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February 2008
In this Issue:
NEW MEDIA:
- The National Council of La Raza launched a new Web site, We Can Stop the Hate, to combat the rise of offensive speech surrounding the immigration debate. The Web site documents the breadth of hate group and vigilante anti-immigrant activity, reports on the growth of hate crimes against Latinos since 2004, and demonstrates how the mainstream media facilitates the spread of negative rhetoric by hate groups.
- Community Catalyst and Families USA have introduced a web-based guide for consumer advocates working on health reform in their states. The policy guide can assist advocates in designing health coverage expansion plans that build upon pre-existing public programs, employer-based insurance, and private market options. Weaved throughout the guide are examples of how states have addressed racial and ethnic health disparities and strategies for incorporating health equity into state expansion plans.
- The Health Research and Educational Trust recently updated its 2005 Web-based tool, Disparities Toolkit for Collecting Patient Race, Ethnicity, and Primary Language Data. It is designed to help health plans, hospitals, and other providers collect information on race, ethnicity, and primary language. This practical guide shows how such information can be collected in a systematic way that meets regulatory and local community demands.
PUBLICATIONS:
- The Pew Research Center issued a report predicting that, by the year 2050, nearly one in every five U.S. citizens will be an immigrant. Over the next four decades, Pew estimates that the Latino and Asian populations will triple in size, and the non-Hispanic white population will increase at a slower rate than any other racial or ethnic group. To read the full report, click here.
- Health Affairs has published a study, “Willingness to Pay for Cross-Border Health Insurance between the United States and Mexico,” which found that a majority of surveyed immigrants would support a cross-border insurance plan between Mexico and the U.S. The authors further suggest that cross-border insurance can offer an opportunity to expand health coverage to the uninsured Mexican population living in the U.S. To read the study abstract, click here.
- The Foundation for Child Development released a report describing an overall improvement in the quality of life for children. This was the first study of its kind that analyzed and compared trends in the well-being of white, African American, and Hispanic children over a 20-year span. Though the gaps between black and Hispanic children, compared to white children, are closing, it will take another generation before these gaps are fully eliminated. To read the full study, click here.
- A study conducted between 1995 and 2000 found continued racial disparities in infant mortality rates for black infants compared to white infants. For example, the report found that there were 3,300 more deaths among black infants born prematurely and of low birth weight than among white infants. To read an abstract of the report, click here.
- Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved has released their annual Black History Month issue. It features a compilation of articles, commentaries, and original papers discussing racial and ethnic health disparities in large population studies, breast cancer prevention programs in communities, and weight management interventions. To access the table of contents and article abstracts, click here.
- Pediatrics has published Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Medical and Dental Health, Access to Care, and Use of Services in US Children, which found significant disparities in health status, oral health, and access for minority children. The study also found that certain disparities were particularly marked for certain racial and ethnic groups, and that multiracial children were burdened by multiple disparities.
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Health Advocates in Reach (HAIR) Project
In September 2002, the Center for Minority Health (CMH) at the Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh launched its first health education project in three local barbershops during “Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day,” a national program designed to promote health and wellness in the African American community. The CMH version of this national initiative, “Take a Health Professional to the People,” involved health professionals providing health screenings and information to barbershop customers. This effort, known as the Health Advocates in Reach (HAIR) project, has blossomed into a partnership between nine barber and beauty shops and 100 types of health professionals, including doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, health educators, and medical students.
The HAIR project seeks to build trust between the African American community and medical professionals, especially around cancer screening and participation in medical research. CMH has even provided training to many of the HAIR project’s beauty and barbershop owners and staff so they can answer health-related questions, distribute literature, and help people find the proper health care resources. The training focuses on seven areas where health disparities are prominent: cancer, heart disease, diabetes, immunization, infant mortality, HIV/AIDS and mental health.
To learn more about the Health Advocates in Reach project, visit its Web site at http://www.cmh.pitt.edu/coid.asp, or contact Mario Browne at mbrowne@cmh.pitt.edu.
