Fotonovela Carries Important Message to Young Hispanic Girls
“Gracias Papa” is the name of a comic book style brochure that reaches out to young Hispanic girls with important messages about avoiding sexual coercion by older adults. It is one way the Virginia Department of Health is helping teach young Latinas age 11-17 living in Virginia about healthy dating relationships. The Hispanic outreach effort also includes three radio public service announcements and a Web page www.paramihija.com. Fotonovelas are a popular form of communication in Latin America.
The campaign was prompted by calls from the community for resources on the topic for Hispanic readers and by the fact that the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy reports that the Hispanic teen birth rate increased 50 percent in Virginia between 1990 and 2003.
This foray into the Latino community is part of the “Isn’t She a Little Young” campaign that began in 2004 to combat statutory rape in Virginia.
Here you'll find information on some 50 programs that focus on strengthening the health of families and communities, plus risk avoidance tips and information on how certain issues affect public health.
THE MISSION of the Office of Family Health Services is to provide the leadership, expertise and resources that enable all Virginia residents to reach and maintain their optimum level of health and well-being throughout their life.
Divisions
Child and Adolescent Health
The goal of this division is to give children a healthy start in life and help them maintain good health in the future.
Chronic Disease Prevention and Control
This division concentrates its efforts on arthritis, asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Dental Health
This division has been saving smiles since 1921. Preventing tooth decay, the most prevalent chronic disease among children, is its primary goal and fluoride is its primary weapon.
Injury and Violence Prevention
To reduce the impact of injury and violence, this division engages in injury assessment, the development and promotion of prevention programs and policies, and training and community education.
WIC and Community Nutrition Services
The WIC Program enables women to deliver and nurture health children. It provides expectant women, new mothers, and children up to age 5 with foods known for their ability to enhance physical growth and mental development.
Women's and Infants' Health
This division assesses and advocates for the health needs of infants and of women across their lifetime.
Goals
Parenting
For more information about parenting and early childhood initiatives
in Virginia go to:
www.smartbeginnings.org
