) by second wave: 3,000 persons.

2. Health Risk Assessments

Output by 2017:
We shall have identified community leaders and engaged in dialogue and generated action at 60 venues from Berkeley, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Omaha, Fayetteville, Anchorage, Chicago Lexington, Boston, Waltham, Atlanta, Worcester, New York, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Huntsville, Montgomery and San Francisco with health risk assessments information (e.g. cardiac and cholesterol, male health, male wellness, female health, female wellness).

3. Health Education


Output by 2017:
We shall have identified community leaders and engaged in dialogue and generated action at 60 venues from Berkeley, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Omaha, Fayetteville, Anchorage, Chicago Lexington, Boston, Waltham, Atlanta, Worcester, New York, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Huntsville, Montgomery and San Francisco with messages on nutrition, physical activity and advantages of regular medical check ups. We shall generate action plans using the 'NASH' modelling. This framework mainstreams nutrition, activity, sanitation and health goals as part of planning and outcomes. 


4. BMI and Blood Pressure Determination

Output by 2017:
We shall have identified community leaders and engaged in dialogue and generated action at 60 venues from Berkeley, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Omaha, Fayetteville, Anchorage, Chicago Lexington, Boston, Waltham, Atlanta, Worcester, New York, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Huntsville, Montgomery and San Francisco with messages and action plans on weight watching.

5. Blood Glucose and Pre-Diabetes Assessments

Output by 2017:
We shall have identified community leaders and engaged in dialogue and generated action at 60 venues from Berkeley, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Omaha, Fayetteville, Anchorage, Chicago Lexington, Boston, Waltham, Atlanta, Worcester, New York, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Huntsville, Montgomery and San Francisco with messages on watching glucose intake and calorie burning techniques as Diabetes prevention practices at community level


6. Age-related Counselling and Support

Output by 2017:
We shall have identified community leaders and engaged in dialogue and generated action at 60 venues from Berkeley, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Omaha, Fayetteville, Anchorage, Chicago Lexington, Boston, Waltham, Atlanta, Worcester, New York, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Huntsville, Montgomery and San Francisco on age-related health, needs and referral opportunities.

7. Mother and Child Health Counselling and Support

Output by 2017:
We shall have identified community leaders and engaged in dialogue and generated action at 60 venues from Berkeley, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Omaha, Fayetteville, Anchorage, Chicago Lexington, Boston, Waltham, Atlanta, Worcester, New York, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Huntsville, Montgomery and San Francisco on practices promoting family health, well mother and child needs and support.

8. Men, health and wellbeing counselling and Support

Output by 2017:
We shall have identified community leaders and engaged in dialogue and generated action at 60 venues from Berkeley, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Omaha, Fayetteville, Anchorage, Chicago Lexington, Boston, Waltham, Atlanta, Worcester, New York, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Huntsville, Montgomery and San Francisco to specifically empower men/males to own health improving skills.

9. Referrals and Support based on your needs

Output by 2017:
We shall have empowered individuals to make self-assesment and generated  positive living action at 60 venues from Berkeley, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Omaha, Fayetteville, Anchorage, Chicago Lexington, Boston, Waltham, Atlanta, Worcester, New York, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Huntsville, Montgomery and San Francisco.

10. Avoiding accidents and hazards

Output by 2017:
We shall have identified community leaders and engaged in dialogue and generated action at 60 venues from Berkeley, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Omaha, Fayetteville, Anchorage, Chicago Lexington, Boston, Waltham, Atlanta, Worcester, New York, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Huntsville, Montgomery and San Francisco on understanding accidents and hazards in USA.

11. Civic Duty and community Policing

Output by 2017:
We shall have identified community leaders and engaged in dialogue and generated action at 60 venues from Berkeley, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Omaha, Fayetteville, Anchorage, Chicago Lexington, Boston, Waltham, Atlanta, Worcester, New York, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Huntsville, Montgomery and San Francisco on how to increase participation in community events using localized social calendars.

12. Sexual Assault, HIV transmission and the Law

Output by 2017:
We shall have identified community leaders and engaged in dialogue and generated action at 60 venues from Berkeley, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Omaha, Fayetteville, Anchorage, Chicago Lexington, Boston, Waltham, Atlanta, Worcester, New York, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Huntsville, Montgomery and San Francisco and empowered them with peer to peer information sharing skills to improve informed decisions and awareness around Sexual assault and grounds for criminal sexual offenses in USA.


13. Musculoskeletal and physiotherapy needs assessment

Output by 2017:
We shall have identified community leaders and engaged in dialogue and generated action at 60 venues from Berkeley, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Omaha, Fayetteville, Anchorage, Chicago Lexington, Boston, Waltham, Atlanta, Worcester, New York, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Huntsville, Montgomery and San Francisco on body changes as people grow or engage in physically strenuous activities and how to still remain healthy.

