I MPACT · healthy tidbits offered by the American Heart Association, to reduce stress and promote healthier eating and lifestyles. Additionally, the advancement of our public health

Michigan Public health associationWinter 2007

published twice yearlyI MPACTn e w s l e t t e r . . . . . .

Michigan Public health associationpublished twice yearly

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In This Issue...MJPH................................Page3MPPHCHighlights............Page4APHAUpdates..................Page5-6CoalitionsinAction............Page7Nursing..............................Page8Vision................................Page9OralHealth........................Page10Epidemiology.....................Page11Laboratory.........................Page11MemberHighlights&Tributes...........................Page12LegislativeUpdates.......... Page12-14UpcomingEvents............. Page15

Editor ’s NoteIt is indeed a pleasure to reintroduceIMPACTtotheMPHAmembership.Thecommittee worked diligently to providea quality newsletter filled with timely trainings and conferences, legislativeupdates, APHA news, and missioncriticalpublichealthupdatespertinenttoourprofession. It iseasy toneglectourown health while serving the needs ofsomany,sothismonthincelebrationofAmericanHeartMonth,wehaveaddedhealthy tidbits offered by the AmericanHeartAssociation, to reducestressandpromote healthier eating and lifestyles.Additionally, the advancement of ourpublic health workforce is crucial forMichigan; therefore, in each issue, acalendarlistingofstate-wideandnationaltrainingsandconferenceswillbeoffered,aswellashighlightingcommunity-basedorganizations that exemplify politicalwill and who are making strides topromote health and prevent diseasesin our communities. I hope you enjoytheissueandwishforyoutosharethis

Meet Dr. ClineDr. Gregory Cline is the current President of MPHA and Editor of the highly anticipated MJPH. Since Greg arrived in Michigan to attend graduate school, his major fields of study were Public Policy and Comparative Politics. Prior to his current position at Trinity Health as Grant Specialist, he spent ten years at the Michigan Public Health Institute in ever-increasing roles, including Senior Program Director of the Center for Collaborative Research in Health Outcomes and Policy. He has also played a supporting role in the implementation of a number of state-level public health programs. He is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Nonprofit and Public Administration at Grand Valley State University. He also still consults as a Principle Investigator on community-based health projects. I recently interviewed Greg for IMPACT.

Can you share MPHA’s accomplishments in meeting some of its strategic objectives during your term thus far? We’vestrengthenedourrelationshipwithbothMALPHandMDCH,andhavemadeslowbutforwardprogressonrevampingourwebsite.

Can you describe the relationship of MPHA to APHA? We are an affiliate organization of APHA, which means we often work towards the same policy goals. However, all of the state affiliates are locally controlled.

Where do you hope to see MPHA moving strategically in the next five years? IthinkmosttheBoardwouldliketoseealargermembershipsupportingafull-timepaid Executive Director.A more politically active organization that facilitates broaddiscussionontheimportantpublichealthissuesthatfaceallofusinMichigan.

publication with others and encourageMPHA membership, participation andpublichealthactivism.Thankyouforyourcontinued efforts in advancing publichealth in Michigan and improving thelivesofMichigan’sfamilies.

Upcomingissueswillinclude:•Insightfulbookreviews•LearningCollaboratives•NutritionHealthEdArticlesIMPACT is published twice a year(FebruaryandAugust).ForfutureIMPACTsubmissions, please contact HopeRollins, [email protected] forsubmissionguidelines.Youare requiredtoobtainpermissiontoreprintarticlesandother material from the original source,priortoIMPACTsubmission.

To become active in the IMPACTCommittee,pleasecontactHopeRollinsat email: [email protected] orviaphone:517-324-8357.

You are already aware that the power of information technology and data….essentially Informatics, has become the recent buzz word for dialogue across the country; can you share your experiences surrounding informatics or related topics that are on the horizon we should know as public health professionals?Therealchallengetodayisgettingsystemsinplace that can communicate with each other.The real gains to health care quality, efficiency andimprovedhealthwithrespecttoHITcannotbe realized until the data residing in privatehands (e.g., health plans, labs, hospitals,and provider offices) can be shared in real timewheneveraproviderisinterfacingwithapatient.

Continued on next page

Gregory Cline, PhD, MPHA President and Teresa Wehrwein, PhD, RN, CNAA, Past MPHA President

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Winter 2007www.mipha.org

Meet Dr. Cline continued...

As you know, state government and local health departments constantly work within constrained resources, in what direction do you foresee federal funding for health care initiatives heading? What are smart ways that Michigan can tap into these resources to advance public health programming? It is difficult to guess where federal funding is heading (up or down) with ever increasing federal budget deficits. In the short term,thenexttwoyears,I’dexpectlittlechangeupordown.Alot of whether health spending as a priority of Congress goesupordownwilldependonwhichpartycontrolsCongressafter2008’selections.RightnowinhealthcarethemoneyisgoingtodemonstrationsaroundtheapplicationofHITtoimprovequality,safety and efficiency. There’s more money going to supporting patient-centeredandpatientempoweringcare.InPHemergencypreparednessissueswillcontinuetobeimportant.

What key public health challenges do you see for Michigan and how can MPHA leverage current partnerships/collaborations in continuing to advance public health efforts? Michiganisamicrocosmofthenation,withperhapsslightlymoreemphasisonenvironmentalhealth issues than insomestates.MPHAisbestplacedtosupportourpartnersthathaveafulltimepresenceintheMichiganlegislature,andtoencouragememberstocontacttheirrepresentativeswhenimportantissuesarise.

How can MPHA become more visible and attract more public health professionals and/or students entering the field? MPHAmustfocusonthecontributionsitmakestoitsmembers,providingvaluebacktoitsmembers.TheMJPH,theIMPACT,amoreusefulwebsiteareall contributionswecanmakenow toimprovingthevalueofanMPHAmembership.

What do you see being the biggest challenges for the Governor’s next term as it relates to Michigan’s public health/health care coverage status? Something that has little to do with health: finding a sensible replacement for Michigan’s Single Business Tax. Revenueshortfallsthisyear(andprojectedinsubsequentyears)aredire.Without a fair business tax that provides adequate revenue,nothingelseofimportcanbeachieved.

Submitted by: Hope Rollins

MPHA Board of DirectorsExecutive CommitteePresident:GregCline•(517)324-8352ImmediatePastPresident:TeresaWehrwein•(517)335-6747President-Elect:JudyKlossSmith•(517)335-8859Secretary:VelmaTheisen•(517)335-8754Treasurer:MaryScoblic•(517)335-8915ARGC:IngridDavis•(517)335-9546

DirectorsGeorgeAndersonAlanaAroninJulieGleason-ComstockKathleenOberstRickRenasHopeRollinsCarolThortonPatriciaVranesichBerttinaWentworth

Newsletter EditorHopeRollins

Web MasterBillSchneider

Section ChairsEpidemiology:ThomasLargoLaboratory&DiseaseControl:JudyKlossSmithOralHealth:DavidRepaskyPublicHealthNursing:JeniferMurrayUpperPeninsulaSection:VacantVisionCare:ReneeMika

Committee ChairsConstitutionandBylaws:TeresaWehrweinFinance:MaryScoblicHonors/Awards:AnitaTurnerandMaryScoblicMembership:SharonHudsonNominations/Election:TeresaWehrweinProgram:VacantPublicPolicy,Legislation&Resolutions:IngridDavisandMaryScoblic

Archivist:AnitaTurnerLiaisonfromMALPH:MarkBertlerLiaisontoMALPH:TheresaWehrwein

IMPACT CommitteeHopeRollins-EditorAmandaDavis-Harrier,MPHBJHelton,MPH,CICCherylLauber,DPA,MSN,RNTarahCollins-GraphicDesignSaraKathleenLake-ResearchAssistant

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MJPH Editorial Board

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Michigan Journal of Public HealthHighlightIntroducingtheMichiganJournalofPublicHealth(MJPH),TheMichiganPublicHealthAssociation’s (MPHA)newpeer-reviewed journal, theMJPH isdesigned toprovideMPHA’smembershipand thebroader communityof publichealth inMichigan.Thejournal will promote public health practice, research and policy with specific focus on Michigan and the Great Lakes Region. It will serve as a neutral forum for thediscussionof ideasandissuesthatareimportanttothecurrentandfutureofpublichealth practice in Michigan. “It is first and foremost a journal dedicated to the practical, day-to-daypracticeofpublichealthinourstate”,statestheMPHABoard.“Youhavegood representationon theeditorial boardandawonderful, diversestate to cover.Michigan’sbalanceofurban,rural,academic,andenvironmental issueswillprovidewonderful subject matter for the journal”, states Patricia Mail, PhD, MPH, CHES,President,AmericanPublicHealthAssociation.

