Abstract | March 15, 2024

“Know Your Numbers”: A Report of a Medical Student-Led Preventative Health Intervention in the State of Mississippi

Grace H. Howell, Medical Student, 2nd year, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS

Isabella C. Kelly, Medical Student, 3rd year, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS; Simranjit Kaur, Medical Student, 2nd year, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS; Alan D. Penman, PhD MPH, Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS; Richard D. deShazo, MD, Rheumatology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS

Learning Objectives

  1. Describe an effective student-led, community based preventative health intervention designed to address the health literacy gap in Mississippi and strategize the critical need for the integration of such interventions into local communities to mitigate the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity in the state

Background: The increasing prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and inadequate health literacy in Mississippi can be largely attributed to the influence of Social Determinants of Health. Previous endeavors to address these disparities reveal limitations, notably in physicians’ constrained schedules, clinical availability in rural areas, and healthcare expenses. Building on these dismal trends, there remains a significant need for student-led community initiatives in Mississippi that promote an understanding of three of the most important causes of mortality and morbidity: hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. In an attempt to address the health literacy gap in Mississippi, second-year medical students at the University of Mississippi Medical Center started the Student Health Coalition (SHC) in June 2022. The SHC was envisioned to provide Mississippi residents with free educational resources and health screenings consisting of blood pressure, blood glucose, and body mass index (BMI) at convenient venues across the state.

Methods: The SHC utilized a standardized Community Health Advocacy training designed by nutrition and preventive medicine experts to equip the students with the skills to provide and interpret screenings at events. Emphasis was placed on explaining the basic causes of hypertension and hyperglycemia, along with related risk factors, to help participants understand the significance of their screening results. The SHC scheduled screenings to be conducted at suitable community events, including festivals, food kitchens, and housing authorities. At events, individuals were offered free readings and provided with a copy of their results. The SHC saved de-identified information to estimate the number of individuals screened.

Results: The SHC has provided over 2500 screenings to Mississippians in 37 counties. The organization has expanded to include pediatric screenings and partnered with the state health department, housing authorities, public schools, and colleges across the state. Today, the Student Health Coalition is a collective of approximately 250 medical and graduate students united by the goal of advancing preventative health services in Mississippi.

Conclusions: This report provides evidence that medical students, with the guidance of academic mentors, can positively impact the healthcare landscape of Mississippi by providing quality preventative health screenings and referrals in rural areas with limited access to care.

References and Resources

  1. Shahid R, Shoker M, Chu LM, et al. Impact of low health literacy on patients’ health outcomes: A multicenter cohort study. BMC Health Services Research. 2022;22(1).
  2. Health Literacy Data Map. US Health Literacy Scores. Accessed May 21, 2023. http://healthliteracymap.unc.edu
    Health literacy. Health Literacy – Healthy People 2030. Accessed May 21, 2023. https://health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health/literature-summaries/health-literacy.
  3. Community Health Advocates Screening and training program home. University of Mississippi Medical Center. Accessed May 21, 2023. https://www.umc.edu/Office%20of%20Academic%20Affairs/For-Students/Office%20for%20Community%20Engagement%20and%20Service%20Learning/
    Community%20Health%20Advocates/Community%20Health%20Advocates.html.
  4. Kaper MS, Reijneveld SA, van Es FD, de Zeeuw J, Almansa J, Koot JAR, de Winter AF. Effectiveness of a Comprehensive Health Literacy Consultation Skills Training for Undergraduate Medical Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Dec 20;17(1):81. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17010081. PMID: 31861918; PMCID: PMC6982343.
  5. Haun JN, Patel NR, French DD, Campbell RR, Bradham DD, Lapcevic WA. Association between health literacy and medical care costs in an integrated healthcare system: a regional population based study. BMC Health Serv Res. 2015 Jun 27;15:249. doi: 10.1186/s12913-015-0887-z. PMID: 26113118; PMCID: PMC4482196.
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