Center for Reducing Health Disparities

Howdy!!

This week was a very exciting week for both Tatyana and me. We had the pleasure of attending informational and interesting meetings, getting aquainted with new people and most importantly learning many new applicable ideas. This past Tuesday, along with Antonia Correa, we were in attendance at The Minority Health Tobacco Congress, which was aimed towards the youth of North and South Omaha. At the Congress, the effects of tobacco and the importance of restraining from its use was projected to the youth in ways that would be interesting and captivating to them. Though the presentation was held before a middle school audience, we, ourselves, were very amazed to learn of the high prevalence of young smokers in Nebraska.

DID YOU KNOW ?!

19.7%, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 20,400 OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN NEBRASKA, SMOKE TOBACCO ??

IN ADDITION, ABOUT 2,100 KIDS, IN NEBRASKA, (UNDER THE AGE OF 18), BECOME NEW DAILY SMOKERS EACH YEAR.

THSE STATISTICS HOPEFULLY REALLY HIT HOME TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE AT THE CONGRESS, AND HOPEFULLY IT HAS MADE AT LEAST ONE CHILD THINK TWICE BEFORE PICKING UP A CIGARETTE.

Hey Everyone!

    Its Tatyana &  Jennifer, the new interns! We are happy to say that we have successfully completed two weeks at the office and we have learned so much.  In fact, last night, we attended a wonderful celebration which aimed to recognize Latinas in the south Omaha community who devote their time to the tobacco and cancer awareness program.  We had a great turnout, where food was served, we were entertained by music, and people were recognized for their commitment to the program.  Everyone contributed a great deal time and support.  We would especailly like to acknowledge the work of Antonia, Adriana, and Rita, who were instrumental in putting the entire event together.  Great Job, Ladies!

We would also like to wish Antonia  Correa a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

On June 9, 2009, the Center for Reducing Health Disparities and Epply Cancer Center sponsored a community forum on cancer survivorship at the Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition.  The forum facilitator was Dr. Linda Burhansstipanov, Founder and Grant Director for Native American Cancer Research, Inc., a community-based, American Indian non-profit organization dedicated to helping improve the lives of Native American cancer patients and survivors.  Dr. Linda B is a leader and expert on cultural competency working with American Indian peoples. 

Dr. Linda Burhansstipanov presenting data at the Community Forum on Cancer Survivorship

During the Forum, Dr. Linda B highlighted some of the cancer health disparities among American Indian peoples including the high rates of cancers in the Northern Plains area.  The Forum was very interesting and informative. 

Thanks for  Dr. Shinobu Watanabe-Galloway for organizing the event!

Howdy!!

We’re the new interns from New York and it is our first time being to Nebraska. As college students with majors in Public Health, we are extremely excited to intern at the Center of Reducing Health Disparities at UNMC. This internship is enabling us to expericence first-hand what we have learned in the classroom as well as prepare us for our aspirations of becoming committed physicians.

Being from New York, we can see that though Omaha is a smaller city, health disparities are more or less the same. Taking part in this dedicated and altruistic team of professionals, we hope to service both your city and ours, and eventually work towards a national reform.

WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO CONGRATULATE NEBRASKA FOR BECOMING SMOKE-FREE !!!!

The Center is excited to have two summer interns working with us, Tatyana Beaubrun and Jennifer Saint Fleur.  Both young ladies are college students from New York and will be spending the next six weeks with us here at UNMC.  They both are interested in pursuing health careers. 

Some of the projects that they will be working on include breast cancer, mental health, disaster preparedness, and rural health disparities.  Welcome Tatyana and Jennifer!

Tatyana Beaubrun and Jennifer Saint Fleur, Center for Reducing Health Disparities Summer Interns

The Center has lots of birthdays in June.  On Tuesday, June 2, 2009, the Center celebrated Tamicka & Phyllis’s birthday at Lo Sole Mio. 

Birthday lunch for Tamicka & Phyllis

Today, we attended the Metro Omaha Tobacco Action Coalition’s Annual Community Recognition Luncheon at the UNO Thompson Alumni Center.  This year marks the 17th year of this community tobacco control coalition.  The Center staff are involved with preventing and reducing tobacco use throughout the community. 

This year, Ira Combs was recognized as the Medical Professional for the Cause because of his deep commitment to educating the community through various means including Dr. Jesse, a tobacco prevention coloring book, and NOAH.  Antonia Correa was recognized with a coalition award for “Most Enthusiastic” and Tamicka Bradley was recognized as “Most Creative.” 

Ira Combs receiving the MOTAC Award for Medical Professional for the Cause 2009

As for me, it was a bittersweet moment to read the successes from the podium during the luncheon and realize all of the great strides that MOTAC and our community have made to reducing tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke.  I have been involved now for eight years and have seen the struggles and the successes that we have made. 

Tamicka Bradley, Rita Rodriguez, Antonia Correa, Athena Ramos, and Adriana Chavez at the MOTAC Luncheon

Starting Monday, June 1, 2009, Nebraska will be smoke-free.  In fact, Nebraska has one of the most comprehensive smoke-free laws in the country.  Congratulations Nebraska!

Every April, we celebrate National Minority Health Month in recognition of health issues that impact racial and ethnic populations.  During April 2009, the Center for Reducing Health Disparities hosted a number of events including the recognizing the first annual winners of the Community Health Disparities Recognition Awards, educational opportunities with Dr. Mindy Fullilove, and student events to highlight community engagement opportunities to improve minority health.

On April 2, 2009, the Center hosted the Community Health Disparities Recognition Reception where the Center awarded: Dr. Shinobu Watanabe-Galloway, Students Against Violence at College of St. Mary, and One World Community Health Centers, Inc.  The awards were to recognize individuals and organizations that demonstrate contributions, commitment, passion, and creativity towards reducing health disparities in racial/ethnic minorities, underserved, and rural commmunities throughout Nebraska.  Mayor Fahey also provided a proclamation pronouncing the start of National Minority Health Month in Omaha, Nebraska.

Community Health Disparities Recognition Award Winners with Interim Director, Shireen Rajaram, PhD

The Center and the UNMC Office of of Student Equity and Multicultural Affairs hosted Dr. Mindy Fullilove on April 21-22, 2009.  We held a community dinner, a faculty breakfast, Grand Rounds, and facilitated her message into various media mediums.  Mindy Thompson Fullilove, MD, is a research psychiatrist at New York State Psychiatric Institute and a professor of clinical psychiatry and public health at Columbia University. 

Interim Director, Shireen Rajaram, PhD. with Dr. Mindy Fullilove and Marguerita Washington at Omaha Star Office

Last week, I attended a class at Georgetown University in Washington DC on social marketing for health within the Latino community.  Class was taught by Dr. Alan Andreasen, a well-known international expert and author of Social Marketing in the 21st Century.  Participants in the class were from all around the world. 

Social marketing is different from conventional marketing.  This class was a great opportunity to learn about how we can help communities improve their health through non-traditional means and a target audience-centered mindset.  Social marketing is a great tool to create community change and real improvements in health.    I look forward to using the skills I learned from the class.

Athena Ramos participated in the Social Marketing for Health in the Latino Community, Georgetown University, May 2009.