HEALTH DISPARITIES TASKFORCE MEETING

MARCH 20, 2008 10 AM -12 PM

Attendance: Marva Bohen, Pam DeShaw,  DeAnna Finifrock, Carlos Gallegos, Mary Pat Jewison, Vijay Krishnamoorthy, Andrea Leinberger-Jabari, Katie Maxfield, Elizabeth Moe, Makeisha Nesbitt, Ephraim Olani, Roshan Paudel, Gay Lynn Richards, Linda Roberts, Rosemarie Rodriguez-Hager, Sara Rohde,  David Simmons, Jeanne Steele, Lisa Stephens, Ciara Stigen, Michelle Strangis, Marie Minh Hien Tran,  Dai Vu.

Building Bridges in Stearns County-Gaylynn Richards

• Finalized their 2008 work plan and organization chart which be put on the MCA website
• Working with catholic churches to reach Latinas. Sis. Carol assist with offering education session and set up screening for patients at a later date at neighboring clinic. To date 54 women have attended (24 Stearns and 30 Melrose), 20-22 (10 Stearns and 10-12 Melrose) women have been screened. The other women who were not eligible for the SAGE program were linked to alternative services.
• Upcoming event: Parish Nurses offering a 2-day screening event to Stearns and surrounding counties. Last year 34 women were screened and this year they are anticipating an increase in this number.
• Strategy: Working with Health Systems to do direct mailing to possible 600 SAGE eligible participants
• Poster about Building Bridges at the Cancer Summit
• In Stearns County 66 more women enrolled into SAGE and re-screening rate were at 60%
• St. Cloud- 12 Somali women attended education session, all were scheduled to be screened, ½ scheduled and due to challenges (insurance, scheduling, and age requirements) only 2 actual screening. (SAGE recipients)
• ACTION REQUEST: Group was interested in having the demographic break down of Stearns County for next meeting

Community Health Workers (CHW) - Andrea Leinberger-Jabari

·         2005-06 Created a course around cancer basics at the 06’ Cancer Summit 60 participates attended for a ½ day training

·         Oct 06 day long training additional 35 participates attended

·         Oct 08 updated version will be offered at the Intertribal Conference

o        There hope is to make it more customizable

o        Mayo will support this training will Tech support and Evaluation of Curriculum

·         CALL to ACTION: This work group is looking for local trainers who can offer local resources to CHW’s

Pap Team- Sara Rohde

·      St. Paul Screening Day April 10, 2008 at St. Paul Ramsey County Public Health this effort is conjunction with Three Rivers Pathology, SAGE, and American Cancer Society

·      Spanish Tool Kit- Gaylynn and Emily have developed this tool kit which includes power point presentation and brochures. High level of interest in replication of this tool kit. Looking to replicate about 20 @ $10 per kit. Looking for funds to fund this project

·      Pap Card this card is for patients, used as a reminder to patients to be screening for cervical cancer. The card is designed to start conversion with the doctor about their personal health plan

·      ACTION REQUEST: Please provide feedback from community and CHW’s about Pap card

MN Intertribal Colorectal Cancer Council- Marva Bohen

·         Because of increased disparity in the tribal communities meeting have been conducted in Milacs. The council decided they wanted fact sheets about health disparities to influence change among their own tribes. Each tribal council created tribal resolution and Leech Lake, Fonda Lac, Shakopee, and Red Lake have passed their resolutions before fact sheet were established. This shows there great commitment for change among their tribes

·         June is the next meeting, MICCC is doing groundbreaking work, this group is very collegial supported, Mayo, Marge Johnson from ACS and must of the tribe in MN

·         ACTION REQUEST: The group is looking for a coordinator to do administrative coordination such as organize meeting and schedules.

Colorectal Cancer Initiative: David Simmons/Marva Bohen

·        Legislative Initiative starts process to set up State program for under/uninsured

·        Senate version Feb. 14, passed onto Health/Finance committee

o       File # in Senate SF 2698

·        House Bill added 2 authors no decision as of meeting date

o       File # in House HS 2890

·        Day at the Capitol took place March 6, 2008

o       MCA had a strong presence

o       Deanna F./Marge J. did a presentation day of event

o       Well attended over 80 participates from all over MN

o       Governor in talks to pull funding from health initiative to fund other project in MN….please keep your eyes open about this

·        Free Colorectal Cancer Screening Project- Piloted in Nov 07 and March 08 20 people screened at each event. 6 people at each event had polyps removed. At 2^nd event 3 men, 2 African Americans, 2 Vietnamese, 2 Latinos, and 1 Indian

·        Next event is at Regions May 3, As of March 20 13 spot still available

Steering Committee: Marva Bohen

·         Wants a main focus for whole alliance main suggestion Colorectal Cancer

·         Work group main need to be developed

·         Colorectal Cancer Education for community

o        What is Colorectal Cancer

o        Preparation

o        Procedure

o        Treatment

·         Possible mini-grants from Steering Committee in the near future

Prostate Cancer Grant Update- Roshan Paudel

·         3 ½ years since program started expanded program to other areas metro area.

·         RFP’s released and received for review/scoring within few weeks process will be completed.

·         Prostate staff will start soon.

·         Let’s talk about it- Nat’l ACS program

o        Adding inform decision making to program

·         Looking for Evaluator

·         Should have grantees by mid-April

Summit and other MCA- Liz Moe

·         Registered by April 2 for early registration

·         Submit poster March 28^th

·         Karin Perkins- Data presentation

·         Jane Korn- Overview of MCA

·         Tina Gill- Arkansas

·         Working Session

Announcements

·         ACS- Roshan Paudel Grand Opening for Twin Cities Hope Lodge

·         Screening Day Announcement

·         Makeisha Nesbitt will be co-chair for Health Disparities Task Force and will chair the June Meeting.

Next Meeting:  June 19, 2008 at Snelling Office Park, Red River Room from 10:00 to 12:00.   Please mark your calendars.