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

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Salt Lake CAP has openings for Head Start Free Preschool


Head Start FREE PRESCHOOL


Here's what Head Start has to offer...

  • 70 locations throughout Salt Lake and Tooele counties
  • Morning or afternoon sessions
  • 3 1/2 hours per day
  • 4 days per week (Monday-Thursday)
  • 2 nutritious meals
  • Lead teachers with Bachelor's degrees in every classroom
  • The Creative Curriculum
  • Some full day classes available in select locations for a low cost.
Now Accepting Applications!
  • Children must be 3 or 4 years old by September 1st
  • Priority given to families whose income falls within the federal poverty guidelines or children with disabilities.
  • Join us at one of our Application Intake days.
For Application Intake dates and Information
801- 972-2337  www.saltlakeheadstart.org

Order a FREE Summer Safety Kit

Office of Women's Health, FDA

Free Summer Safety Kit

Keep your summer safe and healthy. Help your family and friends avoid common medication mistakes and other injuries with these tips from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Consumer Product Safety Commission, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Learn how to protect yourself from Zika by preventing mosquito bites, plan safe cookouts, and protect your children and guests in the home and at the pool.

Healthy Relationships Utah

Fatherhood

Dad playgroundDads Matter

Which is why we are offering free, research-based parenting courses for fathers and father figures. These courses utilize the Fathering with Love and Logicapproach.

You Will Learn How To:

  • Put an end to arguing, back talk, and begging
  • Teach responsibility without losing your child's love
  • Avoid power struggles
  • Teach your children to complete chores without reminders or pay

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

New Brain Health Resources Available for Public Health Practitioners

Just Released: Brain Health Messaging for Existing Public Health Campaigns

Brain health messages cover page
Recognizing that what is good for the heart is good for the brain, the Alzheimer’s Association has developed a series of evidence-based brain health messages that public health officials can incorporate into existing awareness and educational campaigns. The new messages are based on the current state of research on the connection between cognitive health and certain health conditions and behaviors – such as smoking, physical activity, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.  Based on the evidence, the new concise brain health messages are organized into six issues commonly addressed in public health campaigns:
  • Exercise
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Midlife hypertension
  • Head injury
Road Map Action Item E-04The ready-to-go messages are designed to be integrated into various existing public health campaign materials and resources. They could also be used together in a stand-alone brain health awareness campaign. The Public Health Road Map, jointly developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Healthy Aging Program and the Alzheimer’s Association, calls for public health to disseminate messages on reducing the risk of cognitive decline. For additional assistance with incorporating these messages into existing campaigns, contact Molly French (mfrench@alz.org).

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

New Draft Guidance for Medical Device Clinical Studies

Office of Women's Health, FDA

New Draft Guidance for Medical Device Clinical Studies

FDA’s draft guidance “Evaluation and Reporting of Age, Race, and Ethnicity Data in Medical Device Clinical Studies”  is now available on display in the Federal Register. 
This draft guidance contains specific recommendations to improve the design, conduct, and reporting of clinical trials to achieve better quality, consistency and transparency of data regarding the performance of medical devices within specific age, race, and ethnic groups. 
The specific objectives of this guidance are to:
  • Encourage the collection and consideration of age, race, ethnicity and associated predictive variables (e.g., body size, biomarkers, bone density, etc.) during the study design stage
  • Outline recommended analyses of study subgroup data, with a framework for considering demographic data when interpreting overall study outcomes
  • Specify the FDA’s expectations for reporting age, race, and ethnicity-specific information in summaries and labeling for approved or cleared medical devices
FDA has opened a docket for comment for 90 days from the date of publication. The docket number is FDA-2016-D-0734.
View Federal Register Notice

Upcoming Webinar: Workplace Policies to Support New and Soon-to-Be Mothers

The workplace can be a stressor for pregnant women and new mothers if they don’t have adequate support. They need a place to breastfeed or pump, pregnancy and parental leave, and resources to achieve a healthy work-life balance, or work-family fit.

