October 11, 2023 2nd Annual Black Women and Girls’ Health Expo Join the Annual Black Women and Girls’ Health Expo on October 21st! This event connects women and girls to culturally relevant health care and education, and addresses barriers in the healthcare system. This is an educational event with the goal of empowering black girls and women to seek preventative health care and connecting them to resources. Register When: Saturday, October 21, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Where: Wyndham Pittsburgh University Center, 100 Lytton Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15213
September 25, 2023 U.S. Maternal Deaths Rise as Health Disparities Increase; Local Resources Offer Support A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) has revealed significant increases in pregnancy-related deaths across the United States, with disproportionate losses among Black, Native American, and Alaska Native people. About the Study Entitled, “Trends in State-Level Maternal Mortality by Racial and Ethnic Group in the United States,” the study analyzed state-by-state census data from 1999 to 2019 on pregnant or recently pregnant individuals aged 10 to 54 years, to provide comprehensive evidence on maternal morbidity and to guide policies aimed at preventing maternal deaths. Key Findings Results revealed a stark spike in maternal mortality rates, with pregnancy-related deaths more than doubling among all racial and ethnic groups across the U.S. over the last 20 years, and more than tripling for Native American and Alaska Native people. However, maternal mortality remains the highest among the nation’s Black population, continuing historic trends. Unfortunately, worsening healthcare for Black and BIPOC mothers—a trend typically relegated to southern states—is expanding. According to the study, New York and New Jersey saw an increase in Black and Latina deaths, while more Asian mothers died in Wyoming and Montana. Supporting Information In interviews with study authors and other medical professionals, WESA, an NPR affiliate, revealed the uniqueness of this upward trend, noting that other high-income countries have seen their maternal morbidity rates decline as a result of increasingly accessible healthcare. Consequently, state review committees consider most maternal deaths preventable, as most deaths appear linked to untreated health conditions and complications. Thus, WESA sites researchers are advocating for improved access to care, which Medicaid may allow, as the program pays for about half of U.S. births. Local Maternal Health Resources Local programs and services may help new and expecting mothers in the Greater Pittsburgh Area and Pennsylvania. Some of these resources include: 211 Pennsylvania Prenatal Care Services AHN Pregnancy and Newborn Services Allegheny County Office of Family and Child Health Catholic Charities Roselia Pregnancy and Parenting Support Services HealthCare.gov: Health Coverage If You’re Pregnant, Plan to Get Pregnant, or Recently Gave Birth Healthy Beginnings Plus Healthy Start Pittsburgh Hello Baby: Home Visiting Medical Assistance for Children and Pregnant Women The Midwife Center for Birth & Women’s Health UPMC Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine Learn More Find the status of local maternal health and learn about the state maternal morbidity review committee on the Pennsylvania Department of Health website. To learn more, read the NPR and WESA article, “U.S. maternal deaths keep rising. Here’s who is most at risk.” Sources Information for this post was taken directly from “Trends in State-Level Maternal Mortality by Racial and Ethnic Group in the United States”—a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)—and the NPR and WESA article, “U.S. maternal deaths keep rising. Here’s who is most at risk.” Text has been added, paraphrased, and adapted for reproduction, readability, and comprehension, and resources curated from a number of online sources. Related Content & Resources National Maternal Mental Health Hotline Available Prenatal-to-Three Playbook Details State of Child Care in Allegheny County, Shares Resources Resources for May Observances: Mother’s Day PA Receives $1.2 Million to Promote Maternal and Child Health Through 2026
July 18, 2023 Tools to Monitor Harmful Air Quality Conditions in Pittsburgh Air quality has emerged as one of the most prominent environmental aspects to monitor for daily health and wellness. Now there are many tools to help Pittsburgh families better protect themselves when air quality conditions are poor. Understanding Pollution Breathing in particle pollution from fine particulates (PM2.5) can increase the risk of health problems like heart disease and asthma. Fine particulates can come directly from a source, such as fire, construction sites, and smokestacks, or form in the atmosphere from pollutants emitted from power plants, automobiles, and industrial manufacturing. How to Monitor Air Quality Using the AirNow tool, residents of Pittsburgh can monitor the air quality in real-time in their neighborhoods by simply typing in their zip code. The AirNow tool tells users how the air is in their current area based on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Air Quality Index, a six-tier, color-coded scale representing different levels of pollution. It’s measured from 0 to 500, and higher values indicate greater air pollution; anything above 100 is unhealthy. Pittsburgh residents may also use the interactive map feature to get a closer look at the air quality activity in a specific area. If it smells bad outside, it could mean that toxins are in the air. Report foul odors, and track other reports in the community with the Smell Pittsburgh app. Stay Safe If EPA’s Air Quality Index indicates unhealthy air, close windows, limit time outdoors, and run air filters to avoid the toxins. You may also elect to wear a mask or construct a DIY air purifier to protect yourself from inhaling pollutants and toxins. Related Content & Resources Air Quality Tips and Training Available for Families and Educators Third Annual Community Health & Wellness Summit A Guide to Caring for Yourself While Caring for Others Practicing Mindfulness for Parents Live Well Allegheny Launches “Rethink Your Drink” Campaign to Promote Healthy Water Drinking Habits PADHS and ACDHS Renewed Recommendations for End of Public Health Emergency
