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

Thursday, August 31, 2017

Single Mothers Seminar

Fall Single Mothers Seminar
September 28
Employer Open House, Resource Fair & Guest Speaker

Fall is fast approaching and we are excited to let you know that our next People Helping People Fall Single Mothers Seminar will be on September 28 at the Granite Education Center located at 2500 S State Street, SLC.  Parking is on the north side of the building.   
 
And best of all, it’s FREE!
 
The event will showcase over 30 of our community’s best employers at our very popular Employer Open House,
will spotlight valuable community partners at our Resource Fair and will feature
guest speaker
Kim Fischer
Award Winning Journalist & Anchor ABC 4 Utah
Being a Women is Complicated

  
This is a must attend event!!!  Bring friends, neighbors, church members and co-workers.  Details are below and in the attached save the date flyer. 
  
Please help us spread the word.  Simply  forward this email and/or print,  post and distribute the Save the Date flyer, as appropriate.  Share this event with neighbors, friends, co-workers, church members or anyone you know who could benefit from attending this event and learning about our Employment Program.  If you can help us distribute flyers, please call us at801.583.5300 or email us at events@phputah.org and we will drop some by your office.
Everyone is Welcome!
While this event caters to single mothers, all low-income women are welcome.  Men, you are welcome to attend as well. 
 
Bring a Friend, Meet Employers, Sign up for ServicesWin a Prize!
 
FREE Gift when you register online at http://bit.ly/2017FallSMSReg or call 801.583.5300.

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

 Join us for a special webinar hosted by the American Indian and 
Alaska Native NPA Caucus

Project Venture, an evidence-based intervention, combines traditional native wisdom with positive youth development, social emotional learning, outdoor adventure, and service learning to create a unique approach that has been successful for more than 25 years. Beginning with a camp in Oklahoma during 1982, Project Venture has evolved into a model program recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that has been implemented in 25 states, 8 Canadian provinces, and Hungary. The National Indian Youth Leadership Project founded Project Venture and provides training, coaching, mentoring, curriculum development, and grant-writing assistance to program participants. The webinar will highlight the project’s core elements and guiding principles of this unique, internationally recognized native youth program and assist participants with exploring their readiness to implement it.

TOPIC:  Project Venture – Positive Youth Development for American Indian and Alaska Native Youth

DATE:  September 20, 2017

TIME: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time

SPEAKERS:

Moderator:
Dr. Francine Gachupin, Member, American Indian and Alaska Native NPA Caucus
Presenter:
McClellan Hall, Founder and Executive Director of the National Indian Youth Leadership Project

Register Here*: http://tinyurl.com/ProjectVentureRegistration

View the abstract and bio here: http://bit.ly/2x8JEen

The American Indian and Alaska Native National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities (NPA) Caucus provides a forum for members to increase dialogue across the country and to coordinate and enhance tribal, state and local efforts to address health disparities and the social determinants of health for AI/ANs.

Visit the AI/AN NPA Caucus website for more information: http://aian.npa-rhec.org/.

*If the registration link does not work, please copy the entire link and paste it into your web browser. For webinar-specific questions, contact the moderator: csantos@explorepsa.com.

Monday, August 28, 2017

Box Elder County Farmworker Appreciation Day


Baby-Friendly Hospitals: Laws Across the 50 States

Baby-Friendly Hospitals: Laws Across the 50 States

A free webinar on Thursday, September 7, 2017 11am 

PT (2pm ET)

ChangeLab Solutions invites you to join us for a webinar presenting the results of our systematic review of baby-friendly hospital laws in the United States. This webinar will include an overview of baby-friendly hospital requirements and the 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, a brief description of the legal research methods used, and a discussion of what we found.
The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a global initiative of UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) aimed at promoting hospital policies that encourage and support breastfeeding. Baby-Friendly USA, the organization tasked with implementing BFHI in the United States, has outlined 10 evidence-based practices that hospitals can implement to support breastfeeding (the “10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding”).
These include breastfeeding policies, staff training, rooming-in, and educating mothers about the benefits and management of breastfeeding. Several states have enacted statutes or regulations encouraging or requiring hospitals to adopt one or more of these practices.
Webinar participants will learn about data that can help advance policy by clearly showing how state laws differ and where gaps exist. They will also learn how to access the findings and quantitative legal data to evaluate these laws’ effects on health-promoting behaviors.

