January 28 Webinar: Health Equity Zones

You are invited to a webinar hosted by the 

Federal Interagency Health Equity Team 

and the 

Association for State and Territorial Health Officials

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RI DOH) has implemented a framework to improve the health and well-being of the state’s population through a focus on the social and environmental determinants of health (SEDH). This approach uses a life course perspective to achieve health equity and demands a better understanding of what is happening at the community level through the communities’ lenses. The presenters will discuss the creation of Centers for Health Equity and Wellness (CHEW) grants to community-based organizations serving low-income neighborhoods in Providence, Pawtucket, and Central Falls.  The webinar will also discuss place-based initiatives called the Health Equity Zone (HEZ) that facilitate community collaboration in conducting baseline assessments that look at the SEDH and in creating, implementing and evaluating a Plan of Action. The presenters will discuss the outcomes, challenges and lessons learned from the CHEW initiative in the shift from an “agency based approach” to a “place based approach” focused on collective impact. 

TOPIC:
Rhode Island: Health Equity Zones

SPEAKERS:
Ana P. Novais, MA Lead Presenter, Director Title V/MCH Director and Executive Director of Health, Rhode Island Department of Health

Angela Ankoma, MPH, MSW, Chief Office of Minority Health, Rhode Island Department of Health

Carol Hall-Walker, Associate Director Division of Community Health, Rhode Island Department of Health

DATE: January 28, 2016 

TIME: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST

Register Here1: http://tinyurl.com/FIHETWEBINAR

Click Here for Full Abstract and Speaker Biographies: http://tinyurl.com/RIHDHealthEquityZoneBios

Diversity Summer Research Training Program

2016 NIDDK/ OMHRC Diversity Summer Research Training Program (DSRTP)

Application Now Available

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) through the Office of Minority Health Research Coordination (OMHRC) is now accepting applications for the Diversity Summer Research Training Program (DSRTP). Please visit https://dsrtp.niddk.nih.gov/  to start the online application process.

The overall goal of this program is to build and sustain a biomedical, behavioral, clinical and social science research pipeline focused on NIDDK mission areas. The NIDDK Diversity Summer Program is particularly interested in increasing students from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical research, including individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds and individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.... Read more »

Program Highlights

Independent research in a NIH laboratory;
Weekly research and career development seminars;
Summer seminar series where senior NIH investigators discuss the latest developments in biomedical research.
Poster presentation
Will be required to attend courses in Ethics in Research and Lab Safety.
Students will be paired with post baccalaureates or postdoctoral fellows for informal guidance.
Bi-weekly informal meetings with OMHRC staff.

Eligibility Requirements

Undergraduate students who have completed at least 1 year at an accredited institution
U.S. Citizen or permanent resident status
Minimum of 3.0 GPA
Health Insurance coverage

Provisions

Student Participation Allowance ($2,600)
Housing (​Housing consists of double-occupancy rooms)
Travel expenses to Bethesda, Maryland or Phoenix, Arizona (up to $700)

Location and Duration

10 weeks, starting in June through mid-August.
Bethesda, Maryland or Phoenix, Arizona

Application Procedure

Complete the on-line application at https://dsrtp.niddk.nih.gov/
Include a copy of your curriculum vitae.
Submit two letters of recommendation from faculty members/advisors who can address your intellectual and personal suitability for the Program.
Personal Statement - Describe your research interest, career goals, and reasons for applying to this program in 600 words or less; double-space.
Official Transcript - The official college transcript should be mailed directly from your school to Ms. Martinez.
Application selection - Priority will be given to students who reside outside of the Maryland/Washington DC/Virginia areas.  Local students are encouraged to apply for the NIH Summer Internship Program​ (SIP).

Application Deadline: February 15​​​​​, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 7, 2016
Contact: HHS Press Office: 202-690-6343

USDA Press Contact: 202-720-4623
media@hhs.gov press@oc.usda.gov

HHS and USDA Release New Dietary Guidelines to Encourage Healthy Eating Patterns to Prevent Chronic Diseases

Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia M. Burwell and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack today released updated nutritional guidelines that encourage Americans to adopt a series of science-based recommendations to improve how they eat to reduce obesity and prevent chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans is the nation’s trusted resource for evidence-based nutrition recommendations and serves to provide the general public, as well as policy makers and health professionals with the information they need to help the public make informed choices about their diets at home, school, work and in their communities.

