Rural Health Briefing
Volume XIX June 3, 2008
Rural Health Office
UA Zuckerman College of Public Health
in conjunction with the Arizona Rural Health Association, Inc.
National Events
- Updated Fact Sheets on HIV/AIDS and Black Americans, Latinos and Women
- Bush Administration Launches Advertising Campaign to Promote Hospital Compare Web Site
- Alliance Issues Report Defining Key Health IT Terms
- HRSA Announces NIH Childhood Overweight and Obesity Prevention Initiative: Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future
Across Arizona
1. Arizona State University to Launch Mobile Health Initiative
2. Births Higher Among Hispanic Women Than Among Non-Hispanics, Report Finds
3. ADHS News Release: Governor Directs Funds to Aid Measles Treatment: $350,000
from Health Crisis Fund
4. Arizona State University to Launch Mobile Health Initiative
5. ADHS News Release: Unlicensed Child Care A Growing Problem, Parents Urges To
Do Homework When Looking for a Facility
6. ADHS Report: Public Health Evaluation of Indoor Air Quality, Self-Reported Illnesses,
and Tumors, Corona del Sol High School, Tempe, AZ
Upcoming Conference Calls
1. Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) Monthly Conference Calls
Grants and Opportunities
1. Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program – Deadline: Applications Accepted
on an Ongoing Basis
2. Rural Youth Development Grants-Deadline June 20, 2008
3. DHHS, Administration for Children and Families, CAPTA: National Quality
Improvement Center on Preventing the Abuse and Neglect of Infants and Young
Children - Deadline: July 14, 2008
4. National Institutes of Health: NCMHD Comprehensive Centers of Excellence (P60) –
Deadline: August 29, 2008
5. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Fresh Ideas- Community-based Approaches to
Improve Care for Vulnerable Populations – Deadline: December 31, 2008
Items of Interest
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Report: Creating Equity Reports: A Guide for Hospitals
- Statewide Dispatch: Eliminating Health Disparities, Achieving Equity
- Updated Fact Sheets on HIV/AIDS and Black Americans, Latinos and Women
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Podcasts – Health Information On The Go!
- Preventing Youth Suicide in Rural America: Recommendations to States
- Does Being an Immigrant Make a Difference in Seeking Physician Services?
Calendar of Events
| June 2008 |
Date
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Event/Location
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Jun 9-11 |
The National Indian Women’s Health Resource Center, “Keeping the Circle Strong: Celebrating Native Women’s Health and Well-Being 2008 Conference,” Albuquerque, NM. The NIWHRC invites Native women across the county to attend the two and half day conference centered on health and well-being. Topics will include; mental, social, physical, and spiritual health of all Native women. Click here for conference and registration information
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Jun 14 |
Asian/Pacific Community Wellness Event – Men’s Health, Mesa, AZ. This special health is one day before Father’s Day to encourage men to give their health the priority it deserves. Free health screenings will be available.
Click here for more information and for a list of free health screenings, or
Contact: (480) 626-3065 or yen@apca-az.org |
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Jun 21-27 |
6th Annual Summer Workshop-Disparities in Health in America: Working Towards Social Justice, Houston, TX. The conference will focus on examining the social and societal factors that are fundamental in creating disparities in health, and will focus on formulation of public policy objectives to reduce and ultimately eliminate health disparities.
Click here for more information about the workshop and to view some of the keynote speakers. |
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Jun 28-
Jul 1 |
2008 National AHEC Conference: Moving Mountains to Overcome Health Disparities, Denver, CO. The NAO 2008 conference will be held at Adams Mark/Sheraton Denver Hotel.
Click here to download the Conference Brochure for more information |
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Jul 1-2 |
National Conference of State FLEX Programs, Kansas City, MO. This year’s conference marks the 9th year that individuals representing state offices of rural health, hospitals, EMS, and other rural health-related organizations will convene to share information about the Rural Hospital Flexibility Program & Critical Access Hospitals.
Click here for more conference information.
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July 15-17 |
NRHA Quality & Clinical Conference, San Diego, CA. This year’s conference will provide tools that address the provision of quality rural HIV/AIDS, clinical care, rural mental health issues, and medication safety among other important issues. An update on the latest regulatory and legislative actions in Washington that affect your rural clinical practice will be provided.
