New Report Provides Insights on the HIV/AIDS Crisis Among Latino Gay Men in the US

A new report entitled A Través de Nuestros Ojos (Through Our Eyes): Promoting Health and Social Equity to Address HIV/AIDS among Latino Gay Men (pdf), provides insights on the HIV/AIDS crisis among Latino gay men in the United States. Designed to assist and inform effective Federal, state and local public health responses to HIV and STDs among this population, the report summarizes the findings of a qualitative study in 12 jurisdictions that investigated responses of health departments and community-based organizations to HIV/AIDS among Latino gay men in the United States.

Key findings of the report include:

1. The need for collaboration in an era of economic austerity;
2. The need for capacity development and leadership within the Latino community; and
3. The need to explore the cultural factors that present challenges and opportunities to effectively reach Latin gay men. 

The study was supported by the Initiative on AIDS for Hispanic Communities through the Office of AIDS Research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and was conducted by  the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, in partnership with the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

Download the report (pdf). Access the Spanish version. Learn more about the report on AIDS.gov.

SAMHSA Service to Science Initiative - Call for Nominations

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has announced a Call for Nominations to its Service to Science Initiative (pdf). Service to Science is a national initiative dedicated to enhancing the evaluation capacity of innovative programs and practices that aim to prevent substance abuse and related mental and behavioral health problems or the underlying factors associated with increased risk. Operated by SAMHSA’s Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT), Service to Science assists local program developers, implementers, and evaluators in applying more rigorous evaluation methodologies to their work. The deadline to submit nominations is October 15, 2011. 

Obama Administration Releases National Prevention Strategy

On Thursday, June 16 members of the National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council joined together to unveil the first ever National Prevention Strategy.

The National Prevention Strategy, called for under the Affordable Care Act, outlines the ways that public and private partners can help Americans stay healthy and fit and improve our nation’s prosperity.  It helps move the nation away from a focus on disease and illness to a focus on wellness and prevention. 

"This National Prevention Strategy, called for under the Affordable Care Act, will help us transform our health care system away from a focus on sickness and disease to a focus on prevention and wellness,” said Secretary Sebelius.  “We know that prevention helps people live long and productive lives and can help combat rising healthcare costs.”

"Helping Americans live more healthful lives is a top priority for the Obama Administration," said DPC Director Melody Barnes.  "The National Prevention Strategy is a road map to help us achieve that goal, and will help public and private partners come together to build healthier communities using evidence-based strategies that we know work."

The National Prevention Strategy includes actions that public and private partners can take to help Americans stay healthy and fit and improve our nation’s prosperity, including eliminating health disparities. Download the Strategy and learn more about the National Prevention Council. To read more about the Strategy visit www.healthcare.gov.

Read the press release.

HHS Promotores de Salud/Community Health Workers Initiative for Vulnerable Hispanic Populations

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced an initiative to promote utilization of promotores de salud as a means of strengthening outreach and education on the availability of health services and insurance coverage to underserved Hispanic/Latino communities. Promotoras, also known as community health workers, peer leaders, patient navigators or health advocates, play an important role in promoting community-based health education and prevention in a manner that is culturally and linguistically appropriate, particularly in communities and for populations that have been historically underserved and uninsured.

• Recognize the important contributions of promotoras in reaching vulnerable, low income, and underserved members of Latino/Hispanic populations, and
• Promote the increased engagement of promotores to support health education and prevention efforts and access to health insurance programs.

The HHS initiative aims to develop a national program to recognize the work of promotores, develop a database of promotores networks, which will include information on their training and where they work, and to foster cooperation among various networks. The project also aims to develop an English-Spanish web site with information and resources to assist community workers and their networks.

The Initiative is authorized by the HHS Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities.

Feeling “In Control” Tied To Lower Risk Of Depression Among African American Men

African American men who feel "in control" of their lives are less likely to suffer from depressive symptoms, according to a study published recently in the journal Research on Social Work Practice. Research shows that having a sense of control over one's life, a concept also known as "perceived mastery", is tied to better mental health. 

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