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

Monday, June 30, 2014

Data Brief: Characteristics of Uninsured Adult Males by Race and Ethnicity (Ages 19 to 64 Years)

A new data brief released by the HHS Office of Minority Health during Men’s Health Month examines the characteristics of uninsured adult males by race and ethnicity, using the most recent data from the 2012 American Community Survey. Findings from the survey, which include information on social determinants of health such as poverty and education level, underscore the social and economic factors that should be considered in developing strategies to increase insurance coverage and access to care for minority adult males.

The survey findings provide additional information on the patterns of uninsurance among non-elderly males prior to the establishment of the Health Insurance Marketplace and the expansion of Medicaid eligibility under the Affordable Care Act.

Transportation Improvement Program - Seeking public comment on projects for the Program

The Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC) has released its draft Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and is seeking public comment on projects identified for the program. The TIP is updated every year, with the current program outlining proposed new construction projects to be funded from 2015 through 2020.
Click here to view the Draft 2015-2020 TIP. 
Projects identified in the TIP come from the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). The RTP identifies the long-range transportation needs for the region, including transit, roads, bicycle, and pedestrian projects. Amendments to the current RTP are also being considered and are available for public comment and review. The corresponding air quality conformity analyses will also be available.
Click here to view the proposed amendments and here for the RTP interactive online map.
These plans, programs, and projects are subject to public review and comment prior to consideration and possible adoption by the Regional Council.  The public review and comment period will begin on June 28, 2014 and run through August 2, 2014. An open house will be held at:

Wednesday, July 9, 2014
UTA Intermodal Center Plaza (outdoors)
250 South 600 West, Salt Lake City
4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

In the event of inclement weather, the open house will be moved into the adjacent Intermodal Center.  Further information is available on the Regional Council’s website at www.wfrc.org. Comments may also be given to Sam Klemm at sam@wfrc.org, or (801) 363-4250.  They can also be mailed to WFRC, 295 North Jimmy Doolittle Road, Salt Lake City, UT  84116. 

To assure the open house is available to all members of the public, accommodations for effective communication such as sign language interpreters or printed materials in alternate format must be requested at least five (5) working days prior to the date of the scheduled event(s). Requests should be directed to WFRC during business hours.

Para recibir esta informacion en Espanol, envie un correo electronico a Sam Klemm a sam@wfrc.org.

Friday, June 27, 2014

June 27 is National HIV Testing Day. Help stop the spread of HIV-know your status.

Dept. of Health & Human Services
On this National HIV Testing Day, June 27, take time to get tested and take control of your health. One in 6 people with HIV don't know it. It's important to know your status.

Find HIV testing sites and care services near you and share this with a friend.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

HHS announces auto-enrollment plans for current Marketplace consumers for 2015

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced its plans to help give existing Marketplace consumers a simple way to remain in the same plan next year unless they want to shop for another plan and choose to make changes.

In today’s health insurance market, the vast majority of consumers are generally auto-enrolled in their plan year after year.  For example, about 88 percent of employees receiving coverage through the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program don’t choose to change plans and are instead auto-enrolled in their current plan with updated premiums and benefits.  These guidelines aim to bring the Marketplace in line with this practice in the existing insurance market.


As with existing open enrollment periods for employer-based coverage, consumers are strongly encouraged to use the open enrollment period as an opportunity to update their information and reevaluate their health coverage needs for the coming year.

Consumers always have the ability to return to the system for shopping, changing plans, or reporting life changes or a change to their annual income to ensure they are getting the lowest cost possible on their monthly premium. And, to help ensure the program integrity of how taxpayer dollars are spent, while also protecting consumers from having to pay back tax credits they are no longer eligible for, under the approach that the Federally-facilitated Marketplace would use in 2015, the small number of consumers whose updated income information suggests they no longer qualify for a tax credit next year, will still be auto-enrolled in their current plan, but without a tax credit. State-based Marketplaces may take this approach as well, or propose an alternative.