13. HIV-related skills:

We shall have identified community leaders and engaged in dialogue and generated action at 60 venues from Berkeley, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Omaha, Fayetteville, Anchorage, Chicago Lexington, Boston, Waltham, Atlanta, Worcester, New York, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Huntsville, Montgomery and San Francisco; developed and shared social decision support tools* reinforcing their Knowledge of services and Prevention Resources: e.g.; 


http://hivcare.org/
http://www.socio.com/happa.php.
https://www.facebook.com/HivPrevJustice/?fref=nf.
https://start.truvada.com/.
New Prevention Technologies (microbicides, diaphragm, female condom)

HIV-related medical check ups:

Positive living care
Positive living literature
HIV testing
STD check ups

* The Social Decision Support Tools (SDST) include: Diaries, calendars, directional locations of social/health/Human Services points and Community organizations that provide services including places of worship.

© Tom RMM
Contact telephone: 415-299-0297 (Pacific Standard Time)

Anti-HIV Movement Building For Immigrants and Refugees in USA

We shall engage all the African-born Immigrant/Refugee groups, association and entities in owning skills to demand for health screening and information in the following thematic areas:


1. Health Education


Output by 2017-2027:
We shall have identified community leaders and engaged in dialogue and generated action at 60 venues from Berkeley, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Omaha, Fayetteville, Anchorage, Chicago Lexington, Boston, Waltham, Atlanta, Worcester, New York, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Huntsville, Montgomery and San Francisco with messages on nutrition, physical activity and advantages of regular medical check ups. We shall generate action plans using the 'NASH' modelling. This framework mainstreams nutrition, activity, sanitation and health goals as part of planning and outcomes.


2. Age-related Counselling and Support

Output by 2017-2027:
We shall have identified community leaders and engaged in dialogue and generated action at 60 venues from Berkeley, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Omaha, Fayetteville, Anchorage, Chicago Lexington, Boston, Waltham, Atlanta, Worcester, New York, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Huntsville, Montgomery and San Francisco on age-related health, needs and referral opportunities.

3. Mother and Child Health Counselling and Support

Output by 2017-2027:
We shall have identified community leaders and engaged in dialogue and generated action at 60 venues from Berkeley, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Omaha, Fayetteville, Anchorage, Chicago Lexington, Boston, Waltham, Atlanta, Worcester, New York, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Huntsville, Montgomery and San Francisco on practices promoting family health, well mother and child needs and support.

4. Men, health and wellbeing counselling and Support

Output by 2017-2027:
We shall have identified community leaders and engaged in dialogue and generated action at 60 venues from Berkeley, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Omaha, Fayetteville, Anchorage, Chicago Lexington, Boston, Waltham, Atlanta, Worcester, New York, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Huntsville, Montgomery and San Francisco to specifically empower men/males to own health improving skills.


5. Sexual Assault, HIV transmission and the Law

Output by 2017-2027:
We shall have identified community leaders and engaged in dialogue and generated action at 60 venues from Berkeley, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Omaha, Fayetteville, Anchorage, Chicago Lexington, Boston, Waltham, Atlanta, Worcester, New York, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Huntsville, Montgomery and San Francisco and empowered them with peer to peer information sharing skills to improve informed decisions and awareness around Sexual assault and grounds for criminal sexual offenses in USA.

6. HIV-related skills:

Output by 2017-2027:

We shall have identified community leaders and engaged in dialogue and generated action at 60 venues from Berkeley, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Omaha, Fayetteville, Anchorage, Chicago Lexington, Boston, Waltham, Atlanta, Worcester, New York, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Huntsville, Montgomery and San Francisco; developed and shared social decision support tools* reinforcing their Knowledge of services and Prevention Resources: e.g.; 

http://hivcare.org/

http://www.socio.com/happa.php.

https://www.facebook.com/HivPrevJustice/?fref=nf.

https://start.truvada.com/.

New Prevention Technologies (microbicides, diaphragm, female condom)

Integrated HIV-related medical check ups:

Positive living care

Positive living literature

HIV testing and complementary services

ARV initiation

STD check ups

We shall eventually develop a network to collaborate, share experiences as well as act as a link with each other.

© Tom RMM
Contact telephone: 415-299-0297 (Pacific Standard Time)

More than five years of community organizing becomes a basis of a "paying it forward" principle

The Africa Leaders Summit. Source: The White House

President Barack Obama. Source: The White House

President Barack Obama. Source: The White House

The American education system empowers its pupils and students to think while on their feet. As an African immigrant having benefitted from a first class education here in USA, I got this idea and wanted to share it with other friends. When we met it amazed me that they too had ideas about community organizing but they required someone skilled in building translatory frameworks, defining goals, subjecting the people and organization to tests of worthiness. Thus began the African Empowered Communities-USA (AEC-USA). An institution whose goal is to act as a bridge for African communities to smoothly mesh with the American way of life. Yes, I am a co-founder of AEC-USA.

Immigrants or children of immigrants have made this a great country. There are examples in the tens of thousands. But, I want to just list five. One from Austria, the second from India and all the other three from Africa: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Satya Nadella the 3rd CEO of Microsoft, Dr. Bennet Omalu the one who named a brain debilitation called Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), the gold award figure skating Kristine Musademba and renowned policy analyst and activist Nii Akuetteh.  Let us not look upwards to the presidency of the USA. No, let us not go there. But, I am sure you get my point.

