Video: RWJF President Risa Lavizzo-Mourey Accepts 2011 APHA Presidential Citation

Video: RWJF President Risa Lavizzo-Mourey

Accepts 2011 APHA Presidential Citation

By: Ryan Duncan

Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, MD, MBA, President and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) joined the ranks of Nelson Mandela, the National Association of Community Health Centers, the National WIC Association and families of public health workers everywhere as she recieved the prestigious APHA Presidential Citation as part of the keynote speech in the Opening Session of the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting. This represents the first time that a philanthropy has received the citation.

Dr. Mourey said in her remarks:

“To improve Americans’ health, we need to look at where people live, learn, work and play to get at the factors that shape health even more profoundly than the health care we get when we’re sick,” said Lavizzo-Mourey in a Q&A with the APHA blog, Public Health Newswire. “Improving America’s health requires leadership and action from every sector, including public health, health care, education, transportation, community planning, private business and other areas.”

Congratulations to Dr. Mourey and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for receiving this well-deserved and prestigious award!



Former HHS Secretary Says Diversity Is Key to Better Health

Former HHS Secretary Says Diversity

Is Key to Better Health

 

 

Dr. Louis W. Sullivan, the former US Secretary of Health and Human Services from 1989-1993 blames the lack of racial and ethnic diversity among the nation's health professionals for the growing gap in health disparities between whites and minorities.

"Having a more racially and ethnically diverse health professions workforce will enhance communication between health professionals and our nation's population," Dr. Sullivan said. "Improved communication between health professionals and the individuals they serve will foster trust and understanding that will influence health outcomes. If we are successful in increasing diversity, this will result in improved health status in the long run among our nation's minorities."

Speaking at the recent National Medical Association Convention held in Washington, DC, July 23-27, the president emeritus of the Morehouse School of Medicine, offered several strategies for promoting diversity in the health care professions from strengthening K-12 education in math and science to increasing financial aid to minority students interested in health care.

For his complete text, read Increase in minority health professionals to reduce disparities.

Medicare Cuts Don’t Hurt Beneficiaries . . . So Far

Medicare Cuts Don’t Hurt Beneficiaries . . . So Far

Despite the clamor and protest that accompanies even the slightest suggestion to reduce Medicare costs, especially among Medicare recipients and their advocates, the reality is cuts in the program have primarily targeted the providers.

According to Joe Antos, a health economist with the American Enterprise Institute, despite substantial cuts to Medicare over the years, "We've hardly ever directly touched beneficiaries."

In fact, says Antos, who spent years examining the impact of the cuts for the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), "the whole political history of (cutting) Medicare has been focused not on beneficiaries, it's been focused on health care providers," such as doctors, hospitals and nursing homes.  This year CBO estimates that spending levels for Medicare could reach $563 billion.

In fact, it can be argued that by improving the way Medicare services are delivered, our elderly consumers are the main beneficiaries.  Others argue that the historical approach to trimming Medicare is “win-win.” Hmmm—could this strategy be a model for “thoughtful” and efficient budget cutting? 

IOM: Protecting Women and Wallets?

IOM: Protecting Women and Wallets?

NPR reported that the Institute of Medicine delivered a potentially game-changing announcement today: “it recommends that the federal government consider putting "the full range of Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptive methods" on the list of services for women that would be covered by insurers without a copay.”

According to the article, free contraceptives could serve for positive change surrounding the number of unwanted pregnancies in our country (currently about 50 percent), including financial strains on families and infant and mother health between pregnancies.

Detractors argue that government-mandated birth control would violate the religious rights of those whose beliefs forbid contraceptives, and those who hold that some forms of contraceptives act as precursors to abortion.

Click here to read and listen to the full story.

Bridging Health Equity Gaps Through Mentorship

Bridging Health Equity Gaps Through Mentorship

In the community of Lakeland, Fla., professionals in minority communities are seeing opportunities to close gaps for underserved students. One such professional is Dr. Alexander Mbakwem who wants to see more people who look like him in the medical profession.

To help make that happen, he is learning how to be a mentor to Polk County students. "The kids need to be exposed to people who are not athletes and singers," Mbakwem said. "There are not enough role models to say, ‘Go to school and don't commit crimes.' They need to see people who are doing well so they can say if he can do it, then I can do it."