Join us for a webinar on July 14 from 11:00 a.m. to noon, to learn about workplace policies that support pregnant women and new mothers. The webinar will introduce research linking workplace policies to women’s health and highlight strategies for making workplaces more supportive and equitable. The presenters are nationally recognized experts on workplace policy and public health, and they will discuss national trends as well as initiatives and campaigns that put women’s health front and center.

Register today!

Monday, June 20, 2016

New funding opportunity from RWJF

A doctor asks a patient how he is feeling in a cartoon illustration.Patients are shouldering more out-of-pocket health care costs, and they increasingly need and seek guidance from clinicians about the costs of care.

Resources to support clinicians in having cost-of-care conversations exist—but they need to be embedded into the clinical workflow in order to be implemented broadly; and they must be optimized for improving conversations with vulnerable populations in particular.

RWJF is releasing two calls for proposals to support cost-of-care conversations across different vulnerable patient populations, care settings, and geographic areas.

Up to $900,000 will be awarded for integrating cost-of-care conversation resources into the clinical workflow, with individual grants up to $250,000 for studies of up to 12 months.

Up to $1 million will be awarded for testing messages, best practices, and other principles for cost-of-care conversations with vulnerable populations, with individual grants up to $250,000 for studies of up to 12 months.

Submission deadline: July 27, 2016

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Webinar: Tools for Identifying Vulnerable Populations and Health Disparities

Tools for Identifying Vulnerable Populations and Health Disparities
Thursday, June 23, 2016
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM EDT

Register here now!
Description:This month’s webinar will feature John Moenster from the Institute for People, Place & Possibility (IP3). We will also have NACDD consultant Jeanne Alongi and Branalyn Williams from CDC discuss results from a Learning Needs Assessment administered to Chronic Disease Directors and their staff. 
John Moenster is Manager of User Engagement and Analytics at the Institute for People, Place & Possibility (IP3) and a member of the Community Commons team. He regularly produces webinars, trainings, and content for the Commons. Additionally, John works to understand how Community Commons can better serve its members through site metrics and analytics. John has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Truman State University and has been with IP3 since November 2012.
Learning Objectives:
1. Explain the purpose and theory of the indicators used to determine Vulnerable Populations.
2. Demonstrate how to access and use the Vulnerable Populations Footprint tool.
3. Demonstrate how to incorporate a saved footprint into a Community Health Needs Assessment.
4. Disseminate information from Learning Needs Assessment to Chronic Disease Directors and their Staff.

Intended Audience:
Chronic Disease and Health Promotion Directors
Chronic Disease Practitioner Network

Join us for this exciting webinar on June 23, 2016 from 3:00-4:00 PM EST.

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Job opportunity at the UDOH Family Dental Plan

Utah Department Health, Family Dental Plan, Information Specialist 
(bilingual English/Spanish preferred)
Full time with benefits
Salary: $14.42 - $21.64 Hourly (based on experience and qualifications)
To apply go to http://statejobs.utah.gov/jobseeker/   Job# 08802
Closing Date 6/19/16

New Webinar Series: Fighting Hepatitis and HIV Co-infection in Minority Communities

OMH Resource Center logo. blue green and grey lines.
Hepatitis and HIV co-infection is a major concern among many racial and ethnic minority groups in the U.S. Prevention and education efforts are hindered by many challenges, including stigma, language barriers, cultural competency and knowledge among providers, and access to services in hard-to-reach communities.

The five-part webinar series examines the current state of hepatitis and HIV among minority groups, as well as best practices for culturally and linguistically appropriate testing and outreach efforts. 


The Office of Minority Health Resource Center kicks off a new webinar series designed to help health professionals, agencies and clinics get past these challenges and address the rising rates of hepatitis and HIV co-infection in their communities.

First webinar:
June 24 at 2 pm EDTTitle: Innovative Strategies for Addressing Hep C in Indian CountryRegister Now

Notice of Vacancy/Call for Nominations: Advisory Committee on Equity of Educational Services for Students (ACEESS)

aboutphotoUTAH STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

Name of organization:  Advisory Committee on Equity of Educational Services for Students (ACEESS)

Date Posted:  April 19, 2016  *****DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED***********
Date nominations are due to Board Secretary:  ASAP

Brief background of what the organization does and the reference in statute or rule establishing the organization: The Utah State Board of Education adopted a Resolution in its January 7, 2016 meeting to establish ACEESS, a new advisory committee to the Board.  The Resolution can be found at here. 

The purpose of the committee is to advise the Board regarding the Board’s efforts to support equity of educational services for students.

Who the group advises:  Utah State Board of Education

Number vacancies:  5

Specific representation needed for each vacancy and terms of appointment: 
  • 2 persons representing Native Americans
  • 1 persons representing Asian Americans
  • 2 persons representing Hispanic/Latino Americans
Initially, one member from each of the first five groups will be appointed for a 1-year term and one member will be appointed for a 2-year term.  In the last category, three of the members will be appointed for a 2-year term, and 2 members for a 1-year term.

Meetings:  The Committee will meet monthly.

Other information: Candidates for the committee will be interviewed by the Board, beginning.

Contact for questions:  Emilie Wheeler, 801-707-8421 or Lorraine Austin, 801-538-7517.

Nomination and Resume Submission:  If you are interested in serving on this committee, please submit a resume with information pertinent to this position and a statement of interest, including any relevant qualification and experience to Lorraine Austin at lorraine.austin@schools.utah.gov.

Get in the Game: Stay Active to Stay Healthy

J. Nadine GraciaAs a former track and field sprinter, I still remember and admire my high school track coach whom w
e affectionately call “Mr. Z.” He helped me to experience some of sports’ great life lessons — leadership, teamwork, and perseverance — and a love of being fit and healthy. This June, sports fans have been served up a buffet of major events that exemplify all of these lessons: the NBA Finals rematch, the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Centennial Copa America, the French Open, the U.S. Open golf championships, and of course, the NCAA Track and Field Championships.

However, June is more than a sports feast. It is also Men’s Health Month, which is an opportune time to remind men to live out their own passion for sports and other activities to help prevent illnesses such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Whether they are a former athlete turned Monday morning quarterback, or a weekend soccer warrior like my uncle, all men can turn their love of sports into a more active lifestyle. And staying physically active is even more important for men and boys of color, who fare worse across a broad range of health measures.

The leading causes of death for men of all racial and ethnic groups are heart disease, cancer, and unintentional injuries, such as falls, automobile accidents, and drug overdoses. Of these, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States, including Blacks, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Hispanics, and whites. For Asian American and Pacific Islander men, heart disease is second only to cancer. And, Native Hawaiian men age 65 and over have a higher risk of diabetes-related potentially preventable hospitalizations than white men.

In addition to health status, minority men face hurdles in accessing certain economic opportunities, which also impact health. A men’s health data brief published in 2015 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) examined various social determinants of health for adult males in the United States and found that black, Latino, and American Indian/Alaska Native males generally fared poorly across most categories, including higher rates of poverty and lower levels of educational attainment.

However, there is hope. The President’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative is working to ensure that all young people can reach their full potential, including boys and young men of color. And because of the Affordable Care Act, 53.5 million men now have private health insurance that covers recommended preventive services at no cost, helping pave the way for millions of men to be as committed to regular medical check-ups as they are to their favorite sports team. The next game or match is an appointment we wouldn’t dare miss. Men should treat their health just the same and commit to annual check-ups with their health care provider and regular physical activity. Men and boys can get active by engaging in regular physical activity or by following U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy’s recommendation of walking at least 22 minutes a day. Even yard work, active chores around the house, or walking the dog all count as wins for your health, as well as score points with your family!

To learn more about Men’s Health Month and the Office of Minority Health’s resources and information on men’s health, click here.

J. Nadine Gracia, MD, MSCE, is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health and the Director of the Office of Minority Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Friday, June 10, 2016

Food Stamps at Farmers Markets

Double Your Food Dollars with Double Up Food Bucks



Get more fruits and vegetables when you use your SNAP (food stamp) EBT Horizon card at farmers markets! This season over 20 farmers markets and farm stands across the state of Utah will match what you spend, up to $10 every market day, when you purchase Utah-grown fruits and vegetables, and plants that produce food.

