1. Review the 13 health focus areas of the Healthy Delaware 2010 Plan,
2. Select an area of interest,
3. Take action to make a difference in the lives of Delawareans, and
4. Nominate yourself or someone in your organization to become a Health Hero.

Physical Activity: The goal is to improve the health, fitness, and quality of life for Delawareans through regular physical activity.

Nutrition: The goal is to promote healthy eating habits to decrease risk of chronic disease.

Tobacco Use: The goal is to reduce the number of Delawareans who use tobacco and promote smoke-free environments.

Alcohol & Drug Use: The goal is to reduce alcohol and substance abuse among all Delawareans through prevention and treatment.

Responsible Sexual Behavior: The goal is to promote responsible sexual behavior to prevent pregnancy among teens; unintended pregnancy among young adults; and to decrease the risk of sexually transmitted diseases among all Delawareans.

Environmental Quality: The goal is to ensure Delawareans have a healthy environment in which to live, work and play.

Violence: This focus area supports activities that target a reduction of injuries and deaths due to violence and abuse.

Education: The goal is to increase Delawareans' chances to enjoy healthy lives through education and literacy.

Mental Health: The goal is to improve the quality of mental health for Delaware citizens and families and ensure access to appropriate mental health services.

Injury & Disability: Supports activities that reduce unintentional injuries, disabilities and death focusing on the community, home, school, and work settings.

Preventive Services Use: The goal is to increase the number of Delawareans who benefit from preventive services by increasing consumer demand and overcoming barriers to service delivery.

Infant Health: The goal is to improve the health of infants by reducing the prevalence of risk factors associated with poor birth outcomes and poor health.

Access to Health Care Services: This focus area supports activities and strategies to improve access to primary care, emergency services, dental services, and preventive services, while maintaining cost effectiveness.

Physical Activity Hero - Annette Hubbard Annette Hubbard keeps people in "line" several days a week as director of the Stepping Seniors3 / an in line dance class at the Modern Maturity Center in Dover. She joined the group several years ago, and because of her expertise and enthusiasm, she was asked to head it. The Stepping Seniors started with five people and today boasts over 100 members who participate in beginning, intermediate and advanced classes - the average age is 68. Each year, the group visits scores of senior centers, civic groups, and nursing homes, bringing their lively dance routines to enraptured audiences with precision choreography and costumes. Stepping Seniors won the Shamrock Award in the 2001 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dover. Hubbard, a 68-year-old retired physical education teacher, swims several days a week. She has also won silver and gold medals in recreational walking in the Senior Olympics. "I love being active," said Hubbard. "Seeing so many people who are continuing to exercise and perform for nursing homes and schools brings me a lot of joy."

Nutrition Hero - American Cancer Society To address the high cancer death rate in the African American Community, the American Cancer Society started "Body and Soul," an initiative in four cities around the country. The program uses the church to promote healthier lifestyles in the African American community. Mother A.U.F.C.M.P. Church in Wilmington is taking part in this program. The goal of this 16-week pilot program is to make it a policy to include fruits and vegetables whenever food is served in the church. Designed by Constance Green-Johnson, this culturally sensitive program incorporates several elements to help church members make lifestyle changes around food. The Delaware State University dietetics department has provided a student to give presentations and an African American registered dietitian is on board for workshops. Body and Soul also includes an exercise component. Church Pastor Rev. Lawrence Livingston sings the praises of the program stating, "Body and Soul has had a positive impact on the church by teaching members to cultivate a healthy body to house the spirit."

Tobacco Use Hero - Deborah Brown Deborah Brown of the American Lung Association of Delaware has been instrumental in leading tobacco control activities in Delaware. Deb convinced the Delaware Legislature to earmark funds from the tobacco settlement into the Delaware Health Fund-a revolutionary move. She helped to get Delaware schools designated smoke-free. Her work with the youth movement includes the "Delaware Kicks Butts Generation" and TATU (Teens Against Tobacco Use). Working with the American Lung Association for 20 years (her one and only job), Deb believes one of the most powerful things we can do is to "keep our young children from starting to smoke and help others to stop.

