Provided by the Office of Minority Health Resource Center
July 17, 2012

The Affordable Care Act is Upheld
The Supreme Court's decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act ensures that all Americans will have access to health care. President Obama declared, "Today's decision was a victory for people all over the country whose lives will be more secure because of this law and the Supreme Court decision to uphold it."

The Affordable Care Act was signed into law more than two years ago, and already it is making a difference in the lives of millions of people. In minority communities, millions have already benefitted from improvements in access to care, preventive services and a removal of lifetime dollar limits to care. Because of this legislation those locked out of the insurance market because of a pre-existing health condition like cancer or asthma now have the security of health coverage through the new Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan. About 105 million Americans no longer face lifetime dollar limits on health benefits, and, arguably of most benefit, preventative services such as a cardiovascular disease screening or a mammogram is now available without paying an expensive co-payment or deductible. Early detection for many diseases will lead to improved survival rates, leading to longer, healthier lives for most.
Read the full text of President Obama's response here, or watch his speech here.

More Resources:

The Affordable Care Act and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

The Affordable Care Act and African Americans

The Affordable Care Act and Latinos

How the ACA affects the middle class

Infographic on how the Affordable Care Act Benefits The American People

Understanding all aspects of the new health care law

 

International AIDS Conference
The XIX International AIDS Conference, known as AIDS 2012, will take place July 22-27, 2012 in Washington, DC. Turning the Tide Together is the theme of this year's conference. This international conference allows those working in the field of HIV, as well as policy makers, people living with HIV and AIDS to share and learn.

Additionally, on July 20 and 21st, the International Indigenous Pre-Conference on HIV and AIDS will take place, also in Washington, DC. Carrying the theme To See and Be Seen, this conference hopes to raise the visibility of HIV and AIDS in indigenous communities.

More resources include:

United States Government at AIDS 2012

OMH at the International AIDS Conference

AIDS 2012 Official Website

Links to the International Indigenous Pre-Conference on HIV and AIDS

 

July 2012 marks the inauguration of National HIV Awareness Month (NHAM). According to the CDC nearly 1.2 million people are living with HIV in this country. Furthermore, every year, approximately 50,000 more Americans become newly infected with HIV, almost 50 percent of them from minority communities. We can change this reality for our families, our friends, our communities and our country by re-engaging ourselves in the fight against HIV and AIDS – The Solution is all of US. Read More

More resources include:

OMH resources for HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS Data and Statistics for minority populations

National HIV Awareness Month Website

July is designated as UV Safety Month and is a great time to spread the message of sun, fun, and UV safety in all communities. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the main cause of skin cancer and UV rays can also damage eyes.

The steps to protecting skin from damage are very clear: stay out of the sun between 10 am and 4 pm, use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher, cover up with long sleeves and a hat, and check your skin regularly for changes. To protect your eyes wear proper eye protection and hats to block UV rays.

More resources include:

For additional information on risks of UV radiation

For information on eye health

In May, the CDC released United States, 2011, its annual report on the nation's health. As of July 15th, OMHRC has updated data charts on health and health disparities based on this report.
Review this data from OMH.
Review the entire United States, 2011
Highlights on CNN's website

Fifth Disparities Partnership Forum: Overcoming Disparities: Diabetes Care in High Risk Populations, October 22 – 23, 2012. American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association's Annual Disparities Partnership Forum was developed to facilitate dialogue among leaders from key national organizations regarding the urgency of the type 2 diabetes epidemic in specific populations in the United States including: African Americans, Hispanic/Latinos, American Indian/Alaskan Natives, Asian American/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders, women, older adults, low income and uninsured persons. Consider submitting an abstract – see here for more information

Request for Public Comment from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) Needed on Health Enterprise Zone Draft Documents by FRIDAY, JULY 20, 2012!! Copies of the draft legislation

Save the Date: 2012 Summit on the Science of Eliminating Health Disparities
The 2012 Summit will be held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, National Harbor, Maryland, from October 31 - November 3, 2012. For more information, please contact 2012summit@mail.nih.gov

Search the OMH Library Catalog Online
OMH has launched a new online catalog search tool. Now you can find books, reports, journals, media, articles, and organizations related to the health status of racial and ethnic minority populations all online. Contact the OMH Knowledge Center for guidance on searching the content. Start searching.