With health care inequities hitting underrepresented and troubled communities across the country, this initiative develops healthy people and communities in myriad ways.

Read more in The Ledger’s “Black Professionals Seek to Mentor Minority Students”

For Better Health Care, Gold Card Only (If You Have One)

For Better Health Care, Gold Card Only (If You Have One)

Most European countries view the United States' health care system as crazy. Where most Europeans have access to health care, Americans (supposedly we're living in the land of plenty), are either paying high health care rates or forgoing treatment and medications due to their inability to afford proper care. To widen the gap between "have" and have nots," those who can afford health care are receiving extra attention from their doctors by paying for "concierge" health care. By paying a higher membership fee, affluent patients can get more of their doctors' time during the week or weekends, with more attention to their needs. Some doctors have expressed concerns that this practice could lead to "higher paying clients receiving better care." When did having your health care needs met by your physician become a VIP service? Don't we all deserve this without paying for VIP treatment, or whipping out the gold card?

To learn more, view "Patients Pay Doctors More for VIP Treatment" on KMBC.com (Kansas City, Mo.)



New RWJF Directory Compares Hospitals and Doctors

New RWJF Directory Compares Hospitals and Doctors

Building on the growing trend to look for health care information online, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s just released a map-based directory designed to help users compare health care provided by local hospitals and physicians.  Foundation staff believe the directory will be especially helpful to people who “receive care in different areas of the country.”  To view the national directory, go here.  And to read the full article, see: New directory helps patients compare hospitals

“Are Doctors Playing Favorites”?

“Are Doctors Playing Favorites”?

Not everyone is happy about the Obama Administration’s plan to deploy “mystery shoppers” posing as patients and contacting doctors’ offices for appointments in an attempt to assess whether all people, regardless of type of health care coverage, are able to get care when they need it.  According to Washington, DC-based internist, Dr. Raymond Scalettar, “I don’t like the idea of the government snooping. It’s a pernicious practice — Big Brother tactics, which should be opposed.”  The Administration’s rationale for its proposed plan is the now critical shortage of primary care doctors coupled with what it believes is the practice by some physicians to give preferential treatment to patients with private insurance versus those covered by government payment plans. 

For more, see: U.S. Plans Stealth Survey on Access to Doctors.  

Troubling Trend: More Young Adults Living With Diabetes

Troubling Trend: More Young Adults Living With Diabetes

When we are young we think we can avoid health-related issues that happen to “to the other older person.” By that, meaning we can consume all the chips, fries, burgers, pastries, pizza and sodas we want, believing that time and youth can reverse any possible damage? Wrong. According to leading diabetes experts, more people in their 20s and 30s are coping with Type 2 diabetes, which used to be rare in those under 40. Younger type 2 diabetes patients are not just worried about college, dating and entertainment choices but now trying to participate in such activities with high blood pressure, poor eyesight, obesity, kidney problems and possibly congestive heart failure. It just doesn’t happen to the “older guy.” Healthy food choices are important at every age. We shouldn’t let an early death win.

For more on this troubling trend, read USA Today article.

America’s Oral Health is in Crisis

America’s Oral Health is in Crisis

More than a decade since the U.S. Surgeon General called America’s poor oral health a “silent epidemic,” oral health diseases remain prevalent among the nation’s underserved populations. Blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans bear the burden of poor oral health more than any other racial or ethnic groups, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the largely majority-minority town of Windsor, North Carolina, the unabated crisis is playing out. A new study by the local government says a shortage of dentists and lack of access to dental care is to blame. In 2010, there were only 15 dentists for 109,000 low-income residents in the county. And almost no private dentist in the area will accept Medicaid because the reimbursement rates are below market rate.


Oral health is critical to overall health.


Reform efforts should focus on integrating oral health into health care and increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates for dentists.


Read More: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20110616/ARTICLES/110619585?template=printpicart

Health reform is education reform

Health reform is education reform

Only one in 10 high school kids meeting the minimum goals for physical activity

America's teens are drinking too many sugary drinks and not getting enough exercise, according to new data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Only one in 10 high school boys and girls are meeting the minimum goals for physical activity outlined by in the CDC's recently released "Healthy People 2020" report. The findings appear in the June 17 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6023a1.htm?s_cid=mm6023a1_w.

There’s a critical need to improve the quality of school meals and to create more opportunities for students to be physically active.