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President Bush’s 2009 Budget Proposal
Earlier this month, President Bush presented his 2009 budget proposal, which reduces funding to programs that are of critical importance to communities of color. In particular, the President proposes cuts to the following offices and programs:
The Office of Minority Health. The President's budget proposes to cut $6 million in funding for the Office of Minority Health. The Office of Minority Health plays an essential role in coordinating public efforts to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities. This is the third year in a row that the President has sought to decrease funding for this office.
The Indian Health Service. President Bush’s budget proposes to cut $22 million from this important program. The Indian Health Service is an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services that operates a comprehensive health service delivery system for more than half of the nation’s estimated 3.3 million American Indians and Alaska Natives.
HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment. Funding for these programs in minority communities remains unchanged at $52 million. However, racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. Therefore, it is vital that funding be increased in these areas.
Unfortunately, these proposed budget cuts reflect the Administration's lack of commitment to the elimination of racial and ethnic disparities, which threaten the health of our nation.
More Presidential Budget Woes
President Bush’s 2009 budget also proposes almost $300 million in cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This reduction will adversely affect several important agencies within the CDC, one of which is the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). NCHS, the nation’s principle health statistics agency, has been hampered by funding uncertainties in the past year. Though their 2008 budget was initially increased by Congress, President Bush vetoed the increase in funding.
NCHS collects and analyzes data on all aspects of our health care system. One such function involves the collection of race-specific data on Native Americans, Asian and Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, and African Americans in all aspects of public health, such as infant mortality, HIV/AIDS, cancer, and diabetes. These data are essential in the creation and development of intervention programs that are designed to address health disparities in high-risk communities.
Without additional funding, NHCS will no longer be able to assemble vital health data from minority groups and subgroups in the effort to eliminate health inequities. To find additional information about NCHS and what you can do to support its work, click here.
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- The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Commission to Build a Healthier America
February 28, 2008, 9:30 am-11:30 am, the Columbus Club, Union Station, Washington, DC 20002
Sponsor: The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
For more information and to RSVP: Alex Field at 301-652-1558 or AField@burnesscommunications.com or Nick Seaver at nseaver@burnesscommunications.com
- The Impact of Poverty, Culture, and Environment on Minority Health
February 29, 2008, the William and Ida Friday Continuing Education Center, 100 Friday Center Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27517
Sponsor: University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Public Health
For more information and to register: http://www.minority.unc.edu/sph/minconf/2008/
- County Practices Nomination: Access to Care
Sponsor: National Association of Counties
Deadline: February 29, 2008
For nominations: http://www.naco.org/Template.cfm?Section=New_Technical_Assistance&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=26147
- HIV and Minorities: Cultural Competence and the Quality of Care
March 28, 2008, 7:30 am-5:00 pm, The Four Points Hotel by Sheraton, 1201 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
Sponsor: Howard University College of Medicine
To register: www.nmaetc2008symposium.info or call Marjorie Douglas at 202-865-8389
- Community Voices’ Freedom’s Voice Conference
April 9-11, 2008, Hyatt Regency Atlanta, 265 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Sponsor: The Community Voices Initiative
For more information and to register: http://www.communityvoices.org/events.aspx
- Improving Medical Effectiveness and Health Outcomes to Eliminate Health Disparities through Multidisciplinary Collaborations
April 10-12, 2008, Westin New Orleans Canal Place, 100 Rue Iberville, New Orleans, LA 70130
Sponsor: Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy
For more information and to register: http://xula08.the1joshuagroup.com
- Health Care Reform & Health Disparities: A Priority for Hispanic Communities
April 17-20, 2008, Washington Hilton Hotel, 1919 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
Sponsor: National Hispanic Medical Association
For more information and to register: http://www.nhmamd.org/conference2008.htm
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We’d like to hear from you!
If you would like to see your organization or event highlighted in a future edition of our newsletter, please send us a brief description of your organization and its activities, as well as your contact information. We also welcome guest authors for the Activities in the Field section of the newsletter. This section provides members of the minority health field with the opportunity to share their experiences and insights with other advocates. Please send all correspondence to: minorityhealth@familiesusa.org.
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