Click here for the conference brochure with more information. |
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Aug 4-5 |
35th Annual Arizona Rural Health Conference - Building Stronger and Healthier Rural Communities, Flagstaff, AZ. The conference will take place at the High Country Conference Center at Northern Arizona University. Conference details are forthcoming.
Contact Rebecca Ruiz at (520) 626-2243 or via email at raruiz@email.arizona.edu for more conference information.
Also visit the Arizona Rural Health Association website at www.azrha.org
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Aug 25-28 |
20th Annual Native Health Research Conference – Exploring the Interface Between Science and Traditional Native Health Research, Portland, OR. The conference is targeted at bringing together many different stakeholders involved in the conception, production, translation, and use of health research in American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian (AI/AN/NH) communities from across the continent. Participants will include health care providers, administrators, educators, policy-makers, tribal leaders, and researchers.
Click here for more information about the conference/registration |
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Sept 12 |
5th Annual Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia in Native Americans, Weaving the old with the new: A Focus on Wellness and Alzheimer’s Disease, Flagstaff, AZ. The conference will take place at the Little American Hotel, 2515 East Butler Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ on Friday, September 12, 2008 from 7:30AM – 4:30PM.
For more information, please contact Banner Alzheimer’s Institute at 602) 239-6850 or email baiinfo@bannerhealth.com
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Sept 12-16 |
The Community Health Institute (CHI) & Expo, New Orleans, LA. The conference is targeted at bringing together community health center managers, clinicians, employees, board members and leaders. The aim of the conference is to provide essential up-to-date information, training, technical assistance and networking connections to help community health centers strengthen and grow.
Click here for more conference and registration information.
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Dec 2-4 |
Childhood Obesity/Diabetes Prevention in Indian Country: Making Physical Activity Count!, San Diego, CA. The conference is targeted to health care providers, diabetes educators, school nurses, nutritionists, coaches, physical education teachers, fitness program directors, and individuals involved in community or school based physical activity for Indian children and youth. Sponsors of this conference include the HIS, Bureau of Indian Educators (BIE), Active Living Research Center of San Diego State University, LIFESCAN, and The University of Arizona.
Click here for conference agenda, registration, and
Call for Papers/Posters. |
National News
1. Updated Fact Sheets on HIV/AIDS and Black Americans, Latinos and Women
The Kaiser Family Foundation has updated three fact sheets that provide snapshots of the impact of HIV/AIDS on minorities and women in the United States. Each fact sheet includes the latest data on key trends and current cases, as well as population-specific information on HIV transmission patterns and access to care.
Click here for Black Americans and HIV/AIDS — It provides information on the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on Blacks.
Click here for Latinos and HIV/AIDS — it focuses on the largest and fastest growing ethnic minority group in the country.
Click here for Women and HIV/AIDS in the United States — it highlights the challenges for women living with and at risk for HIV.
2. Bush Administration Launches Advertising Campaign to Promote Hospital Compare Web Site
On May 21, 2008 Kaiser Daily Policy Report announced Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced a national advertising campaign to promote its Hospital Compare web site. This tool is provided by U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and provides information on Hospital Outcome and Care Measures. The web site can be used by anyone interested in finding information on how well hospitals care for all adult patients with certain medical conditions (i.e., heart attacks, heart failure, chronic lung disease, pneumonia, diabetes in adults, chest pain), or surgical procedures (i.e., heart and blood vessels, abdominal, neck, back and extremities (arms and legs), bladder, kidney and prostate, female reproductive). The information provided is to help the consumer to compare the quality of care hospitals provide in their specific area or hospitals nationwide. For more information click the links provided below
Click here for the HHS Hospital Compare Tool.
Click here for the Kaiser Daily Policy Report announcement.
3. Alliance Issues Report Defining Key Health IT Terms
The National Alliance for Health Information Technology released its final report providing consensus definitions for six key health information technology terms. The terms are:
- Electronic medical record
- Electronic health record
- Personal health record
- Health information exchange
- Health information organization
- Regional health information organization
The Department of Health & Human Services, Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology funded the project in hopes of addressing the need to clarify terminology used in health IT policy, regulation, contracts and other initiatives.
Click here to review the full report.
