Wayne State University

Aim Higher

Community Engagement Core (CEC)

Community Outreach

Community outreach focuses on partnering with Detroit metropolitan area communities to address their environmental health concerns. The Community Engagement Core (CEC) offers a weekly Health Education for Longevity and Prevention (H.E.L.P.) Clinic, monthly educational programs, and educational materials and presentations about environmental health at no cost to community groups.

 Creative Dance Intervention 

 Impact of Air Pollution on Asthma

 Student Driven Environmental Stewardship

  Latent Health Effects of Lead Poisoning

  Healthy Homes = Healthy Kids Program Fact Sheets and Poster

  Lead Poisoning

  Eat Safe Fish in Detroit

  Extreme Heat

  Safe Urban Gardens

  Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Action Model

  Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Healthfinder 

 

 

Creative Dance Intervention (Return to Top)

Early life exposures to lead have a negative impact on a child's behavior, attention span, and overall learning ability. In a study done by Detroit Public Schools and the Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, elevated blood lead levels positively correlated with poor academic performance throughout the city of Detroit. This Creative Dance Intervention program is based on the school's Science, Mathematics and English curriculum; it is designed to reinforce classroom concepts while increasing the memory and cognitive ability of second and third grade children who have a previous history of lead poisoning. If successful, this will be one of the only interventions available to these children. Funded by: the WSU Office of the Vice President for Research. 

Impact on Air Pollution on Asthma (Return to Top) 

This project will determine the impact of air pollution on allergic asthma in young and elderly Arab Americans.  It is thought that individuals with allergies are particularly susceptible to asthma attacks when exposed to particulates found in air pollution.  Culturally sensitive strategies for reducing exposure to particulates and allergens will be developed with the community as an outcome of the study. Funded by: the University Research Corridor.

Student Driven Environmental Stewardship (Return to Top) 

Middle and high school teachers and their students are collaboratively engaging in identifying Environmental Justice issues around their schools. Teachers are having their students map point sources of pollution or areas of environmental concern in their community. Guided by their teachers, students will work collectively to present these issues at city board meetings and to interested community based organizations. The students hope to make an impact on local policy that will, in effect, have a positive outcome on their health and environment. Funded by: the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

 

Latent Health Effects of Lead Poisoning (Return to Top) 

This study will determine if children with elevated blood levels also display changes in their DNA; potentially indicating susceptibility to diseases that could be evident later in life. These late onset diseases include: heart disease; Parkinson's disease; and diabetes. If lead exposure is proven to contribute to adult diseases, members of the community will assist in identifying measures that could prevent or reverse these changes early in life, and thereby decrease disease susceptibility. Funded by: the WSU Office of the Vice President for Research and Henry Ford Health System.  

Additional Resources

Please download the additional resources below and let us know if you have any questions or comments.

Healthy Homes = Healthy Kids Program Fact Sheets and Poster (Return to Top)

The following are handouts on topics ranging from food safety to pest control health issues. The fact sheets cover specific areas of indoor environmental hazard concerns that affect children six years of age and younger.

Lead Poisoning (Return to Top)

  • The 3 Bucket Method for Cleaning Around Lead Painted Surfaces   Download
  • Citywide Lead Hazard Reduction Program Brochure   Download
  • Child-Help Lead Hazard Reduction Program Brochure   Download

Eat Safe Fish in Detroit (Return to Top)

  • Fish Advisory Brochure   Download
  • Eating Fish from Detroit River Poster   Download
  • Best Spots for Catfish in the Detroit Area   Download
  • Fish Cookbook Recipe Submission Poster   Download

Extreme Heat (Return to Top)

  • Michigan Department of Community Health – Keeping Your Cool When it’s Hot Outside   Download

Safe Urban Gardens (Return to Top)

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Action Model (Return to Top) 

Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Healthfinder (Return to Top) 

 

 

 (Return to Top)http://odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov/ http://odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov/ http://odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov/ http://odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov/ Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP).