This information supplements handouts in members' packets. 1. Welcome and Introductions Beth Giesting, Executive Director of the Hawaii Primary Care Association, opened the meeting at 1:00 PM and welcomed the twenty-four attendees. 2. Ask Aloha United Way (Havinne Anderson, Information and Referral Coordinator) The total calls on children's health insurance in 2000 were 2284. Almost 90% were first time callers and 21% were agencies calling for clients. Outreach data shows the primary sources of information for first time callers are family/friend, bus poster, and hospital/health center. More detailed data will be distributed at the next meeting. 3. Children's Dental Health Issues (Kathy Suzuki, Special Projects Director, Hawaii Primary Care Association) Q: How do dentists' pro bono work or "write-offs" compare to physicians? A: Not currently known. Q: If most underserved children are eligible for QUEST health insurance, then why do so many children still have bad dental health? A: Utilization rate is low and not enough providers are willing to see QUEST or Medicaid Fee-for-Service patients. Neighbor Islanders have the added difficulty of transportation within their islands, as well as to Oahu when treatment is needed. Related Comment: Health education of parents and children seems to be one of the primary issues, as well as office conduct. Also, there dentists are concerned about patients missing appointments. Question: Has anyone done a study on utilization rates for QUEST and Medicaid Fee-for-Service? Answer: Med-QUEST should have these statistics. (Note: when Kathy checked after the meeting, Med-QUEST does not have dental utilization rates specifically for children. Overall rates require a special tabulation application and monetary charge.) Question: Why don't more dentists see QUEST or Medicaid Fee-for-Service patients? Answer: Too much red tape and low reimbursement to make it worth their time. Audience Observations * Cultural differences may not have as much of an impact as patient education. * Parent education should start very early (with pregnant women) to ensure children's good habits. * Dental issues are often not viewed as health issues by insurance companies and public policy. * There is a finding that dental health has long-term affects that go beyond teeth and the mouth. 4. Coordinated School Health Programs (Dee Helber, Education Specialist, DOE Student Support Section) Through a collaborative process with the Departments of Education and Health, this project was developed to help ensure that all students in the public school system will be healthy and able to learn in a safe, supportive, nurturing environment, by: * Employing state and district level resource teachers to assist teachers in implementing Health Education and Physical Education Standards * Establishing a coordinated school-based health program at seventeen school sites. The model program includes the following eight components: 1. Comprehensive health and physical education 2. Healthy school environments 3. Counseling 4. Psychological and social services 5. Health services 6. Staff health promotion 7. Family and community involvement 8. Nutrition services All schools (K-12) will implement the health and physical education standard and these sixteen school sites were selected for the Coordinated School Health program: Central District: Mililani High School and Waialua Elementary Hawaii District: Keaau Middle School, Kealakea Intermediate School, and Waiakea Intermediate School Honolulu District: Kaewai Elementary and Lunalilo Elementary Kauai Dsitrict: Kapaa High School and Waimea High School Leeward District: Kapolei High School and Nanakaipono Elementary Maui District: Baldwin High School and Hana High and Elementary School Windward District: Castle High School, Kahuku High and Intermediate School, and Kailua Elementary Program Impact It is anticipated these funds will help reduce the leading causes of health problems-poor diet, lack of physical activity and tobacco use-all contributing to costly and preventable health problems in Hawaii. These behaviors, often established in children, contribute to premature onset of chronic disease, early death, social and economic problems and often a lifetime of underachievement. 5. Announcements * The first Hawaii Covering Kids Data Project report titled "Data Available to Measure the Number of Uninsured Children and Youth in Hawaii" is printed. Copies were distributed at the meeting and extra copies are available. * Revised flyers for parents/guardians with the new FPL numbers are printed. Contact Barbara 6. Next Meeting Our next meeting is videoconferenced on Thursday, 10 May 2001 at 1:30 PM at: * Kapiolani Community College (Honolulu) * Maui Community College * Kauai Community College * UH Hilo * UH Center West Hawaii The featured speaker is Aileen Hiramatsu, Med-QUEST Division Administrator.