In 2005, an innovative project hit the streets of Harlem. Its aim: teaching children how to recognize a stroke; its tactic: hip hop. Now in it’s eighth year, Hip Hop Public Health is a case study in the creative approaches needed to make a difference in the lives of Americans who have long been underserved by traditional health messaging.
Hip Hop Public Heath is the brainchild of Olajide Williams, who today serves as the Chief of Staff of Neurology at New York’s Columbia University. In addition to his continuing role as President of the organization he created nearly a decade ago. The initial success of the Hip Hop Public Health has blossomed into an effective multimedia public health strategy recognized by the White House and communities nationwide.
Williams’ initial idea was simple: bring various rappers, beat boxers, and pop artists into underrepresented schools with the intention of teaching kids about pressing health issues. In an era of rapidly changing pop culture—and with a recognition that children learn best through tools that are familiar to them—Hip Hop Public Health kicked off with Hip Hop S.T.R.O.K.E., a multimedia program with rapping and animated videos, grounding in messaging that teaches children about the signs of a stroke and how they can save the life of someone experiencing one. Their stroke program was a success in that children who had attended the program were demonstrably saving the lives of family members due to knowledge learned through Hip Hop S.T.R.O.K.E.
In the wake of such positive results from the initial pilot program, Hip Hop Public Health has expanded by adding four additional programs, each having catchy lyrics, visually stimulating videos, targeted messaging, and a definite “cool factor.” These other programs seek to address obesity, healthy eating, Alzheimer’s, and exercise. The organization now collaborates with the Partnership for a Healthier America, one of Michelle Obama’s core causes as a First Lady and attracts collaborators such as Run DMC, Doug E. Fresh and Matisyahu.
Hip Hop Public Health now consists of five distinct programs reaching 12,000 school children in New York City alone. In comparison to other public health initiatives, a goal of the program is that those 12,000 students will in turn tell friends and family members critical points that can save and enrich lives within previously underserved communities. The organization’s newest project, an album titled "Songs for a Healthier America,” was released in September.
No comments:
Post a Comment