Short-sighted GOP Steadily Dismantling Health Reform

J. Howard DeHoff, MD, of South Whitehall Township, is a primary care internist.

Short-sighted GOP Steadily Dismantling Health Reform

The House GOP is gloating about the recent passage of HR 1216, which rescinds the funds obligated by the Affordable Care Act for training much-needed primary care physicians, but millions of Americans will suffer if the Senate follows suit. The shortage of primary care physicians has already reached crisis levels in many areas -- nearly every county in Pennsylvania is experiencing a shortage of primary care providers. And according to primary care physician Dr. Howard DeHoff, "by 2025, there will be a shortage of 35,000 to 44,000 primary care physicians leaving more than 66 million Americans without access to quality care." The result, he worries, will be millions of people at risk for heart attacks, diabetes, obesity, depression, domestic violence, tobacco addiction, drug and alcohol abuse, arthritis, influenza -- and without quality care. What's the old saying -- "an ounce of prevention..."

To view full article: http://www.mcall.com/opinion/yourview/mc-primary-care-physicians-dehoff-yv-20110608,0,6645569.story

New Twist in Health Reform Legal Battle

New Twist in Health Reform Legal Battle

Up to now, the jurists hearing the case against the not quite 15-month old Affordable Care Act have responded along party lines—the four federal district judges appointed by Democratic presidents have ruled the law constitutional; the two Republican-appointed jurists say it is not.  More than 30 lawsuits have been filed by nearly as many states since the law was enacted in March 2010.  The latest legal arguments will be heard by a three-judge appellate court panel from the US Court of Appeals of the 11th Circuit in Atlanta.  This time, however, the jurist include a Republican appointee, a Democratic appointee and a third who is distinguished with appointments from both a Republican and Democrat President.  It’s probably safe to say this ruling could go either way. 

For full story, see: Legal battle over Obama’s health-care law moves to Atlanta courtroom

Surviving the Night Shift...

Surviving the Night Shift at Hospitals

Night time and weekend care might be good for the hospital’s bottom line; not necessarily for the patient.  According to health writer Sandra Boodman, night and weekend care often result in “higher rates of errors and poorer patient outcomes.”  The sparse staff and slower pace translate into slower delayed responses.  But when there is no choice, here are some tips for protecting patients:

Here are some suggestions offered by experts to help patients and families protect themselves:

·         Ask if the hospital employs hospitalists or nocturnists, doctors who specialize in treating inpatients.

·         Check whether an experienced physician, not just a resident, is on duty and at the hospital at night outside of the emergency room.

·         Take your meds to the hospital with you (and any relevant records).

·         Keep after-hours information for your doctor; a call from your doctor can make the difference! 

For more on this topic, read:  Hospitals Turning To Nocturnists -- Doctors Who Work Nights -- To Improve Care

Nurses Are Vital to Hospice, Outpatient and Primary Health Care

Nurses Are Vital to Hospice,

Outpatient and Primary Health Care

The role of nurses has always been important in providing quality health care in hospitals; however, today’s nurses are transforming health care beyond hospital settings.  In addition to reinventing America’s approach to hospice care from “a service that provided a place to die to one that addressed many end-of-life issues and allowed patients to remain in their homes,” nurses have evolved into strong patient advocates and indeed are the sole source of quality, “high-level” health care for many underserved areas and populations in America.  And with the possibility of adding more than 35 million newly insured citizens as a result of health care reform, nurses will be even more critical to local and state public health departments and primary care centers.  

Highlighted Clip for Tuesday, May 31, 2011:

"Role of nurses extends beyond the hospital ward"

A nurse is a doctor’s best friend, according to Marvin M. Lipman, Consumers Union’s chief medical adviser. This advice was given to him by a hospital ward’s head nurse when he was a third-year medical student making contact with patients for the first time, along with the suggestion that’d he’d do well not to forget it.

Calling Males to the Counseling Profession

Calling Males to the Counseling Profession

Men are all but missing in the mental health profession reports the New York Times. Need Therapy? A Good Man Is Hard to Find (New York Times, 05/21/2011) reports that “men earn only one in five of all master’s degrees awarded in psychology, down from half in the 1970s. They account for less than 10 percent of social workers under the age of 34, according to a recent survey. And their numbers have dwindled among professional counselors — to 10 percent of the American Counseling Association’s membership today from 30 percent in 1982 — and appear to be declining among marriage and family therapists.”

