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In the August 2023 edition of our e-newsletter, you will find:
- A story about putting the Race and Health Equity Resource Guide into practice
- Upcoming events
- Policy updates- 413Cares earmark & PHIWM testimony to support Cover All Kids
- Coalition building updates- Live Well launches new campaign
- Feedback needed to ensure Western MA is represented!
- COVID-19 news & resources
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Racial Justice & Health Equity | |
Amanda Lesnick is the Vice President of Support Services at Gándara Center, and she serves on the Governance Committee of the PHIWM Board of Directors. Learn more about Amanda's journey, including the implicit bias training provided by the African Diaspora Mental Health Association. | |
Baystate Health and Health New England Community Benefit Forums | |
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Baystate Noble Hospital & HNE Community Benefit Forum
When: Thursday, August 24, 2023, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Westfield State University
PHIWM staff Victoria Hill and Tiffany Rufino will present at this forum.
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Baystate Medical Center and HNE Community Benefit Forum.
When: Tuesday, September 26, 2023, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: To be announced
Kathleen Szegda will present at this forum.
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Western Massachusetts Solar Forum
The Clean Energy Extension at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and members of the Western Massachusetts state legislative delegation are hosting a free, virtual forum. Samantha Hamilton has been invited to speak at the third session on September 19.
When: September 5-26, 2023
Where: Virtual
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Equity in the 413: Western Massachusetts Racial Equity Summit
When: Tuesday, October 24, 2023, from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm
Where: Sheraton Springfield
Join the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and other partner organizations at the inaugural Equity in the 413: Western Massachusetts Racial Equity Summit, a powerful convening of leaders, advocates, and changemakers! Together, let’s build relationships, align our efforts, and advance racial equity in workplaces and organizations across Western Massachusetts.
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SAVE THE DATE- REGISTRATION COMING SOON
A Roadmap for Youth Behavioral Health in Western Massachusetts
When: Wednesday, November 1, 2023, from 8:30 am to 11:45 am
Where: UMass-Amherst
With a focus on youth, this forum will provide a roadmap to help facilitate prevention, support social-emotional learning, eliminate barriers to care, and inform policy change for Western Massachusetts. A stakeholder panel discussion will follow a presentation of the latest research from the region and an action plan.
This Massachusetts Health Policy Forum event is co-hosted by the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts and the University of Massachusetts Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences. The event was made possible by generous funding from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and Baystate Health. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation funded the development of the “Roadmap”.
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Thanks to the Western MA Delegation for Supporting 413Cares!
On August 9, 2023, Gov. Healey signed off on Massachusetts’ state budget for fiscal year 2024. Within the $56 billion spending plan there is $200,000 to support 413Cares.org, a community platform that connects Western MA residents to essential services. We are incredibly grateful to the entire Western Massachusetts delegation for their support.
Other good news in this year’s budget is for public transportation. Thanks to the new revenue stream from the Fair Share Amendment, state funding for regional transit authorities has nearly doubled. This added funding is to expand service hours/routes and also to pilot fare-free programs.
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PHIWM Testifies to Support Cover All Kids Legislation, Coalition led by HealthCare for All
PHIWM Executive Director Jessica Collins remotely testified on July 25, 2023, before the legislature’s Joint Committee on Health Care Finance in support of An Act to ensure equitable health coverage for children, commonly known as the “Cover All Kids” bill. Introduced by Rep. Dave Rogers and Sen. Sal DiDomenico, this legislation (H.1237 S.740) would provide comprehensive health insurance for children regardless of their immigration status. According to Mass Health, this bill would provide full coverage for up to 48,000 more children, instead of the complicated patchwork of programs that we have now.
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Live Well Springfield Launches New Campaign
The Live Well Springfield Coalition recently launched a social media campaign, "Guess What I Did?!". They will feature a different Resident Advocate every Monday for the next several weeks. Follow Live Well Springfield on Facebook and Instagram to learn more about their Resident Advocates' passion for community change and ways to stay connected to the coalition.