Alcohol and Drug Use Hero - Youth to Eliminate Loss of Life (YELL) "YELL is a student run organization with a powerful main goal--to save lives," said president Bruce Carroll, a senior at Sussex Technical High School and three-year member of the organization. Youth to Eliminate Loss of Life (YELL) is a national organization of students working to eliminate injuries and deaths caused by alcohol and drug accidents involving teenagers. The Sussex Technical High School chapter in Georgetown is closely associated with the local chapter of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving). YELL also sponsors Prom Promise, a program where teens sign a pledge promise not to use alcohol and other drugs-- particularly, on prom night. Last year, the chapter held a dinner for survivors of people killed in automobile crashes. Students bought the supplies and served the meal. "They wanted the families to know that the loss wasn't for naught and that their family members were remembered," said J. D. Taylor, the faculty advisor to the group.

Responsible Sexual Behavior Hero - Patricia Lincoln Patricia Lincoln is the education coordinator for the Pennsylvania Mid- Atlantic AIDS Education and Training Center of Delaware. She works on the front lines with the AIDS population, bringing hope and balance to people who are sick, scared, and often overwhelmed. She helps her clients to access services and helps to educate the broader community about HIV and AIDS through the Peer Education Group, where participants speak to students and community groups about AIDS. Pat, a 30-year nursing veteran with a master's degree, has presented programs both nationally and internationally concerning HIV issues. Each year, the Center sponsors a Christmas party for clients with AIDS. Pat's dream is to show up at the party and find no new patients in attendance.

Environmental Quality Hero - Willet Kempton Willet Kempton, a University of Delaware Marine Studies professor, commutes to work daily on his bicycle. Several years ago, he was hit by a car and knocked down. That accident was the impetus for a new idea3/a commuter corridor through the city of Newark to allow people to walk, jog, bike or skate to their destinations. Working four years with the Newark bicycle committee, Kempton has obtained funding and designs for the commuter corridor. The corridor is 1.7 miles long and has no road crossing. This design not only eliminates traffic hazards but also sets this path apart from other corridors like it on the East Coast. Kempton is proud of shepherding the corridor plan through. "People can go to work or school without having to get in cars. That's good for the environment," Kempton said.

Violence Hero - Dr. Gordon Reed Since 1998, Dr. Gordon Reed, a Christiana Care emergency room doctor, and the Medical Subcommittee of the State of Delaware Domestic Violence Coordinating Council have worked tirelessly to develop, produce, and implement the Domestic Violence Resource Manual. The comprehensive resource guide provides screening tips and phone numbers to help health care providers and front-line caregivers recognize and handle domestic violence issues in a caring, informed and professional manner. It has assessment tools for a variety of practice settings and is specific to Delaware laws and procedures. Dr. Reed got involved with the domestic violence issue because he felt he could make a difference. "It felt good inside to do something so simple and yet something that has such a positive impact on someone's life," Reed said.

Education Hero - DaimlerChrysler and the United Auto Workers (UAW) DaimlerChrysler and the United Auto Workers (UAW) work in tandem to increase the quality of life for workers at their Newark plant and in the community at large. Onsite college courses are available to degree-seeking employees and free educational classes (computers, GED, high school) are available to plant workers as well as to citizens in the community. Educational assistance and tuition reimbursement are also available. "Working together, great things can be accomplished for workers, their families and the community," said Richard LeGates, co-director of the DaimlerChrysler Community Health Initiative. "We are proud of our programs to promote healthy behaviors3/especially our workplace clearinghouse of health promotional information and our worksite exercise facilities."

Mental Health Hero - The Mental Health Association in Delaware (MHA) The Mental Health Association in Delaware (MHA), founded in 1932, is a non-profit organization that provides mental health education, support, and advocacy while collaborating with others to provide mental health leadership in Delaware. MHA offers prevention and early intervention programs in the community and within businesses. It seeks to educate the public about depression and anxiety disorders as well as about ways to help maintain good mental health. MHA also runs an annual campaign targeted to teens through high school wellness centers as well as broadcast and print media. In addition, MHA has a support services program with 15 support groups statewide for people who are being treated for depression or an anxiety disorder or who have lost a friend or family member to suicide. An MHA Information and Referral service responds to questions related to mental health and existing treatment options.