TheMichiganPublicHealthAssociation(MPHA)istheorganizingentityoftheMichiganJournalofPublicHealth(MJPH)andisresponsibleforthepublicizingandpublicationofthejournal.

To review the first edition and to find guidelines on article submissions, please visit http://www.mipha.org/PHJournal/MPHJ_vol1_12.2006.pdf.

MembersStephen Borders, PhD, MHA, School ofNonprofit and Public Administration, Grand ValleyStateUniversity.

JanBrady,PhD,RN,CollegeofNursing,MichiganStateUniversity.

Greg Cline, PhD, Legal and AdvocacyServices,TrinityHealth.

Talat Danish, MD, MPH. Wayne CountyDepartmentofPublicHealth.

RichardL.Douglass,PhD,DepartmentofHealth Administration, College of Healthand Human Services, Eastern MichiganUniversity.

MarieGates,PhD,RN,BronsonSchoolofNursing,WesternMichiganUniversity.

JulieGleason-Comstock,PhD,Center forUrbanStudies,WayneStateUniversity.

JanetJennings,MedicalInformatics,BlueCareNetwork.

Grace J. Kreulen, PhD, RN, College ofNursing,MichiganStateUniversity.

Rebecca A. Malouin, PhD., MPH.,Department of Family Practice, MichiganStateUniversity.

Renée Mika, OD. Michigan College ofOptometry,FerrisStateUniversity.

Kathleen Oberst, MS, RN, Institute forHealth Care Studies, Michigan StateUniversity.

HarryPerlstadt,PhD,MPH,DepartmentofSociology,MichiganStateUniversity.

Laureen H. Smith, PhD, RN, School ofNursing,OhioStateUniversity.

Teresa Wehrwein, PhD, RN, College ofNursing,MichiganStateUniversity.

OfficersMJPHEditor:GregCline.

MJPHAssistantEditors:StephenBorders,TalatDanishandJulieGleason-Comstock

Call for PapersAuthorGuidelines:Style: APA, 12 point font, Times NewRoman double spaced, and, 1” margin.We offer a variety of submissioncategories inordertowelcomeavariedaudiencewithinpublichealth.

SubmissionCategoriesResearch and Practice Articles: (up to15pagesor3500excludingreferences,wordsinmaintext,atotalof4standarddigital photographs/tables/figures, and a structured abstract of 180 words)report theresultsoforiginalquantitativeor qualitative public health research.These may include, but are not limitedto: evaluations/reports, demonstrationsof innovative programs, best practice,e x e m p l a r s / c o m m u n i t y - e n g a g e dscholarship, service learning, emergingproblems, evidence-based practice andpreliminary findings.

Commentaries: (upto10pagesor2500words in main text, 2 tables/figures, and an unstructured abstract of 120words) include scholarly essays, criticalanalyses,andpolicypapers.

AnalyticEssays:(upto15pagesor3500wordsexcludingreferences,inmainext,atotalof4standarddigitalphotographs/

tables/figures, and an unstructured abstractof120words)provideaforumforcritical analyses of public health issuesfromdisciplinesotherthanthebiomedicalsciences, including, but not limited to:the social sciences, human rights, andethics.

Briefs: (up to 4 pages or 500 wordsexcluding references, in main text, 2tables/figures, and an abstract of up to 80 words) provide preliminary or novelfindings. (What about a section exclusively fornewbookreviews?)

Editorials: (maynotexceed1,200words)aresolicitedbasedonrecommendationsfrom the Editorial Board, or membersof MPHA. All recommendations requireapprovalfromtheMJPHEditorialBoard.

Letters to MJPH: (must not exceed400 words and contain no more than10 references) are encouraged by ourreaders. Letters may include any publichealthtopic.

SubmissionFormAll authors must sign and submit viasurface mail the submission form alongwithadraftarticle.

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Winter 2007www.mipha.orgPage 4

The 2nd Annual Michigan’s Premier Public Health Conference HighlightsThe2ndAnnualMichigan’sPremierPublicHealthconferencewasheldatTreetopsinGaylord,MIonOctober17and18th,2006.Thisyear276personsparticipatedintwodaysoflearning,sharingandnetworking.TheconferencewasprecededbyMPHA’sAnnualmeetingontheeveningofOctober16,2006.Thisyear’sthemeCreativityandInnovation:KeysforaHealthierMichiganfocusedspecialattentionontopicsrelatedtochronicdiseaseandcollaborationamonggroups.Dr.GeorgesBenjamin,ExecutiveDirectorofAPHA,deliveredapresentationentitledEngagingthePublic:ImprovingourHealthandprovidedinsightsontheimportanceofcapturingtheattentionofthepublictovalueoftheworkofthePublicHealthcommunity.DrBenjaminalsojoinedMPHAmembersattheMPHAAnnualMeeting.Heprovidedanupdateoncurrent initiatives at APHA including the W.K. Kellogg Foundation grant that will support development of affiliate infrastructure to strengthen thevoiceofPublicHealthinourcommunities.

Plenary sessions included Elizabeth Majestic from CDC discussing Strategies to Address Obesity; Dr. Vin Sahney from BCBS ofMassachusettspresentingonLeveragingProvider,CommunityHealthNetworksandPayorsforMajorImprovementsinHealthStatus.Dr.Sahey’spresentationincludedinformationonthenewplantoprovideaccesstohealthtoallMassachusettscitizens.DrMattBoultonfromtheUniversityofMichigan’sSchoolofPublicHealthpresentedaCaseforChronicDiseasesinanInfectiousWorld.Eachofthesepresentationswastapedforwebcastingandcanbeviewedbythoseofyouwhowerenotabletoattendthemeeting.Toaccessthepresentationsgotowww.MALPH.org,selecttheeventssection,openthe2006conferencepageandclickonthewebcastlink.

AgainthisyearMPHAandMALPHcollaboratedtopresentawardsforoutstandingachievementinMichiganPublicHealth.JonHousermanwasawardedtheRoyR.MantyDistinguishedServiceAwardinrecognitionforhislongandeffectiveserviceinbothStateandLocalPublicHealth.SenatorTonyStamoswasrecognizedforhissupportofPublicHealthissueswiththeSpecialPublicHealthCommunityAchievementAward.Inadditiontothesetwoannualawards,theexecutivecommitteesofMPHAandMALPHpresentedthespecialPresident’sLifetimeAchievementAwardtoTobyCitrininrecognitiontohiscontributionstoPublicHealthserviceandeducationforthestate.

This yearTerrieWehrwein, representingMPHA, servedas theconferencechair. TheMPHABoardmemberswhoparticipatedon theplanningcommitteewereIngridDavis,HopeRollins,BillSchneiderandJudySmith.Thankstoallwhoworkedontheeventforthemanyofhoursofefforttoputtogetheranothergreatprogramofkeynotesandsessions.Wewouldalsoliketoextenda“ThankYou”toChristieVogelheimandJaneSundmacherofNMCHAforcoordinatingtheearlymorningFunWalkandRunatTreetops.

Submitted by: Teresa Wehwrein, PhD, RN, CNAA, Past MPHA President

October 16 &17, 2007Hyatt Regency

Dearborn, Michigan

PARTNERS IN PLANNING:Michigan Association for Local Public Health ● Michigan Departments of Agriculture, Community Health and

Environmental Quality ● Michigan Public Health Association ● Michigan Public Health Institute Michigan State University ● Great Lakes Chapter – Society for Public Health Education

University of Michigan, School of Public Health

The Call for Presentations/Posters and Partner and Exhibitor Opportunities information will be posted on the MALPH website at www.malph.org on the Events page in February.

