December Health News
#DoingIt Campaign
In case you missed it, LULAC Executive Director Brent Wilkes is featured in the new Act Against AIDS HIV testing campaign “Doing It” which encourages all adults to get tested for HIV.
HIV testing is the first vital step that links persons living with HIV to medical care and treatment that can prolong their lives and prevent transmission to others. In addition to encouraging testing for all Americans, the campaign focuses on populations who are most at risk for HIV in the United States.
CDC estimates that 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV and about 40,000 infections are diagnosed each year.
When people know they have HIV, research shows that they take steps to protect their own health and prevent transmission to others. But nearly one in eight Americans currently living with HIV do not know they are infected and may be unknowingly transmitting the virus to others.
Testing is the only way to ensure that more people living with HIV are aware of their status.
LULAC Hosts Latinos Living Healthy: Feria de Salud in Brownsville, Texas
Health Fair Brought Vital Resources to Address Health Disparities and Increase Access to Quality Health Care in the Latino Community
Over 2,300 Texans attended LULAC’s Latinos Living Healthy: Feria de Salud in Brownsville, Texas. Participants benefited from a variety of free health services including screenings for diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol and HIV. In addition, attendees were provided free flu shots, dental check-ups and consultations for mental health.
LULAC is committed to bringing health services to underserved areas of the country. This was the first time the heath fair was held in Brownsville, where nearly one in three residents is diabetic.
The event’s presenting sponsor, Toyota, raffled $3,000 worth of gift cards to local grocery stores. The fair was also sponsored by Walgreens, The Coca-Cola Company, Pfizer Prescription Pathways and Southwest Airlines.
“By providing information on the important role that healthy eating habits and regular exercise play in our daily lives, we encourage healthy living for the entire family,” said LULAC National President Roger C. Rocha, Jr.
Children participated in numerous interactive activities including basketball drills, a healthy images art project, a hula hoop contest, and juggling and magic tricks led by the Crescent Circus. To further encourage health and wellness, free samples of local fresh fruit were distributed to attendees. In addition, audiences enjoyed performances by Texas valley native Bobby Pulido and his father, Tejano legend Roberto Pulido.
To date, LULAC has successfully organized Latinos Living Healthy: Feria de Salud events that have served over 90,000 people in Los Angeles, California; Ponce, Puerto Rico; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Washington, D.C.; San Antonio, Texas; and Brownsville, Texas.
The Affordable Care Act
Open Enrollment Has Begun
Open Enrollment for 2016 coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace began on November 1, 2015 and ends on January 31, 2016. You must sign up by December 15 for coverage to begin on January 1, 2016. As of this year, 17.6 million Americans have gained coverage, and the nation’s has the fewest uninsured individuals since its founding.
If you already have coverage, don’t forget that switching plans during this open enrollment period can save you money. Those who switched to a different plan in the same tier last year saved $33 per month after tax credits, or almost $400 annually. Don’t wait; Starting on December 16, you may be automatically re-enrolled in your plan or a similar plan.
Go here to find out more or tune in to the webinars below:
- How to Re-Enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplace ~ December 3 at 1:00 pm ET
- Affordable Care Act 101 for Individuals and Families ~ December 8 at 1:00 pm ET
National patient safety efforts save 87,000 lives and nearly $20 billion in costs
A report released by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today shows that thanks in part to provisions of the Affordable Care Act, an estimated 87,000 fewer patients died in hospitals and nearly $20 billion in health care costs were saved as a result of a reduction in hospital-acquired conditions from 2010 to 2014.
“Patients in America’s hospitals are safer today as a result of this partnership with hospitals and health care providers,” said HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell. “The Affordable Care Act has given us tools to build a better health care system that protects patients, improves quality, and makes the most of our health care dollars.”
These major strides in patient safety are a result of strong, diverse public-private partnerships and active engagement by patients and families. These efforts include the federal Partnership for Patients initiative, Hospital Engagement Networks, Quality Improvement Organizations, and many other public and private partners.
HHS will continue working with partners to capitalize on these promising results – improving patient safety and reducing health care costs while providing the best, safest possible care to patients.
Click here to read the entire article.
Advocacy
The EPA issued an improved Worker Protection Standard (WPS) on pesticides in agriculture
Farmworkers are routinely exposed to high levels of pesticides in the fields where they work. They and their family members are also exposed through spray drift from fields onto school playgrounds and homes.
The revised WPS establishes a minimum age of 18 for pesticide handlers; increases the frequency of worker safety training from once every five years to every year; improves the content and quality of worker safety trainings; provides new rules on decontamination and personal protective equipment; and improves the quality of information that workers receive about the pesticides that have been applied at their workplace.
In the months to come, Farmworker Justice and collaborators will reach out to farmworkers to help them understand the changes in the law, advocate for strong enforcement, and help them achieve safer workplaces and environments.
Prepared by Helen Toloza and Jenifer Silva, LULAC National Health Program and Advocacy Interns.