It is high time immigrants from Africa copied or xeroxed (no apologies here) what the Jewish Diaspora, the Indian Diaspora, the Filipino Diaspora, Japanese Diaspora or Chinese Diaspora are doing. We need to be part of the grand projects that define the built and technological environment of USA. Let us have the spirit of organizing to have great institutions that provide opportunities for enriched scholarship for our children. Do not get me wrong, the USA has facilitation for education that is superb. What I meant by enriched scholarship is as follows:

1. Our communities must be aligned with the rules and regulations of the larger communities. Our homes must be spaces of nurturing our children as well as spaces where the parents are not absent or harassed by over working. We must be able to socialize or even take the day off when that opportunity is available.

2. Our health comes first. We need to be extra serious about our lives as far as: nutrition, physical activity, dental/medical check ups and mental health go. I have met with community groups and introduced such topics like: anger management, understanding health risks or encouraging people to enrol in self help organizations that hold regular re-education meetings.

3. We should be seen in large numbers during the community clean ups, the call for community meetings should an opportunity for attendance, and joining the volunteer teams that help clean your town or city is not a bad idea at all.

4.  Our civil societies should be empowered to see the bigger picture. Many of us came to stay in USA for good. But, we also have ties back in Africa. We have grand schemes to help make that continent a dependable bed of contentment. We want to have a bigger say in the regularity of politics, smooth power transfer, an investment climate that is not encased in brutal tactics and most of all we want mobility that is unfettered. 

All this can be possible. We can be part of the NASA engineering teams or HIV Vaccine team. This will be when our community groups are dependable spaces of nurturing and education.

The author has been in several community events, gatherings and campaigns. From cleaning the city campaigns to labor parades.  Joining community meetings helps one get the pulse of what matters in USA. Source: African Empowered Communities-USA (AEC-USA)

Cultural events by immigrants. Source: AEC-USA

Face to Face meetings help smooth our talking points. A form of speed bonding. Source: AEC-USA

Chinese Cultural events in San Francisco. Source: AEC-USA

Engaging African American Chamber of Commerce. Source: AEC-USA

MarketPlace events. Source: AEC-USA

Engaging the Filipino Community. Source: AEC-USA

Meeting the communities in USA. Source: AEC-USA

First hand information on what works. Source: AEC-USA

The African Immigrants forum. Source: AEC-USA

Power of meeting together. Source:AEC-USA

Exhibition Event. Source: AEC-USA

The forum. AEC-USA

The forum. Source: AEC-USA

Opportunities for socializing. Source: Uganda Community Organization in California

Socializing events. Source: UCOC

Africa Leaders Summit, Washington DC: Source Al Jazeera

African Leaders meet President of USA.

HIV Prevention Platform For Immigrants in USA (IM PREVENTION USA)

We call this program the HIV PREVENTION PLATFORM FOR IMMIGRANTS IN USA (IM PREVENTION USA)

According to AHF, 37 million people living with HIV worldwide. 240 people being infected with HIV every hour. Less than 50% of all people living with HIV on life saving antiretroviral treatment. 

According to http://www.actforyouth.net/, Globally, over 100 million STIs occur each year in people under the age of 25 years, and an estimated 11.8 million people aged 15-24 were living with HIV by mid-2002. Further, about half of all new HIV infections worldwide, or nearly 6,000 cases per day, occur in young people.

In the United States alone, approximately one-quarter of new STI infections, almost four million, are diagnosed among teens. Moreover, approximately 1,700 newly diagnosed cases of AIDS were reported in people between the ages of 13 and 24 in 2003. However, the risk of STI/HIV infection is not uniform among adolescents. Females, men who have sex with men, injection drug users, people who have exchange sex (i.e., sex for money or goods), and racial minorities have markedly higher rates of STI/HIV during adolescence. 

Prevention among immigrants must look into the intersectionality aspect of: need for acculturation; practices that make one vulnerable; prevention practices; health seeking practices; economic sustainability practices; the justice, law and documentation issues of an immigrant; understanding of HIV-related laws; networks within which one survives; peer pressures; and resilience practices. All these impact on the way an immigrant is engaged in HIV prevention.

There are two HIV-related skills we encourage immigrants to embrace such as:

Know where to seek services and Prevention Resources:

1. http://hivcare.org/
2. http://www.socio.com/happa.php.
3. https://www.facebook.com/HivPrevJustice/?fref=nf.
4. https://start.truvada.com/
5. New Prevention Technologies (microbicides, diaphragm, female condom)

Know HIV-related medical check ups:

1. Positive living care
2. Positive living literature
3. HIV testing
4. STD check ups

• NB. Subscribe to our dedicated HIV Prevention blog: http://impreventionusa.blogspot.com/

All pictures here are used for education purposes. Courtesy of wikimedia commons.

© By: Tom R. M.M. Executive Director

World Refugee Day-June 21st 2016

Refugees contribute a big number to the definition of immigrants to USA. It is for this reason that we dedicate this space as a thank you to USA. Photo courtesy of: US Department of Health and Human Services

The Strategic Plan broken down in parts June 2016-May 2017 (Annual Plan)

THEME: COMMUNITY OUTREACH

We want to work with you, your organization staff or a network member for purposes of enriching the citizenry and engaging in civic duty in USA or the entire world.

We run: the Bay Area Healthy Living Support and Communication Platform-BayHeal; the Black, African, Atlantic and Indian Ocean Islander Immigrant Resource Center; and the African, Atlantic and Indian Ocean Islander Institute in America-AAIU.