For more information contactJulie Zdybel, Conference Coordinator at (517) 485-0660 or [email protected]

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APHA Concludes 2006 Annual Meeting(Article has been reprinted with permission from the APHA)

HealthExpertsPaulFarmerandHeleneGayleJoinedNation’sPublic Health Professionals to Address Pressing HealthConcernsDisaster Preparedness and Response, Health Disparities andInfluenza Top Agenda

Boston,Mass.,November8,2006–TheAmericanPublicHealthAssociation(APHA)concludesits134thAnnualMeetinginBostontodaywhereover13,000publichealthprofessionalsfromaroundthe world gathered to discuss pressing issues in public healthandhumanrights,includingemergencypreparedness,accesstohealth care, health disparities and pandemic influenza.

“Thousandsofthenation’sdedicatedandwell-respectedhealthprofessionalscametogetherinBostontoaddressissuesaffectingAmericanseveryday, from infectiousdisease toaccess tovitalhealthservices,”saidGeorgesC.Benjamin,MD,FACP,executivedirector of theAmericanPublicHealthAssociation. “Thepublichealthcommunityreneweditscommitmentthisweektoworkingtoprotectthewell-beingofpeopleinthisnation.”

PaulE.Farmer,MD,PhD,foundingdirectorofPartnersinHealth,andHeleneD.Gayle,MD,MPH,presidentandchiefexecutiveofficer, of CARE USA, kicked off the meeting on Sunday, November 5,2006.Overthenextthreedays,thereweremorethan3,000scientific presentations (abstracts are available at www.apha.org/meetings).ThemeetingclosestodaywithcommentsfromJohnE.McDonough,executivedirectorofHealthCareforAll,andVincentDeMarco,presidentoftheMarylandCitizen’sHealthInitiative.

Highlights of the meeting included the adoption of new policiesbyAPHA’sGoverningCouncil. Inparticular, thegoverningbodyapprovedpoliciesrelatedto:

• Pandemic influenza planning: APHA supports comprehensive national planning for an influenza pandemic and recommends key changestothecurrentresponsestrategy,includingensuringcareforvulnerablepopulations;•OppositiontowarinIraq:APHAcallsfortheimmediateinitiationofthesafewithdrawalofU.S.armedforcesfromIraqaccompaniedbythedeploymentofU.N.peacekeepingtroopsinareasofhighrisk for inter-ethnic conflict or civil war; • Opposition to abstinence-only education: APHA recognizesthe importance of abstinence education, but only as part of acomprehensivesexualityeducationprogram;•Reversal of thenation’sobesityepidemic:APHAsupports theimmediate mobilization of governmental, public and privateagencies to coordinateactions to reverse theobesityepidemic,working toward achieving the 2005 Dietary Guidelines forAmericansasameanstobeginreversingobesityrates;•Banningtransfatsinrestaurants:APHAurgesfederal,stateandlocalgovernmentstobanandmonitortheuseoftransfat ladenpartiallyhydrogenatedoilsinrestaurantsorrequirerestaurantstohavemenulabelingthatwouldprominentlydiscloseallamountsoftransfatgreaterthan0.1gramperserving;and•Supportofglobalalcoholcontrol:APHAurgestheWorldHealthOrganizationtoadoptandimplementabindinginternationaltreatymodeledaftertheFrameworkConventiononTobaccoControl,ahistorictobaccocontroltreatyadoptedin2003,tohelpreducetheharmfulconsumptionofalcoholicbeverages.

“Good Friends” Jean Chabut, BSN, MPH, MDCH Deputy Dir. & Elizabeth Majestic MS, MPH, Acting

Deputy Asst. Sec. for Health, DHHS

Ingrid Davis, MPA, ARGC, Dr. Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, APHA Exec. Dir., & Teresa

Wehrwein, Past MPHA Pres.

Janet Olszewski, MSW, MDCH Dir., Robert Pestronk, MPH, Health Officer, Genesee County Health Dept, & Mark Bertler, CAE, Exec. Dir.

MALPH

Pictures from the 2nd Annual Michigan’s Premier Public Health Conference

Next year’s APHA Annual Meeting will be held Nov. 3-7, 2007, in Washington, D.C.http://www.apha.org/meetings/index.htm

Iftheywanttobecomeamember,http://www.apha.org/membership/

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Report from the desk of the ARGCTheAmericanPublicHealthAssociation(APHA)receiveda$6milliongrantfromtheKelloggFoundationin2006.Themajorityofthe grant monies will go to affiliates to build their capacity and to improve the local infrastructure, with the long term goal of recruiting new MPHA and APHA members and to get the public engaged in the “Public’s Health. In addition to monies for the APHA affiliates, theMSUDeptofVeterinarymedicineandUniversityofNorthCarolinawillreceivefundingtostudyzonicdiseasesandemerginginfectiousdiseases.Thegrantisexpectedtobeoutinsummerof2007.Toprepareforthedistributionofthegrantmonies,APHAis conducting a needs assessment with affiliates. An APHA advisory committee will be developing the needs assessment and will oversee the grant process. APHA is developing a “Memorandum of Understanding” (MOU) for APHA affiliates. The MOU identifies things and affiliate must do minimally to be an affiliate of APHA and to receive any Kellogg funding.

APHA has a “Get Ready” campaign to get more members engaged in the flu and emergency preparedness.

April2willbenationalpublichealthweek.Formoreinformationonthisyear’sthemechecktheAPHAwebsite.

Themeforthe2008APHAannualmeetingwillbe“PublicHealthAcrossBoarders.”

The2007adoptedAPHApoliciescanbefoundontheAPHAwebsite.

ElectedtotheAPHAExecutiveBoardfor2007–2010:GiorgioPiccagli,LyndonHaviland,OliviaDeniseCarter-PokrasPhD,LindaDegutis/PresidentAPHA The APHA governing council elected Ingrid Davis to the APHA Nominating Committee. Her term of office will be (2007-2010).The APHA Region V (Great Lakes Affiliates) will be meeting this spring to discuss regional strategies for the APHA grant.

Submitted by: Ingrid Davis, MPA

APHA Urges President Bush to Protect the Nation’s Health(Article has been reprinted with permission from the APHA)

Washington, D.C., January 23, 2007 –TheAmericanPublicHealthAssociation(APHA) today urges President Bush tomakeprotectingthehealthofAmericansand their communities a priority duringthis evening’s State of the Unionaddress. Despite the nation’s wealth,more than 46 million individuals in theUnited States lack health insuranceand manyAmericans, particularly racialand ethnic minorities, women and low-incomeresidents,receivealowerqualityof health care and experience higherratesofprematuredisabilityanddeath.APHAcallsonthepresidentandCongresstosupportthefollowingmeasures:•Increasefundingforvitalpublichealthagenciesandprograms.APHAcalls foradequate and sustainable funding forthe Centers for Disease Control andPrevention(CDC),theHealthResourcesandServicesAdministration(HRSA)andother public health service agencies.Past budget cuts have forced these

agencies to curtail their programs andfunction without the sufficient resources toprovidebasichealthservices,suchasstate-based chronic disease preventionprograms. Additionally, these agencieslack the funding to adequately respondtopublichealthemergencies,suchasaninfluenza pandemic and natural or man-madedisasters.• Reauthorize and fully fund the StateChildren’s Health Insurance Program(SCHIP).APHAurgesamplefundingforSCHIPreauthorizationandtheprioritizingof children’s health coverage. Duringthe past decade, SCHIP, together withMedicaid, has successfully reduced thepercentage of low-income children whoareuninsuredandimprovedtheirhealthstatusandoutcomes.But9million--or12percent--ofthenation’schildrenremainuninsured,and75percentofthenation’suninsuredchildrenareeligibleforbutarenotenrolledinSCHIPandMedicaid.• Close the health care disparitiesgap. APHA calls for a comprehensiveapproach to confront the underlyingcauses of disparities in health statusand health care access and to bridgethe gap in health insurance coverage

predominantlyaffectingracialandethnicgroupsandruralandurbanpopulations.•Strengthennutritionpoliciesinthefarmbill. APHA calls for modernizing theFood Stamps Program under the FarmBill to allow states and localities moreflexibility to provide access for food stamprecipientstofresh,healthyfoods.Additionally,APHAsupportsthecreationandexpansionoffoodsystemsprogramstohelp communitiesdevelop retail foodmarketsandurbanagricultureprojectsinunderservedcommunities.

