Health Equity Connection for June 2012

In this Issue

• New Resources
• Policy Updates
• LGBT Pride Month
  
• Upcoming Events
  

New Resources

• Dying for Coverage: The Deadly Consequences of Being Uninsured (Families USA)
  
  
• Wellness Programs: Evaluating the Promises and Pitfalls (Families USA) 
  
  
• Fighting for Survival: Why Gay and Transgender Communities Should Care about Health Reform (Center for American Progress)
   
• Advancing Health Reform by Inclusion: Engaging Communities of Color in Policy Change (Community Catalyst)
  
  
• Race and Ethnicity Data Collection: Beyond Standardization (The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies)
  
  
• Roots of Health Inequity: A Web-Based Course for the Public Health Workforce (Roots of Health Inequity)
  
   

Policy Updates

Supreme Court to Decide on Affordable Care Act on June 28
After deciding on a number of important cases this past Monday, June 25, the Supreme Court of the United States has added an extra day to its calendar in order to deliver opinions on three more cases, including the challenge to the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. Whatever the court rules, supporters of health reform and health equity will need to redouble their efforts to counter the misinformation that opponents will undoubtedly continue to spread as the national elections approach.

Administration Announces Plan to Reduce Asthma Disparities
On May 31, the President’s Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children released the Coordinated Federal Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Asthma Disparities. The plan is the product of interagency collaboration among the Department of Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. For the plan’s guiding principles and strategies, read the full plan or this one-pager.

LGBT Pride Month

As LGBT Pride Month comes to an end, we hope you all celebrated and recognized the importance of the Affordable Care Act for LGBT communities. Check out this piece by the Center for American Progress, The Top 10 Things Health Reform Does for Gay and Transgender Americans. The Department of Health and Human Services also released a 10-part webinar on transgender health last month.

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