Welcome to the fourth edition of Health Equity Quarterly, our quarterly newsletter that highlights the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health’s (CMS OMH) activities, messages from leadership, and some of the great work the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is doing to address health care disparities.

While the nation continues to deal with the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative that you and your family get vaccinated. Children ages 5-11 recently became eligible for vaccination and it is critical that we encourage parents to get their children vaccinated, answer questions about the vaccine and how it will affect this age group, and provide resources that will further inform parents so they feel safe getting their child vaccinated.

In addition to getting your children vaccinated, we also continue to stress the importance of getting your COVID-19 vaccine booster, if eligible. Boosters have been authorized for all three of the vaccines that are currently available – Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson – with the requirements for getting your booster varying according to which vaccine you initially received. Research suggests the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines wanes over time, which means that the booster is essential to protect yourself and your family as we continued to deal with this pandemic.

Throughout 2021, CMS OMH held multiple webinars related to the COVID-19 vaccine, with the most recent being our Pediatric Vaccine Partner Webinar, which was co-hosted with the Connecting Kids to Coverage National Campaign. The webinar highlighted newly released recommendations on COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5-11, federal COVID-19 resources, and more. Panelists detailed their ongoing work to further emphasize the importance of vaccines, discussed the availability of vaccines, and provided messaging that viewers could use to reach different populations and stakeholders. View the recording and slides from the webinar. We also encourage you to view the information from our other webinars, the COVID-19 Vaccine Webinar for Rural Communities (recording and slides) and the Building COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence Webinar (recording, slides, and supplemental handout).

CMS OMH strives to ensure that all of the populations that we serve have access to quality health care, including vaccinations and other preventive services. These webinars offered us a chance to work with various partner organizations and individual providers to ensure that the concerns of the various populations that we serve are heard as we continue to shape our strategies.

Finally, this February, CMS OMH is proud to celebrate Black History Month as well as American Heart Month. Black communities are often disproportionately affected by heart conditions and related risk factors. By examining these two monthly observances together, CMS OMH has an opportunity to advance health equity for all Americans by highlighting resources and initiatives that can help those disproportionately impacted by heart disease. Visit the CMS OMH Health Observances website for a list of resources to share during February and beyond.

– Dr. LaShawn McIver, Director, CMS OMH

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small today unveiled a resource guide to help people in rural America start and grow businesses, create good-paying jobs in their communities and strengthen America’s economy.

“America’s rural entrepreneurs are critical to the success of our nation’s economy,” Torres Small said. “They create jobs for the people in their communities, start businesses and industries that expand financial opportunities, and deliver products and services that improve the lives of people across this nation. The guide we are unveiling today will enhance American competitiveness around the world to meet the challenges of the 21st century by equipping rural entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed.”

The guide features information on how rural entrepreneurs can use USDA and other Federal programs to access financing and other assistance to help start and expand their businesses. It includes tools to help them:

• expand their access to capital to create small business incubators.
• create value-added agricultural products.
• access high-speed internet to connect their businesses to national and global markets.
• cut energy costs.
• access health care resources to enhance the quality of life for their employees.
• access workforce development and training opportunities to improve their skills, products and services, and more.

The guide also features firsthand stories from Rural Development customers on ways USDA programs and services have helped them start or expand businesses.

You can read the complete announcement here.

Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced the launch of an AgriStress HelpLine for Pennsylvania farmers. The hotline is a free service available to Pennsylvania farmers and farm families seeking mental health support.

“Our agricultural community faces unique challenges. Farmers often work alone, live where they work and encounter pressures of changing markets, unpredictable weather, business transitions and legacy,” said Redding. “These stressors can weigh heavily on individuals and families, but help is available. The AgriStress Helpline is a tool to connect farmers to mental health resources and healthcare professionals. We want folks to know that it’s OK to ask for help.”

The AgriStress HelpLine for Pennsylvania is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Farmers can call 833-897-AGRI (2474) to speak to a healthcare professional.

The AgriStress HelpLine for Pennsylvania is supported by a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance NetworkOpens In A New Window awarded to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to carry out programming to address farmer stress and suicide. In addition to the Department’s partnership with AgriSafe to launch the hotline, the grant dollars support mental health resources available through the Center for Dairy ExcellenceOpens In A New Window, marketing to increase mental health awareness and reduce stigma, and regional collaboration with the National Young Farmers Coalition.

Long-time advocate for mental health services for the agriculture sector Senator Elder Vogel, Chair of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, joined Redding today in support of the launch.

“While farmers are traditionally less likely to seek professional help, it is vital that we connect those in the agricultural community with the necessary resources for them to obtain the help they need when dealing with a mental health issue,” said Senator Vogel. “The opening of the AgriStress HelpLine is a major step forward as we seek to provide access to care to a vital population that so often will bear their burdens in silence.”

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, financial challenges, farm or business problems and the fear of losing the farm are top contributors to farmers’ mental health. Cost, embarrassment and stigma often prevent farmers from seeking help or treatment for a mental health condition.

“There can be a stigma around seeking help for mental health issues and we need to make farmers aware of all of the tools available to them,” said Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Rick Ebert.  “This helpline will provide another resource for farmers to reach out to trained professionals and get the assistance they need.”

