T he P ortland O bserver • J uly 12, 1995
P age B3
H E A LTH
Aids: The Second Decade
A Focus On African Americans
m M. K eith R awlings , M.D.
It is well documented that AIDS
is sweeping through our community.
The discouraging statistics demon­
strate the awful impact that this dis­
ease has had:
Since 1990, AIDS has been the
lead ing cause o f death for B lack men
between 25 and 44 years o f age in the
United States
Blacks account for over 50% o f
AIDS cases among women and chil­
dren
Although Blacks represent only
12% o f the United States’ popula­
tion, we account for approximately
32% o f the reported Aids Cases
Clearly, the impact o f AIDS in
our community is a problem that
must be addressed.
There are a variety o f reasons
that AIDS has spread in the Black
com m unity: lack o f com m unity
awareness; unequal access to AIDS
education and medical services; drug
use and sex within the drug culture;
our limited acknowledgment o f bi-
M. Keith R aw lings, M.D.
sexual and homosexual behavior; and
the high numbers o f our men in pris­
on. However, as a doctor, one o f the
most frustrating aspects ofthe AIDS
epidemic in our community is the
belief that nothing can be done about
HIV infection, that it is untreatable.
Some even believe the myth that
AIDS is not caused by HIV. For
many Blacks, these beliefs lead to
not being tested for HIV, causing
them to delay seeking medical care.
The result is that HIV-related condi­
tions are often not treated until late in
the course of the disease, shortening
and reducing the quality o f the lives
o f those who are infected, as we saw
recently with rapper Eric Wright,
better know as “Eazy-E.”
Despitethe beliefofm any inour
community, there are treatments that
doctors can prescribe and actions
that people with HIV can take to live
longer and healthier lives. Drugs are
available that can treat both HIV
infection and many o f the conditions
that are associated with the disease.
Although all drugs have side effects,
in most patients the benefits out­
weigh the risks. While we have not
yet found a cure, health care profes­
sionals are better able to control the
virus, helping our patients live long­
er and more fulfilling lives.
In addition to medical treat­
ments, there are several things that
people with HIV can do to maintain
their health.
Program Innitiated To Attract
Minority Businesses
M assachusetts’ Executive O f­
fice o f Health and Human Services
announces an initiative to solicit mi­
nority businesses for participation in
its Division o f Medical Assistance
contracts. DMA adm inisters the
state’s Medicaid program.
The program will be facilitated
by Rickman and Byrne, a minority
marketing and outreach firm. The
goal o f the initiative will be to attract
minority businesses currently certi­
fied with the State Office o f Minority
and Women Business Assistance
(SOMW BA), as well as entities that
may qualify forcertification. DM A’s
O fficesofContract Management and
Affirmative Action will oversee the
program which will work to increase
Phil
Reynolds
Scholarship
Awards
▲
Continued from Metro
schedule she was active in the Key
Club. She currently teaches Black
History to six and seventh graders at
the Oregon Episcopal School. Miss
Jackson will enter Brown University
in Providence, Rhode Island in the
fall to explore her interests and dis­
cover her future career.
Mr. Robert Jamison is a recent
graduate o f Franklin High School, he
was actively involved in sports and
successfully holds a job in the work
place. Robert will attend W est Val­
ley College at Saratoga, California
this fall in the Health Profession field,
because o f the challenge that it offers
and the positive contribution he wish­
es to make to society.
We are confident that these re­
cipients will achieve success in their
chosen field o f endeavor. Our best
wishes.
Join In
Celebrating
'¡jJortlanb
(©bseruer’s
qualified minority contractor and
subcontractor participation in the
following areas:
• M edical U tilization Review
• System s A nalysis, Design and
O p eratio n
• M anaged C a re P rogram Devel­
opm ent
• H ealth C a re M anagem ent C on­
sulting
• H ealth C a re D ata Analysis
• A ccounting (w ith health c are
specialty)
• M inor C onstruction
The outreach initiative will be­
gin by creating a database list o f
minority businesses that specialize
in these areas. The database will in­
clude a notification system that will
keep targeted minority businesses
informed o f DMA Request for Pro­
posals (RFP’s) and other contract
solicitations. The system will also
alert smaller businesses that may be
able to contract with prime vendors
as subcontractors. This summer DMA
will sponsor a series o f workshops
for minority businesses that are in­
terested in being notified o f DMA
contracts and the MBE certification
process in Massachusetts.
To have your company placed
on the DMA list, contact:
Rickman & Byrne; Executive
Consultant; 305 South Main Street;
Providence, Rl. 02903. Or call 401-
454-1490.
Looking For The Best
Value In Advertising?
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ODbscrucr
c
Escherichia Coli Cases Decline
The number o f E. Coli infec­
tions reported in Oregon has de­
clined sharply since 1993, state
health officials announced. One
hundred seven cases were reported
in 1994, which is fewer than half o f
the 254 cases reported in 1993.
