Do you have an interest in service? Do you see an unacceptable reality that needs a change? Please join in the effort to improve your community with:
- Access To Care, contact Erica Hubenthal
- Human Trafficking, contact Lauren Raimer-Goodman
- Obesity, contact Claire Bocchini
Obesity is a huge problem in America and Houston is no stranger to this epidemic. Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, acid reflux, and arthritis are just a few of the myriad of problems creating higher morbidity and mortality. DFC is joining in the fight against obesity. The 2011 Obesity Forum will be a springboard for projects uniting health care professionals toward this common goal.
- Prenatal Care and Maternal Health, contact Judy Levison
- 2010 Voters Guide, contact Claire Bocchini
Exercising the right to vote is a key responsibility of a democracy's citizens. In local, state, and federal elections, DFC hopes to bring electoral candidates closer to their constituents by asking pertinent questions about health care and providing their answers in our Voters Guide. In addition, we research public information from campaign websites to summarize our leaders' overall views on health care.
- DFC Outreach, contact Henry Junior
Membership and a mission remain core elements of the DFC workforce. We are reaching out to various health care professionals and students to unite those with common interests to improve Houston's health care. New networking events and volunteer opportunities are on the horizon and we hope to partner with organizations with similar goals.
- State Legislative Issues, contact Claire Bocchini
- Pharma Education, contact Katherine King
- Mental and Behavioral Health, contact Elisabeth Netherton
Accessibility of health care remains one of the primary missions of DFC. One of the safety nets for Houston's uninsured and underinsured is the Harris County Hospital District (HCHD). By working closely with the HCHD, we hope to improve establishment of patients in the system, timeliness of follow-up, and continuity of care. With good primary care, hopefully the strain on emergency centers, the cost of unnecessary escalated care, and the impact of preventable illness will decrease.
The 82nd Texas State Legislature is in regular session for 140 calendar days in 2011. DFC is partnering with local advocacy groups to lobby for improvements in health care. Stay tuned for planning meetings to discuss the most important items on our agenda.
Presence of pharmaceutical companies at academic medical centers represents a potential conflict of interest for physicians. DFC is developing educational material and conducting a survey among internal medicine residents. Our goal is to reduce this influence in the interest of open accountability, improved quality of care, and professionalism.
The goal of this committee’s projects is to improve screening for mental illness in the community by better capturing low income children who are not regularly screened by a pediatrician, but carry a disproportionate burden of mental illness. We hope that by educating teachers about signs and symptoms of mental illness and about low-cost community mental health resources, they will feel more comfortable referring these children and their families to mental health professionals. Not only would an early referral have a positive impact on the child's life, but it would benefit Harris county to treat these children as outpatients rather than waiting for their symptoms to progress so far that they can only be managed in an inpatient setting or through the juvenile justice system. Please see this presentation for details.