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# ![](media/image2.jpeg){width="0.26319444444444445in" height="0.25in"} Late Breaking News {#late-breaking-news .CAP-Head-1}

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## Greetings! {#greetings .CAP-Head-2}

######## 

**PEER TO PEER ROSTERING**: Grantees, we would like your assistance in
developing a roster of peers who are willing to share their CAP/HCAP
expertise with other grantees through Peer to Peer Technical Assistance.
If you or other consortium staff are interested in providing Peer to
Peer TA to your HCAP colleagues, please complete the NEW Peer to Peer
rostering form online at
[www.capcommunity.hrsa.gov](http://www.capcommunity.hrsa.gov/) to
identify your areas of expertise. This will allow us to expand our
current roster and provide greater assistance to your HCAP colleagues.
Peers will be compensated for the provision of TA.

**COVER THE UNINSURED WEEK:** If your HCAP community is planning on
participating in National Cover the Uninsured Week (May 10-16, 2004) or
receives media coverage of their innovative and comprehensive
initiatives to cover their uninsured and underinsured populations for
this event, please share your story with us! If your HCAP community
would like to share their activities for Cover the Uninsured Week,
please contact Amanda at <aford@hrsa.gov>.

Thanks!

Amanda & Diana

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# ![](media/image2.jpeg){width="0.26319444444444445in" height="0.25in"} CAP TA Calls {#cap-ta-calls .CAP-Head-1}

Technical assistance calls for grantees are generally held every other
Thursday from 2 to 3 PM EST. The schedule for May appears below. To
register, search for summaries or materials from prior calls, or
download materials for upcoming calls, please go to the grantee Website:
**www.capcommunity.hrsa.gov**. Please remember that the site is password
protected. Grantees should contact their primary contact to receive the
password. Once you register for the call you should immediately receive
a confirmation note by email that includes the call-in number. Please be
sure to download the materials that will be used. If you have difficulty
registering or do not receive the call-in number, please contact Latonya
Dunlow at <ldunlow@mscginc.com> or call 301-577-3100.

With the exception of calls related to legal issues, TA calls are
summarized and posted on the grantee website
(***www.capcommunity.hrsa.gov***). Legal issue briefs are posted on the
site under legal issues. You may also request an audiotape copy of any
previous calls (up to one month after the call) by contacting Latonya
Dunlow at the email above.

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**GRANTEE NEWS**

######## Access East, Inc

###### Greenville, North Carolina

Congratulations to HCAP grantee Access East Inc. whose partner hospital,
Pitt County Memorial Hospital, was awarded the VHA Award for Community
Service. One of the programs highlighted was HealthAssist, the program
for the uninsured that was developed and implemented via HCAP. VHA is a
national cooperative of leading not-for-profit health care organizations
that work together to improve the health of the communities they serve.
PCMH was one of eight health care organizations to receive an award from
VHA.

\"This award demonstrates a long-term commitment to working with our
community to improve health status through expansion of programs and
creation of new initiatives,\" said Deborah Davis, PCMH president.
\"These programs are all a product of partnerships with other service
organizations in the community, and we could not possibly accomplish the
outcomes we have enjoyed without their expert participation and
support.\"

PCMH applied for the award citing the strengths and accomplishments of
programs for older adults, the uninsured and underinsured, and numerous
programs aimed at improving health and reducing obesity among young
people.

HealthAssist is a program that helps seniors and others who lack
adequate health insurance. At the end of the last fiscal year,
HealthAssist had a total enrollment of more than 1,260 and an active
enrollment of approximately 800. Donated services totaled more than
\$580,000 in primary and specialty physician visits and nearly \$1.6
million in hospital care. Prescription medications valued at \$323,000
were provided to enrollees, and 242 vision exams for people with
diabetes at an estimated value of \$15,730 were conducted. Case
management services to enrollees prevented an estimated 49

hospitalizations and 82 emergency department visits. In addition, 2,113
people attended 188 health education and self-improvement classes.

\"These health care organizations have demonstrated superb leadership in
providing better care for their communities,\" said Curt Nonomaque,
president and chief executive officer of VHA. \"Their outstanding work
exemplifies VHA\'s mission to improve America\'s health care system.\"

For more information about Access East Inc. and HealthAssist contact
Michelle Sawyer at 252-847-6460 or email at <msawyer@pcmh.com>.