How it works:

1. Bring your SNAP (food stamps) EBT Horizon card to a participating farmers market info booth or farm stand before you shop.

2. Decide how much money you would like to spend, the attendant at the booth will run your card for the requested amount, and will give you wooden SNAP tokens worth $1 each for you to purchase eligible items from vendors.

3. If the market participates in Double Up Food Bucks, it will match what you spend with free Double Up tokens, up to $10, every market day. You spend $1, the market matches $1. Use the Double Up tokens right away or save for another day.


NOTE: You can use all your tokens that day, or save them for another day. Green Double Up tokens can be used at any farmers market/stand participating in Double Up.

What you CAN buy with SNAP tokens: Fruits, veggies, herbs, meats, fish, poultry, breads and other baked goods, dairy, maple syrup, pickled goods, jam, honey, dressings, cider and other non-alcoholic beverages, other non-hot foods for the household to eat, seeds/plants to grow food.

What you CAN buy with DOUBLE UP tokens: Unprocessed, Utah-grown, fresh fruits and vegetables, seeds and plants that grow food.

What you CANNOT buy with either SNAP or DOUBLE UP tokens: Any food served hot, any food prepared for onsite consumption, alcoholic beverages or tobacco products, pet foods, vitamins and medicines, non-food items (soaps, cut flowers, crafts, clothing, etc.)



For more information visit Utahns Against Hunger at http://www.uah.org/projects-initiatives/fms/

Thursday, June 9, 2016

2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Results Released

CDC

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System

Today, the Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) released the 2015 national, state, and large urban school district Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) results on the YRBS Web site at www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs.

The release includes:
  • an MMWR Surveillance Summary that includes results from the 2015 National YRBS and from 37 state and 19 large urban school district 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 large urban school district YRBS results
  • public-use datasets and technical documentation
YRBS Background:

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


View the Results

Friday, June 3, 2016

Dementia Dialogues: A practical training course leading to a Dementia Specialist Certificate

Dementia Dialogues

A basic practical training course leading to a 
Dementia Specialist Certificate
Attendees will earn 7.5 CE hours upon completion

Tuesday August 9, 2016 8:30 am – 4:30 pm • Meals Provided

City of Holladay Office Building 
Big Cottonwood Room 
4580 S. 2300 E. Salt Lake City, Utah

SEATS ARE LIMITED AND WILL FILL UP QUICKLY. Early Registration Fee for Professionals: prior to Aug 1, 2016: $ 50.00. After August 1, 2016: $75.00 Non-Professional Fee $25.00. Fee Covers Administrative Costs and CEUs. Registration is capped at 120 participants, so register early. 

REGISTER ONLINE: eventbrite.com/e/dementia-dialogues-tickets-21495477552 Call 801-538-6021 or 801-538-6198 for More Information

TOPIC 1 The Basic Facts: An Introduction to Dementia
TOPIC 2 Keeping the Dialogue Going: Communication Skills
TOPIC 3 Preparing the Environment: Safety, ADLs, and QOL
TOPIC 4 It’s Nothing Personal: Addressing Challenging Behavior
TOPIC 5 Now What Do I Do? Creative Problem Solving


Taught by: Dr. Macie P. Smith, LBSW, C-SWCM, SW-G Macie P. Smith, Ed.D. is a Licensed Social Worker, Certified Social Work Case Manager, and a Social Worker in Gerontology with over 15 years of experience working with the aging and vulnerable populations. Dr. Smith holds a Doctor of Education degree in Higher Education Leadership with a specialization in Adult Education and manages the Dementia Dialogues program for the Office for the Study of Aging in the Arnold School of Public Health.

youtube.com/channel/UC6jHyTO7be_1PyHQaL96kpg (For more info on the training)

Meals Provided by our generous sponsors.