4. HRSA Announces NIH Childhood Overweight and Obesity Prevention Initiative: Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ (HHS) Health Resources & Service Administration (HRSA) deeply concerned about childhood obesity for children and adolescents in both urban and rural areas asks primary care providers such as Health Centers and community-based programs to sign-up for The Childhood Overweight Prevention Program from NIH, We Can!™ (Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity and Nutrition). We Can!™ offers materials to help reduce the rate of childhood obesity by providing primary care providers and other health care professionals to better prevent, identify, and treat children identified with this condition. The We Can!™ program focuses on three important behaviors: improving food choices, increasing physical activity, and reducing screen time.
HRSA encourages primary care providers and community-based programs to sign up to become a We Can! Community Site, City, County or Partner. Rural Health Care Services Outreach grantees, State Title V Maternal & Child Health agencies, and other maternal and child health programs are encouraged to become partners to better impact their communities. After signing up, NIH will send a free Starter Kit with sample materials. Technical assistance, program updates, recognition on the national We Can! Web site, plus access to a variety of NIH science-based resources, and networking opportunities through listservs, social networking sites, e-newsletters, training and teleconferences will be made available to program participants.
Click here to sign-up online for the We Can! Program.
Click here to visit the We Can! Web site.
Additional information regarding this program can be found at
http://wecan.nhlbi.nih.gov, or by calling (866) 359-3226.
Click here for the Childhood Obesity Action Network, a web-based network aimed at rapidly sharing successful practices and innovation, including State Obesity Fact Sheets.
Across Arizona
1. Arizona State University to Launch Mobile Health Initiative
The Arizona State University College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation has announced plans to purchase a state-of-the-art mobile health care unit to bring primary care and preventive health services to underserved communities, Healthcare IT News reports. Supported by a $700,000 grant from insurer UnitedHealthcare, the van will offer immunizations, wellness programs, chronic disease management and treatment for mild illness, among other services. The unit also will be outfitted with electronic health records and clinical decision support systems designed to encourage use of evidence-based care protocols and coordination between the van and providers in other health care settings. Services will be available to all Arizona residents and their children, regardless of income, insurance status or health plan affiliation. Meanwhile, the nursing school also will use a portion of the funding to expand an existing community health and wellness initiative to include pediatric obesity and mental health programs for children and teens. (Merrill, Healthcare IT News, 5/6/08).
Click here for more information.
2. Births Higher Among Hispanic Women Than Among Non-Hispanics,
Report Finds.
Hispanic women in the U.S. have higher fertility rates than non-Hispanic women, and unmarried Hispanic women born in the U.S. are more likely to have children than single immigrant Hispanic and non-Hispanic women, according to an analysis released on Thursday by the Pew Hispanic Center, the AP/Hartford Courant reports. For the report, lead researcher Felisa Gonzalez and others analyzed data from the 2006 American Community Survey, a U.S. Census Bureau survey of about three million U.S. households. The study found that there were 84 births per 1,000 Hispanic women, compared with 63 births per 1,000 non-Hispanic women. In addition, there were 73 births per 1,000 Hispanic women born in the U.S., compared with 96 births per 1,000 immigrant Hispanic women. Overall, about 50% of Hispanic children were born to unmarried women, although the percentage of single immigrant Hispanics who gave birth -- about 35% -- was nearly the same as for non-Hispanic women, the report found. Census Bureau data released last week state that Hispanics account for about 15.1% of the U.S. population and one out of every four children in the U.S. under age five. The nation's Hispanic population is expected to grow as new births outnumber new immigrants, according to the AP/Courant (Gamboa, AP/Hartford Courant, 5/8).
Click here to view the report.
3. ADHS News Release: Governor Directs Funds to Aid Measles Treatment: $350,000 from Health Crisis Fund
According to a Arizona Department of Health Services ADHS)press release on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 Governor Janet Napolitano released an additional $350,00 from the State Health Crisis Fund boost the state’s response to the measles outbreak in Arizona communities. The new allocation of funds will pay for administering 10,000 vaccines to residents, and for additional lab supplies ensuring prompt measles testing at the Arizona State Health Laboratory. The funds will also pay for night and weekend testing, The Arizona Department of Health Services continues to work closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), local health departments and physicians to track suspected measles cases and to ensure those who come in contact with potentially infected individuals are full vaccinated. The MMR vaccine may be able to prevent measles if the shot is given within three days of exposure. The ADHS has noted that 3,000 people have sought a free MMR vaccination through walk-in clinics and expects the number to increase.
For information about clinic hours in Pima County, call 520-243-7797, or visit their website at
www.pimahealth.org
For information in Pinal County call the Pinal County Citizen Contact Center at 520-509-3555 or toll free at 888-431-1311, or visit www.pinalcountyaz.gov for clinic locations.