July 11, 2023 Third Annual Community Health & Wellness Summit One of Homewood’s signature community events is back! Don’t miss out! Join several organizations, businesses, and agencies throughout the Homewood community on Saturday, August 12 for the Third Annual Community Health & Wellness Summit for a full day of events, resources, and health-focused opportunities for all community residents. Here is the current schedule for the Summit: 8 a.m. – Olivia Jones 5K Walk/Run/Ride/Skate/Loop 12 p.m. – Double Dutch Competition 1 p.m. – Fight For Peace Boxing Exhibition (tickets to be purchased at the door) 5:30 p.m. – Kirk Whalum Smooth Jazz Concert There will be opportunities to participate in health screenings and receive health-related resources and services. There will be plenty of family fun with aerobic line dancing, children’s activities, giveaways, music, and more! The Summit is presented by the Community Empowerment Association.
July 5, 2023 New Nationwide Report Ranks Pennsylvania 22nd in Child Well-Being The Annie E. Casey Foundation recently released its 2023 KIDS COUNT Data Book on state trends in child well-being. The 50-state report ranks Pennsylvania 22nd overall in child well-being, showing declines in major indicators of child health, safety, education, support, and happiness. About the Kids Count Data Book Since 1990, the Casey Foundation has ranked states annually on overall child well-being using a selection of indicators. Called the KIDS COUNT index, these indicators capture what children and youth need most to thrive in four domains: economic well-being, education, health, and family and community. Each domain has four indicators, for a total of 16. These indicators represent the best available data to measure the status of child well-being at the state and national levels. Indicators include: Economic Well-Being children in poverty children whose parents lack secure employment children living in households with a high housing cost burden teens not in school and not working Education young children (ages 3 and 4) not in school fourth-graders not proficient in reading eighth-graders not proficient in math high school students not graduating on time Health low birth-weight babies children without health insurance children and teen deaths per 100,000 children and teens (ages 10-17) overweight or obese Family and Community children in single-parent families children in families where the household head lacks a high school diploma children living in high-poverty areas teen births per 1,000 This year’s Data Book presents a picture of how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted child well-being in the United States. Foundational Information & Report Context Importance of Child Care According to one estimate, shortcomings of the child care system cost the U.S. economy $122 billion a year through lost earnings, productivity and tax revenue. Access & Barriers to Child Care Despite gains in recent years, the United States is still failing to deliver early childhood education to more than half of its children (54%). The National Survey of Children’s Health reports that 13% of children birth to age 5 (2.8 million) had a family member who faced work challenges due to child care. More than half of working parents with infants or toddlers reported having been late to work or leaving early at least once in the previous three months due to child care problems, and almost a quarter (23%) have, at some point, been fired for it. According to an analysis by the advocacy organization Child Care Aware, the average annual cost of care for one child in America was $10,600 in 2021—one-tenth of a couple’s average income or more than a third (35%) of a single parent’s income. Child Care Aware also has estimated that center-based infant care costs more per year than in-state tuition at a public university in 34 states and the District of Columbia. Child care costs have risen 220% since the publication of the first KIDS COUNT Data Book in 1990, significantly outpacing inflation. Issues & Inequities Within Child Care Of children eligible for subsidies under federal rules, only 1 in 6 receives them. The shortcomings of the child care system disproportionately affect the financial well-being of women, single parents, parents in poverty, families of color, and immigrant families. Parents tend to need child care earlier in their career when lower salaries match their limited experience. Young parents spend an average of 14% of their household income on child care, twice the share the federal government recommends. Researchers estimate women were five to eight times more likely than men to experience negative employment consequences related to caregiving in 2022. Cost of Providing Child Care Labor costs can account for more than 80% of a child care provider’s expenses. Child care workers make less than workers in 98% of our nation’s other professions, despite the