DENVER – Con una alta población de pacientes en riesgo de contraer cáncer cérvico-uterino, la Red de Salud Comunitaria de Colorado (Colorado Community Health Network, CCHN por sus siglas en inglés) obtuvo $150,000 para lanzar un proyecto a nivel estatal con el fin de mejorar el porcentaje de monitoreo preventivo de ese padecimiento.
Los fondos fueron anunciados por la Fundación Comunitaria de la Salud CHF), parte de la Red de Salud Comunitaria (CHN) William F. Ryan. Los estados que recibirán estos recursos como apoyo a proyectos de salud, son Arizona, California, Colorado, Missouri y New York.
La subvención constituye un valioso refuerzo para combatir con mejores armas la enfermedad en mujeres que se encuentran en situación de riesgo. Los 150 mil dólares que obtuvo la Red de Salud Comunitaria de Colorado (CCHN, por sus siglas en inglés) serán destinados a lanzar un proyecto piloto para mejorar los porcentajes de monitoreo preventivo en las clínicas del estado.
El gobierno federal modificó recientemente los lineamientos que determinan cuándo se requieren los exámenes Pap, y Jessica Sánchez, jefa de Calidad y Desarrollo en la CCHN, dice que la donación permitirá que pacientes y proveedores comprendan mejor las nuevas recomendaciones.
“Entonces, lo que estamos tratando de lograr es que más mujeres se hagan más monitoreos para detectar cáncer, para que su salud general mejore al tener un mayor conocimiento de las maneras de cuidarse.”
Sánchez afirma que cada año Colorado tiene unos 160 nuevos casos de cáncer cérvico-uterino, y casi 40 muertes relacionadas a él. Destaca que el programa piloto fue diseñado para llegar a la población con mayor riesgo de padecer este mal, la cual incluye a mujeres de bajos ingresos y mujeres de color.
Sánchez explica que el dinero de la donación será distribuido en 6 de los 18 locales de la red, con la meta de mejorar al menos en cinco por ciento las tasas de monitoreo preventivo durante el primer año. Agrega que si el proyecto piloto tiene éxito, podrá ser replicado en todo el estado.
“Y como los centros de salud comunitaria atienden a más de 650 mil pacientes, el impacto a nivel estatal sería tremendo.”
Sánchez afirma que la efectiva atención preventiva a las poblaciones que están en riesgo no sólo es un reto para Colorado, sino que el donativo le da la oportunidad de llegar a ser modelo para desarrollar un monitoreo adecuado a nivel nacional.
Ya vienen rumbo al estado refuerzos muy valiosos para combatir con mejores armas el cáncer cérvico-uterino de mujeres en situación de riesgo.
La Red de Salud Comunitaria de Colorado (CCHN por sus siglas en inglés) obtuvo una subvención de 150 mil dólares que serán destinados a lanzar un proyecto piloto para mejorar las tasas de monitoreo preventivo en clínicas del estado. El gobierno federal modificó recientemente los lineamientos que determinan cuándo se requieren los exámenes Pap, y Jessica Sánchez, de CCHN, dice que la donación asegurará que pacientes y proveedores comprendan las nuevas recomendaciones.
"Entonces, lo que estamos tratando de lograr es que más mujeres se hagan más monitoreos para detectar cáncer, para que su salud general mejore al tener un mayor conocimiento de las maneras de cuidarse."
Sánchez afirma que Colorado tiene cada año unos 160 nuevos casos de cáncer cérvico-uterino, y casi 40 muertes relacionadas a él. Destaca que el programa piloto fue diseñado para llegar a la población con mayor riesgo de padecer este mal, la cual incluye a mujeres de bajos ingresos y mujeres de color.
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Health disparities in Texas are not only making some people sick, but affecting the state's economy.
A new study shows Texas is losing $7 billion a year because it does not adequately address quality-of-life issues and the health care needs of its lower-income residents.
The research was sponsored by the Episcopal Health Foundation, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, and St. David's Foundation.
Brian Sasser, chief communications officer for the Episcopal Health Foundation, said health care includes more than doctors' visits and medication.
