Welcome to CHI HealthTalk, the bimonthly e-newsletter of the Colorado Health Institute (CHI). This newsletter keeps you up to date on CHI's latest data, reports and activities; provides news about upcoming health-related events in the state; and highlights other helpful resources and information about health and health care in Colorado. Please subscribe, unsubscribe or give us feedback at info@coloradohealthinstitute.org.
Focus on the facts
A conversation with...
 ...Grant Jones, Executive Director, Center for African American Health
Grant Jones is founder and executive director of the Center for African American Health, formerly the Metro Denver Black Church Initiative. His career includes nonprofit management, 12 years with a private foundation, and national consulting on faith-based initiatives, community building and efforts to improve the life chances of disadvantaged children and families. He is a member of CHI’s Safety Net Monitoring Advisory Committee.
Q: After 14 years as the Metro Black Church Initiative, you’ve changed your name to the Center for African American Health. What inspired this change? Does this signal a new direction for the center’s work?
Jones: There is a health care crisis in the African American community. In the last year, we decided to focus our energies on this crisis by providing the education and resources our community needs to be good consumers of health care and take better charge of their own health and well being. The Center for African American Health takes a holistic, culturally proficient approach to addressing the health disparities and health literacy challenges African Americans face. I think we found our unique competence in the community.
Q: Your work focuses on developing community supports, but it also promotes a strong dose of personal responsibility. How do you strike a balance between these two?
Jones: There’s an intersection of personal responsibility, education, understanding and place. Many of our people want to live healthier lives, but they don’t have the information they need. We try to meet people where they are in terms of literacy, socio-economic and health status, or any other factor. Place and cultural competence matter. We reach out to people through community centers, barbershops, beauty salons, churches and a host of cultural and social events.
There’s no question that our church partnerships are the key to our success. The black church is still the preeminent institution for spiritual enrichment and, for promoting self-help and self-determination in the African American community. It continues to be a critical partner and powerful ally in educating people and promoting leadership and personal responsibility.
Q: What are the key health issues facing the African American community in Denver?
Jones: The list is long, but the data point to an imbalance in African American health status. We focus on diabetes, breast and prostate cancer, cardiovascular disease and depression awareness because these are the diseases that are killing our people. We can make an immediate impact with our programs to save lives through prevention and early detection.
I’d love to share with you the story of Rita and her husband Paul. Here is a woman whose doctor told her she had diabetes, but not how to care for herself or the condition. After hearing about our program at church, she came to a class. Her husband Paul came along to support her. We took Paul’s blood pressure. Would you believe Paul was a walking time bomb? His blood pressure was so high that he could have died walking out the door. Thanks to the program, he got the education that he needed, saw his doctor and got his blood pressure down to normal range. Rita learned how to manage her diabetes and lost four dress sizes in the process. People like Rita and Paul make us realize the importance of our work and the difference it’s making in people’s lives.
Q: As a multi-faceted organization, the center provides coordination of direct health services, conducts research and provides a wide variety of educational services and opportunities. How do you do it all?
Jones: We’re committed to staying focused on our mission and priorities. We can do anything we want; we just can’t do all the things we want. Our view is deeper, not wider.
Q: What’s on the horizon for the center?
Jones: We’ve set our sights high and come a long way with the health outreach efforts we started six years ago. I think the community has high expectations of us in this new role as the Center for African American Health. In our short history, we’ve assembled a great team of staff and community partners. Lots of people have faith in our work, and I’m committed to justifying their support and confidence.
CHI spotlight
The Data You Need at Your Fingertips
Are you looking for data on how Colorado measures up in birth defects, cancer, injury, smoking and other health and health-related issues? Check out the Colorado Health Information Dataset maintained by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Interested in Coloradans’ heart health? Try CVH Cardiovascular Health. Need information on people, business and geography in Colorado and its counties? The Census Bureau’s State and County QuickFacts provides such profiles.
What these and dozens of other health-related databases have in common is that they all contain Colorado-specific data, they’re all interactive – meaning you can sort the data in various ways to answer questions you have – and they’re all accessible on the Online Data Resources section
of CHI’s Web site. Our goal is to be the one place you come when you’re looking for health and population data about the state.
To make this site more useful, we need to hear from you. If you have suggestions for how we can improve this section of our Web site, or if you know of other databases we should add, please contact: info@ColoradoHealthInstitute.org.
 2005 Annual Report
In three short years, the Colorado Health Institute (CHI) has evolved from a vision statement crafted by its three founding foundations to a thriving information clearinghouse and respected source of analysis and strategic leadership in the health policy decisionmaking process. In 2005, CHI staff provided sound analysis to a broadening circle of constituents, including legislators, business leaders, state agencies, health care professionals, foundations and others seeking an independent, nonpartisan source of Colorado health and health care information.