“APHA asks President Bush in hisaddress tonight and in his proposedbudget to support efforts to close gapsinhealthcoverage,strengthenourpublichealth system and eliminate disparitiesin health for the people of this nation,”said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP,APHA executive director. “We mustseriouslyaddress thesepressinghealthchallenges inorder to improve the livesofAmericans.Welookforwardtoworkingwith theadministrationandCongress inprotectingthepublic’shealth.”

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Coalitions in Action - Minority Health

The Michigan Minority Health Coalition is a statewide consortium dedicated to developing strategies and creating partnerships that will improve the health status of Michigan’s ethnic and racial minority populations1.

Our mission…

Our goals and objectives…

Our activities…

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

MMHC is a coalition dedicated to coordinating stakeholders to establish and implement an action plan that will seek to address better health outcomes for racial and ethnic populations in Michigan.

1 The Michigan Office of Health Disparities Reduction and Minority Health has identified “minorities” as 1.) African-Americans, 2.) Hispanics and Latinos, 3.) American Indians, 4.)Asians and Pacific Islanders and 5.) Arabs and Chaldean populations.

“Improve access to minority health initiatives that serve to increase community partnerships by providing a persistent and continuing focus on eliminating disparities in the health status of Michigan's racial and ethnic populations. The Coalition collaborates with state, local and private sectors to advance community empowerment, to engage in health promotion and to support disease prevention strategies.”

Expand the MMHC to ensure geographical, cultural and ethnic diversity representing various health organizations and/or individuals in Michigan,Develop a communication network that helps to foster partnership and collaborative relationships around health disparities and related health issues andProvide advocacy opportunities and empower community members regarding initiatives effecting health disparity issues.

Provide education to individuals, organizations and policy makers concerning minority health, health disparities and advocacy issues,Assist in the identification and effective use of national, state, regional and community resources that support the investigation of minority health issues, Contribute to the development and communication of effective public health strategies impacting the health of minority populations and Facilitate communication and collaborative efforts among organizations involved in minority health issues.

Defining and Redressing Health DisparitiesHealthdisparitiescompriseaprominentpublichealthissue.Thecomplexity,prevalenceandcostsofhealthdisparitiesresultedintheirdesignationasaprioritywithinthenationalHealthyPeople2010 initiative.Asacademiciansandpublichealthprofessionalsdebate whether health disparities properly defines the differences in morbidity and mortality among specific populations, these selectedstatisticscannotbedebated:

>Diabetesprevalenceis18%forArabAmericans,15%forNativeAmericans,12%forAfricanAmericans,8.8%forLatinoAmericansand6.8%forCaucasians.>AfricanAmericanmalelifeexpectancyin2005wasapproximatelyequaltothelifeexpectancyforCaucasianmalesin1950.

The prevailing issue is that people are needlessly sufferingand dying prematurely due to social inequities that manifest indisparate health outcomes. Moreover, while health disparitiesareobservableinminoritypopulations,theirdeleteriouseffectsonMichigan’seconomyaresystemic.

The Michigan Minority Health Coalition (MMHC) is a statewideconsortium dedicated to eliminating health disparities andimproving the health status of Michigan’s ethnic and racialpopulations1. Our activities include empowering communitymembers through advocacy training, educating policy makersonminorityhealthissues,andfacilitatingcommunicationamongorganizationspromotingminorityhealth.RecenthighlightsincludehostingMichigan’sPatientAdvocacyLeadershipSummit(PALS)and successfully advocating for the passage of PA 653’06, thehealthdisparitiesresearchandeducationact.

PALS helped empower community leaders to become betteradvocatesforthehealthconcernsofMichigan’sracialandethnicpopulations. Sixty-three individuals attended the conferencethat included presentations by public health professionals, ahealthcare specialist panel, and a Michigan legislative panel.PALS participants also attended the Health Champions DinnerhostedbymembersoftheMichiganLegislativeBlackCaucusinwhich our Executive Director, Dr. Othelia W. Pryor received anaward.

PA653’06,addressesthehealthdisparitiesaffectingMichigan’sracial and ethnic minorities. The new law, which took affect1/1/07, mandates the Department of Community Health to: 1)develop and maintain policies which provide public resourcesand databases; 2) facilitate research and community outreach;3)promoteminorityrecruitmentinhealthcareandsocialserviceprofessions; and 4) implement culturally and linguisticallyappropriate disease prevention programs. Federal, state, andprivate sources will provide the necessary funding for theseinitiatives.MMHCplayedanintegralroleinthelegislativeprocessbymeetingwith key legislators, providing committee testimony,anddirectingcommunitylobbyingefforts.

For more information on MMHC, PALS or the upcoming AprilHealthDisparitiesConference,pleasevisit:www.cacvoices.org/mmhc.Submitted by: Members of the Michigan Minority Health Coalition

1The Michigan Office of Health Disparities Reduction and Minority Health has identified “minorities” as 1.) African-Americans, 2.) Hispanics and Latinos, 3.) American Indians, 4.)Asians and Pacific Islanders and 5.) Arabs and Chaldean populations.

“You have the opportunity and the responsibility to help make the choices which will determine the greatness of this nation… In your hands, not with presidents or leaders, is the future of your world and the fulfillment of the best qualities of your own…”Robert F. Kennedy

AspecialThankYouisextendedtoRev.Rep.MichaelC.Murphy,whoservedsixyearsintheMichiganHouseofRepresentativesandtwoyearsasChairoftheMichiganLegislativeBlackCaucus.Awonderfulendingofhis term, ishissponsorshipofHouseBill4455,whichaddressedhealthdisparities.Rep.Murphywas instrumental in itspassingandsigningintolawasapublicactbyGovernorGranholm,onJanuary9,2007.Rep.Murphyhasalsobeenachampionforpatientadvocacyrightsandfaith-basedhealthinitiativeforseveraldecades.HewillcontinuetoserveasSeniorMinisteratSt.Stephen’sCommunityChurchinLansing,MI,aswellasChairpersonofthenewlyformedMichiganLegislativeBlackCaucusFoundation.ThankyouforyourcontinuedcommitmenttopublichealthinMichigan.

Thank You...

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Public Health Nursing Section

MICHIGAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATIONPUBLIC HEALTH NURSING SECTIONANNUAL MEETING AND PROGRAM

PROMOTINGPUBLICHEALTHNURSINGCRITICALISSUESFORUM

MARCH1,2007KENTCOUNTYHEALTHDEPARTMENT/GRANDRAPIDS

8:30AM Registration,Refreshments

9:00AM RecognizingandTreatingPerinatalMoodDisorders NancyRoberts,RN,CCE

11:00AM OverviewofPHNsectionbusiness JeniferMurray,Chairperson/PHNsectionofMPHA

11:30AM LUNCHEONSpeakerJeanetteKlemczak,ChiefNurseExecutive(invited)

12:30PM HPVDiseaseProcessandVaccine MarkHall,MD/MedicalDirector,KentCountyHealthDepartment

2:00PM Networking

_________________________________________________________________________

REGISTRATION:$25.00includeslunchand3.5NursingContactHours.SendcheckbyFebruary21,2007payabletoMPHA–PHNSection;c/oAnitaTurner,Treasurer,InghamCo.HealthDept.5303S.Cedar,P.O.Box30161,Lansing,Michigan48909

NAME ____________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS ____________________________________________________________________

ORGANIZATION ____________________________________________________________________

PHONENUMBER _________________ E-MAIL ________________________________

CheckOne: ___STUDENT___GUEST___MPHAMEMBER

DIRECTIONS: KentCountyHealthDepartment,700FullerNE,GrandRapids,49503

FROMNORTH:TAKEUS131SOUTHTOI196EAST.FOLLOWWESTDIRECTIONS.

FROMWEST:TAKEI196EASTTOEXIT79/FULLERAVENUE.LEFTONFULLEROVERTHEXWAY,TURNRIGHTAT1STDRIVE,THENRIGHTINTOHEALTHDEPT.LOT.

FROMEAST:TAKEI96WESTTOI196GRANDRAPIDSEXIT.FROMI196TAKEEXIT79/FULLERAVENUE.TURNRIGHTONFULLER,MAKEIMMEDIATERIGHTTURNAT1STDRIVE,THENRIGHTINTOHEALTHDEPT.LOT.

CONFERENCEWILLBEHELDINTHELOWERLEVEL.

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Vision SectionInfantSEETM Program Provides No-Cost Infant Eye Assessments (Article has been adapted and reprinted with permission from the American Optometric Association)

Investingininfantstoestablishalifetimeofhealthyvision...InfantSEETM, a no-cost public healthprogramdevelopedtoprovideprofessionaleye care for infants nationwide, waslaunched less than a year ago by theAmerican Optometric Association (AOA)in partnership with The Vision CareInstitute of Johnson & Johnson VisionCare,Inc.Underthisprogram,supportedby former President Jimmy Carter, whoserves as honorary national chair andspokesman,participatingoptometristswillprovide a one-time, comprehensive eyeassessment to infants in their first year of life,offeringearlydetectionofpotentialeyeandvisionproblemsatnocostregardlessofincome.

Public health experts agree that visualdevelopment is most dramatic between6 and 12 months of age and that earlydetection can prevent and help reducethe threat of serious vision impairments.In fact, one in every 10 children is atrisk from undiagnosed eye and visionproblemsandof the three to fourmillionbabiesbornevery year in theU.S., 1 in20,000 has retinoblastoma (the seventhmost common pediatric cancer), 1 in 25will developstrabismus,and1 in30willdevelop amblyopia. Many times theseconditions are not detected in time forproper management or treatment byoptometrists or ophthalmologists whospecialize in the care of infants andchildren.

As part of the national launch, formerPresidentCarterhasissuedacall-to-actionthrough a public service announcement(PSA),which will educate parents aboutInfantSEE™ and urge them to takeadvantage of the program. The PSAcites his personal experience regardinghis grandchildren’s eye problems. Hisgranddaughterwasdiagnosedandtreatedasatoddlerforamblyopia,oftenreferredtoas lazyeye,a leadingcauseofvisionlossinpeopleyoungerthan45,whichwillaffectone in30children.Hisgrandson’samblyopia was not identified until grade schoolandmayneverbefullycorrected.

Surveyrevealsneedforeducation...Left untreated, eye and vision problemscan impact learning and may lead topermanentvisionimpairment.Yetasurveyfielded by BabyCenter.com, on behalf of theAOA,revealedthatnearlyhalfofnewandexpectantmothersmistakenlybelievethatbecauseababy’seyesarechangingand their vision is developing in their first yearoflife,itisbesttowaituntilthechildisoldertogetthemscreenedbyaneyecareprofessional.

Further, while 97% of mothers said theydo everything they can to ensure theirchildren’s health, only 13% of motherswith children younger than 2 years ofage said they had taken their babies tosee an eye and vision care professionalfor a regular check-up or well-care visit.This discrepancy suggests a lack ofunderstanding about the importance ofearly intervention and supports the needforbettereducation.

TheBabyCenter.comsurveyalsoshowedthat the large majority of mothers feelconfident that their pediatricians have the time and resources to identify potentialeye and vision problems. Actually, atypical well-child visit to the pediatrician,including care and services performedbyallpersonnel,lastsanaverageof22.1minutes,1which iseffective fordetectingonly readily identifiable eye problems. Significant risk factors to eye and vision disorders, however, are typically notdetectable by base-level infant eyescreenings,andevenearlyretinoblastomais detected more than 80 percent of thetime by a family member or friend, asopposedtoahealthcareprofessional.

TheInfantSEE™assessment...InfantSEE™ is intentionally beingpositioned to complement the routinewellness care that a baby receives atthe pediatrician’s office by broadening the review of an infant’s eye health andvision status. The first year of life is oneof themostcritical stagesofhumandevelopment. Because of this, theInfantSEE™programfollowstheAmericanOptometric Association Clinical PracticeGuidelines (CPG) for Pediatric Eye andVisionExaminationandrecommendsthatan infant receives the first comprehensive eye assessment before twelve monthsof age. Many doctors already providing

infantprimarycareservicesastestsitesforInfantSEE™suggestthatthebestageto assess an infant is between six andninemonths.

Typically, infants sit on their parent’slap during the assessment, in which theoptometrist uses lights and other handheld objects to check that their eyesare working together and that there areno significant refractive issues that will impedepropervisiondevelopment. Theoptometristmayalsousedropsorasprayto dilate the baby’s pupils to ensure thehealthoftheeye.

Following the first assessment, a child’s eyes should be checked at intervalsrecommended by the InfantSEE™optometrist. According to the AOACPG, repeat complete examinations forasymptomatic children should occur atage three and again upon entering first grade.

Over 7,000 AOA-member optometristsvolunteer...InfantSEE™volunteerdoctorsarecriticalto making InfantSEE™ a success andoptometrists in all clinic settings areencouraged to provide this primary eyecareservicetotheirpatients.InfantSEE™optometrists will work carefully withlocal medical doctors, pediatricians, andpediatric ophthalmologists to ensurethe greatest visual welfare forAmerica’sinfants.

InfantSEE™ is a public health programdesigned to ensure that eye and visioncare becomes an integral part of infantwellnesscaretoimproveachild’squalityof life. Under this program, memberoptometristswillprovideacomprehensiveinfant eye assessment within the first year oflifeasano-costpublichealthservice.

Early detection of eye conditions is thebest way to ensure a child has healthyvision for successful development—nowand in the future. To learn more aboutInfantSEE™,calltoll-free(888)396-EYES(3937)orvisitwww.infantsee.org.1“SocioeconomicSurveyofPediatricians,”American Academy of Pediatricians.Accessedathttp://www.aap.org/research/periodicsurvey/ps43soci.htm#3d on April5,2005.

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Oral Health SectionInthepastyear,theMPHAOralHealthSectionmembershavebeeninvolvedwiththeactivitiesoftheOralHealthCoalition.MembersofMPHAOralHealthSectionarealsomembersof theOralHealthCoalition, includingPattiUlrichofNorthwestCommunityHealthAgency.SheistheSecretaryforboththeOralHealthSectionandtheOralHealthCoalition.InadditionmanymembersareinvolvedintheworkgroupsoftheCoalition.Theseworkgroupsarepromotinganddevelopingpublichealthprograms,suchasastatewideschool-basedsealantprograminconjunctionwiththeMDCHOralHealthProgram.Also,membershavebeeninvolvedwiththedevelopmentandpromotion of a fluoride varnish program for Early Head Start and Head Start members. The Coalitions’ goals and objectives are promoting thehealthofthepopulationandarecloselyalignedwiththeOralHealthSectionobjectivesforpromotingpublichealth.

The Oral Health Coalition, in conjunction with the Michigan Dental Association (MDA), sponsored its first legislative day last spring. Again, OralHealthSectionswerepresenttotalktolegislatorsabouttheimportanceoforalhealthanditsrelationtototalhealth.Thediscussioncentered on funding issues for oral health and the importance to fund the adult dental benefit of the Medicaid Program. The adult benefit had been reinstated in October, 2005 and the discussion to protect the benefit against future cuts was one of the main themes. Many of the Oral Health Section members had been advocating for the oral health benefit for Medicaid adult beneficiaries since there had been a directimpactontheirlocalagencies.AnotherlegislativedayisplannedforFebruary28,2007andmembersplantoparticipateagain.

PublicAct161waspassedinOctober,2005thatrevisedanearlierlawregardingthesupervisionofdentalhygienistsinpublichealthsettings.AnadvisorycommitteewasformedbytheMDCHandincludedrepresentativesfromtheMDA,theMichiganDentalHygienistsAssociationandtheMPHAOralHealthSection.TheSectionPresident,DaveRepasky,DDSofWayneCountyHealthDepartment,wastherepresentativetothecommittee.Theadvisorycommitteereviewedthelaw,theprogramguidelinesandtheapplicationformthattheMDCHhaddeveloped.

TheMichiganOralHealthConferencewasheldinJune,2006.TheMPHAwasoneoftheexhibitorswiththemembershipboardandmembershipbrochures.Again,manyoftheOralHealthSectionmemberswereinattendance.Theyprovidedposterexhibitsandwerespeakersatbreakoutsessions.TheMichiganOralHealthConferenceisplannedforJune,2007andOralHealthSectionmembersareplanningcommitteeparticipants.TheOralHealthSectioncontinuestobeinvolvedinactivitiesthatpromotepublichealththrough2007.

