Men’s Health 2012

County ShowdownThe County Showdown returned for asecond year due to 2011’s

overwhelming success statewide.Each area administrator was asked toselect men’s health representatives,who would have the task of developingmen’s health awareness events incounties throughout their designatedarea. All area coordinators wereprovided with men’s health tool kits,which included nutrition and preventivecare educational material along withmen's health gear to distribute duringtheir events. Yet again, area andcounty coordinators went over andbeyond the call of duty by organizingseveral health fairs, free healthscreenings, and meetings with localgovernment officials.

Area 1Health department employees throughoutArea 1 showed their support for men’s

health with “Go Blue for Men's Health”

month. All employees were asked to wearBlue on Fridays in support of men's healthissues. In conjunction with the Helen KellerHospital Wellness Center, a Men's HealthSeminar Day was held at the Colbert CountyHealth Department auditorium. Vendorspassed out educational information aboutliving healthier lives and classes on men'shealth issues were held throughout the day.This was an excellent opportunity for menand women to obtain information and takeadvantage of free wellness screenings, suchas a full EKG, BMI testing, hearing tests,glucose, and others. After the seminar, therewere drawings for door prizes such asbaskets of goods and free teeth whitening.Health department employees were joinedby members of the community who saw theevent advertised in a local newspaper.

Area 8In efforts to educate the public and raiseawareness of the important issuessurrounding men’s health, the Area 8 SocialWork Division conducted a Men’s HealthFair on June 28, 2012. The event was titledMen’s Health Day and was held at theMontgomery County Health Department inefforts to reach the largest number ofparticipants possible. Prior to the event, apromotional flyer was developed anddistributed to businesses in MontgomeryCounty as well as the surrounding counties.The focus of Men’s Health Day was toprovide a comprehensive coverage of men’s

health topics and education. In addition tothis, an assortment of healthy refreshmentswas provided to participants along with alarge selection of door prizes. At the end ofthe day, this initiative was viewed as asuccess with more than 68 people inattendance.

Area 9 Administrative Office Blue ribbons were provided to everyemployee in Area 9 to wear during themonth of June to promote men'shealth. Employees also participated in"Wear Blue Day" and county websiteswere used to promote men's health.On Friday, June 22, employees at thearea office enjoyed a salad barluncheon to promote men's health. Atotal of 14 area staff employees werein attendance. The highlight of theluncheon was a presentation on men'shealth from intern Claire King, anAuburn University student majoring innutrition. With the assistance ofNancy Johnson, PHA 9 NutritionDirector, Claire created a presentationon Men's Health and Nutrition.

Area 10On June 27, 2012, the HoustonCounty Health Department and Area10 employees hosted a HIV NationalTesting Day and men’s health event inDothan, Alabama. This event washeld at the Alfred Saliba FamilyServices Center. During the event,attendees were given the opportunityto collect educational material onhealthier living. Attendees also hadthe opportunity to participate in healthscreenings for high blood pressure,Syphilis, and HIV. Employees ofHouston County Health Departmentalso showed their support for Men’s

Health Month by wearing blue ribbonson June 29, 2012.

Baldwin County

The Baldwin County HealthDepartment created a trifold posterwith information raising awareness formen's health. The trifold poster wasdisplayed in the health department inRobertsdale. An electronic messagepromoting Men's Health Month wasalso displayed outside of the countyhealth department.

Butler CountyOver 135 men took advantage of the"free" prostate cancer screening clinicand men’s health educational materialprovided by Urology Centers ofAlabama at the Butler County HealthDepartment on June 9, 2012. TheButler County Health Department alsoset up a booth at the local movietheater. Every man who visited thebooth was provided an entry form towin one of the donated prize packs.Patrons were also randomly providedT-shirts. The men’s health booth wasalso set up at the City of Greenville's5K Fun Run. Articles regarding men'shealth were placed in the localnewspapers. Local radio stations alsoprovided information regarding men'shealth.

Clarke County• Staff from the Clarke County Health Department participated in a health

fair in Clarke County on June 1 to promote men's health.• A message was placed on the electronic message sign promoting Men's

Health Month.• Staff participated in the department's "Wear Blue Day."

Conecuh County • Staff participated in "Wear Blue Day."• A message was placed on the electronic message sign

promoting Men's Health Month.

Covington County• Public service announcements were run on

WFXX 107.7 and WAAO 103.7.• Men's health information was placed on the

Covington County Health Department electronic message sign.

• The Covington County Health Department created a men's health bulletin board.

• Men's Health information was distributed to local gyms (Lurleen B Wallace Community College, USA Gym in Opp and Andalusia, Andalusia Health and Fitness, MizellWellness Center).

• Staff participated in the department's "Wear Blue Day."

• Food tray liners promoting men's health were used at Andalusia and Mizell Hospitals during the month of June.

DeKalb CountyHealth department employees in DeKalb Countyparticipated in a health fair at one of the largestemployers in the area. They were able to pass outeducational information and speak with about 100-150 people at this event. A men’s health informationtable was set up in the lobby of the DeKalb CountyHealth Department. June 29 was also designated as“Best in Blue Day in DeKalb.”

Escambia CountyThe Escambia County Health Department partneredwith the Coalition for a Healthier Escambia Countyto conduct a Men's Health Symposium in EscambiaCounty. The symposium was held on June 21 atD.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton and wasadvertised in three county newspapers. Themessage of the symposium was to view men'shealth from a three pronged approach - MedicalPrevention, Exercise, and Nutrition. Over 60 peoplewere in attendance with the majority being men. Ahealthy lunch was provided and the event was ahuge success. Many of the men in attendancehave contacted us since the summit and asked ifwe can do it again next year. Our plan now is tomake this an annual event in Escambia County.The Escambia County Health Department partneredwith the Brewton Babe Ruth League and the AtmoreBabe Ruth League for a "Men's Health PromotionNight." Over 140 players, coaches, and umpireswere provided blue ribbons to wear. Employeeswith the Escambia County Health Departmentdistributed men's health information to all of the fansin attendance. The Babe Ruth players continued towear the blue ribbons on their caps even after theevent was over. The Escambia CountyCommission signed a proclamation proclaiming themonth of June as Men's Health Month in EscambiaCounty.

Monroe County• Participated in the department's "Wear Blue Day."• Men's health information was placed on the Monroe County Health

Department electronic message sign.• Bulletin inserts pertaining to men's health were provided to area churches

to place in their Sunday bulletins throughout the month of June.• A presentation on men's health was made to the Southwest Alabama AIDS

Prevention Network Group. • A men's health display was set up at the health department during the

month of June.

Washington County• The Washington County Health Department created a men's

health bulletin board inside the health department.• Men's health articles were run in the local newspaper.