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| State Initiatives : |
| The major state initiative facing us is the implementation of AllKids, a state supported program providing medical insurance for every child in Illinois. The state’s FQHC’s are considered an important part of the process. We’ve been given an exclusive six month grace period to begin the enrollment process. Thus far, success has been fair. But by 12/30/06, more than 900,000 children in the Chicagoland area will have to be assigned to a primary care provider. If clients don’t select a primary care provider, they will be randomly assigned, which could pose system problems. We are working diligently not only to ensure a smooth adjustment. |
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| Cancer Collaborative : |
| We’ve elected to remain a partner in the SAC (Stand Against Cancer) Project, to provide follow up for abnormal PAP Tests and Mammography’s. |
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| Diabetes Collaborative Program : |
| CFHCN is addressing health disparities by participating in the Diabetes Collaborative with the MidWest Clinicians' Network, Inc. This partnership will significantly increase awareness and education about healthcare to the community. |
| Diabetes has always been a special concern for our organization. Disparities exist between the general population and the Westside communities, served by CFHCN. Diabetes leads to increased morbidity. CFHCN is aggressively pursuing partnerships to facilitate education, screenings, and disease management for diabetic community residents. |
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| Causes & Results Of Diabetes : |
| Diabetes may result from poor eating habits, lack of exercise, obesity, or age. Obesity increases the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma, type 2 (adult onset) diabetes, arthritis, several types of cancer, reproductive complications, depression and premature death. An estimated 300,000 deaths each year may be attributable to obesity. Twenty-five percent of 2-to-5 year olds in Illinois are obese, double the national average. Seventy-five percent of Chicago’s high school students don’t meet recommended levels of activity, and twenty-three percent of Chicago’s kindergartners are obese. We feel it’s urgent to address diabetes, as well as obesity. |
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| STD : |
| Sexually Transmitted Disease is a disease passed from one person to another by unprotected sexual contact. You can get a sexually transmitted disease from sexual activity that involves the mouth, anus or vagina. |
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| HIV : The Human Immunodeficiency Virus : |
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It is the same disease that can progress to AIDS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
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| As of December 2006, African Americans account for 36% of the population in Chicago, yet they account for 55% of the people living with HIV/AIDS, and 15% are Hispanic. |
Good News… HIV is 100% Preventable!
HIV Prevention Means…
Get Tested,
Get your results,
Know your status! |
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| Behavioral Health : |
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Mental health is a significant public health issue, affecting more than 44 million Americans. That’s about 20% of adults and school-aged children, who experience mental health problems and illness. Mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life.
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| Both adults, children and adolescents can have mental health disorders that interfere with the way they think, feel, and act. Untreated mental health disorders can lead to school or work failure, family conflicts, drug abuse, violence, and even suicide. |
| Serious mental illnesses include major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and borderline personality disorder. |
Good news… Recovery is possible!
In addition to medication, psychosocial treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, peer support groups, and other community services can also be components of a plan that assists with recovery. The availability of transportation, diet, exercise, sleep, friends, and meaningful work or volunteer activities contribute to overall health and wellness. |
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| Cardiovascular Disease : |
| A disease involving the heart and/or blood vessels -- arteries and veins. Each year, heart disease kills more Americans than cancer. Diseases of the heart alone caused 30% of all deaths. Other diseases of the cardiovascular system caused substantial further death and disability. It is the #1 cause of death and disability in the United States. In 2002, this West Side community was ranked 7th in Chicago’s communities for heart disease mortality. East Garfield Park had 385 deaths related to heart disease. |
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| Asthma : |
| The most common chronic illness in children. Significant racial and ethnic disparities exist in diagnosed asthma among inner-city schoolchildren in Chicago. The Austin community has a high prevalence of asthma. Staff frequently manages acute exacerbations on site, preventing subsequent need for hospitalization. Asthma was one of the most frequent diagnoses for our patients in 2006. Patients requiring acute care are triaged by a staff nurse and services are provided. Possible asthma cases boost the total potential burden of asthma to more than 1 in 3 non-Hispanic Black and Puerto Rican children. |
| Asthma is a common emergency department (ED) diagnosis. Children who have access to preventive care are able to avoid frequent asthma triggers. They recognize the warning signs of an asthma attack and take rescue medication early, before an attack becomes serious. Moreover, they see a doctor at least every six months to monitor and modify treatment. |
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| Prostate cancer : |
| The second most common type of cancer among men in this country.
The American Cancer Society estimated approximately 230,900 new cases were diagnosed in 2004. The average age for prostate cancer is 70 years of age. In our service area, each of our communities is in the top 20 of the City of Chicago. Currently, West Garfield Park is number 2. The cancer incidence rate for prostrate cancer was 10.7 percent and 9.7 percent for colon cancer in 1990,
according to the Chicago Department of Public Health. |
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| Cancer of the colon and rectum : |
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ncer deaths among visceral malignancies, which affect both males and females. An estimated 146,940 new diagnosed cases have been cited in 2004 in the U.S. Many of the new cases and deaths are preventable by improvements in nutrition, physical activity and regular check ups. CFHCN serves to help clients detect symptoms early, so that survival rates are much higher than the national average. |
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| Cervical cancer : |
| Develops in the lining of the cervix, which is in the lower part of the uterus (womb). Normal cervical cells gradually develop into precancerous cells, which in turn may develop into cancerous cells. Under the care of our qualified providers, clients can receive routine pap smears and check-ups, so precancerous cells are caught early. Cervical cancer is the 2nd most common cancer of the female reproductive tract, usually affecting women between 40-55 years of age. The North Lawndale area had a cancer mortality rate of 304 in 2000. Develops in the lining of the cervix, which is in the lower part of the uterus (womb). Normal cervical cells gradually develop into precancerous cells, which in turn may develop into cancerous cells. Under the care of our qualified providers, clients can receive routine pap smears and check-ups, so precancerous cells are caught early. Cervical cancer is the 2nd most common cancer of the female reproductive tract, usually affecting women between 40-55 years of age. The North Lawndale area had a cancer mortality rate of 304 in 2000. |
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| Breast cancer : |
| The most common cancer among women. Assuming that a breast lump grows with a doubling time of 100 days, it would take approximately ten years to reach a point where it could be felt. Most patients with a diagnosis of breast cancer have likely had the cancerous mass for 5 to 10 years before the diagnosis. Again, West Garfield Park shows a huge disparity as it is ranked 4th in Chicago for breast cancer mortality. It is imperative that we work with clients in local communities and area hospitals, to get women access to mammograms. |
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| Cancer Concerns : |
| Because of low access to healthcare, our community residents suffer from these life-threatening diseases. Early diagnosis depends on routine examinations and screenings, which can be performed at our health center site locations. Each of these cancers can be treated. CFHCN assists in patient care by offering Fecal Occult Blood Test. This test checks for hidden blood in the stool and Colonoscopy examination, in which the doctor examines the colon and rectal areas. |
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Health Tip and Facts