Newsletter - Press Releases

Ten Common Mistakes Web Sites Make

11/26/2006 12:00:00 AM

La Habra, CA – September 26, 2006 – One in five Americans now report that the Internet has greatly improved the way they get information about healthcare (Pew Internet & American Life Project, May 2006). However, many health care Web sites with vital information and the best of intentions cannot be used, read, and understood by the nearly one-half of the U.S. population who have poor literacy skills.

In response to this challenge, the Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA) has compiled a list of 10 common mistakes made by Web site designers and creators that prevent their message from being clearly delivered and understood.

State of California to Add Award-Winning Self-Help Book for Parents to Every “New Parent” Kit Handed Out Statewide

11/8/2005 12:00:00 AM

La Habra, Calif. – November 8, 2005 – First 5 California, a state agency that administers early childhood development services for all children in California from prenatal to five years old, has ordered 342,000 copies of the award-winning self-help medical book, What To Do When Your Child Gets Sick.

Document for Making Your Health Care Wishes Known Available from IHA for 90 Million Low-Literate Americans

4/18/2005 12:00:00 AM

La Habra, Calif. – April 18, 2005 – In the aftermath of the tragic and controversial Terri Schiavo case, in which Americans from coast to coast were thrust into discussions about how they would want to be treated under similar circumstances, a California-based non-profit organization is making available an easy-to-use document that allows individuals to make their personal health care wishes known in advance of a serious illness or injury. This document, called an advance directive, is available in both English and Spanish.

The document was created in order to assist the 90 million American adults who are unable to read above a fifth grade reading level, many of whom struggle to understand the complex legal documents that are typically used to express how they want their health care handled if they become very sick.

Juan Martinez Appointed to Manage La Habra Family Resource Center

3/15/2005 12:00:00 AM

La Habra - March 15, 2005 – Juan Martinez has been appointed to manage the operations of La Habra Family Resource Center (FRC), according to Gloria Mayer, R.N., Ed.D., president of the Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA).

The resource center, which is housed at the IHA’s offices on Idaho Street, provides health education and in-home support services for pregnant women and families.

Martinez filled the post as manager on March 1, 2005. He is a native of Southern California and comes to the FRC after having served as the Director of Educational Services for the Boys and Girls Clubs of La Habra/Brea. Martinez has a degree in Chicano Latino Studies from the California State University Long Beach.

“My immediate goal is to make the family center more visible in the community,” said Martinez. “After the loss of the funding and closing of the doors at Imperial Middle School, many people thought the family center had closed. We will also increase our funding sources to expand our much needed counseling services, and bring back the FRC collaborative.”

The Center’s program services include medical home visits with a healthcare advocate and public health nurse; health insurance screening and application assistance; immunization and developmental screening; health, safety and parent education in the home, identifying accessible medical attention for the entire family; case management; and referrals to community agencies and other support services.

Institute for Healthcare Advancement to Sponsor Free Health Fair at La Habra’s 4th Annual Eggstravaganza on March 19th

3/14/2005 12:00:00 AM

Institute for Healthcare Advancement to Sponsor Free

Health Fair at La Habra’s 4^th Annual Eggstravaganza on March 19^th

-- Immunizations, Medical Information

and Dental Screenings Among Offerings --

La Habra, Calif. – March 14, 2005 – The Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA), a non-profit organization that provides a wide variety of educational and community healthcare services, will sponsor a free community health fair this Saturday, March 19^th, at the City of La Habra’s Fourth Annual Spring Family Eggstravaganza.

The event, which is expected to draw as many as 3,000 people, will be held at El Centro Park, located on North Cypress Street, just north of La Habra Blvd., in La Habra. It will take place from 8 a.m. to Noon.

IHA and its Friends of Children Health Center will be providing community residents with information and referrals regarding school readiness, physical examinations, required immunizations, dental care, child safety and other health education issues. The event will also include jumpers/bounce houses for kids, a petting zoo, a pancake breakfast, on site health insurance application assistance for children, and health screenings for adults (e.g., body mass index, blood pressure, etc.). Once again, free children’s bicycle helmets and fittings will be conducted at the spring family event. The helmets will be provided to the first 200 children who arrive, courtesy of the City of La Habra.

For more information about the Health Fair, please call the IHA at (562) 690-4001.

The Institute for Healthcare Advancement is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing healthcare delivery through demonstration of innovative healthcare practices and education of healthcare professionals and consumers. The Institute provides healthcare information with particular emphasis on and attention to health literacy issues. It publishes the “What To Do For Health” book series, all written at a 3^rd to 5^th grade reading level, and available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. It also operates the Friends of Children Health Center, a model community medical and dental clinics providing low cost care for needy and uninsured youngsters in La Habra, Calif.

The IHA is headquartered at 501 S.

Fourth Annual Health Literacy Conference Scheduled for May 5-6, 2005 in Irvine, California.

