Volume 2, Issue 3
March 2016
Food Stamp Cutoff Concerns Advocates for Poor in Mississippi
By Jeff Amy—Associated Press, As published on The Clarion-Ledger
With 75,000 Mississippians at risk of losing food stamp benefits on March
30 if they don’t find work or training, social service providers fear an influx
of hungry people in what’s already the hungriest state in the nation.
Gov. Phil Bryant told the Mississippi Department of Human Services not to
seek an extension on a federal waiver from the work rules for beneficiaries
of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, explaining he wanted
the state to steer people to jobs. Mississippi could have asked the federal
government to continue releasing people from the work requirements
statewide or in some high-unemployment counties. Five other states are
also going from a statewide work waiver to no waivers anywhere.
“Gov. Bryant does not intend to restore the waiver,” spokesman Clay
Chandler wrote in an email. “The Mississippi Department of Employment Security and the state’s WIN JOB Centers
are available to help these individuals find employment. In fact, MDES’ Mississippi Works app currently lists more
than 40,000 job openings.”
Mississippi’s waiver ended Jan. 1, meaning people who don’t meet requirements are eligible for three months of
food stamps every three years. Those three months will end March 30. Paul Nelson, a spokesperson for the
Department of Human Services, said officials believe about 19,000 people either meet work and training
requirements or will be exempt for other reasons. That cuts to 56,000 people who might lose SNAP benefits...
The United States Department of Agriculture found that 22 percent of Mississippi households were “food insecure”
from 2012 to 2014, the highest rate among states. USDA says people are food insecure when their access to
adequate food is limited by a lack of money and other resources. READ MORE
The Clarion-Ledger (2016, January 30). Food Stamp Cutoff in Mississippi Concerns Advocates for Poor. Clarion Ledger. Retrieved from http://
www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2016/01/30/food-stamp-cutoff-miss-concerns-advocates-poor/79586788/.
March 17, 2016
Happy Birthday
Dr. Myrlie Evers-Williams
University of Mississippi Medical Center
www.umc.edu/evers-williams
Volume 2, Issue 3
Page 2
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education
(SNAP-Ed), Reducing Health Disparities
By Sylvia Byrd, PhD, RD, LD
Mississippians’ diets fall short of recommendations for good health and contribute to excess rates of preventable
chronic diseases, representing significant health disparities between Mississippi and other parts of the U.S. and
within Mississippi. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) is the nutrition education
and obesity prevention arm of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and aims to increase the likelihood
that the SNAP-eligible population will make healthier food and physical activity choices with a limited budget.
Mississippi State University Extension Service is the implementing agency for SNAP-Ed, in partnership with the
Mississippi Department of Human Services. SNAP-Ed delivers a combination of evidence-based education;
marketing; and policy, systems and environmental support to limited-resource communities in 33 counties in
Mississippi and is expanding to 46 counties in 2016. SNAP-Ed in Mississippi is delivered to diverse settings such as
schools, worksites, food retailers, and faith communities through SNAP-Ed paraprofessional educators in
partnership with local Extension Agents.
A 2014 survey of limited-resources Mississippians showed a majority think that eating healthy is expensive and that
they lack of food preparation skills. The overall goal of SNAP-Ed in Mississippi is to implement strategies that
increase consumer knowledge of the benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables to produce sustained positive
eating habits and to empower them with the skills to do so. The following strategies are actively being implemented
to achieve this goal: Coordinated School Health; Smarter Lunchrooms; school and community gardens; and Cooking
Matters. These strategies will correspond with a community-based social marketing campaign targeted to parents
and caregivers of children 0-12 years old.
We welcome collaborators to join SNAP-Ed to reduce nutrition-related health disparities and look forward to
building coalitions. Together, we can make a difference! For more information about SNAP-Ed in Mississippi, please
contact Dr. Sylvia Byrd at 662-325-0919 or [email protected].
Inaugural Maya Angelou
Memorial Lecture Webinar
The Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity, Social Sciences and
Health Policy Section on Infectious Diseases; Forsyth County
Health Department; and the Myrlie Evers-Williams Institute for
the Elimination of Health Disparities are proud to present the
Inaugural Maya Angelou Memorial Lecture Webinar in April 2016.
Dr. Donna Hubbard McCree, Associate Director for Health Equity
for the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention in the National Center for
HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention will present “Gaps in Prevention
Research for Addressing HIV-related Disparities in the United
States.”
The webinar will take place from 4-5 pm on Monday, April 4, 2016
in Classroom 106 of the UMMC Classroom Building.
For more information, please contact the Evers-Williams Institute
at 601-815-9000.