A retinue of issues exist (knowledge, awareness level, laws on prescription, coverage, distance and practices) that affect the way people demand and access health care. We want to start with individual knowledge gap and work our way towards other issues that affect how people demand or access healthcare. One's social economic status plays a key role in how they demand and access health care services.

The Bay Area Healthy Living Support and Communication Platform-BayHeal:

For promoting inclusion, equality, addressing disproportionate access to health facilities as well as promoting quality long life practices.


This material belongs to: Bay Area healthy Living Support and Communication Platform-BayHeal

1. OBJECTIVE: From June 2016-May 2017 we shall have:

1.1. Established an office base after moving from 1230 Market Street #150 SF CA due to office renovations and subsequent rent increment; also upgraded our organization messaging system to reflect the domain in our name; the CEO to upgrade to premium LinkedIn account; increase linkages/interface with service providers and negotiate drop-in days targeting beneficiaries; established and maintained African, Atlantic and Indian Ocean Identity days/Dialogue-show at our office space (e.g., Ghana Day, where we shall bring in a person or link with a group/association of Ghanaians and hold dialogue on social issues with perspective from a Ghanaian in USA);  and have a formal board of governors.

OUTPUTS: 

1. Registered board managed organization
2. Administration to manage day to day activities
3. Home, Address, location and contact means
4.  Corporate image improved

1.2. Identified and worked with 135 other African immigrant community leaders in California on: Health and HIV awareness, Health and HIV Action Planning/Strategy making targeting 50 African immigrant viable groups and social entities/civil societies formed for purpose of self determination and development. Provide health resources ( Information, Education, Communication materials) for distribution on: HIV Prevention; HIV and the Law; Living Positively with HIV; understanding Safer Sex and grounds for Sexual Assault Vulnerability; Nutrition; Locations/directories of health and social services.

OUTPUTS: 

1. Peer-peer Change agents trained (estimates for one year: 1,000 as follows: 300 females < 20 years: 400 males < 20 years: 400 > 20 years)
2. Network of interventional and referral services developed
3. Targeted groundswell of HIV Services including: using culturally and linguistically appropriate HIV prevention, care and management service provision; provision of prophylactics in a friendlier setting; improve on safer sex negotiation and practices;  input into HIV and the Law; understanding what it means to Live Positively with HIV; understanding Safer Sex and grounds for Sexual Assault Vulnerability;
4.  Developed health seeking and healthy living practices targeting immigrants


1.3. Identify Social and Health care needs among the African immigrant communities.

OUTPUTS: 

1. Identified the needs and referral organizations to address the needs
2. Established frameworks and action plans among different organizations targeting HIV, Health, physical activity and Nutrition
3. Rolled plans with input from Immigrants themselves
4.  Commitment and participation in health initiatives improved


1.4. Come up with Action zones across the entire US board as follows: Deep south with headquarters in Huntsville, AL; Western with Hqs in Sacramento, San Diego and a branch office in San Francisco, CA; Eastern board with Hqs in Washington DC; Mid-American with Hqs in St. Paul, MI.

OUTPUTS: 

1. Identified more organizations and resources
2. Increased visibility on activities and conscientization on healthy living
3. Rolled plans with input from Immigrants
4. Commitment and participation in health initiatives improved

1.5. Came up with reference resources in form of a facebook page, twitter and blog.

OUTPUTS: 

1. Upgraded or active social media platforms
2. Increased visibility on activities and conscientization on healthy living
3. Platforms to share materials is accessible to all
4. Guidance, Transparency, Commitment and participation by different stakeholders

The Black, African, Atlantic and Indian Ocean Islander Immigrant Resource Center:

For promoting visibility, acculturation, connections and social cohesion.

2. OBJECTIVE: From June 2016-May 2017 we shall have:

2.1. Developed a reference resource on influential African Immigrants in USA and share it through our blog.

OUTPUTS: 

1. Identified resource persons
2. Increased visibility on activities and conscientization on healthy living


2.2. Developed an app called "inTouch" with functions to access all our information via other mobile gadgets.

OUTPUTS: 

1. Increased accessibility through resources
2. Increased visibility on activities and conscientization on healthy living

The African, Atlantic and Indian Ocean Islander Institute (US)-AAIU:

A marketplace showcasing business opportunities, enterprises, intellectual and community development entities owned by or working to empower immigrants in USA.

3. OBJECTIVE: From June 2016-May 2017 we shall have:

3.1. Developed a reference resource on influential African Immigrants in USA, published reference books, made murals or pedestals, established a museum which we shall call the "AFRICANA."

OUTPUTS: 

1. Identified more organizations and resources
2. Increased visibility on activities and conscientization on healthy living
3. A museum called Africana
4. Commitment and participation improved

3.2. Engaged all trade, vocational and business entities in USA in exchanging expertise with immigrants.

OUTPUTS: 

1. Identified more organizations and resources
2. Increased visibility on activities and conscientization on healthy living
3. Rolled plans with input from Immigrants
4. Commitment and participation improved

Contact:
Tom R.M.M. (CEO/Executive Director)
E-mail: Tom@bayheal.org
Phone: +14152990297

African Immigrant Leaders in USA as a resource for development

The Black, African, Atlantic and Indian Ocean Islander immigrants in USA can tap into the resources of the accomplished, more experienced elders. I call this the vintage platform or lobby.

