March 28, 2024

New Journal Issue and Supplement

The spring issue of the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved (JHCPU 24.2) is now available online and in print.  Major themes are homelessness, immigration, primary care, innovative programs and health policy. View the online table of contents. Advancing Obesity Prevention is the theme of the spring supplement to the JHCPU. The supplement was produced in collaboration between the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities and the Health Resources and Services … [Read more...]

Call to Action on Walking

U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin has issued a Proposed Call to Action on Walking, and she wants to hear from you. The public comment period on “Walking as a Way for Americans to Get the Recommended Amount of Physical Activity for Health” is open from April 1 – 30. Details are available at Everybodywalk.org/takeaction ACU highlighted the importance of promoting walking for all in our 2012 health promotion calendar. Walking helps maintain weight, reduce high blood pressure, and lower the … [Read more...]

Jessica Wallace, PA, Says We Can! Tackle Obesity

As a Physician Assistant at Upper Cardozo Clinic in Washington, DC, Jessica Wallace serves a largely immigrant population that is mostly uninsured and culturally isolated. Her patients are disproportionately affected by diabetes, hypertension, obesity  and other chronic conditions. So Jessica and her team have implemented an innovative program called We  Can! (Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition) to engage their clients in achieving better health for themselves and their … [Read more...]

Nereida Savoy

  Nurse practitioner Nereida Savoy arrived in the U.S. from Cuba as a little girl and political refuge. This experience helped shape her desire to work with other minority and disadvantaged groups. Here she shares her experience working on a Navajo reservation. … [Read more...]

Call for Papers on Obesity Prevention

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities at the National Institutes of Health (NIMHD/NIH) announced a call for papers for a special theme issue of the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved (JHCPU) on “Advancing Obesity Prevention: Quality Improvements, Emerging Models and Best Practices." The details are reported below. ACU members are encouraged to submit their work. Please note the deadline for … [Read more...]

“Kicking the Can” at the National Soda Summit

How can Americans "kick the can" and limit our consumption of sugary beverages? This was the main issue explored at the first National Soda Summit hosted by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) on June 7 and 8, in Washington, DC. Nearly 250 people, including educators, activists, foundation executives, and public health advocates, such as ACU Executive Director Kathie Westpheling and I, attended this conference to explore the scope of issues involved with sugar-sweetened … [Read more...]

ACU takes on obesity challenge

A new report from the Institute of Medicine confirms that obesity is more prevalent in low-income communities -  where most ACU members practice. The report, Accelerating Progress in Obesity Prevention: Solving the Weight of the Nation, calls for coordinated action to Integrate physical activity every day in every way Market what matters for a healthy life Make healthy foods and beverages available everywhere Activate employers and health care professionals Strengthen schools as … [Read more...]

ACU Members Focus on Healthy Weight

Several ACU members were selected to participate in Collaborate for Healthy Weight, a national anti-obesity initiative that was recently expanded to all 50 states. The Healthy Weight collaborative is a partnership between HRSA and the National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality and supported by the Affordable Care Act's Prevention and Public Health Fund. It is establishing innovative partnerships between public health, primary care and community organizations. Participating ACU members … [Read more...]

HBO to Air Series on Obesity

DVD Kits Available for Local Screening An HBO Documentary series, The Weight of the Nation, featuring work by the Institute of Medicine will air on May 14 and 15. The four documentary films examine pressing issues of obesity as they relate to children, communities, policies and systemic challenges. DVD kits are available for organizations to host screenings of the films in their communities. They include the video series and discussion guides in English and Spanish that you can use to delve … [Read more...]

DC Clinic Offers ‘Recess’ for Staff Wellness

Clinicians have demanding schedules, but one DC-area clinic has learned that 10 minutes of "Recess" can increase productivity throughout the day. Alicia Wilson, Executive Director of La Clinica del Pueblo said the Recess program has helped build morale, relieve stress and develop staff leadership. The program is based on Instant Recess® developed by Dr. Toni Yancey. A toolkit for implementing the Instant Recess® program in your workplace, including a cost-benefit calculator, is available … [Read more...]