Unnatural Causes, a seven-party documentary on the connections between health, race and socioeconomic inequalities will be airing on public television stations across the nation. Episode 2, “When the Bough Breaks” looks specifically at the shameful infant mortality rate of the United States and the effect that racism plays in health disparities.

Locally, the Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition is tackling this issue with the Campaign to Save Our Babies, which seeks to reduce racial disparities in maternal and infant mortality by 50% in ten years and completely by 2033. Our 2-day Maternal and Infant Mortality Summit in Fall 2007 helped us form a comprehensive strategic plan. Last week, we gathered a smaller group of stakeholders to formulate an action plan and prioritize goals and objectives.

To endorse the Campaign to Save Our Babies or to sign up for a working committee, visit IMCHC’s website.

Visit the PBS/Unnatural Causes website to find out more information on when the program will air in your area. 

Order a Mother's Day Card and Support IMCHC

This year, consider giving a gift honoring your mother or another mother in your life by ordering a Mother’s Day card from IMCHC.

A small donation will allow you to choose a card, including one customized with a picture of your choice that will be sent to the recipient. Donations must be made by April 28th in order to guarantee delivery by Mother’s Day on May 11th. Visit the IMCHC website for more information and to place an order.

RSVP for PCCM Trainings

IMCHC is hosting trainings on Primary Care Case Management (PCCM), which is a required program for most Illinois All Kids and FamilyCare families. The trainings will target staff from organizations that serve immigrant communities, but they are open to any case managers, social service providers and outreach staff to learn more about eligible client health care options and to understand how to present the PCCM program to eligible clients.

Please note that the workshop will not address medical provider or billing questions.

Visit IMCHC’s website for dates, locations and to RSVP for a training session.

Register Now for IMCHC's Annual Meeting and Luncheon

IMCHC’s 2008 annual meeting and luncheon will take place on June 10th at Maggiano’s Little Italy. Jennifer Block, author of Pushed: The Painful Truth about Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care will be our keynote presenter. Hardcover copies of Pushed are available at a discounted rate of $20 from IMCHC. 

Tickets are $30 for members and $35 for non-members. Download a brochure from IMCHC’s website. Not a member yet? Renew or become a new member today!

To reserve your copy of Pushed, email Kathy Chan or call her at 312-491-8161x24.

Archived Topics

Visit our newsletter archive to read about recently listed articles from past issues. Past topics include:
•    Join IMCHC or renew your membership today
•    ICSHC Annual Conference
•    Nominate someone for the Loretta Lacey Advocacy Award

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Ask Your State Legislator to Support SHCs in the FY09 Budget

School health centers are a critical source of care for students across the state. Forty-nine Illinois school health centers provide quality health care services that help students succeed in school. In 2007, 40 school health centers reported providing services to more than 103,000 children and adolescents in 15 counties across the state. With increased state funding, additional centers could be opened, providing many more young people access to basic medical care.

Visit IMCHC’s Advocacy Center to send an email to your state legislator to ask for the inclusion of $3 million in the FY09 budget to help expand the school health model in Illinois.



Support Federal Authorization for SHCs
The School-Based Health Center Establishment Act (HR4230) was introduced in Congress in November 2007. Similar to S600, it would establish the first federal grant program for school health centers. Illinois Congressman Jan Schakowsky has signed on as an original co-sponsor of the bill, and Congressman Rahm Emanuel signed on in December, but additional House support is necessary.

Super Star in Community Nursing Award from VNA Foundation

The VNA Foundation is seeking out nominations for their annual Super Star in Community Nursing Award. The Award winner will receive $25,000 from the VNA Foundation, and up to five finalists will receive $1,000-$5,000 each. 

The winner will be a currently employed, practicing nurse delivering direct community, public or home health nursing services in a “front lines” setting who has evidenced outstanding performance in clinical care, client advocacy or innovation/creativity.

For more information or to download a nomination form, visit the VNA Foundation’s website.