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Volume 2, Issue 3
Page 3
Get Feedback on Your Research with the
Disparities Research Review Group
The Myrlie Evers-Williams Institute for the Elimination of Health
Disparities has established a Disparities Research Review Group (DRRG)
for faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students who are
conducting or planning to conduct community-based health disparities
research studies. The DRRG is comprised of academic and community
stakeholders who have a depth of knowledge and experience in
conducting health disparities research.
Specifically, the DRRG will:
 provide strategies for identifying and engaging communities of
interest for consultation and inclusion in the process of developing and
refining research questions;
 identify various strategies for educating, informing, and recruiting
individuals or organizations as partners or participants in research;
and

aid researchers in navigating the administrative obstacles that must be
overcome before research can be carried out in community settings.
Investigators may request a review session at any stage of the research
process, but they are encouraged to present in the earliest stage of their
proposal development. Each monthly, one-hour review group will begin
with a brief presentation from the investigator describing their study and
presenting two to three key questions for the remaining facilitated
discussion. Oral and brief written feedback will be provided following
each session.
To learn more about the DRRG or to request a review session, please
contact Jana Bailey at 601-815-9008 or [email protected].
Welcome Our New
Affiliates!
Katherine Cranston, MPH,
CHES
Student, UMMC Graduate
Division in Medical Sciences
Denise Krause, PhD
Associate Professor, UMMC
Biomedical Materials Science
Kenya McKinley, PhD, MSW
Assistant Professor, Social
Work, Mississippi State
University (MSU)
C. LaShan Simpson, PhD
Assistant Professor,
Agricultural and Biological
Engineering, MSU
Emma Veal
Administrative Assistant II,
UMMC Orthopedic Surgery
If you are interested in becoming an
affiliate of the Evers-Williams
Institute, please contact
Felicia Caples at 601-815-9019 or
[email protected].
Success at the First Annual “A Healthy Start through Art”
The Myrlie Evers-Williams Institute held the
first annual “A Healthy Start through Art”
event on Thurs., Feb. 25. The event was a
success as 150+ came to view and purchase
paintings, photos, & sculptures from 5
community artists. Art can be therapeutic
and this gathering highlighted the
connection between art and health.
We are grateful for the presence of all who
attended, especially Galloway Elementary!
We would also like to thank the talented
artists, UMMC UNACARE, Tamar Counseling,
and all of our sponsors who helped make
the event a success. We look forward to a
bigger and better event next year!
University of Mississippi Medical Center
www.umc.edu/evers-williams
Volume 2, Issue 3
Page 4
Sports for Life:
Teaming Up for Men’s Health
Most men need to pay more attention to their health,
especially black men, who as a whole have the
poorest health outcomes of any group of males in the
United States. Sports for Life is a family-oriented
event designed to raise awareness about minority
men’s health and promote the importance of routine
health exams. The signature event is a 3-on-3 indoor,
half-court basketball tournament with adult and
youth teams. Sports for Life will also feature a
canned food drive and mobile clinic where males can
receive free health screenings and information to
find a medical home to meet their primary care
needs.
Sports for Life will have activities appropriate for all
community members regardless of sex, age, or
basketball ability so this event is open to everyone.
The event is free; however, we are asking each
person to bring at least one non-perishable canned
good to be donated to the Mississippi Food Network.
LEARN MORE
For more information regarding Sports for Life,
please contact Gina Hamilton at 601-815-9003 or
Erica Collins-Young at 601-815-9016.
Differences in Perceptions of the Food Environment Between
African American Men Who Did and Did Not Consume
Recommended Levels of Fruit and Vegetables
African American men have high rates of chronic disease morbidity and mortality associated with their low rates of
fruit and vegetable consumption. In an effort to inform tailored behavioral interventions for this demographic, the
authors sought to assess if men with healthier eating practices viewed their environment differently than those
who ate less healthy. Participants were segmented into high/low healthy eating categories based on the daily fruit
and vegetable serving recommendations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to determine if differences among
environmental and social barriers were associated with different healthy eating patterns. Key differences were
found between men who consumed the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables (five or more servings/day,
high healthy eating) and men who did not (low healthy eating). Men who consumed recommended levels of fruits
and vegetables found eating healthy to be easy, and they described how they were able to overcome barriers such
as the cost of healthy food, their limited knowledge of nutrition guidelines, and their lack of willpower to make
healthier food choices. Men with healthier eating practices also identified individuals, plans, and resources they
used or could use to help them have healthier eating practices. READ MORE
Griffith, D. M., Cornish, E. K., McKissic, S. A., & Dean, D. A. (2016). Differences in Perceptions of the Food Environment Between African American Men Who
Did and Did Not Consume Recommended Levels of Fruits and Vegetables. Health Education & Behavior, 1-8.
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Volume 2, Issue 3
Page 5
Senate Begins Work on Child Nutrition Bill
Supporters say more money for farm-to-school
grants help students, farmers
The Senate Agriculture Committee began markup of their draft of
the Child Nutrition Act Jan. 20.
