May 1, 2009

In response to continued requests from migrant health centers, Migrant Clinicians Network (MCN) has modified its Health Network to accept all patients who are either suspected of, or have the diagnosis of, H1N1 influenza, and might possibly be moving.

To enroll patients in Health Network, simply have patients fill out and return to Health Network a signed consent form and registration form. Both of these forms may be found on our website: http://www.migrantclinician.org/mcn/health-network/health-network-forms/index.html. You may also contact us at (800) 825-8205, and our Health Network associates will be happy to enroll any of your patients in this process, as well as answer any questions you might have.

Karen Mountain
Chief Executive Officer
Migrant Clinicians Network

Ed Zuroweste
Chief Medical Officer
Migrant Clinicians Network

April 28, 2009

"We are concerned, given that the population we serve is largely from Mexico, that unwarranted fear of Mexican migrants in many communities will result in their being targeted or marginalized," said Edward Zuroweste, MD, Chief Medical Officer of the Migrant Clinicians Network. "We wanted to reiterate that unless the migrant traveled to Mexico within the recent past, their risk of transmitting swine flu is minimal and they are at equal risk to the standing population for contracting the disease."

The announcement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the elevation of the pandemic alert level to Phase 4 is a step taken in order to mobilize resources rather than to indicate a direct corollary to individual risk. As noted in an April 26th press conference the United States declared a public health emergency, which "allows us to free up federal, state and local agencies and their resources for prevention and mitigation," Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano said. Flu cases in the United States so far have been mild.

The CDC is the main source of all information on the swine flu. Clinicians are reminded that reasonable risk assessment should be employed for individuals presenting with symptoms and sound infection control strategies must remain in place. To keep up to date visit the CDC website http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/index.htm.. The CDC site can also be reached through our website http://www.migrantclinician.org.

The Migrant Clinicians Network wants to reiterate the importance of caring for all of our patients regardless of the country of origin and encourage all clinicians to maintain our commitment to this vulnerable population.

Elseveir Press has just issued Tuberculosis - A Comprehensive Clinical Reference which contains a chapter entitled "TB and Migration" authored by MCN staff members,  Deliana Garcia, MA and Edward Zuroweste, MD.  To order a copy of this timely reference go to Elsevier Press. 

The CDC has issued interim guidance for employers of migrant and seasonal farmworkers for the prevention of the novel H1N1 flu virus. All CDC guidance relating to novel H1N1 flu, including those relating to workplaces, remains applicable. This guidance is intended to provide supplemental information recognizing the unique characteristics of this worker population.

In response to continued requests from migrant health centers, Migrant Clinicians Network (MCN) has modified its Health Network to accept all patients who are either suspected of, or have the diagnosis of, H1N1 influenza, and might possibly be moving.

To enroll patients in Health Network, simply have patients fill out and return to Health Network a signed consent form and registration form. Both of these forms are attached to this email. You may also contact us at (800) 825-8205, and our Health Network associates will be happy to enroll any of your patients in this process, as well as answer any questions you might have. 

To enable physicians and other healthcare providers to provide state-of-the-art care to HIV infected patients throughout their life span.

Regional primary care conference held in conjunction with Community Health Association of Mountain & Plains States. Includes Region VIII: CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY & Region X: AK, ID, OR, WA.

The East Coast Migrant Stream Forum is an annual event that brings together professional whose focus is increasing access to health care services for migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families along the east coast. This three-day conference offers educational workshops through five major discplines: Clinical, Outreach/Lay Health Promotion, Policy/Advocacy, Programmatic/Administrative, and Research.

The National Association of Community Health Centers' (NACHC) Community Health Institute (CHI) and Expo is the largest annual gathering of community health center managers, clinicians, employees, board members and leaders. Every aspect of the community health center movement is represented and fully-vested at the CHI, making it a significant networking opportunity.

The annual Summer Institute on Migration and Health is organized by the Health Initiative of the Americas, from the School of Public Health at UC Berkeley, and the School of Medicine of the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla.

People and communities around the world find it difficult to access good, affordable health care and knowledge they can use to improve their health. How can the global health community use technologies successfully to address the needs that matter most, such as getting the right health workers with the right skills and the right tools to the right communities, improving health, and saving lives?

Every year, the ACNM Annual Meeting & Exposition serves as the premiere continuing education, networking, and business meeting for the approximately 10,000-strong certified nurse-midwife and certified midwife community nationwide. In 2009, we're planning to bring you the leading experts in midwifery and women's health at more than 100 education sessions and offer many networking opportunities for to make the most of your time in Seattle. You will learn about exceptional best practices, discover the latest in midwifery and women's health care, and have the chance to share your experiences with your colleagues.

Regional primary care conference for Region X: AK, ID, OR, WA This year's conference theme is CHANGING MODELS OF CARE: Preparing for the Future.

NACHC’s Annual CHI & Expo provides an opportunity for people involved in every aspect of health center policy and operations to meet, learn and share information with each other. The NACHC House of Delegates also meets to elect its national leaders at this meeting.

Mental Health Month was created more than 50 years ago to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of mental wellness for all. This year’s theme is focused on an essential component of maintaining and protecting mental health and wellness: social connectedness. The tagline for this year’s observance is “Get Connected.”

For mental health information specific to migrant and underserved populations, visit MCN's Mental Health page.  

May is Healthy Vision Month, a national eye health observance devoted to promoting the vision objectives in Healthy People 2010. Healthy Vision Month is sponsored by the National Eye Institute (NEI) and the National Eye Health Education Program Partnership. The NEI is part of the National Institutes of Health, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

For more information about eye care and the migrant and underserved populations visit MCN's Eye Care page.

Recognizes the importance of global commitments to prevent liver disease and cancer caused by viral hepatitis.

For hepatitis information specific to the migrant and underserved populations visit MCN's Hepaitits page.

Hundreds of thousands of teens nationwide are expected to participate in the eighth annual National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy on May 6, 2009. The purpose of the National Day is straightforward. Too many teens still think “It can’t happen to me.” The National Day helps teens understand that it can happen to them and that they need to think seriously about what they would do in the moment. About the National Day. On the National Day and throughout May, teens nationwide will be asked to go to The National Campaign's teen website—StayTeen.org —and take a short, scenario-based quiz (available in English and Spanish). The quiz challenges young people to consider what they would do in a number of sexual situations.

The 10th annual National Women's Health Week will kick off on Mother's Day, May 10, 2009 and will be celebrated until May 16, 2009. National Women's Checkup Day will be Monday, May 11, 2009. The eight-week Woman Challenge, an online physical activity program, starts May 10, 2009. National Women's Health Week is a weeklong health observance coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health (OWH). National Women's Health Week empowers women to make their health a top priority. With the theme "It's Your Time," the nationwide initiative encourages women to take simple steps for a longer, healthier, and happier life. During National Women's Health Week, communities, businesses, government, health organizations, and other groups work together to educate women about steps they can take to improve their physical and mental health and lower their risks of certain diseases.