Click here for information about measles from the ADHS.
Click here for information about measles from the CDC.
4. Arizona State University to Launch Mobile Health Initiative
In May 6, 2008 edition of Healthcare IT News, reporter Molly Merrill, Associate Editor reported the launch of a mobile health initiative by Arizona State University College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation. The mobile health initiative will bring indispensable primary care health service to underserved communities in the state. UnitedHealth group has provided $700,000 to fund the initiative. The college will use the grant to purchase a healthcare van which will be fully equipped with an electronic health records and a computerized health data system which incorporates evidence-based clinical decision support software. A wide range of services will be provided by the healthcare van to include preventive screening and primary care services, treatment for mild to acute illness, management of chronic conditions, immunizations and wellness programs. Services will be provided to all Arizonans and their children, uninsured or insured, regardless o benefit coverage or health plan affiliation. ASU nurse practitioners, faculty, and nursing and related health profession students will staff the van and the other new health initiatives such as pediatric obesity and child-teen mental health programs for depression and anxiety disorders.
Click here for more information and to read the story in Healthcare IT News.
5. ADHS News Release: Unlicensed Child Care A Growing Problem, Parents Urges To Do Homework When Looking for a Facility
On May 27, 2008 the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) issued a press release urging parents to do their homework when looking for a licensed child care facility for their children. As stated by Susan Gerard, Director of the Department of Health services, “Selecting a safe, high-quality and caring facility may be one of the most important decisions parents will make in their child’s lives.” In its press release, ADHS noted recent incidents involving unlicensed child care which included an arrest of a Glendale day care operator on sexual-indecency charges, and another unlicensed day care in Phoenix where a 9-month old who had stopped breathing was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. As stated by ADHS there is no ways to now how many unlicensed facilities are operating in Arizona, but the state does provide a way for parents to check online at www.azcarecheck.com (http://www.azcarecheck.com/). This web site provides parents with information about child care centers, up to date information on inspections, and complaint investigations. ADHS offers several consumer tools on its web site, including a checklist to help parents choose the right child care facility for them and their child.
Arizona requires child care centers make their licenses available for public viewing. The state also requires criminal background checks on all workers in licensed or certified child care centers. Child care facilities are required to have fire, sanitation and safety inspections. For additional information parents can call one of the ADHS office for further help listed below:
- Phoenix: (602) 364-2539 or toll free (800) 615-8555
- Tucson: (520) 628-6540
- Flagstaff: (928) 774-2707
- Yuma: (520) 628-6541.
Click here for ADHS News Release.
Click here to view or print the Parent Checklist.
6. ADHS Report: Public Health Evaluation of Indoor Air Quality, Self-Reported Illnesses, and Tumors, Corona del Sol High School, Tempe, AZ
On March 4, 2008 Mr. Steve Adolph, Superintendent of Tempe Union High School District contacted the Arizona Cancer Registry (ACR) for assistance in addressing a health concern. The health concern related to a perceived excess of brain tumors among students and staff at Corona del Sol with approximately eight to twelve brain tumors noted in the last few years. These concerns were in conjunction with concerns about air quality. ADHS agreed to review the air quality data, make additional recommendation to improve air quality, and to determine whether indoor air quality problems identified in the report may be responsible for adverse health effects.
The report conclusions did state the indoor carbon dioxide levels at the high school were higher than the recommended maximum of 1,000 parts per millions which could cause drowsiness, lethargy, and a sense of “stale air” among students and staff, but the Review Panel was unable to establish a link between brain tumors and environmental factors at the high school.
Click here to read the full report and conclusions.
Grants & Opportunities
Note: Technical assistance is available for the development of grant proposals and other funding applications from the professional staff of the Rural Health Office and the State Office of Rural Health Program. Please contact Jennifer Peters.
1. Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program – Deadline: Applications Accepted on an Ongoing Basis
The purpose of the HIS Loan Repayment Program (LRP) is to obtain health professionals to meet the staffing needs of the IHS in Indian health programs. Applicants are required to sign contractual agreements with the Secretary for 2 years and fulfill their agreements through full-time clinical practice at an HIS facility or approved Indian health program. All health professionals are eligible to apply to the LRP. Physicians and nurses have historically received the highest priority for selection into the program.
Click here for additional information and eligibility requirements.