In doing this, I want to showcase the power of immigrant socializing forces on formation and development of a whole person. There are values, goals and institutions within the immigrant community that we have missed tapping into for long. We can turn our situations or circumstances to work to our advantage. We have strengths(S), needs(N), opportunities(O) and wherewithal to tap into what works(W): SNOW Analysis. We have well educated immigrants who have super inventional, creational, adaptive, restorative, critical and analytical skills in many areas of life. We have many more who have the capacity to be trainable. We are in a country that documents experiences. We can research deeper into case studies that relate to our situations of need and appropriate interventions. We can use the comparison as opportunities for redress. The US has case studies and data on what has worked to make immigrants and refugees the best placed resource from which to recruit the present day and future rocket scientists, philosophers, architects and persons able to fit in any level of accomplishment. African immigrants have the next Barack Obamas or Henry Kissingers or Albert Einsteins. The list of what African immigrants can become is so extensive. we cannot fit all the aspirations and inspirations here otherwise there may not be space enough left to write anything else. 

This platform is an opportunity to learn, share and hear from accomplished immigrants from Africa who are living in USA as well as hear from their friends. The platform or lobby is an event where we share knowledge as  a continuation for formation into a better US resident or eventual citizen.

The guests or elders will be persons who have stayed in USA for some time and have the wherewithal to provide guidance or can give tips on how to be productive in USA. Thematic topics will be presented by the elders before groups or audiences. We are compiling a list of over 10,000 personalities to choose from. 

The themes will be chosen from the five key areas (determinants) in which immigrants contribute to their communities including:

Economic Stability

Education

Social and Community Context

Health and Health Care

Neighborhood and Built Environment

Each of these five determinant areas reflects a number of critical components/key issues that make up the underlying factors in the arena of determinants;

Economic Stability:

Poverty

Employment

Food Security

Housing Stability

Education:

High School Graduation

Enrollment in Higher Education

Language and Literacy

Early Childhood Education and Development

Business & Management

Creative Arts & Media

Health & Psychology

History

Languages & Cultures

Law

Literature

Nature & Environment

Online & Digital

Politics & the Modern World

Science, Maths & Technology

Sport & Leisure

Teaching & Studying

Business and Vocational Studies

Social and Community Context:

Social Cohesion

Civic Participation

Discrimination

Incarceration

Health and Health Care:

Access to Health Care

Access to Primary Care

Health Literacy

Neighborhood and Built Environment:

Access to Healthy Foods

Quality of Housing

Crime and Violence

Environmental Conditions

We shall come up with a book on these personalities. For this blog, I am writing about two persons:

Dr. Omalu Bennet with his lovely wife and children. Source: Olivia Truffaut-Wong

Dr. Bennet Omalu, the doctor who discovered Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) in NFL players, takes center stage in the new movie, Concussion. The film tells the story of Dr. Omalu, as played by Will Smith, as he stumbles upon the first case of CTE, discovered during the autopsy of former Pittsburgh Steelers player Mike Webster, and then struggled to get his research taken seriously by the medical community and the NFL. He discovered and named Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy [CTE] in American football players and American professional wrestlers, in 2002 and 2007 (http://www.bustle.com/articles/132754-where-is-bennet-omalus-wife-now-prema-mutiso-keeps-out-of-the-spotlight). KQED Radio’s City Arts & Lectures runs a one-hour radio program to hear celebrated writers, artists and thinkers address contemporary ideas and values, often discussing the creative process. On 2/4/16 and again on 3/20/2016 is when I heard Dr. Bennet Omalu talk (http://www.cityarts.net/radio-broadcasts/). He is the Chief Medical Examiner of San Joaquin County and has  33 abstracts, presentations and publications to his name so far as well as 7 internet, newspaper and newsletter articles and publications. He has given 232 criminal court and 57 civil court case testimonies. This is from court cases recorded from 2009. He had given testimonies by 1999 but he did not record them in his resume. For more on his curriculum vitae: http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/pathology/our_team/faculty/OmaluB/Omalu_Bennet_CV-Testimonies_March2016.pdf.

Dr. Omalu is a perennial educator and he is an ideal resource on promoting the love of education among immigrants. According to usastudyguide.com, there are many advantages of having American qualifications. The list of advantages is enormous and it includes: global focus, campus experience, attachment to supporting industries, supporting technologies and supporting research. American colleges and universities are world-recognized. They offer top-notch education programs with highly qualified teaching staff. The research at many of these universities is cutting-edge and often published in journals worldwide. Many of the professors at these schools are leading authorities in their field. The list of world-class learning institutions in the USA is endless and includes: Community colleges, State universities, universities such as: Stanford University, Harvard, Yale, Cornell, California Institute of Technology, University of Pennsylvania, MIT, John Hopkins, University of Pittsburgh, University of Texas, University of Chicago, Notre Dame, Northwestern University and UC-system of universities. Dr. Bennet Omalu is a professor at one the UC- Davis (part of the UC-system of universities). 

