Recognizing that the successful futures of Case Western Reserve University, the City of Cleveland, and the County of Cuyahoga are integrally related, the Center for Science, Health and Society (CSHS) was created in 2002 to focus the efforts of the University and the city in a significant new collaboration to impact the areas of health and healthcare delivery systems through community outreach, education, and health policy. The Center, based in the School of Medicine, with university wide associations is engaging the many strengths of the University and the community to:
- Improve the health of the community
- Educate and empower the community to become better consumers of healthcare and more informed and stronger advocates for healthcare policy and legislation in their own interests
- Encourage members of the community to enter careers in the biomedical workforce and healthcare professions
The Center has engaged the community at the level of the individual and the neighborhood, in public and private schools, at civic and faith-based organizations, and at the level of governmental agencies and community leadership to identify community problems, perceptions, assets and resources; advise the community of faculty skills, assets and expertise; and community service based scholarship that benefits community interests and promotes mutual enhancement.
CSHS Programs & Initiatives
SCIENTIFIC AND ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS[top]
The Center for Science, Health & Society is coordinating the
CWRU SOM role in partnership with the Cleveland
Municipal School District (CMSD) , and Hathaway
Brown (HB) School , a private, suburban preparatory school for
girls to establish the Scientific Enrichment and Opportunity (SEO)
Program. This initiative brings the considerable faculty talent and
resources of the SOM to bear on the CMSD through 1) the transfer
of HB's Student Research Program (SRP) to students of both genders
in the CMSD who demonstrate promise and interest in science, and
2) the implementation of teacher workshops run by SOM faculty designed
to enhance teacher practices, generate student enthusiasm for science,
and serve as a reinforcement and recruiting mechanism for the student
research portion of the SEO Program.
The student research component of the SEO Program is specifically
designed to bring students from the CMSD – the largest and
one of the most economically challenged school districts in Ohio – in
contact with faculty at the SOM to engage in longitudinal research
projects under faculty tutelage during the summer after students'
10th and 11th grade years, as well as during the 11th grade school
year. This research experience is intended to enhance student interests
in the biomedical sciences, provide them with unparalleled professional
experience in the sciences, and bring them into contact with the
SOM's faculty for both academic and career mentoring. In addition,
since the CMSD contains a large percentage of minority students,
with nearly 80% being either African-American or Hispanic, the SEO
program affords underrepresented minorities an opportunity that they
might not otherwise get to experience hands-on science. Through the
program, these students also receive the stimulus and reinforcement
from a unique supportive network comprised of CMSD science teachers
and guidance counselors, SOM faculty, and parents to continue on
to post-secondary education - and subsequently careers - in science.
For the teacher workshop segment of the SEO Program, the SOM, along
with the CMSD, intends to design an annual series of two graduate
level summer courses through which teachers can receive training
in how to best incorporate biomedical sciences information into their
class curricula, as well as earn graduate credit toward their certification.
Workshops include hands-on demonstrations, and also involve a significant
amount of one-on-one teacher-scientist interaction that continues
after the workshops have concluded, as CMSD teachers are encouraged
to contact SOM faculty for advice, ideas, and mentoring support.
Furthermore, the workshops present materials and information that
will enhance CMSD high school science curricula with the goal of
contributing to overall improvement of student performance on the
Ohio Proficiency Tests, and more importantly, spark student enthusiasm
about science.
The SEO Program is evaluated through both quantitative and qualitative
mechanisms. Student progress in the research component of the SEO
Program is monitored by CMSD science teachers and by SOM faculty
mentors during the program period (10th – 11th grades), and
student academic and career progress are tracked during the post-program
period. In addition, we utilize questionnaires to determine teacher,
student, and faculty mentor satisfaction with the student portion
of the SEO Program.
