Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
he Winnebago Comprehensive Healthcare System’s (WCHS) Public Health Department (WPHD) will build on its work to prevent unintentional injury in its Winnebago Tribal community service area (Winnebago Tribal Reservation and surrounding Native residents). A focus on preventing falls among community elders is combined with motor vehicle safety efforts that work to increase correct car seat/child carrier usage and to encourage seat belt usage. Elders’ (defined, for purposes of this project, as 55 years of age or older) fall prevention will incorporate physical activity exercise classes, to include Tai Chi, a discipline that encourages balance, and basic strength activities. In addition, home safety assessments will identify areas of improvement and physical modifications. Safety devices such as raised toilet seats, grab bars, shower chairs, night lights, and safety mats will be supplied and installed in those houses where these safety improvements are deemed useful in preventing falls. Suggestions that address better lighting, less cords, and other potential hazards mitigation will be incorporated into the home safety assessments. In addition, pharmaceutical reviews will help ensure elders’ medication regimens are as safe as possible. Motor vehicle safety will be enhanced with active community monitoring of child carrier usage. Both actual usage and correct/best practice use will be promoted through education, intervention, age-appropriate car seat distribution, and monitoring. These strategies will be incorporated into a check list utilized at routine and ad hoc law enforcement vehicular check points. Correct seat belt usage will also be encouraged through similar community education interventions. The community interventions – for both Elders fall prevention and child carrier safety/seat belt usage - include participation at special events such as health fairs, ad hoc community events, activities at the Winnebago Whirling Thunder Wellness Center, and presentations at the Winnebago Senior Center and at the Winnebago Head Start site, as well as presentations at law enforcement meetings and other community gatherings. Information dissemination as well as best practice demonstrations will be deliverables at these events. Safety practices will be promulgated at those events with brochures and other printed materials. Other message will include posters distributed throughout the community, social media messaging, columns and advertisements in the Winnebago Indian News community newspaper, and even commercial and public radio underwriting. Collaborating participants will be recruited, facilitated, encouraged, and productively utilized in support of unintentional injury prevention. Coordination of participant efforts will be one of the responsibilities of a TIPCAP-funded Injury Prevention (IP) Coordinator in an effort to leverage community efforts. Tai Chi instructors and other Physical Fitness Specialists; Child Passenger Safety Technicians and Law Enforcement personnel; Winnebago Senior Center and Winnebago Educare (Head Start) staff; Community Health Representatives, Winnebago Public Health Department clinic and pharmacy staff will all work with the IP Coordinator to leverage safety efforts. The Injury Prevention Coordinator and other community partners will engage the entire community to become safety stewards that all work together to reduce unintentional injuries in the Winnebago region.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
