More than 150 people attended a portion of MNAAP's Hot Topics in Pediatrics Conference on Friday, May 12, 2017.
The event was a great opportunity for Minnesota pediatricians, pediatric providers and child health advocates to collaborate, network and learn alongside each other to strengthen the care of children. We hope to see many of you next year!
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Up to $10,000 is available to individual pediatricians and fellowship trainees to plan community-based child health initiatives that address a range of topics. Since 2011, 11 physicians from Minnesota have received CATCH grant funding for projects involving foster care, telemedicine, obesity, addiction, teenage pregnancy, oral health, mental health, and other topics.
If you are interested in applying or have questions about the application process, contact MNAAP CATCH Facilitator Dr. Brian Lynch
Application deadline is July 31.
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The American Academy of Pediatrics continues national advocacy opposing the proposed Senate legislation. Earlier this week, six physician groups, including AAP, issued a statement opposing the ACA repeal-only bill that GOP leadership will try to advance next week.
"We oppose any effort by the U.S. Senate to repeal the ACA's Medicaid expansion, premium and cost-sharing subsidies, and other coverage and consumer protections....A vote to repeal the ACA absent such consensus would further destabilize the health insurance marketplace, cause massive premium increases, and leave our patients without access to affordable, comprehensive health care coverage," says the statement from the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Physicians, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Osteopathic Association and the American Psychiatric Association.
Additionally, in response to proposed changes to the health care system, the AAP recently published a policy statement that supports maintaining and expanding Medicaid and opposing any sacrifice in gains made toward providing comprehensive, high-quality and affordable health care for all U.S. children.
The AAP policy statement, "Principles of Child Health Care Financing," will appear in the September 2017 print issue of Pediatrics but were published online July 17.
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No new cases of measles have been reported to MDH since June 16, signaling what could be the beginning of the end of Minnesota's worst measles outbreak in over 20 years.
Before MDH can officially mark the end of the outbreak, there must be no new cases of the virus for two 21-day incubation periods, putting the earliest possible "all clear" date at July 29.
Until then, providers should continue to adhere to MDH's measles outbreak vaccination guidelines and accelerate the 2-dose MMR series for all Somali Minnesota children older than 12 months as well as all children older than 12 months living in counties in which a measles case has been reported in the previous 42 days.
To date, measles has sickened 74 children in Minnesota. Most were unvaccinated Somali American children.
Helpful resources:
Patient handout: Free or Low-Cost Shots in Minnesota
Somali parent education on vaccines
Somali parent education on autism
For detailed vaccination recommendations, download MDH's Measles Outbreak Vaccination Guidance.
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MDH has launched a month-long communications campaign called the Land of Healthy Kids that will feature Minnesota specific data about childhood asthma, oral health, immunizations, pesticide poisonings, secondhand smoke and the WIC program.
The goal is to increase visibility of childhood diseases, hazards or exposures data compiled on the Minnesota Public Health Data Access portal. You can even drill down to the county level. Providers are encouraged to share messages on social media using #LandofHealthyKids
View the Minnesota Public Health Data Access
In 2016, Masonic Children's Hospital became the first "No Hit Zone" in the state of Minnesota. Similar to a "smoke-free" policy, the hospital does not tolerate physical discipline or violence anywhere on hospital grounds. Staff are trained to encourage and equip parents to resolve conflict and manage strong emotions without resorting to violence.
All pediatric providers are welcome to attend the conference at no charge to learn more about the hospital's "No Hit Zone," the impact of corporal punishment on children, current research, and the cultural context of corporal punishment.
If you can't attend in person, click here to participate in the live stream using Google Chrome as your browser.
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One in five Minnesota families with children struggle with food insecurity, preventing many children from eating three square meals a day.
Now there's an app to help kids age 18 and under locate free, healthy meals nearby. Powered by GPS, the Summer Eats Minnesota app shows locations of free summer food sites, menus, and days and hours of operation. Kids 18 & under can show up without prior signup or registration for free meals at locations including parks, recreation and community centers, libraries and schools. The app also shows the distance and directions to the nearest sites.
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Member Conference Calls
To participate in a conference call, dial 303-248-0285 and enter access code 1022058.
Thursday, August 3, 12:15-1:00 p.m.
Immunizations Work Group Conference Call
Friday, August 4, 12:15-1:00 p.m.
Membership and Communications Work Group Conference Call
Thursday, August 10, 12:15-1:00 p.m.
Mental Health Work Group Conference Call
Friday, September 1, 12:15-1:00 p.m.
Membership and Communications Work Group Conference Call
Thursday, September 7, 7:15-8:00 a.m.
Child Abuse Work Group Conference Call
Thursday, September 7, 12:15-1:00 p.m.
Immunization Work Group Conference Call
Thursday, September 14, 12:15-1:00 p.m.
Mental Health Work Group Conference Call
Tuesday, September 19, 12:15-1:00 p.m.
Poverty/Disparities Work Group Conference Call
Member Webinars
Thursday, August 18, 12:15-1:00 p.m.
Working Effectively with Counties and the CPS System
Details/Registration
Tuesday, October 17, 12:15-1:00 p.m.
Addressing Disparities in the LGBTQ community
Details/Registration coming soon
Save the Dates!
Wednesday, March 7, 1-4 p.m.
Pediatricians' Day at the Capitol
Friday, May 11, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Hot Topics in Pediatrics Conference and Annual Meeting
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