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

Friday, December 15, 2017

UDOH Early Childhood Utah Program Manager Position open

The Department of Health has an opening for an Early Childhood Utah Program Manager, posting # 14366. The posting will close at 11:59 PM on December 25, 2017 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.

Salt Lake County Board Vacancies

Boards and Commissions Update 12.13.17

Board Openings:

We are currently seeking applicants and recommendations for the following SLCO Boards and Commissions:

Housing Trust Fund Advisory Board          10 vacancies

Purpose: To address the concerns for affordable and special needs housing within the county. To the extent possible, members shall include residents of each county council district with at least four members having expertise in affordable housing or special needs housing. Remaining members shall have expertise in the areas of business, real estate, or housing development.

SLCO Fair Board             5 vacancies

Purpose: To enhance the interest of the community by establishing, conducting, and maintaining fairs and exhibitions within Salt Lake County.
Vacant seats with the following areas of interest are available: Volunteers, Business, Special Events (2 seats), Competitive Exhibits.

Interested applicants should apply online at:



and/or contact Tiffany Clason at tclason@slco.org or 385-468-7026.

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

America's Health Rankings from United Health Foundation shows Utah jumped to #4 in Healthiest States


The United Health Foundation 2017 Annual Report of America's Health Rankings looks at 35 different factors affecting people's health including rates of smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, low birth weight, drug deaths, environmental conditions like air pollution, and the number of doctors, dentists, and mental health providers per 100,000 people in their state.
Florida and Utah experienced the largest rank improvements since last year, rising four places in the rankings to No. 32 and No. 4 in the country, respectively. Florida’s improvements include positive changes in its rankings for the percentage of children in poverty and frequent mental distress since 2016. Utah also improved its rankings for several measures in the same time period, including air pollution and immunizations among children.
MORTALITY RATES ARE INCREASING IN MANY STATES, EVEN THOSE RANKED HIGHLY FOR OVERALL HEALTH 
This trend is also true for cardiovascular deaths. Although ranked as the fourth healthiest state this year, Utah experienced one of the largest increases in the rate of cardiovascular deaths 21.9 deaths per 100,000 population) from 2012 to 2017.

WIDE VARIATION ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN THE CONCENTRATION OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
This year's report also examined the concentration of key health care providers, including mental health providers, primary care physicians and dentists, and found wide variation across the county.
Utah and Idaho have fewer the 100 Primary Care Physicians per 100,000 population.

Read the entire 2017 report at United Health Foundation American's Health Rankings webpage.

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander National Health Interview Survey: Data Collection in Small Populations

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Minority Health
The Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander National Health Interview Survey: Data Collection in Small Populations

The National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released data from the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) which was jointly supported by the Office of Minority Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This project is the first national health survey to use a sample frame consisting of NHPI households. This project was the result of years of advocacy by Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community organizations, leaders, and health researchers, combined with advancements in federal policies on data collection standards for racial/ethnic populations. Please view the survey here

Wednesday, December 6, 2017


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 5, 2017

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Mayor Biskupski applauds Salt Lake City Council on action to address affordable housing

Today, the Salt Lake City Council took action on two proposals presented by the Administration to address the affordable housing crisis in Salt Lake City. The proposals specifically dealt with approximately $21 million-dollars of Redevelopment Agency (RDA) funding the RDA Board set aside to deal with affordable housing in the City.

The proposal prioritizes $10 million-dollars of funding to be administered by the RDA for a competitive fund available to developers and community groups interested in building affordable housing projects. $3 million-dollars will also be directed to the City’s Housing Trust Fund, administered by the City’s Housing and Neighborhood Development Division, to be used for general purposes and a Renovation Pilot Program, to incentivize owners to improve existing affordable housing options. The proposal also sets aside funding for specific projects, including the Barnes Bank Exchange project, and the redevelopment of the Capitol Motel.

“I am thrilled we are moving forward on funding innovative initiatives to address the affordable housing crisis in Salt Lake City, which align with our proposed housing plan, Growing SLC” said Mayor Jackie Biskupski on the proposal. “Today’s move demonstrates that both the City Council and I are in agreement that now is the time to aggressively move to bring units online quickly. This is the product of almost a year of hard work, dialogue, and collaboration to find a workable solution.”

Earlier this year, the Biskupski Administration provided the City Council with two proposals for the use of set aside funding, including one option to fund specific RDA projects and one option utilizing the City’s existing Housing Trust Fund. In working through the proposals, the Council created the $10 million-dollar RDA fund, while also funding aspects of the Housing Trust Fund option. The Mayor noted that the decision preserved the opportunity to fund projects which could create deeply affordable housing prior to the 2019 closure of the downtown shelter.

“My priority has been, and continues to be, on ensuring we have the necessary housing options available to make the new homeless resource center model a success,” said Mayor Biskupski. “When we focus on the face of this crisis, including those moving from homelessness and those just struggling to get by in our City, we are able to achieve great things.”

The proposal would give the RDA a greater role in affordable housing initiatives in the City, while enhancing the City’s existing funding options. The RDA is a division of the Department of Economic Development, which was created by the Mayor in 2016 to help streamline economic activity in the City.

“The vitality of the City is dependent on the principle of equity, from job to housing opportunities. Salt Lake City thrives when our residents have access to affordable housing that allows them to live where they work and enjoy the amenities where they call home,” said Lara Fritts, Director of the Department of Economic Development and CEO of the RDA. “The City’s economic development efforts, and the work being done by our team and Mayor, are enhanced by the Council’s decision today.”

The Council also asked the Administration to explore options for an incentivized inclusionary zoning policy. In November, HAND launched a public engagement survey regarding inclusionary zoning in the City. The survey is available at www.slcgov.com/hand.

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Contact:

Matthew Rojas

Monday, December 4, 2017

Learning and Growing: Healthy Development During Childhood and Adolescence Webinar

Learning and Growing: Healthy Development During Childhood and Adolescence – A Healthy People 2020 Progress Review Webinar New!

Register Now | December 12, 2017 | 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. ET
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Tell your colleagues and friends about this great learning opportunity. Forward this email or tweet about the webinar.

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Join us on Tuesday, December 12 at 12:30 p.m. ET for a Progress Review webinar featuring 2 Healthy People 2020 topic areas:
  • Early and Middle Childhood
  • Adolescent Health
You'll also learn how the City of Cincinnati Health Department is taking a comprehensive approach to providing school-based health services.
About Early and Middle Childhood & Adolescent Health
Childhood and adolescence provide the physical, cognitive, and social-emotional foundation for lifelong health, learning, and well-being. The behavioral patterns established early in life help determine young people's current health and well-being and their ability to live healthy and productive lives throughout their lifespan.
About Progress Review Webinars
The Progress Review webinars focus on tracking and measuring the progress of select Healthy People 2020 objectives throughout the decade.

Friday, December 1, 2017

Fluoride in Practice: Resources from the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors


Fluoride in Practice: Resources from the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors
Presenters: LeeAnn Hoaglin Cooper, RDH, BS; Chris Wood, RDH, BS
December 7, 2017, 2:00 PM CST

This webinar will review resources addressing key elements supporting community fluoride programs available on the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) website. 

Continuing Education Credit: 1
*In order to receive these credits you must complete the evaluation for the specific webinar within six months of its live air date.