You can read the press release here
The proposed rule is available here
Guidance on Annual Redeterminations for 2015 is available here
The draft issuer renewal and discontinuance notices are open to public comment and may be viewed here

Needs Assessment of Single Expectant Mothers in Utah's Wasatch Front

Are you a single pregnant mother or have you given birth in the last 6 months?
Are you a single, pregnant mother, or given birth in the last 6 months?Are you between 16 – 30 years of age? We would like to invite you to participate in a study to discuss your experiences and needs as a single, expectant mother. Your input and feedback will help us figure out how community services can better support you!We only need 30 minutes of your time. Compensation will be offered.Please call Tatiana Allen 801-585-5255 or Jeanette Nelson 801-587-7224 for more information or to participate.
When: June 06, 2014 through August 31, 2014
Location: Univeristy of Utah Department of Family and Preventive Medicine
Cost: Free
Contact: Tatiana at tatiana.allen@hsc.utah.edu or 801-585-5287

Utah Governor's Annual American Indian Summit

 Utah American Indian Summit
July 30-31, 2014
Utah Valley University campus, Orem
Register at  the Utah Division of Indian Affairs website 
$25.00 registration fee; elders are free

This year, the UIHAB will be hosting a Run/Walk the morning of July 30th.   Volunteers are needed  to register folks and distribute water along the route.  Water donations would be greatly appreciated.  

Topics at the summit will include healthy cooking demonstration and discussion on how to be creative and healthy when cooking for your family at home, including strategies for healthy meal planning when you live a long way away from a grocery store. There will also be sessions related to health/community health; ACA for AI/AN's, Tobacco, HIV/AIDS, Emergency Preparedness. 

For more information contact Melissa Zito, Indian Health Liaison, UDOH at mzito@utah.gov.

Upcoming Office of Minority Health Webinar: Community Needs Assessments

The National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities (NPA) is hosting a webinar focused on community needs assessments in partnership with Community Action Partnership and the National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI). Speakers will provide an overview of the key elements of assessments used by Community Action Agencies, hospitals and public health programs to inform community benefits and services programs. Specifically, presenters will discuss commonalities and differences in the outcomes and applications of the different assessments, the degree to which health equity concerns are captured by these assessments, and opportunities for improved coordination between users of both assessments. 
SPEAKERS:   
Vincent Lafronza, Ed.D, President and CEO, National Network of Public Health Institutes
Steve Ridini, Ed.D, Vice President, Health Resources in Action, Inc.
Don Mathis, President and CEO, Community Action Partnership
DATE: July 9, 2014
TIME: 3 – 4 p.m. EDT

 Click Here for Registration and Speaker Information:
  https://communityactionevents.webex.com/communityactionevents/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=668544916 

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Study Examines Effects of ‘Neighborhood Poverty’ on Obesity

"The effects of neighborhood poverty on children's weight may be just as important as the effects of family poverty," according to a study published in the Journal of Applied Development Psychology. Researchers from Cornell, Princeton, and Columbia Universities found that by age 2, low birth-weight infants from poor areas have higher body mass index levels compared to low birth-weight peers from wealthier neighborhoods, and that the risk of obesity for children in the former category stays higher as they grow up. 
RWJF.org

Monday, June 23, 2014

Medicaid and the urban uninsured

The uninsured population will drop by 57 percent, on average, in seven cities located in states that expanded their Medicaid programs, according to a new RWJF-funded report. This contrasts with seven cities in states that did not expand Medicaid, where uninsured rolls will be cut by just 30 percent, on average, by 2016.

Urban Institute researchers who conducted the analysis say the Affordable Care Act had a major impact on cutting uninsured rates in urban areas, but the decision by some states not to expand Medicaid significantly limited the potential impact.  

NAVIGATOR FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT Conference Call Schedule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the availability of funding, totaling $60 million, to support Navigators in Federally-facilitated and State Partnership Marketplaces in 2014-2015. The funding opportunity announcement is open to eligible individuals, as well as private and public entities, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations applying to serve as Navigators in states with a Federally-facilitated or State Partnership Marketplace. It is open to new and returning Navigator applicants.

Pre-application conference calls:

First call: Thursday, June 12, 2014 from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time
title: Navigator Funding Opportunity Announcement Pre-Application Webinar 6-12-14

Second call
: Tuesday, June 17, 2014 from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time
Audience URL: https://goto.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1036407 title: Navigator Funding Opportunity Announcement Pre-Application Webinar 6-17-14

Third call: 
Tuesday, June 24, 2014 from 1:30-3:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time
title: Navigator Funding Opportunity Announcement Pre-Application Webinar 6-24-14

Fourth call: 
Tuesday, July 1, 2014 from 1:30-3:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time
Audience URL: https://goto.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1036406 title: Navigator Funding Opportunity Announcement Pre-Application Webinar 7-1-14

Applications are due by July 10, 2014
.
To access the funding opportunity announcement, visit:
Or visit http://www.grants.gov, and search for CFDA # 93.332.