Submitted by: Christine Farrell, RDH, MPA

More on VisionAbout the American Optometric Association American OptometricAssociation doctorsof optometry are highly qualified, trained doctors,onthefrontlineofeyehealthandvisioncare,whoexamine,diagnose,treat,and manage diseases and disorders ofthe eye. In addition to providing eye andvisioncare,optometristsplayamajorrolein an individual’s overall health and well-being by detecting systemic diseases.Doctors of optometry have the skills andtrainingtoprovidemorethantwo-thirdsofallprimaryeyecare in theUnitedStates.The American Optometric Associationrepresents more than 34,000 doctorsof optometry, optometry students andparaoptometricassistantsandtechniciansin nearly 6,500 communities across thecountry.Formoreinformation,visitwww.aoa.org.

“Public health is the science and art of promoting health. It does so based on the understanding that health is a process engaging social, mental, spiritual and physical well-being. Public health acts on the knowledge that health is a fundamental resource to the individual, to the community and to society as a whole and must be supported by soundly investing in living conditions that create, maintain and protect health.” Ilona Kickbusch

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Epidemiology Section

Epidemiology Section to Hold Sixth Annual ConferenceTheEpidemiologySectionoftheMichiganPublicHealthAssociationwillholditssixthannualconferenceonThursday,April12,2007attheTowsleyCenterontheMedicalCampusoftheUniversityofMichigan,AnnArbor.Theconferencewillhavemorningplenaryandafternoonbreakoutsessions,posterpresentationsandexhibitorbooths.

ThekeynotespeakerwillbeformerChiefMedicalExecutiveoftheMichiganDepartmentofCommunityHealth,DavidR.Johnson,MD.Dr. Johnson,who isnowDirectorofScientific and Medical Affairs for Sanofi Pasteur, will discuss issues involved in vaccine development. Other plenary session topics include epidemiology in disasters andutilizationofepidemiologicinformationbytheMichiganlegislature.

There is no charge to attend the conference however registration is required. Aregistrationformcanbefoundonthesection’swebsite(http://www.mipha.org/epi/).Ifyouhaveanyquestionsabouttheconference,[email protected].

SAVE THE DATE!APRIL 12, 2007

Mark your calendars for April 12, 2007, when the Epidemiology Section of the Michigan Public Health Association will be holding the SIXTH ANNUAL MICHIGAN EPIDEMIOLOGY CONFERENCE at the Towsley Center within the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor, MI.

As in previous years, the conference will include: Plenary sessions focusing on contemporary issues Breakout sessions

o infectious disease o environmental/occupational injury/illness o chronic disease/maternal & child health o careers in epidemiology - networking opportunity for students

Poster presentations

Please see the Call for Abstracts and consider giving an oral or poster presentation!

Registration Information will be distributed in the near future.

Conference information is available online at http://www.mipha.org/epi/index.htm

Laboratory SectionThe Michigan Department of Community Health, Bureau of Laboratories Celebrates its 100th AnniversaryThe Michigan Department of Community Health’s (MDCH) Bureau of Laboratoriesiscelebratingits100thanniversary.In1907,theLegislaturepassedAct109,whichauthorized the appointment of a bacteriologist and the “necessary appliances andapparatus…”withabudgetof$3,665. TheLansing labwasestablished in theoldStatebuildingnearthecurrentcapitolbuilding.TheActof1915createdaseparateunrelatedbacteriologicallabintheUpperPeninsula,inHoughton.DuetothedemandsofWWIandotherconsiderations,thelabswerecombinedin1919astheBureauofLaboratories(BOL).

From its first Director M.L. Holm to its current Director Frances P. Downes, the Bureau ofLaboratoriescontinuestostriveforexcellence.Updatesonactivitiesandprojectsduringthe100thAnniversaryCelebrationwillbeavailableontheMDCH-BOLwebsiteatwww.michigan.gov/mdchlab.

Submitted by: Judy Kloss-Smith

Heart Smart Facts

Eatingavarietyofnutritiousfoods,includingfruits and vegetables, whole-grain breads,and fish, may help lower your risk of coronary heartdisease.

The American Heart Associationrecommends thirty minutes of moderate-paced exercise three days per week toimprove blood circulation throughout thebody.

Take charge by asking your doctor howto reduce your risks for heart diseaseprevention.

Stress management programs can beimplementedintheworksitetoreducestresssymptomlevelsandlowerarterialpressure.

Try eating unsalted nuts, plain popcorn orpretzels, and fig bars for lower fat, heart-healthysnacks.

Lowering cholesterol, blood pressure,obesity,andsmokingaresomeof thebestways to reduceyour riskof coronaryheartdisease.

The American Heart Association statesthat controlling the portions of meals canhelpcutdownwaistlinesandrisksofheartproblems.

Sources:http://www.cholesterollowdown.org/http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3040349

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Member Highlights and TributesShirley Marie CresswellMarch 15, 1920 - November 15, 2006

Janet Hunter, WIC ManagerJanuary 20, 1949 - January 28, 2007 (Permission to reprint condolence letter from Jeanette Lightning and MDCH, WIC Division)

TothefamilyofJanetLightningHunter:

ItwaswithmuchsorrowthatstaffoftheMichiganDepartmentofCommunityHealthlearnedofthepassingofJanetthispastSundayevening. Janet was an exceptional person who spent much ofherworklifesharinghergiftstobetterthehealthoffamiliesandcommunities in Michigan. Janet boldly faced her struggle withbreastcancerandwasastrongexampleforallus.

Janethasheldseveralpositions inpublichealthover theyears.SheworkedfortheMichiganDepartmentofPublicHealthfortheWICProgramearlyinhercareer--inthelate1970’sfortheNutritionCommission;inthe1980’sforWIC.SheworkedattheDetroitCityHealthDepartmentasanutritionconsultant in theWICprogramfrom1980-1982.ShetookthepositionofWICcoordinatorattheDetroitUrbanLeague in1993,andbuilt theprogram there inauniquecollaboration,whichprovidedWICservicesathealthplanlocations.AsaSEMHAemployee,shewasprogramcoordinatorfor the Worksite and Community Health Promotion Program in2000,andwasprogramconsultantandprogramcoordinator fortheMaternalChildHIV/AIDSProgramin2002.In2002,Janetwashiredat theMichiganDepartmentofCommunityHealth toworkintheWICDivisionasaunitmanagerfortraining,evaluationandcompliance.Whileinthisposition,JanetparticipatedontheMDCHDiversityWorkgroupduring theearlystagesof itsdevelopment.Janet felt she was meant to come back to work for the WICprogram.Shedidn’tseeitasajob--itwaspartofherlife.

Ms.CresswellwasalongstandingpublichealthchampioninMichigan.AsagraduateShirleywasborninSpringfield, Missouri on March 15, 1920. She married Richard Cresswell on February 27, 1942 in Sunfield, Michigan, who later passed away in 1995. As a graduate Michigan State College, Shirley received aBachelorsDegreeinChemistryin1941.ShestartedhercareerasaLabDirectoratSmithMemorialandGratiotCommunityHospitals.In1959shebecameLabDirectoratSt.LukesHospitalinSaginaw,thenontoDirectorofTheMedicalTechnologyProgramatSt.Lukes.Inthelate60’sShirleyownedanddirectedtheProfessionalLaboratoryServiceinSaginawandthenmovedontobecomeanAssociateProfessoratMSUintheearly80”steachingclinicallaboratoryMedicine.ShirleystartedatravelingmedicalclinicatCovenantHospital.ShethenbecameavisitingconsultantatSantoTomasUniversityHospitalinManila,PhilippinesandmaintainedthatpositionuntilOctober2006.ShetraveledextensivelythroughouttheUnitedStatesandothercountries lecturingon labmedicineand infectiousdiseases.Shirleywasanavid readerofmedicalmysteries. She enjoyed her family, crossword puzzles, her cats, and Christmas with her family. Beyond

membershipsincethe80’swiththeMichiganPublicHealthAssociation,shewasalsomemberoftheSt.LouisFirstUnitedMethodistChurchandbelongedtoAmericanSocietyofClinicalPathologyandtheAmericanAssociationofBioanalysts.Shirleyissurvivedbyherthreechildrenand10grandchildren.MemorialsmaybemadetoCaraCresswellMemorialScholarshipFundatAlmaCollege.