######## University of Scranton

###### Scranton, Pennsylvania 

University of Scranton's HCAP program, Healthy Northeast Access Program
(HNAP), was recently featured in an April 28, 2004 article in the local
Citizens\' Voice newspaper. Residents of Luzerne and Lackawanna counties
who have no health coverage and who do not qualify for medical
assistance may receive help from HNAP.**\
**\
HNAP targets people who have \"fallen through the cracks\" said Gary
Smith, outreach advocate and community relations coordinator for the
program. \"It targets individuals who do not qualify for a public access
card, who can\'t afford the high cost of health insurance or who work
for employers who don\'t offer health care as a benefit."\
\
Of the 150,000 employed people in Luzerne County, 32,000 have no health
insurance. Of the 96,290 employed in Lackawanna County, 24,565 have no
health insurance, according to statistics Smith provided. About 1,000
people in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties have enrolled in the Healthy
Northeast Access Program. These enrollees are able to see a primary care
physician at Wyoming Valley Family Care Center in Kingston, six sites of
the Rural Health Corporation, Scranton Primary Health Care Center or
Temple Health Care Center in Scranton. They also receive education. \"We
teach them how to manage their illness,\" Smith said. \"The savings in
dollars is astronomical because connecting clients to a primary care
physician diverts them from seeking primary care from the emergency
room.\"\
\
The average basic cost for a doctor\'s visit in Luzerne and Lackawanna
counties is \$65 per visit, excluding X-rays, blood work, medications or
specialized tests. The basic cost for an emergency room visit is \$275,
excluding tests, blood work and medications. The cost of health
insurance has risen approximately 12 percent. According to the Institute
of Medicine, adults without health insurance do not get the medical care
they need and are likely to die prematurely than uninsured adults.\
\
The Healthy Northeast Access Program is administered by the University
of Scranton Center of Public Initiatives. For more information about the
program, contact Lisa Baumann at (570) 941-4362, email
<lbaumann@healthyneaccess.org>, or visit
<http://www.healthyneaccess.org/>.

**Santa Cruz County**

###### Santa Cruz, California

Congratulations to Santa Cruz County, one of 15 model communities
nationwide to be invited to participate in C*rossing the Quality Chasm:
Redesigning Care and Improving Health in the Priority Areas*, a
Washington, DC summit hosted by the Institute of Medicine*.* Santa Cruz
County's Safety Net Coalition (SNC) and Health Improvement Partnership
Council (HIPC) - both supported by the HCAP grant - each identified
diabetes as a major issue in the community. They decided to partner with
the Tri County Regional Diabetes Collaborative to improve care, educate
the community, and develop policy to turn the tide of this terrible
disease. Because they have been successful in creating a collaborative
that crosses public, private, and not for profit sectors, the Institute
of Medicine was impressed and invited Santa Cruz to participate in the
Summit.

The IOM is well known for its previous study highlighting medical
errors. In recent studies, the Institute has focused on quality in
health care and is now ready to work with selected communities who are
ready to implement significant system reform to bridge the quality
chasm. The summit was designed to stimulate local and national quality
improvement efforts and focused on five priority areas: asthma, chronic
heart failure, depression, diabetes, and pain control in cancer.

The participants worked together to describe measurable aims and
appropriate strategies for their areas of focus -- Santa Cruz County was
one of four that focused on diabetes. An important goal of the summit
was to create relationships between local community efforts and
resources that are available at the national level. The work produced at
this summit and the challenges and successes in these selected
communities will inform policy and practice in the future as the IOM
continues to study and document efforts to bridge the quality chasm. For
more information about this program, contact Donna Ramos at (831)
466-4316 or by email at <donnamramos@hotmail.com>.