“Protecting the health of the American public includes empowering them with the tools they need to make healthy choices in their daily lives,” said Secretary Burwell. “By focusing on small shifts in what we eat and drink, eating healthy becomes more manageable. The Dietary Guidelines provide science-based recommendations on food and nutrition so people can make decisions that may help keep their weight under control, and prevent chronic conditions, like Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.”

The newly released 8th edition of the Dietary Guidelines reflects advancements in scientific understanding about healthy eating choices and health outcomes over a lifetime. This edition recognizes the importance of focusing not on individual nutrients or foods in isolation, but on the variety of what people eat and drink—healthy eating patterns as a whole—to bring about lasting improvements in individual and population health.

“The Dietary Guidelines for Americans is one of many important tools that help to support a healthier next generation of Americans,” said Secretary Vilsack. “The latest edition of the Dietary Guidelines provides individuals with the flexibility to make healthy food choices that are right for them and their families and take advantage of the diversity of products available, thanks to America’s farmers and ranchers.”

The specific recommendations fit into five overarching guidelines in the new edition:

• Follow a healthy eating pattern across the lifespan. Eating patterns are the combination of foods and drinks that a person eats over time
• Focus on variety, nutrient-dense foods, and amount
• Limit calories from added sugars and saturated fats, and reduce sodium intake
• Shift to healthier food and beverage choices
• Support healthy eating patterns for all

Healthy eating patterns include a variety of nutritious foods like vegetables, fruits, grains, low-fat and fat-free dairy, lean meats and other protein foods and oils, while limiting saturated fats, trans fats, added sugars and sodium. A healthy eating pattern is adaptable to a person’s taste preferences, traditions, culture and budget.

Importantly, the guidelines suggest Americans should consume:

• A variety of vegetables, including dark green, red and orange, legumes (beans and peas), starchy and other vegetables
• Fruits, especially whole fruits
• Grains, at least half of which are whole grains
• Fat-free or low-fat dairy, including milk, yogurt, cheese, and/or fortified soy beverages
• A variety of protein foods, including seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs, legumes (beans and peas), soy products, and nuts and seeds
• Oils, including those from plants: canola, corn, olive, peanut, safflower, soybean, and sunflower. Oils also are naturally present in nuts, seeds, seafood, olives, and avocados

Further, Americans should be encouraged to consume:

• Less than 10 percent of calories per day from added sugars. ChooseMyPlate.gov provides more information about added sugars, which are sugars and syrups that are added to foods or beverages when they are processed or prepared. This does not include naturally occurring sugars such as those consumed as part of milk and fruits
• Less than 10 percent of calories per day from saturated fats. The Nutrition Facts label can be used to check for saturated fats. Foods that are high in saturated fat include butter, whole milk, meats that are not labeled as lean, and tropical oils such as coconut and palm oil
• Less than 2,300 milligrams (mg) per day of sodium for people over the age of 14 years and less for those younger. The Nutrition Facts label is a helpful tool to check for sodium, especially in processed foods like pizza, pasta dishes, sauces, and soups

Based on a review of current scientific evidence on nutrition, the 2015 edition includes updated guidance on topics such as added sugars, sodium, and cholesterol and new information on caffeine. For example, the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines is the first edition to recommend a quantitative limit to consume less than 10 percent of calories from added sugars. This edition also reaffirms guidance about the core building blocks of a healthy lifestyle that have remained consistent over the past several editions, and suggests there is still work to be done to encourage more Americans to follow the recommendations outlined in the Dietary Guidelines.

The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines was informed by the recommendations of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, which was composed of prestigious researchers in the fields of nutrition, health, and medicine, and by consideration of public and federal agency comments.

Since 1980, HHS and USDA have shared a responsibility to the American public to ensure that advancements in scientific understanding about the role of nutrition in health are incorporated into the Dietary Guidelines, which is updated every five years. USDA has also released updates for consumers on ChooseMyPlate.gov, and new resources will soon be available on Health.gov from HHS that will help health professionals support their clients and patients in making healthy choices.

The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans is available at dietaryguidelines.gov.

###

Healthcare Depot Opens Up Shop at Valley Fair Mall

There’s a new storefront at Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City, but they’re not selling shoes or clothes. They’re in the business of healthcare.

Across from a shoe store and next to a game shop is Healthcare Depot, with signs in Spanish and English. Insurance agent Miguel Palacios has just finished helping a family of seven sign up for insurance on healthcare.gov.