2/16/2005 12:00:00 AM

Fourth Annual Health Literacy Conference Scheduled

For May 5-6, 2005 in Irvine, Calif.

-- Leading Experts to Discuss Culture, Language and Low Health Literacy --

La Habra, Calif. – February 16, 2005 – The Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA), a non-profit organization that provides a wide variety of educational and community healthcare services, will host its fourth annual health literacy conference on May 5^th and 6^th at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Irvine, Calif.

The theme of this year’s event will be Culture, Language and Clinical Issues: Operational Solutions to Low Health Literacy. The conference will once again bring together some of the nation’s foremost authorities on the subject of health literacy for a critical review of the most innovative and effective solutions to improve health literacy in the U.S. Emphasis in this year’s conference is on how culture and language affect healthcare communication. Among the faculty members confirmed are the following:

· Barry D.

IHA Cites Ten Ways to Reduce Overcrowded Emergency Rooms

1/26/2005 12:00:00 AM

IHA Cites Ten Ways to Reduce Overcrowded Emergency Rooms

La Habra, Calif. –January 26, 2005 – Reducing hospital ER usage and increasing access to health care may seem like an unattainable goal, but according to a La Habra, California healthcare nonprofit organization, it may not be as hard as the community might think. Although true medical emergencies will always happen, inappropriate or avoidable ER usage can be reduced.

The Institute for Healthcare Advancement has formulated 10 preventive measures that must occur within the healthcare system before it can tackle the more serious issues of ER overuse.

Get those in the community who are eligible for health insurance enrolled in a government sponsored plan. According to a recent Blue Cross/Blue Shield study, 1 in 3 of the uninsured population is eligible but not enrolled in a government-sponsored health program. At either the regional, statewide or federal level, a full fledged community outreach effort by health agencies should be conducted that will get this population enrolled in a program that will provide them with ongoing medical treatment.
Establish a “medical home” for people who have insurance. Just having insurance isn’t enough. Plans must connect patients to their providers with a “medical home,” assigned to them. This is the first step in securing comprehensive health care.
Incentivize healthcare providers to see urgent or emergent patients during the week, especially on Friday afternoons. Medical offices need to get these patients in during regular hours before the office closes or the weekend begins. Also make sure someone is available to approve refills before the weekend begins.
Make sure patients understand what they are told, what they can do. Ninety million people -- nearly half of the adult U.S. population -- are literacy challenged.

Institute for Healthcare Advancement to Spotlight Latest Health Literacy Research at Fourth Annual Health Literacy Conference

12/16/2004 12:00:00 AM

Institute for Healthcare Advancement to Spotlight Latest Health Literacy Research at Fourth Annual Health Literacy Conference

-- Deadline for Submissions Set for February 1, 2005 --

La Habra, Calif. – December 16, 2004 – The Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA) is inviting anyone who has completed a research study or project in the field of health literacy to design an informative poster board for display in conjunction with the Fourth Annual Health Literacy Conference, to be hosted by the IHA on May 5-6, 2005, in Irvine, Calif.

The poster session is a new addition to the annual Health Literacy Conference. The poster session offers researchers an opportunity to provide a visual presentation of recent findings regarding health literacy, combined with informal discussion between the presenters and the attendees at the conference. Poster authors will hold impromptu discussions with conference registrants who will be circulating among the poster boards on display.

Applications may be submitted online by visiting www.iha4health.org and clicking on the link for information on poster sessions listed under the Health Literacy Conference. More information about the guidelines for the poster session and details regarding the 2005 conference are also available on the site. The deadline for applications is February 1, 2005.

The IHA’s Fourth Annual Health Literacy Conference, focusing on “Culture, Language and Clinical Issues: Operational Solutions to Low Health Literacy,” will once again bring together some of the leading researchers and analysts on this subject for a critical two-day review of the most innovative and most effective efforts solutions to improve health literacy in the U.S. The conference is designed for those working in healthcare, health literacy, patient education, and those with an interest in literacy as it relates to healthcare issues.

Volunteers Needed to Help at Friends of Children Health Center

6/8/2004 12:00:00 AM

La Habra, Calif. - June 8, 2004 - Volunteers are needed to help at the Friends of Children Health Center, a clinic that provides free and low cost medical and dental services to uninsured children.

New Dental Care Book for Reading Challenged Populations

3/10/2004 12:00:00 AM

La Habra, Calif. - March 10, 2004 - A new dental care book, written at the 3rd to 5th grade reading level, was released today to help reading-challenged parents ward off the most common childhood disease – tooth decay.

Nation's Foremost Authorities to Discuss Hands-On Solutions to $73B Low Health Literacy Problem

3/6/2004 12:00:00 AM

La Harbra, Calif. - March 6th, 2004 - The Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA), a non-profit healthcare organization that provides a wide variety of educational and community services, will host its third annual health literacy conference, Clinical and Educational Solutions to Low Health Literacy, on May 13th and 14th at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Anaheim, Calif.