Mental Health Hero - Catherine Devaney McKay Catherine Devaney McKay, M.C., is the founder and chief executive officer of Connections Community Support Programs, Inc. a JCAHO accredited not-for-profit behavioral healthcare organization. Connections Community Support Programs, Inc. has helped more than 7,000 Delawareans with mental illness, substance use disorders, HIV/AIDS and physical disabilities move out of homelessness and institutionalization and into community integration, independence and recovery. The agency helps Delawareans with multiple challenges by providing services including community living; residential rehabilitation for persons with dual diagnoses; comprehensive alcohol and other drug outpatient treatment; outreach and case management; and affordable, supportive housing options for persons with HIV/AIDS and/or behavioral health problems. As a consultant for Programs of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT), Cathy works with the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill to promote the development of PACT programs to serve adults with schizophrenia nationwide. She is the vice chairperson of the Delaware Homeless Planning Council, the vice president of the Delaware Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, a member of the Delaware Governor's Advisory Council on Alcoholism, Drug Abuse and Mental Health, and the past president of the Delaware Mental Health Counselors Association.

Injury & Disability Hero - Delaware School Nurses Association Delaware School Nurses Association The image of the school nurse taking temperatures, giving eye tests, and sending sick students home is outdated. "Not only do we teach children how to keep themselves healthy, but to keep themselves safe," said Susan Shank, president of the Delaware School Nurses Association (DSNA). For the past several years, DSNA has been a leader in bicycle helmet distribution. To accomplish this, DSNA secured funding by writing a grant. They then purchased and distributed helmets through local school nurse offices. DSNA members produce wellness fairs and bring bicycle rodeos, Smoky the Bear, and McGruff the Crime Dog to their schools. They also bring local fire and ambulance squads to schools to teach students safety tips to use in an emergency.

Preventive Services Use Hero - Maureen Lauterbach Maureen Lauterbach single-handedly started the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition (DBCC) and as a result of her efforts, the agency is a key player in the field of breast cancer education in Delaware. DBCC has offices in Wilmington and Dover and produces an annual panel discussion on breast cancer to bring Delawareans the most up-todate information on the subject. Maureen is president of the board and is integrally involved in education, outreach, fundraising and expansion. She developed "Living and Giving," a pictorial exhibit featuring breast cancer survivors that travels state-wide. A widow who lost her husband to colon cancer in 1994, Maureen served two years as president of the American Cancer Society's Delaware Chapter.

Infant Health Hero - Sister Rosa Alvarez Sister Rosa Alvarez of La Esperanza in Georgetown, Delaware is an angel to the Hispanic immigrants in Sussex County. After doing extensive work with the homeless in Washington, DC, and winning numerous awards, Sister Rosa with other Carmelite Sisters opened La Esperanza (The Hope) in Georgetown in 1995. She has helped deliver over 400 babies since her arrival in Georgetown and has organized a parenting course for new parents as well. She has performed outstanding service to the local community in large and small ways - transporting vanloads of immigrants to clinics to ensure their medical needs are met, arranging hospitalization, intervening with Medicaid, translating documents, filling out birth certificates, or just accompanying a concerned client to an unfamiliar government office to inquire about service benefits. Sister Rosa has worked tirelessly for her flock, always on the go. As one of her admirers pointed out recently, "the needy do not keep regular hours."

Access to Health Care Services Hero - Gonzolo Martinez Gonzolo Martinez is a lawyer by training, but an institution builder by nature. When he sees a need, he fills it... and fill it he does! He has started a cultural organization, a community center, and a day care facility. In the process, he has helped to bring hope to thousands in Sussex County. La Red, one of the organizations he has helped shape, is a bilingual community health care center that has a mission to respond to the health care needs of Sussex County residents, regardless of a person's ability to pay. La Red gives the under-insured and the uninsured access to quality oriented, comprehensive, preventative, and primary health care services. La Red is a collaborative effort between La Esperanza, Nanticoke Health Services, the Delaware Division of Public Health, and a network of rural, private practice specialty, bilingual physicians.