OHE Newsletter
July / 24 / 2017
VDH in Wise for the Remote Area Medical Clinic
    
Several members of VDH, including members of the Office of Health Equity went to Wise, Virginia to assist with the Remote Area Medical Clinic which was held from Friday through Sunday. Our mission at the Office of Health Equity is to identify health inequities and their root causes and promote equitable opportunities to be healthy. We are appreciative to all those who went to Wise for this amazing clinic which provides much needed medical care to those in underserved areas.

 


Officials say blood donors urgently needed across Virginia
July 11, 2017 | Associated Press 

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Officials say blood donors are urgently needed across Virginia.

Virginia Blood Services says a decline in blood donations around the Fourth of July holiday has caused a nationwide blood shortage. The group is projecting a shortfall of 1,700 donations per week in its service area this month.

Virginia Blood Services says there is currently only a two-day supply of O-negative blood. The group says that's half the ideal supply of the universal blood type, which is especially important this time of year when there are increased accidents and trauma cases.

Officials are also looking for platelet donations, which last on the shelf just five days.
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In This Issue

Download our individual CLAS training flyer

 
For complete information regarding this series, scroll to the bottom of this email.
 



Story Courtesy of United States Department of Health & Human Services Office of Minority Health


Mental illness affects one in five adults and one in 10 children in America, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Furthermore, mental illness is a leading cause of disability, yet nearly two-thirds of people with a diagnosable mental illness do not seek treatment, and racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. are even less likely to get help, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

During National Minority Mental Health Month, help raise awareness in your organization or community. Encourage your family, friends, loved ones and clients to learn more about improving mental health and illness

Original Story 
Upcoming Webinars

July 25, 2017 Achieving Behavioral Health Equity in Criminal Justice System Reform Using a Cultural Competency Lens. Sponsored by Southeastern Health Equity council
2:00-3:00 PM EDT Learn More & Register

July 25, 2017 Integration Forum July All Partner Call. Sponsored by ASTHO & Prevention Institute's Community-Centered Health Homes
3:00-4:00 PM EDT Learn More and Register 
 
August 24, 2017 Promoting Health Equity Through Programs and Policies
Hosted by:The National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities (NPA)
3:00-4:00 pm ET Learn More and Register 

Study: Nearly half of working Southwest Virginia households can't afford basics
July 15, 2017 | Story from Ch5 WYCB, Bristol
 
A new United Way study says nearly half of working households in Southwest Virginia cannot afford basic necessities.

The United Way ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) report is a comprehensive study to look at financial need and the population across the region. The ALICE population represents men, women, and families who work and earn more than the official "Federal Poverty Level," but less than the basic cost of living.

The households don't qualify for government aid or social service programs.
Officials for the United Way said structural economic changes will be needed to bring down the cost of living.

#SaludTues Twitter Chat
Date: Tuesday July 25th
Time: 1pm ET
Use the hashtag #SaludTues on twitter to participate in a twitter chat to receive the best information regarding Minority Mental Health.



Download our CLAS flyer!

You are invited to the 2nd Annual RVA Breastfeeding Symposium!
 
First Foods: The Intersection of Health, Race, Policy, and Practice
 
Date: Friday, August 4, 2017 from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Location: Virginia Historical Society
                     428 N Boulevard
                     Richmond, VA 23220
 
Please RSVP by: July 21, 2017
Register Now
 
Please direct all registration questions to Glencora at glencora.gudger@vdh.virginia.gov 
 
We hope you can make it!



Virginia's Plan For Well-Being

Health begins where Virginians live, work, and play. Virginia's Plan for Well-Being lays out the foundation for giving everyone a chance to live a healthy life. The plan highlights specific goals and strategies on which communities can focus so the state can make measurable health improvement by 2020. Every Virginian deserves the opportunity to be healthy, and you, too, can help make that possible. Join in this effort to assure well-being for all Virginians.

To learn more about this plan visit:  http://virginiawellbeing.com/

Virginians Live Longer, Healthier Lives