Alliance Health Projects
Adult Health Literacy- Pill Pack Project
- "Vials of Life"
Faux Paw Internet Safety Program
The MAG Alliance is proud to be associated with the IKeepSafe.org Coalition. The Coalition (which includes both the AMA and the Alliance) is a partnership of governors, first spouses, government agencies, non-profit organizations and corporate sponsors determined to protect children from the growing threat of Internet predators. The mission of the Faux Paw Program is to encourage safe technology use for children and to protect them from Internet predators and online dangers. By teaching safety guidelines, the Alliance and the Coalition seek to reduce the number of Internet crimes against children and to promote healthy technology use in families. Our target audience is children in grades 1-4 because before children enter middle school, the age of greatest risk, they need to clearly understand important safety concepts. At this early target age, children are highly receptive and can internalize the safety rules before they need them. Our goal is to prepare every child for an inevitable future exposure that could harm them. Coalition partners include: AMA and AMA Alliance, Disney Online, Dell, AOL, Target, Symantec, McDonald’s, Yahoo, NEA, PTA, Siebel Systems, Intel, and D.A.R.E. America.
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Strike Out Spit Tobacco and Screen Out
Strike Out Spit Tobacco is a 15-minute video geared toward middle and high school students. The video tells the story of Georgia State University Baseball Coach Mike Hurst, who lost part of his tongue and the ability to digest many foods after decades of using spit tobacco. Coach Hurst underwent a series of surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation after being diagnosed with oral cancer several years ago. With an introduction by baseball hall-of-famer Joe Garagiola, the video is designed to stop kids from chewing tobacco before they start by exposing them to the dangers of using spit tobacco. Each county Alliance received videos and brochures to distribute to middle and high schools in their communities. Additional videos and DVDs are available from the MAG Alliance office. This project was made possible by grants from the MAG Foundation, the AMA Foundation and the Bartow County Medical Alliance. To purchase videos or DVDs, please contact Kristine McCall at 800.282.0224 or kmccall@mag.org.
It's Up to Youth - Teen health forum
A program aimed to improve the health of adolescents. The goals of this day-long seminar are to educate young people and their teachers on the true facts of teenage problems, as well as offer alternate lifestyles for improved health. Participants also are encouraged to return to their schools and develop a program to share the information they gained at the forum. Peachbelt Medical Society Alliance has been presenting the Teen Health Forum for 17 years in Houston County!
Baby Think It Over
A lifelike doll is used to give teens a realistic understanding of the commitment of parenting by challenging them with the obligation and inconvenience of parenting. The program teaches teens to communicate openly with adults and peers about parenting, alerts them to the expenses of infant care items and equips them to make informed decisions about their future. The teen must carry the doll everywhere they go for a weekend. The doll cries at random intervals. It also cries when it has been handled too roughly, when it needs care, and when it needs to be left alone. Rough handling will result in unstoppable crying of 30 seconds. The teen can only quiet the doll by a simulated feeding that requires up to 35 minutes of care. The teen's care of the doll is indicated by different colored blinking lights which are recorded when the doll is returned to school . Teens who participate in the program sign a parenting contract, take a pre-test, keep daily and hourly logs and their parents must sign a consent form.
Growing Healthy
Growing Healthy is a comprehensive school health education programs for grades K-6. Its curriculum deals with substance abuse, mental and emotional health, growth and development, personal safety and nutrition. It uses many teaching techniques - role playing, open discussions and other active exercises - and directly involves parents and community members. Before each new phase of the program, letters are sent home to parents explaining what the children will learn. Extensive teacher training also is built into the program, contributing to its effectiveness.
Hospital Orientation Program
A program designed for first graders to help allay the fear of being a patient in the hospital. The program includes role-playing, an introduction to nurses and other hospital personnel, a tour of the pediatric unit and an ambulance tour.
Anti-Violence Programs & Materials
The Medical Association of Georgia Alliance has been a leading advocate against violence by developing comprehensive anti-violence programs throughout the state. Working in conjunction with the American Medical Association, MAG and the MAG Alliance implemented the SAVE (Stop America's Violence Everywhere) program in Georgia. Since 1995, more than 100,000 school children have participated in the project and over 50 anti-violence programs and seminars have been conducted by MAG and the MAG Alliance. The projects provided by MAG and its Alliance are too numerous to list; however, below are some highlights of our various projects.
- Domestic Violence Shelters - medical societies and their alliances have adopted domestic violence shelters in over 25 communities. They assist the shelters financially and by providing items shelters may need which range from playground equipment to beds to clothing.
- I Can Handle Bullies and Hands Are Not for Hitting - more than 70,000 workbooks and placemats have been distributed throughout the state.
- Life Preservers: A Guidebook for Physicians - this comprehensive book contains medical protocols for physicians to use when treating victims of domestic violence. The book was developed by physicians, victims' advocate groups and legal professionals. Life Preservers was updated in 1998 and has been endorsed by the Georgia Commission on Family Violence. The book is free upon request and has been distributed to emergency physicians, OB-GYNs, psychiatrists, pediatricians, domestic violence shelters and hospitals throughout Georgia.