2002 News Archives
Reorganization of NCCAM Centers Program
December 23, 2002
The NCCAM
is now announcing a major overhaul of its entire centers program and new
initiatives by which it will award program projects to major research intensive
institutions and cooperative centers programs to stimulate partnerships between
CAM and conventional centers. All of the details can be found at
http://www.nccam.nih.gov/training/centers/index.htm.
Developing Leadership in Reducing
Substance Abuse 2003
December 18, 2002
The RWJF is seeking
future leaders that are committed to understanding health challenges and
remedying health, safety, and social problems stemming from substance abuse.
In order to cultivate the future leaders in the field of substance abuse, RWJF
is providing support to a six year, $6 million dollar Developing Leadership in
Reducing Substance Abuse program that will fund 10 fellows for a three-year
mentoring period for four cycles, with a total of 40 fellows. Currently
looking to fill its fourth class, the program offers the following training
experience to enhance skills in self-knowledge, strategic vision, risk taking
and creativity, interpersonal and communication effectives, and change
management. For more information on the program or to obtain a formal
application package on-line, please contact the program office by email at
info@SALeaders.org, or by phone at
732-235-9609. Deadline for applications is
February 28, 2003 (3 p.m.ET).
HHS to Expand Access to Care in
Rural and Other Communities by Reviewing Waiver Requests Involving Foreign
Doctors
December 17, 2002
HHS Secretary Tommy G.
Thompson today announced new regulations to help rural and other communities
suffering from a shortage of health care providers by allowing HHS to request
waivers of a return-home requirement for foreign physicians who trained in
the United States. Under the new regulations, HHS will expand its efforts to
ensure that qualified physicians are available to improve access to care in
health professional shortage areas and medically underserved areas. For the
press release, visit
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2002pres/20021217.html.
Protecting Americans: Smallpox
Vaccination Program
December 13th, 2002
Today, the President announced a plan to better protect the American people
against the threat of smallpox attack by hostile groups or governments. The
plan includes the formation of Smallpox Response Teams, the vaccination of
Department of Defense and State Department Personnel, Strengthening Homeland
Security, and preparing military and oversears presonnel. For more information
about the Smallpox disease and vaccination, visit
http://www.smallpox.gov/.
Cover the Uninsured Week
December 13th, 2002
Building on the momentum generated by the February 2002 launch of the Covering
the Uninsured educational and advertising campaign and Web site, The Robert Wood
Johnson Foundation and some of the most influential organizations in the United
States will cosponsor Cover the Uninsured Week. This unprecedented week
long series of national and local activities will take place from Monday, March
10, through Sunday, March 16, 2003, in an effort to sensitize the public and
opinion leaders to the plight of the more than 41 million Americans who lack
health insurance. For more information, visit
http://covertheuninsuredweek.org/.
HHS Proposes New Regulations for Fair
Treatment of Religious Grantee Organizations and Their Clients
December 12th, 2002
Carrying out a new step in President Bush's Faith-Based and
Community Initiative, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today
announced proposed regulations to clarify the rights and requirements for
religious organizations that use HHS funds in delivering services to needy
Americans. The proposed rules would ensure that religious organizations are
treated equally with others when applying for HHS funds, and would also
protect them from having to make changes affecting their religious character
when using those funds. It would also make clear that organizations must
serve all individuals who are eligible for HHS services equally, regardless
of their religious affiliation or beliefs. For the press release, visit
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2002pres/20021212a.html.
Rendell Public Health Paper
December 9, 2002
The Rendell-Knoll Plan for
Promoting and Protecting Pennsylvania's Public Health is now available.
"There has never been a point in Pennsylvania's history where we have needed
a solid, effective public health system more - and when we have been at our
weakest. This is intolerable and I plan to change it." - Ed Rendell.
CMS Open Door Forum
December 6, 2002
The Open Door Initiative is a high priority of Administrator Tom Scully and
this Newsletter is a great
way to communicate to you continuous developments from the Open Door Forums. To
learn more about this initiative in its entirety, please visit
http://www.cms.gov/opendoor/.
Health Secretary Releases Nursing Survey
November 26, 2002
On behalf of Governor Mark Schweiker, Health Secretary Robert S. Zimmerman Jr. today
released a comprehensive survey of registered nurses (RNs) in Pennsylvania, based on
the first, in-depth statewide survey conducted since the discussion of the nursing
shortage began. For the press release, visit
http://webserver.health.state.pa.us/health/cwp/view.asp.
Kellogg Foundation Survey Reveals Rural
Economic Development Takes Back Seat to Balancing the Budget
November 25, 2002
According to a new national survey released by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, there
is broad consensus among state legislators about the problems facing rural America,
but budget woes and more pressing priorities are likely to push state legislative
action on these issues to the back burner. For the press release, visit
http://www.fdncenter.org/pnd/news/story.jhtml.
Health Department Announces $3.3 Million
for Acute Care Hospitals for Emergency Preparedness
November 22, 2002
On behalf of Governor Mark Schweiker, Health Secretary Robert S. Zimmerman Jr.
today announced that the Health Department has contracted with The Hospital and
Healthsystems Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) to distribute $3.3 million of
federal funds to Pennsylvania's acute-care general hospitals with emergency
departments to assist in emergency-preparedness planning and response.
A total of 200 hospitals will receive a $5,000 base amount plus 50 cents for
every emergency department visit that was reported to the Department of Health
in each hospital's most recent annual survey. For the press release, visit
http://webserver.health.state.pa.us/health/cwp/view.asp.
Rendell is seeking a cure for malpractice
November 21, 2002
Governor-elect Ed Rendell said yesterday that there was no "silver bullet" for
bringing an immediate end to Pennsylvania's medical-malpractice insurance crisis, but that
he would push for short-term financial relief for doctors and for other solutions that
would last "decades." In doing so, Rendell is taking on one of the state's most
contentious political and economic issues of the last three years. "I don't want a
solution that will resolve the problem for 2003, but in 2007... [be] faced with the same
problem," Rendell said. "I want to resolve this problem for the next several
decades." For the press release, visit
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/business/4567965.htm.
HHS
Moves to Focus Regulations on Improved Patient Care
November 21, 2002
HHS' Advisory Committee
on Regulatory Reform today issued its final report highlighting hundreds of
specific recommendations for improving regulatory requirements across HHS
agencies -- including many that HHS has already moved to implement or address.
See the report at
http://www.regreform.hhs.gov/.
Influenza Vaccine Bulletin #6
November 18, 2002
The NIP of the
CDC
is publishing and distributing periodic bulletins to update partners about
recent developments related to the production, distribution and
administration of influenza vaccine for the 2002-2003 influenza season. All
recipients of this bulletin are encouraged to distribute each issue widely
to colleagues, members and constituents. To download orview the document
online: http://porh.cas.psu.edu/publications/ivb6.doc.
Schweiker Administration Launches New AD
Campaign to Help Pennsylvania Smokers Kick Habit
November 18, 2002
On behalf of Govenor Mark Schweiker, Pennsylvania Physician General Rob Muscalus
today announced a new Department of Health television and radio advertising campaign
to help Pennsylvania smokers quit using tobacco. The ads direct smokers to call
Pennsylvania's free tobacco quitline 1-877-724-1090.
"Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death and disease in
Pennsylvania," Dr. Muscalus said. "We want to remind people that there is
no better time than right now to stop smoking. Regardless of how much a person smokes
or how long they've been a smoker, they need to quit: for themselves and for their
family. It's the right thing to do."For the press release, visit
http://webserver.health.state.pa.us/health/cwp/view.asp.
Free Clinics Receive Highmark Foundation
Awards at Medical Society Foundation Conference
November 8, 2002
An estimated 600,000 Pennsylvanians in low-income rural and urban communities rely
on free and partial-pay clinics as a health and dental care safety net. The services
offered by this statewide-network of care providers is oftentimes as overlooked as
the patients it serves. For the press release, visit
http://porh.cas.psu.edu/publications/sar2.doc.
HHS Expands Information for American
Indians and Alaska Natives on Consumer-Oriented HealthFinderï Web Site
November 7, 2002
In recognition of National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month,
HHS
Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today launched a new resource section on the
department's healthfinderï Web site devoted to these communities. Available at
http://www.healthfinder.gov/justforyou/, the easy-to-use consumer resource
provides a central point for up-to-date health information of special interest to
American Indians and Alaska Natives. For more information about National American
Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, visit
http://www.ihs.gov/PublicInfo/heritage/index.asp.
Health Services at Risk in
"Vulnerable" Rural Places
November 7, 2002
A new Policy Brief is available from the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy
Analysis: Health Services at Risk in "Vulnerable" Rural Places. This
Brief describes a method to identify places in rural America that are at risk
of (vulnerable to) being without adequate health care services and discusses
the implications of using this method. Please visit the following link to
download PB2002-5:
http://www.rupri.org/pubs/archive/pbriefs/PB2002-5/PB2002-5.pdf.
NIH Loan Repayment Programs
November 4, 2002
The NIH announces the opening of
five extramural Loan Repayment Programs. The online applications for these programs are
now available and the application closing date for the Clinical, Pediatric, and
Contraception and Infertility Research LRP's is November 30, 2002. Additional information
and the NIH LRP online application are available at the LRP Website at
http://www.lrp.nih.gov/.
HHS Announces Creation of Medical Reserve Corps Units
November 1, 2002
HHS
Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced 42 grants totaling $2 million to community-based
organizations to begin building local MRC
units that will help local communities prepare and respond in the event of a public health
emergency. The local MRC units are comprised of local citizens, volunteers who are trained
to respond to health crises. The volunteers' responsibilities will include emergency
response, logistical planning, records keeping, assisting in public health and awareness
campaigns and public communications. For the press release, visit
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2002pres/20021101b.html.
Coordinating Government
Roles in Improving Health Care Quality
November 1, 2002
The federal government should take the lead in improving the safety and quality of
treatment provided to the nearly 100 million beneficiaries of six government health
care programs, according to a new report from the
IOM. The
study, entitled "Leadership by Example: Coordinating Government Roles in
Improving Health Care Quality," says the government should give financial rewards
to hospitals and doctors who improve care, and should collect and make available to
the public data comparing the quality of care among providers. The study concluded
that federal programs - covering poor children to military veterans - are fragmented
in their efforts to improve quality and fail to harness their massive purchasing power
to compel better care. More information on the report is available at
http://www4.nationalacademies.org/news.nsf/isbn/0309086163.