JanetenrichedherfriendsandcolleaguesinWIC.Shementoredherstaff;sheempoweredandencouragedthem.Asamanager,shewassensitivetotheneedsofherstaffandwassupportiveofthem.She lived the valuesof compassion, teamwork, inclusion,excellenceandintegrityeveryday.Shecertainlytouchedthelivesofallthosewhoworkedwithher.

Janetwastrulydedicatedtothemothers,childrenandfamiliesthatparticipatedintheWICprogram.WhenJanetwasintheroom,themothersandchildrenwerefrontandcenter.Nopolicyorprocedurecould be put into place without considering the impact on thefamiliesserved,ortheimpactonthelocalagencystaffwhoworkedintheclinics.Janet’sco-workersknewhowmuchJanetlovedherfamily.Shewasveryclosetoherthreesistersandthreebrothers.Weallknewofherloveforherchildren,herconcernfortheirwell-being, and her pride in their accomplishments. She remained apositive spiritual presence for those of us who worked with her.Shedidnotcomplain.Ever.Shedidnotburdenusatworkwithherpain.Shelifteduswithhercourage.

On behalf of Michigan Department of Community Health, weexpressourcondolencestoyou.

Sincerely,Janet OlszewskiDirector

If you would like to further honor the memory of Janet Lightning-Hunter, please feel free to visit. Black Women’s Health Imperative (formally the National Black Women’s Health Project) www.blackwomenshealth.org whose mission is to “promote optimum health for Black women across the life span physically, mentally and spiritually”. BWHP promotes the empowerment of African American women as educated health care consumers and a strong voice for the improved health status of African American women.

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Legislative UpdatesGubernatorial Outcomes (Due to space limitations, some committees were omitted)

MI Senate Committee Members: Standing Committees AGRICULTURE:SenatorsVanWoerkom(C),Gilbert(VC),Birkholz,Gleason(MVC),andWhitmerClerk:JeffCobb,605FarnumBldg.,Phone(517)373-1635

APPROPRIATIONS:SenatorsJelinek(C),Pappageorge(VC),Hardiman,Kahn,Cropsey,Garcia,George,Jansen,Brown,McManus,Stamas,Switalski(MVC),Anderson,Barcia,Brater,Cherry,Clark-Coleman,andScottClerk:ConnieBurgess,S-324CapitolBldg.Phone:(517)373-6960

FAMILIES&HUMANSERVICES:SenatorsJansen(C),Hardiman(VC),andJacobs(MVC)Clerk:AmandaComment,520FarnumBldg.Phone:(517)373-0797

HEALTHPOLICY:SenatorsGeorge(C),Patterson(VC),Sanborn,Allen,Clarke(MVC),Gleason,andJacobsClerk:HollyNester,320FarnumBldg.Phone:(517)373-0793

HOMELANDSECURITY&EMERGINGTECHNOLOGIES:SenatorsBrown(C),Garcia(VC),Richardville,Pappageorge,Hunter(MVC),Olshove,andThomasClerk:KendraButters,405FarnumBldg.Phone:(517)373-5932

LOCAL,URBAN&STATEAFFAIRS:SenatorsVanWoerkom(C),Birkholz(VC),Allen,Gleason(MVC),andBashamClerk:KeriApostle,605FarnumBldg.Phone:(517)373-1635

NATURALRESOURCES&ENVIRONMENTALAFFAIRS:SenatorsBirkholz(C),VanWoerkom(VC),Patterson,Basham(MVC),andPrusiClerk:JoyBrewer,805FarnumBldg.Phone:(517)373-3447

SENIORCITIZENS&VETERANSAFFAIRS:SenatorsAllen(C),Pappageorge(VC),Garcia,Olshove(MVC),andBashamClerk:KenOsborne,820FarnumBldg.Phone:(517)373-2413

SENATEFISCALAGENCYBOARDOFGOVERNORS:SenatorsBishop(C),Jelinek,Pappageorge,Schauer,andSwitalskiClerk:EllenJeffries,Phone:(517)373-2768

MI House Committee Members: Standing Committees

AGRICULTURE:Reps.Mayes(C),Byrum(Maj.VC),Angerer,Brown,KathleenLaw,Leland,Sheltrown,Walker(Min.VC),Nitz,Ball,Meekhof

APPROPRIATIONS:Reps.Cushingberry(C),Gillard(Maj.VC),Bauer,Bennett,Byrnes,Cheeks,Espinoza,Gonzales,Hammel,Hood,Jackson,Lahti,LeBlanc,McDowell,Sak,AlmaSmith,Spade,Vagnozzi,Acciavatti(Min.VC),Caswell,Shaffer,Brandenburg,Amos,Booher,Caul,Hansen,Proos,Agema,Moss

FAMILIESANDCHILDRENS’SERVICES:Reps.Clack(C),Dean(Maj.VC),Accavitti,Hammon,Wojno,Sheen(Min.VC)Stahl,Hoogendyk,Palmer

GOVERNMENTOPERATIONS:Reps.Wojno(C),KathleenLaw(Maj.VC),Condino,Constan,Polidori,Young,Hoogendyk(Min.VC)Hune,DavidLaw

GREATLAKESANDENVIRONMENT:Reps. Warren (C), Donigan (Maj. VC), Ebli, Griffin, Kathleen Law, Leland,Meadows,Miller,Valentine,Robertson(Min.VC),Palmer,Emmons,Moolenaar,Walker,Meekhof

HEALTHPOLICY:Reps.Angerer(C),Simpson(Maj.VC),Byrum,Clack,Corriveau,Coulouris,Donigan,Hammon,RobertJones,Valentine,Wojno,Gaffney(Min.VC),Ward,Hune,Marleau,Green,Ball,Calley

INSURANCE:Reps.VirgilSmith(C),Farrah(Maj.VC),Condino,Constan,Johnson,Lemmons,Polidori,Scott,Simpson,Wojno,Hune(Min.VC),Robertson,Emmons,Hildenbrand,DavidLaw,Moore,Rocca

MILITARYANDVETERANSAFFAIRSANDHOMELANDSECURITY:Reps.Polidori(C),Brown(Maj.VC),Dean,Lemmons,Sheltrown,Emmons (Min. VC), Garfield, Pastor, Horn

SENIORHEALTH,SECURITY,ANDRETIREMENT:Reps.RobertJones(C),Constan(Maj.VC),Hopgood,Lemmons,Warren,Ball(Min.VC),Green,Sheen,Stahl

STAY INvOLvED!“Day at the capital” – March 28, 2007

(co-sponsored by MPha) To find out more information on Michigan’s legislature, please visit the following websites:

www.legislature.mi.govwww.senate.michigan.gov

www.house.mi.gov

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Legislative Updates2006 National Health Care Policy, Michigan Forum “HealthCareSolutionsforMichigan”-October14,2006EasternMichiganUniversityConvocationCenter(A portion of the article was adapted and reprinted with permission from Eastern Michigan University Focus)

The National Health Policy Forum seeks to inform thepublic policy process by helping participants; federalhealth policymakers in the legislative and executivebranches and in congressional support agencies;engage in rigorous, constructive, and respectfuldialogue. The forum national health care policy forumrepresented collaboration between the National HealthPolicyCouncil,theAARP,andtheNationalCoalitiononHealth Care to create an opportunity for gubernatorialcandidates, as well as a panel of health care policyexperts, to discuss the future of health care. There are only six such eventsnationwide,andonlyoneinMichigan.Therefore,wewereveryproudtohaveourownMPHAmember,RichardDouglass,EMUProfessorofHealthAdministrationandHealthCare,HealthCarePolicyExpert&MJPHEditorialBoardMember,moderateaSaturdayafternoonroundtablediscussion.ThepanelincludedLarryHorwitz,President,EconomicAlliance forMI,SeanGehle,VicePresident forAdvocacy,AscensionHealth;GeorgeRowan,PhD,Member-MichiganPublicHealthAdvisoryCommitteeandtheMichiganAfricanAmericanHealthInstitute,MSUProfessor&AARPBoardofDirector;DavidSloane,ManagingDirector,GovernmentalRelations,fortheAARPinWashington,D.C.;andHollisTurnham,Michigan Policy Director, Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute. Since 2004,Dr.DouglasshasfocusedhisresearchinMichiganonthestatusofMedicaid-dependentnursinghomesinurbanareasandthechallengesthatarefacedbythese institutions who care for the most vulnerable people in our society. HeservedonnumerousfacultycommitteesattheCollegeandUniversitylevelsandasProgramDirectorinHealthAdministrationfor15ofthelast18years.Sincearriving at Eastern Michigan University, he has conducted several externallyfundedresearchprojects.

