Health Disparities Task Force Meeting Minutes

June 22, 2006

Attendance:  Marva Bohen, co-chair,  Abraham Dalu, co-chair, Carin Perkins, Mary Winnett, Michael Malone, Dai Vu, Marie Tran, Laura Ehrlich, Mary Beth Dahl, Andrea Leinberger-Jabari, DeAnna Finifrock, Lisa Stephens,  Julia Johnson, Jane Korn, Ricardo Busquets, Gay Lynn Richards, Beverly Propes,. Megersa Kumbi, Niccu Tafarrodi, Laila Gulzar, Makeisha Nesbitt,

Reona Berry, Betty Sanders, Jose William Castellanos, Sara Bengtson, Kate Onyeneho, Mitchell Davis

1. Introduction:  Marva Bohen introduced Dr. Abraham Dalu as the co-chair for the Health Disparitites Task Force.  Dr. Dalu is a toxicologist at 3M and has a strong interest in raising awareness about prevention of cancer and other illnesses.
2. Overview of Work Groups:  The history of the Health Disparities Task Force was briefly reviewed.  The current projects grew out of the decision of the initial formation of the group in April, 2005 when it was decided to tackle cervical cancer screening and develop additional cancer “navigators” who would be members of communities of color and immigrant communities.  The current projects are pilots and it is anticipated that they will be adapted to other communities as champions for projects arise.  We started with no funding, but we have managed to find a way to finance the current projects, and we anticipate that as the programs move forward we will find additional funding.
3. Reports from current work groups:

·         Pastors’ Wives Project:  Gay Lynn Richards reported that they have completed six interventions and have reached about 120 women.  The response so far has been extremely positive and the evaluation is ongoing.  Erin Hedican went over the statistics so far.  It was suggested that future analyses be dated, and Dr. Dalu questioned why means were used than median data in the analysis.  Erin indicated that she used the mean because it was what had been used in previous similar studies.

·         Community Health Worker Curriculum:  Andrea Leinberger-Jabari reported that about 70 people attended the pilot of the curriculum which was done at the Summit in April.  Based on the evaluations of the pilot they have made some changes and additions to the curriculum and a second day long presentation is scheduled for October 31.  Kate Onyeneho asked if there were plans to develop the curriculum in other languages so that it would be more accessible for community health workers  who are fluent in English.  Andrea indicated that this might be possible in the future, but that it was important to complete the development of an English version first.

·         Other discussion:  Jose William Castellanos raised an issue about the needs of some communities to have a more organized approach to screening that would include not just cancer screening, but other health problems as well.  A lively discussion ensued.  Makeisha Nesbitt indicated that for many communities talking about more than one cancer at a time is very difficult and that we may need a step by step approach rather than a single “screening” day.  Jose sees this as a systems problem and would like to MDH to take the lead, but MDH experts tend to be working in very specialized areas.  This was not an issue that could be resolved at this meeting and appears to vary greatly in what is need from community to community. 

4. New Projects: 
   • Dialogue for Action:  Colorectal Cancer in American Indians in Minnesota:

The Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation sent out an application to states who were in the implementation stages of their Cancer Plans to do a dialogue around colorectal cancer.  Dr. Jane Korn made inquiries about doing the dialogue specifically with our American Indian population in Minnesota because the disparity is so striking.  They agreed to accept such a proposal and it was one of only two states selected to do the Dialogue.  Dr. David Perdue, Deanna Finifrock,

Marge Johnson of ACS, Dr. Jane Korn and Marva Bohen have formed a core team to do the planning around developing a representative American Indian Council who will help shape the actual dialogue or discussion.  The initial site visit and planning session will be held August 28, 2006.

·         Cancer in Women: North Minneapolis Educational Program:  Dr. Levi Downs and  Dr. Rahel Ghebre from the University of Minnesota met with Beverly Propes, Marva Bohen and Diane Haulcy to talk about developing an awareness of ovarian cancers in African American women.  It was decided to offer a program covering cancers in women with Dr. Downs discussing cervical cancer and the new vaccine, Dr. Ghebre covering other types of gynecological cancers and looking for other speakers for colorectal cancer (probably Dr. Sharon Dykes) and breast cancer.  This program is slated for August 19 at this time and is likely to be in the fellowship hall at Ms. Propes church.  Makeisha Nesbitt suggested that we repeat this program for St. Paul communities perhaps a month or so later. 

5. Update on Cancer Plan Outreach Work:  This report as deferred until our next meeting.
6. Discussion:  Marva Bohen provided handouts highlighting cancer health disparities in Minnesota for the screenable cancers.  Because colorectal cancer is responsible for more deaths than breast, cervical and prostate and because breast and cervical programs are already in place she suggested that colorectal cancer might be the next disease to tackle. 

Difficulties to overcome are the cost of screening and the need for treatment if something is detected.  Dr. Korn suggested that we might be able to talk providers in Minnesota into doing a colorectal cancer awareness and screening day.  Due to time constraints Marva asked people to take the handouts with them and consider how to move forward.  We will have additional discussion at out next meeting.

7. Next Meeting:  September 21, 2006 from 10 a.m. – noon in the Cancer Center Research Building, Room Room 450.  Parking will be validated.  Details will be included when the next agenda is sent.