Read about our activities and accomplishments in the 2005 Annual Report: http://www.coloradohealthinstitute.org/documents/2005annual.pdf.
Upcoming events
Public Health in Colorado 2006 Conference
The largest gathering of public health professionals in Colorado will take place September 18-20 in Vail, sponsored by the Colorado Public Health Association, the Colorado Minority Health Forum, the Public Health Nurses Association of Colorado and the Colorado Society for Public Health Education.
For more: http://www.coloradopublichealth.org/inforegistration.cfm
Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved 10th Annual Conference
This annual conference focusing on the status of Colorado’s medically underserved populations will be held Friday, September 29, in Denver.
For more: http://www.ccmu.org/
3-in-1 Special on Health Disparities
The following three conferences are free, but you must register for the ones you plan to attend. They will be held on successive days at the Arvada Conference Center in Arvada. Agendas will be available soon on the CHI Web site.
- The Culture of Data: Moving from Data to Impact
October 11: To discuss and understand how the collection and use of data can affect health policy and delivery of services to eliminate health disparities.
Contact: Lorenzo Olivas, 303.844.7858; lorenzo.olivas@hhs.gov
- Working Together: The 2006 Colorado Health Disparities Conference
October 12-13: To increase local and state capacity to work with communities of color on reducing health disparities.
Contact: Genevieve Rowden, 303.692.2094; Genevieve.rowden@state.co.us
Also see: http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/ohd/
- Mental Health Disparities Summit
October 13: To build on existing work being done in Colorado to understand stigma, culture and access to address mental health disparities.
Contact: Pilar Ingargiola, 303.832.7844; pingarg@mindspring.com
Also see: http://www.csi-policy.org
2006 ESRI Health Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Conference
This conference, to be held in Denver October 23-26, will provide a forum to examine current capabilities and coming opportunities for managing and sharing geospatial data and analysis in a GIS framework for community health programs, health care delivery, hospitals, epidemiology, disease surveillance and health services research.
For more: http://www.esri.com/events/hug/index.html
Third Health Information Technology (HIT) Summit
The latest intelligence on and an in-depth look at rapidly emerging policy changes related to both quality and HIT from national and state leaders across the country, September 25-27, Washington, D.C.
For more: http://www.hitsummit.com/
National Prevention Summit
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion’s summit on "Prevention, Preparedness, Promotion," October 26-27, 2006, Washington, D.C.
For more: http://www.healthierus.gov/STEPS/summit.html
Hot issues
Scan shows state of oral health in Colorado
Colorado has an impressive array of oral health programs, particularly for low-income children. Yet, timely and routine data on the oral health status of adults are still quite limited, CHI found in a comprehensive review of Coloradans’ oral health and an environmental scan of related resources in the state.
In spring 2005, several funders, including Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, The Colorado Trust, Rose Community Foundation, the Colorado Community Health Network and HealthONE Alliance, contracted with CHI to survey the oral health care landscape and the conditions and activities affecting the availability, accessibility and quality of oral health care in Colorado. As part of this scan, CHI inventoried oral health initiatives, programs and dental safety net clinics and providers across the state to identify what services were available to whom.
CHI also reviewed clinical evidence from professional journals and studies from other states and interviewed oral health experts in Colorado and elsewhere to identify evidence-based best oral health practices. A consensus emerged with regard to the efficacy and effectiveness of several prevention-oriented dental interventions and programs. CHI’s report outlines four broad categories of interventions that could improve access to oral health care for Coloradans.
Download the report: http://www.coloradohealthinstitute.org/documents/OralHeathScan.pdf.
Also see oral health Web links below.
Who's who?
In each issue of CHI HealthTalk, we introduce you to individuals who are making a difference in health and health care in Colorado. This month, meet two newcomers to the state’s health care arena.
 The Colorado Children’s Campaign (CCC) conducted a national search to find a new, energetic leader, and Megan Ferland fit the bill. With a successful track record in advocating for children’s health, safety and well-being, Ferland brings her credibility, leadership and commitment to Colorado’s kids.
Ferland joined CCC in July 2006 after five years as chief executive officer of Texas CASA, Inc. (Court Appointed Special Advocate), a statewide nonprofit agency that advocates for abused and neglected children in the court system. Under her watch, CASA expanded its services to 196 counties in Texas, increased and diversified its funding, and developed into an organization considered a national model. Over the years, Ferland gained significant experience in the public policy arena serving as CASA’s legislative liaison and holding earlier staff positions in the Texas Legislature.
“Health is fundamental to a child’s ability to succeed in every facet of life – from doing well in school to making the big shot at a basketball game. The Colorado Children's Campaign is committed to partnering with other groups to ensure the best possible future for Colorado’s kids,” she says.