Conference Facilitated and Hosted by The Utah Department of Health 

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Utah's Annual Juneteenth Festival

Juneteenth
Renewing our Strength in Mind, Body, Spirit
2016 Freedom & Heritage FestivalDisplaying juneteenthimage final 2016 (1).jpg

June 17-18
noon to 9 pm
Weber State University, Bell Tower

Family centered festivity with live entertainment, soul food, vendors, health screening, games for all ages.


Additional details: PROJECTSUCCESSINC.ORG

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

FDA Guidelines Target The Sodium Hiding In Our Diets

             These sandwiches may look the same, but the one on the left has a total of 1,522 milligrams of salt (per whole sandwich), while the other one has 852 mg. Most of the salt we consume is already in our food before it reaches the table.
CDC              

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued draft guidance for public comment that provides practical, voluntary sodium reduction targets for the food industry. Average sodium intake in the U.S. is approximately 3,400 mg/day. The draft short-term (two-year) and long-term (10-year) voluntary targets for industry are intended to help the American public gradually reduce sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams (mg) per day, a level recommended by leading experts and the overwhelming body of scientific evidence. The targets are also intended to complement many existing efforts by food manufacturers, restaurants, and food service operations to reduce sodium in foods.

Americans consume almost 50 percent more sodium than what most experts recommend. One in three individuals has high blood pressure, which has been linked to diets high in sodium and is a major risk factor cause of heart disease and stroke. That number climbs to one in two African Americans and even includes one in 10 children aged 8-17. While a majority of Americans reports watching or trying to reduce added salt in their diets, the deck has been stacked against them. The majority of sodium intake comes from processed and prepared foods, not the salt shaker.

The science supporting the relationship between sodium reduction and health is clear: When sodium intake increases, blood pressure increases, and high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke – two leading causes of death in the U.S. (CDC has compiled a number of key studies, which continue to support the benefits of sodium reduction in lowering blood pressure. In some of these studies, researchers have estimated lowering U.S. sodium intake by about 40 percent over the next decade could save 500,000 lives and nearly $100 billion in healthcare costs.) 

The FDA is especially encouraging adoption by food manufacturers whose products make up a significant portion of national sales in one or more categories and restaurant chains that are national and regional in scope.  The FDA estimates that less than 10 percent of packaged foods account for more than 80 percent of sales. According to the USDA’s Economic Research Service, about 50 percent of every food dollar goes to food consumed outside the home. Therefore the draft voluntary guidance also covers common foods served in restaurants and other food service establishments.

Included in the draft guidance is a common system for defining and measuring progress on reducing sodium in the U.S. food supply. The approach is to establish reasonable, voluntary reduction targets for the majority of processed and prepared foods, placing foods in nearly150 categories from bakery products to soups. The draft targets factor in data on consumer preferences, as well as current industry efforts to reduce sodium. The FDA is confident that the short-term targets, which seek to decrease sodium intake to about 3,000 mg per day, are readily achievable. In fact, many foods, such as top-selling pretzel products, have already met the short-term target.

The FDA has proposed a national, practical, gradual, and voluntary approach to sodium reduction and is sharing it as a draft for public comment. The FDA’s draft guidance proposes feasible reductions across a broad range of food categories with high and moderate amounts of sodium. This approach is expected to achieve significant reductions in sodium while providing flexibility for industry and more choices for consumers.

The FDA encourages feedback from stakeholders on this draft guidance during the 90- and 150-day comment periods.

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Compendium of State-Sponsored National CLAS Standards Implementation Activities

Think Cultural Health LogoNew Report: Compendium of State-Sponsored National CLAS Standards Implementation Activities

The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health is pleased to announce the release of the first compendium of state-based activities to implement the National Standards for culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care (National CLAS Standards).

The Compendium of State-Sponsored National CLAS Standards Implementation Activities and a new Tracking CLAS tool are now available at the Think Cultural Health website.

The National CLAS Standards are intended to advance health equity, improve quality, and help eliminate health care disparities by providing a blueprint for individuals and health and health care organizations to implement culturally and linguistically appropriate services.
The new Compendium and Tracking CLAS tool can help you find out more about what your state and others are doing to provide cultural and linguistically appropriate services to the communities they serve.

Find out more about the National CLAS Standards.