Are Americans Aware of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities?
Only modestly, it seems. Read the article Awareness of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Has Improved Only Modestly over a Decade.
Study Brief [PDF | 112KB]
2010 General Population [PDF | 257KB]
2009 General Population [PDF | 254KB]

Research Corner: Asian American and Pacific Islanders Health
Beliefs About Who Should Be Tested for HIV Among African American Individuals Attending a Family Practice Clinic / Arya, M.; Kallen, M. A.; Williams, L. T.; Street, R. L., et al. AIDS Patient Care & STDs v. 40, #2, p. 131-148, 2012.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22053770

HIV/AIDS-Related Institutional Mistrust Among Multiethnic Men Who Have Sex With Men: Effects on HIV Testing and Risk Behaviors / Hoyt, M. A.; Rubin, L. R.; Nemeoff, C. J.; Lee, J., et al. Health Psychology v. 31, #3 (May), p. 269-277, 2012.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22059617

Stressors and Sources of Support : The Perceptions and Experiences of Newly Diagnosed Latino Youth Living with HIV / Martinez, J.; Lemos, D.; Hosek, S. AIDS Patient Care & STDs v. 26, #5 (May), p. 281-290, 2012.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22536931

African-Born Men in the United States are Diagnosed with HIV Later than African-Born Women / Kwakwa, H. A.; Doggett, P.; Ubaldi-Rosen, R.; McLellan, K.; Gaye, O H., et al. Journal of the National Medical Association. v. 104, #1 & 2 (January-February), p. 14-19, 2012.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22708243

Circle of Life HIV/AIDS-prevention Intervention for American Indian and Alaska Native Youth / Kaufman, C. E.; Litchfield, A.; Schupman, E.; Mitchell, C. M. American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research Journal. v. 19, #1, p. 140-153, 2012.
http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/PublicHealth/research/centers/CAIANH/journal/Documents/Volume%2019/19(1)_8_Kaufman_et_al_Circle_of_Life.pdf

Differential Challenges in Coalition Building Among HIV Prevention Coalitions Targeting Specific Youth Populations / Robles-Schradera, G. M.; Harperb, G. W.; Purnella, M.; Monarreza, V.; Ellen, J. M.
Journal of Prevention and Intervention in the Community. v. 40, #2, p. 131-148, 2012.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10852352.2012.660124

HIV/AIDS-Related Institutional Mistrust Among Multiethnic Men Who Have Sex With Men : Effects on HIV Testing and Risk Behaviors / Hoyt, M. A.; Rubin, L. R.; Nemeoff, C. J.; Lee, J., et al. Health Psychology v. 31, #3 (May), p. 269-277, 2012.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22059617

HIV-Related Stigma, Isolation, Discrimination, and Serostatus Disclosure : A Global Survey of 2035 HIV-Infected Adults / Nachega, J. B.; Morroni, C.; Zuniga, J. M.; Sherer, R.; Beyrer, C., et al. Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (JIAPAC) v. 11, #3 (May-June), p. 172-178, 2012.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22431893

The Latino Migrant Worker HIV Prevention Program : Building a Community Partnership Through a Community Health Worker Training Program / Sanchez, J.; Silva-Suarez, G.; Serna, C. A.; De La Rosa, M. Family and Community Health v. 35, #2 (April-June), p. 139-146, 2012.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22367261

Multiple Determinants, Common Vulnerabilities, and Creative Responses : Addressing the AIDS Pandemic in Diverse Populations Globally / Mayer, K. H.; Pape, J. W.; Wilson, P. B.; Diallo, D. D.; Saavedra, J., et al. JAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. v. 60, Supplement 2 (August 01), p. S31-S34 2012
http://journals.lww.com/jaids/Fulltext/2012/08012/Multiple_Determinants,_Common_Vulnerabilities,_and.4.aspx

Programmatic Capacity and HIV Structural Change Interventions : Influences on Coalitions' Success and Efficiency in Accomplishing Intermediate Outcomes / Reeda, S. J.; Millera, R. L.; Franciscob, V. T.
Journal of Prevention and Intervention in the Community v. 40, #2, p. 118-130, 2012.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10852352.2012.660123