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

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Intergenerational Poverty

During the 2012 legislative session, the legislature passed a bill requiring the Department of Workforce Services to report on intergenerational poverty.  Here are some findings of this report:

  • The longer a Utah adult experienced poverty during his/her childhood, the more likely he/she is to be in poverty as an adult.
  • Most Utah adults with intergenerational poverty are women with children.
  • A third of Utah adults with intergenerational poverty do not have high school diplomas.
The full report is available at: http://health.utah.gov/disparities/data.html#otherutah

Black Awareness Month Tribute

Weber State University will be home to the upcoming Centennial Founder's Day Banquet of the Greater Salt Lake Alumnae (GSLA) & Sigma Omicron Chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Public Service Sorority on February 13, 2013 at the Hurst Center.  The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. The theme for the Founder's Day is Embracing Legacy: 100 Years of Sisterhood, Scholarship, and Service.  The keynote speaker is Dr. Mona H. Bailey, Past National President of the Sorority.

The local chapters are humbled to have a past National President join them for this historic event.   Along with celebrating the 100th Anniversary, Utah Deltas are celebrating their 25th, Silver Anniversary as well.  It was on the campus of Weber State University that a group of college educated
African American woman, came together to enlist the support of Dr. Forrest Crawford in their quest to establish a chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority as the first African American Sorority to do so in Utah!



Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased by calling President, Kathleen Christy at 801-550-7396 or Betty Sawyer at 801-395-3596.


CMS Region VIII Bi-Monthy Conference Call to be held Feb. 6


Our 5th in a series of bi-monthly teleconference calls designed to keep you updated on the latest CMS program issues will be held on Wednesday, February 6th.  CMS Denver Regional Office managers and staff will provide updates and be available to listen to your concerns and respond to your questions.  This is your “go to” meeting for all your questions.        

Topics:  Will vary in accordance with policy priorities for Medicare & Medicaid programs, Health Exchanges, and more.  Our February 6th Agenda is attached. 
   
Target Audience:  Provider organizations and members, congressional offices, state and local governments, partners and advocacy groups. 

Teleconference Format:  Our CMS Region VIII leadership and staff will share timely program updates, seek input, and address questions from participants. 

Logistics:  NEW - Please register to attend this call at http://cmsdenverupdatecall.eventbrite.com/ Once registered, you will be sent the dial in information to participate.  Each session will accommodate 100 participants on a first come, first served basis. We ask that if several people are calling in from one location that they call in on one line.

Wednesday February 6, 2013 – 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM (MT)

Wednesday April 3, 2013 – 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM (MT)

Wednesday June 5, 2013 – 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM (MT)

Wednesday August 7, 2013 – 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM (MT)

Wednesday October 2, 2013 – 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM (MT)

Wednesday December 4, 2013 – 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM (MT)

If you would like to request an agenda item, please email your request to:

Accommodations will be made to incorporate all reasonable requests.        

34th Annual Minority Health Conference and Broadcast


Please join the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill on Friday, FEBRUARY 22nd for the 34th Annual Minority Health Conference and broadcast of the 15th Annual William T. Small, Jr. Keynote Lecture, presented by the Minority Student Caucus, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health.

Brian D. Smedley, PhD, Vice President and Director of the Health Policy Institute, Center for Political and Economic Studies, will give the William T. Small, Jr. Keynote Lecture Taking Action to Achieve Health Equity: Beyond the Affordable Care Act.


Dr. Smedley's keynote will kick off an exciting day, with multiple sessions and speakers, including an afternoon keynote lecture by Leandris Liburd, PhD, MPH, MA, Director, Office of Minority Health and Health Equity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
When: Friday, February 22, 2013, broadcast at 2:00-3:30pm EST

Where: UNC William and Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education, Chapel Hill, NC and (Keynote only) on the web.

