Health
Creating awareness and action for proactive health
The core goal of IBE’s health program is to increase public awareness of health issues that disproportionately affect minorities, including chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, and cancer. Through educational campaigns and events, IBE strives to positively impact the health and well-being of the Indiana community by providing access to preventive and basic health care information as well as vital resources.
Health Screenings
Black & Minority Health Fair
IBE’s annual Summer Celebration provides the setting for the world’s most expansive health screening event targeting African Americans and minorities. The Black & Minority Health Fair is staged by the Indiana State Department of Health in IBE’s exhibition hall. Thousands of individuals, many of whom are elderly and/or indigent, have access to more than $2,000 in screenings and examinations at no cost. Demonstrations, presentations, an interactive stage and distribution of information are also features of this important highlight of every summer.
Cherish Your Mind: Understanding the Importance of Brain Health is an annual educational series, which includes two Mental Health Symposiums, the “Our Mind Matters” exhibition inside the Black and Minority Health Fair, and the “Cherish Your Mind” public awareness campaign designed to educate the Black community in Indianapolis on mental/brain health and wellness. The program seeks to annually serve participants, including individuals suffering from mental illness or diseases, caregivers, relatives, student-athletes, coaches, organizations providing support, and policymakers via its Mental Health Symposiums, Our Minds Matter exhibit and through our public awareness campaign.
The goals of the program are to:
- Educate the community, particularly caregivers on mental/brain health, including the importance of brain health and prevention strategies to reduce the risk of mental health issues and neurological conditions;
- Educate caregivers about community resources and support services available to individuals with mental health or neurological conditions and to facilitate connections between them and these resources to enhance their ability to seek support and access healthcare; and
- Reduce internal & public stigma of mental/brain conditions or illnesses.
Rev Charles Williams Prostate Cancer Mobile Unit
The Reverend Charles Williams Prostate Cancer Mobile Unit provides men with both digital rectal examinations and PSA screenings. The unit is administered by the Marion County Health Department and travels the state. It is sought after by numerous organizations, churches and schools across the state. Thousands of men have benefitted from the testing.
Health Campaigns
Statewide Anti-tobacco Initiative
The focus of IBE’s anti-tobacco program is to educate the public on the dangers of tobacco use and the perils of second-hand smoke. IBE efforts in part vie to show how tobacco products are targeted and marketed to young people – particularly in the black and brown communities. IBE partners with Smoke-Free and Tobacco-Free Indy to urge school systems, businesses, multi-housing units, clinics and organizations throughout the state to adopt smoke-free policies. Tobacco users who are ready to quit can obtain coaching and resources from 1-800-QUIT-NOW. Web-based and text coaching is also available to youth and pregnant women.