Evaluation of the teacher workshop portion of the SEO Program is
based on CMSD teacher self –efficacy surveys, as well as on
the academic/Proficiency Test performance of students in classes
of workshop participants, vs. the performance of students in classes
of non-participants. This latter measure is used to determine the
success of the program to present useful and engaging teaching methods
to enhance the CMSD science curricula. In addition, SOM faculty leaders
evaluate teacher performance during workshops, and the number of
students applying to the student research portion of the SEO program
is a benchmark for success since the teacher component is also designed
to reinforce and attract student interest in science.
MINI MED SCHOOL [top]
Every fall and spring, nationally recognized faculty from the Case School of Medicine and University Hospitals present the latest findings on a variety of important health issues that combines information in basic science and clinical science to a wide range of topics of interest to the general public. Easy-to-understand information about genetics, cancer, neuroscience, infectious diseases, and respiration is taught to adults who want to learn more about medicine and medical research. Case School of Medicine faculty who are recognized leaders in their fields teach all classes. Participants do not need to have a math or science background to enroll in the Mini
Med School. Sessions will be in everyday language, and there are no exams.
LEAD POISIONING PREVENTION [top]
Despite years of research, improved understanding and environmental
control efforts, lead poisoning remains an important regional health
problem for individuals and society. Over 20% of all children in
Cleveland have elevated blood lead levels with some neighborhoods
higher than 40%. While acute lead intoxication can result in coma
and death, chronic lead exposure is associated with impaired neurobehavioral
development and chronic renal disease. In addition to the tragic
individual consequences of chronic lead toxicity, the associated
public health and economic issues are enormous with critical consequences
for educational, behavioral and mental health programs in school
age children and important implications for workforce development
and provisions for patients with chronic disabilities. CWRU-CSHS,
City of Cleveland , and County
of Cuyahoga have established a partnership to develop a concerted
community wide plan to greatly reduce lead poisoning in our community
2010.
The initial components of the plan call for:
- Announcement of lead poisoning prevention project
as Cleveland/CWRU/Cuyahoga Partnership.
- Conduct a community-wide forum on lead poisoning to raise awareness,
develop advocacy and review national best practices for control
of lead toxicity.
- Stimulate interdisciplinary faculty interests and initiatives
to focus on understanding and control, on a regional basis, of
chronic lead exposure, prevention and more effective interventions
targeting the health consequences of chronic lead intoxication.
- Develop 2-4 pilot projects that can be instituted, measured and
replicated in the larger community.
- Leverage HUD funding and other local support to make a major
impact on the problem within a limited time frame.
AGING-CANCER INITIATIVE [top]
Recognizing that advancing age is a high risk factor for cancer
with persons over 65 years of age accounting for 60% of newly diagnosed
malignancies and 70% of all cancer deaths and that the aging of the
Baby Boom generation, born between 1946-1964, will result in doubling
of the over 65 years of age population during the next 30 years,
the Center for Science, Health & Society is partnering with the Comprehensive
Cancer Center and the Center
for Memory & Aging to expand capacity at the interface of Aging
and Cancer Research at CWRU, to develop a Geriatric Oncology
Training Program and to establish Aging - Cancer Research as a funded
program in the Comprehensive Cancer Center. Also collaborating in
this initiative are the CWRU Elder Care Research Center , the Western
Reserve Geriatric Education Center , the VA Medical Center – Geriatric
Research, Education and Clinical Center , and the CWRU Schools of
Medicine, Nursing, Applied Social Sciences, and Arts & Sciences.
Research activities focus on (1) Efficacy & Tolerance of Cancer
Treatment in Patients over 65, (2) Effects of Age-Associated Comorbidities
on Prevention, Screening, Diagnosis and Therapy of Cancers and (3)
Biology of Aging and Cancer.
An important focus of this initiative is the development, with community
organizations, of programs to enhance cancer prevention and screening
efforts in order to reduce disparities in cancer incidence and mortality
among minority population and the economic underserved
EDUCATION OF COMMUNITY EMERGENCY
RESPONDERS & HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS IN TERRORISM AND BIOTERRORISM-RELATED
ISSUES [top]
One of the most powerful defenses we have against terrorism and
bioterrorism is education. Education guides coherent emergency response
and reduces fear caused by terrorism events.
