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Volume 5, No. 10, November 2007
From Your Colleagues
Kelly Acton, National Diabetes Program
NIKE Air Native N7 Shoes
I have received many emails and inquiries since the exciting launch of the NIKE Air Native N7 shoe at the National Indian Health Board Consumer Conference earlier this week, a shoe designed specifically for the Native American foot. The IHS Division of Diabetes is proud and excited to have been part of the team that conceived of, designed and tested this shoe. As you have probably heard in the news reports, the NIKE Air Native N7 is designed with a larger fit for the distinct foot shape of Native Americans (as determined by field testing with Native people from 70 different tribes), and has a culturally specific look. It will be distributed solely to American Indians and Alaska Natives; tribal diabetes and diabetes prevention programs, tribal wellness programs and tribal schools nationwide will be able to purchase the shoe at wholesale price ($42.80) and then distribute it to community members. And yes, the rumor you heard is true: Nike plans to pour every penny from the proceeds of this shoe back into our communities to promote health and fitness!
If you would like to see a picture of the shoe and read about its features, please follow this link: http://mont.images.worldnow.com/images/incoming/ktvq/documents/Native_Air.pdf (or copy it and paste into the window of your internet browser).
Many of you have asked for information about how to order the shoe. My understanding is that Nike will not have the shoes actually available until mid- to late October. Shoes will be available through the tribal programs I mentioned above. We are working with Nike’s Native American Business Incentive Program to create a way for federal programs (such as IHS service units) to be able to purchase the shoes as well. For more information on how to become a part of Nike’s Native American Business Incentive Program to order the shoes, contact Mr. Sam McCracken, Native American Business Manager at Sam.Mccracken@nike.com or call 1-503-671-3281.
One very important feature of this product: because this shoe is sized specifically for the Native American foot it is sized differently than other Nike shoes. It is very important to measure the wearer’s foot according to the directions on the Nike website so that the proper shoe size can be determined. In many cases, the purchaser will wear one half to one full size smaller in this shoe compared to what he/she is used to purchasing. But a reminder: not every person will fit into these shoes, especially if he or she has a more narrow foot. So fit is extremely important to avoid the problems one can encounter with an ill-fitting shoe (especially if that person has diabetes). Over the next few months our office will be developing an educational pamphlet that explains more about fitting the shoe, and we will make it available on our website as well as through the Area Diabetes Consultants.
As more information becomes available we will be sure to send it out to all of you. Please share this email with your colleagues so that we can spread the word about this exciting development.
Michael Berryhill, HQE
OB/GYN offering services at greatly reduced salary
A provider contacted the IHS Health Professional Recruiters with the following information: I would like to provide a total of twelve months appointment with IHS with a salary of $1500.00 per month with room and board. I am quite current in outpatient procedures and clinical acumen since I have been doing that actively as well as write books and magazine articles on OB and GYN topics. I am quoted in about fifty publications yearly. ContactMichael.Berryhill@ihs.gov
Scott Giberson, HQE
USCA to Honor Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Communities at Opening Plenary and “Celebration of Life” Event
The National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) hosts the annual 2007 United States Conference on AIDS (USCA), One Family, One Voice, One Spirit set for November 7-10 at the Palm Springs Convention Center in Palm Springs, California and focuses on communities in the United States heavily impacted by, and at high risk for, HIV/AIDS.
“In recognition of the importance and value of Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities in the fight against HIV/AIDS, USCA partners with tribes in the local area to enhance the conference experience and invites tribal leaders to address participants at the Opening Plenary. This November, we feel particularly honored to be holding USCA in Palm Springs, on the land of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians,” says Paul Kawata, NMAC Executive Director. Mr. Kawata explains, “The Grand Entry planned for the Opening Plenary will alert our participants to the rich traditions of Native peoples, and the need for increased HIV/AIDS awareness in Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities.”
“This Opening Plenary is an opportunity to celebrate our rich diversity as well as to increase awareness of this critical issue in our community,” says Warren Jimenez, member of the Chumash Tribe, Coastal Band and the Executive Director of the National Native American AIDS Prevention Center ( NNAAPC). “We are excited to partner with NMAC, the Red Circle Project at AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA), and the local host committee to be part of this celebration.”
The USCA Opening Plenary, planned in partnership with NNAAPC, the Red Circle Project at APLA, and the local host committee, will take place on Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at 8:30 am. It will honor Native and indigenous communities with a Grand Entry procession. Native and indigenous peoples are respectfully invited to join us in opening the conference in traditional and/or cultural regalia/attire during the Grand Entry. Participants can meet prior to the procession in the “Green Room” at the convention center. Arrangements to participate may be made by contacting Elton Naswood at 213-201-1311 or by email: NativeUSCA2007@gmail.com
Amy Groom, IHS Immunization Program
Let’s clear up any confusion over the availability of the HPV vaccine
There has been confusion over the availability of the HPV vaccine to all eligible AI/AN females. When the vaccine was first released some states placed age restrictions on usage. Apparently those restrictions have now been removed in all states with significant AI/AN populations. Unfortunately many clinics within the Indian Health Service and tribal health system still have out of date information that the HPV vaccine is restricted to certain age groups.