New Site to Help
Increase Enrollment in Children's Health Insurance
November 1, 2002
The Children's Partnership released a new
ELE web
site that describes processes to easily identify and enroll eligible uninsured
low-income children into subsidized health insurance programs. It works to increase
a child's enrollment in health insurance by connecting Medicaid and the
SCHIP with
other public programs with similar
eligibility guidelines, such as the School Lunch, Food Stamps and WIC programs. This
resource incorporates examples of new research and Express Lane efforts in
communities across the nation. It is designed to provide advocates, community leaders,
and policymakers with the tools they need to provide health insurance to more than
four million uninsured children who are enrolled in other needs-based public programs.
For more information, visit
http://www.expresslane.info/.
Mental Health System in Crisis
According to National Council on Disability
November 1, 2002
The National Council on Disability recently released a report entitled "The Well
Being of Our Nation: An Inter-Generational Vision of Effective Mental Health Services
and Supports" that examines some of the underlying causes of the crisis facing
the mental health system. According to the report, the system is unable to provide
even basic mental health services and supports to aid people with psychiatric
disabilities integrated into the community. According to the report, in order to
address these concerns, public mental health systems must be restructured into a
"value system," designed to promote recovery and community integration as an
achievable result for every person who has experienced mental illness. Mental health
systems must also develop more comprehensive models designed to provide a full range
of services to people with psychiatric disabilities, including housing, transportation
and employment services in addition to medication and counseling. The report
highlights some proven models of successthroughout the nation and details a list of
actions designed to advance public mental health practices and supports.
The report is available at
http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/mentalhealth.html.
Preventing Diabetes: Are You At Risk?
October 31, 2002
WPSX, and your local public television stations, will be broadcasting the second
in a series of community health awareness programs through the Penn State
initiative, Creating Health. The Creating Health program "Preventing Diabetes:
Are you At Risk?" will air November, December and January. Check your local
listings for dates and times. For more information about Creating Health
community events in your area, call or visit your local Penn State Cooperative
Extension office at
http://www.extension.psu.edu/extmap.html.
Migrant Health Care Fellowship
October 31, 2002
The Migrant Clinicians Network announces that applications for the 2003 Migrant
Health Care Fellowship are now being accepted, with a deadline of December 20,
2002. The Fellowship is a 4-month clinical experience in migrant health designed
for recent graduates of Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, Nurse-Midwife
and Dental Hygienist programs. For additional information and to download
application materials, go to
http://www.migrantclinician.org/programs/Fellowship/fellowship.htm.
HHS Awards $26.7 Million to Improve Health
Care in Rural America
October 30, 2002
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced $26.7 million in grants designed
to improve health care in small rural hospitals and speed help to heart attack
victims in rural America. For the press release, visit
http://newsroom.hrsa.gov/releases/2002releases/rural.htm.
New CDC Study Reveals One in Three Adults has Arthritis
October 24, 2002
The Arthritis Foundation called today for a new sense of urgency and resolve to address
the pain, limitations and disability of arthritis based on alarming new numbers from
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which reveal as many as 70 million
-- or one in three adults -- suffer from arthritis and/or chronic joint symptoms. This
surpasses a previous estimate of 43 million persons with arthritis. For the press release,
download here.
Schweiker Administration Awards $1 Million for
Medical and Dental Clinic Services
October 24, 2002
On behalf of Governor Mark Schweiker, Health Secretary Robert S. Zimmerman Jr. today
announced that seven organizations will receive $1 million in Community Primary Care
Challenge Grants to develop and implement medical and dental clinic services. For the
press release, visit
http://webserver.health.state.pa.us/health/cwp/view.asp.
AHRQ Sponsors Web-Assisted Calls on Hospital Issues
October 18, 2002
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is sponsoring a series of
three web-assisted conference calls to inform state and local policymakers on the
current situation facing America's hospitals in today's dynamic environment. These
events are designed to help policymakers &quopt;begin to make sense of the various
perceptions of the current vitality of America's hospitals." States developing
regional plans for hospital bioterrorism preparedness may be particularly interested
in event #2 on ED overcrowding. For more information and to register, please visit
http://www.hsrnet.com/ahrq-ulp/hospitals/.
RWJ &Kaiser Launch Initiative on Disparities in Medical Care
October 18, 2002
The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation have
launched a major new initiative to raise physician awareness about disparities in
medical care. This initiative begins by addressing cardiac care as a first step in
what ultimately may be a multifaceted effort. It is being implemented in
partnership with the American College of Cardiology Foundation, the American Heart
Association and the Association of Black Cardiologists, as well as 10 co-sponsoring
organizations representing medical, public health and business interests. As part
of the campaign, the coalition from now until March will place advertisements in 10
leading medical publications alerting doctors to the issue and will highlight a web
site which features summaries of the evidence on racial/ethnic differences in
cardiac care, evidence-based clinical statements and guidelines, related upcoming
events, and other resources. The site and can be reached at
http://www.kff.org/whythedifference/news.htm.
New Online Resources From Blue Cross/Blue Shield
October 18, 2002
The Blue Cross/Blue Shield Association has recently launched a new website
http://www.bcbshealthissues.com/
which features extensive information on trends fueling rising health care costs.
The site also has links to state and national health news headlines, information
on healthcare politics, and weekly newsletters. BCBS Health issues can be reached
at http://bcbshealthissues.com/.
Satellite Broadcast for APHA Annual Meeting
October 15, 2002
Across the nation public health professionals will be able to participate
in selected sessions of American Public Health Association's 130th Annual
Meeting & Exposition, Putting the "Public" Back into Public
Health, in Philadelphia via satellite broadcast.
The broadcast will be aired on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2002 from 2:30 to 4:30
p.m. EST. It will include live coverage of a panel discussion in which
experts from APHA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and
state and local health departments will discuss the National Public Health
Performance Standards. The broadcast will also include a taped version of
the Annual Meeting keynote address.
For registration and additional information, visit our Web site at:
http://www.apha.org/. If you have questions about the satellite
broadcast, please e-mail: healthnews1@apha.org.
First World Report on Violence and Health
October 11th, 2002
On October 3, 2002, the World Health Organization announced the
release of the World Report on Violence and Health (WRVH). The
report is the first comprehensive review of the problem of violence on
a global scale. The goals of the report are to highlight the crucial
role that public health has to play in addressing the causes and
consequences of violence, to make the case that violence is
preventable, and to raise awareness about the problem of violence
globally. The report is available at
http://www5.who.int/.
HRSA Funds Rural Assistance Center
as Clearinghouse for Rural Information
October 4, 2002
The Health Resources and Services Administration today announced an award of $600,000
to the University of North Dakota's Center for Rural Health in Grand Forks to establish
a Rural Assistance Center. The RAC will serve as a resource for rural residents and anyone seeking information about health policy and social services for rural communities.
Guided by a recommendation made in the HHS Rural Task Force Report released this summer,
the RAC will serve as a single point of entry to the 225 HHS programs serving rural areas.
RAC information specialists will help customers find the best HHS funding opportunities
and other resources for their communities. For the press release, visit
http://newsroom.hrsa.gov/.
Little-Publicized Federal Program Provides
Modest Pharmaceutical Relief
October 4, 2002
The federal 340B Drug Pricing Program administered by HRSA's Bureau of Primary Health
Care (BPHC) provides access to reduced price prescription drugs to more than 9,150 health
care facilities certified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as
"covered entities." These clinics, centers, and hospitals in turn serve more than
10 million people in all 50 states, plus commonwealths and territories. Although the program
does not actually pay for pharmaceuticals, minimum discounts are set through a formula in
federal law. Additionally, participating health centers and other health providers can
set their own distribution policy i.e., prescriptions can be free, include reasonable
co-payments, or require actual cash payments by patients. More information on the 340B Drug
Pricing Program is available at
http://bphc.hrsa.gov/
and through an NCSL webpage at
http://www.ncsl.org/.
Iom Releases Guidance For National
Healthcare Disparities Report
October 4, 2002
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has recently released "Guidance for the National
Healthcare Disparities Report." This report, commissioned by the Agency for
Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), provides guidance on technical aspects for the
forthcoming AHRQ National Healthcare Disparities Report to Congress. The report
includes sections on the measurement of disparities in access, quality, and service
utilization; the measurement of socioeconomic status and geographic disparities;
and the use of sub national data sets to support disparity measurement. To order a
copy of the IOM report visit
http://www.nap.edu/.
An online version is also available at
http://books.nap.edu/.
HHS Awards More Than $8.4 Million in Grants to Address
Nation's Nursing Shortage
September 30, 2002
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced 34 grants worth more than $8.4 million to
expand the nation's nursing workforce and increase diversity in the nursing profession. The
grants are the latest effort to address a growing shortage of nurses across the country.
The grants announced today are funded under two health professions workforce programs
administered by HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Basic Nurse
Education and Practice grants help improve the education of the basic nursing workforce
and support nurse-managed clinics to improve access to primary health care in medically
underserved communities. Nursing Workforce Diversity grants increase nursing opportunities
for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds by providing student scholarships or stipends
and other services. For the press release, visit
http://www.hhs.gov/news/.
National Adult Immunization Awareness Week, October
13 - 19, 2002
September 27, 2002
This year's National Adult Immunization Awareness Week (NAIAW) will be
October 13 - 19. NAIAW highlights the influenza vaccination season,
which typically begins in early fall of each year. NAIAW emphasizes
the need for health-care providers and public health officials to
intensify their efforts to vaccinate adults and adolescents according
to recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices. In addition to specifying the appropriate use of influenza
and pneumococcal vaccines for adults and adolescents, the
recommendations cover vaccination of adults and adolescents against
diphtheria, hepatitis A and B, measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus,
meningococcal disease, and varicella.
Information about NAIAW is available from the National Foundation for
Infectious Diseases, the National Coalition for Adult Immunization,
and the National Partnership for Immunization, online at
http://www.nfid.org/ or
http://www.partnersforimmunization.org/. Additional information
about influenza, the influenza vaccine, and influenza education
materials is available at
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/flu.
Area Hospitals Form Rural Health Partnership
September 25, 2002
The creation of a formal "rural health network" by four area hospitals was announced
today at a press conference at the District Office of the Department of Health in Williamsport.
Called the Susquehanna Valley Rural Health Partnership (SVRHP), the collaborative venture seeks
to improve access to and delivery of needed health services to rural communities in Clinton,
Lycoming and Sullivan counties. The partnership, organized as a not-for-profit corporation, is
comprised of Jersey Shore Hospital, Bucktail Medical Center, Muncy Valley Hospital and The
Williamsport Hospital & Medical Center. Its status as a rural health network also affords SVRHP
the opportunity to apply for substantial state and federal grant dollars earmarked for
improving the healthcare infrastructure of rural communities; something the region's county,
state and federal elected officials have been very supportive of. For the press release, visit
http://porh.cas.psu.edu/.
Smallpox Vaccination Clinic Guide
September 23, 2002
Smallpox Vaccination Clinic Guide describes how to set up and run large-scale
voluntary smallpox vaccination clinics. It provides details on all aspects of
immunization clinic operations and staffing and includes an example of a model
smallpox vaccination clinic. This guide is designed to help state and local
officials vaccinate 1 million people in 10 days. You can find the guide and other
releated information at
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/.
Researchers to Examine Effects of Rural Life on Children
September 9, 2002
Researchers from Penn State and the University of North Carolina will
conduct a five-year, $16.5 million study of the biological,
individual, family and community processes that lead to good or poor
outcomes for rural children. According to the National Institute of
Child Health and Human Development, which is funding the study, the
project will follow 1,400 children from selected rural counties in
North Carolina and Pennsylvania from infancy through the first three
years of the children's lives in order to gauge their development.
Experts from Penn State's College of Health and Human Development and
College of the Liberal Arts will focus on approximately 600 children
from three Pennsylvania counties. For more information, visit
http://www.hhdev.psu.edu/news/news_res/9_6_02_rural.html.
Youth Substance Abuse Highest in Rural Areas
September 5, 2002
Today, the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) urged lawmakers to pass legislation to
address a growing concern about substance abuse among the nation's rural youth. Drug usage
is more prevalent among youth in rural areas than anywhere else in the US, according to the
2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse released today by the Department of Health and
Human Services. Among youths in 2001, rates of illicit drug use ranged from 14.4 percent in
completely rural non-metropolitan counties to 10.4 percent in less urbanized non-metropolitan
counties. The rate of use for youths in large metropolitan areas was 10.4 percent.
For further information about NRHA, visit the association's Web site at
http://www.nrharural.org/.
A New Policy Brief is Available From the RUPRI
Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
September 3, 2002
An Update on Medicare+Choice: Rural Medicare Beneficiaries Enrolled in
Medicare+Choice Plans through September 2001.
Data in this Brief describe: (1) enrollment in rural counties through
September 2001, and (2) plan entry and exit through January 2002.
Please visit the following link to download
PB2002-4.
New Bright Futures Nutrition Materials Available
August 30, 2002
Two new publications from the Bright Futures series are now available. The first publication
is the second edition of "Bright Futures in Practice: Nutrition," a guide that
emphasizes prevention and early recognition of nutrition concerns, provides developmentally
appropriate nutrition supervision guidelines for infancy through adolescence, and contains
strategies and tools to help health professionals provide nutrition supervision (including
screening, assessment, and counseling) and promote partnerships with families and communities.
This edition includes recent changes in practice and policy, a chapter on HIV, and the CDC
growth charts. The second publication is the "Bright Futures in Practice: Nutrition
Pocket Guide," which presents key information from "Bright Futures in Practice:
Nutrition" and serves as a quick reference and training resource for health professionals
and students. Electronic versions can be downloaded from the Bright Futures web site at
http://www.brightfutures.org/ or ordered from the
Bright Futures Distribution Center at 301-279-8890.
NCSL Reports on State Long Term Care Policy
August 30, 2002
The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) has released a new report entitled,
"State Long-Term Care: Recent Developments and Policy Directions." The report
provides a thumbnail sketch of long-term care budgets, legislation and planning in the 50
states and the District of Columbia. The focus is mainly on state legislation,
expenditures and policy activity in fiscal year 2001. It provides the most current
perspective possible in fast-changing state environments and also previews some fiscal
year 2002, where available. It's located at
http://www.ncsl.org/.
NCHS Provides Data For Infant Mortality in 2000
August 30, 2002
Infant mortality rates were higher for those infants whose mothers had no prenatal
care, were teenagers, had 9-11 years of education, were unmarried or smoked during
pregnancy, according to new data on infant mortality released by the National
Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). The report, "Infant Mortality Statistics from
the 2000 Period Linked Birth/Infant Death Data Set" presents 2000 statistics from
the linked birth/infant death data set by a variety of characteristics, including
race of mother, sex of infant, prenatal care, and state or region. Other findings
show that the overall 2000 infant mortality rate was 6.9 infant deaths per 1,000
live births, similar to the 1999 rate of 7.0 infant deaths. In addition, three
leading causes of infant death - congenital malformations, low birth weight, and
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) - taken together accounted for 45% of all infant
deaths in the United States in 2000. The report can be downloaded at
http://www.cdc.gov/.
Task Force on Community Preventive Services
Releases Oral Health Recommendations
August 30, 2002
The Task Force on Community Preventive Services released its recommendations for
preventing dental caries, oral and pharyngeal cancers, and sports-related
craniofacial injuries in a supplement to the American Journal of Preventive
Medicine. The task force strongly recommends school-based dental sealant programs
and community water fluoridation to prevent tooth decay - particularly among
low-income families, families without private dental care and families who are at
highest risk for oral health problems - be included as part of a comprehensive
population based strategy to control dental caries in the community. The Community
Preventive Services Task Force is a 15-member non-federal group of health experts
convened by HHS and supported by the CDC to address a variety of topics important
to communities, public health agencies and health care systems. The supplement:
"Interventions to Prevent Dental Caries, Oral and Pharyngeal Cancers, and
Sports-Related Craniofacial Injuries: Systematic Reviews of Evidence,
Recommendations from the Task Force on Community Preventives Services, and Expert
Commentary" is available on the Community Guide's web site at
http://www.thecommunityguide.org/oral/.
Health Center Expansion Webcast Available
August 30, 2002
An archive of the web cast "The President's Health Center Growth Initiative:
Expanding & Strengthening the Safety Net" held August 14, 2002 is now available
at
http://www.ncsl.org/. This web cast, supported by HRSA's Bureau of Primary Health
Care, provides an overview of the President's five-year plan to create new or
expanded health center sites in 1,200 communities and increase the number of
patients served annually to more than 16 million. Discussions focus on the potential
roles of states to collaborate and support successful implementation, and featured
speakers include Dr. Elizabeth Duke, Administrator of the Health Resources and
Services Administration; Dan Hawkins, Vice President for the National Association
of Community Health Centers; and Victoria Ford, Health Policy Advisor to Governor
Rick Perry of Texas.
For Some, Quality of Care
More Important Than Doctor's Ethnicity
August 29, 2002
Among Puerto Rican women living in the United States, empathy and
mutual respect are more important when choosing a doctor than the
doctor's ethnicity, according to Penn State experts. "Only one-fifth
of all Latino patients who see a Latino physician are influenced in
their choice by the physician's ethnic background and only 40 percent
are influenced by the ability of the physician to speak Spanish,"
says R.S. Oropesa, associate professor of sociology and demography.
"Latino patients are attracted most by a doctor's cultural
sensitivity, regardless of whether that doctor is Latino or
non-Latino." Oropesa worked with Nancy S. Landale, professor of
sociology and demography, and doctoral student Tanya S. Kenkre to
survey 1,219 Puerto Rican women. The team presented its findings last
week at an American Sociological Association meeting. For the full
story by Paul Blaum, visit
http://www.psu.edu/.
Bam, A New Personal Health
Website Aimed at Children 9 to 13
August 27, 2002
Bam (http://www.bam.gov/) features information
on topics such as physical fitness and asthma, designed to be kid-friendly in an
interactive way, and is intended to encourage healthy lifestyles and prevent risky
behaviors such as violence, smoking, drinking and doing drugs, reported the
Inquirer. The Web site emphasizes physical activity, good nutrition and mental
health to prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart disease later in life,
and the site also encourages prevention of infectious diseases via immunizations
and good hygiene, the Inquirer added. For the press release at the Philadelphia Inquirer, visit
http://www.philly.com/.
Public Health 101
August 27, 2002
The Pennsylvania & Ohio Public Health Training Center (POPHTC) is pleased to
launch Public Health 101 Online, a free Continuing Education accredited introduction
to and overview of the field of Public Health. Public Health 101 addresses the basic
public health sciences skills competency (from the Council on Linkages at
http://www.trainingfinder.org/) Most users complete the course in two hours.
For more information and login instructions, please contact
Molly M. Eggleston, Project Coordinator at
412-383-2230.
HHS Regulatory Reform Initiative
August 26, 2002
The Secretary's Advisory Committee on Regulatory Reform will hold a
teleconference on Monday, September 9th, from 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm EDT.
All meetings and hearings of the Committee are open to the general public.
The teleconference agenda will allow some time for public comment.
Additional information on the agenda and meeting materials will be posted
on the Committee's Website
prior to the telemeeting.
Congressman Shuster to Acknowledge
Keystone Health Center for Dedication to Quality HealthCare in Fanklin County
August 23, 2002
Keystone Rural Health Center, a public, non-profit organization providing
quality healthcare to individuals and families regardless of ability to pay,
will be honored by Congressman Bill Shuster on August 27, at noon during a
visit to the family practice facility at 820 Fifth Avenue in Chambersburg.
Representing Pennsylvania's Ninth Congressional District of Pennsylvania in
the House of Representatives, Congressman Shuster serves on the Rural Health
Care Coalition and is a strong advocate for rural healthcare reform.
For more information regarding Keystone Rural Health Center, please visit their
website at http://www.keystonehealth.com/.
For more information regarding this news release, please contact Karen Gross
at 717-975-2148, or visit the newsroom at
http://www.hersheyphilbin.com/.
HHS Names Members to Council on Public
Health Preparedness
August 23, 2002
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today named the 21 members of the Secretary's
Council on Public Health Preparedness, which will advise the department on
appropriate actions to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies,
including acts of bioterrorism. D. A. Henderson, M.D., the Secretary's principal
science advisor for public health preparedness, will chair the Council on Public
Health Preparedness. The panel's first meeting will take place Aug. 26-27 in
Washington. For the press release, visit
http://www.hhs.gov/.
Cummunity Health Center Grants
August 22, 2002
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced $30 million in grants to create
70 new and expanded health centers -- the latest step in President Bush's
long-range initiative to expand health care services for people without health
insurance through local health centers. The grants will allow the new and expanded
centers to serve more than 500,000 additional people in rural and inner-city areas
where people with no health insurance or inadequate coverage find it difficult to
get needed treatment and services. For a full listing of the grant recipients,
please visit
http://newsroom.hrsa.gov/.
Copies of HRSA's Women's Health USA 2002
Avaialable Through ASTHO
August 20, 2002
ASTHO has a limited number of the Health Resources and Services Administration's
(HRSA) recent publication, "Women's Health USA 2002" available to
readers. "Women's Health USA" is the first annual statistical report on the
health status of America's women. The report includes the most recent federal data
available from HHS and the Departments of Justice and Agriculture to highlight
health and health-related indicators in three categories: population
characteristics, health status and health services utilization. Please email
Lauren Raskin at to request a free copy. The
publication is also available online at
http://mchb.hrsa.gov/
and can be ordered through the HRSA Information Center (call
1-888-ASK-HRSA or visit the center's Web site at
http://www.ask.hrsa.gov/).
IOM Report Examines Health Communication for
Diverse Audiences
August 20t, 2002
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) released, "Speaking of Health: Assessing Health
Communication Strategies for Diverse Populations," a report that addresses the
challenge of improving health communications in a racially and culturally diverse
society. The report reviews existing theory and research applications in health
communication and health behavior change; considers examples of health communication
interventions to evaluate whether and how those strategies affect culturally diverse
groups; and recommends how health communication strategies may be designed and
implemented to help achieve sustained gains in public health across cultural groups.
The report is available online at
http://www.nap.edu/.
Increase in Low Birth Weight Rates in Surburbs,
According to RWJF Report
August 20, 2002
The rates of low birth weight babies have increased sharply in many urban areas across
the U.S., with suburbs "outpacing" cities, reports the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
(RWJF) and SUNY Downstate Medical Center in "Healthy Cities, Healthy Suburbs: Progress
in Meeting Healthy People Goals for the Nation's 100 Largest Cities & Their Suburbs."
According to the report, none of the largest cities and only two of the suburbs met the Healthy
People 2000 goal for low birth weight babies. The report used information gathered from the 2000
Census, the CDC and the FBI to determine city and suburban progress toward goals for seven
Healthy People 2000 and 2010 health indicators: low birth weight, infant mortality, AIDS,
tuberculosis, syphilis, gonorrhea, and homicide. The report is available at
http://www.downstate.edu/.
Nearly Five Million Children Still Uninsured,
Reports Covering Kids
August 20, 2002
Nearly five million children in the United States who currently lack health insurance
are eligible for low-cost and free health care coverage through the State Children's
Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and Medicaid, reports Covering Kids in new
state-by-state data compiled by the Urban Institute. Covering Kids is a national
program of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) that works to connect uninsured
children to low-cost and free health care coverage programs available in every state
and the District of Columbia. The data were released during the launch of the Covering
Kids Back-to-School 2002 enrollment drive on August 1, 2002. Families can learn more
about low-cost and free health care coverage for children by calling toll-free
1-877-KIDS-NOW. Additional information is available at
http://www.coveringkids.org/.
GAO Report Raises Concerns About Approved SCHIP Waivers
August 20, 2002
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has "wrongly let states use
money allocated for CHIP to help adults without children," according to a
General Accounting Office (GAO) report on the Children's Health Insurance Program
(CHIP) and Medicaid waivers. Entitled, "Medicaid and SCHIP: Recent HHS Approvals
of Demonstration Waiver Projects Raise Concerns," the report examines recently
approved waivers; waiver proposals; whether these approvals meet the goals of CHIP;
and if there is public input in the process. According to the GAO, HHS' decision to
approve some waivers "is not consistent&quyot; with the CHIP program's
"statutory objective" to cover uninsured low-income children, and thus
"is not authorized." The GAO report also concluded that HHS is approving
state changes in CHIP while inadequately allowing for public input and that some of
the state programs have not been required to be budget neutral. The report is
available at http://www.gao.gov/ - go to GAO
Reports, click on Find GAO Reports, and then enter GAO-02-817 (the report
identification number.)
Schweiker Administration Reminds Residents
Near Nuclear Plants about upcoming Potassium Iodide Distribution
August 13th, 2002
On behalf of Governor Mark Schweiker, Health Secretary Robert S. Zimmerman Jr.
today reminded residents living within a 10-mile radius of Pennsylvania's
five nuclear facilities that they may pick up free potassium iodide (KI)
tablets beginning Thursday, Aug. 15. KI can add an extra layer of
protection in the unlikely event of an accidental release of radioactive
iodine. If citizens are unsure whether they live within a 10-mile radius,
they should contact their local emergency office or refer to the emergency
information in the blue pages of their phone book. For the press release, visit
http://webserver.health.state.pa.us/.
Physician General Says Threatened Work Stoppage by Physicians
Cannot Affect Commitments to Patients
August 9, 2002
On behalf of Governor Mark Schweiker, Physician General Dr. Rob Muscalus today
cautioned that a call for a work stoppage by a group of state physicians could
have an adverse effect on the health of Pennsylvania's citizens. Earlier this
week, the Associated Press reported that a group of Philadelphia physicians were
encouraging doctors to shut down their practices to participate in a weeklong
conference to protest the medical malpractice climate in Pennsylvania. For the
press release, visit
http://webserver.health.state.pa.us/.
Educational Series to Help Unravel the Nightmare of 9/11
August 9, 2002
In an effort to help parents and teachers guide
children through the aftermath of Sept. 11, the award-winning "What's in
the News" broadcast team will offer a four-part video series "Naming the
Nightmare: The Journey Back from 9/11" as a free satellite feed for
classroom and community use on Sunday, Sept. 8, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
EDT. In addition, "What's in the News" will host a live call-in program
about terrorism targeted to middle-school students on Sept. 11. For more information,
visit http://www.namingthenightmare.org/
or call 800-770-2111.
4-H Garfield Limited Edition Print
August 8, 2002
Beginning Sunday, September 22, a 4-H Garfield Limited Edition Print will
be up for bidding on E-Bay. Jim Davis, a former 4-H'er, created an original
acrylic on canvas painting of which fifty-four high quality prints were made.
Jim signed each of the numbered editions. Only one print will be auctioned
each week and a different 4-H State Foundation will receive one-half of the
selling price (highest bid) of the print. Bidding is open to anyone 18 years
or older regardless of their state of residency. Minimum opening bid is $250.00.
For a list of which state benefits when, please visit
http://www.4-hmall.org/.
Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day
August 7, 2002
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and ABC Radio Networks are
working together to get the word out about Take a Loved One to The Doctor
Day, scheduled for Tuesday, September 24, 2002. Take a Loved One to the
Doctor Day is part of a national campaign that aims to close the health gap
between the health of communities of color and the general population. The
campaign, "Closing the Health Gap," was launched in November 2001.
To find out how you or your organization can be a part of Take a Loved One
to the Doctor Day, visit
http://www.healthgap.omhrc.gov/.
State Budgets Under Stress: How Are States Planning to
Reduce the Growth in Medicaid Costs?
August 2, 2002
Results from a new state survey sponsored by the Kaiser Family Foundation
show that 41 states have plans in place to reduce their Medicaid funding
growth in fiscal year (FY) 2003. Additional findings include:
36 states added additional funds to their Medicaid programs in 2002;
More than half of states will change their prescription drug policies;
28 states plan to cut or freeze payment rates for some providers in FY2003;
18 states plan to reduce or restrict eligibility, up from 7 states
implementing eligibility restrictions in 2002; and
27 states are considering some type of waiver for their Medicaid programs
(including 18 that are considering a Medicaid pharmacy waiver).
More information is available at
http://www.kff.org/.
HHS Bilingual Effort to Expand Health
Insurance for Hispanic Children
August 2, 2002
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson released a new bilingual booklet, "Protect
Your Family's Health... With Confidence" ("Proteja la Salud de Su Familia
... con Confianza") to provide information to Spanish-speaking parents whose
children may be eligible for health insurance benefits through the State
Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and Medicaid. The booklet is
intended to help state agencies and others involved in SCHIP and Medicaid
programs to assist Spanish-speaking residents and others in learning about
the availability of free and low-cost health insurance for children in
low-income families through their state's SCHIP program. According to the
press release, HHS will work with states that want to add information about
their programs to the booklet. In addition, HHS will provide booklets to
community health centers and other organizations. The press release is
available at
http://www.hhs.gov/.
Consumer information about each state's SCHIP program is available in
English and Spanish at
http://www.insurekidsnow.gov/ or by calling
1-877-KIDS-NOW.
Website Centralizes National Trends
and Research on Over 70 Key Inicators of Child and Youth Well-Being
August 2, 2002
Child Trends has recently launched a new, "one-stop-shop" website for the
latest national trends and research on over 70 key indicators of child and
youth well-being. The site features continuously updated trend data with
the latest national estimates for all indicators, with links to state and
local estimates where available. New indicators are added each month. Child
Trends is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization dedicated to
improving the lives of children and families by providing research and data
to inform decision-making that affects children. Visit the site at
http://www.childtrendsdatabank.org/.
National Health Policy Forum
Publication on Federal Child Care Funding
August 2, 2002
The National Health Policy Forum announces the availability of "Federal
Child Care Funding for Low-Income Families: How Much Is Needed?" an issue
brief that provides background on current child care use, arrangements, and
cost, as well as research findings on the measurement of quality in child
care programs. According to the issue brief, two components in pending
proposals for Welfare Reauthorization involve the Temporary Assistance for
Needy Families block grant and the Child Care and Development Fund, which
together provide the bulk of government child care funding for low-income
working families. The issue brief is available at
http://www.nhpf.org/.
Needs Assessment of Health Practitioner's
Treatment of Childhood Obesity
August 2, 2002
Recognizing the importance of childhood obesity as a critical public health
issue, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, the National Center for
Education in Maternal and Child Health, and the International Life Sciences
Institute Center for Health Promotion conducted a needs assessment that
documents the attitudes and current assessment and treatment practices of
physicians, nutritionists and nurse practitioners regarding childhood
obesity. The results of the needs assessment were published in July 2002 as
a supplement to Pediatrics entitled "Treatment of Overweight Children and
Adolescents: A Needs Assessment of Health Practitioners." This baseline
assessment also served to identify the barriers perceived by practitioners
that affect their efforts to improve the management of obesity, and ways in
which those barriers might be addressed. For a free copy of the supplement, see
http://www.ilsi.org/.
New report on Child Poverty in Rural America
July 29, 2002
There is a new report on Child Poverty in Rural America released by Save The Children called
"America s Forgotten Children: Child Poverty in Rural America". It can be downloaded
from www.savethechildren.com.