The bill contains increased support for summer feeding programs as
well as for farm-to-school activities, including a $5 million per year
increase in grant funding for the farm-to-school grant program.
to School Network. READ MORE
“Farm-to-school programs are a great way to help introduce kids to
healthier eating habits and teach them about where their food
comes from,” said Erin McGuire, policy director at the National Farm
Farm Futures. (2016, January 21). Senate Begins Work on Child Nutrition Bill. Farm Futures. Retrieved from http://farmfutures.com/story-senate-begins
-work-child-nutrition-bill-0-136449.
Barriers to Equity in Nutritional Health for
U.S. Children and Adolescents:
A Review of the Literature
U.S. children and adolescents from low-income and ethnic/racial
minority backgrounds experience greater risk for obesity and poor
nutrition. In addition, a growing body of evidence documents
differences in obesity and dietary patterns between urban and rural
areas. Societal efforts to eliminate these disparities in established
risk factors for chronic disease will require a comprehensive
understanding of the social and physical environmental factors that
may be contributing. Recent studies have identified several factors
within school environments and residential neighborhoods along
with multiple aspects of food marketing and cultural norms that are likely barriers to achieving health equity. To
better inform public health improvement strategies, future research efforts are needed to clarify their contribution
to disparities and there is an urgent need to build on the more limited research to date addressing the potential for
improvements in child care environments and food system policy to promote health equity. LEARN MORE
Larson, N., & Story, M. (2015). Barriers to Equity in Nutritional Health for U.S. Children and Adolescents: A Review of the Literature. Current Nutrition
Reports, 2015(4), 102-110.
Association of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) with Food
Security and Nutrition Status among Persons Living with HIV
Nutritional status can be compromised by food insecurity which is common among HIV infected persons.
Providing food assistance is expected to improve food insecurity and nutritional status among persons affected
with HIV. This study aimed at examining the relationship of participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP), the largest food assistance program in the United States, with food security and nutritional status
among HIV infected adults. READ MORE
Hatsu, I., Huffman, F., Johnson, P., Baum, M., Thomlison, B., & Campa, A. (2015). Association of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) with
Food Security and Nutrition Status among Persons Living with HIV. European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety, 5(4), 229-241.
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Volume 2, Issue 3
Page 6
HBCU PRIDE
Increasing Diversity in
Obesity Research
Applications still being accepted
HBCU PRIDE is a research training and mentoring program for
early career faculty from underrepresented backgrounds who
hold appointments at or are graduates of Historically Black
Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Those accepted will also receive training in the interdisciplinary research
skills needed to develop successful careers in obesity health disparities research. HBCU PRIDE is a partnership
between UMMC and Jackson State University.
HBCU PRIDE is a two-year program. Interested individuals should consult the PRIDE Coordination Core
website to complete and submit a pre-application form. APPLY NOW
Obesity Policy Evaluation Research (R01)
Closing Date for Application: Saturday, May 7, 2016
This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is issued by the National Institute of Health and encourages
Research Project Grant (R01) applications that propose to evaluate large scale policy or programs that are
expected to influence obesity related behaviors (e.g., dietary intake, physical activity, or sedentary behavior) and/
or weight outcomes in an effort to prevent or reduce obesity. LEARN MORE
Strategies to Increase Delivery of Guideline-Based Care to
Populations with Health Disparities (R01)
Closing Date for Application: Tuesday, June 21, 2016
This FOA invites applications to conduct innovative and feasible studies to test strategies to accelerate the
adoption of guideline-based recommendations into clinical practice among populations with health disparities.
Applications that propose strategies with a focus on providers who care for populations with excess burden of
cardiovascular, lung, blood, and sleep diseases and disorders, in concert with the health care delivery systems in
which they practice, are strongly encouraged. Applications that test systems, infrastructures, and strategies to
implement guideline-based care for NHLBI disorders in clinical care settings are of interest. LEARN MORE
Evidence for Action: Investigator-Initiated Research to Build a Culture of Health
Closing Date for Application: Applications accepted on rolling basis
Evidence for Action is a national program of Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that supports the Foundation’s
commitment to building a Culture of Health in the U.S. The program aims to provide individuals, organizations,
communities, policymakers, and researchers with empirical evidence to address the key determinants of health
encompassed in the Culture of Health Action Framework. It will support efforts to assess outcomes and set
priorities for action. It will do this by encouraging and supporting creative, rigorous research on the impact of
innovative programs, policies, and partnerships on health and well-being, and on novel approaches to measuring
health determinants and outcomes. LEARN MORE
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Volume 2, Issue 3
Page 7
Is Organic More Nutritious? New Study Adds to the Evidence
By Allison Aubrey, As published on National Public Radio News
It’s often a split-second decision. You’re in the produce aisle, and
those organic apples on display look nice. You like the idea of
organic—but they’re a few bucks extra. Ditto for the organic milk
and meat. Do you splurge? Or do you ask yourself: What am I
really getting from organic?