Please read Ms. Groom’s e-mail below. All AI/AN females up through age 18 years are eligible for free vaccine from the Vaccines for Children program in your state. If you have any questions about your ability to receive HPV vaccine for all AI/AN females between ages 11-18 years please contact your state immunization coordinator from the link that Ms. Groom has supplied. If there is any state that is limiting the HPV vaccine for AI/AN females please let me know.
Steve Holve, MD
Chief Clinical Consultant in Pediatrics
HI Steve –The programs that are restricting are offering it to 11 – 18 only, not 9 – 18, so while a restriction, it isn’t as restrictive as it had been. And of those, 2 of the 3 programs with restrictions are actually cities, and not cities with a significant AI/AN population (and no urban Indian facility). The other is a state (PA) with no federally or state recognized tribe and no IHS or tribal facility, so I doubt that is an issue for the folks you are talking with. Every other state, per AIM and per CDC, is offering the HPV vaccine to all VFC eligible females (which would include all AI/AN) in accordance with the ACIP recommendation – that is to say, to all 9 – 18 year olds.
There may be some lingering confusion or communication issues related to the earlier restrictions that some states placed when the vaccine first came out, so I would encourage people to contact their VFC program directly and ask for the specific guidance related to HPV. If there are in fact states that are still restricting the vaccine we can look into it to see what the situation is.
If people need assistance identifying the appropriate contact person at the state, I am happy to help – a list of all the VFC and Immunization Program Mangers for each state is also available at: http://www.immunize.org/coordinators/
Flu Season
Flu season is considered Sept – March. Vaccination begins around October and although typically vaccination slows down after Thanksgiving, the CDC and partners are actively promoting vaccinating through out the flu season, even into January and Feb 2008.
This year CDC and partners are promoting “National Influenza Vaccination Week” November 26 – December 2nd to get that message out.
Hawaii has already reported flu cases, so it may be an earlier flu season than last year (last year peaked quite late, around February). Also, the southern hemisphere (Australia, New Zealand) had a very heavy flu season this year, so there are some that predict we may be in for an earlier and more sever flu season than last year. See the IHS Provider notes about this and stats on coverage for 6 – 23 months as well.
Amy V. Groom, MPH
IHS Immunization Program Manager/CDC Field Assignee
IHS Division of Epidemiology
5300 Homestead RD., NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
Phone: (505) 248 – 4374
Elaine Locke, ACOG
State Maternal Mortality Review: Accomplishments of Nine States: Now Available
The Centers for Disease Control Division of Reproductive Health is please to announce the availability of a new publication; "State Maternal and Morality: Accomplishments of Nine States."
The CDC would be happy to provide you copies of that publication. Please e-mail a complete mailing address. All publications are complimentary, however, we do limit our quantities. Allow 2-3 week for Domestic shipping and 6-8 weeks for International shipping. 770-488-5200
Thank you for your interest, and we'll look forward to completing your request.
Public Inquiries Group CDC/DRH
Division of Reproductive Health 4770 Buford Hwy, NE
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention MS K-20
http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/index.htm Atlanta
, GA 30341-3717
Alan Waxman, University of New Mexico (Retired IHS OB/GYN CCC)
The TELLURIDE Conference
February 8-10, 2008
Mark your calendar! Ask for leave! Think snow!
It’s time to make plans to attend the annual Indian Health Midwinter Conference on Women’s and Children’s Healthcare.
This conference will bring together healthcare providers and nurses from Navajo Area and throughout Indian country for three days of continuing education, networking and winter recreation. Topics will include a wide range of timely issues important for ob/gyns, pediatricians, family physicians, NPs, CNMs, PAs, and RNs who care for Native American women and children.
It will be a fun and educational weekend if you ski, snowboard or like to sit by the fire.
As always, no advance registration is needed. Details regarding times and location will be mailed later in the fall. If you need additional information in the meantime, please contact Alan Waxman, MD at awaxman@salud.unm.edu
Share this announcement with a friend. See you there!
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OB/GYN
Dr. Neil Murphy is the Obstetrics and Gynecology Chief Clinical Consultant (OB/GYN C.C.C.). Dr. Murphy is very interested in establishing a dialogue and/or networking with anyone involved in women's health or maternal child health, especially as it applies to Native or indigenous peoples around the world. Please don't hesitate to contact him by e-mail or phone at 907-729-3154.
