Life and death in Philadelphia's black belt: a tale of an urban tuberculosis campaign, 1900-1930.
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The poor health status of black Americans was a widely recognized fact during the first third of the twentieth century. Excess mortality in black communities was frequently linked to the infectious disease tuberculosis, which was particularly menacing in densely populated urban settings. As health authorities in large cities struggled to keep pace with the needs of citizens, private charities worked to launch community-oriented attacks against the deadly disease. In 1914 a novel experiment to address excess mortality among blacks was launched in Philadelphia. The success of the health promotion campaign initiated by the Henry Phipps Institute and the Whittier Centre, two private charitable associations, has been attributed primarily to the presence of black clinicians, in particular public health nurse Elizabeth Tyler. This study suggests that community health efforts also rest on partnerships between like-minded organizations and coalition building. (+info)
Healthy action against poverty: a descriptive analysis of food redistribution charity clients in Berlin, Germany.
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BACKGROUND: The socio-economic gap and its associated health inequalities are increasing in Germany. Actions against poverty include the redistribution of foods through charities. One project supported by the main German food redistribution charity is offering fresh produce including mostly fruits, vegetables and bread to people receiving welfare in Berlin, Germany. METHODS: Through retrospective analysis of monthly visits (from January 2006 to June 2010) data from 45 surplus food redistribution points was examined. Clients' health status and health behaviour were examined using self-report questionnaires. RESULTS: On average, 10,485 people visited the 45 food redistribution points weekly. A monthly increase of approximately 900 additional clients per week over all distribution points could be observed since 2006. The percentage of retirees (28.2%), single parents (20.6%) and families with children (29.5%) was high. The results of the self-report questionnaires (n=101) revealed a sample population with a high percentage of smokers (59.4%) and moderate to heavy alcohol consumers (58.8%). Buying additional fruits and vegetables to those received through distribution points and eating breakfast regularly was associated with significantly better self- rated health status. CONCLUSION: Especially, vulnerable groups appear to supplement their diet with fresh produce from food redistribution points. The health status of the sample population is somewhat different from the German population with more unhealthy behavioural patterns. Future research is necessary to further investigate this impoverished population with increased health risks. (+info)
Expanding the safety net of specialty care for the uninsured: a case study.
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