The Partnership for Community Awareness and Health Education (PCAHE) is a multi-level, systematic approach to garnering support from all segments of the community. PCAHE is premised on respect for the knowledge and expertise community residents bring to the table to solve problems. It is doing “with” and not doing “to” the community. Effective community partnership presupposes that “local people are best able to solve local problems and that they will support what they help create.” In this effort, PCAHE has organized a very comprehensive committee structure representing all sectors of the community. These efforts are guided by the Community Partnership Steering Committee and Subgroup committees to ensure that input is received from a broad range of community representatives including health care providers, health departments, political and elected officials, religious denominations, educational institutions, media and communications, business and industry, community leaders, nonprofit and charitable organizations. The committee structure and composition is constantly evolving as we attempt to mobilize residents in Hinds, Madison and Rankin counties in support of the Jackson Heart Study.
The goal of PCAHE is to create an environment of trust and long-term support of JHS by:
(1) providing opportunities for substantive community involvement in all phases of the study's development and implementation;
(2) conducting health promotion/education activities; and
(3) linking participants to needed services.
The objectives are to:
(1) receive and consider input from the community regarding the development of PCAHE and overall JHS activities;
(2) disseminate information on the design and operation of JHS internally and externally;
(3) provide technical assistance to other JHS units;
(4) create a positive image for JHS;
(5) establish and maintain ties with relevant Community groups;
(6) provide education on healthy living, cardiovascular disease and other health related topics;
(7) establish a JHS volunteer organization.