African American Community Health Advisory Committee

The African-American Community Health Advisory Committee is a community partnership with Mills-Peninsula Health Services. For more information about the African-American Community Health Advisory Committee, visit www.aachac.org.

Mission:
The African-American Community Health Advisory Committee, made up primarily of residents of San Mateo County, is dedicated to addressing issues impacting our community's health.

"We're going to church to reach out for a healthier community." said Rev. Desmond Henry. Therefore, it is our mission to create an awareness of the major health concerns and issues affecting African-Americans, and to actively seek and promote a more healthful lifestyle. We accomplish this by being advocates for health education, increased access to health resources and support for the individual.

Goals:
Identify health issues that disproportionately affect the African-American community, including:

  • Breast and prostate cancer
  • Sickle Cell Anemia
  • Cardiovascular disease (stroke, hypertension)
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Diabetes

    Raise awareness of selected health issues by focusing on a single disease or issue each month.

    The committee will provide: Guest speakers for churches, service groups, etc.; Brochures and articles for distribution; Health education clinics and informational programs.

    Make available appropriate educational materials for identified health concerns, by: identifying, screening and developing educational materials; urging ministers and other organization leaders to designate health education coordinators to facilitate information exchange; developing a resource directory of materials; supporting resource tables at churches, community centers and other venues; developing video and speaker resources for community outreach.

    Membership on the African-American Community Health Advisory Committee provides a number of advantages to you and your church or community organization. You will have access to:
  • Group health screenings;
  • Invitations to special events including the annual Prostate and Breast Cancer Awareness programs.
  • Access to educational materials about health issues that disproportionately affect African-Americans. These materials include fact sheets designed specifically for San Mateo County listing local resources, binders of resource materials and display racks.
  • Input and access to a website that is gaining attention beyond the borders of San Mateo County.
  • The opportunity to meet and work with some of the most dynamic leaders in our community on some of the most important issues we face.
  • As community service partners, we also are a resource to the Mills-Peninsula governing board and staff advising on issues ranging from recruiting African-American employees to community health promotion.

    Member churches include:
  • Greater Calvary Hill Baptist, Daly City
  • Macedonia Baptist, Palo Alto
  • Jerusalem Baptist, Palo Alto
  • Mt. Zion, Redwood City
  • Pilgrim Baptist, San Mateo
  • Second Baptist, San Mateo
  • Westside Church of Christ, San Mateo
  • St. James AME, San Mateo
  • Trinity Baptist, San Mateo

    For information, call 650-696-4678 or Email: grbrown@ucdavis.edu