HEALTH ISSUES IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY
RutgersUniversity
Department of Africana Studies
014:347
Instructor: Dr. Kamal Khan ()
Website:
Office Hours: (1) hour before class and by appointment at Beck Hall, Room 010, Livingston Campus
Phone: (732) 445-6878
Required Text: Braithwaite, Ronald & Taylor, Sandra & Treadwell, Henrie: Health Issues In the Black Community: 3rdEdition
Course Description:
Community Health is defined as the combination of sciences, skills, and beliefs that are directed to the maintenance and improvement of the health of an entire population. This course will examine health issues of the African American Community. In addition, it will present the basic knowledge needed to comprehend and interact with the information that continues to be published in this field. The course will expose the student to the interaction between the citizen, the problems as related to healthcare and the solution. A discussion of practical solutions will also be an integral part of the process.
Objectives:
By the end of this course, each student will be able to do the following:
- Appreciate and discuss the basis of health status in general and specifically as it relates to African Americans.
- Begin to develop the tools in problem solving and team building necessary to address the issues presented in this course.
- Appreciate and discuss contemporary issues in health care delivery in the U.S. as it relates to the African American community.
Course Requirements:
All students are expected to attend allclasses on time and be prepared to participate. Class participation is a critical component of this course and all are expected to share their ideas, opinions and analysis.
Grade Breakdown:
Average of 4 Quizzes
Average of 2 Exams
CLASS ATTENDANCE: IF YOU MISS ONE CLASS, YOU WILL HAVE AN UNEXCUSED ABSENCE AND YOUR GRADE WILL CONSEQUENTLY BE LOWERED ONE FULL LETTER GRADE. IN ORDER TO EXCUSE YOUR ABSENCE, YOU MUST BRING IN A NOTE (i.e. doctor or hospital note) AND SUBMIT 3 LETTERS FROM 3 DEANS IN WHICH THEY ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR ABSENCE AND PROVIDE A WRITTEN JUSTIFICATION.
*Absence from exams: Makeup exams will be allowed only on the day following the regularly scheduled exam and only for the following reasons
- Illness verified by a doctor’s note
- Religious holiday recognized by RU
- Death of an immediate family member
CHEATING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. Students who violate the Rutgers policy on academic integrity will be reported to their Dean and expelled.
Readings:
Students will receive copies of articles, and other reading materials relevant to current health issues in the African American Community. It will be your responsibility to keep current with these materials. You are responsible for reading material from the textbook. You must read the following from the textbook: Chapter 19 pg. 399 – 412; Chapter 23 pg. 491 – 504; Chapter 28 pg. 581 – 595.
Course Topic Outline:
Introduction to Community Health
African American Health
General Principles of Epidemiology
Bacteria vs. Viruses
"Invasions of Micro-organisms"
Healthand Society
Is there a Health Care Crisis in the Black Community?
*Health Care Financing
*Health Policies and the Black Community
Tuberculosis
Health Care Services
Managed Care
Making Choices for Health Care
Critical Health Topics
*AIDS/HIV
*Cancer
*Diabetes
*Cardiovascular disease
Substance Abuse
Should addiction to drugs and alcohol be considered a disease rather than a
behavioral problem?
Lead Poisoning
Adolescent Pregnancy in the African American Community
Sickle Cell Anemia
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Strategies for African Americans
The health of the Black community in the 21st century
Special Topics--CESEP Course Description:
The course you are enrolled in Health Issues in the African American Community, is affiliated with the Rutgers Civic Engagement and Service Education Partnerships (CESEP) program. By combining academic study with community service, the CESEP program offers you the opportunity to get real world work experience and earn course credit at the same time. Please make sure that you register for the one-credit course as well as the three credits.
Course Materials:
Bound Journal Book
Text
Journal Criteria:
Journal entries should address the following aspects of your particular CESEP study.