# ![](media/image2.jpeg){width="0.26319444444444445in" height="0.25in"} Grant Opportunities and awarDs {#grant-opportunities-and-awards .CAP-Head-1}

**Health Careers Adopt A School Demonstration Program\
***June 1, 2004 - Application Deadline*

HHS\' Health Resources and Services Administration recently announced a
\$400,000 competitive grant program, Health Careers Adopt a School
Demonstration, scheduled for awards in fiscal year 2004.  The purpose of
the program is to develop model partnerships between community-based
organizations, schools and health professionals that expose
underrepresented minority and disadvantaged students to health careers.
Grant number:  HRSA-04-087. For more information visit:
[http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-8889.\
htm](http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-8889.%0Bhtm)

***Clinical Experience for Nurse Practitioners***

June 7, 2003 -- Application Deadline

The purpose of this funding opportunity from the Health Resources and
Services Administration is to establish partnerships between accredited
schools of nursing and Community Health Centers (CHC) funded under the
Section 330(e) of the Consolidated Health Center Program, Public Health
Service (PHS) Act in order to provide nurse practitioner and/or nurse
midwifery graduate students with clinical learning experiences within
CHCs. The goal of the grant is to provide nurse practitioner and nurse
midwifery students with clinical experience serving underserved
populations, to introduce the students to chronic disease management,
and to introduce them to integrated mental health and substance abuse
services within the CHC\'s primary care clinics. Based on increased
exposure to nurse practitioner and nurse midwifery students, an expected
outcome of this grant includes increased CHC recruitment of graduate
nurse practitioners and nurse midwives. Applicants must either be an
accredited School of Nursing with a Nurse

Practitioner or a Nurse-Midwifery Program, or a CHC funded under Section
330(e) of the PHS Act. Application materials will be available on May 3,
2004 at [www.hrsa.gov/ grants.htm](http://www.hrsa.gov/grants.htm). For
more information, contact Carolyn Aoyama, MPH, CNM, RN, at 301-443-1272
or at

<caoyama@hrsa.gov>.

**VHA Grant Opportunity\
***June 22, 2004 - Proposal deadline***\
**

The VHA Health Foundation announces a new grantmaking initiative to
foster the best ideas for improving health and health care. The call for
proposals, *Creating Better Health Through Innovation**,*** challenges
health care providers and partnerships across the country to submit
their most innovative and effective programs for funding
consideration. The program will fund six to eight grants, in the range
of \$100,000 to \$250,000 that meet the criteria of Innovation, Impact,
Replicability and Sustainability.  Visit:
[http://www.vhahf.org/vhahf/callforproposals.asp](http://www.magnetmail.net/ls.cfm?r=8046586&sid=156955&m=35774&u=AHA_HFSF_1&s=http://www.vhahf.org/vhahf/callforproposals.asp)

**HHS Accepting Research Recommendations**

*July 1, 2004 - Deadline***\
**

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services invites suggestions
from interested organizations and knowledgeable individuals regarding
the highest priorities for research, demonstration, and evaluation
projects to support and improve the Medicare, Medicaid, and State
Children Health Insurance (SCHIP) programs. The research and other
activities undertaken and authorized by this provision may address: the
outcomes, comparative clinical effectiveness, and appropriateness of
health care items and services (including prescription drugs); and
strategies for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of such
programs, including the ways in which such items and services are
organized, managed, and delivered under such programs.  Recommendations
must be received by July 1, 2004 for the FY 2006 priority list. For more
information please visit:
[www.medicare.gov/MedicareReform/researchtopics.asp](http://www.magnetmail.net/ls.cfm?r=8046586&sid=156592&m=35774&u=AHA_HFSF_1&s=http://www.medicare.gov/MedicareReform/researchtopics.asp).

######## CMS Solicitation

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a
Solicitation seeking

innovative proposals from qualified organizations to run large-scale
chronic care improvement projects. The Chronic Care Improvement Program
is an important component of the Medicare Modernization Act. This
program is the first large-scale chronic care improvement initiative
under the Medicare FFS program. CMS will select organizations that will
offer self-care guidance and support to chronically ill beneficiaries.
These organizations will help beneficiaries manage their health, adhere
to their physicians' plans of care, and assure that they seek or obtain
medical care that they need to reduce their health risks.

