Historically, Louisiana has struggled to improve its outcomes in education, incarceration, and health. A new report released today by the Louisiana Center for Health Equity (LCHE) offers a glimpse into how the state has consistently ranked low, usually 49th or 50th in overall health outcomes and how the COVID 19 pandemic has highlighted alarming health disparities in Louisiana, and the increasing urgency for more equitable systemic practices and policies. The consequences of COVID-19 demand an immediate and appropriate response that centers and prioritizes the expertise and experiences of disadvantaged populations in decision-making processes.

Since its establishment in 2010, LCHE has been committed to bringing health equity throughout Louisiana by dismantling health disparities in the state caused by poverty, lack of access to quality health care and unhealthy environmental conditions. To continue its effort and further address these issues LCHE, in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Health-Office of Public Health and Pennington Biomedical Research Center, held its 5th annual Health Summit on March 3rd. Topics discussed during the summit included the progress and accomplishments of the current State Health Improvement Plan; key health indicators to move the needle toward improving Louisiana’s national health ranking; policies to reduce Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs); and school health and education best practices to reduce disparities in education outcomes. The 2020 Health Summit: Advancing Health Equity for Children and Families report provides a summary of the summit and policy recommendations for improving Louisiana’s health outcomes.

The report details four recommendations for policy to improve health outcomes for women, children, and families. 

• Set a state minimum wage higher than the federal minimum wage
• Implement trauma-informed approaches and services for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
• Establish a state-run entity to coordinate a systematic approach to women’s health, such as an Office on Women’s Health
• Prioritize and adopt key America’s Health Rankings’ health measures as policy

 
These policies will directly and positively impact the state’s overall national standing according to America’s Health Rankings, and so will advance the state toward #LA40by2030, improving Louisiana’s rank to 40th by 2030.
 
“LCHE is celebrating our ten-year anniversary as we look toward the future; earlier this year we announced a bold vision for the next decade, namely #LA40by2030,” said Alma C. Stewart, president and founder of LCHE. “We are grateful for our role in Medicaid expansion that resulted in the vast majority of our uninsured residents being afforded health insurance coverage. While Medicaid expansion has had a significant impact on equitable access to healthcare, LCHE is committed to staying the course and working with our partners to help improve the state’s health outcomes and overall health rankings over the next decade,” says Stewart.

About Louisiana Center for Health Equity
Louisiana Center for Health Equity (LCHE) works to address the increasing disparities in health and health care across Louisiana. LCHE represents the interest of health equity by promoting the elimination of health disparities caused by poverty, lack of access to quality health care and unhealthy environmental conditions with a focus on wellness and community health. LCHE is a statewide nonpartisan nonprofit organization with IRS status as a 501(C)(3) tax exempt public charity established in January 2010. LCHE is independently governed by a Board of Directors with a unique approach to improving community health through service to and for the people of Louisiana.
 
#LA40by2030
The declaration of #LA40by2030 marks the commemoration of LCHE’s ten-year anniversary. Through collaboration, education and advocacy for effective and proven programs and policy, LCHE has positively impacted the health care system both regionally and statewide. LCHE’s most notable achievement was the successful campaign to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Campaign for Healthcare for Everyone – Louisiana was organized by LCHE in 2013, and steered efforts to close the coverage gap by allowing low income, mostly working adults to obtain healthcare insurance through Medicaid expansion as authorized by the ACA. Through the campaign, LCHE collaborated with a diverse group of organizations and led the fight to expand access to healthcare for all Louisianans. On January 12, 2016, newly elected Governor John Bel Edwards signed an executive order expanding Medicaid in Louisiana. As LCHE looks toward the next decade, plans are underway for continuing collaboration with our partners and we invite those interested to join us and add your support.

If you click the button below, you will find the childcare guidelines for Phase II. If you have any questions, please call at 318-323-8775.

The Farmerville Gazette - Saturday, the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day will address a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.9 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows the majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.