Doctor Aspect: Shadowing
Find a physician or another health care provider in which to “shadow,” which entails observing the doctor on a weekly basis and keeping a journal of the day’s thoughts, events, and questions. You focus on a variety of topics including, but not limited to: (1) the responsibilities of the doctor within the facility, (2) the doctor’s interactions with overall environment, i.e. relationships with other doctors, co-workers, patients, (3) how the doctor is perceived by others, (4) treatment of patients by physician – including both positive and negative aspects, i.e. racial factors, economic factors and, (5) ethical/ moral decision making process.
Patient Aspect
Focus on a collective group of patients and observe them, paying close attention to: (1) approximate percentage of different types of patients based on ethnic background (Hispanic, African American, Asian, etc.), (2) type of disease(s) that these patients have and the treatment that is being received, (3) patients’ opinions of treatments and medical staff, (4) patients’ concerns, fears, apprehensions, (5) patients’ mental and physical condition. Journal entries should focus on these topics and other intriguing observations, thoughts, interviews, and conclusions.
Final Paper:
3 typed pages, double spaced on your CESEP study experience. Include: CESEP site background information, notes, facts, statistics, and your personal revelations:
- How did this experience affect your decision to work in the medical field?
- Did this experience make you want to continue to pursue this type of career?
- What are some of the new perceptions of the medical field and how has it changed your view?
Suggested CESEP Sites:
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1. New Jersey Women and AIDS Network
NJWANis a leader in identifying issues facing women with HIV/AIDS, educating service providers, advocating for appropriate policies and building a multicultural woman and HIV/AIDS movement. As the only female specific AIDS service organization in the state, for 17 years NJWAN has provided HIV prevention, education, treatment adherence, and advocacy programs to women infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS.
103 Bayard Street, 3rd Floor
New Brunswick, NJ08901
CONTACT: Aleia Moore, Program Coordinator
Phone 732-846-4462
Website
2. RobertWoodJohnsonHospital
RWJH is an academic medical center providing care across a full range of health care services, including heart transplantation, cancer care, emergency medicine, pediatrics and maternal-fetal medicine.
One Robert Wood Johnson Place
New Brunswick, NJ08903
CONTACT: Volunteer Services
Phone 732-397-8507
Website
Html
3. Saint PetersUniversityHospital
Student Shadow Program: College students who are approved Saint Peter’s volunteers and who are pursuing a major leading to a medical career may be offered an opportunity to accompany doctors as they treat our patients, assisting in minor tasks and learning about various medical specialties.
254 Easton Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ08901
CONTACT: Volunteer Services
Phone 732-745-8573
Website
VolSer/volser.html
4. RobertWoodJohnsonMedicalSchool
AIDS Program
The Division provides subspecialty care in allergy, immunology and infectious diseases for neonates, children, and adolescents in the greater Central New Jersey area.
One Robert Wood Johnson Place
New Brunswick, NJ08903-0019
CONTACT: Margaretanne Murray Reina, Management Assistant
Phone 732-235-8028
OR
*Rosanne Malone*
Phone 732-235-7383
Fax 732-235-7419
Website
5. EricB.ChandlerHealthCenter
The EricB.ChandlerHealthCenter (EBCHC) strives toward excellence in clinical and support service delivery, using a community-oriented approach to family medicine which incorporates the goals of comprehensive managed care practice, ensuring access to vital primary, preventive, and acute care services. The Center is committed to providing patients with services appropriate to each life cycle in a comprehensive, coordinated, and continuous manner.
277 George Street
New Brunswick, NJ08901
Phone 732-235-6700
Website
index.htm
- PhotoVoice New Brunswick:
The Chai Project
Has enabled habitual users of illicit substances in New Brunswick, NJ, to create a photographic, oral and written archive of themselves and their community. The project documents their areas of concern, including their individual and community health as well as drug use and drug policy. The photographs are a means for individual reflection on the meaning of community, race, class and health. They foster dialogue through group discussion, and they provide a way to communicate with policy-makers and the public on drug-related health issues.