Health Insurance Exchanges Issuer County Map

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services posted an update to the Health Insurance Exchanges Issuer County Map. This map is of projected issuer participation on the Health Insurance Exchanges in 2018 based on the known issuer public announcements through August 23, 2017. Participation is expected to fluctuate and does not represent actual Exchange application submissions.

 This map currently shows that nationwide 1 county is projected to have no issuers, meaning that Americans in these counties could be without coverage on the Exchanges in 2018. It’s also projected that 1,478 counties - over 45 percent of counties nationwide - could have only one issuer in 2018. This could represent more than 2.6 million Exchange participants with only one health insurance option, which means they will not have any choices.  NOTE:  These maps are subject to change on a weekly basis.

Friday, August 25, 2017

HHS Establishing Pain Management Task Force/Seeks Member Nominations

News Release
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, August 25, 2017

HHS Establishing Pain Management Task Force/Seeks Member Nominations
 

Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, M.D., announced today the creation of a new Task Force to develop best practices for prescribing pain medication and for managing chronic and acute pain. HHS, which is overseeing this effort with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense, is seeking member nominations from the public.

The Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force, which was authorized by the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Action of 2016, is assigned the following responsibilities: 
  • Determining whether there are gaps or inconsistencies in pain management best practices among federal agencies,
  • Proposing recommendations on addressing gaps or inconsistencies,
  • Providing the public with an opportunity to comment on any proposed recommendations; and
  • Developing a strategy for disseminating information about best practices. 

“This Task Force represents a critical piece of HHS’s five-point strategy to defeat the opioid epidemic, which includes advancing the practice of pain management,” said Secretary Price. “Top experts in pain management, research, addiction and recovery can help us reassess how we handle the serious problem of pain in America.”

The Task Force will consist of representatives from relevant HHS agencies, the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense and the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Non-federal representatives will include individuals representing diverse disciplines and views. Members will include experts (including patients) in areas related to pain management, pain advocacy, addiction, recovery, substance use disorders, mental health, minority health and more. Members will also include representatives from veteran service organizations, the addiction treatment community and groups with expertise in overdose reversal, including first responders, medical boards and hospitals.

Information about how to nominate individuals to serve on this Task Force is available in the Federal Register. Applications are due Wednesday, September 27, 2017.

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Monday, August 21, 2017

Huntsman Cancer Institute Community Open House August 24


NACDD Health Equity Council at Work

NACDD Health Equity Council at Work

Thursday, August 24, 2017
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST

Register here now!

Description:
Health equity is an area of major focus for NACDD Members, staff, consultants, and leadership. To address the disparities in the burden of disease and the health outcomes that often exist in racial/ethnic minorities and people with low socioeconomic status, The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors established the Health Equity Council, (HEC) in 2005. The Council connects program staff and those interested in health equity, for knowledge sharing, brainstorming, problem solving, technical assistance, and best practice dissemination.  It identifies issues that make it difficult to close the gaps in health status and works toward solutions by partnering with State Health Department, National Organizations, and Federal Agencies to serve as a collective voice in the field of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

This month's General Member Webinar will feature the Health Equity Council and highlight its recent work and accomplishments. During this webinar, you will receive an overview of current Council projects and learn of future training and technical assistance opportunities.  Please mark your calendars and join us for the discussion.

Join us for this exciting webinar on August 24, 2017 from 3:00-4:00 PM EST.

Monday, August 14, 2017

SAMHSA – New Behavioral Health Barometer Reports Provide In-Depth, State-Level Data

SAMHSA released the fourth edition of its Behavioral Health Barometer state reports. These reports include data about key issues such as the prevalence of substance use, serious thoughts of suicide, serious mental illness, and treatment, for each state and the District of Columbia. The findings are presented by age, gender, racial and ethnic categories, poverty status, and health insurance status. The reports can assist policymakers and public health providers in targeting programs and interventions to reduce the impact of mental and substance use disorders on America's communities.