Prof. Omar A. Eno and Mr. Dan Van Lehman meeting with National Somali Bantu Workshops participants for its first day of the Kentucky, August 2008. Source: http://www.bantusupport.pdx.edu/

Dr. Omar A. Eno’s PhD dissertation is: "Ethnicity, Slavery, Stigma, and Plantation Economy: The Case of the Heer-Goleed (people of the forest) Diaspora and the Indigenous Bantu/Jareer People in Southern Somalia (1840-2000)." He is deeply committed to bringing the attention of the international community to Bantu issues, and he regularly travels and works in East Africa. He is also one of the first Bantu to advocate in international fora for civil and human rights on behalf of the Bantu people in Somalia. He is a member of several international academic organizations such as: The African Studies Association, The Inter-riverine Studies Association, The Somali Studies International Association, and he is the co-founder of The Bantu Rehabilitation Trust in Nairobi-Kenya. 

Immigrants in USA who come with psychological needs, can only get appropriate help if their story is well represented. The story in turn is broken down into social, psychological, mental needs. These needs are in turn presented before relevant service provision points. Somali-Bantu experienced anarchy that compelled millions of Somalis to seek refuge in parts of Somalia as well as in neighboring Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti, and Yemen.The National Somali Bantu Project will help assist the Somali Bantu refugees to successfully integrate into American society. There is none other than Dr. Omar who is a director with the National Somali Bantu Project at Portland State University in Oregon to share this kind of story.

We hope you will like the vignettes on immigrants and the change agents among them. We call this activity the: "Influential African Immigrants(members) living in USA" (IAM-USA).

Framework for designing community level healthy living objectives targeting The US Black, African, Atlantic and Indian Ocean Islander Immigrant Population

This framework is divided into:

Background

The five key Social Characteristics and Reflexive Typology

The Healthy People 2020 Action matrix

Importance of applying tenets of Healthy People 2020 to US African Immigrant Populations

US Population Race and Origin

Conclusion

Background:

People who come from Africa, need an orientation and acculturation input as they learn to live in USA. To an American most of the services, decor, way of life, etiquette and habits are normalized. The literacy and numeracy levels are at such a level that most Americans can go on normally in life independently. It is no wonder that most services are 'prescriptive, do-it-yourself' kind. For an immigrant, there is need for an 'instructive-guiding-descriptive' approach that will not be taken to be condescending but empowering. In order to engage in healthy living practices, the immigrant needs someone who will reach out to them, walk half a mile towards them as they too walk to the service provider. If this is not the case false beliefs about health will abound, risky lifestyles will be the norm and hence morbidity and mortality. 


The Healthy People 2020, National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities, National Prevention and Health Promotion Strategy, The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, different institutions and community-based organizations are opportunities to continue the task of create social and physical environments that promote good health for all. This is possible when critical numbers of immigrants are allowed to participate in healthy living.

According to Healthy 2020, health starts in our homes, schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, and communities. We know that taking care of ourselves by eating well and staying active, not smoking, getting the recommended immunizations and screening tests, and seeing a doctor when we are sick all influence our health. Our health is also determined in part by access to social and economic opportunities; the resources and supports available in our homes, neighborhoods, and communities; the quality of our schooling; the safety of our workplaces; the cleanliness of our water, food, and air; and the nature of our social interactions and relationships. The conditions in which we live explain in part why some Americans are healthier than others and why Americans more generally are not as healthy as they could be.

It is possible to contribute towards health equity through action on the social determinants of health among immigrants. Knowledge of how they socialize, acculturate, identify and work towards an independent autonomy is crucial for any public health practitioner. One can ask: How many Nigerians are there in USA? How many Ugandan are there in USA? This knowledge helps one to empower immigrants to own skills with which to improve on their life, engage in healthy living and contribute to the wellbeing of their families and communities.

The five key Social Characteristics and Reflexive Typology:

The five key areas (determinants) in which immigrants contribute to their communities include:

Economic Stability

Education

Social and Community Context

Health and Health Care

Neighborhood and Built Environment

Each of these five determinant areas reflects a number of critical components/key issues that make up the underlying factors in the arena of determinants:

Economic Stability:

Poverty

Employment

Food Security

Housing Stability

Education:

High School Graduation

Enrollment in Higher Education

Language and Literacy

Early Childhood Education and Development

Business & Management

Creative Arts & Media

Health & Psychology

History

Languages & Cultures

Law

Literature

Nature & Environment

Online & Digital

Politics & the Modern World

Science, Maths & Technology

Sport & Leisure

Teaching & Studying

Social and Community Context:

Social Cohesion

Civic Participation

Discrimination

Incarceration

Health and Health Care:

Access to Health Care

Access to Primary Care

Health Literacy

Neighborhood and Built Environment:

Access to Healthy Foods

Quality of Housing

Crime and Violence

Environmental Conditions

The Healthy People 2020 Action Matrix: 

The Healthy 2020 vision calls on all of us to  create social and physical environments that promote good health for all. To target immigrants from Africa, is to ask a question like: How many Ugandans live in USA? Knowing numbers of immigrants in USA leads to other hierarchies.  Healthy 2020 Vision  is a statement that all Americans deserve an equal opportunity to make the choices that lead to good health. But to ensure that all Americans have that opportunity, advances are needed not only in health care but also in fields such as education, childcare, housing, business, law, media, community planning, transportation, and agriculture. Making these advances involves working together to:

1. Explore how programs, practices, and policies in these areas affect the health of individuals, families, and communities.

