Colorado Muslim Society Medical Volunteers Awarded Grant for Public Health Initiative

The Colorado Muslim Society has received a $20,000 grant for a public health initiative to identify cultural barriers in the Muslim community hindering awareness of health issues, such as prevention of chronic illness, officials announced this week.

The society received the Medical Reserve Corps Challenge Award from the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) in partnership with the Office of Surgeon General.

The Colorado Muslim Society Medical Reserve Corps is made up of health professionals and other volunteers who donate time to promote community health and to respond to medical emergencies and crises. The unit coordinator is retired university professor Mohamed Hamdy.

The NACCHO awards fund Medical Reserve Corps units to create innovative projects in their communities that can be replicated nationally. The projects must align with one of four focus areas: chronic-disease prevention, community resilience, partners for empowered communities and mental and emotional well-being.

The local project, "Eliminating Health Disparities within Colorado Muslim Community," will include a medical-needs assessment for the community, seek to improve health awareness and engage members to prepare for threatening medical emergencies.

Another important aspect of the project, the society's Medical Reserve Corps said in a press release, is its promotion of the importance of volunteerism is keeping the Muslim community secure.

Almost 200 Medical Reserve Corps units nationwide applied for the award, and 29 received funds for initiatives set to begin in early 2014.