“There is a great need for healthcare coverage and especially for the low-middle class. There is a large Spanish population in Utah, and it’s growing, and there is a lot of people out there still in need,” Palacios says.  

This storefront method was pioneered in Miami, Florida when enrollment in the Affordable Care Act first opened. The agency has expanded to Texas, California, and now Utah.
“There are a lot of people that are not educated on this benefit, on the aid that’s out there for them to be able to have health insurance,” says Raiza Sakamoto, Community Outreach Director for Healthcare Depot in Utah. “Then, what ends up happening is that they literally find out they do qualify for the subsidy, and oh my gosh, I can’t believe my premium is so low, and oh my gosh, I get that covered, this is incredible, thank you so much! We’re getting that a lot.”

Healthcare Depot partners with Molina Healthcare to raise awareness about enrollment. Most of the policies the agents sell are with Molina. The managed care company was founded in Long Beach, California by a Hispanic emergency room physician who wanted to help low-income people access healthcare. Adam Grimaldo is a regional broker manager with Molina. He says these new outreach efforts further their mission.

“It really fits into why we’re in business and that is to provide quality healthcare to those that really need it the most,” Grimaldo says.  


As word spreads about the rising costs of federal penalties for not having insurance, the agents at Healthcare Depot say more people are seeking their assistance.

by Andrea Smarden, KUER.org

In Utah 143,391 People Are Enrolled In Marketplace Coverage

News Release U.S. Department of Health & Human Services 202-690-6343 media@hhs.gov www.hhs.gov/news Twitter @HHSMedia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, December 22, 2015

In Utah 143,391 People Are Enrolled In Marketplace Coverage  Over 8.2 million nationally have enrolled through December 19

As of December 19, the number of consumers signed up for Marketplace coverage surged to more than 8.2 million nationally, including 143,391 in Utah. Those who selected a plan by December 17 or were auto reenrolled will have coverage effective January 1, 2016. High consumer demand as we neared the enrollment deadline for coverage, as well as the automatic renewal process, contributed to this overall total. “Millions of Americans will start 2016 with the quality and affordable health coverage they want and need to keep their families healthy and financially secure,” said Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell. "We are encouraged by the strong start we experienced in the first half of Open Enrollment for 2016 coverage, and know we have ongoing work to do. We are focused on making sure Utah families looking for coverage understand their options through the Marketplace, know about the financial assistance available, and have access to the support they need to enroll." These data, for the first time, reflect the vast majority of consumers who were automatically re-enrolled into 2016 coverage. The re-enrollment process has not yet been completed so as it continues, upcoming snapshots will include additional consumers who were automatically re-enrolled after December 19. If a consumer realized after the deadline for coverage starting January 1 that there is a better plan for their family, they can come back and make a change any time before the end of Open Enrollment on January 31, 2016. Open Enrollment for 2016 health coverage at HealthCare.gov began November 1, 2015 and individuals can still enroll in coverage through January 31, 2016. Consumers should visit HealthCare.gov orCuidadodeSalud.gov to review their coverage options, learn about what financial assistance is available, or to sign up or re-enroll in a plan that best meets their needs. Having health insurance when you can afford it is now the law. If someone chooses not to buy health insurance and could afford to do so, they are at risk of paying a fee of $695 or more. Five Facts about Open Enrollment in Utah: Since Open Enrollment began on Nov. 1, 143,391 Utah consumers have selected a plan through December 19. Plans for 2016 are affordable, 77 percent of Utah enrollees can find plans for $75 or less a month in premiums after tax credits. Nationwide, about 8 out of 10 people who enroll in health coverage through HealthCare.gov qualify for financial help to make their monthly premiums more affordable. For 2016, 90 percent of returning Utah HealthCare.gov consumers could save an average  of $723 annually in premiums before tax credits for a plan in the same level of coverage by returning to shop. If a consumer realized after the deadline for coverage starting that there is a better plan for their family, they can come back and make a change any time before the end of Open Enrollment on January 31, 2016. When Utah customers visit HealthCare.gov they’ll find a variety of quality health coverage options available. For 2016, Utah consumers can choose from 5 issuers and an average of 70 plans.  Free confidential enrollment help is available if people in Utah have questions or want to talk through their options with a trained professional. Visit LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov to find a listing enrollment centers and events in your community where free, confidential enrollment help is offered. Representatives at the 24-hour Call Center are available every day at 1-800-318-2596. Call Center representatives can answer questions and help people enroll in coverage over the phone. HealthCare.gov Digital Press Kit: Download b-roll, stock photos, and find recent data releases. Bookmark this page now and visit often. The page will be updated with new images and resources as we progress through Open Enrollment. The CMS Snapshot can be found here: https://www.cms.gov/Newsroom/MediaReleaseDatabase/Fact-sheets/2015-Fact-sheets-items/2015-12-22.html