For more: http://www.coloradokids.org/
 After 13 years at the West Virginia Hospital Association, Steven Summer will head west and become president and CEO of the Colorado Health and Hospital Association (CHA) on September 1. He leaves a legacy of collaborative leadership and brings new energy and focus to Colorado’s hospitals.
Throughout his career, Summer has developed or directed innovative programs that focus on quality, including the West Virginia Coalition for Quality Health Care, a program in Maryland that developed quality measurement tools, and the international Quality Improvement Resource Center and Quality Indicator Project. His substantial experience in the area of quality will help CHA move into an era of increased transparency and accountability, starting with the 2006 legislation that requires Colorado hospitals to report certain quality data.
“I am excited to be in Colorado and with CHA. CHA and its members already provide consumers information to make health care decisions, including quality and charge data. The Hospital Report Card, which Colorado hospitals and CHA brought forth and supported, will enhance the information Colorado consumers will have available. In addition, I am thrilled to be part of the dialogue about how to provide affordable access to health care to Colorado residents who are lacking insurance. Serving our communities and providing quality health care is why Colorado hospitals do what they do every day.”
For more: http://www.cha.com/
Inside Colorado
Uninsured Pay More for Drugs
Uninsured Americans pay 60 percent more for prescription drugs than prices negotiated by the federal government, according to a new Colorado Public Interest Research Group (CoPIRG) report. The report surveyed costs in 35 cities across the nation, including Denver, where uninsured residents pay nearly 52 percent more than the federal government pays for the same drugs.
Compared with CoPIRG’s 2004 survey, the cost of the nine prescription drugs surveyed increased nearly 80 percent faster than the general rate of inflation.
For more: http://copirg.org/reports/PayingthePriceCO.pdf
How Colorado Ranks in Public Health Funding
Colorado ranks 30th among states in public health funds received from the federal government and 36th in state funding, according to "Shortchanging America's Health: A State-By-State Look at How Federal Public Health Dollars Are Spent – 2006." The analysis, from the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH), reviews key health statistics and key federal public health funding at a state-by-state level. TFAH is a nonprofit working to make disease prevention a national priority.
The report found that Colorado receives an average of $18.29 per capita from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, compared to the national average of $20.99 and the high of $53.36 in Alaska. The state provides an average of $14.93 per person in public health funds, compared to a high of $123.10 in Hawaii.
TFAH recommends the federal government convene an Intergovernmental Public Health Coordinating Committee to analyze the investments needed for a modern public health system.
For more: http://healthyamericans.org/reports/shortchanging06/ShortchangingReport.pdf
For Colorado’s profile: http://healthyamericans.org/state/index.php?StateID=CO
Beyond our borders
Census Bureau's Annual Population Report
Both the number and the percentage of people without health insurance coverage increased between 2004 and 2005, according to the Census Bureau's new report on income, poverty and health insurance coverage. The percentage and the number of children (under 18 years old) without health insurance increased from 10.8 percent to 11.2 percent and from 7.9 million to 8.3 million, respectively. With an uninsured rate at 19 percent in 2005, children in poverty were more likely to be uninsured than all children.
For more: http://www.census.gov/prod/2006pubs/p60-231.pdf
New Retail Clinics Find a Niche
Is health care moving into the retail business? A new report from the California HealthCare Foundation examines the new trend in retail clinics. Often found in malls or local discount stores, these clinics cater both to higher income individuals who want the convenience the clinics offer and to the uninsured who need an economical alternative to the emergency department of their local hospital. Are these retail clinics a sustainable trend? Early data suggest yes, but how they handle the regulatory controls and workforce issues they face remain formidable issues.
For more: http://www.chcf.org/topics/view.cfm?itemid=123218
The New Medicaid Integrity Program
As one of the many facets of the federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, the new Medicaid Integrity Program is taking shape as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services must develop this program by October 2006. A new report from the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured outlines some of the key issues facing the federal government and states as the development and implementation of the Medicaid Integrity Program move forward. Among issues are:
- Using a broad-based approach to ensure health and long-term care services are provided to beneficiaries as effectively and efficiently as possible;
- Ensuring the federal/state nature of Medicaid is accommodated and that duplication and confusion are minimized; and
- Focusing on areas where the financial risks and/or risks to quality have been highest to give the federal government and the states the highest return on their investment; and
For more: http://www.kff.org/medicaid/7542.cfm
Web Watch
Here are some Web sites that provide information on oral health.
  
CHI HealthTalk Contributors
Writers: Jo Donlin, Martha Saenz
and Sherry Freeland Walker
Design: Kindle Fahlenkamp-Morell |
