AIDS Outreach Targets Blacks
On the eve of World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, Kaiser Permanente announced its newest outreach program targeting African-Americans who are disproportionately affected by the virus in the Northern California region.
This program was prompted by a recent declaration of a public health state of emergency by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.
Next year, starting in February, Kaiser will launch its Positive Self-Management Workshop for members and non-members in five Northern California markets, including Oakland, Richmond and San Francisco.
The six-session series of classes will be led by a community member with HIV and will provide HIV/AIDS survivors with practical skills for taking care of themselves, information on community resources and advice on how to manage the daily difficulties of the disease.
The program goal is to help people with HIV and AIDS lead healthier, less symptom-filled lives which in turn reduces the frequency of hospitalization.
Another Kaiser AIDS outreach program, which encouraged pregnant women to get an HIV test, led to an 80 percent testing rate among those women in California.
(Kaiser Permanente, Dena Kirkin, 626/405-3004)
Corporate Intranets Get Smarter
Healthcare Intelligence Network (HIN), a healthcare information provider in Arlington, Va., provides a way to update your corporate intranet with the latest healthcare industry and managed care news.
Subscribers can search several industry subjects including JCAHO (Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations), health law and regulation, mergers and acquisitions, physician-related issues and trends and health plan reimbursement. Market information on major healthcare companies, including financials, statistics and new developments will also be available.
The information can be delivered on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Exclusive content providers include the Managed Care Information Center and Health Resources Publishing.
For a limited time, healthcare organizations can register for a free trial through HIN's Web site at http://www.hin.com.(HIN, 888/446-3530 or 703/241-2798)
Microsoft Spreads Xmas Cheer
December won't be as grim for children spending the holidays in the hospital at Florida Hospital Healthcare, where Microsoft is donating more than $5,000 in software and toys. The funds will allow the hospital to update some of the pediatric ward's play areas with the most current versions of Microsoft toys, games and hardware.
Software games like "The Magic School Bus Explores the Human Body," allow parents and doctors to help children better understand their illness and treatments. (Microsoft, 503/245-0905)