Advancing Womens Health Ma-Chis Lower Creek

Indigenous people have limited access to healthcare and may not be aware of how they can extend and improve their lives by incorporating certain lifestyle changes. Within Coffee County, this population is an underserved minority and is not recognized as a population that may have unique health concerns. While indigenous people are not recognized as a substantially significant minority group according to the Alabama Department of Health, in Coffee County alone, they may represent from 700-3000 people who do not have access to vital health information. The statistics available group conditions racially based on "White" or "Black and Other." Heart disease and diabetes represent major causes of death that are rampant in the indigenous communities.  They are known to have modifiable risks and thus may be preventable through education.

Since an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The solution to improving the health of the indigenous population of Coffee County will lie in providing education regarding major health concerns and how to reduce their risk factors. Seminars will be held on a quarterly basis provided by board certified physicians and nurses in the area who have a strong desire to improve the health of this population due to their own experiences with racial disparities. Powerpoint presentations along with healthy meals  and general health screenings will be provided. Various demonstrations can take place including cooking demonstrations, making healthy food choices, and exercise for heart health. 

The indigenous populations suffer from heart disease  and diabetes. These diseases result in limited lifespan. They are particularly underserved as they are not recognized as a separate minority population in Coffee County and therefore do not receive the information that may be pertinent to improving their health. By targeting this population and providing the information that will improve their health in a culturally sensitive manner, we can ensure a wider dissemination of the information that will hopefully reach those in greatest need.

The target population is the indigenous communities in Coffee County, Covington County, and Dale County Alabama.  As minority physicians and nurses in the area, we are aware of the health needs of this population and are willing to invite them to attend the health seminars given in New Brockton, AL. The seminars will be engaging and participatory. Various activities may range from Powerpoint presentations to general health screenings to cooking demonstrations, or even fitness classes.  The topics to be addressed may include heart health, prenatal planning, feminine pelvic health, and cancer prevention.

The team are themselves part of the indigenous community within Coffee County and include physicians, nurses, and educators with multi ethnic backgrounds of Black, Asian, and Native Americans.  In order to assess the needs of the community, we are extrapolating the data from the nation as a whole and applying this data to the community within Alabama. We are keenly aware of the racial disparities present in our healthcare systems and strive to narrow this gap through education and health promotion. We are also attempting to develop a site that can be the designated center for dissemination of this information i.e. an event center in which these presentations can be held.  The creation of this event center Ms. Ophelia's Haven is supported by the New Brockton city council.  

Barriers that must be overcome include technical, financial, and legal barriers. In order to construct and remodel in a sustainable and feasible manner, we would like to align with experts with expertise in architecture and construction, who can advise how to retain the historical significance while decreasing the carbon footprint.  We will need assistance with the legal and financial structures for supporting this business for future generations. In addition, we would like to be considered for possible grants that would support energy solutions, remodeling of historic buildings, and promotions of health solutions amongst indigenous people.

Myron Williams went to school in New Brockton, AL and has lived in the community for more than 50 years.  He continues to operate his business in the area and in obtaining the building at 121 West McKinnon St, New Brockton, AL, he hopes to restore the building to an elegance that will be befitting of the historical value.

As a physician, my wife has made me keenly aware of the racially disparities that she has seen in healthcare including the lack of prescriptions for viral illnesses such as what was recently seen with COVID.  While medicine involves not only the administration of medications and procedures, an important component of healthcare is education. Our approach is not only to feed people good and healthy food, but to teach them how to maintain good health.  As the seminars achieve more interest, we may increase the frequency as well as partner with other organizations that hold similar interests.  This would help indigenous people and minorities to feel valued in this community.

In refurbishing a historical building, we plan to create a center of excellence that is sustainable and and has a limited carbon footprint. The event venue Ms. Ophelia's Haven will promote the indigenous ancestors as well as provide a center for valuable health information for indigenous people encouraging healthy lifestyle changes.  

Within the next 1-2 years, the construction and remodeling will be completed. The next 5 years will encompass marketing through social media and other marketing platforms.  The team consists of multi-ethnic persons with varying backgrounds dedicated to teaching, nurturing, and providing health information that is culturally relevant.

Progress will be measured by increasing numbers of participants and by networking with other providers to increase awareness of the needs of this community. Encourage the health department to differentiate the races in a more accurate way. 

By increasing awareness of the problem and the availability of resources, we will directly impact the indigenous community incentivizing changes that will improve their health as well as possibly extend their life. In addition, we will raise awareness of the need amongst the healthcare community and network with other providers to provide additional health education seminars.

Energy efficient solutions will be utilized in order to reduce the carbon footprint. 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity

Ms. Ophelia's Haven has multiple persons that are of indigenous backgrounds and other minorities with an interest in promoting improved health and well being amongst the indigenous people in the community. It is well known that health care disparities exist so in bringing these topics of interest directly to the people that will be served, we hope to improve health through education, promotion, and direct care.

The business model is an event center Ms. Ophelia's Haven in New Brockton, Alabama, which will include a commercial kitchen and will serve as the commercial space for Grillfathers BBQ & Catering, LLC as well as usable space for rent for various events such as weddings, parties, graduations, and for the use of health promotion seminars as noted in this business plan.  There are no adequate event centers in the New Brockton township and new businesses such as Ben E. Keith and the truck stops along US Highway 84 will bring an influx of potential customers.  Grillfathers BBQ & Catering will expand its services with the creation of the commercial kitchen and the event center providing not only services through the event center but also monthly brunches there.  Ms. Ophelia's Haven will represent a historic site named after an indigenous woman. It will serve the city of New Brockton as the center for weddings, hail and farewells, graduations, and other events of interest.

Money to fund improvements will occur through grants, private loans, and investment capital.

Grillfathers BBQ & Catering is committed to producing meals that will raise capital towards its expansion. In addition, the owners will apply for private loans to assist with  the construction and remodeling of the event center Ms. Ophelia'a Haven.  Grants will also be applied for to assist with the creation of this center which will be utilized not only for the benefit of a business owned by indigenous people but also to promote improved health of indigenous people through health seminars and regular health screenings.