### Follow HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell on Twitter @SecBurwell Like HHS on Facebook, follow HHS on Twitter @HHSgov, and sign up for HHS Email Updates

Clinical Trials Still Don't Reflect The Diversity Of America

Neil Tony/Getty Images/Ikon Images              

About 40 percent of Americans belong to a racial or ethnic minority, but the people who participate in clinical trials tend to be more homogeneous. Clinical trials are the studies that test whether drugs work, and inform doctors' decisions about how to treat their patients. When subjects in those studies don't look like the patients who could end up taking the treatments, that can be problematic. In short: Clinical trials are too white.


"We've known for years that certain drugs don't work on parts of our population," says Sam Oh, an epidemiologist at the University of California, San Francisco Center for Genes, Environment and Health.

He was one of a group of 14 researchers who found that diversity in biomedical research often does not reflect the American population. The study was published Tuesday in the journal PLoS Medicine.

"Only 2 percent of cancer studies and less than 5 percent of pulmonary studies have studied enough minorities to provide useful information," Oh says.
Because of genetic differences, some people's bodies process drugs in very different ways. Racial and ethnic categories can serve as a proxy for those differences.

The blood thinner clopidogrel, or Plavix, doesn't work in the 75 percent of Pacific Islanders whose bodies don't produce the enzyme required to activate the drug. For them, taking the medication is like taking a placebo.

People with epilepsy who are of Asian descent are supposed to get genetic testing before being prescribed the seizure medication carbamazepine, because the drug can damage the skin and internal organs of patients with a certain gene variant.

And, says Oh, "African-Americans and Puerto Ricans don't respond as well to some of the most common asthma controller medications, and that's really a tragedy since these two groups are the most affected by asthma in the United States." Coming across disparities like the asthma example, Oh says, "you begin to wonder, 'Well, why is this the case?' And part of that reason might be because our biomedical studies in the past have not recruited as heavily in those populations."

The importance of increasing diversity among study subjects has been on the NIH radar for almost 30 years, when the Office of Minority Health was set up.

The review boards that decide which studies will get funding, however, remain 90 percent white, says Oh, based on information the group accessed with a Freedom of Information Act request. The community of researchers applying for grants also skews white. That's one of the things Oh and his colleagues say needs to change, because people are more likely to sign up for a clinical trial if the recruiter looks like them, or at least speaks their language.
"So it's really important when you want to do science in diverse communities, you have a scientific team and a scientific staff that is also diverse," Oh says.

After the NIH found that black applicants were 10 percentage points less likely than white applicants to win a research grant, a position was created last year to focus on increasing diversity in the field.

As the U.S. becomes more diverse, says Oh, these gaps are more important to fill — and could help make a dent in the estimated $300 billion lost each year because of health disparities.

Read entire article by Rae Ellen Bichell at npr.org 

Deadline extended to sign-up for January 1 healthcare coverage

Please attribute quote from Kevin Counihan, CEO of the Health Insurance Marketplaces:

 

“Because of the unprecedented demand and volume of consumers contacting our call center or visiting HealthCare.gov, we are extending the deadline to sign-up for January 1 coverage until 11:59pm PST December 17. Hundreds of thousands have already selected plans over the last two days and approximately 1 million consumers have left their contact information to hold their place in line.  Our goal is to provide access to affordable coverage, and the additional 48 hours will give consumers an opportunity to come back and complete their enrollment for January 1 coverage. ”

Background:

·           The final days heading into the December 15 deadline were the busiest we’ve ever experienced at HealthCare.gov.

·           While the website and the call center enrolled people throughout the day, some consumers were asked to wait before logging in to HealthCare.gov or to speak to a call center representative.

·           A number of states, including New York and Minnesota, have announced similar extensions.

·           In previous open enrollments, we’ve provided additional time to make sure individuals seeking coverage before the deadline can get covered.