Theforumhighlights included:Rep.JohnDingell (D-MI)- introductoryremarkspertinent to Patient’s Bill of Rights; Governor Jennifer Granholm discussedtheworkprovidinguniversalaccesstoaffordablehealthcareinMichigan,andKeynoter,GovernorMikeHuckabee(R-AR)sharedthoughtsoncontrollinghealthcarecoststhroughbehaviorallifestylechanges.

ToviewtheEMUcoverstoryinitsentirety,pleasevisit:http://www.emich.edu/focus_emu/101706/healthcareforum.htmlToviewthefullpressreleaseontheGovernor’sNationalHealthCarePlan,MiRxprescriptiondrugcardandthedevelopmentoftheMichiganHealthInformationNetwork,pleasevisit:http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168-39899_39903-143157--,00.html

Submitted by: Hope Rollins

“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being…The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition. ” World Health Organization,

Constitution, Geneva (WHO)

Cervical Cancer Report, New National Awareness Campaign Aim to Reduce Cervical Cancer in Michigan January17,2007

LANSING -Lt.Governor JohnD.Cherry, Jr.,state health officials, and members of Governor Granholm’staskforceoncervicalcancertodayannounced new recommendations to reducecervical cancer in Michigan. Lt. GovernorCherry also announced the launch of aneducationalinitiativesponsoredbytheNationalLieutenantGovernorsAssociation(NLGA).The recommendations - contained in theGovernor’s Task Force on Cervical CancerReport - outline key strategies the state ofMichigan, health care providers, cancerprevention advocacy groups, and others willuse to improvepublicawarenessand reducecervicalcancerratesstatewide.Lt.GovernorJohnD.CherryJr.alsoannouncedtoday that theNational LieutenantGovernorsAssociation has selected cervical cancerawarenessas theirpublic issuecampaign for2007.Theprogram,“EndingCervicalCancerin Our Lifetime,” will make thousands of freeeducationalpacketsavailabletohelpMichigancitizensbetterunderstandtherisksassociatedwithcervicalcancer.“The National Lieutenant GovernorsAssociationisworkingto“EndCervicalCancerinourlifetime,”Cherrysaid.“Cervicalcancerisalmost100percentpreventable.Increasedpublic understanding about how the diseasedevelops, how it is detected, and how it canbe treatedgivesusa real opportunity toendcervicalcancer.”

MichiganHealthInformationNetworktomakehealth care records portable and reduceredundancyandcost,andencouraginghealthybehaviorsandpersonalresponsibilitytoloweroverall health care costs by cutting down onpreventableconditions.

http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168-39899_39903-143157--,00.html

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Upcoming EventsFebruary15-182007 Great Lakes Conference Troy,MIFormoreinformationvisit:http://www.glcsediv.com/

March1MPHA Public Health Nursing Section Annual Meeting and ConferenceGrandRapids,MI

March20-21Michigan’s Public Health Technology Conference (FormallytheInformationIntegrationConference)EastLansing,MIFormoreinformationvisit:www.malph.org

April12Michigan Epidemiology Conference 2007AnnArbor,MIFormoreinformationvisit:www.mipha.org/epi/index.htm

June7-8Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies ConferenceYpsilanti,MI

June13Great Lakes Border Health Initiative Annual ConferenceNiagaraFalls,NYFormoreinformationpleasecontactKatherineAllen-Bridsonat517-335-8199oratallen-bridsonk@michigan.gov

July8-2742nd Graduate Summer Session in EpidemiologyFormoreinformationvisit:www.sph.umich.edu/epid/GSS/.

MPHTCMichigan Public Health Training Center(MPHTC) offers training to strengthentechnical, scientific, managerial and leadershipskillsandabilities through:on-site training courses in different areas ofthestateeachyear;online(mentoredandselfpaced)trainingcoursesandself-pacedCD courses. We also offer invaluabletraining resources online. ContinuingEducation credits also provided, asapplicable.

Register for upcoming Online, mentoredcourses.Coursefee:$135.

February12,2007-March30,2007Conducting Useful Program Evaluations(PREVM0207)Developing technical skillsinplanning,conducting,andusingprogramevaluationswillbethefocusofthisonlinecourse.

April16,2007-June3,2007Beyond Numbers: Qualitative ResearchMethods, Application and Analysis(BEYNM0407) Participants will beintroduced to commonly utilized healthbehavior models, types of qualitativeresearch methods, analysis of qualitativedata, and application of participatoryresearchmethods.

Ongoing,self-pacedonlinecourses.FREE

Measuring Health Disparities Computer-based(downloadable)(MHDID0806)Course examines the language of healthdisparity to come to some commonunderstanding of what that term means,and shows how to calculate differentmeasuresofhealthdisparity.

Six Weeks to Genomic Awareness(SIWES0905)Course builds a foundation forunderstanding genomic advances andidentifying the relevance of genomics topublichealth.

Formoreinformationandupcomingcourselistings,pleasevisitourwebsiteat:www.mitrainingcenter.org

If you would like to add your upcoming public health event to the August issue of IMPACT, please contact Hope Rollins at [email protected].

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July11-13NACCHO Annual Conference 2007Columbus,OHFormoreinformationvisit:http://www.naccho.org/conferences/nacchoannual07/

September18-21,2007NALBOH’s 15th Annual ConferenceAnchorage,AlaskaFormoreinformationvisit:http://www.nalboh.org/about/calendar.htm

SeptemberTBAFamily Planning Update Lookforregistrationinformationcomingsoonat:www.hcet.org

October16-17Michigan’s Premier Public Health ConferenceDearborn,MIFormoreinformationvisit:www.malph.org

November1-22007 STD & HIv ConferenceYpsilanti,MILookforupcomingregistrationinformationcomingsoonat:http://www.mihivnews.com/michigan.htm

November3-7135th American Public Health Association Highlight Washington,DCFormoreinformationvisit:http://www.apha.org/meetings/index.htm

MDCH public health trainings and conferences can be found at:http://mdch.train.org/calendar_calendar_links.html

MPHI public health trainings and conferences can be found at: http://www.mphi.eductrng.net

ToviewthearchivebroadcastoftheMichiganLocalPublicHealthAccreditationProgram,November30,2006,Multi-StateLearningCollaborative:PerformanceorCapacityAssessmentandAccreditationofPublicHealthDepartments,pleasevisit,http://www.accreditation.localhealth.net/

PleaseseetheSeptember2006APHAIssueBriefentitled:ThePublicHealthWorkforceShortage:LeftUnchecked,WillWeBeProtected?http://www.apha.org/advocacy/reports/issuebriefs/


www.address.com

Michigan Public health associationPo box 15306lansing, Mi 48901-5306

IMPACT newsletter......

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. . Call for NominationsMPHAisseekingcandidatesforthe2007elections to be held this spring. Pleaseconsider nominating yourself or anothermember of MPHA to serve in one of theroles listed below. Submit nominationsto Terrie Wehrwein at [email protected],2007.

Presidentelect–ServesintheabsenceofthePresidentfor1yearandthensucceedstoa1yeartermasPresident.Candidatesforthispositionneedtohaveserved1yearontheBoard.

Director – Provides direction to theorganization as a member of the Board.Termis2years.

Nominating Committee Members recruitcandidates and develop the ballot forBoardpositions

In This Issue...MJPH................................Page3MPPHCHighlights............Page4APHAUpdates..................Page5-6CoalitionsinAction............Page7Nursing..............................Page8Vision................................Page9OralHealth........................Page10Epidemiology.....................Page11Laboratory.........................Page11MemberHighlights&Tributes...........................Page12LegislativeUpdates.......... Page12-14UpcomingEvents............. Page15

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I MPACT · healthy tidbits offered by the American Heart Association, to reduce stress and promote healthier eating and lifestyles. Additionally, the advancement of our public health