The dearth of male therapists is a barrier for some men who’d like to receive counseling but would prefer to go to a man. Here’s another need to diversify the health care workforce.

Highlighted Clip for Wednesday, May 25, 2011:

"Need Therapy? A Good Man Is Hard to Find"
By BENEDICT CAREY
Researchers began tracking the “feminization” of mental health care more than a generation ago, when women started to outnumber men in fields like psychology and counseling. Today the takeover is almost complete.

Doctors’ Advice: Fewer Tests, Cheaper Health Care

Doctors’ Advice: Fewer Tests, Cheaper Health Care

Everyone wants to save money, cut costs wherever possible while maintaining the best life. When it comes to doctors’ visits and tests, a primary care group is working to keep more money in your pocket. Recently, the National Physicians Alliance met with doctors in family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics and asked them to list five ways they could save patients money—all while enhancing care. Say what? This idea may call for a magic wand or Superman, but with some thought, more than 250 doctors provided their top “less is more” recommendations. Most of the recommendations focused on eliminating certain expensive tests (unless you’re near death) or forgoing routine antibiotic prescriptions for mild or moderate sinusitis (you’ll just have to deal with the itchy eyes and sneezing).  But what if you believe you need the tests or that antibiotic? Check out their recommendations and see if you agree!

Highlighted Clip for Tuesday, May 24, 2011:

"Advice From Doctors: Top 5 Ways to Lower Costs and Improve Care"

If anyone knows where health-care dollars are being wasted, it's primary-care physicians. So, the National Physicians Alliance recently assembled working groups of doctors within three fields of primary care — family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics — and asked each to come up with five ways to reduce costs in their areas while enhancing patient care.

Cultural Competency in Health Care Trailing Behind Nation’s Demographic Shifts

Cultural Competency in Health Care Trailing Behind Nation’s Demographic Shifts

As America’s racial and ethnic mix shifts rapidly to a majority minority nation, the need for cultural competency in health care increases. Oregon’s Democratic lawmakers get that. Unfortunately, their Republican colleagues don’t.   The Register Guard reports that a split partisan vote in the Oregon House stymied a bill that would advance the cultural understanding of minorities among social workers, physicians, and other health care professionals licensed by the state.

Now is the time to enhance cultural competency training, not stymie it.

Highlighted Clip for Monday, May 23, 2011:

"Cultural competency bill fails again"

By Saul Hubbard

For the second day in a row, a split partisan vote in the Oregon House on Thursday stymied a bill aimed at advancing the cultural understanding of minorities among the state’s licensed health care providers, in order to improve the quality of health care minorities receive. 

May 8-14 is National Women’s Health Week

May 8-14 is National Women’s Health Week

In line with new safeguards and increased coverage for women provided in the Affordable Care Act, President Obama recently proclaimed  May 8-14 National Women’s Health Week.  Before the act’s passage, insurance companies could deny coverage to women because of previous events such as having had cancer or even having been pregnant. In 2014, it will be illegal for insurance companies to discriminate against anyone with a pre-existing condition, or even charge women higher premiums than they charge men.

Just as the Affordable Care Act gives women greater freedom and control over their health care, it is important to focus not  only on the progress made in protecting women’s health but also on “awareness, prevention, and educational activities that improve the health of all women.”  And not just this week!

For the complete Presidential proclamation, go to: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/05/06/presidential-proclamation-national-womens-health-week

Florida Nursing Initiatives Transforming Health Care

Florida Nursing Initiatives Transforming Health Care

Two Florida initiatives promise better health care delivery for patients.  The nursing-led initiatives—simulation technology for teaching and an innovative coalition of nursing, industry, and policy leaders look to maximize health care delivery in the state and serve as a model for transforming health care nationwide.

Simulation technology uses “sophisticated, life-like robots” to emulate illnesses and treatment practices and procedures to train nursing students, greatly increasing the capacity of nursing schools.  The second—a “think tank” coalition of professionals from across the health spectrum is designed to both expand the role of nurses and strengthen nurse education and training.

Highlighted Clip for Wednesday, May 5, 2011:

"Health care reform starts with the health professionals"

Just as Florence Nightingale, the first nursing leader, transformed nursing practice more than 150 years ago, so are the nurses, doctors and other medical professionals in our generation leading the way in health care transformation.