vital role they play in preparing the next generation to thrive. The median pay for child care workers, who typically must hold a range of credentials, was $28,520 per year or $13.71 an hour in 2022. That’s less than the median pay for: customer service representatives ($18.16), retail sales positions ($14.26), and restaurant jobs ($14) that don’t require the same level of education. Ninety-four percent of child care workers are women; 14% are Black and 4% are Asian, and across all races, 24% described their ethnicity as Hispanic or Latino. Staffing shortages have left those within the field “more stressed” (85%) and “exhausted/burnt out” (75%). These shortages were a factor for the more than one-third of owners and operators who said they were considering shutting down. Key Findings Nationwide Data Negative Trends Half of the indicators tracked in the 2023 Data Book worsened since before the pandemic, while four stayed the same, and only four saw improvement. The most recent data available show that fewer parents were economically secure, educational achievement declined, and more children died young than ever before. In 2022, 74% of eighth-graders were not proficient in math, the worst figure in the last two decades. Also, more young children did not attend school, and the percentage of high school students graduating on time stalled. In 2021, the child and teen death rate was 30 deaths per 100,000 children and youths ages 1 to 19, the highest rate seen since 2007, with continued increases in deaths by suicides, homicides, drug overdoses, firearms, and traffic accidents. Positive Trends The number and percentage of children without health insurance improved between 2019 and 2021. Thus, efforts to expand access to stable and affordable coverage helped children and families. Over the last two years, the teen birth rate improved, a smaller percentage of children lived with parents who lacked a high school diploma and there was improvement in the number of children living in high-poverty communities. Racial Inequities in Child Well-Being Data suggest that the United States fails to provide American Indian, Black and Latino children with the opportunities and support they need to thrive, and to remove the obstacles they encounter disproportionately on the road to adulthood. Nearly all index measures show that children with the same potential are experiencing disparate outcomes by race and ethnicity. A few notable exceptions: Black children were more likely than the national average to be in school as young children and to live in families in which the head of the household has at least a high school diploma. American Indian and Latino kids were more likely to be born at a healthy birth weight. Latino children and teens had a lower death rate than the national average. However: Black children were significantly more likely to live in single-parent families and in poverty. American Indian kids were more than twice as likely to lack health insurance and almost three times as likely to live in neighborhoods with more limited resources than the average child. And Latino children were the most likely to be overweight or obese and live with a head of household who lacked a high school diploma. State Data New Hampshire ranks first in overall child well-being, followed by Utah and Massachusetts. Mississippi (at 48th place), Louisiana (49th) and New Mexico (50th) are the three lowest-ranked states. States in Appalachia, as well as the Southeast and Southwest (where families have the lowest levels of household income) populate the bottom of the overall rankings. In fact, except for Alaska, the 15 lowest-ranked states are in these regions. Although they are not ranked against states, children in the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico experienced some of the worst outcomes on many of the indicators the Foundation tracks. Pennsylvania Data Negative Trends The number of children whose parents lack secure employment and the number of teens not in school and not working increased over the last two years. Additionally, fewer than half of: young children are in school, fourth-graders are proficient in reading, and eighth-graders are proficient in math. Statistically: 55% (up from 53% in 2016) of 3-4 year olds are not in school. 66% (up from 60% in 2019) of fourth-graders are not proficient at reading. 73% (up from 61% in 2019) of eighth-graders are not proficient in math. More children and teens are: dying, overweight or obese, and in families where the household head lacks a high school diploma. Positive Trends Though Pennsylvania’s rate of uninsured children is 4% and approximately 126,000 children cannot access affordable, quality health care coverage through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), more Pennsylvania children are insured now than in 2019. Additionally, the percentage of low birth-weight babies is down from 2019. Fewer children are: living in households with a high housing cost burden (25% from 27% in 2019), in single-parent families (34% from 35% in 2019), and living in high-poverty areas (9% from 12% in 2016). Also, fewer teenagers are giving birth (12% from 13% in 2019). Despite significant drops in indicators, Pennsylvania outranked most states in education. For more detailed Pennsylvania data, view the KIDS COUNT Data Book state profile. Policy Recommendations The Annie E. Casey Foundation encourages policymakers to take the following actions: Federal, state and local governments should invest more money in child care. Public and private leaders should work together to improve the infrastructure for home-based child care, beginning by increasing access