It's a nicely written report/study which outlines the critical issues facing poor children who
live in remote and forgotten parts of America and the extraordinary obstacles they have to
overcome. The report also serves as a call to action for government, corporations and foundations
to work together to refocus the nation's efforts on alleviating poverty's draining impact on rural
children.
HHS Takes New Steps to Promote Quality
Health Care and Social Services in Rural America
July 26, 2002
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced a series of new steps and the
availability of $46 million in grant funding to improve health care and social
services for the 65 million Americans living in rural areas. Building on his
commitment one year ago to strengthen the health care and social services
safety net for rural Americans, Secretary Thompson is unveiling this new plan
based on recommendations from his Rural Task Force. The task force was
coordinated by HHS' Office of Rural Health Policy, within the Health Resources
and Services Administration (HRSA), and the department's Office of
Intergovernmental Affairs. The task force's report is available at
http://www.ruralhealth.hrsa.gov/
and the press report is available at
http://www.hhs.gov/.
Five Counties Join Forces to
Provide Aid for Medical Assistance Patients
June 26, 2002
Beginning in 2004, Rural Solutions Inc. will receive funds directly from the
state to provide drug, alcohol and mental health counseling or treatment to
Medical Assistance-eligible residents in Wayne, Carbon, Pike, Monroe and
Schuylkill counties. Rural Solutions is the corporate name of the five human
service agencies that will work together. For the press release, visit
www.scrantontimes.com.
Statement by HHS Secretary Tommy G.
Thompson On Passage of the Nurse Reinvestment Act
July 24, 2002
The Nurse Reinvestment Act marks a significant step forward in America's
commitment to ensuring that our health care system remains the best in the
world. Nurses are first-responders, not just to crises but also to the everyday
medical needs of people of all ages and from every background. Providing
incentives for young people to become involved in nursing, offering resources
for expanded nurse training and helping nurses advance in their careers are
essential parts of the act. And they are essential to the kind of quality care
the American people deserve. In 1980, about half of all registered nurses were
under the age of 40. But by 2000, less than a third were under 40. Nearly 20
percent of all licensed registered nurses have left active nursing. This is yet
another reason why we need to support America's nurses. Ultimately, the Nurse
Reinvestment Act is about helping to make sure that the men, women and children
of our country have the best health care in the world. That's a fundamental
priority of this Administration, and one we are committed to achieving for every
person in our great nation. For the press release, visit
http://www.hhs.gov/.
Carmona Approved as Surgeon General
July 24, 2002
The Senate confirmed Dr. Richard Carmona as surgeon general Tuesday without
opposition or debate, clearing the way for the Arizona trauma surgeon to take
the post. Carmona succeeds Dr. David Satcher, whose term expired in February.
The surgeon general has a tiny staff, must rely on other
agencies for his budget and holds little power. But the position has proved over
the years to be a powerful bully pulpit for disseminating public health
information. At his confirmation hearing, Carmona, an Arizona trauma surgeon
and part-time sheriff's deputy, promised to promote prevention of disease. As a
part-time sheriff's deputy, he said he also is well-suited to help in the
preparation to combat bioterror. Critics questioned his qualifications and
suggested he lacks the temperament for the post. They cited reports it took him
eight years to be certified in his field, general surgery, and he failed the
test twice. At his hearing, Carmona did not deny that it took him eight years
to get certified but said no one had ever questioned his abilities. He said he
always treated co-workers with respect. Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., chairman
of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said Carmona
satisfactorily answered the questions posed and deserved to be confirmed. A
vote Tuesday to limit debate over his nomination was approved 98-0. He was then
confirmed on a voice vote.
PA Health Department Receives Arthritis Grant
July 23, 2002
On behalf of Governor Mark Schweiker, Health Secretary Robert S. Zimmerman Jr.
today announced the Health Department will receive a $103,000 grant from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop a comprehensive
action plan and assessment strategy for arthritis and other rheumatic conditions
in Pennsylvania. For more information on arthritis, please contact the
Department of Health at 1-877-PA-HEALTH, or call the
Arthritis Foundation at 1-800-355-9040. For the
press release, visit
http://webserver.health.state.pa.us/.
NGA, NCSL, ASTHO Webcast on CHC
Expansions
July 19, 2002
On Wednesday August 14th from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Eastern, NGA, NCSL, and ASTHO are
co-sponsoring the third in a series of webcasts for governor's health policy
representatives, state legislators, and senior public health officials. This
webcast, supported by HRSA's Bureau of Primary Health Care, will provide an
overview of the President's five-year plan to create new or expanded health
center sites in 1,200 communities and increase the number of patients served
annually to more than 16 million. Discussions will focus on the potential roles
of states to collaborate and support successful implementation. Dr. Betty Duke,
Administrator of HRSA, is a confirmed speaker, and additional speakers and
registration information will be posted soon at
http://www.ncsl.org/.
Links to archives of the previous two webcasts on state budgets and
pharmaceutical costs are available at the same site.
National Infant Mortality Rate Declines,
but Disparity Increases
July 19, 2002
Although the overall national infant mortality rate has declined in the past
20 years, black infants are now more than twice as likely to die before
their first birthdays as white infants, according to a new CDC study
published in the July 12, 2002 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The
report, "Infant Mortality and Low Birth Weight Among Black and White Infants
--- United States, 1980-2000" finds that the national infant mortality rate
has declined by nearly 50% since 1980, dropping from 12.6 deaths per 1,000
live births to 6.9 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000. However, the
racial disparity in infant mortality rates is now wider than it was 20 years
ago. Specifically, the mortality rate for white infants declined by 48%
since 1980, it has fallen only 37% among black infants during the same time
period. The current infant mortality rate among black infants is 14 deaths
per 1,000 live births, compared to 5.7 deaths per 1,000 live births among
white infants. The report is available at
http://www.cdc.gov/.
Number of Uninsured Children Dropped
Between 1997 and 2001, Reports CDC
July 19, 2002
The percentage of uninsured U.S. children decreased by more than 20% between
1997 and 2001, according to data from the Center for Disease Control's
National Health Interview Survey 2001. The report, "Early Release of
Selected Estimates Based on Data from the 2001 National Health Interview
Survey" reports that the number of children without health insurance dropped
from 13.9% in 1997 to 10.8% in 2001, a decrease that the study credited to
State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) which was established in
1997. In addition, the study found that the percentage of American adults
without health insurance decreased from 15.4% in 1997 to 14.1% in 2001.
According to the report, 31.6% of Hispanics did not have health insurance in
2001, compared with 17.3% of blacks and 10.3% of whites.
The National Health Interview Survey is an annual survey conducted by CDC's
National Center for Health Statistics to assess key trends in health care,
including access to health insurance. Other indicators include influenza
vaccination, pneumococcal vaccination, obesity, leisure time physical
activity, health status, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, HIV
testing, personal care needs, having a usual place for health care and
failing to obtain needed medical care. The study is available at
http://www.cdc.gov/.
Child Trends Launches The DataBank Web Site
July 10, 2002
The Child Trends DataBank is designed for anyone who ever spends time searching multiple
Web sites looking for reliable, current data on child and youth well-being. It is a
user-friendly one-stop shop for continuously updated trend data with the latest national
estimates for child, youth and family indicators. The DataBank currently provides about 70
indicators on health, social and emotional development, income and work, education,
demographics, and family and community, with new indicators added each month. You can find
their website at
http://www.childtrendsdatabank.org/.
HHS Awards $55.8 Million to 131
Health Centers to Expand Medical Capacity at Existing Sites
July 10, 2002
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced 131 grants totaling $55.8 million to
increase access to health care services for Americans in rural and inner-city areas as part
of President Bush's long-term strategy to expand community health centers nationwide.
The list of today's grant recipients is available at
http://newsroom.hrsa.gov/,
for the press release, visit
http://www.hhs.gov/.
President's Mental Health
Commission Launches Web Site to Solicit Public Comment
July 8, 2002
President Bush's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health launched a Web site that will
allow members of the public to monitor the first comprehensive study of the U.S. mental
health system. The commission is charged with conducting the study, which will analyze
private and public providers, and making recommendations on how to improve the system.
Through the site,
www.MentalHealthCommission.gov,
consumers can submit comments about what they believe works and what needs improvement in
the mental health system.
Report Documents
Rural Child Poverty in America
July 8, 2002
Through research, statistics, and the voices of young people, America's Forgotten Children:
Child Poverty in Rural America documents the facts and faces of rural poverty and recommends
solutions with a call to action to create real and lasting change. Produced by Save the
Children to raise national awareness about the problem of child poverty in rural areas and
to offer suggestions for improving the lives of the children who live there, the report is
divided into three sections: "The Challenges of Rural Child Poverty," "The
Voices of Rural Children and Youth," "Call to Action." Save the Children
recommends that public-private partnerships form a national coalition to lead the way at
the federal, regional, and local levels by (1) building human capital, (2) creating new community
institutions, (3) strengthening the economic self-sufficiency of families, and (4)
increasing resources to eliminate rural poverty. The executive summary, links to the
complete report, and information on joining the national campaign are available at
http://www.savethechildren.org/.
Early Head Start Research and
Evaluation Project Issues Final Report to Congress
July 8, 2002
Making a Difference in the Lives of Infants and Toddlers and Their Families: The Impacts of
Early Head Start presents complete findings from a 7-year national evaluation of Early Head
Start. This final report to Congress was prepared by Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.,
under contract with the Administration for Children and Families. For this evaluation,
Mathematica staff worked with a consortium of local researchers and program directors to
conduct a comprehensive implementation study and a random assignment impact study at 17
Early Head Start sites. The executive summary provides an overview of the study and
findings. The full report is presented in three volumes. Volume I provides a detailed
description of the methodology and results, volume II contains methodological appendixes,
and volume III presents brief reports of 21 studies conducted by members of the Early Head
Start Research Consortium at the local sites. Information about the Early Head Start
Research and Evaluation Project, including the project overview, the executive summary, and
the full report, is available at
http://www.mathematica-mpr.com/.
Vaccine Measure for PA College Dorms
July 8, 2002
A new measure signed into law last week requires colleges students living in Pennsylvania
dormitories this fall to be vaccinated against meningitis or sign a waiver acknowledging
that they are aware of the vaccine's availability and have decided not to get immunized.
