Dr Diego Chavez-Gnecco recipient of prestigious Award

Dr. Diego Chaves-Gnecco will receive this year's "Margaret Gloninger" Award, given by the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of public Health to an alumnuns who has performed significant service to the commuity. (See below).

Diego is a pedaitrician, origianlly from Colombia, who is dedicated to our community. He offers once a month a free pediatric clinic in psanish, once a week a clinic at Children's for Spanish -speaking children, and organizes the Car Seat Check among other things. Diego participates in LACU, the leadership of the Latino CAtholic Community, the organizing committee for the annual fair "Al Servicio de la Comunidad" and the Latino Round Table. He finished his Master's of Public Health in 2000.

CONGRATUALTIONS DIEGO!

Patricia Documet

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The Margaret F. Gloninger Award was established in honor of the late Margaret Fitzgerald Gloninger (MSHyg '66), GSPH graduate and former faculty member in maternal and child health. This award is presented annually to a GSPH alumnus who has made a significant contribution to GSPH or to the community through volunteer service.

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UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH ’S CENTER FOR MINORITY HEALTH TO HOLD NATIONAL MINORITY HEALTH MONTH ACTIVITIES

PITTSBURGH , March 28, 2006 — Improving the health status of racial and ethnic minorities, who experience premature illness and death from cancer, diabetes, heart disease and a number of other diseases, is a major concern in today’s public health and medical care environment. The Center for Minority Health (CMH) of the Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH) at the University of Pittsburgh is a leader in the national effort to eliminate these disparities. Throughout the month of April, in observation of National Minority Health Month (NMHM), CMH and its Health Disparities Working Groups will hold a series of events to promote healthy behaviors among African Americans, Hispanics and other minority populations.

To read the full press release, click:
http://newsbureau.upmc.com/Schools/CMHactivities.htm

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Census data on Health Care spending available

Here is a link to a press release on consumer spending surveys conducted by the Census Bureau. The complete report is available at the Census.

This specific release gives an example of Out of Pocket spending on Health Care by region/city in the U.S. – Pittsburgh is listed.

http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/miscellaneous/006591.html

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Dra Irma Russo to speak MONDAY March 27 at 7PM in Pittsburgh

As part of the PHOTOVOICES Exhibition by the Pittsburgh Latino Health Advocacy & Leadership (LHAL) program, Dr. Irma RUSSO MD has been invited to Pittsburgh to discuss a topic of large importance to Latino families in the USA: "Breast Cancer Prevention in Latinas – Race, Inheritance and Environment".

Dr. Irma H. Russo, a native of Argentina, is Member of the Fox Chase Cancer Center, Chief of the Molecular Endocrinology Section of the Breast Cancer Research Laboratory in the Department of Pathology and Active Staff member in the Department of Surgery, Medical Science Division of the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is a Fox Chase Cancer Center Member of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), Adjunct Professor of Pathology and Cell Biology at the Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Member of the External Advisory Board of Co-Operative Grants for Nutritional Modulation of Genetic Pathways Leading to Cancer at Lombardi Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington DC, and Member of the Medical Advisory Board of the Breast Cancer Young Survival Coalition, New York, NY.

Her presentation will be at 7PM at the Pittsburgh Filmmakers located on 477 Melwood Ave in North Oakland. Refreshments and light snacks will be served. This talk will be covered by the press. Please join us.

For Dr. Russo's full bio and a complete abstract of her talk, please read more.



PRESENTER INFORMATION: Irma H. Russo, MD, FCAP, FASCP

Dr. Irma H. Russo is Member of the Fox Chase Cancer Center, Chief of the Molecular Endocrinology Section of the Breast Cancer Research Laboratory in the Department of Pathology and Active Staff member in the Department of Surgery, Medical Science Division of the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is a Fox Chase Cancer Center Member of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), Adjunct Professor of Pathology and Cell Biology at the Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Member of the External Advisory Board of Co-Operative Grants for Nutritional Modulation of Genetic Pathways Leading to Cancer at Lombardi Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington DC, and Member of the Medical Advisory Board of the Breast Cancer Young Survival Coalition, New York, NY.