"Everything from increasing access to affordable health insurance to investing in under-resourced neighborhoods to give them more options, whether that's exercise options or food options," Sasser outlined. "Look at policy changes that expand health insurance coverage for new moms."
The report breaks down the economic costs of preventable health differences for every Texas county. It found Bexar, Dallas, Harris, Tarrant and Travis counties are losing the most money annually because of health disparities.
The amount of the economic impact depends on the racial and ethnic makeup of the county and the size of its working-age population. Sasser added the report shows Black and Hispanic children are more likely to grow up in neighborhoods with high poverty levels, and higher rates of diabetes and obesity.
"What can we do to work to make sure that the rate of diabetes isn't dramatically different between white households and Black households?" Sasser asked. "That we can make sure the food insecurity isn't dramatically different between someone who makes over $100,000 and someone who makes less than $30,000?"
The Texas Legislature has passed laws to address some of the disparities, including House Bill 12. It extends Medicaid health coverage for 12 months for new mothers, and pays for maternal health services for community health workers and doulas.
Disclosure: Episcopal Health Foundation contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues, Mental Health, Philanthropy, and Poverty Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
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There is light at the end of the tunnel for Tennesseans struggling with opioid addiction, as a bill has been passed to increase access to treatment for opioid use disorder at Community Health Centers.
More than 3,800 lives were lost to overdose in the state in 2021, according to the Tennessee Department of Health.
Emily Waitt, policy and advocacy manager for the Tennessee Primary Care Association, said the original bill limited the number of patients nurse practitioners and physician assistants could treat with buprenorphine. The update removes the limitations, allowing more Tennesseans to access medication assisted treatment in their communities.
"It allows NPs and PAs to prescribe to 100 patients at a time, versus 50," Waitt explained. "Basically doubling the number of patients that they can prescribe to."
Community Health Centers serve more than 423,000 patients across Tennessee, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. About 7.7% of Tennesseans do not have health insurance.
Libby Thurman, CEO of the Tennessee Primary Care Association, said bringing the treatment to rural health centers expands access to a crucial service for patients who otherwise could not afford it. She noted it is important because people in remote areas often face challenges finding specialists and treatment facilities.
"We really wanted to work on this issue, because we know our Community Health Centers are where patients go for care," Thurman emphasized. "We really believe in an integrated model. So we want to treat the whole person, including if they are struggling with an addiction issue or a substance abuse disorder issue."
Health Centers offer behavioral health care, including counseling, along with treatment. The clinics also focus on creating a supportive network to help patients with family resources, job assistance and community connections.
Disclosure: The Tennessee Primary Care Association contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues, Mental Health, and Reproductive Health. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
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While Black Maternal Health Week is wrapping up, health disparities for pregnant Black women continues to be an issue.
From April 11-17 this year, the high death rate of Black mothers is in the spotlight. Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than their white counterparts.
Dr. Patricia Egwuatu, a family practice physician at Kaiser Permanente in Seattle, said racism is at the root of the disparities, which create barriers to health care access. She pointed out lack of access can lead to problems during pregnancy that are preventable or treatable.
"They may exist prior to pregnancy and then it gets worse during pregnancy if it's not managed as part of that maternity care," Egwuatu emphasized. "There are more pregnant women that have chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and heart disease that are amplified during pregnancy."
The White House released a proclamation recognizing Black Maternal Health Week. The Biden administration began recognizing the week in 2021.
Egwuatu noted there are some warning signs any pregnant woman should be aware of and check in with their physician if they develop.
"You might get some changes in your vision that is not your normal. So, like, fuzziness, you can't see as well, or an excruciating headache," Egwuatu outlined. "You could also develop new swelling in your lower extremities that's making it difficult to get around or even new shortness of breath."
Egwuatu stressed physicians also need to recognize the role of racism in medicine. She argued continuous medical education is important for learning how to confront biases, and it is important for doctors to understand how they can provide people with resources.
"Asking the questions about personal barriers," Egwuatu suggested. "Does a patient have issues with getting to work, child care, transportation? What's their education, what's their cultural background and language? And do they even have a cell phone so we can connect with them?"
Disclosure: Kaiser Health Plan of Washington Project contributes to our fund for reporting on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Health Issues, Hunger/Food/Nutrition, and Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
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