Simon Geletta, Ph.D., associate professor in DMU’s master of public health program, and Carolyn Beverly, M.D., assistant professor in the program, this fall were awarded a $10,000 grant from the Polk County (IA) Community Betterment Program to increase awareness among the African American population in Des Moines and surrounding areas of their risk for high blood pressure. At-risk individuals will be screened at local businesses and organizations and then assisted to find medical attention to prevent and control high blood pressure.
The project is in partnership with local community coalition members including the Iowa Department of Human Rights, Mercy Medical Center-Des Moines and the African American Leadership Council.
The Polk County Community Betterment Grant Program was designed to provide financial support to nonprofit organizations that provide cultural, recreational, educational and human needs services to the county’s citizens.