Thursday, June 19, 2014

New study explores link between physical activity and cognitive decline

A new study provides further evidence that physical activity may protect against cognitive decline. 

Researchers followed four groups of older adults who were categorized by physical activity levels and genetic risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (based on the presence or absence of the APoE-4 allele, a known genetic risk factor). After 18 months, researchers found hippocampal atrophy only in those who had both low physical activity levels and high genetic risk. Because the hippocampus – the area of the brain responsible for memory and spatial orientation – is often the first area affected by cognitive decline, researchers believe their findings suggest physical activity may help to maintain hippocampal volume in those at high genetic risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

While more research is needed to identify the level and amount of physical activity that may help protect against cognitive decline, public health officials should work to integrate cognitive health messages into existing efforts to promote physical activity. More information on the link between physical activity and cognitive health, including a short video, is available here.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Medicaid enrollment hits nearly 50% of 2016 target


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According to the Urban Institute, by the end of April 2014, states had reached 47 percent of the projected 2016 enrollment increase, up from 39 percent at the end of March. However, with both marketplace and Medicaid enrollment progress, there is substantial variation across states.

What's causing the variation in states' progress toward enrollment goals? >

Monday, June 16, 2014

NACCHO 2014 Forces of Change survey released

The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) has just released its 2014 Forces of Change survey. "This study contains new findings on the forces that affect change in our nation's local health departments. Economic forces, health reform, and health department accreditation are among the greatest contributors to change." 

Friday, June 13, 2014

HHS State-by-State Affordable Care Act Fact Sheets now available

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has updated its state-by-state Affordable Care Act fact sheets with data through FY 2013.  In addition, HHS now has a potpourri of infographics all in one place on its website.  And the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has released its own new infographic, Healthier School Meals Matter.  

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Volunteers Needed for the 2014 Junior League CARE Fair!

Medical ● Dental ● General ● Interpreters

Friday, July 11th – 9:00am to 9:00pm
Saturday, July 12th – 9:00am to 5:00pm

 Volunteer Shifts Available Every 3 Hours

For More Information or to Sign Up Email

2014 CARE Fair will be taking place at the
Horizonte Instruction & Training Center at 1234 South Main Street in Salt Lake City.

Hazardous Health Waste Community Collection schedule - Residuos peligrosos del hogar, eventos de recoleccion

The Salt Lake County Health Department will hold collection events from 
7 to 10 am 
In the following cities within the county:


JUNE
June 5 Salt Lake City
June 12 Sandy
June 19 Holladay
June 26 Draper

JULY
July 3 Salt Lake City
July 10 Sandy
July 17 Holladay
July 31 Draper

AUGUST 
August 7 Salt Lake City
August 14 Sandy
August 21 Holladay
August 28 Draper

Electronic waste Accepted!!

Household hazardous waste is anything in and around your home that is poisonous, flammable, corrosive, or toxic.

It is many of your cleaning supplies, yard care chemicals, pesticides, fuels, batteries (lead-acid and rechargeable), used oil, and antifreeze.

Note that we cannot accept explosives, radioactive materials, or tires.

Residential waste only; business waste is NOT accepted.

Salt Lake City
Sugar House Park
Mt. Olympus Pavilion
1500 East 2100 South

Sandy
Sandy City Public Works
8775 South 700 West

Holladay
Holladay City Center
4626 South 2300 East

Draper
Draper City Park
1300 East 12500 South

El Departamento de Salud del Condado de Salt Lake
celebrar_ eventos de recoleccion
de 7 a 10 am
en la siguientes ciudades del condado


Junio 5 Salt LakeCity
Junio 12 Sandy
Junio19 Holladay
Junio 26 Draper

Julio 3 Salt LakeCity
Julio 10 Sandy
Julio 17 Holladay
Julio 31 Draper

Agosto 7 Salt Lake City
Agosto 14 Sandy
Agosto 21 Holladay
Agosto 28 Draper

Los residues Electrónicos  aceptados!
  
Residuos peligrosos del hogar es cualquier cosa en y alrededor de su casaque es venenoso, inflamable, corrosivo o tóxico.
Es que muchos de sus artículos de limpieza, productos químicos el cuidado del jardín, pesticidas,combustibles,
baterías (de plomo ácido y recargables), aceite usado y anticongelantes.

