Rural Health Newsletter
Volume XXI August 23, 2008
Rural Health Office
UA Zuckerman College of Public Health
in conjunction with the Arizona Rural Health Association, Inc.
- Bush Administration Will Launch Online Personal Health Records Pilot Program in Two States Next Year
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Opening Rural Health Resource Centers
- New Resource and Teaching Tool: CDC Launches CDC-TV On-Line Video Resource
- The Rural Monitor's Interview with Alison M. Hughes, MPA, AZ Rural Hospital Flexibility Program
- Arizona Health Guide: Resources for the Uninsured Available On-Line!
- AHD Connection: Arizona's Leading Health Disparities Resource
- Summer Program Gives Medical Students Glimpse into Rural Practice
- Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) Monthly Conference Calls: Rural Health Care Program (RHCD) Conference Call Scheduled for September 2008
- DHHS: Understanding and Promoting Health Literacy (R03) - Letters of Intent Receipt Date(s): August 22, 2008; April 24, 2009; December 24, 2010. Application Submission/Receipt Date(s): September 24, 2008; May 25, 2009; January 25, 2010 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Finding Answers – Disparities Research for Change – Deadline: September 18, 2008
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Finding Answers: Disparities Research for Change 2008 Call for Proposals Round 3 - September 18, 2008 (2 p.m. CT)—Deadline for receipt of brief proposals; December 11, 2008—Applicants notified if selected to submit a full proposal; February 5, 2009 (2 p.m. CT)—Deadline for receipt of full proposals
- National Institutes of Health: Development of Models to Forecast Medicare Expenditures (R01). Closing date for applications: October 29, 2008
- DHHS - Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grant Program. Deadline: October 16, 2008
- The Center for Disease Control & Prevention New Resource Manual, "About a Community Health Worker's Sourcebook: A Training Manual for Preventing Heart Disease and Stroke
- The Community Health Promotion Handbook: Action Guides to Improve Community Health
- The National Association of Counties Launch Healthy Counties Database
August 2008 |
Date |
Event |
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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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Sept 15-17 |
14th Annual Latino Conference – Addressing Latino Behavioral Health Requirements in Workforce, Prevention and Early Intervention.
Presented by: Latino Behavioral Health Institute
Dates: September 15-17, 2008
Location: Los Angeles Airport Marriott, 5855 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045
Click here for more information.
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Sept 22-26 |
Grantsmanship Training Program
Presented by: Grantsmanship Center
Dates: September 22 – 26, 2008
Location: Mesa, AZ
Cost: $895 ($845 for each additional registrant from the same organization)
Click here for more information.
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Sept 26 |
Take Charge! 2nd Annual Native American Leadership Today Conference, Tempe, AZ.
Location: Temple Mission Palms Hotel
60 E. Fifth Street
Tempe, AZ 85281
Contact: Nadine Groeing at (623) 670-3561 or
Email: Nadine@SIENA-AZ.org |
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Oct 5 |
AIDS Walk 2008 Phoenix, AZ
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Contact: Kirk Baxter at 602-852-0290
Click here for more information
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Oct 8-10 |
Evidence-Based Child & Teen Mental Health: The First National Institute for Primary Care Providers
Presented by: ASU College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation and ASU School of Social Work
Location: Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, 6902 E. Greenway Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
For more Information, please contact: 480-965-7431, or Email: ACE@asu.edu
Click here for more information.
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Oct 14-17 |
Critical Access Hospital Conference 2008, Savannah, GA. This conference has become the largest annual gathering of Critical Access Hospitals in the United States. The conference is geared for CAH administrators, leaders, and staff. Key sessions will be available on billing and regulatory concerns, bedsore quality measurements, evaluating replacement, and refurbishing options for hospitals and the Five Million LIves Campaign.
Click here for more information and registration. |
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Nov 6-9 |
FutureForum 2008: Race, Gender, and Age Take Center Stage – How Will the Issues of Campaign 2008 Impact Workforce and Workplace Trends?
Co-hosted by: the National MultiCultural Institute and the FutureWork Institute
Location: The Westin Alexandria, 400 Courthouse Square, Alexandria, VA 22314
Click here for more information
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Nov 15 |
Diabetes Educational Conference - From Head to Toe (De la Cabeza a los Pies).
The conference will provide family seminars and health exams. If you or any family member has diabetes or other health problems, don’t miss this great opportunity to learn how to manage your health.
Time: 8:30 am to 2:00 pm
Location: South Mountain Community College, 7050 S. 24th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85042
Cost: Free
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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. |
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Dec 16-18 |
NIH Summit: The Science of Eliminating Health Disparities
Sponsor: National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities
Location: Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, National Harbor, MD
Click here for more information.