Many colleges already let incoming students know about the vaccine and its availability,
and many also provide the shots to students on request. At the University of Pennsylvania,
Dr. Evelyn Wiener, director of student health services, says a voluntary notification
system has shown encouraging results, with 60 percent of incoming freshmen in the fall of
2001 volunteering to be vaccinated, up from just 45 percent in the previous year. The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that college freshmen get vaccinated
against the disease, noting that bacterial meningitis is most common among first-year
students living in dormitories.
State Health Facts Online Adds New State Data
July 5, 2002
State Health Facts Online, an Internet resource from the Kaiser Family Foundation, recently
announced the addition of new state-by-state data on nearly 50 topics. The web site has
been updated with current data for all 50 states on topics including: Section 1115
demonstrations for Medicaid and CHIP, State Tax Revenue Per Capita, HMO Penetration, Death
rates for: all causes, heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, firearms,
all by race/ethnicity and gender; Emergency Room Visits, and New AIDS Cases. A complete
list of updated items is available at
http://www.statehealthfacts.kff.org/newtopics.
ASTHO Releases Issue
Brief on Oral Health and Chronic Disease
July 5, 2002
ASTHO is pleased to announce the release of a new Access Brief entitled "The Oral
Health and Chronic Disease Connection" which was produced in collaboration with the
Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors. This brief provides an overview of
the relationship between oral health and chronic disease, focusing on diabetes, heart
disease, osteoporosis, and obesity, and highlights examples of innovative state programs
addressing oral health and chronic disease. This is the second in a series of briefs
addressing oral health and the role of state public health agencies. You can download the
brief online.
Simplified Re-Enrollment
Reduces SCHIP Disenrollment, Finds Study
July 5, 2002
Simplified re-enrollment requirements may improve states' ability to provide uninterrupted
health care coverage to children participating in SCHIP, finds researchers from the Child
Health Insurance Research Initiative (CHIRI(tm)). The study examined the relationship
between disenrollment and state policies in four states where a third of all SCHIP
enrollees resided at the time. According to the issue brief "SCHIP Disenrollment and
State Policies," about one-third to one-half of children fell off the rolls in the
study states where parents are required to actively verify that their children are still
eligible for coverage. In contrast, there was only a 5% loss in enrollment with passive
re-enrollment. Passive re-enrollment permits children to remain enrolled even if parents do
not return renewal forms. The study also found that a significant number of children were
still in SCHIP two years after their original enrollment, although many of them became
disenrolled at least once during this time. CHIRI(tm) is a partnership between the Agency
for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and
the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Further findings and policy
implications are included in the CHIRI(tm) issue brief and from the full research study,
"The Consequences of States' Policies for SCHIP Disenrollment." Both can be
obtained from the AHRQ web site at
http://www.ahrq.gov/ or by calling the
AHRQ publications Clearinghouse at 1-800-358-9295. (Please specify
AHRQ publication no. 02-R070 when ordering the article and AHRQ publication no. 02-0017
for the issue brief.)
National Survey of
Childhood Health 2000 Data Available
July 5, 2002
About 93% of children 4-35 months of age have health insurance, according to "Summary
Statistics From the National Survey of Early Childhood Health, 2000." The survey,
conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, is designed to improve the
understanding of household experiences with pediatric preventive care and the ways in which
families promote their children's health in the home. It reports on selected measures for
children 4-35 months of age, including usual source of care, parental perceptions of
pediatric care, interactions with health care providers, family activities, home safety,
parental and child health, financial welfare, and barriers to care. The report is available
at http://www.cdc.gov/.
Grants Offered to Link
Medical and Dental Communities
July 5, 2002
Volunteers in Healthcare (VIH), an Robert Wood Johnson-supported organization, is issuing a
call for proposals for the creation of projects which enhance care for uninsured/underserved
patients by developing cooperative relationships between dental and medical clinicians.
This RFP is open to non-profit organizations, government agencies, medical or dental
societies, and medical or dental schools. One-year grants of up to $30,000 will be awarded,
with a 50% match required. VIH funding will support the costs of designing, planning and
implementing innovative programs to link medical and dental care. Funds may be used to
identify partners, bring partners together (e.g. meeting costs), recruit/retain physicians
and/or dentists, pay for administrative staff time and equipment, and evaluate progress.
Deadline for Letter of Intent is August 9, 2002 with applications due September 13, 2002. See
http://www.volunteersinhealthcare.org/ for more information.
Julie L. Gerberding, M.D., M.P.H.,
Named CDC Director and ATSDR Administrator
July 3, 2002
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today named Julie L. Gerberding, M.D., M.P.H., to be
director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and administrator for the
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Dr. Gerberding is an infectious
disease expert and has been leading CDC's efforts to prepare for and counter terrorism.
She assumes the post immediately. Dr. Gerberding, 46, has been acting principal deputy
director of CDC, and has served as part of the leadership team named to direct the agency
since former director Dr. Jeffrey Koplan resigned March 31. She has also served as acting
deputy director of CDC's National Center for Infectious Diseases. For the press release, visit
http://www.hhs.gov/.
AG Progress Days Theme and Dates Announced
July 2, 2002
"Discover Your Future Today" is the theme for this year's Ag Progress Days, August
20-22. Sponsored by Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, the event is held at
the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, nine miles southwest of
State College on PA Route 45. Special exhibits will highlight the educational and career
opportunities available to students in the agricultural sciences. Representatives from
several Penn State academic departments will staff displays illustrating fields of study
and the broad range of jobs in agriculture, natural resources, food science, education and
other ag-related disciplines. For more information, call
1-800-PSU-1010 toll-free from July 15 to August 22 or visit
the Ag Progress Days Web site at http://apd.cas.psu.edu/.
Schweiker Administration Launches
Pennsylvania's Toll-Free Tobacco Quitline
June 26, 2002
Surrounded by anti-tobacco advocates, Secretary of Health Robert S. Zimmerman
Jr. today reaffirmed Gov. Mark Schweiker's commitment to the fight against
tobacco by launching Pennsylvania's first toll-free tobacco Quitline
1-877-724-1090.
Health Department to Launch
Pennsylvania's First Tobacco Quitline
June 26, 2002
On behalf of Governor Mark Schweiker, Health Secretary Robert S. Zimmerman Jr. will launch
Pennsylvania's first tobacco Quitline at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 26, at the rear of the
Capitol's East Wing, near the fountain. A current smoker who is trying to quit and a
representative from the American Cancer Society will join Secretary Zimmerman.
Pennsylvania's tobacco Quitline will be operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
NGA Tracking Trends In MCH
June 21, 2002
The National Governors Association (NGA) recently released their "MCH
Update," which annually tracks trends in state health insurance coverage of
pregnant women, children, and parents. This publication highlights changes
in enrollment and eligibility for the State Children's Health Insurance
Program (SCHIP) and Medicaid, two of the largest providers of health
insurance and health coverage to low-income pregnant women, children, and
parents. In fiscal 2001, SCHIP covered more than 4.6 million children and
Medicaid covered more than 20 million children. In 1999 (the latest year of
data), Medicaid paid for more than one-third of births in the states.
Copies are available at
http://www.nga.org/.
CDC Funding for Violence Against Women
Planning and Implementation
June 21, 2002
The Office on Women's Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) announces funding for a cooperative agreement for planning and
implementing state initiatives that address Violence Against Women (VAW).
This program consists of two parts - planning and implementation. Part 1
(planning) is designed to assist recipients conduct an assessment of the
state's current VAW prevention and intervention efforts and to develop a
statewide action plan. Part 2 (implementation) is designed to assist
recipients, who have developed an action plan that addresses VAW (under CDC
Program Announcements 99136 and 00119), to implement priority activities
from their action plan. Approximately $1.5 million is available in FY 2002
to fund approximately 29 grants under each part. The application deadline is
July 12, 2002. The funding announcement is available at
http://www.cdc.gov/.
NGA, NCSL, ASTHO Webcast to Focus on
Pharmaceutical Costs
June 21, 2002
Speaker slides from the first NGA, NCSL, ASTHO co-sponsored webcast event,
"Riding the Storm: States Grapple with Rising Medicaid Costs and Tight
Budgets" which took place on June 12 are now available on-line at
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/webcast.htm. You can also register now
at the same site for the second webcast, "A Prescription for Change: States
Focus on Containing Costs of Pharmaceuticals," which will take place
Wednesday, June 26, from 2:00-3:00 p.m. EDT.
New Working Paper Available On Line
June 14, 2002
The Rural Health Research Program at the Cecil G. Sheps Center For Health Services
Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has released a new working paper
entitled, "Impacts of Multiple Race Reporting on Rural Health Policy and Data
Analysis". You may access this paper on-line at
http://www.shepscenter.unc.edu/.
Generalist Physician Faculty Scholars Program
June 13th, 2002
The Generalist Physician Faculty Scholars Program of RWJF is intended to strengthen the
presence of generalist physician faculty in the nation's medical schools through career
development awards to outstanding junior faculty in medical school departments/divisions
of family practice, general internal medicine and general pediatrics. Up to 15 four-year
awards of $300,000 will be given to help young physicians develop their careers in
academic medicine. Nominations are made by the deans of four-year, fully accredited United
States medical schools (allopathic or osteopathic). Deadline for receipt of applications
is September 20, 2002. Additional information about the program, including frequently
asked questions, can be found at
http://www.gpscholar.uthscsa.edu/.
The NRHA's Government
Affairs Office Has A New Home
June 10, 2002
The NRHA's Government Affairs Office in Washington has moved to a new location. Our new
office is located in nearby Alexandria, Virginia, and will be home base for Steve Wilhide,
NRHA Executive Director; Alan Morgan, Vice President of Government Affairs and Policy;
Beth Power, Director of Government Affairs and Policy; and Eli Briggs, Government Affairs
and Policy Senior Specialist. Our new address is: NRHA Government Affairs Office,
1307 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; Phone: 703-519-7910
FAX: 703-519-3865. All e-mail addresses will remain the same.
Please take this opportunity to update your phone and address records.
Annie E. Casey Foundation Notes
Improvement In Children's Health Status
June 7, 2002
Health indicators for U.S. children mostly improved during the 1990s, according to the
Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2002 Kids Count Data Book. The report provides state-by-state
data on 10 key indicators of child well-being from 1990 and 1999, and compares the
percentage of children without insurance in individual states to the national rate. Of the
10 measures studied, seven improved, two deteriorated, and one did not change. All 2002
KIDS COUNT data are available from an online database that allows users to generate custom
graphs, maps, ranked lists, and state-by-state profiles, as well as download the complete
from http://www.aecf.org/. ASTHO has a
limited number of copies available. Please email
Lauren Raskin to request a free copy.