2. Rural Youth Development Grants- Deadline: June 20, 2008
Rural youth encounter economic and physical barriers that prevent them from receiving adequate care, services, or resources necessary for healthily development. The Rural Youth Development Grants Program is intended to breakdown barriers to participation, especially for rural youth; enhance opportunities for youth involvement in policy and decision-making; create safe and inviting environments for youth activities; and improve access to information and technology. The overall goal of the program is to provide opportunities for rural youth to improve their own lives and the communities in which they live. Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-CSREES-F4HN-001465. Award Ceiling: $549,000.
The brief announcement is available here.
Click here for full announcement details.
3. DHHS, Administration for Children and Families, CAPTA: National Quality Improvement Center on Preventing the Abuse and Neglect of Infants and Young Children - Deadline: July 14, 2008
The National Quality Improvement Center (QIC) wishes to establish a center to work to improve the social, physical, behavioral, cognitive, and emotional well-being of children zero to five years old, and their families, who are at risk of abuse and neglect, including infants and young children impacted by substance and/or HIV/AIDS.
Eligible for funding are: State governments, County governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofit's having a 501(c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofit's that do not have a 501(c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, and Small businesses. Partnerships are encouraged between organizations with experience and expertise in child welfare, child maltreatment prevention, and early childhood programs, but applications must identify a primary applicant responsible for administering the grant. Faith-based and community organizations are eligible to apply. Foreign entities are not eligible under this announcement.
Expected number of awards: 1
Total program funding: $1,700,000, Award ceiling: $1,700,000.
Click here for the full announcement.
4. National Institutes of Health: NCMHD Comprehensive Centers of Excellence (P60) – Deadline: August 29, 2008
The purpose of this grant is to establish a Comprehensive NCMHD Center of Excellence (COE) which contributes to either the improvement of minority health, the elimination of health disparities, or both. To be eligible for the COE in this FOA, applicant institutions must have existing federal research support and/or research infrastructure as reflected in a level of NIH institutional funding of more than or equal to $80 million for the year 2007. An Comprehensive NCMHD COE supported under this FOA must contain an Administrative core, a Research core, a Research Training/Education core, and a Community/Engagement core. Pilot research projects or feasibility projects/studies are not supported under this FOA.
Eligibility: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)
Expected number of awards: 5
Estimated total program funding: $6,000,000
Click here for the full announcement.
5. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Fresh Ideas- Community-based Approaches to Improve Care for Vulnerable Populations – Deadline: December 31, 2008
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is seeking proposals for projects to examine the effects of public reporting and pay-for-performance on health care quality. Proposals should demonstrate the potential to produce high-quality, scientifically sound research. The foundation is interested in proposals including, but not limited to, demonstration projects, retrospective studies, case studies, and secondary data analyses.
Eligibility: Interdisciplinary teams that include investigators focused on public reporting and pay-for-performance are encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to those applicants who may be either public entities or nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Applicant organizations must be based in the U.S. or its territories.
Estimated Total Program Funding: Up to $4 million in total funding is available for grants of up to three years for policy-relevant research.
Expected number of awards:
- Two three-year grants of up to $400,000 each
- Six two-year grants of up to $200,000 each will be awarded for public reporting projects.
- Two three-year grants of up to $400,000 each
- Six two-year grants of up to $200,000 each will be awarded for pay-for-performance projects.
Click here for Request for Proposals.
Items of Interest
1. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Report: Creating Equity Reports: A Guide for Hospitals
Creating Equity Reports: A Guide for Hospitals, a report published by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation provides hospital executives, physicians and other medical staff with information on how to properly collect race, ethnicity, language and socioeconomic status data from patients for use in creating equity reports, which can assist organizations in recognizing and reducing racial and ethnic disparities. The guide, which includes case studies of hospitals that have already implemented equity reports, is designed to help hospitals identify inequalities and track changes over time (Weinick et al., RWJF release, 5/7).
Click here for more information.