Locally, sites are available around Union Parish from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 24, to participate in this national event. Bring your pills for disposal to one of four locations: Bernice Pharmacy at 417 East Main Street in Bernice, Union Parish Sheriff’s Office at 710 Holder Road in Farmerville, CommuniHealth Services at 335 Main Street in Marion, or the Children’s Coalition at 117 Hall Street in Monroe.

Sites will accept pills, patches, liquids, or vape pens – they cannot accept needles, sharps, or aerosols. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. To keep everyone safe, collection sites will follow local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths. This program began when both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration advised the public that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines – flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash – posed potential safety and health hazards.

Medications thrown in the trash can be retrieved and sold or misused and drugs that are flushed can contaminate the water supply. Proper drug disposal not only can save lives but protect the environment.

Through incredible partnerships with the DEA, U-ACT - a program of the Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana - the University of Louisiana Monroe College of Pharmacy, CommuniHealth Services, Bernice Pharmacy, and the Union Parish Sheriff ’s Office, this national initiative for the safe disposal of prescription drugs is now a reality in northeast Louisiana.

S/T Michael Reichardt with Louisiana State Police says, “It is imperative that people with old medication, especially narcotics, dispose of them properly before they get into the hands of someone that doesn’t need them or improperly disposes of them. This is a free service that is offered in our community and one that is needed. I hope people take the time to come out and dispose of their prescriptions properly instead of flushing them.”

Bernice Pharmacy Manager Brandon Keaster says, “Bernice Pharmacy is proud to host the DEA National Prescription Takeback Day. We love working together with partners in our community to protect our families and make the community safer for all.”
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Community members who are unable to attend Drug Take Back Day can use permanent drop boxes located throughout the different parishes. Visit takebackday.dea.gov/content/secure-your-meds to find a drop box near you.

KTBS3 ABC | Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $17,637,461 in grant funding from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support health projects around Louisiana, particularly to combat the opioid epidemic.

“Even as we begin to rebuild communities devastated by Hurricane Laura, we can’t take our eyes off the opioid epidemic. Fighting opioid addiction remains a priority for Louisiana, and these HHS grants will help prevent, treat and promote recovery from substance abuse in our communities,” said Kennedy.

Projects supported by this funding include:

• $17,262,461 to support the Louisiana State Opioid Response Program through the Louisiana State Office of Behavioral Health.
• ​$125,000 to support the Union Parish for Community Transformation program through Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana, Inc.
• $125,000 to support the Bienville Community Coalition through Community Support Program of Louisiana, Inc.
• $125,000 to support youth substance abuse prevention in Latino communities through Metro Centers for Community Advocacy.

Shreveport | Basic Necessities, a new local nonprofit, will provide diapers, period products and incontinence supplies to low-income individuals & families in the ArkLaTex.

​These items are available to clients who are experiencing unemployment, illness, and/or temporary economic difficulties. Items will be provided at no charge to clients; however, clients will need to provide proof of need and a state-issued ID to receive services.

SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, and other publicly-funded assistance programs do not cover these non-food items unless they are part of a doctor-prescribed treatment plan.

​Basic Necessities will serve as a centralized hub for collection and distribution of these items. They are working with the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN) and the Alliance for Period Supplies to plan for best practices and certification. Basic Necessities will be the only nationally-recognized, certified diaper bank in our region. The nearest NDBN diaper bank is in McKinney, Texas near Dallas.

Pamela Rowell and Debbie Hollis, the two women who created Basic Necessities, have already begun receiving generous product donations from the community. A nonprofit application has been submitted to the IRS and, upon approval, will allow them to accept financial contributions and support.
 
​“A dear friend of ours has been providing food and supplies to our community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. His actions inspired us to create Basic Necessities to fill a gap in services that exists in our area,” states Rowell. “This is a long-standing need that will continue even after COVID-19 subsides.”

Northwest Louisiana’s above-average poverty rate, lack of access to reproductive healthcare & education for low-income people, and increasing job scarcity all contribute to a growing need for the services that Basic Necessities provides.
Rowell and Hollis are currently seeking out community partners - including social service organizations, faith-based groups, and government agencies - who will refer pre-screened clients for assistance.