Dr. Russo holds an M.D. degree from the School of Medicine, University National of Cuyo (UNC), in Mendoza, Argentina and a certification in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology from the American Board of Pathology for her training in the Department of Pathology at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan. She has held the positions of Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University and Visiting Research Scientist at the Michigan Cancer Foundation, both in Detroit, Michigan from 1976 to 1982. In 1989 she was promoted to Associate Research Member and Chief of the Experimental Pathology Laboratory at the Michigan Cancer Foundation, remaining in the same institution in Detroit, Michigan until 1991, year in which she was appointed Director of Anatomic Pathology and Outpatient Hematology Laboratory at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1992 she became Director of Laboratory Services in the Department of Pathology, and in 1994 Chief of the Molecular Endocrinology Section of the Breast Cancer Research Laboratory in the same institution, position that she currently holds.

In addition to her academic appointments, Dr. Russo has held multiple advisory roles in national and international organizations and peer review committees, including the Endocrinology and the Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics Peer Review Committees of the Breast Cancer Research Program, U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, and the Metabolic Pathology Study Section, National Institute of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services. She has been member of the Breast Cancer Working Group, Organ Systems Programs of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and invited Faculty Opponent to Doctoral Thesis Dissertation in the Department of Medical Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Sweden, among others. She was also Member of the Pennsylvania Department of Health Future Search Planning Committee, and of the Pennsylvania Cancer Control Consortium (PAC 3) of the Department of Health in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She has received multiple awards pertaining to her work in breast cancer prevention, including the Gold Medal of the Department of Obstetric and Gynecology from the Institut Universitari Dexeus in Barcelona, Spain.

Her major research interests are the prevention of breast cancer, the understanding of the role of hormonally induced differentiation in the protection of the breast from cancer development, and in translating basic experimental knowledge to a clinical setting for developing novel strategies for the prevention and treatment of cancer. Her ultimate goal of defining the precise time and site of occurrence of genomic and epigenetic changes that determine the passage of the mammary gland from “susceptible” to “refractory” to neoplastic initiation under well characterized hormonal stimuli will contribute to identify intermediate biomarkers useful for evaluating breast development in response to chemopreventive agents or hormones and predicting its susceptibility to malignant transformation. These NCI funded studies have constituted the basis of clinical trials that have been or are currently planned for their performance in Europe and the United States. Dr. Russo has lectured extensively both nationally and internationally. Her research is reflected in more than 200 peer-reviewed publications, books, and book chapters.

Current Affiliation and contact information:

Member, Medical Science Division
Chief, Molecular Endocrinology Section
Breast Cancer Research Laboratory
Fox Chase Cancer Center
333 Cottman Avenue, Room C439
Philadelphia, PA 19111-2497
Phone: 215-728-4781
Fax: 215-728-2180
E-mail: Irma.Russo@fccc.edu
WebPages: "http://www.fccc.edu/research/pid/russo-i/"

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ABSTRACT: Breast Cancer Prevention in Latinas – Race, Inheritance and Environment, by Irma H. Russo and Jose Russo, Breast Cancer Research Laboratory, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA.