2. Eliminating Health Disparities, Achieving Equity
The Stateside Dispatch launched an issue about Eliminating Health Disparities, Achieving Equity, which covers extent of the problems and causes of health disparities, health care gender gap, and strategies to eliminate disparities, policy options to reduce health care disparity and conclusion. In order to achieve quality and affordable health care for all, the suggestions are that reform must include concrete steps to reduce health disparities. Ensuring access to coverage is only part of the answer. Leading states are reducing barriers to quality health care for people of color by requiring cultural competency training of medical professionals, recruiting a diverse workforce, eliminating language barriers in hospitals, collecting data to inform policies and providers, providing more funding to community health centers, and improving chronic disease management programs by making them more responsive to the needs of people of color as well as low-income and underserved communities. Health disparities reflect and perpetuate the inequity and injustice that permeate American society. Eliminating health disparities will help create equal opportunity for all Americans in all sectors of our society.
Click here for the whole issue.
3. Updated Fact Sheets on HIV/AIDS and Black Americans, Latinos and Women
The Kaiser Family Foundation has updated three fact sheets that provide snapshots of the impact of HIV/AIDS on minorities and women in the United States. Each fact sheet includes the latest data on key trends and current cases, as well as population-specific information on HIV transmission patterns and access to care.
Click here for Black Americans and HIV/AIDS.
Click here for Latinos and HIV/AIDS.
Click here for Women and HIV/AIDS in the United States.
4. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Podcasts – Health Information On The Go!
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released several podcasts which can be downloaded to your desktop and portable music/video player and listened to at your convenience or while on the go. The podcasts cover several health information areas, and the web site can be searched either “by series” or “by topic.” Listed below are a few of the topics covered with links to the podcasts for you listening pleasure:
Click here for the CDC’s Podcasts search page.
5. Preventing Youth Suicide in Rural America: Recommendations to States
A report prepared by the Rural Youth Suicide Prevention Workgroup in April 2008 called Preventing Youth Suicide in Rural America: Recommendations to States reported that even after two decades of decreasing rates, suicide remains the third leading cause of death among youth between the ages of 10 and 24. Furthermore, the declines are not evenly distributed between the Western and mountain states who have consistently higher suicide rates than the rest of the country, and all of the states with the highest suicide rates have many counties that would meet most definitions of “rural.” After discussion of the rural content for youth suicide prevention, the report goes on to present the discussions and recommendations to state-level agencies in seven key areas these are:
- Promoting Help-Seeking Behaviors
- Data and Surveillance
- Services
- Screening and Identification
- Gatekeeper Training
- Bereavement
- and Survivor Issues
Recommendations were generated to offer states and local communities a resource that describes a rural perspective on prevention and early interventions.
Click here to view the report.
6. Does Being an Immigrant Make a Difference in Seeking Physician Services?
The Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved recently published a paper called “Does Being an Immigrant Make a Difference in Seeking Physician Services?” by Ke Tom Xu and Tyrone Borders. The study investigated effects of immigration status, acculturation, and health beliefs on the use of preventive and non-preventive visits, through use of a nationally representative sample of U.S.-born and foreign-born adults. U.S.-born adults were found to have significantly more preventive and non-preventive visits than immigrants. The effects on predicting preventive visits of education, having a usual source of care, and having other public insurance were stronger among immigrants than among the U.S.-born. Health confidence and believing in the need for health insurance significantly predicted the numbers of both preventive and non-preventive visits among the U.S.-born but correlated little with either type of visit among immigrants. Among immigrant adults, acculturation affected only the number of preventive visits. The lower utilization of both preventive and non-preventive care among immigrants may be associated with a combination of better health and more limited enabling resources.
Click here for more information.
Contact Your Representatives
a. Arizona Congressional Delegation: Links to Arizona members of the U.S. House of Representatives are available at: U.S. Representatives. Links to Arizona members of the U.S. Senate are available at: U.S. Senate
b. Arizona State Legislators: Available through the Arizona Legislative Information System (ALIS): Call 1-800-352-8404 or follow links at Arizona Legislature.
Important Links:
Editor's Note: This online newsletter is a joint project of the Rural Health Office housed at the UA Zuckerman College of Public Health, and the Arizona Rural Health Association, Inc. The mission of the Rural Health Office is to promote the health of rural and medically undeserved individuals, families, and communities through service, education and research. The Arizona Rural Health Association, Inc. advocates on behalf of the health needs of rural Arizonans at national, state and local levels. Its multidisciplinary membership provides a respected and highly effective group of rural health practitioners and rural community residents. For example, the AzRHA, Inc. has actively and successfully advocated with the state legislature for funding for telemedicine and mobile clinics in all fifteen counties of the state. Your questions (or answers) are always welcome. Please send them as well as address changes to Sharon Van Skiver, the RHO Administrative Associate.
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