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1. Bush Administration Will Launch Online Personal Health Records Pilot Program in Two States Next Year
As reported by Jeffrey Young, reporter for the The Hill (www.thehill.com) the Bush administration has made the decision not to wait on Congress to pass legislation increasing access to on-line personal health records. As part of an ongoing effort to encourage greater use of health information technology the administration will expand access to on-line records in Arizona and Utah beginning in January 2009. On-line records will contain up to two years of Medicare's information. Patients will have the ability to add to their records and share them with physicians, pharmacists and other healthcare providers. In June 2007, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) launched a personal health records pilot project for some beneficiaries enrolled in private Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. CMS reported in May that it is preparing to move ahead with an electronic medical records pilot project in four geographic areas. "This exciting pilot will be a major step forward in Medicare. We believe that it will provide information that will empower consumers to manage their health," Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said.
Click here for more information.
2. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Opening Rural Health Resource Centers
The Department of Veterans released information on August 18, 2008 three Veterans Rural Health Resource Centers will open on October 1, 2008. The centers aim is to better understand rural health issues for veterans and develop special practices and products to implement across the country. As stated by VA Secretary Dr. James B. Peake "For our veterans living in rural areas, the nearest medical center can be miles away. VA's commitment is to provide the best quality care to veterans regardless of their address. These centers are a major step toward ensuring that commitment is met." The centers will be located at:
- White River Junction VA Medical Center, Vermont
- Iowa City VA Medical Center, Iowa
- Salt Lake City VA Medical Center, Utah
Each of these centers will serve as satellite offices for VA's Office of Rural Health.
Click here for official VA Press Release.
3. New Resource and Teaching Tool: CDC Launches CDC-TV On-Line Video Resource
On August 19, 2008 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a press release announcing a new online video resource CDC-TV videos. The videos are part of CDC's ongoing efforts to increase access to information that can help people prevent illness and injury. As noted by Jay Bernhardt, PhD, Director of CDC's National Center for Health Marketing, "Online videos is one of the best tools we have to reach large number of people and help them make informed health decisions by providing accurate health information. CDC-TV marks an exciting new chapter in our continuing efforts to provide CDC's health information to the public when, where, and how they want it."
Click here to view available videos.
1. The Rural Monitor's Interview with Alison M. Hughes, MPA, AZ Rural Hospital Flexibility Program
On August 7, 2008 the Rural Health Office leaned that our own Alison Hughes, MPA was spotlighted in The Rural Monitor's Summer 2008 newsletter ((www.raconline.org).As many of you know Alison has been involved with various rural and advocacy organizations such as, the National Organization of State Office of Rural Health, Arizona Rural Health Association, Universal Services Administrative Company, and the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services to name a few. She has worked in the rural health field for over two decades, and currently is the Director of the Arizona Rural Hospital Flexibility program in the Arizona Rural Health Office. To read more about Alison and her accomplishments follow the link provided below.
Click here to learn more about Alison and her life's work.
2. Arizona Health Guide: Resources for the Uninsured Available On-Line!
Arizona Governor Napolitano recently unveiled the Arizona Health Guide: Resources for the Uninsured at a briefing for health and social service providers held at the State Capitol today. The Guide is a resource made possible by the National Association of Hispanic Nurses and Pfizer for Arizona residents who are uninsured or underinsured that helps to connect them to affordable health care resources throughout the state in both English and Spanish.
Click here for information and a copy of the guide.
3. AHD Connection: Arizona's Leading Health Disparities Resource
View the inaugural edition of the Arizona Health Disparities Center's newsletter. The newsletter will be published quarterly basis January 31, April 30, July 31 and October 31. The AHDConnection is always looking for community stories and other leads that are related to efforts to reduce health disparities in AZ, for contributions email articles and ideas to the edition at charthr@azdhs.gov.
Click here to view the first edition of AHDConnection.
4. Summer Program Gives Medical Students Glimpse into Rural Practice
On August 11, 2008 the Arizona Daily Wildcat, published an article highlighting medical students in the UA College of Medicine who participated in the Rural Health Professions Program (RHPP), and how the summer program gave them a chance to take what they learned in their first year of medical school and see it in action. As stated by the Assistant Dean for Medical Student Education, Carol Galper, EdD, "It's a program that is designed to nurture interest in rural and under-served practice among medical students." Students were given the opportunity to experience several things such as; removing growths from patients, stitching and watching cesarean sections, pap smears, and muscular, skeletal exams. With the shortage of doctors in the rural communities and with the need for residents to travel long distances for care the program hopes to create physicians for the state of Arizona.
Click here to read the full story.
Click here for more information on the RHPP program
1. Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) Monthly Conference Call: Rural Health Care Program (RHCD) Conference Call
The next Rural Health Care Program conference call is scheduled for September 11, 2008, 2pm EST. Participants may begin calling in 10 minutes before the call begins.
Phone Number: 1-800-240-9939
Pass Code: 6772932# (be sure to press the pound key after entering the numbers)
You can access the Conference Call Agenda by clicking on the date of the conference call
Click here for more information regarding USAC’s conference calls and the 2008 schedule.
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. DHHS: Understanding and Promoting Health Literacy (R03) - Letters of Intent Receipt Date(s): August 22, 2008; April 24, 2009; December 24, 2010. Application Submission/Receipt Date(s): September 24, 2008; May 25, 2009; January 25, 2010
The purpose of this grant is to encourage empirical research on health literacy concepts, theory and interventions as these relate to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ public health priorities that are outlined in its Healthier US and Healthy People 2010 initiatives. Health literacy is defined as the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.
