May 17, 2012

Breast health education program receives grant

The Greater Nashville Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure has awarded a $60,000 grant to the Vanderbilt Center for Community Health Solutions’ Coalition for Healthy Aging Breast Health Advocate program to expand and enhance breast health detection and education in Middle Tennessee.

The program will provide breast health education services to underserved women in Davidson, Montgomery, Rutherford, Wilson, Robertson, Coffee and Sumner counties.

Approximately 300 underserved women, including rural, minority and immigrant/refugee women, will receive an hour-long breast health education presentation including take-home resources and training in self-breast exams. The program is designed to help women make informed decisions regarding their breast health and to increase their awareness of programs and services.

“Without the local senior centers, community centers, and neighborhood organizations who support this work, it would not be possible to bring solid health information on this delicate subject to underserved women,” said Ladawna Parham, who will direct the breast health program.

The Center for Community Health Solutions, formerly the Center for Health Services, facilitates community responses to health problems.

Through its many programs, CHS works with low-income communities all across the South, including Nashville.