to startup and expansion capital for new providers. To help young parents, Congress should expand the federal Child Care Access Means Parents in School program, which serves student parents. Learn More To learn more, read the full report or visit the Annie E. Casey Foundation website. Source Information for this post was taken directly from the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2023 KIDS COUNT Data Book. Some text may have been added, paraphrased, or adapted for readability and comprehension. Related Content & Resources Support Resources for Families The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center 2023 Food Resources State Departments Asking Child Care Providers to Complete Insurance Survey Allegheny County Family Resource Map Highlights Supports for Locals Housing Resources Available for Allegheny County and Pennsylvania Families Trying Together Shares Advocacy Tools for Families and Child Care Providers ELRC Region 5 Now an Infant Formula Bank
June 21, 2023 Healthy Homes Resource Fair Learn how to make your house a healthier home! Join Women for a Healthy Environment to celebrate their HUD-funded Healthy Homes Asthma Program by learning all about the incredible housing and health resources available in the Northside Neighborhood and greater Pittsburgh region. The day will include resource tables, games and activities, and music for all people of all ages to enjoy. Event Details Saturday, June 24 | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. McKnight Playground, 1250 Page Street Pittsburgh, PA 15233 Optional: Reserve your spot. Learn More Revival Chili will be on site for anyone wishing to purchase their lunch that day. They have something for everyone on their menu! Vendors include: Women for a Healthy Environment (HUD grantee) Rebuilding Together ACTION Housing Allegheny Lead Safe Homes Program (HUD grantee) University of Pittsburgh Healthy Home Lab (HUD grantee) Neighborhood Resilience Project The Wellness Collective Manchester Craftsman’s Guild Youth Neighborhood Legal Service PA Resources Council Fund My Future Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) UPMC Project Destiny/Thrive18 Allegheny Healthy Network For more information, visit the Eventbrite event page or email amandaj@womenforahealthyenvironment.org
June 13, 2023 Air Quality Tips and Training Available for Families and Educators To better protect adults and children during air quality alerts, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) and Environmental Health Capacity (EHC) Program are offering tips and training to help families and children stay healthy. About Air Quality Dangers & Alerts Current weather patterns are pushing smoke from wildfires in eastern Canada into communities across the Commonwealth, increasing the average concentrations of fine particulate matter in the air. Air quality can affect your health, especially people who may be at greater risk, including: people with heart disease people with lung disease (including asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [COPD]) older adults children and teenagers (because their lungs are still developing, and they breathe more air relative to their size) people who are pregnant people who work outdoors If you experience symptoms like trouble breathing or dizziness, you should seek medical attention. If you know a family member or neighbor who has one of the above conditions, remember to check in on them. Tips from DHS During air quality alerts, all Pennsylvanians should: avoid strenuous outdoor activities keep outdoor activities short consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them Additionally, to help keep particle pollution lower indoors during air quality alerts: don’t use candles or smoke indoors keep windows and doors closed use an air filter in your home, if you have one clean or replace filters according to manufacturer recommendations make your own portable air cleaner, if you don’t have one (the EPA offers DIY information on how to do so) Training from the EHC Program The EHC Program invites child care professionals to participate in a short nano learning course on air quality. About the EHC Program The EHC Program is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded program under the Division of Environmental Health Epidemiology (DEHE) with the Pennsylvania Department of Health. EHC seeks to provide outreach and education on topics related to children’s environmental health. About the Learning Course on Air Quality The nano learning course should take a few minutes minutes to complete and provides an overview of what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Air Quality Index (AQI) is, why it is important, and how it can be included in your classroom plans and activities. After completing the training, please complete a survey to inform future outreach efforts to childcare providers. The survey is a total of four questions. If you have comments or questions, please do not hesitate to contact the EHC Program at dehe@pa.gov. Access the Learning Course on Air Quality Interested ECE educators can access the EHC Program learning course on air quality on YouTube. Resources to Support the Course Resources to support the learning course include: Air Quality Guide for Particle Pollution Air Quality Guide for Ozone Air Quality and Outdoor Activity Guidance for Schools What Color is Your Air Today? Activity Sheet Air Quality Activity Coloring Sheet Why is Coco Orange book Learn More Visit www.airnow.gov to find the latest air quality levels and recommendations for your location. To learn more, visit the Pennsylvania Key Tips or Pennsylvania Key Training webpages.