Case Western Reserve University is currently collaborating with
the City of Cleveland , Cuyahoga County , and State of Ohio agencies
by providing a series of educational forums directed toward orientation
and training of healthcare workers and emergency and first responders.
Nine major educational programs coordinated through the University's
Center for Science, Health, & Society and Continuing
Medical Education program have already received enthusiastic
response and have been widely attended by a variety of community
and regional emergency responders and health workers.
Listed below are past and future educational events and partners
in these educational efforts in Cleveland and its surrounding communities.
Terrorism Preparedness Education Programs
Title : Biological and Chemical Terrorism: What
Every Health Care Provider Needs to Know
Date : November 17, 2001
Attend No : 196
Title : Biological and Chemical Terrorism: What
Every Health Care Provider Needs to Know
Date : December 1, 2001
Attend No : 180
Title : West Nile Virus: Protecting and Educating
Our Community
Date : May 18, 2002
Attend No: 90
Title : Disaster Preparedness for Cleveland 's
Workforce: Downtown Evacuation and Bioterrorism
Date : November 12, 2002
Attend No : 139
Title : Disaster Preparedness for Cleveland 's
Workforce: Business Contingency Plan
Date : November 19, 2002
Attend No : 132
Title : Disaster Preparedness for Cleveland 's
Workforce: Downtown Evacuation and Bioterrorism
Date : October 15, 2002
Attend No : 142
Title : Disaster Preparedness for Cleveland 's
Workforce: Business Contingency Plan
Date : October 22, 2002
Attend No : 152
Title : Smallpox: Planning for Exposure and Assessment
of Preparedness
Date : December 17, 2002
Attend No : 241
Title : Smallpox: What Public Safety Forces Need
to Know
Date : February 21, 2003
Attend No : 139
Terrorism Preparedness Education Programs in Planning
- Smallpox: Post Event Planning and Strategies
- Bioterrorism
(Smallpox) Recognition and Response Strategies
- Chemical
Terrorism and Response Strategies
- Radiation Terrorism
and Response Strategies
- Hospital Preparedness for
Bio & Chemical Terrorism
- Medical Reserve Corps Training for
Bio & Chemical
Terrorism
- Public Health Preparedness for Disaster Response
- Disaster Preparedness: What the Public Needs to
Know
- Pediatric Aspects of Bio & Chemical Terrorism
- Humanitarian Relief for Children
- Mental Health
Management Strategies for Dealing with Bio & Chemical Terrorism
Terrorism Preparedness Education Programs Collaborative
Partners
COMMUNITY VISION COUNCIL [top]
Sponsored by United Way Services, the Cleveland Community
Vision Council , Strong Families=Successful Children, serves
in a planning and advisory role to the County Commissioners to
evaluate needs and develop initiatives to improve the lives of
children and families in the Greater Cleveland area. In a white
paper titled, “A Vision for the Future of Children in Greater
Cleveland,” the Vision Council identified six indicators
of children's health and six goals to improve their health status.
Working with the Vision Council, CSHS will help achieve improvement
in the key indicators with initial focus on increasing the percent
of children who have completed their 4:3:1 immunization series
at age 2 from 53 percent to 90 percent in the City of Cleveland
and from 81 percent to 95 percent in the Cuyahoga County suburbs.
CLEVELAND MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DISTRICT [top]
CSHS participated along with a series of community organizations
and representatives in the Cleveland
Municipal School District (CMSD) , Health Leadership Council
to develop a Comprehensive Health Plan for the CMSD. A series of
goals and objectives have been developed related to the leading health
indicators identified in the Surgeon General Report, School Health
Index (2000). “Promoting health behaviors among students is
an important part of the fundamental mission of schools: to provide
young people with the knowledge and the skills they need to become
healthy and productive adults.” CSHS and CMSD are collaborating
to improve health education and health services by first insuring
that all CMSD students have access to a complete health status evaluation
and physical examination as part of an experiential education process
for health professional students working under University Faculty
supervision.
