HDHHS holds AIM Project for Greater Fifth Ward Area
The Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS) is currently spearheading its sixth Assessment, Intervention and Mobilization (AIM) project.
Approximately 250 HDHHS employees walked Greater Fifth Ward for four days in early October to give residents information packets featuring community resources located within the area’s neighborhoods. They visited about 7,500 households, both houses and apartments.
The employees then spent about two weeks following up on the Fifth Ward residents’ immediate needs. Among some of most common immediate needs found by HDHHS during packet distributions in AIM projects are prescription medications, food, clothes, utility assistance, transportation support and counseling about eligibility for a variety of programs.
Over the summer HDHHS began the assessment portion of the project by conducting surveys with Fifth Ward residents. The assessment – designed to identify health-related issues – will continue through February as HDHHS conducts key-informant sessions with Fifth Ward community leaders and service providers, in-depth interviews with residents and focus groups.
A comprehensive analysis of the assessment will begin when all portions of the assessment are complete. The surveys indicate issues of most concern to Fifth Ward residents include lack of full service grocery stores, illegal dumping, the number of homes still with blue tarp roofs due to Hurricane Ike, lack of economic opportunities, overgrown lots and drugs and crime.
Surveying underserved communities on health issues is a key component of AIM projects. Health issues that employees query residents about include chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease and high blood pressure, difficulties obtaining health care, children’s health including prenatal care, immunizations and nutritional habits. Other issues include household problems with water leaks, carbon monoxide and standing water, physical problems interfering with normal, day-to-day activities, exercise, exposure to second-hand smoke and car and industry emissions in the environment.
HDHHS has conducted AIM projects the last three years in Houston’s Near Northside, Sunnyside, Independence Heights, Magnolia Park and in the Tri-Community area comprised of Clinton Park, Fidelity and Clinton View neighborhoods.
HDHHS uses AIM projects to evaluate and improve the ability of residents to manage their health and well-being. It also uses the AIM projects to help link residents to needed health or human services.
The projects help HDHHS obtain statistical information to determine a community’s health status and needs. They also help improve HDHHS’ readiness to respond to natural or man-made disasters.
Community-based organizations and community volunteers have assisted HDHHS with distribution of information packets in each of the AIM projects.
For more information about AIM projects, call HDHHS at 713-794-9999.
The Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS) is currently spearheading its sixth Assessment, Intervention and Mobilization (AIM) project. 
Over the summer HDHHS began the assessment portion of the project by conducting surveys with Fifth Ward residents. The assessment – designed to identify health-related issues – will continue through February as HDHHS conducts key-informant sessions with Fifth Ward community leaders and service providers, in-depth interviews with residents and focus groups.