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There are 2 statewide surveys currently underway. Both will influence how funding, programming, and other resources are distributed across the state. Help ensure Western Massachusetts is represented!
Community Health Equity Survey (CHES)
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) created a survey to understand the social and structural causes of health needs facing MA residents. The Community Health Equity Initiative was formerly known as the COVID-19 Community Impact Survey (CCIS). MDPH will use the results to improve programs, make decisions about funding and resources, and support policies to improve health inequities. They will also share the results with partners across MA to inform local efforts. The survey will remain open until early fall 2023. All survey responses are anonymous and cannot be traced back to you.
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Who should take this survey? Anyone over age 14 who lives in MA
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How to take the survey: You can take the survey online with a computer, phone, or tablet. It will take around 15-30 minutes to complete. It is available in 11 languages, and later this summer, in ASL. Take the survey.
Learn more about CHES.
Household Digital Equity Survey
As part of the statewide Internet for All initiative, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute created a survey to collect information about how MA households access and use the internet. The results will inform the development of the Massachusetts Digital Equity Plan. All survey responses are anonymous and cannot be traced back to you.
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Who should take this survey? Residents of Massachusetts; One respondent per household
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How to take the survey: You can take the survey online with a computer, phone, or tablet. It will take around 7 minutes to complete. It is available in 9 languages. Take the survey.
Learn more about the MA Internet for All Initiative.
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Hay 2 encuestas en todo el estado actualmente en curso. Ambos influirán en cómo se distribuyen los fondos, la programación y otros recursos en todo el estado. ¡Ayude a garantizar que el oeste de Massachusetts esté representado!
Iniciativa de Equidad en Salud Comunitaria (CHES)
El Departamento de Salud Pública de Massachusetts (MDPH) creó una encuesta para comprender las causas sociales y estructurales de las necesidades de salud que enfrentan los residentes de MA. Esta iniciativa se conocía anteriormente como la Encuesta de impacto comunitario COVID-19 (CCIS). MDPH utilizará los resultados para mejorar programas, tomar decisiones sobre financiamiento y recursos, y apoyar políticas para mejorar las desigualdades en salud. También compartirán los resultados con socios de MA para informar los esfuerzos locales. La encuesta permanecerá abierta hasta principios del otoño de 2023. Todas las respuestas de la encuesta son anónimas y no se pueden rastrear hasta usted.
- ¿Quién debe tomar esta encuesta? Cualquier persona mayor de 14 años que viva en MA
- Cómo completar la encuesta: Puede completar la encuesta en línea con una computadora, teléfono o tableta. Tardará entre 15 y 30 minutos en completarse. Está disponible en 11 idiomas y, a finales de este verano, en ASL. Realice la encuesta.
Obtenga más información sobre CHES.
Encuesta de Equidad Digital de los Hogares
Como parte de la iniciativa estatal de Internet para Todos, el Instituto de Banda Ancha de Massachusetts creó una encuesta para recopilar información sobre cómo los hogares de MA acceden y usan Internet. Los resultados informarán el desarrollo del Plan de Equidad Digital de Massachusetts. Todas las respuestas de la encuesta son anónimas y no se pueden rastrear hasta usted.
- ¿Quién debe tomar esta encuesta? Residentes de Massachusetts; Un encuestado por hogar
- Cómo completar la encuesta: Puede completar la encuesta en línea con una computadora, teléfono o tableta. Tardará unos 7 minutos en completarse. Está disponible en 9 idiomas. Tome la encuesta.
Obtenga más información sobre La Iniciativa MA Internet for All.
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We are gathering feedback about our communications efforts. Your feedback is important and will help shape our future activities. This survey should take about 5 minutes.
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COVID-19 News & Resources | |
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Western MA is still in the “low” level of the CDC’s COVID-19 Hospital Admissions tracking system, even though there has been a small rise in the COVID concentration in wastewater surveillance. After three years, COVID-19 no longer causes as much daily disruption and tragic loss as it once did. We have stronger protections from vaccines, past infections, treatments, and preventive tools. Here's some tips on navigating COVID-19 in our current endemic state:
Testing Coverage:
- Check with your insurance to see what is covered. Many plans will no longer cover testing unless ordered by a physician.