Tenga en cuenta que no podemos aceptar explosivos, materiales
radiactivos, o los neumáticos.  Residuos residenciales solamente;
NO se acepta residuos de negocio

Salt Lake City
Sugar House Park
Mt. Olympus Pavilion
1500 East 2100 South

Sandy
Sandy City Public Works
8775 South 700 West

Holladay
Holladay City Center
4626 South 2300 East

Draper
Draper City Park
1300 East 12500 South

Summer Safety Tips for National Summer Safety Month

Fun in the Sun

Everyone enjoys a little bit of summer fun, but it’s always important to monitor the weather conditions in extreme heat—especially if you plan on being outside. 

Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• No matter how long you plan on being out, wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15
• Take water breaks every 15 minutes when working or playing outdoors – try to set up a shady or air conditioned recovery area
• Wear a hat and UV-absorbent sunglasses
• Eat small, light meals before outdoor activity

Listen to Your Body

Even after following all the necessary precautions, you should still be on the lookout for overexertion. Overexertion accounts for about 3.3 million emergency room visits a year in the United States, and symptoms can be heightened in the heat. Stop and take a break if you experience the following:

• Dizziness
• Sore or painful muscles
• Pulse higher than recommended exercise pulse for your size and physical condition
• Feeling very hot and sweating profusely
• Low abdominal pain
• Nausea

CDC Releases 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Results

Today, the Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) released the 2013 national, state, and local Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) results on the YRBS website atwww.cdc.gov/yrbs.

The release includes: 
  • an MMWR Surveillance Summary that includes results from the 2013 National YRBS and from 42 state and 21 local YRBSs
  • new fact sheets and summary documents
  • an updated version of Youth Online - a web-based data system that allows users to view and analyze national, state, and local YRBS results
  • an updated version of the YRBS Data Widget - a small web application that national, state, and local partners can place directly on their agency’s or organization’s website to help disseminate YRBS results quickly and conveniently
  • public-use datasets and technical documentation
YRBS background:

The YRBS monitors six categories of priority health-risk behaviors among high school students—behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence; tobacco use; alcohol and other drug use; sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection; unhealthy dietary behaviors; and physical inactivity—plus the prevalence of asthma and obesity.

For more information about the YRBS:

Website: www.cdc.gov/yrbs
Phone: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)

Graduating from college? Here are 4 ways to get health coverage


Graduating from college? Here are 4 ways to get health coverage

College students and recent graduates have several options for finding coverage in the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Utah Aging Alliance

2014 Annual Meeting & Fall Conference
Monday & Teusday September 29-30, 2014
The Yarrow Resort Hotel & Conference Center ~ Park City, Utah

We invite presentations for the 23nd Annual UAA Meeting & Fall Conference consistent with the conference theme for this year:

"Aging - What is the Alternative?"

Presentations are targeted for persons working in the field of aging. In order for us to apply for continuing education credit (CEUs) and list information accurately in the program, all fields must be completed prior to submission.  

Please submit all forms to Andrea Garry, UAA Conference Planner using one of the following:

* Mail: P. O. Box 521569, Salt Lake City, UT 84105  
* Fax: 502-508-1438 or  
* e-Mail a signed copy to utahagingalliance@gmail.com
   
For questions or concerns, please call 801- 949-6768.

Click here to download the Call For Presentations form

Talk HIV. Test HIV. Treat HIV June 21-27, 2014

Talk HIV. Test HIV. Treat HIV

The Communicable Disease Prevention Program of the Utah Department of Health joins the national movement to celebrate the first National HIV Testing Week USA (www.nhtwus.org) to increase awareness about the benefits of talking about HIV, getting tested for HIV and getting treated for HIV.
Talk HIV. Test HIV. Treat HIV.  It starts with a conversation and knowing your HIV status.

From June 21 – June 27, 2014 across the United States AIDS service organizations, health centers, community clinics, hospitals, doctor’s offices community agencies, and public health departments will join together to talk to those they serve about National HIV Testing Day (http://aids.gov/news-and-events/awareness-days/hiv-testing-day/). This initiative encourages organizations and healthcare providers to plan and expand HIV testing events designed to increase the numbers of people who are aware of their HIV status.

