Advocating for Community Wellness
Submitted by Parent Leader Danielle Holcomb
During my community wellness ambassadors meeting with the Kansas City, Missouri Health Department, I heard that my zip code, 64130, has the highest number of known HIV cases of 155 cases reported across Kansas City. At that moment, I knew I needed to do something to bring awareness to my neighborhood.
Community members and vendors at the HIV and STD awareness and detection health fair hosted by the KC Health Dept and organized by parent leader Danielle Holcomb.
I reached out to Kansas City Public Library Southeast Branch manager Monica and she welcomed the idea with open arms! Through word of mouth, other departments within the KCMO Health Department heard about my initiative and they wanted to be a part of the STD and HIV awareness and detection health fair. To prepare for the event, I did three tablings at the Southeast Branch of the Kansas City Public Library to engage people in my zip code by making them aware of the high number and the opportunity to get free STD and HIV testing at the health fair.
After almost 14 hours spent engaging the community and promoting the health fair, it turned out to be a great event and was well received by the community. In total 11 people got tested for STDs and HIV but even more people stopped by and got the information they could take back into their homes and share. Some organizations that came to share information at the fair include:
Healthy Homes Rental inspection program. Their representatives shared with visitors about their services to protect the public health and safety of rental properties and help renters to make sure buildings meet minimum safety standards. The Lead Department was also there and they tested children and then shared information about their Lead Safe KC program. This program offers to address lead problems for free to homeowners and renters that qualify.
Most attendees were unaware of the services available to them so to get that much information out to them was much needed and I hope that when they spread the word we will be able to get the number of STD and HIV breakouts under control in this area. I plan to continue to get the word out about STD and HIV testing and education as cases are on the rise in KC. Next month, I will have an HIV prevention table for the KCHD where I will hand out free sex kits and share details about the free in-home 20 min mouth swab HIV test and the PREP Pill.
One of the great things about this event was receiving the support of two former PLTI KC cohort members! Both Tiffany Price from Cohort 1 and Dacia Martin from Cohort 4 came to the fair and it was such a nice surprise to have their support. I look forward to seeing what's next!