2. Establish common goals, complementary roles, and ongoing constructive relationships between the health sector and these areas.

3. Maximize opportunities for collaboration among Federal-, state-, and local-level partners related to social determinants of health.

Understanding the relationship between how population groups experience “place” and the impact of “place” on health is fundamental to the social determinants of health—including both social and physical determinants.

Examples of social determinants according to Healthy People 2020 include:

Availability of resources to meet daily needs (e.g., safe housing and local food markets)

Access to educational, economic, and job opportunities

Access to health care services

Quality of education and job training

Availability of community-based resources in support of community living and opportunities for recreational and leisure-time activities

Transportation options

Public safety

Social support

Social norms and attitudes (e.g., discrimination, racism, and distrust of government)

Exposure to crime, violence, and social disorder (e.g., presence of trash and lack of cooperation in a community)

Socioeconomic conditions (e.g., concentrated poverty and the stressful conditions that accompany it)

Residential segregation

Language/Literacy

Access to mass media and emerging technologies (e.g., cell phones, the Internet, and social media)

Culture

Examples of physical determinants include:

Natural environment, such as green space (e.g., trees and grass) or weather (e.g., climate change)

Built environment, such as buildings, sidewalks, bike lanes, and roads

Worksites, schools, and recreational settings

Housing and community design

Exposure to toxic substances and other physical hazards

Physical barriers, especially for people with disabilities

Aesthetic elements (e.g., good lighting, trees, and benches)

By working to establish policies that positively influence social and economic conditions and those that support changes in individual behavior, we can improve health for large numbers of people in ways that can be sustained over time. Improving the conditions in which we live, learn, work, and play and the quality of our relationships will create a healthier population, society, and workforce.

Importance of applying tenets of Healthy People 2020 to US African Immigrant Populations:

They have homes and are part of thriving US communities. Empowering them to participate in activities of their “places” positively influences social and economic conditions and those that support changes in individual behavior. Improving the conditions of living, learning, working, and play and the quality of relationships will create a healthier population, society, and workforce.


The number of African immigrants in the United States grew from 881,300 in 2000 to 1.6 million in 2010.
The number of male African immigrants increased from 484,790 to 845,237 between 2000 and 2010, while the number of females increased from 396,510 to 761,677.


The African-share of foreign born Americans is 4%. As of 2010, more than one-fifth (21.8%) of African immigrants spoke only English, while just under half (49.1%) reported speaking it fluently. Nearly three-quarters of immigrants from Africa are black, while one-fifth are white. As of 2010, 74.3% of African immigrants were black, while 20% were white and 2.7% Asian.


The largest numbers of African immigrants are found in California, New York, Texas, Maryland, and Virginia. As of 2010, the largest African foreign-born populations were in California (158,953), New York (158,878), Texas (136,112), Maryland (125,470), and Virginia (89,290). The number of African immigrants in the United States are estimated to be 1,400,000 (2015) and 3,000,000 (2020). Going by the US Population census 2014 Age and Sex statistical formulae and using the population estimates of 2015:

US African Immigrant Population Specific Estimates/Data:

Persons under 0-4 years (6.2% of the population) are estimated at: 86,800

Persons 5-18 years (23.1% of the population) are estimated at: 323,400

Female persons (50.8% of the population) are estimated at: 711,200

Male persons (48.2% of the population) are estimated at: 678,800

Female persons 6-18 years (50.8% of the 323,400) are estimated at: 164,287

Male persons 6-18 years (48.2% of the 323,400) are estimated at: 155,879

Persons 19-65 years (14.5% of the population) are estimated at: 203,000

Female persons 19-65 years (14.5% of 711,200) are estimated at: 103,124

Male persons 19-65 years (14.5% of 678,800) are estimated at: 9,976

NB. Data on Non black, White and Asians who emigrate from Africa is captured under different categories. It should be noted that some people who moved from Africa have different races they may identify with once they come to USA.






The Ugandan-Americans: Imagine the contribution of Ugandan-Americans in various areas ranging from improving use of information as a resource; operationalizing US policy on Africa; contributing to strategic planning; contributing to defense; contributing to industry; contributing to hospitality; contributing to hygiene. There has to be readiness to embrace such pillars like: Strengthening democratic institutions; supporting African economic growth and development; advancing peace and security; promoting opportunity and development as  embodied in the US Strategy Towards Sub-Saharan Africa. Or it could be working with the Defense department leadership as they become leaders in technology innovation and keep the world’s best military force moving into the future. But to get there we need to have a minimum understanding of the composition. But, to be fairly distributive of resources say among immigrants, one has to know the different immigrants populations. One has to have indicative population numbers. One can for instance ask how many Ugandans live in USA?








The Ugandan population in America is between 20,000-25,000 with big communities living in California, Texas, Atlanta GA, Baltimore MD, Washington DC, Waltham MA, Boston MA, Detroit MI, Chicago IL, and St. Paul MN.