Please join the efforts of our local health departments and our partner community agencies to raise awareness about knowing one’s HIV status, to identify those living with HIV, confirm the diagnosis, assist with entry into HIV care and services, reduce the number of persons with late HIV diagnosis and ultimately reduce HIV infection in our community.  


Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Webinar Series: Promoting Health Equity Through Programs and Policies

You are invited to a webinar hosted by the Federal Interagency Health Equity Team.
TOPIC: Maximizing Returns on Public Health Investments: Structural and Policy Initiatives to
Address Health Disparities and Advance Health Equity

SPEAKERS:
Greg Moody, MPhil, Director, Ohio Office of Health Transformation
Angela Dawson, MS, MRC, Executive Director, Ohio Commission on Minority Health
Johnnie “Chip” Allen, MPH, Director, Ohio Department of Health

DATE: June 19, 2014      TIME: 2 – 3 pm EDT
 Register*: http://tinyurl.com/FIHETWEBINARSERIES

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

CMS Announces Opportunity to Apply for Navigator Grants in Federally-facilitated and State Partnership Marketplaces

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced the availability of funding, totaling $60 million, to support Navigators in Federally-facilitated and State Partnership Marketplaces in 2014-2015. Navigators provide unbiased information to consumers about health insurance, the Health Insurance Marketplace, qualified health plans, and public programs including Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

The funding opportunity announcement is open to eligible individuals, as well as private and public entities, applying to serve as Navigators in states with a Federally-facilitated or State Partnership Marketplace.  It is open to new and returning Navigator applicants, and applications are due by July 10, 2014.
Last month, CMS finalized regulations that update the requirements applicable to Navigators. The final rule is available at the Federal Register .
Navigators will now be required to maintain a physical presence in the Marketplace service area, so that face-to-face assistance can be provided to consumers. Navigator grant applicants will also be encouraged to perform background checks for all Navigator staff that will be handling sensitive or personally identifiable information (PII).  In addition to quarterly and annual reporting, Navigators will be required to submit to CMS weekly and monthly progress reports detailing their progress and activities in their target communities.
To access the funding opportunity announcement, visit: http://www.grants.gov, and search for CFDA # 93.332
More information about Navigators is available here
Additional information about the funding opportunity can be found here  
Consumer Assistance Roles Fact Sheet is available here
Funding Opportunity Announcement FAQs are available here
Questions or Concerns? Contact HHSIEA@hhs.gov

Monday, June 9, 2014

Utah Pregnancy Risk Line Celebrates 30 Years

Pregnancy Risk Line Celebrates 30 Years

For three decades, the Pregnancy Risk Line’s (PRL) MotherToBaby service has helped mothers and health care providers keep babies safe during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.  On May 30, the program celebrated 30 years of service and took its 230,000th call, give or take a few!

Former First Lady Norma Matheson, who took the first call to the PRL 30 years ago, was on hand to answer the 230,000 call. “The Risk Line has been a reassuring resource for moms who just want to do what’s best for their growing baby,” said the First Lady.  I’m proud of the work MotherToBaby staff have been doing for Utah mothers-to-be and wish them another 30 year of helping save babies’ lives.”

The experts at MotherToBaby answer questions about a variety of potential exposures like foods, prescriptions, medications, diseases, and immunizations a baby can be exposed to through Mom.

PRL’s MotherToBaby is a joint partnership between the Utah Department of Health and the University of Utah.

The service is open for calls Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. at 1-800-822-2229 or 801-328-2229. Follow MotherToBaby on Facebook and Twitter.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

HHS announces Affordable Care Act funds for Nation’s community health centers

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced the availability of up to $300 million under the Affordable Care Act to help the nation’s community health centers expand service hours, hire more medical providers, and add oral health, behavioral health, pharmacy, and vision services. 

Monday, June 2, 2014

Essentials for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers

Essentials for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers
CDC’s new resource for positive parenting
Essentials for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers is a free, online resource developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Designed for parents of 2 to 4 year olds, Essentials for Parenting addresses common parenting challenges, like tantrums and whining.  Positive parenting skills and techniques can reduce parenting stress and provide parents with ways to handle their child’s misbehavior.  Skills focus on encouraging good behavior and decreasing misbehavior using proven strategies like positive communication, structure and rules, clear directions, and consistent discipline and consequences. Build the foundation of a positive parent-child relationship with Essentials for Parenting.
Essentials for Parenting includes:
Learn More