Page 16
I'd o rt la nh (Dbsertier
lune I, 2011
Cultural Competency Training Rejected
Advocates disappointed but will try again
A bill to train health care profes­
sionals in cultural competency, re­
duce the costs of healthcare and
provide better care for Oregon’s
growingly diverse population has
been rejected in the state Legisla­
ture.
Senate Bill 97 recently failed on
the House floor by a 30-30 vote, with
all Democrats supporting the mea­
sure and all Republicans opposed.
According to State Rep. Tina
Kotek, a north Portland Democrat,
the defeat showed a lack of under­
standing of the issues facing health
care professionals and their patients.
“This is a much greater problem
than most people realize,” said
Kotek. “Studies have shown a lack
—
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of understanding about varying
cultures, their health care needs and
the varying propensity for certain
diseases, adding hundreds of mil­
lions of dollars of cost to the health
care system.”
The People of Color Health Eq­
uity Collaborative, a coalition of 20
com m unity-based organizations
that works to address health issues
through public policy were major
backers of the bill.
The organization said the defeat
was a missed opportunity to ad­
dress health disparities amongst
Oregon's growing diverse commu-
nities and improve health outcomes
for all Oregonians, but vowed to
continue to advance the cause.
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State Rep. Greg Mathews, D-
Gresham, a firefighter, paramedic and
former police officer, said his col-
Breastfeeding is a natural, ages-
old practice that holds numerous
benefits for both baby and mother.
While it is not advisable for some
women— such as those with certain
infections and chronic illnesses—
the vast majority of women are ca­
pable of breast-feeding and are en­
couraged to at least attempt it.
Breast milk provides complete
nutrition, helping to build strong
digestive and immune systems and
by
D r . J ames
N. M artin
may protect against respiratory in­
fections, some child-hood cancers,
and obesity. Breastfed babies often
have less gas, constipation, and
diarrhea, fewer feeding problems,
and less illness than do formula-fed
babies.
F or
n u rsin g
m o th e rs,
breastfeeding provides an inexpen­
sive and convenient feeding op­
tion. Women who breastfeed may
lose weight faster, experience less
stress during the postpartum pe­
riod, build stronger bonds with their
babies, and have a decreased risk of
breast cancer.
Before it’s time to deliver, notify
your doctor and the health care team
that delivers your baby of your
breastfeeding plans. They will help
you start and su p p o rt your
breastfeeding once the baby is bom.
Try to nurse within the first hour
after delivery while your newborn is
alert and ready to suck. After your
baby gets the hang of breastfeeding,
nurse on demand.
Use signs of hunger, such as
when your baby nuzzles against
your breast, makes sucking motions,
or puts a hand in his or her mouth as
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a guide for when to feed your baby.
Many newborns will nurse between
eight and 12 times every 24 hours for
about 10-15 minutes on each breast.
Your doctor can explain how to tell
if your baby is getting enough milk
through diaper-changing patterns
and weight gain after the first few
days.
Breastfeeding women require
about 500 more calories a day than
they needed before becoming preg­
nant. Eat a well-balanced diet that
includes at least 1,000 milligrams of
calcium, and drink at least eight
glasses of liquid a day. Try to iden­
tify and avoid foods that seem to
cause a reaction in your baby.
Rashes, fussiness, diarrhea, or con­
gestion after nursing can signal a
food allergy.
Exclusive breastfeeding can tem­
porarily stop ovulation, making it
less likely that you will get preg­
nant. However, if you are trying to
avoid pregnancy, you still need to
use birth control. Barrier methods,
such as condoms and intra-uterine
devices, will not affect your milk
supply.
If you decide to use hormonal
contraception, your doctor can help
you ch o o se a p ro g e stin -o n ly
method. The estrogen in combina­
tion pills can diminish milk supply
early on and should not be used
until nursing is established.
Ob-gyns, pediatricians, nurses,
and lactation specialists can be great
breast-feeding resources. Be sure
to consult with them about health
questions and practical issues that
may arise.
Dr. James N. Martin Jr. is presi­
dent o f the American Congress o f
Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
H ealth W atch
Multnomah County Health Department's |
I
language,” he said. “It is better un­
derstanding of the cultural differ­
ences people hold.”
According to the health equity
collaborative, the communities who
are most often impacted by health
disparities are also those who are
disenfranchised from decision mak­
ing processes, and new strategies
should be required.
The organization issued a state­
ment saying they have not given up
in securing better health care deliv­
ery for their children, elders, and
families:
“Cultural competence must be a
part of Oregon's health care reform
and redesign strategy...C ultural
com petent services have been
proven to improve quality of care,
patient satisfaction, health out­
comes and reduces costs.”
.Li □i JlWM
Breastfeeding
Benefits
Public Health
leagues strongly support improved
training in cultural competency for
medical professionals.
“We are the first responders,”
he said. “The more we know about
the needs or wishes o f a particular
person, the better we can care for
them .”
After voting yes to move the bill
out of the House Health Care Com­
mittee bill, some Republican law­
makers, including Bill Kennemer and
Jim Thompson, voted no on the
floor.
Kotek explained, “This is a disap­
pointing vote on a bill that had no
opposition from anyone but Repub­
licans in this building.”
Matthews explained the bill has
no fiscal impact, but will make a large
impact within communities through­
out Oregon. “It’s more than just
Parenting Classes — Newborns don’t come with instruction manuals but
parents and parents-to-be can learn about a variety of topics from pain and
childbirth to breastfeeding to infant CPR and much more. For a schedule
of events, call 503-574-6595 or visit: providence.org/classes.
Powerful Tools For Caregivers - 6-week educational series designed to
help family caregivers take care of themselves while caring for relatives or
friends with chronic illness. Class size is limited, and registration is
required. Call 503-413-8018.
Leg Alert Screening - Check for peripheral arterial disease with this safe,
simple screening using ankle and arm blood pressure. The fee is $40. To
schedule an appointment, call 503-251 -6137.
Smoke-Free Support Group - Meets Mondays, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. For
information, call 503-256-4000.
Heart Talk Support Group -- Meets on the second Monday of each
month; from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call 503-251 -6260.
Family Caregiver Support Group — This topic-oriented group offers a
safe place to discuss the stresses, challenges and rewards of providing
care to an older relative or friend. Meets the first Thursday of each month
at 3 p.m. at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital.