Thursday, March 27, 2008
How Unemployment Affects Families
Job loss doesn't just affect individuals. It impacts families and even whole communities. Stress, uncertainty, and lost income affect children in various ways.
Living in Disadvantaged Neighborhoods is Bad for Your Health
Why is your street address such a good predictor of your health? Increasingly, Southeast Asian immigrants like Gwai Boonkeut are moving into neglected urban neighborhoods where African Americans have long suffered, and now their health is being eroded too. What can be done to create a neighborhood that promotes rather than destroys health?
The Importance of Culturally Appropriate Care for Native Americans
Modern medicine teaches a rigid, scientific approach to disease prevention. Yet practitioners like Dr. Donald Warne argue that to be effective, health care programs must be locally controlled and responsive to the needs and beliefs of diverse individuals and groups. For Native Americans in particular, role models and interventions must come from within the community.
The Impact of Poverty and Stress on Diabetes among Native Americans
As Dr. Donald Warne explains, there is a direct biochemical connection between living in poverty and blood sugar levels. The stress of being poor and of having family members die young creates a complicated web of cultural values and beliefs that make controlling diabetes more difficult. Add to that the lack of availability of healthy food and it's no wonder diabetes rates are high.
The Latino Paradox
Recent Latino immigrants are healthier than the average American, despite being generally poorer. Researchers believe that some aspects of immigrant communities may protect health. But for Latinos, the longer they are here, the worse their health becomes. Why?
How Racism Impacts Pregnancy Outcomes
UCLA obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Michael Lu believes that for many women of color, racism over a life time, not just during the nine months of pregnancy, increases the risk of preterm delivery. To improve birth outcomes, Lu argues, we must address the conditions that impact women's health not just when they become pregnant but from childhood, adolescence and into adulthood.
Unraveling the Mystery of Black-White Differences in Infant Mortality
Neonatologists James Collins and Richard David specialize in the care of infants born too soon or too small. Their research on differences in birth outcomes between African American and white American women points to a provocative idea: the cumulative stress of racism is taking a toll on African American families even before they are born.
Kim Anderson's Story
When Atlanta lawyer Kim Anderson was pregnant with her first child, she did everything right: she ate a healthy diet, exercised, and got the best prenatal care. But her baby was born almost three months premature. This excerpt from When the Bough Breaks explores racism's impact on pregnancy outcomes.
Unnatural causes is inequality making us sick?
VIDEO EXCERPT: Health in America
The U.S. is one of the richest countries in the world, yet we rank 29th for life expectancy. We spent more than twice what other countries spend per capita on health care. Why aren't we healthier?
Saturday, March 15, 2008
African American and Latino Pastor’s unite to combat health care disparities among the minority populations
Pastor Matthew L. Brown, who in November of 2007 challenged Pastors to take a pledge toward healthy living in order to fight diseases such as Diabetes, which is prevalent among African Americans and Latinos, now has another larger issue to champion and has rallied the faith community in support of the poor and their legitimate right for health care services regardless of their economy. Pastor Brown and the local clergy are supporting Dr. Raul Vazquez and other partner physicians, who recently revealed alarming treatment of two patient case studies dealing with the same illness and having different types of health care coverage, yet treated vastly different. In some instances, patients with Medicaid were denied services from the growing number of physicians who do not accept Medicaid.
Pastor Brown says, “the distinction between patients and the disparity of their treatment should not be discriminative. Now that Dr. Vazquez has provided us with the facts, we will not standby and ignore the issues that hinder the communities that we serve and reside in.”
Pastor Brown says, “the distinction between patients and the disparity of their treatment should not be discriminative. Now that Dr. Vazquez has provided us with the facts, we will not standby and ignore the issues that hinder the communities that we serve and reside in.”
Monday, March 10, 2008
Private plans, public money: Insurers target federal funds
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/01/28/bisa0128.htm
The nation's biggest health plans see government business -- not employer-based or other private-pay customers -- as the biggest engine for growth.
The nation's biggest health plans see government business -- not employer-based or other private-pay customers -- as the biggest engine for growth.
Cuomo's reasonable investigation into health plan pricing
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/03/10/edsa0310.htm
New York takes on United over an allegedly rigged system for pricing services by out-of-network physicians.
The American Medical Association, which is involved in a separate suit against United over the UCR system, commended the attorney general's efforts. At Cuomo's news conference announcing his investigation, AMA President-elect Nancy H. Nielsen, MD, PhD, said the problems he detailed are pervasive.
New York takes on United over an allegedly rigged system for pricing services by out-of-network physicians.
