Healthy People 2020 Progress Review: Social Determinants of Health and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health 

Register Now | February 5, 2015 | 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. ET

Please join us on Thursday, February 5 at 12:30 p.m. ET for a Healthy People 2020 Progress Review webinar featuring the Social Determinants of Health and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health topic areas. Progress Review webinars are focused on tracking and measuring the progress of select Healthy People 2020 objectives.To be more effective, public health, health care, and prevention practitioners must understand the cultural context of their unique community and possess the skills and desire to work in those contexts. Cultural competence, the ability of an individual or organization to interact effectively with people of different cultures and backgrounds to produce positive change, is a key component to achieving the Healthy People 2020 goal of reducing health disparities and achieving health equity. This Progress Review webinar will highlight the importance of social determinants of health and cultural competence in working with LGBT and diverse populations to eliminate health disparities and achieve health equity.

This webinar will feature Senior HHS officials. Additionally, presenters from a community-based organization will share their experience in offering culturally competent care.

Free continuing education credits (CME, CNE, CHES) are available!

Apply to the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program by March 30 

Primary care medical, dental and mental/behavioral health clinicians can get $50,000 to repay their health profession student loans in exchange for a two-year commitment to work at an approved NHSC site in a high-need, underserved area. The payment is free from Federal income tax and is made at the beginning of service so you can more quickly pay down your loans. Approved sites are located across the U.S., in both urban and rural areas.After completing your initial service commitment, you can apply to extend your service and receive additional loan repayment assistance.
The amount you receive and length of your commitment depends on where you serve (service at sites in higher need areas yields greater loan repayments). It also depends on whether you select the full-time or half-time option. See the 2015 Application and Program Guidance (PDF - 383 KB) for details. See if your site is already approved at the NHSC Jobs Center.

For more information or to complete an application, visit the NHSC website; Applications are accepted through Mrach 30, 2015. 

First 10, Winning Congregations Announced for Virginia's #MillionHeartsChallenge

On November 24, 2014, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (OMHHE) launched Virginia’s 100 Congregations for Million Hearts initiative with the #MillionHeartsChallenge, a social media call to action for Virginia’s faith-based organizations to commit to increasing the heart health of their members. Over the next year, OMHHE plans to sign up over 100 congregations around the state with the goal to improve heart health among members!

To jump start the initiative, OMHHE offered the first 10 faith-based organizations that joined free customized resources, including 100 blood pressure tracking cards and heart health toolkit packages. OMHHE congratulates the first 10, winning faith-based organizations: 

• St. Paul Reform Zion Union Apostolic Church – Suffolk, VA
• Herald of His Coming Church – Norfolk, VA
• Beraen Community Church – Norfolk, VA
• Living Waters Christian Fellowship – Newport News, VA
• Cathedral of Faith – Chesapeake, VA
• Garden of Hope, Inc. Community Development Corp. – Norfolk, VA
• New Light Full Gospel Baptist Church – Virginia Beach, VA
• Tabernacle of Praise Ministries International – Richmond, VA
• Islamic Center of Virginia – North Chesterfield, VA
• Ebenezer Baptist Church – Newport News, VA

To date approximately 15 faith-based organizations have joined the Virginia’s 100 Congregations initiative. To bring your faith-based organization on board, complete the sign up form available at: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/omhhe/VA100congregations.htm and return to Augustine Doe at augustine.doe@vdh.virginia or call (804) 864-7436 for more information. OMHHE and its collaborative partners will continue to offer assistance to joining faith-based organizations in planning and implementing activities related to this initiative.