Breast Cancer Recurrence Risk Goes Up With Weight

Even being moderately overweight is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer recurrence, finds a new study published Monday in the journal Cancer. Despite the best treatment, researchers at Montefiore Medical Center found, the higher a woman's body mass index (BMI), the higher her risk of developing breast cancer again after treatment. Moreover, women who were obese at time of breast cancer diagnosis had approximately a 30 percent higher risk of recurrence and a nearly 50 percent higher risk of death than those who were normal weight at time of diagnosis.

To read the entire article visit Breast Cancer Recurrence Risk Goes Up With Weight  ABC News, Dr. Shari Barnett

UDOH Launches New Website to Combat Obesity

Utahns encouraged to eat healthy and increase physical activity

(Salt Lake City, UT) – With nearly 60% of Utah adults overweight or obese, the Utah Department of Health (UDOH) Physical Activity, Nutrition & Obesity (PANO) Program has launched a new website, www.choosehealth.utah.gov, to help individuals and families choose healthy options.

The website contains sections for families, schools, health care providers, and businesses that provide tools and information on general health, fitness, and obesity prevention.  The goal is to support Utahns in moving more and eating healthier through changes in their schools, communities, worksites, and in health care settings.

A key feature of the website allows individuals to search a resource list by county or ZIP code to find information on local gyms, community farms, obesity-related conditions, and many other health resources. 

PANO staff say the site is a particularly good resource for parents with children heading back to school. Because research shows parents and caregivers are the primary influences on children, the site provides nutrition and exercise recommendations, and information on numerous school programs to help encourage healthy lifestyles among children during school hours.

“The site gives Utahns critical tools and advice to make those healthy changes in their lives,” said Rebecca Fronberg, PANO Program Manager. “We hope it will help families take steps toward better health.” 

Obesity is a public health priority because of its associated risk with many other chronic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes.

For more information, visit: www.choosehealth.utah.gov.

August 28, 2012

Media Contact:

Melanie Wallentine

Physical Activity, Nutrition & Obesity (PANO) Program

801-538-6514

Addressing Health Disparities through Civil Rights Compliance and Enforcement Webcast

Health Resources and Services Administration

Office of Equal Opportunity, Civil Rights & Diversity Management (OEOCRDM)

Office of Federal Assistance Management (OFAM)

in collaboration with

The Department of Health and Human Services

Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources (ASFR)

 presents

“Addressing Health Disparities through Civil Rights Compliance and Enforcement”

Have you ever wanted to learn more about civil rights obligations and compliance and did not know where to go or whom to ask?  OCR and OEOCRDM have a great opportunity for you on Wednesday, September 19 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., eastern daylight savings time (EDT). You will hear from HHS civil rights and policy experts.  This civil rights training will be available in both English and Spanish.

What is in this webcast for you?

 The webcast will provide examples of:

·         How non-compliance can contribute to health disparities and disparities in quality care;

·         Opportunities to ensure HHS-funded programs are in compliance with civil rights laws;

·         How HHS OCR enforces compliance in your neighborhood. 

A panel of experts from OCR and ASFR will answer questions on:

·         Your compliance obligations arising from receipt of Federal financial assistance.

·         Where an individual can go to file discrimination complaints or receive technical assistance.
At the end of the webcast, we trust that:

·         You will understand your roles and responsibilities in ensuring HHS-funded programs comply with civil rights laws.

For questions contact Maria E. White at 301-443-0363 or mewhite@hrsa.gov.

To join the webcast click:  http://services.choruscall.com/links/hrsa120919.html

Follow @HRSAgov on Twitter and tell us, “What does Civil Rights mean to you when addressing health disparities and inequities?” Use #HealthDisparitiesAndCivilRights

UDOH Releases Estimates on Uninsured Utahns for 2011

(Salt Lake City, UT) – The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) today released new data estimating that 377,700 Utahns, or 13.4 percent of the total population, went without health insurance in 2011.  The figure represents an increase from the 2010 overall uninsured rate when the UDOH estimated 301,700 people, or 10.6 percent of the population, were uninsured.

The increased rate is at least in part due to the use of improved survey methods that provided a better estimate of the number of uninsured than did previous surveys. The change in methods means it can’t be known for sure whether there has also been an actual increase in the number of uninsured Utahns since 2011.

Prior to 2011, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a telephone survey that measures key public health indicators, was conducted with Utahns who own landline telephones.  In 2011, the survey methodology was changed to also include Utahns who use only cell phones.  The survey also began utilizing an updated methodology to weight the data in order for it to more accurately represent Utah’s population.

Both of these methodology changes account for the increasing number of Utah households without landline phones, while also addressing an under-representation of males, adults with less formal education or lower household income, and racial and ethnic minorities.