Conference theme: "Constructing the Foundation for Health Equity"

You can view the free, interactive broadcast of Dr. Smedley's lecture.
Learn more about the Broadcast at www.minority.unc.edu/sph/minconf/2013/broadcast/
Register for the Broadcast at:  www.minority.unc.edu/sph/minconf/2013/register/
Interested in hosting a partner conference?  
Partner conferences are being organized by student organizations at several universities: www.minority.unc.edu/sph/minconf/2013/partnerconferences/

If you are interested in organizing a partner conference please email the Broadcast chairs at mhc.broadcast@gmail.com

Job Opportunity: Salt Lake Valley Health Dept. WIC Nutrition Assistant


Job Title: Nutrition Assistant
Salary: $16.03 Hourly $33,336 Annual
Opening Date: 01/24/2013 | Closing Date: 02/04/2013
Position Type: Full-Time | Work Hours:  40
Department: Human Services |  Division: Salt Lake Valley Health Department-2150
Section: WIC | Work Location: Ellis R. Shipp Clinic - 4535 South 5600 West
Important Information:               
·         Due to the minimum requirements of this position, in order to receive credit for education, licenses and/or certifications, applicants must submit photocopies of official transcripts on or before the closing date of the job announcement.
·         Transcripts must show the major field of study and degree awarded.  Transcripts may be faxed to 385-468-05470 or e-mailed to recruitment@slco.org.
·         It is mandatory all new hires receive the Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) vaccine before beginning employment
·         This is an expedited recruitment to meet the needs of the division.
·         It is preferred the successful applicant be able to read, write and speak English and Spanish fluently.
·         This position may be subject to a criminal background check.
·         Applicants must possess a Valid Driver’s license as required to perform job responsibilities.
·         The successful applicant will be required to travel to various clinics throughout Salt Lake County.
JOB SUMMARY
Provides individual and group nutrition education, determines client’s nutritional risk assessment assigns and issues appropriate food packages, promotes, supports and educates breastfeeding women.  Provides referrals to other agencies, documents interventions, goals and progress toward meeting these needs.


FREE HEALTH clinic for uninsured and underinsured

FREE HEALTH clinic for uninsured and underinsured
The Utah Partners for Health will be at Hser Ner Moo on Tuesday, Feb 12, 9-2:30 to offer a free clinic.

Call the Center 801-466-3238 to make an appointment. Walk-ins welcome!
When:
February 12, 2013 From 09:00 AM to 02:30 PM

Location:
Hser Ner Moo Community Center

Address:
477 East 2250 South, SLC, UT 84115

Cost:
FREE and OPEN to the public

Contact:
Hser Ner Moo Center
801-466-3238

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

OHD announces new internship opportunity for 2013 Outreach Team


INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Agency:  Utah Department of Health, Office of Health Disparities
Duration:  April 1 to August 30, 2013
Hours:  Approximately 20 outreach events (4 hours each, not including travel) will be scheduled on an irregular basis, including evenings and weekends.
Stipend:  $10.00 per hour, with mileage reimbursement for outreach events outside of Salt Lake County.
Openings:  Up to eight (8) candidates will be accepted.
Description: Office of Health Disparities interns will comprise the Outreach Team responsible for conducting the “Bridging Communities & Clinics” program, which provides free health screenings, clinic referrals, and promotes access to primary care services to underserved communities. Responsibilities Interns are responsible for tasks including, but not limited to, providing blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, and BMI screenings; providing counseling; disseminating health and wellness promotion information and referrals; setting up and taking down screening stations; following up with clinic referrals by telephone; and other tasks as needed.
Requirements - Current enrollment status as a medical school student, physician

assistant student, or nursing student.
- Must attend mandatory orientation and trainings.
- Must commit to at least 12 pre-scheduled outreach events.
Application:  Interested applicants must email responses to the following questions to Jake Fitisemanu, Outreach Coordinator (jjfitisemanu@utah.gov), along with a current resume:
1. Current academic institution (ex. Westminster College of Nursing).
2. Current year in training (ex. 1st year med student).
3. Language fluency (verbal and written, other than English).
Deadline:  Applicants must submit requested information before February 28, 2013.
Interviews will be begin the first week of March, 2013.
Contact: Inquiries should be directed to Jake Fitisemanu, Outreach Coordinator
jjfitisemanu@utah.gov, (801) 273 4136.