New "Say it out loud" Campaign

Say it out loud creates the opportunity for Illinoisans to share their mental health stories and “Say it out loud.” Research tells us that the best way to promote good mental health and reduce stigma associated with mental illnesses is to encourage contact between people who are experiencing mental health challenges and those who are not.

To learn more about Say it out loud and to find mental health resources, visit the website.

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Iowa House Approves Bill to Provide Insurance to All Children by 2011
The Iowa House approved a bill (HF2539) in early March that provides health care coverage to almost all children in Iowa by 2011 and creates a plan to insure all adults by 2013. No specific funding has been allocated, but allows for coverage as funding is available. The bill is currently being reviewed in the Iowa Senate.

Source: Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report

Merck Seeking FDA Approval to Expand Gardasil to Older Women

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted priority review status to Merck pharmaceutical company’s application to expand marketing of its HPV vaccine Gardasil to women aged 27 to 45, which means that an FDA decision could come within six months, versus the typical ten months.

Gardasil in clinical trials has been shown to prevent infection with HPV strains 16 and 18, which together cause about 70% of cervical cancer cases, and to prevent infection with HPV strains 6 and 11, which cause about 90% of genital warts cases.

Source: National Partnership for Women and Families – Daily Women’s Health Policy Report

Paid Family Leave Bill Passes in New Jersey Assembly

A paid family leave bill (A873) that allows employees to take up to six weeks paid leave to care for a newborn, newly adopted child or a sick family member was approved by the New Jersey Assembly earlier this month. The bill will be reviewed by the New Jersey Senate after budget discussions.

As the bill is currently written, companies employing at least 50 people would have to hold a job open for the employee on leave, while smaller companies would have the option of filling the open position. The program would be funded through an employee-only payroll deduction of $33 annually.

Source: National Partnership for Women and Families – Daily Women’s Health Policy Report

Students Who Receive Comprehensive Sex Ed Less Likely To Have Teen Pregnancies

A study published online in the Journal of Adolescent Health that analyzes a 2002 federal survey finds that heterosexual teens who received comprehensive sexual education were half as likely to report pregnancies as those who received abstinence-only or no sex education at all. An abstract of the study, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, is available online.

Source: National Partnership for Women and Families – Daily Women’s Health Policy Report

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Illinois Coalition for School Health Center’s Advocacy Day
April 9th – all day
Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities
206 S. Sixth Street in Springfield
Registration begins at 9:30am in Springfield, but buses will depart from various locations earlier that morning.
RSVP to Megan Erskine or contact her for more information
Chicago Area Immunization Campaign’s Spring General Meeting
April 16th, 9am-1pm
Auditorium, UIC School of Public Health
1603 W. Taylor Street in Chicago
RSVP to Melissa Ponce
Southern Illinois IMCHC Chapter Meeting
April 16th, 11:30am-2pm
Municipal West Building
200 Potomac in Mt. Vernon
RSVP to Lilah Handler
National Infant Immunization Week Kickoff Press Conference
April 21st, 12pm
Lawndale Christian Health Center
3860 W. Ogden Avenue in Chicago
For more information or to RSVP, contact Melissa Ponce
South Central Illinois Perinatal Advisory Committee
April 25th from 9am-noon*
Carle Foundation in Urbana
RSVP to Lilah Handler
*IMCHC's Central Illinois Chapter meeting will take place from 11am – 12pm

“Collaboration, Community, Commitment”
Illinois School Health Center Statewide Conference
May 15th and 16th in Springfield
Contact: Blair Harvey, ICSHC Project Director

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IMCHC Annual Meeting – 20th Anniversary Kickoff
June 10th at Maggiano’s Little Italy, Chicago

Contact: Lilah Handler, IMCHC Office Manager


IMCHC 20th Anniversary Benefit
September 10th at the Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago

If you are interested in sponsorship or host committee opportunities,
please contact Lilah Handler.

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