Health Education and Wellness
Satellite Office
1628 S. Main
(918) 382-1281
IHCRC welcomes Stephen Eberle as the Community Food and Garden Coordinator.
Read about it in the Summer issue of IHCRC's Health Spirit newsletter.Food for Life
The problem: In its December 2007 report, the Oklahoma Task Force on Hunger found that Oklahoma is one of the hungriest states in America. Over the past ten years, the percentage of the state's population classified as food insecure rose from 13.1 percent to 14.6 percent; the percentage of our state population experiencing hunger, classified as experiencing very low food security, rose from 4.2 percent to 5.3 percent. On both measures, Oklahoma ranks as one of the five worst states in the country. The threat of hunger is especially prevalent among children, as more than one in every five Oklahoma children lives in a food insecure household. Due to their special needs, Oklahoma seniors and disabled individuals are also at high risk of hunger.
Oklahomans face many challenges in terms of household income, current health trends, and access to healthy foods. Oklahoma's food insecurity, is linked to our state's high poverty rate and to our state's obesity epidemic. Nearly one in six Oklahoma families are living in poverty at 15.9 percent. The poverty level in 2007 is $20,650 for a family of four. The lack of financial resources for adequate food budgets makes it difficult for families to obtain nutritious food on a consistent basis, leading to unhealthy eating patterns and poor dietary habits. Among Oklahoma households living below the poverty line, 36.3% are classified as food insecure and 14.8% experience hunger; and in households with income at or below 185% of the federal poverty line, 27.3% are classified as food insecure and 10.7% experience hunger. Read more: Food for Life
The Health and Wellness Department at Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa (IHCRC) enjoys providing different activities throughout the year to Native American youth and their families. Various afterschool activities provide opportunities for kids to exercise and learn about good nutrition. There is at least one activity happening every week of the month. Every Tuesday, except for the last Tuesday of the month, kids can join dietitians Jasmyn Walker and Alison Forsythe for Group Exercise. There are various activities from 4:00 pm to 4:45 pm, such as aerobics, the Wii, ping pong, Frisbee and trail walks that kids love to do to get their hearts pumping. The final Tuesday of the month, from 4:00 pm to 4:45 pm, is when dietitians teach about the food pyramid while making fun and easy snacks. You can enjoy eating your creations and take along the recipes to try making healthy snacks at home. Read more in the IHCRC Healthy Spirit February-March 2009.
The Health Education and Wellness Department supports Native Americans in their efforts to adopt healthy lifestyles. The staff assists clients to better understand the nature of disease and how healthy lifestyles and behaviors can reduce disease risks and injuries, as well as the need for acute medical care. Other wellness programs support effective chronic disease management. An integrated approach to preventive care encompasses all services offered.
HEALTHY Training: Harnessing Experiential and Active Learning for Today's Healthy Youth
Indian Health Care Resource Center's Health Education and Wellness Department hosted its first "H.E.A.L.T.H.Y" training August 21, 2008. "HEALTHY" is an acronym for Harnessing Experiential and Active Learning for Today's Healthy Youth. Held at the Tulsa Public Schools Fulton training academy, the all-dat training workshop was attended by 25 participants from 15 different tribes and organizations in Oklahoma and Kansas.
The training focused on innovative ways to teach healthy lifestyle concepts to youth. Topics included diabetes prevention, tobacco prevention, nutrition, fitness, and Traditional Indian games. Participants learned how to teach these concepts through physically active games and problem solving activities. Traditional Indian games were a special cultural feature that brought out a very competitive spirit in the participants. Carrie Taylor of "The Experience" was a special guest speaker, addressing how to develop many new activities through different teaching applications. IHCRC teaching staff included the youth activity program staff, including Duane Meadows, Kerri Cochran, Kevin Heeney, Clayton Tselee, Jennie Howard, Courtney Clymer, Alison Arrington, Jasmyn Gee and Nancy O'Banion. See pictures from this event.
Smoking Cessation Class
Are you a smoker? Need the help and support to quit? Beginning January 9, the Health and Wellness Department of IHCRC will be offering a six-week smoking cessation class. Classes will be held at IHCRC's satellite office located at 1630 S. Main from 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM. For more information please contact Clayton Tselee at (918) 588-1900 ex. 2244. This smoking cessation program tailored to the needs of Native American people. All ages participate in cessation programs, including youth, pregnant women, adults and elders. Native American families become healthier by reducing the exposure of babies, children and youth to second-hand smoke in the home and community, and by reducing the number of nicotine-related illnesses among elders and adults.
Traditional Ties Tobacco Cessation Program
(918) 588-1900, extension 2244
Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
Health education helps clients make lifestyle changes to control their diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The primary prevention programs provide education and nutritional counseling to persons at risk for these diseases. Secondary prevention activities include identification and screening of high-risk individuals and provision of medications to prevent complications.