Eligibility:
Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education; Private Institution of Higher Education; Nonprofit with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education); Nonprofit without 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education); Small Business; For-Profit Organization (Other than Small Business); State Government; U.S. Territory or Possession; Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Federally Recognized); Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Other than Federally Recognized); Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organization; Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entity (Foreign Organization); Hispanic-serving Institution; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Regional Organization; Other(s): Eligible agencies of the Federal government; Faith-based or community based organizations.
Project Period/Funds: Up to two years and a budget for direct costs of up to two $25,000 modules, or $50,000 per year, may be requested
Click here for additional information.
2. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Finding Answers: Disparities Research for Change 2008 Call for Proposals Round 3 - September 18, 2008 (2 p.m. CT)—Deadline for receipt of brief proposals; December 11, 2008—Applicants notified if selected to submit a full proposal; February 5, 2009 (2 p.m. CT)—Deadline for receipt of full proposals
The purpose of this grant is to improve the quality of health care provided to patients from racial and ethnic backgrounds likely to experience disparities.
Total Award: Approximately $8 million will be awarded overall in Rounds 1, 2 and 3 of funding. The plan is to award approximately 6–8 grants totaling approximately $1.7 million in this round of funding. Grant awards will range between $100,000 and $275,000 for projects of 24 months or less, including start-up, data collection and analyses.
Email: info@solvingdisparities.org or call (866) 344-980
Click here for more information
3. National Institutes of Health: Development of Models to Forecast Medicare Expenditures (R01). Closing date for applications: October 29, 2008
NIH is seeking application for research projects (R01) to develop models that forecast Medicare expenditures or provide insights into key aspects of the forecasting of Medicare expenditures (e.g., cost growth and population aging).
Eligibility: Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education, Private Institutions of Higher Education, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCU's), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Nonprofit's with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education, Nonprofit's without 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education), Small Businesses, For-Profit Organizations (Other than Small Businesses), State Governments, Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized), Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organizations, U.S. Territory or Possession, Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized), Regional Organization, Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations).
Funds Available: $800,000 in total costs for fiscal year 2009 to fund 2-3 applications
Click here for more information
4. DHHS - Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grant Program. Deadline: October 16, 2008
The Office of Rural Health Policy's Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grant Program is seeking proposals for the development of new and innovative health care delivery systems in rural communities that lack essential health care services. The emphasis of this grant program is on service delivery through collaboration, requiring the lead applicant organization to form a consortium with at least two additional partners.
Eligibly: Rural public or rural nonprofit private entity located in a rural county or in a rural census tract of an urban county. All of the proposed services must be provided in a rural county or census tract. Exceptions to this are 330(g) Migrant Health Clinics that exclusively provide services to migrant and seasonal farm workers in rural areas or a Federally recognized Native American Tribal Government providing all of the proposed services on Federally-recognized Tribal land.
Funds available: $13,500,000 for approximately 90 awards.
Click here for more information.
1. The Center for Disease Control & Prevention New Resource Manual, "About a Community Health Worker's Sourcebook: A Training Manual for Preventing Heart Disease and Stroke.
The new sourcebook released by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention is a resource that builds on strong partnerships between the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Promotion at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other agencies and organizations. The material in the sourcebook has been adapted from The Women’s Wellness Sourcebook: Module III: Heart Disease and Stroke and was developed for CHWs by the International Medical Services for Health, an international nonprofit organization. Staff within CDC have updated, reviewed, provided additional content, and pilot-tested the sourcebook. They have done so in partnership with the University of Alabama at Birmingham Research Prevention Center; the American Heart Association; the American Stroke Association; the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI); the Indian Health Service (IHS); the National Institute for Neurological Diseases; and the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education. The sourcebook reflects the latest research and national guidelines on heart disease and stroke and their prevention.
Click here for more information.
2. The Community Health Promotion Handbook: Action Guides to Improve Community Health
In a unique collaboration between CDC and Partnership for Prevention® "The Community Health Promotion Handbook:Action Guide to Improve Community Health (2008) was developed. The handbook provides evidence-based tool guides for public health practices and other interested in promoting health through implementation of community-level health promotion practices. The Action Guides contained in the handbook provide resources to help with planning and implementation, the topics include:
- Community-Based Diabetes Self-Management Education Program
- Community Trail Development and Promotions
- School-Based Physical Education
- Community-Based Walking Group Program
- Tobacco-Use Treatment in Healthcare Delivery Systems
Click here for more information.
3. The National Association of Counties (NAC) Launch Healthy Counties Database
In June 2008, the National Association of Counties launched the Healthy Counties Database. The database allows one to search for model policies, programs and initiatives that counties nationwide have enacted to promote wellness and help prevent childhood obesity. The database provides the opportunity to see what peer local government leaders have done to enable and encourage nutritious diets, physical activity, and build health and social environments.
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, RHO Administrative Associate.
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