Scientists have been trying to answer this question. And the
results of a huge new meta-analysis published this week in the
British Journal of Nutrition adds to the evidence that organic
production can boost key nutrients in foods.
The study finds that organic dairy and meat contain about 50
percent more omega-3 fatty acids. The increase is the result of
animals foraging on grasses rich in omega-3s, which then end up
in dairy and meats. The findings are based on data pooled from
more than 200 studies, and research in the U.S. has pointed to similar benefits
“Omega-3s are linked to reductions in cardiovascular disease, improved neurological development and function,
and better immune function,” writes study co-author Chris Seal, a professor of food and human nutrition at
Newcastle University in the U.K. “So we think it’s important for nutrition,” Seal stated. That said, organic meat and
dairy contain far lower concentrations of omega-3s than what are found in fish such as salmon.
The findings are part of a growing body of evidence documenting how farming methods can influence the
nutritional content of foods. READ MORE
Aubrey, A. (2016, February 18). Is Organic More Nutritious? New Study Adds to the Evidence. National Public Radio News. Retrieved from http://
www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/02/18/467136329/is-organic-more-nutritious-new-study-adds-to-the-evidence/.
Lunch Lessons: Changing the Way We Feed Our Children
Authors: Ann Cooper and Lisa M. Holmes
Chef Ann Cooper has emerged as one of the nation’s most influential and most respected
advocates for changing how our kids eat. Ann has worked to transform cafeterias into
culinary classrooms. Lunch Lessons spells out how parents and school employees can help
instill healthy habits in children. This book explains the basics of good childhood nutrition;
suggests dozens of tasty, home-tested recipes; and is packed with recommendations on how
to eliminate potential hazards from the home, bring gardening and composting into daily life,
and how to support businesses that provide local, organic food. LEARN MORE
Nutrition Facts: The Truth About Food
Author: Karen Frazier
Good nutrition is the basis of a healthy lifestyle. Hundreds of everyday food choices
determine your wellbeing: how you feel now, and in the future. Nutrition Facts exposes the
whole truth about food, offering an unparalleled collection of facts, figures, and data. In it,
you’ll find information on: the link between nutrition and health; how the body processes
food; building healthy eating habits; and the truth about diets and nutrition regimes.
LEARN MORE
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Volume 2, Issue 3
March 2016
Webinar—Thyroid Health with
Datis Kharrazian, DHSc, DC, FACN, CNS
Mississippi Academy of Nutrition and
Dietetics Annual Conference
Thursday, March 24, 2016 | 7 PM CT
Harvest 2 Health: Bridging the Gaps Between
Farmers, Culinary Professionals, & Dietitians
April 7-8, 2016 | Hattiesburg, MS
Dr. Datis Kharrazian, a leading expert in nonpharmaceutical approaches to chronic illness,
describes how to achieve optimal thyroid function. His
first book Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms?
When My Lab Tests Are Normal: A Revolutionary
Breakthrough in Understanding Hashimoto’s Disease
and Hypothyroidism quickly became a bestseller.
The Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists
designates this activity for a maximum of 1.5
Continuing Education credits for Certified Nutrition
Specialists. This free webinar is sponsored by AMG
Naturally, Inc. and is organized by the American
Nutrition Association. LEARN MORE
MARCH IS
NATIONAL NUTRITION
MONTH
The Mississippi Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
(MSAND) Annual Conference will be held in the Trent
Lott National Center in Hattiesburg, MS. The Keynote
Speaker is Amy Myrdal Miller, MS, RDN, Founder and
President of Farmer’s Daughter Consulting.
LEARN MORE
Webinar—Why We Buy What We Buy:
Anatomy of a Supermarket Purchase
Wednesday, April 13, 2016 | 1 PM CT
Many shoppers have healthy intentions—for example,
they want to lose weight or eat more vegetables—but
find it difficult. One reason is that retail marketing
affects food choices, often in ways that are hidden or
beyond conscious cognition. To promote effective
nutrition education and healthy behavior, nutrition
educators need to understand the science behind why
people buy what they buy. This session will explore
the ways supermarkets get shoppers to buy more food
and certain products. Presenters will share
approaches that empower shoppers to buy food
consistent with their intentions, including
environmental and policy solutions and personal
shopping strategies. The SNEB Public Health Nutrition
Division is sponsoring this event. LEARN MORE
Copyright © 2015 University of Mississippi Medical Center, All rights reserved.
Mailing Address:
University of Mississippi Medical Center
Myrlie Evers-Williams Institute for the Elimination of Health Disparities
2500 North State Street
Jackson, MS 39216
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