Organizations eligible to apply to implement and operate Chronic Care
Improvement programs under Phase I of the Program include: (1) disease
management organizations; (2) health insurers; (3) integrated delivery
systems; (4) physician group practices; (5) a consortium of such
entities; or (6) any other legal entity that meets the requirements of
the solicitation in the Federal Register. The Solicitation will be on
display on April 20, 2004 and will be published in the Federal Register
on Friday, April 23, 2004. For more information on the Program and
Solicitation, please visit the CMS website:
[www.cms.hhs.gov/medicarereform/ccip](../www.cms.hhs.gov/medicarereform/ccip)

**Aetna Foundation\'s Grants Program\
***Deadline -- Varies by Region***\
**

The Aetna Foundation\'s Regional Community Grants Program aims to
address critical health issues in communities within Aetna\'s six
business regions. In 2004, the program will focus on reducing racial and
ethnic disparities in health care by accepting proposals in the areas of
cultural competency and oral health.  Grant requests ranging from
**\$25,000 to \$50,000** will be considered. For more information,
please visit: [http://www.aetna.com/foundation/
communitygrants/2004_rfp.htm](http://www.magnetmail.net/ls.cfm?r=8046586&sid=156587&m=35774&u=AHA_HFSF_1&s=http://www.aetna.com/foundation/communitygrants/2004_rfp.htm).

 

# ![](media/image2.jpeg){width="0.26319444444444445in" height="0.25in"} conferences, programs, and other news {#conferences-programs-and-other-news .CAP-Head-1}

### 

**Covering The Uninsured: Two Communities\' Solutions \
***Association of Community Health Improvement Audio Conference\
Thursday, May 13, 12:00-1:15 p.m. EST*

Join the Association for Community Health Improvement\'s free audio
conference featuring two ACHI members\' communities.  Speakers
from Lucas County (Toledo), Ohio and Richland County (Columbia), South
Carolina will illustrate how broad, committed partnerships in their
communities are achieving demonstrable success in reducing the ranks of
the uninsured and enhancing access to care.  Come hear what precipitated
action, who initiated the partnerships, where they found the money, and
how their coverage systems work. In honor of *Cover the Uninsured Week*,
this session is **free**, but registration is required.  **To
register**: Send an e-mail to <communityhlth@aha.org> with \"Register
for May 13 audio conference\" in the subject line.  Please include your
complete contact information in the body of the message.  Presentation
handouts and call-in information will be e-mailed to registrants in
advance of the session. **Call-in space is limited to the first 40
registrants**, but everyone who expresses interest will receive the
speakers\' presentations.

**CDC Prevention Conference On Heart Disease And Stroke**\
*May 14, 2004 - Abstract submission deadline*

A call for abstracts has been announced for this year\'s conference
\"Charting the Course\", sponsored by the CDC, and co-sponsored by the
American Heart Association (AHA) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood
Institute (NHLBI).  This conference is intended to attract a broad array
of health professionals who are actively engaged in heart disease and
stroke prevention activities across the country.  Abstracts should
address programmatic, epidemiologic, or applied research in two
overarching areas: 1) cardiovascular health promotion, and 2) disease
prevention through policy and environmental strategies.  Accepted
abstracts will be published as part of the conference proceedings in the
American Health Foundation\'s Preventive Medicine. For more information
please visit: http://www.cdc.gov/
cvh/announcements/heart_stroke_conference.

htm.

Quality Health Care Conference

*May 14, 2004 -- Abstract Submission Deadline*

*The Fourth National Conference on Quality Health Care for Culturally
Diverse Populations:\
Integrating Community Needs into the National Health Agenda* will take
place from September 28-October 1, 2004 in Washington, DC. This unique
national forum delivers learning and networking opportunities on
cultural competence issues through presentations, workshops, and
roundtables on innovative strategies in cultural competence policy,
program design, education, and research.

Presented by a public--private partnership of government, business,
philanthropic, and advocacy leaders, the Fourth National Conference will
showcase the best of culturally competent health care to national health
organizations and leaders, share expertise to advance promising
interventions, and develop partnerships to improve access to effective
care for all Americans. Without parallel in scope and popularity, this
conference series has engaged more than 1,500 attendees from the U.S.
and abroad who have participated in conference sessions featuring more
than 350 expert speakers over the past three conferences.

Innovators in culturally competent health care are invited to submit
proposals for training and workshop presentations. For more information
about the conference and proposal guidelines, please visit:
[www.diversityRx.org/ccconf,](http://www.diversityRx.org/ccconf,) e-mail
[ccconf@downstate.edu,\"](mailto:ccconf@downstate.edu) or call
718-270-7727.