Taking a baseline of 20,000:
8,000 have eligible documentation to enable them access full range of social support services at federal, state and county levels in USA e.g., Lifeline or the US Dept. of Education Discretionary Grants
There are 9,000 females:11,000 males
University undergraduates 450
University level educators 20
PhD and post doctoral level holders 10
Master level holders 70
High school level students 150
Technical/ Vocational level trainees 40
Licensed to drive a motor vehicle 4,000
Owning a car 3,000
Having a permanent place to stay 20,000
Owning a place to stay 5,000
Earning USD 1,000 and above every 2 weeks 1,200
Taxi-cab operators 200
Nursing care/home health aides 800
Employed in hospitality/janitorial/security occupations 1,000
Returned to Uganda in past 12 years (between 2015-2016) 6,000
Earning USD 30,000 and above per year 5,000
Below 40 years 13,000
Fluent in basic English language 20,000
Good command of business/corporate and social intuitive English 13,000.




Ugandan-Americans below 40 years 13,000:
With computer skills 5,000
Fluent in basic English language 13,000
Good command of business/corporate and social intuitive English 9,000
Licensed to drive 7,000
Own a car 700
Earning USD 1,000 and above every two weeks 4,000
Owning a house/ place to stay 2,000.

US Population Race and Origin:

Black or African American alone, percent, July 1, 2014, (V2014) is 13.2% of total population.

White alone, percent July 1, 2014, (V2014) is 77.4% of total population.

White alone, percent, April 1, 2010 is 72.4%

Black or African American alone, percent, July 1, 2014, (V2014) is 13.2%

Black or African American alone, percent, April 1, 2010 is 12.6%

American Indian and Alaska Native alone, percent, July 1, 2014, (V2014) is 1.2% 

American Indian and Alaska Native alone, percent, April 1, 2010 is 0.9%

Asian alone, percent, July 1, 2014, (V2014) is 5.4%

Asian alone, percent, April 1, 2010 is 4.8%

Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, percent, July 1, 2014, (V2014) is 0.2%

Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, percent, April 1, 2010 is 0.2%

Two or More Races, percent, July 1, 2014, (V201) is 2.5%

Two or More Races, percent, April 1, 2010 is 2.9%

Hispanic or Latino, percent, July 1, 2014, (V2014) is 17.4%

iHispanic or Latino, percent, April 1, 2010 is 16.3%

White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, percent, July 1, 2014, (V2014) is 62.1%

White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, percent, April 1, 2010 is 63.7%

Age and Sex:

Persons under 5 years, percent, July 1, 2014, (V2014) 6.2%

Persons under 5 years, percent, April 1, 2010 6.5%

Persons under 18 years, percent, July 1, 2014, (V2014) 23.1%

Persons under 18 years, percent, April 1, 2010 24.0%

Persons 65 years and over, percent, July 1, 2014, (V2014) 14.5%

Persons 65 years and over, percent, April 1, 2010 13.0%

Female persons, percent, July 1, 2014, (V2014) 50.8%

Female persons, percent, April 1, 2010 50.8%

US Population Transportation Data:

Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16 years+, 2010-2014, is 25.7 minutes.

US Population Business Data:

Total employer establishments, 2014 is 7,563,085

Total employment, 2014 is 121,079,879

Total annual payroll, 2014 is 5,940,442,637

Total employment, percent change, 2013-2014 is 2.4%

Total non employer establishments, 2013 is 23,005,620

All firms, 2012 is 27,626,360

Men-owned firms, 2012 is 14,844,597

Women-owned firms, 2012 is 9,878,397

Minority-owned firms, 2012 is 7,952,386

Non minority-owned firms, 2012 is 18,987,918

Veteran-owned firms, 2012 is 2,521,682

Non veteran-owned firms, 2012 is 24,070,685

US Population Economy Data: 

Population in civilian labor force, total, percent of population age 16 years+, 2010-2014 is 63.5%

Population in civilian labor force, female, percent of population age 16 years+, 2010-2014 is 58.7%

Total accommodation and food services sales, 2012 ($1,000) is at 708,138,598

Total health care and social assistance receipts/revenue, 2012 ($1,000) is at 2,040,441,203

Total manufacturers shipments, 2012 ($1,000) are at 5,696,729,632

Total merchant wholesaler sales, 2012 ($1,000) are 5,208,023,478

Total retail sales, 2012 ($1,000) are at 4,219,821,871

Total retail sales per capita, 2012 are at $13,443

Conclusion:

It is our vision and belief that the Black, African, Atlantic and Indian Ocean Islander Immigrants to USA can be mobilized, organized into socially Cohesive entities and through them be empowered to participate in activities that improve individual skills, attitude, identity, autonomy and continued desire to lead a healthy happy life in USA. We have developed this tool for use by anyone who seeks to promote that kind of aspiration among immigrants.




Sources:

For more on the US Population  see:
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045215/00. 

For more on Heathy People 2020:
https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/social-determinants-of-health.
For more on US State Department see:
http://www.state.gov/p/af/index.htm.
For more on US Department of Defense see:
http://www.defense.gov/News/Special-Reports/0715_science-tech.
For more on Information as a resource see:
http://capita.wustl.edu/me567_informatics/concepts/infores.html.
For more on Ugandan Diaspora see:
http://www.ugandandiaspora.com/ugandan-diaspora-website-vision-and-objectives.
For more on US Department of Education Grants see:
http://www2.ed.gov/programs/triostudsupp/index.html.
For more the Federal Lifeline Program see:
http://www.lifelinesupport.org/ls/.