April 2012
Program in Focus
The Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP) promotes better health care service in rural America. Established in August 1987, the Office was subsequently authorized by Congress in December 1987 and located in HRSA. Congress charged the Office with informing and advising the Department of Health and Human Services on matters affecting rural hospitals and health care, coordinating activities within the department that relate to rural health care, and maintaining a national information clearinghouse. You can learn more about the ORHP by visiting http://www.hrsa.gov/ruralhealth/.
You can also view and order publications related to rural health policy by going to http://www.ask.hrsa.gov/results_materials.cfm?type=kword&searchterm=807 and clicking on the publication titles.
April Public Health Observances:
- National Public Health Week (2nd - 8th)
- National Donate Life Month
- National Minority Health Month
For more information on these and other April National Health Observances, see HealthFinder’s National Health Observances Calendar at http://www.healthfinder.gov/nho/nho.asp?year=2012#m4.
May Public Health Observances:
- National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
- National Women's Health Week (13th - 19th)
- HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (18th)
The complete list for May can be found at http://www.healthfinder.gov/nho/nho.asp?year=2012#m5.
New Publications Available at the HRSA Information Center
Affordable Insurance Exchanges and Enrollment: Meeting Rural Needs (December 2011)
This report reviews the function and implications of key characteristics of health insurance exchanges that will affect access to affordable insurance plans in rural America. It discusses implications to the rural population in regards to the influence states exercise over the insurance market and governance, the role of consumer navigators in helping consumers choose among qualified health plans, provisions for reasonable healthcare access standards, the use of multiple Exchanges in a single state or across multiple states, and developing Small Business Health Options Programs and certification of qualified health plans to meet minimum federal standards. The paper includes references. Use inventory code ORHP00555 to order.
The Business Case for Breastfeeding. Resources for Building a Lactation Support Program: Bottom Line Benefits (Tool Kit)
This toolkit provides templates that can be personalized to fit the unique needs of companies building a lactation support program. It contains a worksite breastfeeding support policy, sample assessment and program feedback forms, a timeline for implementing a lactation support program, promotional flyers and table tents, drop-in newsletter communications, a poster, resource guide, and employer spotlights. The kit also includes the link to the online version and information for ordering additional copies. Use inventory code MCH00408 to order.
HRSA CAREAction. Test and Treat: A New Paradigm for Slowing the Spread of HIV (January 2012)
This newsletter discusses the "test and treat" model, a broad-based strategy for reaching, engaging, and treating people living with HIV/AIDS. It examines the two primary goals of the model: improving health outcomes in people who do not know their serostatus and reducing HIV transmission. It describes challenges to implementation of this model, linkage to care, retention in care, optimizing test and treat, and how this model fits into the overall national HIV/AIDS strategy. The newsletter includes a pros and cons table and references. Use inventory code HAB00491 to order.
To order publications: call 1-888-Ask-HRSA, log onto our Web site http://www.ask.hrsa.gov, or send an email message to ask@hrsa.gov.
For help with this list, please email: ask@hrsa.gov.