**Disease Management Strategies**

*HRSA Managed Care and Health Services Financing Webcast\
Wednesday, May 26, 2004,*

*1:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M. (EST)\
*

Studies have shown that persons with chronic illnesses like diabetes,
asthma, congestive heart failure, hypertension and other long-term
diseases use a disproportionate share of medical services. These
patients frequently are treated by multiple providers, whose care is
usually not well coordinated, potentially leading to duplicative and
unnecessary services and driving up medical expenses. Disease management
is a set of interventions designed to improve the health of these
individuals by working more directly with them and their physicians on
their treatment plans regarding diet, adherence to medicine schedules
and other self- management techniques. During this webcast you will:\
\
• Learn how to make the case for disease management and to identify
value to payors, MCOs and other stakeholders.

• Understand the evolution of evidence-based health care and
population-based medicine as they relate to DM.

• Learn about model disease management programs for AIDS, asthma,
diabetes and more.

• Identify which skills, data and management systems are needed for a
successful disease management program.

• Learn how recent legislation and federal government guidance may
provide new funding for disease management efforts.

• Have the opportunity to participate in a question and answer session
during the webcast.

For additional information or to register for this FREE webcast, please
visit: [www.jsi.com/ hrsamctac](http://www.jsi.com/ hrsamctac).

######## The Community Interpreter

*May 31, 2004- Registration Deadline*

*Baltimore, Maryland*

This 40-hour training covers the ethics, standards of practice and roles
of the community interpreter. Along with an overview of the profession
of community interpreting, it looks at language access laws, translation
and sight translation, types of interpreting and the difference between
interpreting and mediation. The core focus is how to reconcile
professional ethics and standards of practice for interpreters with the
constraints of the bilingual employee\'s workplace or the limitations
placed on volunteer interpreters. Empowering clients, avoiding conflicts
with colleagues, learning to say \"no,\" wearing multiple hats, applying
interpreter ethics when a supervisor disagrees and refusing to translate
legal documents are some of the key issues. The training will take place
on June 4, 5, 12, 18 & 19 from 8:30 AM -5:30 PM in Baltimore, Maryland.
A 300-page training manual is included. For more information call
410-750-0365 or send an email to ccc@culturecrossroads.net. For a
registration form please visit:
[www.culturecrossroads.net](../www.culturecrossroads.net%20) and click
on \"Services.\"

Diabetes Course**\
*October 18-22, 2004, Atlanta, GA\
June 11 - Applications Deadline* **

The Division of Diabetes Translation (DDT) of the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) is offering a 5-day course on \"Diabetes
Public Health and Research.\" The course will provide training in
diabetes epidemiology and public health, and applied research.
Participants will be introduced to the standardized measurement(s) of
the public health burden of diabetes, and to the rationale, concepts,
and methods used in translation research, health economics, social and
behavioral research, and community-based interventions and
programs.  For information on eligibility, course goals, and application
process please visit:
[**http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/conferences/short/index.htm**](http://www.magnetmail.net/ls.cfm?r=8046586&sid=161621&m=36860&u=AHA_HFSF_1&s=http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/conferences/short/index.htm).

#### 

**Access To Pharmaceuticals** **\
***June 15-16, 2004, New Orleans, LA*

Second in series of Communities Joined in Action Institutes to provide
interactive learning opportunities for community coalitions. Learn to

build effective systems for providing**\
**pharmacy services to the uninsured and underserved while maintaining
cost efficiency. 

Develop a needs assessment plan, write an action plan for your
program/community and generate strategies for assessing outcomes. CJA
members and ACHI members receive a discounted rate, reduced to \$599
from the non-member rate of \$750. For more information please visit:
[http://www.cjaonline.net /events/RX.htm]().

**Electronic Health Information Exchange Forum**

*June 24-25, 2004**,** Washington DC*

As another component of the Foundation for eHealth Initiative's effort
to help communities mobilize information to support and improve patient
care, the Foundation will hold its ***First Annual Connecting
Communities for Better Health Learning Forum and Exhibition*** on June
24-25, 2004 at the Omni Hotel in Washington, DC. This practical,
hands-on interactive meeting will present another learning and
networking opportunity to assist with planning or implementing health
information exchange collaboration or electronic health records. 

For more information and to register for the event please visit:
<http://ccbh.ehealthinitiative.org/CCBHLearningForum.mspx>.