- For MassHealth/Medicaid members, at-home tests continue to be covered by insurance until September 2024.
- Some Medicare Advantage plans may still cover at-home tests, so check with your plan.
- Flexible spending accounts (FSA) or health savings accounts (HSA) can be used to purchase at-home tests.
- Uninsured? Use this search tool to access testing.
At-Home Test Expiration:
- The FDA has extended expiration dates of many brands when determined that the tests still work properly. Check this updated list of expiration dates by brand.
- Keep in mind that tests exposed to intense heat (ex: in a hot car for several days) can become defective.
COVID Treatment:
- Paxlovid treatment can prevent serious illness. It continues to be free for anyone eligible and must be taken within 5 days of developing symptoms. Get a free telehealth consultation.
COVID-19 Vaccination:
- Everyone ages 6 and older should get one dose of the updated (bivalent) vaccine. Learn if you're up to date.
- The FDA is expected to approve updated vaccine formulas by early fall, so they will be available as we head into the colder months (virus season). They will help our bodies stay protected against the latest variants. Stay tuned for further information and what the guidance will be around these newly formulated vaccines.
Learn more about current guidance from MA Department of Public Health and considerations from blog post by Your Local Epidemiologist.
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El oeste de MA todavía se encuentra en el nivel "bajo" del sistema de seguimiento de admisiones hospitalarias por COVID-19 de los CDC, a pesar de que ha habido un pequeño aumento en la concentración de COVID en la vigilancia de aguas residuales. Después de tres años, el COVID-19 ya no causa tantas interrupciones diarias ni pérdidas trágicas como antes. Tenemos protecciones más sólidas de vacunas, infecciones pasadas, tratamientos y herramientas preventivas. Aquí hay algunos consejos sobre cómo navegar COVID-19 en nuestro estado endémico actual:
Cobertura de prueba:
- Consulte con su seguro para ver qué está cubierto. Muchos planes ya no cubrirán las pruebas a menos que las ordene un médico.
- Para los miembros de MassHealth/Medicaid, las pruebas en el hogar continúan cubiertas por el seguro hasta septiembre de 2024.
- Es posible que algunos planes de Medicare Advantage aún cubran las pruebas en el hogar, así que consulte con su plan.
- Las cuentas de gastos flexibles (FSA) o las cuentas de ahorro para la salud (HSA) se pueden usar para comprar pruebas en el hogar.
- ¿Sin seguro? Utilice esta herramienta de búsqueda para acceder a las pruebas.
Vencimiento de la prueba en el hogar:
- La FDA extendió las fechas de vencimiento de muchas marcas cuando determinó que las pruebas aún funcionan correctamente. Consulte esta lista actualizada de fechas de caducidad por marca.
- Tenga en cuenta que las pruebas expuestas a un calor intenso (p. ej., en un automóvil caliente durante varios días) pueden volverse defectuosas.
Tratamiento del COVID-19:
- El tratamiento con Paxlovid puede prevenir enfermedades graves. Continúa siendo gratuito para cualquier persona elegible y debe tomarse dentro de los 5 días posteriores a la aparición de los síntomas. Obtenga una consulta gratuita de telesalud.
Vacunación COVID-19:
- Todas las personas mayores de 6 años deben recibir una dosis de la vacuna actualizada (bivalente). Infórmate si estás al día.
- Se espera que la FDA apruebe fórmulas de vacunas actualizadas a principios del otoño, por lo que estarán disponibles a medida que nos acerquemos a los meses más fríos (temporada de virus). Ayudarán a nuestro organismo a mantenerse protegido frente a las últimas variantes. Estén atentos para obtener más información y cuál será la orientación en torno a estas vacunas recién formuladas.
Obtenga más información sobre la orientación actual del Departamento de Salud Pública de MA y las consideraciones de la publicación de blog de su epidemiólogo local.
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