April 13, 2023 Anxiety Disorder Fact Sheets for Educators and Childcare Providers Anxiety disorders cause people to feel frightened, distressed, or uneasy during situations in which most people would not feel that way. Left untreated, anxiety disorders can make it hard for students to get schoolwork done or study. It may affect their relationships with peers and teachers, too. In some cases, students with anxiety disorders miss a lot of school days. Or they may avoid school altogether. Nemours KidsHealth has compiled common anxiety disorder facts sheets that affect children. Anxiety Disorder Fact Sheets Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). With GAD, children have many worries and worry much of the time. They may also have physical symptoms, like headaches, stomachaches, muscle tension, or tiredness. Phobias. A phobia is an intense, unrealistic fear of a specific thing. Some kids have a phobia of dogs. Others have a phobia of spiders or snakes. A child with a phobia will go to great lengths to avoid the thing they fear. Social anxiety. Kids and teens with social phobia have an intense fear of being judged. It affects them in social or other situations. They will avoid situations where they may have to meet new people or perform. Selective mutism. Some students are too fearful to talk at all in certain situations. Kids and teens with selective mutism are able to talk, and talk well. But they are too fearful to talk in some situations outside their home or with people other than friends. Panic disorder. Some students have panic attacks, a sudden and intense episode of fear. They can include physical symptoms like a pounding heart, shortness of breath, or dizziness. Panic attacks can happen unexpectedly. Separation anxiety. It’s normal for babies and very young children to have some separation anxiety when they are apart from a parent or caregiver. But when separation anxiety lasts beyond the early school age years, students may have trouble coming to school. Educators and child care providers can also access the Anxiety Disorder Fact Sheet information in Spanish.
April 7, 2023 Innovative Approaches to Improve Maternal Health Hybrid Workshop In the United States, pregnancy-related deaths and complications, or maternal mortality and morbidity (MMM) rates, are among the highest in the developed world. For Black women and American Indian/Alaska Native women, they are especially high, regardless of their income or education levels. Collaboration among researchers, small businesses, and the community could lead to new ways to improve maternal health and reduce U.S. MMM rates. Hosted by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), this event brings together those groups to address health disparities. Session Details Date & Time: Monday, May 8 – Tuesday, May 9 | 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Location: Participants have the option to attend virtually in in-person. Watch the event live via NIH videocast: May 8: https://videocast.nih.gov/watch=49193 May 9: https://videocast.nih.gov/watch=49196 Attend the in-person event at: Natcher Conference Center, NIH Campus Bethesda, MD 20894 Cost: Free Register: Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. In person space is limited, so be sure to register early. To register, complete the online registration form. Learn More During the workshop, participants will: explore key scientific discoveries in diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy-associated conditions and the areas ready for translation participate in how-to training sessions focused on best-practices in translation, education, funding, technology development, and dissemination review implementation science and community-engaged methods to ensure maternal health technologies reach those most affected and address health equity This workshop is sponsored by: NIH IMPROVE Initiative NHLBI National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH) To learn more, visit the National Institutes of Health website.
March 10, 2023 Talking with Families About Substance Use During Pregnancy Expectant parents who struggle with substance use may not ask for help for various reasons. Judgment-free conversations about substance use can help expectant parents get the support they need to have a healthy pregnancy. Join the Office of Head Start and its National Center on Health, Behavioral Health, and Safety for this webinar, and learn how to have compassionate and helpful conversations about substance use and recovery that lead to greater health equity. This webinar is offered with simultaneous interpretation in Spanish. Session Details Thursday, March 23 | 1 – 2 p.m. Virtual Register Learn More In this webinar, Head Start will discuss: how substance use affects the health of the expectant parent and baby how to use motivational interviewing techniques to reduce stigma during conversations about substance use and recovery why talking with expectant parents about substance use and recovery is important to achieving health equity This webinar benefits: Head Start and Early Head Start program staff, families, directors, managers, and administrators Home visitors Infant and early childhood mental health consultants To learn more, visit the Head Start website.
