Utah Department of Health Office of Health Disparities
The Connection: News about overcoming health disparities in Utah

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Pew Center Report on Utah Latino Voters

The Utah Latino Voter report is posted at http://health.utah.gov/cmh/data.html#utahdemographics

Utah's Comprehensive Cancer Prevention and Control Plan is Now Open for Public Comment

Utah's Comprehensive Cancer Prevention and Control Plan, 2011-2015 is now open for public comment until 11:59 p.m., Sunday December 12, 2010.
 
Please visit www.UCAN.cc/state_plan_comments to view a current draft of the plan and submit comments.
 
A Quick Reference Guide is also available on the above web page. This is an abbreviated version of the Plan. It contains only the implementation and evaluation of the plan and the goals/objectves/strategies contained in it.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Kristi Wilcoxson Smith, Utah Cancer Control Program, at kwilcoxson@utah.gov or 801-538-6190.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Hill Air Force Base Diabetes Classes

Welcome to Diabetes Classes at HAFB the first and third Tuesday of every month at the Family Medicine Clinic, 75th Medical Group at Hill AFB. People with diabetes, families, and significant others are all welcome.
Topics include:  ~Podiatry (foot health) ~What Is Diabetes? ~ Dental ~ Nutrition ~ Optometry (eye health) ~ Pharmacy (medicine) ~ Psychological aspects and stress ~ Exercise 
Hill Air Force Base Diabetes Refresher Course
Second Tuesday of every month. Bring your water and join a new and interesting interactive presentation.
For more information, contact Danielle Morris, GS-11, R.N.,B.S.,C.D.E.
75th Medical Group Health Management Clinic, Diabetes Educator/Coordinator, 7321 Balmer Street, Bldg. 570, H.A.F.B., UT  84056. Commercial : 801-586-9658. DSN:  94-586-9658. Fax:  801-586-9722

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

People’s Health Clinic Brings Care to the Uninsured of Summit/Wasatch Counties


Where does a parent take a sick child who has no insurance, other than to the ER?  Does an uninsured adult ever get an annual physical?  What are the risks for a newborn whose mother receives no prenatal care?   

Ten years ago, a group of Summit County citizens asked those questions, and decided to start a health clinic.  First held in a medical van which roamed the two counties, the Clinic now occupies 5,000 sq. ft. in the Summit County Health Services building. For a suggested donation of $15 (no one is turned away for inability to pay), patients can be seen for general medical care, prenatal, chronic disease, and pediatric concerns.   

And what if a problem is discovered that’s more serious than the Clinic can address?   The Clinic is constantly developing relationships with local doctors and facilities where its patients can be seen for lower cost.

 The Clinic is supported by local residents, foundations, businesses, with some local and State government funding, as well as by patient donations.  Over 90% of Clinic patients contribute to their care. Only residents of Summit and Wasatch Counties without health insurance are treated.  

Here a local mother describes how she found PHC, and what it has meant to her. "Kids are kids, and we had plenty of broken bones to take care of, without any insurance.  As a mom, I put myself and my health last.  I was managing a local shop at the time, and someone told me about People's Health. I got an appointment and was treated for a thyroid problem.  In a week's time, I was back to my old self. And I've been in many times, problems found and solved!"

The People’s Health Clinic
650 Round Valley Drive
PO Box 681558
Park City, UT  84068
(435) 333-1850

Submitted by   
Sarah Klingenstein, Community Outreach Coordinator, People’s Health Clinic

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

New Federal $$ Will Help CMH Address Infant Mortality

Utah’s Black/African American and Pacific Islander babies suffer the highest rates of infant mortality in the state and a new U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grant will help the Utah Department of Health, (UDOH) Center for Multicultural Health (CMH) understand why.
Pacific Islander infants under 12 months of age had nearly twice the death rate (8.8 deaths/1,000 births) of infants statewide (4.5 deaths/1,000 births). The rate for Black/African American infants was 8.4 deaths/1,000 births. Black/African American infants also had the highest rates of low birth weight (11.4%) and preterm birth (13.0%) of all Utah infants. The state rates were 6.8% and 9.7%, respectively.

The 3-year, $130,000 grant requires that CMH focus on evidence-based interventions addressing no more than three health disparities. In addition to health concerns surrounding births, CMH will also use the funds for research into issues of obesity and health care access among Utah minority groups, two other disparities that turned up amid a comprehensive study of minority health in Utah.

CMH is now seeking expert leaders from public health, health care and community-based organizations to participate on Advisory Boards that will plan and supervise interventions and oversee the selection of community outreach subcontractors.

Webinar Series: State Implementing Health Reforms

States have already reached benchmarks as they implement federal health reform.  State legislatures have an important role in building the framework for a full overhaul of the health care system by 2014.  The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) is holding a six-part webinar series to help legislators and legislative staff navigate the complex nature of health reform. Register for any or all of these webinars at http://www.ncsl.org/?TabId=21590

The National Children's Study is Changing!

The National Children's Study is adding 30 new locations, one is Cache County which will be the 2nd in Utah to be enrolling participants.  If you are in Cache County and would like more information, contact the Cache County location at 435-797-KIDS(5437) or email nsc@usu.edu.
For more information about the National Children's Study in Utah,visit saltlake.nationalchildrensstudy.gov.  If you would like to enroll, call the enrollment hotline at 801-231-4114.

Faces of Utah Photo Bank

The Center for Multicultural Health (CMH) has begun gathering pictures of diverse individuals (multicultural, life span, gender, ability) to create a bank of pictures of actual Utahns to be used in health promotion flyers, brochures, or other health related materials.  Consent forms are available.  For more information or to contribute your picture(s), please contact Owen Quiñonez at oquinone@utah.gov.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Uninsured Adults Urged to Apply for Health Coverage. Primary Care Network (PCN) opens enrollment today!

What:  Utah’s Primary Care Network (PCN) will open enrollment today, November 8 - 22. PCN is a primary preventive health coverage plan for uninsured adults. Benefits include physician services, prescriptions, dental services, eye exams, emergency room visits, birth control, and general preventive services.

Why:  Since May 2010, PCN has been closed for enrollment and has not accepted new applications. Beginning today through November 22, all uninsured Utah adults may apply online, by mail, or in person to receive primary health care.

Who:               Adults who meet the following requirements may apply:
                                    - Age 19 through 64 (Single adults may apply)
                                    - U.S. citizens or legal residents
                                    - Not covered by other health insurance
                                    - Meet income guidelines (e.g., a family of 4 with a maximum income of $33,075 per year)
                                    - Not qualified for Medicaid
                                    - Have no access to student health insurance, Medicare or Veterans benefits.

When:             Today, November 8 through Monday, November 22

Where: Apply online at www.health.utah.gov/pcn  or call the PCN hotline at 1-888-222-2542.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Health Promotion and Education Fair for Refugees and Immigrants

EVERYONE is encouraged to come for FREE VISUAL, CHOLESTEROL, GLUCOSE, AND BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS! FREE CHILD CARE IS PROVIDED!

When: November 13, 2010 ~ Time: 10am-4pm ~ Location: Horizonte Learning Center, 1234 Main Street, Salt Lake City, Utah

5 health workshops in 6 languages and diabetes, eye, and hypertension screenings

Services provided in Arabic , English, Farsi, Somali, Spanish, Urdu.

Workshops available for Diabetes/Hypertension, Cholesterol/Cardiac disease, Eye Disorders, Women's Health, Stress and Disease

Sponsored by United Service for Humanity. For more information and to register for the health fair ONLINE NOW, go to http://ushslc.blogspot.com/