New Resources From State Coverage Initiatives
June 7, 2002
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's State Coverage Initiatives program has recently made
available several new resources to support state efforts to expand access to health care.
These include a new Issue Brief entitled, "State Health Care Spending: A Systems
Perspective," an updated library of 350 health policy reports in a searchable
database, providing a way to access the work of states across the nation on critical
issues tied to expanding and maintaining coverage; and an updated State Coverage Matrix
which has recently has been modified to include the Administration's new Health Insurance
Flexibility and Accountability (HIFA) waivers. All resources are available at
http://www.statecoverage.net/.
Kellogg Foundation Report Outlines
Health Disparities Among Men of Color
June 7, 2002
Men from racial and ethnic minority populations face a high risk of heart disease,
diabetes, and HIV/AIDS, and often lack access to basic care, according to a report from
Community Voices: HealthCare for the Underserved, a project of the W.K. Kellogg
Foundation. The report, "A Poor Man's Plight: Uncovering the Disparity in Men's
Health," examines the health status of Black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander,
Native American, and mixed race men, and details 12 strategies to overcome the obstacles
that men of color face in accessing appropriate health care. Strategies include expanding
heath insurance to men of color; establish enhanced points of entry into the health care
system for men of color; and increase the availability of community-based screening,
outreach and care coordination services. The report is available at
http://www.communityvoices.org/.
HRSA Releases Women's Health
USA 2002 Databook
June 7, 2002
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released "Women's Health USA
2002," the first annual statistical report on the health status of America's women.
The report shows the disproportionate impact that certain health conditions such as
osteoporosis, asthma, diabetes and lupus have on women. Free hard copies are available
from the HRSA Information Center,
1-888-ASK-HRSA.
Governor Schweiker Says More Than
$37 Million Coming to PA to Fight Bioterrorism
June 6, 2002
Calling it more good news in Pennsylvania's fight against terrorism, Governor Mark Schweiker
today said that more than $37 million in federal grant money is coming to the Commonwealth
to help fight bioterrorism. Two grants totaling $37,348,690 were awarded today by U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy G. Thompson, and will
enhance state and local preparedness for bioterrorism and other public-health emergencies.
Praising the efforts of the state Department of Health, Gov. Schweiker noted that
Pennsylvania is one of only 24 states and two cities to have their plans fully funded. For
the press release, visit
http://webserver.health.state.pa.us/.
HHS Approves State Bioterrorism Plans So Building Can Begin
June 6, 2002
States, Cities To Receive Additional Funds For Strengthening Public Health Systems HHS
Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today approved comprehensive state plans to build stronger
public health systems and better prepare for bioterrorism, marking the first time that
federal, state and local governments have created a unified plan for responding to public
health emergencies resulting from terrorism. With full approval of their plans, states,
territories and municipalities receive the remaining 80 percent of their share of nearly
$1.1 billion in bioterrorism grants and can begin building stronger public health systems,
covering the spectrum from stronger disease surveillance to better-prepared hospitals. For
the press release, visit
http://www.hhs.gov/.
Community-Campus Partnerships for Health
(CCPH) Fellows Named for 2002/2003
June 5, 2002
The CCPH Fellows program, funded with generous support from the Helene Fuld Health Trust,
HSBC Trustee, and the
Corporation for National and Community Service,
provides support to community based professionals, academic administrators, and faculty
with significant knowledge and expertise in building and sustaining service-learning,
community based participatory research, and community-campus partnerships. Selected from
an impressive pool of over 130 applicants, the fifteen CCPH Fellows will work to advance
these concepts in the context of health professions education and practice. For more
information about the CCPH Fellows program, or a specific CCPH Fellow, please visit the
CCPH website.
HRSA Grants Will Help Small Rural
Hospitals Improve Performance
June 5, 2002
In today's Federal Register, HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration announced
the availability of $15 million in grants for small rural hospitals to improve performance
and reduce medical errors. The new grant program, managed by HRSA's Office of Rural
Health Policy, will also help recipients: with costs related to implementation of
prospective payment systems; and comply with provisions of the Health Insurance Portability
and Accountability Act of 1996. Eligible applicants are all small rural hospitals,
defined as those having 49 available beds or less. Participants are encouraged to form
consortiums and pool their grant funds to purchase needed goods and services. HRSA expects
to award up to 1,300 grants of equal amount through state offices of rural health.
Applications are due by June 21, and awards will be announced in late September. A list of
eligible hospitals can be found at
http://www.ruralhealth.hrsa.gov/ship.htm. Application packages are being mailed to
all hospitals on this list. For more information on the Small Rural Hospital Improvement
Grant Program, contact Jerry Coopey at
301-443-0835, FAX: 301-443-2803.
The Compassion Capital Fund and
The Faith And Community-Based Initiative
June 5, 2002
The Compassion Capital Fund (CCF) is a $30 million fund that Congress appropriated to the
Department of Health and Human Services in January 2002. The CCF represents the first
appropriated federal funds that are specifically targeted to assist the grassroots
organizations that are the focus of President Bush's faith-based and community initiative.
The CCF will be used to expand the role that faith-based and community groups play in
providing social services to those in need. The CCF reflects the administration's
recognition that faith-based and community organizations are uniquely situated to partner
with the government in serving poor and low-come individuals and families, particularly
those with the greatest needs such as families in poverty, prisoners reentering the
community and their families, children of prisoners, homeless families, and at-risk
youth. Information on the availability of CCF grants will be published in the June 7,
2002, Federal Register, and grant awards will be made this fall. More information about
the President's initiative and the HHS Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
is available at http://www.hhs.gov/faith/. For the
press release, visit http://www.hhs.gov/.
Pennsylvania Vital Statistics 2000
June 5, 2002
The Pennsylvania Department of Health's Bureau of Health Statistics and Research collects
and maintains data to assist in planning, administering and evaluating the health status of
Pennsylvania residents and the quality and quantity of health services within Pennsylvania.
Their latest annual vital statistics report, Pennsylvania Vital Statistics 2000, can now be
accessed on the Health Statistics website at
http://webserver.health.state.pa.us/.
Governor Schweiker Delivers Nearly $& Million For Two
Major Bioterrorism/Health Initiatives in Pennsylvania
June 5, 2002
Calling it yet another step forward in safeguarding Pennsylvanians, Governor Mark Schweiker
today delivered nearly $7 million to the Allegheny County Health Department and the
University of Pittsburgh for vital health projects that will better prepare the
Commonwealth in its fight against terrorism. During a visit to the Clack Health Center,
Governor Schweiker presented Allegheny County with more than $900,000 to help build a new
health-department laboratory to deal with the threat of bioterrorism. The Governor also
delivered a more than $6 million health-research grant to the University of Pittsburgh to
develop and test a new biosurveillance system with early-warning capability for detecting
symptoms that may indicate a potential bioterrorism incident. For the press release, visit
http://webserver.health.state.pa.us/.
HHS Awards $30 Million to Address
Emerging Nurse Shortage
June 4, 2002
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced a series of grants totaling more than $30
million to increase the number of qualified nurses and the quality of nursing services
across the country. The awards will help to ease the shortage of nurses available to
provide essential health care services across the country.
"If more people don't choose careers in nursing, it will become more and more
difficult for patients to get quality health care," Secretary Thompson said.
"Today's awards will make it easier for many bright students to pursue a rewarding
career in nursing, where they can improve the lives of Americans, one patient at a
time." HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will award grants
totaling more than $22 million to colleges, universities and other organizations to
increase the number of nurses with advanced degrees and to help improve the quality of care
for elderly patients. In addition, another $8 million will be designated to repay
educational loans of clinical care nurses who agree to work for two or three years in
designated public or nonprofit health facilities facing a critical shortage of nurses.
HRSA estimates more than 400 new contracts will be made under the Nursing Education Loan
Repayment Program. Applications are due on June 14. Details are available at
http://www.bphc.hrsa.gov/
or by calling 1-866-813-3753. For the press release, visit
http://www.hhs.gov/.
Symposium on Building Partnerships for Health
Disparities Research
May 30, 2002
On August 8 & 9, the Appalachia Cancer Network will host a conference entitled:
"Symposium on Building Partnerships for Health Disparities Research." This is a
CDC-funded symposium which is sponsored by the Appalachia Cancer Network, Prevention
Research Center and UK's Center for Health Services Management & Research.
The symposium will be held in Lexington at the Marriott Griffin Gate Hotel. If hotel
accommodations are needed, contact the Marriott at: 800-228-9290. Marriott's Symposium
room rate is available at $89 if reserved by July 22.
If you have any questions, contact Becky Stapleton,
859-219-0774 EXT 263. To obtain a registration form, visit
The Appalachia Cancer Network's
website.
New Rural Disability and Rehabilitation Research
Progress Report: Nutrition and Disability
May 29, 2002
A disability often can be complicated by additional medical, psychological, or
environmental problems. Under an emerging framework of health promotion for persons with
disabilities, these additional health problems are referred to as secondary conditions.
Until recently, it was common to conceptualize these ailments as symptomatic of the primary
disability; however, it is now presumed that because these conditions can be prevented or
managed, they are secondary conditions distinct from the primary disability. For the press
release, visit
http://ruralinstitute.umt.edu/.
SAMHSA Offers Training Grants to Reduce
Disparities in Mental Health
May 24, 2002
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is offering
Workforce Training Grants to be used to develop, implement, and evaluate training programs
that will increase mental health workers' ability to provide culturally appropriate
services to racial and ethnic minorities. Approximately $1.6 million will be available to
fund up to four grants. State and local governments are eligible applicants. Contact
Kano Enamoto at
301-443-9324.
Commonwealth Fund Releases Health
Care Quality Chartbook
May 24, 2002
The Commonwealth Fund released "Quality of Health Care in the United States:
A Chartbook," that presents a portrait of the state of health care quality
in the United States and documents gaps in health care quality. The
chartbook is based on more than 150 published studies and reports. It
contains 54 charts with accompanying analysis, and highlights "serious gaps"
on many quality measures. The chartbook is organized in six chapters
recommended by guidelines from the President's Commission on Consumer
Protection and Quality in Health Care and the Institute of Medicine: 1)
Effectiveness; 2) Patient safety; 3) Access and timeliness; 4) Focus on the
patient; 5) Disparities in health care; and 6) Capacity to improve. It also
makes recommendations on how to improve the quality of health care in the
country. The chartbook is available online at
http://www.cmwf.org/ or can be ordered by calling
1-888-777-2744.
