| Calendar of Events |
7/15- Health Education Reports Due
7/22- Health Education Conference Call |
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Quote of the Week
Freedom is the oxygen of the soul.
~Moshe Dayan |
| Liz is Retiring | |  Liz Johnson's last day is July 4, 2014
The Women's and Men's Health Section will be losing one of their own this week. Liz Johnson has announced her retirement that is effective July 4, 2014. Liz has been the Nurse Consultant for WMHS for almost 10 years, while simultaneously working at Planned Parenthood of Montana in Helena. Her straight to the point demeanor has provided a strong foundation for our policies and procedures. She has made a tremendous impact on this family planning program and will be greatly missed.
Good luck to you Liz and enjoy some scooter time!
If you have questions please feel free to contact Helen McCaffrey at hmccaffrey@mt.gov or 406.444.0983. |
| Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey | |
New Statistics on Teen Risk Behaviors
The latest results from CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) provides updated information on the risk behaviors of U.S. high school students. This year's YRBSS shows declines in some risky behaviors including drinking alcohol, getting in a fight, and using drugs. This year's report is also the first to include trend data on electronic bullying and shows a slight decrease in this behavior among high school students since 2011. It also features new questions on texting or e-mailing while driving, sleep, and sun safety. |
| Youth Attitudes Toward Dimensions of Sexual Health | |
New Study on Youth Attitudes Toward Dimensions of Sexual Health
A new study presented at the 2014 STD Prevention Conference aimed to understand how youth assess the multiple dimensions of sexual health and the link between patterns of endorsement and age, gender and sexual behavior. Researchers from the Division of STD Prevention sampled 4017 youth aged 15-25. The survey assessed emotional fulfillment, social connectivity, overall enjoyment, spiritual fulfillment, mutual benefits, mental and physical dimensions. Respondents described each dimension as important or very important to them, ranging from 94% for pleasure and 95% for emotional fulfillment to 76% for social connectivity and spiritual fulfillment. Overall, female respondents were more likely than males to describe all dimensions as important. |
| NFPRHA Resources | | |
New Service Delivery Resources Available
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Sustainability Solutions: How Title X Programs and FQHCs Can Work Together - The newest Life After 40
case study and companion workbook highlights three NFPRHA member organizations that have developed sustainability plans involving FQHCs. At Finger Lakes Community Health in upstate New York, a Title X-funded agency merged with a section 330-funded community and migrant health center. The Westside Family Health Center in California gradually transitioned from a Title X-funded agency to an FQHC with Title X funding. The Family Planning Association of Maine is a Title X grantee that subcontracts with FQHCs to provide Title X services.
Coding in the Reproductive Healthcare Environment - JSI developed this three-part tutorial on medical coding for Title X family planning grantees and agencies. This tutorial covers the fundamentals of coding, the coding process, and walks you through complex cases in medical coding, specific to reproductive health.
Recommendations for Electronic Health Record Use for Delivery of Adolescent Health Care - The Journal of Adolescent Health published this position paper on managing the challenges for protecting patient confidentiality and privacy with the use of electronic health records.
Title X & FQHC Sliding Fee Scale Examples - The National Training Centers for Family Planning compiled a resource list for operating an integrated Title X and FQHC clinic, including sample billing and collections policy and sample sliding fee conversion charts.
From Coverage to Care - CMS launched a national initiative to help consumers use their new health insurance. This resource can be used by providers to help their patients understand their coverage, including defining health care terms and explaining the difference between in and out-of-network care. |
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| Take Charge of Your Sexual Health Guide | | New Guide Empowers Consumers to Improve Their Sexual Health
In May, the National Coalition for Sexual Health (NCSH) released a guide that informs men and women of all ages about recommended preventive services, such as screenings, vaccines, and counseling, to help protect and improve sexual health. Take Charge of Your Sexual Health: What you need to know about preventive services, which was audience-tested with the public, includes action steps for achieving good sexual health, information about recommended sexual health services, tips on how to find and talk with a health care provider, and a list of additional sexual health resources.Visit www.ncshguide.org to download and print the full guide or its individual sections, or view the content online. |
| National Teacher Preparation Standards in Sexuality Education | |
 National Teacher Preparation Standards in Sexuality Education
An expert panel was convened by the Future of Sex Education Initiative to develop teacher preparation standards for sexuality education. The National Teacher Preparation Standards in Sexuality Education were developed by leading sexual health organizations and faculty from select institutions of higher education to assist teacher preparation programs and to guide curriculum, instruction, and assessment decisions for undergraduate students. The project represents an unprecedented, unified effort to enable prospective health education teachers to become competent in teaching methodology, theory, practice of pedagogy, content, and skills specific to sexuality education. |
| Mirena Lawsuits | | |
Lawsuits against Mirena®: Potential impact on public health
Antoinette A. Danvers, Gretchen S. Stuart, Amy G. Bryant
Patient requests for removal of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (Mirena®) have recently increased in our clinic. Patients report being frightened by television or Internet publicity (e.g., "call 1-800-BAD-DRUG"). These patient requests and reports prompted us to investigate current and past litigation surrounding intrauterine contraception (IUC). Widespread use of IUC may set the stage for another epidemic of lawsuits against this safe and effective contraceptive method. In this commentary, the authors explore the historical and current litigation environment for Mirena®, the impact of the media on women's perceptions of contraceptive devices, and the negative impact inappropriate litigation can have on women's health. Read the full commentary. |
| Supreme Court Says Companies Exempt from ACA's Contraception Mandate | | |
Supreme Court Says Companies Exempt from ACA's Contraception Coverage Requirement
By the Editors
Edited by David G. Fairchild, MD, MPH, and André Sofair, MD, MPH
In a five-to-four vote, the Supreme Court ruled that for-profit corporations are exempt from the Affordable Care Act's requirement to pay for contraceptive coverage for employees, thus extending the exemption already afforded to not-for-profit and religious employers.
In Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, the court ruled that the owners of three for-profit corporations sincerely believe "that life begins at conception and that it would violate their religion to facilitate access to contraceptive drugs or devices that operate after that point." The opinion, written by Justice Samuel Alito, states that the ACA's mandate "substantially burdens" the exercise of religion. |
| Life is Short - Smile! | | |
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