Fair Health News Issue 1
Fair Health News
In This Issue...
II. Events
III. News from the Field
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HPI News & Announcements
New Analysis of Equity Provisions on Congressional Health Proposals
Legislation is being considered in Congress to address the many woes of U.S. health care, which include rapidly escalating costs, uneven quality, and a large number of uninsured Americans. Given the disproportionate impact of these problems on communities of color, and the greater burden of poor health and shortened lifespans among some U.S. racial and ethnic minorities, it will be important for Congress to establish equity as a key goal of any health legislation.
To help highlight the need to address equity, The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies' Health Policy Institute, in partnership with the Drexel University School of Public Health's Center for Health Equality and Health Management Associates, is pleased to announce that we will analyze major health reform bills in the 111th Congress to assess how they will address racial and ethnic health and health care inequities. These analyses will be available on the Joint Center's website at www.jointcenter.org/hpi. We will make these analyses available periodically throughout the health reform debate as bills are considered in relevant committees and by the full House and Senate.
To begin, we offer an analysis of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee's "Affordable Health Choices Act," introduced by Senator Kennedy on June 9, 2009. To access this analysis, visit the Joint Center at [specific URL for analysis here].
Soon, we will post an analysis of the Senate Finance Committee Chairman Baucus' bill, the House "Tri-Committee" legislation, as well as the leading Republican proposals. Visit our website frequently to stay posted on these developments!
Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies Cited on CSPAN & CSPAN2
During two separate meeting on Capitol Hill, Representatives Donna Christensen and Barabara Lee referenced statements by Dr. Brian Smedley of the Joint Center HPI.
Click here to view the video of Representative Christensen
Click here to view the video of Representative Lee
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Events
Moving from Science to Policy and Practice: Addresing Health Inequities Through a Focus on Place
July 16, 2009
The Nation Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities is holding a series of seminars centered around the theme of "Social Determinants of Health". As one of the seminars, "Moving from Scient to Policy and Practice" will take place on July 16, 2009 at the NIH. For further details please view the agenda.
Building Communities that Promote Healthy Lifestyles
July 27, 2009
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention will hold it's inaugural conference, Weight of the Nation, to address issues of obesity in America. The conference will include many panels, including "Building Communities that Promote Healthy Lifestyles", moderated by Brian Smedley. For further information on the conference please view the agenda.
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News from the Field
In Prisoners' Wake, A Tide of Troubled Kids
July 4, 2009, The New York Times
New Study to Explore Vitamin Deficiency in Blacks
July 3, 2009, Conta Costa Times
National Healthcare Reform Must Include Remedies for Racial Disparities, Experts Say
June 17, 2009, The Weekly Challenger