According to Dr. Katrina Hedberg,
deputy state epidemiologist, the
downward trend iscontinuing. Only
25 cases o f E. Coli infections were
reported in Oregon during the first
half o f 1995, compared to 48 cases
reported in the first half o f 1994.
E. Coli O I57:H 7 is a bacteri­
um commonly found in cattle. It is
usually transmitted to humans from
undercooked beef, particularly ham­
burger. “ Food items that come in
contact with meat-contaminated sur­
faces also pose a risk," Hedberg said.
“ For example, salad can be contam­
inated if prepared on an unwashed
cutting board that has just been used
to make a hamburger patty.” She
stressed that utensils and surfaces
that have touched raw meat should
be washed thoroughly before being
used to prepare other foods, and hands
should always be washed immedi­
ately after handling meat. E. Coli
O 157TI7 may also be passed from
one person to another, usually in the
household or day care setting, and
transmission can be prevented by
washing hands after using the toilet
or diapering.
E. Coli 0157:117 infections are
marked by diarrhea (often bloody),
abdominal cramps and other symp­
toms. Severe cases, particularly in
children, may progress to kidney
failure and other serious com plica­
tions. Persons who develop bloody
diarrhea should see a doctor. Physi­
cians who examine peisons with
bloody diarrhea should submit stool
specimens for culture
Hedberg said the decline incas­
es may indicate that consumers are
heeding the message that ham burg­
er may contain E. Coli 0 157: H7 and
must be completely cooked (no pink
in the center) before eating. The
summer cookout season has arrived
so Hedberg cautions consum ers,
“ Remember to thoroughly cook
hamburger, and do not allow pre­
pared foods to come into contact
with juices from raw meats.”
Hearings To Address Medicaid Changes
Sen. Bob Packwood. R-Ore.,
chairman o f the Senate Finance Com­
mittee held two hearings last week
examing the Medicaid program.
Medicaid is the health insurance
program for low-income individuals
which is fundedjointly by the federal
government and the states.
It is the third largest social spend­
ing program in the federal budget
Only Social Security and Medicaid
are bigger.
Packwood said Medicaid spend­
ing has exploded over the last 20
years and will continue to skyrocket.
He said federal Medicaid spend­
ing has risen from $3 billion in 1970
to $15 billion in 1980 to $40 billion
in 1990 to almost $90 billion this
year.
The Congressional Budget Of­
fice estimates that federal Medicaid
spending will double again in the
next seven years.
“ Medicaid is also a budget mon­
ster for states,” Packwood said.
“Medicaid is the first or second larg­
est expenditure o f every state's bud­
get. Over the last decade, Congress
had added mandate after mandate on
the states. These m andates have
caused states to lose control o f their
Medicaid spending
“ We need to take a step back and
look for ways to control the cost o f
this program and give states the abil­
ity to decide how best to meet the
particular health care needs o f their
low-income residents,” Packwood
said.
The first hearings were held last
week and received testimony from
several governors’ perspectives and
examined the history o f the M edic­
aid program.
Hearings To Address Medicaid Changes
Sen. Bob P ackw ood, R -O re.,
chairm an o f the S enate F inance
C om m ittee held tw o hearin g s last
week exam ing the M ed icaid p ro ­
gram .
M edicaid is the health in su r­
ance p rogram for lo w -in c o m e
individuals which is funded jo in t­
ly by the federal go v ern m en t and
the states.
It is the third la rg e st social
spending program in the federal
budget. O nly Social S ecu rity and
M edicaid are bigger.
P a c k w o o d s a id M e d ic a id
spending has e x p lo d ed o v er the
last 20 years and w ill c o n tin u e to
skyrocket.
He said fe d e ra l M e d ic a id
sp ending has risen from $3 b il­
lion in 1970 to $15 b illio n in
1980 to $40 billion in 1990 to
alm ost $90 billion this year.
T he C o n g re ssio n a l B udget
O ffic e e s tim a te s th a t fe d e ra l
M edicaid sp ending w ill d o uble
again in the next seven years.
“Medicaid is also a budget mon­
ster for states,” Packwood said.
"M edicaid is the firs, or second larg­
es, expenditure o f every state’s bud­
get. Over the las, decade, Congress
had added mandate after mandate on
the states. These m andates have
caused states to lose control o f their
Medicaid spending.
“ We need to take a step back
and look for w ays to c o n tro l the
cost o f th is p rogram and give
states the a b ility to d e c id e how
best to m eet the p a rtic u la r health
care needs o f th e ir low -incom e
re sid e n ts,” P ackw ood said.
The first h e a rin g s w ere held
las, w eek and rec e iv e d testim o n y
from several g o v e rn o rs ’ p e rsp e c ­
tives and e x am in ed the h isto ry o f
the M edicaid program .
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