Primary Health Coverage Available for Uninsured Adults

For Immediate Release:  
Monday, 14 August 2017
Media Contact: 
Kolbi Young
(o) 801-538-6847 
(m) 801-231-6350 

Primary Health Coverage Available for Uninsured Adults
Primary Care Network opens enrollment today

What: Utah’s Primary Care Network (PCN) will open enrollment today. PCN is a primary preventive health coverage plan for uninsured adults. Benefits include physician services, prescriptions, dental services, eye exams, emergency room visits, birth control, and general preventive services.

Why: Since December 2015, PCN has not accepted new applications for adults without dependent children. Beginning today, all uninsured Utah adults may apply online, by mail, or in person to receive primary health care.
.
Who: Adults who meet the following requirements may apply:
  • Age 19 through 64
  • U.S. citizens or legal residents
  • Not covered by other health insurance
  • Meet income guidelines (e.g., a family of 4 with a maximum income of $23,376 per year)
  • Not qualified for Medicaid
  • Have no access to Medicare or Veterans benefits
  • Have no access to student health insurance (as full-time students)
When: PCN will accept applications for all adults from August 14-28, 2017.  PCN enrollment for parents/caretaker relatives will stay open and accept applications at any time.
Where: Apply online at www.health.utah.gov/pcn or call the PCN hotline at 1-888-222-2542.

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2018 Abstinence Ed & PREP Funding Applications from Salt Lake County Health Department

2018 Abstinence Ed & PREP Funding Applications 

Salt Lake County Health Department (SLCoHD) is seeking proposals for Abstinence and Personal Responsibility Education Programs (PREP). SLCoHD is seeking to sub-contract with community agencies providing services to adolescents and families residing within Salt Lake County. Agencies are eligible to apply for abstinence education, personal responsibility education or both. All agencies providing services to adolescents and families are eligible and encouraged to apply. Click here for more information.


ACE (Arts Culture and Events) Fund Orientation 2017


Please join the ACE (Arts Culture and Events) Fund team to hear about exciting changes in our program this year and how to apply! Events of all types and sizes are invited to apply for Salt Lake City funding to help support our community. Attendance is not required to apply but highly encouraged. 

Questions? Email Tina Heidorn (ACE Coordinator) at ace@slcgov.com

Students to Service (S2S) Loan Repayment Program – Opening Soon

Funding Opportunities

Students to Service (S2S) Loan Repayment ProgramOpening Soon.  This month, the National Health Service Corp (NHSC) will begin accepting applications for their 2018 Students to Service Loan Repayment Program, providing up to $120,000 in tax-free funds to pay for tuition and other fees for students in their final year of medical or dental school. In exchange for loan repayment students agree to work at NHSC-approved sites, in many cases rural areas, upon completion of their primary care residency training.  The two-month window for applications will begin in mid-August; interested students can sign up now to be notified when that happens.  

Friday, August 11, 2017

Community Health Center Week

It's Community Health Center Week!  
Here's how Utah is marking the occasion

Bear Lake Community Health Center, Open House
Garden City Clinic (325 W Logan Hwy, Garden City, UT 84028) - August 23rd 11:00 AM -2:00 PM

Carbon Medical Services Association, Health Fair,
East Carbon Clinic (305 Center St, East Carbon, UT 84520), August 17th, Time TBD

Family Healthcare, "Back to School" Day at the Clinics 
St George Clinic (25 N 100 E Suite 102, St George, UT 84770) - August 11th (all day)

Fourth Street Film Festival, Brewvies Cinema Pub - August 17th, 6:30 PM

Mountainlands Family Health Center, Health Fair
Mountainlands Family Health Center (589 S State St, Provo, Utah) - August 18th, 2:30 PM - 5 PM

Utah Navajo Health Systems, Various Clinic Locations (See attached flyer)
Teddy Bear Clinic - August 11th, 17th and 25th, 1 PM - 3 PM

Many of the smaller clinics are doing patient, and staff appreciation dinners, or hosting booths at local festivals. 