HEALTHSPACE CLEVELAND [top]
Working with HealthSpace Cleveland (formerly
the Health Museum of Cleveland), CSHS is engaged in two educational
initiatives. The Mini-Med School, modeled after the successful program
developed at he School of Medicine, consist of a series of evening
lectures and workshops offered at the new HealthSpace Cleveland site
and targeted to the health needs of the surrounding community.
The Health Museum has developed a Junior Medical Camp, a series
of one week programs offered during the summer to middle school students
ages 11-14 interested in medical sciences. Students are immersed
in a variety of biomedical experiences including a journey through
the internal structure of the human body, dissection of a cow's heart,
brain, and eye for exposure to anatomy; exploring genetics and solving
a crime using DNA analysis and fingerprinting and an opportunity
to meet with medical professionals. CSHS and HealthSpace Cleveland
are now collaborating to offer an Alumni Program for Junior Medical
Camp graduates to sustain their interest and involvement in biomedical
education and career development. Students will be offered opportunities
to participate in laboratory investigations, hands-on experiments
and creative problem solving. Personalized observership experiences
will be offered in which students will meet and shadow a health professional
in their area of special interest. In subsequent alumni years, students
will be provided with an opportunity to join a research team and
participate in depth and engage directly in biomedical research.
CVS GET FIT CHALLENGE [top]
CSHS is serving as a community partner with CVS/Pharmacy to
launch the CVS Get Fit Challenge in Cleveland where a total of $100,000
will be awarded in grants ranging from $1,000 – 5,000 to non-profit
organizations and public schools to support health, nutrition, and
fitness programs. The CVS Get Fit Challenge will make it easier for
community organizations and schools to develop programs that encourage
exercise, healthy diet, and other positive health choices. Other
partners include City of Cleveland Department of Public Health; the
Health Museum of Cleveland ; Park Works; The Plain Dealer; FOX
8, and Neutrogena.
WEST QUAD COMMUNITY LIFE CENTER [top]
The purchase of the 14-acre West Quad site in 2000 has provided
CWRU with the opportunity to explore ways of developing or expanding
activities that both serve the institution's academic aims as well
as strengthen its links with the community. In initial overview,
the University proposed development of four clusters on the West
Quad site, (1) a Community Life Center , (2) Biomedical Research
and Innovation Center , (3) an Advanced Technology Commons, and (4)
an Entrepreneurial Development Program.
Following extensive discussions with residents, community leaders,
and other organizations in the community, Case Western Reserve University
envisions a Community Life Center designed to be multi-disciplinary – “inter-professional”-
and to have features that respond primarily to client and community
needs as well as to academic needs. At the heart of the concept is
the presumption that addressing these diverse needs in a coordinated
way will benefit all participants.
The programmatic elements of the Community Life Center would include
the following activities:
- Health Services. The concept
concentrates on primary care and prevention, screenings,
and referrals (the disciplines of medicine, nursing,
and dentistry will be involved). The concept does not
include emergency or in-patient care.
- Clinical Skills and Simulation Center . This
would be a teaching and assessment resource for faculty and students
in medicine, nursing, dentistry, and social work, as well as other
disciplines requiring structured interaction between practitioners
and clients/patients.
- Social Services. The concept calls for
on-site participation by faculty and students in social work and
law (particularly the Legal Clinic). Specific examples could include
a family advocacy program and a community-building initiative.
Students and faculty from other disciplines may also be involved
as appropriate.
- Community Recreation and Services Center . Elements
could include recreation and fitness programs for seniors, intergenerational
programs, child care, job training, after-school programs, and
a general reading library.
- City Health Department. The City of
Cleveland is considering relocating the headquarters of its Health
Department to the West Quad site. This is an extension of the relationship
between the University in the City in which the new Director of
Health would also hold a faculty appointment at CWRU and would
have access to University programs and services.
Planning for the Community Life Center is being coordinated by the
Center for Science, Health, and Society. |