CONTACT:Jay Petillo, Executive Director
New Brunswick, NJ 08903
Phone 732-247-7014 x10
Email
Website
news/winter03/index.html
7.Broadway House for Continuing Care
As NJ’s only specialized HIV/AIDS nursing care facility designed to meet the post-acute needs of people living with AIDS, the mission of BHCC is to provide first class residential health care and rehabilitative services to people living with HIV/AIDS. Their primary objective is to assure that every resident realizes his/her greatest potential in an environment that fosters dignity and respect.**TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT**
298 Broadway
Newark, NJ07104
CONTACT: Stacey Norris
Phone 973-268-9797, ext. 1034
Fax 973-268-1314
Website volunteers.htm
- The Interfaith Network of Care
This is a network of volunteers from various congregations, agencies, and the community-at-large, trained to respond personally to the everyday needs of people who are homebound and their caregivers. The mission of INC is to give personal and social support to people coping with chronic conditions, disabilities,
isolation, and other age related disabilities and to help those responsible for their day-to-day well being.
CONTACT:Sue Dowling, Executive Director
Phone 732-247-1655
Website org/ ndex.html
- University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ
The Volunteer Department at UMDNJ is committed to promoting a service-oriented, caring environment, our main goal is to help the patients and staff in a variety of fun and interesting ways.
The Department of Volunteer Services
150 Bergen Street
C-Level – Room C437
Newark, New Jersey
CONTACT: Ms. Deirdre Watley, Manager
Phone 973-972-4064
Website com/volunteer/html/join.htm
10. Allies Inc.
Allies Inc. is an independent non-profit organization helping individuals with disabilities to lead fulfilling lives in the community. Allies serves the needs of people with disabilities and their families. Their purpose is to provide innovative residential, employment and advocacy programs for individuals with disabilities based on their choices and needs.
1262 Whitehorse--Hamilton Square Rd.
Building A, Suite 101
Hamilton, NJ08690
CONTACT: Linda Barton, Community Connector
Phone (609) 689-0136, ext. 142
Website
Phone 732-246-4696
Fax 732-246-0527
11. The Children’s Center
39 Morris Street
New Brunswick, NJ08901
Phone 732-246-4696
12. Middlesex Interfaith Partners with the
Homeless
MIPH increases local services and resources for homeless persons. Initially, MIPH consisted of all volunteers who were represented by local advocates and clergy from the MiddlesexCounty area. MIPH's guiding principal is that their activities be a true and vital partnership with homeless people. They assure homeless people of having their voice be heard in the formulation of MIPH projects and policies, including their substantial representation on their governing bodies.
100 Bayard Street, 2nd Floor
New Brunswick, NJ 089012d08901
CONTACT: Randeu Alston, Assistant Director
Phone 732-729-7770, ext. 106
Website
Central New Jersey13. Cancer Institute of New Jersey
Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
195 Little Albany Street
New Brunswick, NJ08903-0019
Phone #: (732) 235-7898
Fax #: (732) 235-6462
14. Saint Peter's University Hospital
Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
254 Easton Avenue
P.O. Box 591
New Brunswick, NJ 08903-0591
Phone #: (732) 745-6674
Fax #: (732) 828-2354
15. JerseyShoreMedicalCenter
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
1945 Corlies Avenue
Neptune, NJ07753-4896
Phone: (732) 776-4860
Fax: (732) 776-4867
Southern New Jersey
16. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
New Jersey Section of Hematology/Oncology
Specialty Care Center
1012 Laurel Oak Road
Voorhees, NJ08043
Phone: (856) 435-7502
Fax: (856) 627-2183 (office)
(856) 784-3609 (clinical care area)
17. The Francis E. Parker Memorial Home
Has been partnering with CESEP since 1998. They are a long-term care unit and in the near future we will be opening an assisted living. They also have two long-term care Homes located on River Road in Piscataway and the other on Easton Ave in New Brunswick.
CONTACT: Barbara Golias, Volunteer Coordinator
Phone 732-545-8330
18. SpanishCommunity Center
They do a lot of health-related programming.
CONTACT: Arlene Munoz, Executive Director
303 Sumner St., P.O. Box 61
Landisville, NJ08326
Phone 856-697-2967
19. **NEW SITE**
The Martin and Edith Stein Hospice
380 DeMott Lane
Somerset, New Jersey08873
CONTACT: Sara Culang
Phone 732-568-9150
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