Thursday, August 10, 2017

UDOH Job Posting - UBDN Epidemiologist

The Department of Health has an opening for a UBDN Epidemiologist, posting # 12791. The posting will close at midnight on August 202017 MST
  
In order to be considered for an interview for these positions, you will need to apply on-line at STATEJOBS.UTAH.GOV .  If you have not done so already, you will need to create a job seeker account.

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Register for the Fifth Meeting of the Secretary's Advisory Committee for 2030

Healthypeople.gov: News You Can Use

Secretary’s Advisory Committee for 2030 New!

Be a part of the Healthy People 2030 development process! Register to attend the fifth meeting of the Secretary's Advisory Committee on National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives for 2030 (Committee). The meeting will be held in Washington, DC and is open to the public. Registration is required.

At this meeting, the Committee will:
  • Discuss the development of the Nation’s health promotion and disease prevention objectives
  • Discuss proposed recommendations and updates from each of the Committee’s subcommittees
  • Hear oral testimony from the public on the proposed Healthy People 2030 framework, including the vision, mission, overarching goals, foundational principles, and plan of action
If you would like to present oral comment to the Committee, you must register and submit a written copy of your oral comment prior to the meeting. Please also review the guidelines for public comment.

Space is limited and registration will close once we reach maximum capacity.

Monday, August 7, 2017

Webinars: Understanding the Opioid Crisis

SAMHSA LogoTwo-Part Webinar Series for Faith-Based and Community Leaders on the Opioid Crisis

Part One: Understanding the Opioid Crisis: What's at the Heart of the Matter?

Wednesday, August 9, 2017 | Noon–1 p.m. Eastern Time
Join the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Partnership Center and experts from SAMHSA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a two-part webinar series specifically geared towards faith-based and community leaders on the opioid crisis. During part one of this series, national leaders from SAMHSA and the CDC will share data and the science about opioid addiction, and they will dispel some common misconceptions about treatment and recovery. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions and will receive information about additional resources.
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Part Two: There Is Hope: Treatment, Recovery, and Prevention

Wednesday, August 16, 2017 | Noon–1 p.m. Eastern Time
Connecting people to treatment and recovery support has been shown to be effective and can save lives. During part two of this series, experts from SAMHSA and the CDC will review early intervention and treatment options, and they will discuss the essential role that the community plays in recovery support and prevention. They will also discuss strategies for getting ahead of the problem, the impact of adverse childhood experiences on the development of a substance use disorder, and how upstream preventative action can restore hope and lead to a brighter and healthier future for generations to come. The webinar will close with a Q&A session and a review of resources.

Job Posting - Healthy Living through Environment, Policy and Improved Clinical Care Program (EPICC) at the Department of Health

The Healthy Living through Environment, Policy and Improved Clinical Care Program (EPICC)  at the Department of Health has a recruitment open for the following position:

Domain Specialist III (Health Program Specialist III)
$20.91 - $33.17

This is a full-time, career service position with benefits.
Requisition #   12783
Closes:   08/14/2017 at 11:59 pm MST

In order to be considered for an interview for this position, you will need to apply on-line at https://statejobs.utah.gov.  If you have not done so already, you will need to create a job seeker account.  

______________________
Do you have a background in public health? The Healthy Living through Policy, Environment and Improved Clinical Care Program (EPICC) needs you as a Domain Specialist III. You will work to improve/reduce heart disease and stroke incidence in Utah by focusing on risk factors (primarily hypertension) and working with partners in the health care, worksite and community setting to implement interventions. You will be apart of a collaborative team that works together on multiple projects. This position requires travel throughout the state of Utah.

