Morehouse School of Medicine and the Cobb County Public Library to tackle Health Literacy

Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) and the Cobb County Public Library (CCPL) are teaming up to tackle health literacy in historically underserved communities with their upcoming Talk, Learn and Collaborate session, titled “Increasing Knowledge & Reducing Risks: Improving Health Literacy Access to Historically Underserved Communities.” The event will take place both in-person and via live Zoom broadcast on April 24 at 11:30 a.m. at the South Cobb Regional Library in Mableton.

Dr. Charity Starr Mitchell, Director of the Office of Community Engagement at MSM, emphasized that the Talk, Learn and Collaborate (TLC) series aims to foster dialogue between medical professionals, care providers, and community stakeholders to address challenges disproportionately affecting under-resourced communities. The April 24 session will focus on health literacy, highlighting its significance in combating high-risk behaviors among youth and aging adults.

The featured speaker is Dr. Rhonda Holliday, Professor of Community Health and Preventive Medicine at MSM. She will be sharing insights from her research on HIV infection prevention and intervention initiatives in urban and rural Georgia communities. Dr. Holliday stressed the importance of educating individuals and addressing systemic barriers to improve the health of historically underserved communities.

Jo Lahmon, South Region Manager of CCPL, underscored the crucial role of public libraries in promoting health literacy, emphasizing their commitment to bridging health disparity gaps within the communities they serve. The partnership between MSM and CCPL aims to raise awareness and promote true health literacy, empowering communities to take action for wellness and health.

Also joining the panel of experts to discuss health challenges and opportunities for transformative action is Dr. Tabia Henry Akintobi, Professor and Chair of Community Health and Preventive Medicine at MSM. Dr. Akintobi, a Mableton resident, is renowned for her contributions to public health and her expertise in community engagement and health equity.

This collaborative effort between MSM and CCPL builds upon their ongoing partnership initiated in 2023 to address health disparities and promote lifelong health outcomes in Cobb County communities. Registration for the event, which is free and open to the public, is available both for in-person attendance and virtual participation via the CCPL website.