HHS shares resources for National Minority Health Month

“Join the HHS Office on Women’s Health (OWH) in April to celebrate National Minority Health Month, which aims to raise awareness about the health disparities that affect minorities. For example, did you know that only 62% of African-American babies are ever breastfed, compared with 77% of all babies in the United States? This April, OWH wants your help to narrow this gap.

In April 2013, OWH launched a new campaign for African-American women about the importance of breastfeeding. It’s Only Natural provides new moms with easy-to-understand information that encourages them to make the choice to start breastfeeding. We need your help to continue spreading the word about the campaign by sharing resources with friends, family, and colleagues throughout April to tie in with the goals of National Minority Health Month. If you have any questions, please call the Office on Women’s Health Helpline at 800-994-9662.” [Source: COPrevent]

[Webinar] Make the Call, Don't Miss a Beat!

When: May 16 at 12:00 pm Noon ET

"You are invited to a webinar titled Make the Call, Don't Miss a Beat! a webinar seeking to educate and empower women age 50+ and to encourage women to call 9-1-1 immediately when they experience any of the seven symptoms of a heart attack, and to do the same for their mothers, sisters, and friends. The HHS Office on Women's Health's new campaign builds on OWH's successful "Make the Call, Don't Miss a Beat" campaign, that began in 2011. This webinar will be offered in English at Noon and in Spanish at 1:00 pm ET."  Click here to register.

"Haga La Llamada¡ No Pierda Tiempo!
16 de Mayo a la 1:00 pm ET
Usted está invitado/a a participar a un Webinar en español sobre la campaña de concientización sobre ataques al corazón dirigida a mujeres latinas de 50 años en adelante. La campaña, "Haga la Llamada. ¡No Pierda Tiempo!" tiene como objetivo educar y motivar a las mujeres de habla hispana a llamar al 9-1-1 inmediatamente cuando se presente alguno de los siete síntomas de un ataque al corazón y a hacer lo mismo por sus madres, hermanas y amigas. Es una campaña lanzada por La Oficina de la Salud de la Mujer del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos y el webinar es en colaboración con la HHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships."  Click here to register.  [Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services]

[Webinar] The Health Care Law and Health Disparities

When: April 29 at 2:00 pm ET

"The health care law, the Affordable Care Act, includes many provisions that address health disparities. The law also provides many benefits for Latinos, African Americans, Asian and Pacific Islanders and more. Join Acacia Salatti, Acting Director of the HHS Partnership Center, and other health experts in learning more about the Affordable Care Act and health disparities."  Click here to register.  [Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services]

National Prevention Strategy Webinars Offered

"The Region VIII Federal Partners group will host "Improving the Health of Communities through the National Prevention Strategy 2013 Webinar Series."...The National Prevention Strategy is a comprehensive plan that strives to improve the nation’s health through the active engagement of all sectors of society. Called for by the Affordable Care Act, the Strategy helps move the nation away from a health care system focused on sickness and disease to one focused on wellness and prevention.

Each webinar will take place the 3rd Thursday of the month from 2 -3:30 p.m. MT. Topics for the series, the months they will take place, and the National Prevention Plan priority they relate to, are:
· Bridging the Community with Federal Programs - January 17, 2013 (Community Empowerment)
· Community Nutrition – March 21, 2013 (Healthy Eating)
· Healthy Aging – Thursday, May 16, 2013 (Healthy and Safe Community Environments; Mental and Emotional Well Being)
· Designing Healthy Communities: Promoting Affordable, Accessible, Safe, and Healthy Housing - July 18, 2013 (Healthy and Safe Communities)
· Preventing Violence: The Importance of Healthy Communication and Relationships – September 19, 2013 (Injury and Violence Free Living; Mental and Emotional Well Being)
· Physical Activity and Wellness – November 21, 2013 (Active Living)

To learn more about these webinars, subscribe via email to  LISTSERV@LIST.NIH.GOV and include "Subscribe REGIONVIII" and your name in the message."  [Source: COPrevent]

HHS seasonal flu immunization project support

The Department of Health and Human Services is interested in increasing rates of seasonal influenza vaccination, especially in racial and ethnic minority populations. The Department may have small seasonal flu immunization project support opportunities available for interested community based organizations, flu immunization partners, and public health agencies in Region VIII. If interested, contact Laurie Konsella, Deputy Regional Health Administrator, at laurie.konsella@hhs.gov by May 20, to discuss the required paperwork and small budget available. Interested organizations would work with their own local planning group to develop and implement an outreach project specific to their community. Community stakeholder meetings can be held within the community to quickly conceptualize the campaign and to identifying the form of media or method for delivering messages. The ultimate purpose of the project would be to implement a community based project to increase seasonal flu immunization rates.

HHS Launches Consumer Focused Website in Spanish

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services unveiled CuidadodeSalud.Gov, a website to help consumers take control of their health care by connecting them to new information and resources that will help them access quality, affordable health care coverage.

www.CuidadodeSalud.Gov

Partner site of HealthCare.gov