Principal Duties 
The primary responsibilities on projects are to:

  • Act as an expert for quality improvement projects in healthcare setting (health clinics, primary providers).
  • Provide clinical guideline education.
  • Collaborate with a team based care approached including using pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and other non-physician staff to care for patients.
  • Manage complex projects by chairing work groups and facilitating consensus on complex issues.
  • Facilitate meetings.
  • Ensure projects move forward.
  • Draft final documents.
  • Solicit endorsements for the documents from experts in Utah.
  • Manage complex relationships among health system partners.
  • Deliver presentations and training.
  • Manage contracts.
  • Participate in policy development, program planning, implementation and evaluation.
  • Develop new and strengthens existing partnerships in heath care, work-site and community settings
  • Promote a collaborative partnership with healthcare and community partners.
  • Provide technical assistance on health care quality improvement and support to health care partners.
  • Coordinate internally with Bureau of Health Promotion to increase coordination among programs, work collaboratively on projects, and decrease duplication.
  • Participate in program development, planning and evaluation.
  • Develop and delivers presentations and training to program partners.


The Ideal Candidate

  • Has a bachelor degree in a health related field such as Nursing, Public Administration, Public Health, Health Promotion, Health Education, or similar field.
  • Has knowledge and experience about quality improvement in the healthcare field, (hospitals, clinics, and health plans).
  • Has the ability to work with partners for long and short-term planning.
  • Has the skill and ability to plan, organize and prioritize time and workload in order to accomplish tasks and meet deadlines.
  • Has the ability to deliver presentations or training using acceptable methods and techniques.
  • Has the skill and ability to write work plans, progress reports, and grant applications.
  • Has strong interpersonal communication skills, both oral and written.
  • Has the skill and ability to prepare and make presentations to effectively communicate ideas concisely and accurately.
  • Has the ability to lead and facilitate meetings, teams, or work groups to encourage participation and cooperation to accomplish project objectives.
  • Has the skills in planning, developing, and evaluating health promotion programs.
  • Has the skill and ability to use automated software applications such as MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
  • Has the ability to write, oversee and monitor grants/contracts.


Open Enrollment for Primary Care Network (PCN)

PCN will open enrollment for all adults

August 14-28

If you are uninsured and age 19-64, you may qualify for PCN. Click here for additional eligibility requirements.


PCN is currently open for enrollment and accepting applications for parents/caretaker relatives. To be eligible, you must have a dependent child under age 19 living at home, in addition to the other eligibility requirements

You can apply online or call 1-888-222-2542 for an application to be mailed to you.
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Utah's Premium Partnership for Health Insurance (UPP) may be able to help you pay for your monthly health insurance premium if you are:
  • Uninsured, but have access to health insurance through your employer
  • COBRA eligible or already have COBRA coverage

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? Social Determinants of Health

Healthypeople.gov: Leading Health Indicators Monthly Bulletin

Overview
Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the conditions in the environment in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age that may impact their health. SDOH are often a strong predictor for health inequities—the unfair and avoidable differences in health status seen within and between communities. They include factors like socioeconomic status, education, the physical environment, employment, and social support networks, as well as access to health care.

The Healthy People 2020 SDOH framework highlights 5 key domains: economic stability, education, health and health care, neighborhood and built environment, and social and community context. The selection of social determinants as a Leading Health Indicator recognizes the critical role of home, school, workplace, neighborhood, and community in improving health. The Social Determinants LHI encourages improvements in education and high school graduation rates. Children born to parents who have not completed high school are more likely to live in an environment with barriers to health. Additionally, low education levels have been linked with poor health, more stress, and lower self-confidence.

Increasing levels of education, including academic success and achievement, are associated with longer life expectancy, improved health and quality of life, and adoption of health-promoting behaviors like getting regular physical activity, not smoking, and going for routine checkups and recommended screenings.

Find out more and view the infographic here.

Data From the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander National Health Interview Survey

Chartbook on Health Conditions and Behaviors of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Persons in the United States, 2014

Objectives
The body of nationally representative health statistics for the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) population is limited, because even the largest health surveys generally do not have an adequate NHPI sample to calculate reliable NHPI statistics. Using data from the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander National Health Interview Survey (NHPI NHIS) from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), this report fills this gap by presenting statistics on health conditions and behaviors for (a) the total NHPI population and the multiple- and single race NHPI populations, in comparison with other federal race groups and the total U.S. population; (b) single-race NHPI persons compared with multiple-race NHPI persons; and (c) detailed NHPI race groups in comparison with each other and the total U.S. population.