The American Medical Association, which is involved in a separate suit against United over the UCR system, commended the attorney general's efforts. At Cuomo's news conference announcing his investigation, AMA President-elect Nancy H. Nielsen, MD, PhD, said the problems he detailed are pervasive.
Insurers feel backlash over policy cancellations
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/03/17/prl20317.htm
A lawsuit and a punitive damage award against a California plan are two of the latest developments.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
City doctors mobilizing to address inequities in health care system
http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/292701.html
Dr. Raul Vazquez stood onstage Wednesday evening in Pucho Olivencia Center on Swan Street and ran through the symptoms of what he said was becoming a “two-tiered health care system.”
At the heart of it, he said, was the gap between the treatment given to patients covered by commercial managed-care organizations, the HMOs, and patients who receive care through Medicaid.
In many instances, he said, hospitals and other doctors turn away Medicaid patients or do not provide them with timely care.
Dr. Raul Vazquez stood onstage Wednesday evening in Pucho Olivencia Center on Swan Street and ran through the symptoms of what he said was becoming a “two-tiered health care system.”
At the heart of it, he said, was the gap between the treatment given to patients covered by commercial managed-care organizations, the HMOs, and patients who receive care through Medicaid.
In many instances, he said, hospitals and other doctors turn away Medicaid patients or do not provide them with timely care.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
NY still tops in Medicaid spending
http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2007/11/05/daily4.html?jst=s_cn_hl
New York also ranked No. 1 in total and per-capita hospital spending. New Yorkers spent more than $9.8 billion dollars on inpatient and outpatient hospital care in 2006, or $509 per capita--140 percent above the national per-capita average. New York's total hospital spending made up 15 percent of all Medicaid hospital spending nationwide, although the state has just 6 percent of the nation's population.
New York also ranked No. 1 in total and per-capita hospital spending. New Yorkers spent more than $9.8 billion dollars on inpatient and outpatient hospital care in 2006, or $509 per capita--140 percent above the national per-capita average. New York's total hospital spending made up 15 percent of all Medicaid hospital spending nationwide, although the state has just 6 percent of the nation's population.
Doctoring Medicaid
http://www.nysun.com/article/47383?page_no=1
As Governor Spitzer plans to take on the problem of rocketing Medicaid spending on the elderly, he needs to get his focus right
As Governor Spitzer plans to take on the problem of rocketing Medicaid spending on the elderly, he needs to get his focus right
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Adult Asthma
http://www.myhealthfinder.com/newyork07/reg.php?table=15
State Avg: 147.0
Erie (635 : 67.8% , 81.7%)(74.7%)
New York (2957 : 202.4% , 213.1%)(207.7%)
State Avg: 147.0
Erie (635 : 67.8% , 81.7%)(74.7%)
New York (2957 : 202.4% , 213.1%)(207.7%)
Diabetes Short-Term Complications
http://www.myhealthfinder.com/newyork07/reg.php?table=01
State Avg: 45.4
Erie (469 : 54.8% , 64.3%)(59.6%)
New York (684 : 44.6% , 51.6%)(48.1%)
State Avg: 45.4
Erie (469 : 54.8% , 64.3%)(59.6%)
New York (684 : 44.6% , 51.6%)(48.1%)
Hysterectomies
http://www.myhealthfinder.com/newyork07/regu.php?table=28
State average: 314.6 per 100,000
Erie 2047 cases (549.8)
New York 2685 cases (398.2)
State average: 314.6 per 100,000
Erie 2047 cases (549.8)
New York 2685 cases (398.2)
Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
http://www.myhealthfinder.com/newyork07/regu.php?table=26
State average: 200.8 per 100,000
Erie 1545 cases (318.5)
State average: 200.8 per 100,000
Erie 1545 cases (318.5)
Niagara Health Quality Coalition gets passing grade
http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2005/01/10/daily7.html
The hospital quality report card assembled by the Niagara Health Quality Coalition has received top ratings from a Web site that compares health care data sources across the country.
The hospital quality report card assembled by the Niagara Health Quality Coalition has received top ratings from a Web site that compares health care data sources across the country.
The seven original members of the P2 corporation are:
Independent Health
Univera Healthcare
Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corporation
State University of New York at Buffalo, Department of Family Medicine
Buffalo Medical Group, PC
Promedicus Health Group, LLP
Highgate Medical Group, PC
Univera Healthcare
Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corporation
State University of New York at Buffalo, Department of Family Medicine
Buffalo Medical Group, PC
Promedicus Health Group, LLP
Highgate Medical Group, PC
P2 Collaborative of Western New York
Board of Directors
Michael W. Cropp, MD - (Chairman)President and CEOIndependent Health
Matthew BannisterSenior Vice PresidentHealth StrategiesAmerican Heart Association / American Stroke Association
Donald K. BoswellPresident and CEOWNED-TV Channel 17
Mary Lee Campbell-Wisley - (Secretary)Regional PresidentUnivera Healthcare
Daniel J. Scully - (Treasurer)CEO, Buffalo Medical Group, P.C.