Key findings from the new data include:

    •  56,500 children ages 0-18 years were uninsured and living below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), making them eligible for Utah’s CHIP program.

    •  7.9 percent of Utah children ages 0-17 years (69,600) were without health insurance coverage in 2011.

    •  Younger adults ages 19-26 years and 27-34 years had the lowest rates of insurance coverage in 2011 than any other age group.

    •  Among adults ages 19-64 years who were employed full time, 13.2 percent were uninsured in 2011, while 26.3 percent of adults who were employed only part time went without health care coverage.

    •  Among self-employed Utahns, 29.1 percent reported being uninsured in 2011.

“It’s particularly discouraging to see 56,500 Utah children went without health care coverage last year when the state’s CHIP program could have helped them,” said UDOH Executive Director David Patton. “My goal is to help Utahns become the healthiest people in the nation, and addressing the rate of uninsured Utahns is an important part of achieving that goal.”

The BRFSS is a household health survey overseen by the CDC and conducted by individual state health departments.  Additional data on the estimated number of uninsured Utahns broken down by demographic characteristics can be found at http://health.utah.gov/opha/publications/2011brfss/Highlights_2011.pdf.

Funding Opportunity sponsored by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Forward Promise Releases Call for Proposals

Forward Promise Innovation Grants: Promoting Opportunities for the Health and Success of Young Men of Color
Proposal Deadline: October 10, 2012 (3:00 p.m. EDT)
 
Forward Promise Innovation Grants: Promoting Opportunities for the Health and Success of Young Men of Color is a new initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that aims to improve the health of middle school- and high school-aged boys and young men of color, as well as their opportunities for success in school, work, and life.

• More details and how to apply

U.S. Breastfeeding Rates on the Rise according to 2012 Breastfeeding Report Card

National Breastfeeding Month August 2012

There are many ways that states support mothers and babies to breastfeed, and everyone plays a role. The CDC Breastfeeding Report Card brings together state-by-state information to help tell the story of breastfeeding practices in states. It compiles many types of data so states can monitor progress, celebrate state successes, and identify opportunities to work with health professionals, employers, business owners, community partners and family members to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding. 

Breastfeeding rates on the rise

Breastfeeding rates continue to rise, with increases of about 2 percentage points in breastfeeding initiation, and breastfeeding at 6 and 12 months. Breastfeeding initiation increased from 74.6% in 2008 to 76.9% in 2009 births. This improvement in initiation represents the largest annual increase over the previous decade. Breastfeeding at 6 months increased from 44.3% to 47.2%; breastfeeding at 12 months increased from 23.8% to 25.5%.

To read entire report card and see how Utah compares, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/pdf/2012BreastfeedingReportCard.pdf

FREE Family Health Fair 2012 at Health Clinics of Utah

The Health Clinics of Utah Salt Lake location is sponsoring a 

Family Health Fair

Friday, September 28

10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
168 North 1950 West #201, Salt Lake City  

FREE Healthcare Screenings

Blood Pressure

Cholesterol

Blood Sugar

Diabetic Foot Exam

Visual Acuity Testing

Glaucoma

Dental Screenings

Mental Health Program Information

$10 Adult Flu Shots!!

Free hot dogs, Entertainment, Giveaways!

Bring the entire family!
For more information call 801-715-3500

Free Patient Navigation Training Available-sponsored by UDOH and Susan G Koman Foundation

Utah has one of the lowest rates of mammography screening in the nation.   Patient navigators and community health workers are uniquely situated to build bridges between the health care system and the communities they serve. As these roles evolve nationwide, there is a continued need for training and skills development.

With funding from the Susan G Komen Foundation, the Utah Cancer Control Program is hosting a training for lay health workers to will provide them with the tools, resource and skills to educate women about mammography screening and wish to invite you and members from your community to attend.

The training is scheduled for September 6, 2012 from 7:30-4:30

Come join us as we work together toward building bridges and expanding care in the communities we serve.

The cost is FREE and breakfast, lunch and snacks will be provided. A $20.00 gift certificate and a certificate of completion will be provided.

Contact Maritza Arce-Larreta C-ANP, MSN, RN, Clinical Coordinator, Utah Dept of Health (UDOH) Cancer Control Program at 801-538-6990 for more information.

CDC's Division of Reproductive Health Launches New Web page for Health Care Providers

CDC's Division of Reproductive Health is pleased to announce a new Web page for health care providers with tools, resources, media, and messages on what they can do to reduce teen pregnancy. Please share and bookmark this new page: http://www.cdc.gov/TeenPregnancy/HealthCareProviders. 

Learn more about—

• Teen Pregnancy Prevention 
• Reproductive Health