Values/ Beliefs
Located at South Central Houston, the community served by the Sunnyside Health Center is comprised primarily of residents belonging to the African-American, Hispanic, and Asian cultural groups. Only a few Caucasians are seen here. Most are members of either the Catholic or Protestant faith and they would be attending religious ceremonies in their respective churches which abound in the area. As regards health, the community members believe in the importance of clean and safe surroundings as well as healthy lives. Thus, screenings for various diseases have high participation rates. Community leaders, such as Representative Alma Allen, have also manifested their involvement in initiatives promoting a clean, safe and healthy environment.
Health Management
The community faces several health issues and the Department of Health is implementing aggressive interventions. One of which is the testing and treatment of syphilis and this was done in collaboration with the community leaders and CDC. Since the City of Houston ranks second in the nation for syphilis outbreak, health care personnel literally knock on every door in selected communities to have people undergo tests for the disease. Testing and treatment are free of charge. For the nutritional aspect, check-ups of women manifest vitamin D deficiency. As regards environmental health, the community dials 311 for concerns on waste. They are also informed about schedules of spraying for mosquitoes.
Exercise and other activities
The community has access to parks and recreation centers and many of these centers provide facilities that the elderly population utilizes for exercise and leisure. The metro transportation system and the commuter rail system are fully functional in Houston and residents make use of these affordable and efficient transportation for their activities. Those qualified to use the Metro Lift have access to such service when they attend their doctors’ appointments.