Kevin DonovanAssistant DirectorRegion 9 UAW(NY, PA, NJ)
Stephen B. Edge, MD, FACSChair, Breast & Soft Tissue SurgeryRoswell Park Cancer Institute
George I. GellmanChairmanThe Benchmark Group
Richard D. Hague Jr.Pastor, Mount Erie Baptist Church
Yvonne S. Minor-Ragan, PhD - (Vice President)PrincipalWestminster Community Charter School #68
Jay Pomerantz, MDSenior Vice President & Chief Medical OfficerHealthNow
Thomas Rosenthal, MD - (President)Professor and ChairmanDepartment of Family Medicine, UB
Michael W. Cropp, MD - (Chairman)President and CEOIndependent Health
Matthew BannisterSenior Vice PresidentHealth StrategiesAmerican Heart Association / American Stroke Association
Donald K. BoswellPresident and CEOWNED-TV Channel 17
Mary Lee Campbell-Wisley - (Secretary)Regional PresidentUnivera Healthcare
Daniel J. Scully - (Treasurer)CEO, Buffalo Medical Group, P.C.
Kevin DonovanAssistant DirectorRegion 9 UAW(NY, PA, NJ)
Stephen B. Edge, MD, FACSChair, Breast & Soft Tissue SurgeryRoswell Park Cancer Institute
George I. GellmanChairmanThe Benchmark Group
Richard D. Hague Jr.Pastor, Mount Erie Baptist Church
Yvonne S. Minor-Ragan, PhD - (Vice President)PrincipalWestminster Community Charter School #68
Jay Pomerantz, MDSenior Vice President & Chief Medical OfficerHealthNow
Thomas Rosenthal, MD - (President)Professor and ChairmanDepartment of Family Medicine, UB
One Friday, Four Futures Initative Launched
http://www.p2wny.org/news/?id=8
“Scenario planning is a dramatically new concept for our region as far as addressing a public policy issue because it offers the community an opportunity to look ahead and shape the system of the future through community wide conversation and dialogue,” Ann F. Monroe, president of the Community Health Foundation of Western and Central New York said. “The conversations that will take place over the next several months are intended to gather community input so we can put forth recommendations for a health system that can meet the needs of diverse constituencies, including the elderly, rural communities and families in poverty to name just a few.”
All of us are users of health care,” Monroe continued. “This initiative is structured to hear from as many users as possible about what they need and want from their health care system. Then, these many perspectives can be rolled up to create an accurate picture of the community’s priorities.”
“Scenario planning is a dramatically new concept for our region as far as addressing a public policy issue because it offers the community an opportunity to look ahead and shape the system of the future through community wide conversation and dialogue,” Ann F. Monroe, president of the Community Health Foundation of Western and Central New York said. “The conversations that will take place over the next several months are intended to gather community input so we can put forth recommendations for a health system that can meet the needs of diverse constituencies, including the elderly, rural communities and families in poverty to name just a few.”
All of us are users of health care,” Monroe continued. “This initiative is structured to hear from as many users as possible about what they need and want from their health care system. Then, these many perspectives can be rolled up to create an accurate picture of the community’s priorities.”
Oishei grant aids P2 Collaborative
http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2007/07/02/daily31.html
The P2 Collaborative of WNY Inc. has received a major grant from the John R. Oishei Foundation.
The three-year $335,000 grant will be used to increase consumer engagement in improving healthcare.
The nonprofit P2 Collaborative works to strengthen communication between healthcare providers and patients in an effort to improve compliance through education and more active participation.
The organization is focusing on several indicators related to growing community health concerns, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, cancer and depression. Other goals include creating open exchanges of best practices among healthcare providers.
The P2 Collaborative of WNY Inc. has received a major grant from the John R. Oishei Foundation.
The three-year $335,000 grant will be used to increase consumer engagement in improving healthcare.
The nonprofit P2 Collaborative works to strengthen communication between healthcare providers and patients in an effort to improve compliance through education and more active participation.
The organization is focusing on several indicators related to growing community health concerns, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, cancer and depression. Other goals include creating open exchanges of best practices among healthcare providers.
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