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October 2014
October 9: Health Literacy and Latino Communities (In Spanish)
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Office of Minority Health and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a webinar on improving health literacy and understanding of the Health Insurance Marketplace in Latino communities. The webinar will review consumer-friendly information on how health insurance works and how to use it – including the Coverage to Care roadmap – and where to find additional resources.
When: October 9 at 2 pm EDT
Get information on how to join the webinar.
This month, nine demonstration sites received grants through the Minority Youth Violence Prevention: Integrating Public Health and Community Policing Approaches (MYVP) program. The program is a joint effort by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health and the Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) to support interventions aimed at addressing youth violence, improving academic outcomes, increasing access to public health and social services, reducing disparities, reducing negative encounters with law enforcement and reducing violent crimes against minority youth. The sites will field initiatives that combine community policing and prevention approaches within a public health framework. Read the press release.
Youth violence is a leading cause of death and physical injury for young people in the U.S., presenting a significant public health problem for the nation. Preventing Youth Violence, from the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, summarizes health consequences, disparities, causes, costs and prevention strategies related to youth violence, including examples of evidence-based programs that have been successful. A companion document, Taking Action to Prevent Youth Violence, also provides community groups with additional suggestions. Find this report and more in the OMHRC Knowledge Center.
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The Affordable Care Act is bringing greater scrutiny and accountability to health insurance premium increases, resulting in big savings for consumers. HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell recently announced that consumers and small businesses benefitted from $1 billion in savings from lower than originally requested health insurance rates. Secretary Burwell also announced roughly $25 million in rate review grant awards to 21 states. Read more: Health care law saves consumers money, provides more resources to states.
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More Affordable Care Act news:
• HHS report projects a $5.7 billion drop in hospitals’ uncompensated care costs because of the Affordable Care Act.
• Health Insurance Marketplace will have 25 percent more issuers in 2015.
• The Kaiser Family Foundation found that consumers in 16 major cities will pay less on average to enroll in the second-lowest cost plan in 2015 than they did in 2014.
Open Enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace begins November 15, but consumers who qualify may be able to enroll now. Learn more about the Special Enrollment Period.
Join us in commemorating these health observances for the month of October.
The HHS Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion’s Eat Healthy – Be Active workshops are now available in Spanish. Each workshop promotes evidence-based health information and learning materials for Spanish speaking consumers to make informed decisions related to nutrition and physical activity and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Materials are designed for people with limited health literacy. Order “Eat Healthy—Be Active” workshop materials in Spanish and English.
The FDA Office of Minority Health’s new quarterly newsletter serves to advance FDA’s mission in reducing health disparities and achieving the highest standard of health for all. In the first issue of the newsletter: FDA’s action plan to improve clinical trials diversity, recap of a recent patient-focused drug development meeting on sickle cell disease and more. Sign up for the newsletter.
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