 

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="0.25972222222222224in" height="0.28125in"}
**REPORTS AND ISSUE BRIEFS**

### 

**FDA Approves Rapid HIV Test**

HHS Secretary Thompson recently announced FDA approval of the use of
oral swabs with a rapid HIV diagnostic test kit. The OraQuick Rapid
HIV-1/2 Antibody Test provides screening results with over 99 percent
accuracy in as little as 20 minutes.  About 850,000 to 950,000 Americans
are currently living with HIV and a quarter of these don\'t know they
are infected. Approximately 30 percent of people being tested for HIV in
public clinics did not come back a few weeks later for the standard test
results.  This oral test provides an important

option for people who might be afraid of a blood test and will greatly
reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to health care workers since they
will not be exposed to blood. For more information please visit:
[http://www.hhs.gov /news/newsletter/weekly/archive/28mar04.htm.]()

**Addressing Health Disparities**

*Addressing Health Disparities In Community Settings: An Analysis Of
Best Practices In Community-Based Approaches,* is a report to the Robert
Wood Johnson Foundation that reviews and describes existing community
programs

designed to address health outcome disparities for specific conditions
in minorities. The analysis identifies best practices, success factors
and the potential contributions of a selected group of community-based
initiatives addressing disparities. To view the report please visit:
[http://www.newschool.edu/milano/Health/cbohealth/disparitiesfin.pdf](http://www.magnetmail.net/ls.cfm?r=8046586&sid=151917&m=35230&u=AHA_HFSF_1&s=http://www.newschool.edu/milano/Health/cbohealth/disparitiesfin.pdf).

**Americans\' Lack Of Health Literacy**

Comprehending medicine\'s arcane jargon can be difficult for even the
most educated of laypeople. It\'s almost impossible for millions, who
can\'t read well, aren\'t fluent in English, or have vision or cognitive
problems caused by aging.  The Institute of Medicine has put a number on
just how many people have \"limited health literacy\" \-- a surprising
90 million adults.  They have problems following instructions on drug
labels, interpreting hospital consent forms, and even understanding a
doctor\'s diagnosis and

instructions, the report said. 

Low health literacy, exacerbated by the increasing complexity of the
nation\'s health care system, contributes to health disparities among
the poor and minorities \-- and may cost billions of dollars, the
Institute of Medicine report concludes.  Shame and stigma play a big
role, the report found. Among the report\'s recommendations:

• The government should pay for research on ways to improve health
literacy.

• Health organizations and medical schools should teach health literacy
and how to communicate with patients.

• Medicare, insurers, and other health groups should develop creative
ways to communicate clear health information (Neergaard, The Associated
Press, 4/9).

For more information on this report, please visit:
<http://www.iom.edu/report.asp?id=19723>**.**

##### 

**RWJF Special Report**

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is offering an online Special
Report, "Can Doctors Improve Patient Health by Preaching
Prevention?", exploring how health care professionals can best
communicate preventive behavior. This Special Report highlights a study
commissioned by RWJF to explore opportunities for stimulating patient
demand for prevention counseling. Holly A. Massett, Ph.D., a senior
research scientist with the Health Communication Program at the Research
Triangle Institute in Washington, DC, and Lisa S. Wolff, M.A., research
supervisor at communications company Porter Novelli conducted the study.
They reviewed literature on prevention communication, held more than 30
focus groups, and surveyed more than 1,800 American adults to discover
just how patients perceived the role of their doctor when it comes to
prevention, and how likely they are to heed their doctor\'s advice.

 

The study found that annual physicals and a patient\'s medical history
provide ideal opportunities for communicating preventive advice in the
health care setting. Patients want advice and counseling, a personalized
plan, additional appointments for follow-up, referrals to experts such
as nutritionists, informational materials such as brochures, and the
ability to have telephone or e-mail follow-up, either with their doctor
or a nurse.

 

To access findings of this study and an interview with Ms. Massett about
her research into physician/patient communication around preventive
health, please visit the RWJF Web site at:
[http://www.rwjf.org/news/special/
doctorsPrevention.jhtml](http://www.rwjf.org/news/special/doctorsPrevention.jhtml).

