Health Disparities Task Force Meeting Minutes

December 21, 2006

Attendance:  Marva Bohen, co-chair, Dr.  Abraham Dalu, co-chair, Sirad Abdhirahman, Elisabeth Atherly, Reona Berry, Margee Brown, Cathy Carlos, Mary Beth Dahl, DeAnna Finifrock, Carlos Gallego, Elizabeth Gordon, Ora Hokes, Dr. Jane Korn, Megersa Kumbi, Allison LaPointe, Andrea Leinberger-Jabari, Vicky Mendez, Elizabeth Moe, Dr. Kola Okuyemi, Dr. Kate Onyeneho, Roshan Paudel, Carin Perkins, Beverly Propes, Gay Lynn Richards, Cheri Rolnick,

Marie Tran, Ephraim Olani, Aster Tesima,  Mike Malone, Dr. Niccu Tafarrodi, Yiscah Bracha.

Participating by phone:  Nicole Bennett Engler, Patricia Radabaugh, Christine Smith, Chris Hughes

1. Introduction and Welcome:  Dr. Abraham Dalu opened the meeting with introductions and then gave a brief presentation about the importance of the work we are doing.  He started by encouraging the team to review what was done in 2006 by visiting the Health Disparities Task Force archives at http://www.cancerplanmn.org/Health_Disparities_Task_Force.html.  Although every team member came from a different back ground and represented different communities, he indicated that every one took time and interest to understand each others concerns, and worked for one bigger solution: reducing health disparities in our communities and in Minnesota at large.  The efforts of this team were demonstrated by action that yielded impressive results.  He emphasized that each person’s contribution is vital in advancing the mission of the Minnesota Cancer Alliance.  If any contribution would be missing, then the goals of reducing health disparities in different communities can not be realized as intended.  He commended the enthusiasm and dedication of the team and thanked the team for a purpose driven public services.
   
2. Reports from Work Groups: 

·         Pastors’ Wives Project:  Gay Lynn Richards reported that the Pastors’ Wives Pilot Project is complete after 8 interventions.  Follow-up and evaluation is ongoing.  An abstract has been submitted for the ACS conference, Bridging the Health Care Divide:  Research and programs to Eliminate Cancer Disparities, to be held in April in New Orleans.  A complete summary will be available on the MCA web site.  Several areas have been identified for 2007 projects including reaching Muslim women through the Islamic Center of Minnesota, expanding breast and cervical cancer outreach to Karen women, replicating a “See, Test and Treat” event in St. Paul, and assisting with culturally appropriate trainings for West African women, a project initiated by Dr. Kate Onyeneho

·         Building Bridges (St. Cloud Initiatives):  It was agreed at the last meeting that we would ask the MCA steering committee to include Building Bridges as a Health Disparities Work Group.   Because of several other competing issues this did not make it onto the agenda for the last meeting of the steering committee, and after considerable discussion between Bridges members, Elizabeth Moe and Marva Bohen, it was determined that Bridges would become a Health Disparities Work Group and that Steering Committee approval would not be necessary.  Gay Lynn provided a summary of the work to date and also project to be developed in 2007.  A complete report can be obtained from Gay Lynn.

·         Community Health Worker Curriculum:  Andrea Leinberger-Jabari and Pat Radabaugh reported on a second successful pilot program done at Snelling Office Park on October 31, 2006.  This session was an all day session with expansion of materials and the inclusion of prostate cancer as a topic.  Follow-up of participants is being planned.  For 2007, the group is looking into doing the curriculum for Community Health Workers in areas outside the metro, and are looking at Rochester and Wilmar, specifically.  They would also like to do a survey of how CHW’s are used.  They are in discussions about how to move forward with these projects. 

·         Dialogue for Action-Colorectal Cancer in American Indians in Minnesota:  Marva Bohen reported that an initial planning meeting was held in Bimidji November 13 and 14.  Representatives from 9 of the 11 Minnesota tribes participated as well as representatives from Indian Health Services, the Indian Health Board and Minneapolis American Indian community members.  There was good discussion about current status and barriers to screening in American Indian Communities in Minnesota.  A second meeting is planned for February 9, 2007 at Mille Lacs.  An agenda for the Summit will be developed at that meeting.  The Summit will be held in September, 2007 at Mille Lacs because of its central location.

3. TPT Video: Vicky Mendez talked about TPT experience in doing a program on Somali women and breast cancer.  The program ran at the end of November on Channel 17.Vicky brought copies of the video to the meeting for any HDTF members who wanted copies.
   
4. Quitplan Study:  Christine Smith from Mayo is coordinating a study on smoking cessation support.  Initially, there is a pilot study involving 30 participants and a written questionnaire.  Participants in the pilot receive $15.  A larger randomized study will look at telephone based self-help and requires contact 3days per week.  Participants receive $20 at week 26.  Materials and counselors use English only.  She is interested in having participation from communities in which cancer health disparities are common.  It was recommended that she talk with Dr. Kola Okuyemi at the University of Minnesota.  He has conducted several studies focusing on smoking cessation in communities with health disparities.
   
5. Intercultural Cancer Council Report:  Carlos Gallegos provided a report on the activities of the regional ICC.  He has applied for funding for a regional conference and is quite confident that the conference will go forward.  He will keep us posted on any developments in this area. 
   
6. Discussion:  It is clear that while Minnesota ranks high as a “healthy” state that this ranking applies almost totally to the white majority.  We have some very disturbing cancer disparities in our state.  We have been successful so far in initiating small community awareness pilots.  Over the next year we will be looking for ways to expand projects like Pastors’ Wives  and the CHW curriculum to new communities, continuing the Dialogue for Action project and looking for champions for new projects.  We will also need to find ways to fund and support the projects and keep them moving forward.  We want “Healthy Minnesota” to apply to all communities.
   
7. Thank you:  Marva Bohen expressed appreciation to the group for their work over the past year, and for the continued interest and action of the members of this task force. 

Next Meeting:  March 15, 2006 in Snelling Office Park  Building of MDH, Red River Room.