>Business Proposal: You have been crowned the 2007 Miss Nigeria in America (MNIA) and you have chosen a platform you would undertake during your reign. MNIA, Inc. has tasked you to write a proposal on your platform that you will present to different NGOs, Grant Agencies and to the Board Members of MNIA, Inc. The budget for your proposal/plan is $10,000
>Describe in essay format the following topics (1-4):
1.Name of platform and reason why you chose to undertake it:
High Blood Pressure Awareness
**If chosen as the next Miss Nigeria in America, I would undertake “High Blood Pressure Awareness” as my platform. High-blood pressure otherwise known as hypertension is a major health problem in the United States and especially among West Africans. Not only are the risks higher, but so is the likelihood of developing it at a younger age and its severity. In order to deal with this problem, people must know the risk factors and if they do have hypertension, that they lower their blood pressure.
Many of those who have high blood pressure do not know it. This is a uniquely silent disease. There are no symptoms until it is too late; unfortunately my grandmother and my aunt fell victim to the silent killer. This challenge can be met by raising awareness in Nigerian communities and empowering them to be responsible for their health. Because high blood pressure is silent and can be treated effectively, early detection and awareness is important. Given that high blood pressure runs in my family, I have a strong personal commitment, involvement, and conviction to promote widespread awareness about high blood pressure.
2. Steps you would take to promote this platform to Nigerians/Nigerians in Diaspora
Some suggestions I had includes build visibility, but this is NOT limited. **I’m open to suggestions
The goal is to promote the fact that HBP can be prevented and controlled; people just need to be aware and willing to get checked every now and then to ensure they are within a healthy range
A. Fundraising
B. Since I live in NYC; I thought to have a statewide awareness program
C. Work to assure blood pressure screening and follow-up services for state employees
D. Promote school health programs that maintain or enhance physical education classes and offer healthful foods in cafeterias
and vending machines.
E. Provide blood pressure screening programs focused on high-risk groups; Nigerians/Nigerians in Diaspora
F. Work with health care organizations like, American Heart Association, NIH
G. Monthly Screenings available for Nigerian Organziations; provide incentives. Discount for this high-risk group with hospitals?
H. Get people involved/organizations involved: http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/nhbpep_kit/prior.htm
3. Advice you would give the named agencies above on ways to implement your platform program.
Below are some ideas, but not limited to
A. Work with your local American Heart Association
B. Free Clinics—please include the fact that I volunteered with the Ithaca Free Clinic in Ithaca, NY. I created a hypertension brochure to hand out to patients to educate them. Also, I was trained to read patient vitals and use the automated blood pressure machine to measure patients blood pressure levels
C. http://www.healthystates.csg.org/NR/rdonlyres/3E2E20A8-B42F-4DF9-9D9E53CEBA9AFE7D/0/ControllingHighBloodPressureFINAL.pdf.
4. Detailed/Realistic Budget outlining total cost on undertaking this platform
This must be specific (i.e. in order to promote school health care; it will cost $X because research indicates…) In terms of the layout; the budget section does not count as a “page”. This will be included as a separate page and attached at the end of the proposal.
***So, 8 pages will focus on Topics 1-3 and the 9th page will focus on topic 4–budget.
Charts, tables etc, if used do not count as a page. Please put in the appendix section of the report if necessary.
>Tone of the Proposal:
Passionate—maybe open up with the major reason why I chose this topic. It runs in my family; I lost my aunt, grandmother, and my mom has it now. So, it’s a bit personal as well. Another suggestion may be to follow up with startling statistics to really grab the reader’s attention. This must be consistent throughout the essay/proposal b/c it’s 8 pages long.
>Quotes: Yes! This may help keep the reader engaged
>Must have’s
1. Personal history/experience with HBP
2. Directly answer 1-4 above
3. Relate/Direct proposal with the target audience of Nigerians/Nigerians in America
4. Mention the Miss Nigeria in America Oranization
5. Mention that “as the 2007 Miss Nigeria in America, I will” or something to this extent
>Additional Information I think may help or to provide guidance:
Improving Control of High Blood Pressure in Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s Cardiovascular Health Program collaborated with a statewide group of 20 HMOs and health systems, as well as other public and private health organizations, to increase the percentage of patients who have their high blood pressure controlled. Participating HMOs represented 84 percent of patients enrolled in HMOs in the state in 2000 and more than 98 percent of those enrolled in 2001 (nearly 1.5 million people). The Cardiovascular Health Program asked that the 20 participating health plans with commercial enrollees collect data on measures of cardiovascular health. Based on these data, health plans made quality improvements in blood pressure control. Among participating health plans, the percentage of patients who had their high blood pressure controlled increased from 48 percent to 58 percent—a 21 percent relative increase. http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/Health/cardiovascular/index.htm
Promote physical activity and healthy eating habits. “Programs aimed at increasing physical activity and promoting a healthy diet are effective in lowering blood pressure and could delay or prevent the onset of high blood pressure.”
Promote early identification of high blood pressure. “High blood pressure is a well-known risk factor for heart disease and stroke that can be prevented. Early intervention through detection and treatment is a fundamental strategy for public health.”
Develop community programs. “Successful community programs should be convenient for your population and conducted in a culturally sensitive manner. Programs should be targeted to those populations who are most likely to develop high blood pressure and those with limited access to health care.”
Promote access to the health care system for all. “Less than half of your constituents diagnosed with high blood pressure have it under control. Lack of access to health care providers and medical care will lead to uncontrolled high blood pressure.”
Encourage quality improvement efforts in the health care setting. “Systems that support providers and patients in following established guidelines are needed. Quality improvement programs in the primary care, specialty care and hospital settings can transform the care that is provided to patients with high blood pressure.” Resources: Washington State Department of Health Web site— http://www.doh.wa.gov/. “The Health of Washington State High Blood Pressure”: Available at http://www.doh.wa.gov/HWS/doc/CD/CD_HBP.doc