Methods
The NHPI statistics were calculated using 2014 NHPI NHIS data, while the other race group statistics were calculated using 2014 data from NCHS’ annual National Health Interview Survey.

Results
Compared with Asian adults, NHPI adults had higher rates of a range of health conditions, including lower back pain, serious psychological distress, asthma, and cancer. The prevalence of some health conditions, including cancer, ulcers, and diabetes, did not differ significantly between NHPI and black adults. Samoan adults were more likely than Native Hawaiian and Guamanian or Chamorro adults to have lower back pain and any physical difficulty, and they were less likely to have a healthy body weight. Native Hawaiian adults were more likely than Pacific Islander adults to have asthma. Single-race NHPI adults had higher rates of diabetes and were more likely to report at least 1 heavy drinking day in the past year, but they were less likely to have asthma, compared with multiple-race NHPI adults.

Read the entire report here.

Annual Friendly Island Festival


2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Oversampling Study in American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) populations

Office of Minority HealthThis year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) kicked off the 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Oversampling Study (BRFSS), a new initiative from the HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) and the CDC. This phone survey aims to increase understanding of health-related risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, access to care and use of preventive services in American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) populations.

The states participating in the oversampling study are: Alaska, Arizona, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Each state asks questions based on demographic characteristics (e.g., gender and age) and current health behaviors, such as tobacco and seat belt use. It takes less than 30 minutes to answer the phone survey and all information collected is confidential.

OMH wants to promote awareness of and participation in this initiative and asks your help to inform Native communities about this project by sharing this announcement with tribes, Native organizations, and American Indians and Alaska Natives living in these states. OMH has developed a series of resources to help promote this project and to encourage American Indians and Alaska Natives to respond to the survey if they get a call from their State Health Department. 

Be sure to visit the OMH website to obtain outreach resources such as info cards, downloadable posters, and a newsletter drop-in article and share with your networks and through your communications channels. For more information, please click here. 

2017 Home Visiting Yearbook


Advances Newsletter
RWJF: Studies show that home visiting programs yield up to $5.70 return for every $1 invested. The 2017 Home Visiting Yearbook compiles key data on early childhood home visiting and fact sheets for every state, showing how many and what types of families benefit.

BACK TO SCHOOL: Free Dental Screenings & Cleanings


Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities Increase Dementia Risk and Incidence

Stressful life experience and living in a disadvantaged neighborhood may explain part of the outsized risk of dementia within the African American community, according to several studies reported at AAIC. A single major stressful event in early life, for instance, may have the same negative impact as four years of cognitive aging. This same study found that African Americans, on average, are over 60 percent more likely to experience such events than white Americans over their lifetimes.

An additional study found that certain socioeconomic neighborhood conditions – like level of poverty, substandard housing, low education rates, and underemployment – were correlated with poor cognitive performance. Meanwhile, a third study found that racial/ethnic disparities persist even into the oldest-old – individuals aged 90 and older; African Americans in this age group have a 28 percent higher risk of developing dementia than their white peers even after adjusting for education, sex, and cardiovascular co-morbidities.

ROAD MAP ACTION ITEM E-01
Identify and promote culturally-appropriate strategies designed to increase public awareness about dementia, reduce conflicting messages, decrease stigma, and promote early diagnosis.
Studies like these are further evidence of the unique burden of dementia faced by African Americans and populations with disadvantaged life circumstances. They also offer new insight into explaining why some racial and ethnic minorities are at a disproportionately higher risk of developing dementia beyond strictly physiological risk factors – such as a higher prevalence of certain cardiovascular conditions. Public health practitioners can implement large population-based interventions with special attention to lifespan, neighborhood conditions, and cultural adaptations to begin addressing these disparities.

Communities nationwide are already tackling this issue. Learn more about cognitive issues among African Americans through our infographic as well as national and localized efforts to turn the tide against Alzheimer’s in the African American community through a joint webinar co-hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association and The Balm in Gilead.