New Solutions Needed to Solve
Nursing Shortage, According to RWJF
May 24, 2002
The current nursing shortage is different than shortages of the past and
requires new solutions to solve it, according to a report released by the
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). Entitled, "Health Care's Human
Crisis: The American Nursing Shortage," the report examines the underlying
causes of the nursing shortage, as well as the range of activities that
organizations are undertaking to address the shortage. The report also looks
at other fields to determine how they are coping with shortages and includes
strategies and recommendations for action. The report cites several
contributing factors, including an aging population increasing the demand
for nursing care; fewer workers entering the profession; an aging workforce;
and a mismatch on diversity between the racial and ethnic make up of nurses
and the population of the U.S. Among its recommendations, the report calls
for a National Forum to Advance Nursing to focus efforts on creating new
nursing models; reinventing nursing education and work environments;
establishing a national nursing workforce measurement and data collection
system; and creating a clearinghouse of effective strategies to advance
cultural change within the nursing profession. The report is available at
http://www.rwjf.org/.
Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker Appointed Six Members to the
Patient Safety Authority Created by the State's Recent Tort Reform Law
May 22, 2002
All hospitals must report serious events and incidents to the 11-member authority to help
identify preventable trends and problems in the Commonwealth. The appointees were: Joan
Garzarelli, M.S.N., Director, Clinical Effectiveness and Quality, Children's Hospital of
Pittsburgh. Patricia Clancy Kienle, Medication Safety Manager, Owen Pharmacy Management.
S. Marc Land, Esq., System Patient Safety Officer, Geisinger Health System. Lorina
Marshall-Blake, Vice President, Independence Blue Cross. Stanton Smullens, M.D., Chief
Medical Officer, Jefferson Health System. Nathan Zuckerman, M.D., Chairman, Institutional
Review Board, Saint Mary Medical Center. The other members of the board include Physician
General Robert Muscalus, D.O., who will serve as Chairman, and four members appointed by
the state House and Senate leadership. For the press release, visit
http://prnewswire.com/.
Schweiker Administration Promotes Osteoporosis
Education and Awareness
May 22, 2002
On behalf of Governor Mark Schweiker, State Physician General Dr. Rob Muscalus today
reminded Pennsylvanians that May is "National Osteoporosis Prevention Month" and
said the best way to maintain healthy bones is through good nutrition and physical
activity. Jessica Diehl and Susan Hoover, co-chairs of the Pennsylvania Osteoporosis
Coalition, joined representatives of the Department of Health and local health
organizations at events in the Capitol to educate the public on osteoporosis. The mission
of the Pennsylvania Osteoporosis Coalition is to advocate and promote education,
prevention, early detection, intervention and access to health care providers and
treatment. To view the press release, visit
http://webserver.health.state.pa.us/.
CDC Immunization Works Monthly Newsletter
May 17, 2002
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Immunization Works Monthly Update is
provided to national health care provider and consumer groups for distribution to their
members and constituencies. The immunization information provided is non-proprietary and
is encouraged to be widely disseminated and shared. To view the monthly newsletter, visit
http://www.cdc.gov/.
Governor Mark Schweiker Hopes Information
Gathered at Six Summits Throughout the State This Spring Will Provide a Reason
Why 1/3 of PA Hospitals Are losing Money
May 16, 2002
Schweiker said the regional summits will give his administration the opportunity to examine
the unique challenges facing PA's health care system, particularly in smaller cities and
rural communities, the Intelligencer reported. Schweiker said the six meetings, sponsored
by the Pennsylvania Rural Development Council, will be held within a month, after which
organizers will compile feedback and issue a report in an attempt to explain why some
hospitals do well and others don't, the Intelligencer noted. The first summit was held
Monday in Fulton County, the second was at Millersville University yesterday, and four more
summits will be held by June 14 in Wyoming, Centre, Elk and Westmoreland counties, the
Intelligencer added. For the press release, visit
http://www.lancnews.com/.
National Survey on Women's Health in the U.S.
May 16, 2002
A new national survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, "Women's Health in the United
States: Health Coverage and Access to Care," finds most women report generally
positive experiences with the health care system, but a sizable share continue to face
problems. One in four (24%) nonelderly women reported delaying or going without care in
the past year due to costs, compared to 16% of men. One in five (21%) nonelderly women
did not fill a prescription because they could not afford it, compared to 13% of men.
Women are also more likely than men to express concerns about the quality of the health
care they receive. The survey was presented at a Capitol Hill briefing, jointly sponsored
by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Women's Policy, Inc., with a panel of consumer,
provider and industry representatives. A transcript (available shortly), and related resources, including briefing
presentations, a summary and key findings of the survey, and a link to the survey itself,
are also available at
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/.
New Data Profile of Visual Impairment
May 14, 2002
The third in a series of Data Profiles on chronic and disabling conditions
is now available from the Center on an Aging Society. Visual Impairments: A
growing concern as the population ages, reports that compared to people who
do not have difficulty seeing, larger proportions of people who have
difficulty seeing are limited in their activities, including paid work and
social engagements. And, people with visual impairments generally use more
health care services and experience higher out-of-pocket health care costs
than those who do not have visual impairments. Although many causes of
visual impairments are preventable, the number of people with such
impairments is expected to double within the next three decades.
With the release of this Profile, the Center on an Aging Society continues
to provide statistical portraits of how people with chronic and disabling
conditions live their lives. The Data Profile is available at
http://www.georgetown.edu/.
Inpatient Rule Proposes Relief for Rural Hospitals
May 10, 2002
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today proposed a new inpatient hospital
rule for fiscal year 2003 that would provide significant benefits to rural hospitals. If
the rule is finalized as proposed, aggregate payments to rural hospitals are projected to
increase by 1.7 percentage points more than the average increase for all hospitals.
Included in the proposed rule are several provisions that would be beneficial for rural
hospitals. For the press release, visit
http://porh.cas.psu.edu/.
Wayne Memorial Health System Awarded Three
Grants as Part of the National Tobacco Settlement
May 9, 2002
A $500,000 grant from the state Healthlink Program will
help the hospital implement an updated radiology
information system and a radiology picture archiving
and communications system, while the hospital will also
receive a $251,850 grant to study the creation of an
integrated service delivery system that extends beyond
the health system's normal delivery area, reported the
Scranton Times Tribune. Community Health Concern will
also receive $96,840 from the Community-Based Health
Care Assistance Grants for Resources program to be used
to offset the costs of the new Pike County Medical Center in
Lords Valley, the Times Tribune added. For the press release, visit
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm.
Help Support Rural Hospitals
May 8, 2002
The House Ways and Means Committee is currently drafting Medicare legislation to be
introduced in the near future. Please contact your Members of Congress and urge them to
co-sponsor H.R. 4515, the Rural Community Hospital Assistance Act (RCH), in an effort get
this legislation included in the Ways and Means Medicare Legislation. The Rural Community
Hospital Assistance Act (RCH) would provide enhanced cost-based reimbursement for Critical
Access Hospitals (CAHs) and extend such reimbursement to post-acute care services. It
would also provide an option for rural hospitals with less than 50 inpatient beds to
receive enhanced cost-based reimbursement for inpatient, outpatient and select post-acute
care services. Although there is no simple solution to the funding woes of rural health
care, this legislation is a giant step towards ensuring that rural Americans have access
to health care locally, where it's needed most. Please contact your members of Congress
and urge them to co-sponsor H.R. 4515, the Rural Community Hospital Assistance Act. Please
see the sample letter below. Please fax your letter rather than mailing for the most
timely communication with your members of Congress. Thank you for your contribution to
NRHA's grassroots efforts to help rural hospitals. Please contact the NRHA's Government
Affairs staff with any questions at 202-232-6200 or
dc@nrharural.org.
'Covering Kids' Action Kits available for 2002 Back to School Season
May 6, 2002
A majority of the more than 8 million uninsured children in the United States are eligible
for Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) but are not
enrolled. A 2000 "Covering Kids" national survey found that six out of 10
parents whose uninsured children qualify for Medicaid or SCHIP did not believe those free
or low-cost public coverage programs applied to them. To address the compelling need to
reduce the number of uninsured children, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in 1997
established "Covering Kids: A National Health Access Initiative for Low-Income,
Uninsured Children" to help states and local communities increase the number of
eligible children who benefit from health insurance coverage programs. What began as a
$13 million initiative planned for up to 15 states grew into a $47 million initiative
with projects in 50 states and the District of Columbia and 170 local pilot communities.
For additional information on the covering Kids program, please consult the
"Covering Kids" Web site at
http://www.coveringkids.org/.
May is National Arthritis Month
May 3, 2002
May is National Arthritis Month. Systemic lupus erythematosus, one of
more than 100 arthritis and rheumatic conditions, is a chronic and
potentially life-threatening inflammatory disease that can affect
various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and
kidneys. Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions are the leading
cause of disability in the United States, affecting approximately 43
million persons in 1997 and possibly 60 million by 2020 (1,2).
Additional information about arthritis, National Arthritis Month,
Arthritis Action Day, the National Arthritis Action Plan, and local
Arthritis Foundation programs and services is available from the
Arthritis Foundation, telephone 800-283-7800,
or at http://www.arthritis.org/.
Information about systemic lupus erythematosus, patient education programs,
and support services is available from the Lupus Foundation of America,
telephone 800-558-0121, or at
http://www.lupus.org/.
Nurse Leaders Create Strategic Plan for Nursing
May 2, 2002
Nursing associations, organizations, and societies have partnered together to create a
future strategic plan, Nursing's Agenda for the Future, which outlines 10 focus areas and
primary and secondary strategies for each domain. The agenda can be used by nurse leaders
and other healthcare professionals as a roadmap to develop national action plans in the
areas of leadership and planning, education, recruitment and retention, work environment,
delivery systems, professional/nursing culture, economic value, public
relations/communications, and diversity. Supporting organizations have already submitted
more than 200 detailed work plans for achieving the goals outlined in the agenda. For a
copy of the report, visit
http://www.nursingworld.org/naf/.
Monograph on Rural Homelessness Available
May 2, 2002
The National Health Care for the Homeless Council has produced a very nice 32 page
monograph titled, "Hard to Reach: Rural Homelessness and Healthcare." This is
the first publication in quite some time on the topic of rural homelessness. The .PDF
file can be downloaded from their Web site and printed for free, or a spiral bound print
version can be purchased from the same site:
http://www.nhchc.org/publist.html. |