######## Federal Aid Strengthens Health Care Safety Net 

Two new federal initiatives - community health center expansion and
Community Access Program grants - have improved access to care for
low-income people and strengthened linkages among safety net providers,
according to findings from the Center for Studying Health System
Change\'s (HSC) 2002-03 site visits to 12 nationally representative
communities.

Grant recipients have added services to fill safety net gaps or to
improve collaboration among safety net providers. However, communities
with weaker safety nets were less likely to receive federal aid, and
funding for both programs is limited, hampering the potential impact on
the nation\'s system of care for low-income and uninsured people.

To view the issue brief, please visit:
<http://www.hschange.org/CONTENT/669/>.

**Improving Diabetes Care With The Health Disparities Collaborative**

This article evaluates the U.S. Bureau of Primary Health Care\'s
Diabetes Health Disparities Collaborative to reduce health disparities
and improve diabetes care in 19 midwestern health centers. The report
concludes that this initiative \"has led to significant

improvement in diabetes care in one year as

assessed through chart review.\" The specific improvement methodology,
interventions, and results are discussed. 

Visit: <http://www.qualityhealthcare.org/IHI/Topics/ChronicConditions/Diabetes/Literature/Improvingdiabetescareinmidwestcommunityhealthcenterswiththehealthdisparitiescollaborative.htm.>

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="0.26319444444444445in" height="0.25in"}
**web resources**

### 

**Community Learning Network for Electronic Health Information**

The Foundation for eHealth Initiative recently launched the Community
Learning Network, a key part of its *Connecting Communities for Better
Health* Program. It is the first-ever consolidated online resource
providing all community stakeholders interested in electronic health
information exchange with guidance on how to plan and implement the
organizational, clinical, financial, legal and technical strategies to
mobilize health care information across organizations to improve the
quality, safety and efficiency of health care.

The Community Learning Network is an extensive and growing repository of
materials on health information exchange that reflects current research
as well as practical, "on the ground" advice and lessons learned from
national health care IT experts and pioneering implementers in
communities that are engaging in electronic health information exchange.
The primary vehicle for disseminating information in the Community
Learning Network is an online information sharing network and resource
center for communities which aims to help organizations that are moving
from paper-based record keeping to electronic health records (EHR) and
are creating an interoperable infrastructure to mobilize and share
information across institutions within their communities.

To provide feedback on the Learning Network and ResourceCenter, please
direct your comments and suggestions to:  [connecting
communities@foundationforehealth.org](mailto:connecting communities@foundationforehealth.org)[.]{.underline}
To access this resource please visit:
<http://ccbh.ehealthinitiative.org/>

**Child Trends Databank**

This is a one-stop-shop for the latest national trends and research on
over 80 key indicators of child and youth well-being, with new
indicators added each month.  In 2002, less than half of all parents who
were owed child support in the previous year were paid the full amount
of support owed. Children without health insurance are more than twice
as likely as other children to have a dental need that could not be met
for financial reasons.   In 2002, 1 in 10 males ages 3 to 17 had been
diagnosed with ADHD.  To view these indicators and updates on child
maltreatment, heavy drinking among parents, children with limitations,
learning disabilities, asthma, and parental smoking visit:
[http://childtrendsdatabank.org](http://www.magnetmail.net/ls.cfm?r=8046586&sid=156578&m=35774&u=AHA_HFSF_1&s=http://childtrendsdatabank.org/).

**Communities in Charge Compendium of Products**

Communities in Charge is a competitive grants program funded by the
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that provides funding and technical
assistance to help 12 communities design and implement new,
or significantly expand existing, community-based approaches
to financing and delivering health care to the uninsured.

The Communities in Charge (CIC) Compendium of Products is a collection
of CIC products, strategies and byproducts that the CIC communities have
developed in their efforts to improve and expand community-based health
coverage. The Compendium serves as a single source of information and
resources for other communities to readily access. Each CIC community
has submitted a list of products to the CIC compendium, many of which
are

available in electronic format. Some

communities have chosen to manage the distribution of their respective
products. In these cases, contact information is provided for those
wishing to request specific materials.

To view the CIC Compendium visit:

[http://www.communitiesincharge.org/Compendium/CIC%20Compendium%20of%20Productsv.2.doc](http://www.communitiesincharge.org/Compendium/CIC Compendium of Productsv.2.doc)**.**

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