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Our fight for health disparities/equity is just beginning. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has collaborartred with the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute to create health rankings for the counties in each state. http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/ohioLucas County ranks 71/88 counties for health outcomes, and ranks 77/88 counties for health factors... While much work has been accomplished over the past decade, this report is a reminder that there |
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So excited about Minority Health Month 2010; this year doesn't seem as stressful because I've caught my bearings with the day-to-day activities of the office;
The save the date notice will go out next week;
Please join us for our Kickoff event on Thursday April 1 from 9:00-11:00 at The Toledo Hospital's Education Center.
Our Minority Health Summitt will be on Thursday April 29th from 9:00-1:00PM at The McMaster Room at the Main Branch of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library in Downtown
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After 20 years of running, recreational and competitive, I have my first knee injury. Last week I took a couple of long distance runs, took a day off, got on the treadmill and my knee felt like it was trying to separate from the rest of my body...
This is definitely charting new territory...
Until today...I humbled myself and just to be safe- I called my Dr. to take a look at it and make sure I didn't pinch a nerve or fracture it, etc...
As a former athlete, I remember the art of
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A week following the aftermath of the earthquake that has angished Haiti; I ask you to stop and reflect for just 35 seconds. Reports indicate the earthquake lasted this long; and in this timeframe, lives were changed forever. Places once called home; the supermarket where one did their daily shopping; the place that served as one's place of employment- all but relics amidst the rubble amidst an already impoverished land. In 35 seconds, families were gutted, torn apart; and
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Time moves at the same rate and speed...somehow it always appear to travel faster than we want...
2009 was year of strength and growth. Over the past year we spent time building positive relationships, networking with community agencies, and building infrastructure in an effort to sustain a lasting presence in our area.
2010 is exciting because we have the opportunity to usher in a new method of conducting business; in this year we will see our subcommittee structure take
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Today I celebrate my 1-year anniversary with you. When you are busy, time certainly flies.
I am thankful for the opportunity that presented itself last year- I couldn't have asked for anything more when I received the call from Dr. Gunning last year the Monday before Thanksgiving.
Unless I am being cheated, it really looks like you are on the move with minority health in our area. Your dedication and hard work makes me proud to be your representative.
Over the past several
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We have heard the phrase about those who hide their light under a bushel, not wanting the world to know their hidden talents and contributions to society...
But can the same be said sometimes of our health?
Yesterday I learned that a person close to me (could be friend, relative, business associate) was diagnosed with Cancer, and hardly anyone knows about it.
Many years ago when attending a HIV/AIDS conference, I went to a workshop series that focused on healing for those in service/care
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I hope this blog finds you in good spirits and good health.
I spent most of last week at home under the weather; I'm glad to be back in the office.
The first quarter has ended; and there were 47 individuals that represented some 26 different organizations that comprise the Toledo-Lucas County Commission on Minority Health.
You have a youth development project team, and soon will take on a lifetime fitness project team.
By this time next month, you will have assisted me and other
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Call me eclectic. Almost half a lifetime ago in high school, I envisioned myself growing up to be a German-speaking music education teacher. Music was my passion; I took piano lessons from age 11-18; classical voice lessons from age 9 and stopped in my early 20s, and did the whole gamut with choir, show choir, and band.
By this time you are thinking, what in the heck does this have to do with public health?
We are the product of our past experiences; the time spent out of
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"Smooth seas does not mean skillful sailors..."- Chinese proverb
The other day a colleague and I struck a conversation about my work at the health department. I have always held this person in high regard because of their work over the past two decades in the mental health field. To my surprise, I was asked: "Is minority health really a problem in the United States?...I was never aware..."
I used this as an educational opportunity, reminding him of the many disparities that
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On July 1, the new Toledo-Lucas County Commission on Minority Health turned 1 year old. Over the past year, we have been working together to build the infrastructure necessary to carry ourselves forward into the future.
With some determination, hard work, and never losing your focus, you have allowed our group to become a trendsetter and positive example for other regions to follow.
Our upcoming agenda is an ambitious one; still, I have faith in all of your talents that together, we
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June 3rd marked my 6-month anniversary as the Minority Health Program Coordinator;
There is so much the Toledo-Lucas County Commission on Minority Health has accomplished; without you, I wouldn't be able to complete my tasks.
There are strength in numbers; this group is representated by at least 20 organizations in our community. The direction, assistance, expertise, and leadership you all provide allows me to continue developing into your leader.
While there is much that has been
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The work we do in minority health can be likened to a wheel that keeps turning; ending one revolution, beginning the next...yet always moving forward.
Today, our very own Daisy Smith is being inducted into the Oho Senior Citizens Hall of Fame.
The Toledo Blade published a complelling article that highlighted the sacrifices Mrs. Smith endured as a young widow. After reading the article, I took some time to reflect on the work of Mrs. Smith and others who paved the road for us to
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Duane LeVelle Herron, MPH (lifelong resident of Toledo, Ohio)
Biographical Snapshot
- Graduate of Morrison R. Waite High School
- Bachelor of Science of Community Health, The University of Toledo (Honors Program Graduate)
- Master of Public
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I spent Easter with friends in Las Vegas, caught a red-eye flight to Chicago, and almost missed my connecting flight to Detroit! I scurried quickly enough to make it just before the gate was closed...
4/13
After a quick nap, I attended a colon cancer workshop presented by Dr. Sype sponsored by CareNet at The Pharmacy Counter. She was able to present technical information in a way for us to all understand. She gave statistics that allowed participants to see the disparities, |
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April marks the 20th anniversary that Ohio has observed Minority Health Month. Created in 1989, Minority Health Month is a 30-day statewide high-visibility health awareness and disease prevention campaign sponsored by the Ohio Commission on Minority Health.
The Toledo-Lucas County Commission on Minority Health published a calendar and made over 1,000 copies available to the community- we are down to our final 150!
Our kickoff on April 3 was a success; I would like to acknowledge:
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On behalf of the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department's Office on Minority Health, I would like to welcome you to the Toledo-Lucas County Commission on Minority Health's newly launched website!
It was our goal to have the website available to the community by April 1. With the collaboration of many, we were able to see this project through from start to finish.
The Commission would like to thank ToastNet for their dedication and hard work in constructing our site, the volunteers who
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