The AgriSafe NetworkOpens In A New Window is a non-profit organization that strives to reduce health disparities in agricultural communities. AgriSafe supports a network of trained agricultural health and safety professionals to provide preventative services for farm families. The AgriStress Response Network seeks to eliminate the stigma around accessing support for mental health including stress, depression, anxiety and suicide.

Anyone who works in Pennsylvania agriculture and wants to talk to someone is encouraged to contact the AgriStress Helpline by calling 833-897-AGRI (2474).

For more information about the AgriStress HelpLine for Pennsylvania, visit agriculture.pa.gov and click on the Mental Wellness icon.

Beginning in January 2022, mobile carriers began shutting down their 3G networks to make room for more advanced network services, such as 5G.

This move to 5G cellular networks promises faster cell phone and internet speeds, but could leave some Pennsylvanians disconnected as they may lose cellphone and data services entirely, including the ability to call 911 and emergency services. Recently, the Pennsylvania State Police and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) urged residents with cell phones to prepare for the phase out of 3G cellular networks and service.

Phasing out older networks isn’t a new concept for wireless carriers as similar transitions have happened in the past. Many service providers may have programs and resources to help customers through the process.

Below is helpful information to help you though the transition.

When Will the Transition Happen? 

Each mobile provider has different plans and timelines for phasing out their 3G capabilities. If you are worried about if/when this will impact you, please contact your mobile provider directly or visit their website. If your carrier is not listed below, it does not mean you will not be impacted.

• AT&T will shut down its 3G network in February 2022.
• T-Mobile will shut down the following 3G networks:
  • Sprint 3G CDMA on March 31, 2022
  • Sprint 4G LTE on June 30, 2022
  • T-Mobile 3G UMT on July 1, 2022
• Verizon will shut down its 3G network on December 31, 2022.

The Federal Communications Commission says other carriers, such as Cricket, Boost, Straight Talk and some Lifeline mobile service providers use the networks of AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon. As a result, phones under those carriers could also be affected.

* Please note: Carriers may begin shutting down portions of their networks before these dates. Please take the necessary action now to continue service.

What Devices Will Be Affected? 

Phones/Mobile Devices

Most users of 3G devices will be notified directly by their mobile service providers. If you have a phone or device from 2012 or before, using your phone to make calls is almost certainly on borrowed time.

• Contact your mobile provider or visit their website for more information about whether your phone/device may be affected.
  • AT&T — Find out if your phone will still work on our new network
  • T-Mobile — Per the company’s website, impacted customers will be contacted.
  • Verizon — How do I know if I have an impacted device?
• You may need to upgrade to a newer device to ensure that you can stay connected. Carriers may offer discounted or free upgrades to consumers who need to upgrade.
• Some devices may only require a software update to enable VoLTE (HD Voice) or other advanced services. If you purchased your phone independent of a mobile provider, you should be able to check whether your device is 4G LTE (with VoLTE or HD Voice) enabled by checking your phone’s settings or user manual.

Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS)

If you are an older Pennsylvanian or have a loved one who uses this type of device — a band worn on the wrist or a pendant worn around the neck (commonly called Medical-Alert, Life-Alert or Fall Monitor) that, when activated, results in first responders being notified of an emergency such as a fall — you need to know if your device will continue to work as 3G network service ends. Immediately contact the device manufacturer or the company providing monitoring services for the device. If your device is pre-2019 and is operating on 2G or 3G networks, it is wise to upgrade your device as soon as possible.

Additional Help and Resources 

Lifeline

• Check if you qualify for Lifeline

Lifeline is the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) program to help make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. Lifeline provides subscribers a discount on qualifying monthly telephone service, broadband Internet service, or bundled voice-broadband packages purchased from participating wireline or wireless providers. The discount helps ensure that low-income consumers can afford broadband service and the access it provides to jobs, healthcare, and educational resources.

Affordable Connectivity Program

• Apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program is another program from the FCC that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

Additional Resources

• Plan Ahead for Phase Out of 3G Cellular Networks and Service — FCC
• Find the status of Text-to-911 Service in Your County — PEMA
• America’s 5G Future — FCC
• How Not to Break the Bank as You Upgrade Your Smartphone — AARP

Get Ready to Submit a Success Story!

As part of the Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (CCCP) commitment to advancing health equity, The Pennsylvania Cancer Coalition (PCC) is collecting success stories.

The CCCP, in partnership with the PCC, has developed an online Success Stories tool that provides grantees and partners with a way to show why the work matters and how funding is used.  Success Stories are accounts that share positive results and ongoing success of health initiatives.

The database was developed to help meet the Healthy People 2030 objective to “increase the number of health departments that use social marketing in health promotion programs” and to “evaluate the impact of using social media to raise awareness about health equity and effective interventions that address health equity/health disparities in cancer control.”

This online tool requires approximately 15-20 minutes to complete and is simple to use.

Technical assistance is available to:

1. Help members navigate the tool
2. Help members complete the tool
3. Troubleshooting/FAQs

After submission of your organization’s success story, it will be highlighted and available on the PCC website. The data populated from success story submissions will be used to provide a baseline of health equity projects and activities occurring across Pennsylvania.

Link here to get started: Success Story tool

Need Help?

Email RA-DHCAB_PCC@pa.gov with Success Story Help in the subject line.

The Pennsylvania Success Story database was developed  based upon the CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion’s (NCCDPHP) Success Stories application.