Friends of Children Health Center Marks 10th Year With Feb. 7 Interactive Kid's Theatre Party

2/2/2004 12:00:00 AM

La Habra, Calif. – February 02, 2004 - The Friends of Children Health Center, a health clinic that provides free and low cost medical and dental services to uninsured children, is celebrating its first decade of service.

10 Most Common Healthcare Mistakes Made by Seniors According to Institute for Healthcare Advancement

12/8/2003 12:00:00 AM

La Habra, Calif. – November 5, 2003 – While seniors are living longer today than ever before, there are still serious health issues that occur with the aging process, ranging from arthritis and vision problems to hearing loss and forgetfulness.

IHA Cites the Ten Most Common Errors Medical Professionals Make When Communicating with Patients

7/29/2003 12:00:00 AM

La Habra, Calif. --July 29, 2003 -- Pointing out that more than $73 billion is spent annually in unnecessary health care expenses due to the inability of patients to understand what medical providers are communicating to them, the Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA), has created a list of the ten most common errors providers make when communicating with patients.

Institute for Healthcare Advancement Purchases 47,000 sq. ft. La Habra Educational Facility

7/25/2003 12:00:00 AM

La Habra, CA – July 25, 2003 - The Institute of Healthcare Advancement (IHA) has purchased and moved to a three-story office building with auditorium and classroom facilities located at 501 South Idaho Street in La Habra. The site is the former headquarters of Friendly Hills Health Care Network, once one of the nation's largest and most successful managed healthcare delivery systems.

Institute for Healthcare Advancement to Sponsor Health Fair at La Habra’s 2nd Annual Eggstravaganza

3/18/2003 12:00:00 AM

Whittier, Calif. - March 18, 2003 - The Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA) will sponsor a community health fair on Saturday, April 12, at the City of La Habra’s Second Annual Spring Family Eggstravaganza.

Feria Familiar de Primavera Abril 12 Patrocinada por El Instituto para el Progreso del Cuidado de la

3/18/2003 12:00:00 AM

Whittier, Calif. - Marzo 18, 2003 - El Instituto para el Progreso del Cuidado de la Salud (IHA) estará patrocinando la segunda feria de salud el día Sábado 12, de Abril, como parte de la fiesta de primavera de la Ciudad de La Habra.

Friends of Children Health Center Joins CHOC Health Alliance As Prim. Care Provider Site in La Habra

3/11/2003 12:00:00 AM

La Habra, Calif. – March 11, 2003 – Friends of Children Health Center, which operates medical and dental clinics providing low-cost care for needy and uninsured youngsters in the La Habra area, has joined the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) Health Alliance to expand access to health care for low-income families.

Second Annual Health Literacy Conference Set for May 2003 in Anaheim

1/13/2003 12:00:00 AM

Whittier, Calif. – January 13, 2003 - The Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA), a non-profit organization that provides a wide variety of educational and community healthcare services, will host its second annual health literacy conference, Organizational Solutions to Low Health Literacy, on May 15th and 16th at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif.

Institute for Healthcare Advancement Names Dr. Judith Connell as Director of Research & Development

10/28/2002 12:00:00 AM

Whittier, Calif. – October 28, 2002 – The Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA) has appointed respected healthcare consultant Judith Connell, Dr.

Teen Scene” Launched at Friends of Children Center To Help Youth with Health Problems

10/21/2002 12:00:00 AM

La Habra, Calif. – October 21, 2002 – Since approximately 25% of the patients they see are teenagers, The Friends of Children Health Center, a non-profit community clinic in La Habra, is launching a special “Teen Scene” program geared toward the needs of the community’s teenagers.

Comprehensive "Back-to-School" Health Fair Set for August 10 at Las Lomas Elementry School

7/16/2002 12:00:00 AM

Whittier, Calif. – July 16, 2002 -- To get school children off to a good start for the fall semester, the Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA) is conducting a "Back-to-School" Health Fair at Las Lomas Elementary School in La Habra, from 8 a.m.

Free Six-Week Community Health Education Program Begins July 10th at Two La Habra Schools

6/20/2002 12:00:00 AM

Whittier, Calif. – June 20, 2002 -- To teach parents how to better manage child and infant medical treatment and emergencies at home, as well as behavioral issues and overall childhood growth and development, the Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA) is offering Por La Vida, a free health education program series, beginning on July 10.

IHA Seeks State Legislative Hearings to Help Solve National $73 Billion Health Literacy Problem

6/11/2002 12:00:00 AM

Whittier, Calif. - June 11, 2002 - The Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA), a non-profit organization that provides a wide variety of educational and community healthcare services, has requested that the California Legislature hold interim hearings in Sacramento and Los Angeles to discuss the cost of low literacy on healthcare delivery.

Collaboration, Strategic Alliances Explored in Next Foundation Forum in St. Louis

2/1/2002 12:00:00 AM

Whittier, Calif. – January 28, 2002 – St.