Breast cancer is the fatal disease most frequently diagnosed in American women of all ethnic groups. Although early detection and improved treatment modalities have succeeded in reducing breast cancer mortality rates in the United States, the incidence of the disease is continuously increasing in most industrialized countries. The fact that women that migrate from low to high incidence countries increase their breast cancer risk to the levels of the host country indicates that local environmental factors play a greater role than race and inheritance on the development of the disease. Latinas constitute a large and rapidly growing migrant population in the United States. The largest population, currently living in California, experiences the lowest breast cancer incidence rate among all ethnic groups. However, their breast cancer risk increases with increasing duration of residence in the United States, decreasing age at migration, and increasing acculturation. These findings suggest that important protective factors that exist among recent migrants become no longer operational in U.S.-born Latinas, who have a higher incidence of breast cancer than foreign-born Latinas. The reasons for these changes are largely unknown; only specific conditions that might predispose to breast cancer development have been identified. Well established risk factors are sex, 99% of cases occur in women, long term exposure to estrogens, nulliparity, and the inheritance of the breast cancer susceptibility genes BRCA1 or BRCA2, which has been also detected in high-risk Hispanic families. BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations account for 5-10% of breast cancer cases, increasing the lifetime risk of affected women by 85%. Breast cancer in women carrying these mutations starts at a significantly younger age than sporadic breast cancer and the tumors typically do not express estrogen receptors, being unresponsive to endocrine therapy. Environmental factors, such as exposure to radiation, alcohol consumption, and smoking at a young age, significantly increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Changes in biological rhythms by circadian disruption induced by shift work or exposure to light at night have emerged as important breast cancer risk factors. For developing effective strategies for cancer prevention it is necessary first to understand these complex interactions. Experimental studies, validated by correlations with the pathogenesis of breast cancer, have demonstrated that the developing breast at puberty is at “high risk” for being damaged or neoplastically transformed if it is exposed to endogenous or exogenous disrupting factors. The knowledge that early pregnancy reduces the lifetime risk of developing breast cancer through the induction of full differentiation of this organ, and that this phenomenon can be reproduced by hormonal treatments, offer a hope for developing protocols for the prevention of breast cancer by protecting the breast during critical early phases of development.

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Latino community project makes Pitt News (03 Mar 2006)

"... LHAL has initiated several projects such as health promotion/education, expansion of clinical capacity and a formal community health assessment to help progress the state of Latino health in Western Pennsylvania...vibrant colors and a simplicity that captures the smiles and happiness of the Latino community....
Photovoices consists of photographs containing arresting and lush colors"  -R. Rader, Pitt News, 03Mar2006
Source: http://www.pittnews.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/03/03/44080839dbef9

HARKENING TO THE CALL OF SAVVY PHOTO VOICES 
By ROSS RADER  Staff Writer  March 03, 2006
Photovoices   Various artists  Through April 2 at Pittsburgh Filmmakers Galleries   447 Melwood Ave.  (North Oakland, Pittsburgh)

There are photographs that educate and instructors who exhibit manifestations of their minds artistic fervor. We see portraits of Latinos with striking eyes that have seen desperation and witnessed a crumbling community. We see men working at a Chinese take-out restaurant with hopes of a prosperous future.

At Filmmakers Galleries, such images that teach and showcase myriad scenes explore a Latino community unbeknownst to most Pittsburghers and display works from faculty members. Pittsburghs Filmmakers Galleries, located at 477 Melwood Ave., will feature two new exhibitions through April 2. Photography and video innovations by 10 Latino artists will be featured in the Outer Gallery. The group show is titled Photovoices and presents artwork sure to have an influence on spectators,
portraying the strengths and difficulties that exist in the Latino community.  In the New Gallery are works produced by the faculty of Pittsburgh Filmmakers School of Film.


Latino photographers, videographers, installation artists and health advocates have combined their ideas and artistic efforts to create Photovoices. The innovators seek to illustrate the themes and strengths of Pittsburghs overlooked and invisible Latino community.

Photovoices is the first of a four-part Latino Health Advocacy and Leadership Program project. The participants of LHAL are active members of Pittsburghs Latino community and have expedited improvements in Latino health with the aid of the Governors Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs (GACLA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

With the additional help, LHAL has initiated several projects such as health promotion/education, expansion of clinical capacity and a formal community health assessment to help progress the state of Latino health in Western Pennsylvania.


Several of the photographs capture daily moments frequently witnessed: A child is captured playing in a park and teenagers are caught swimming in a pool. However, these common occurrences are made new through vibrant colors and a simplicity that captures the smiles and happiness of the Latino community. This austerity is reminiscent of photographs found in a family album and serves to whet the viewers sense of Latino familial intimacy.


Photovoices consists of photographs containing arresting and lush colors. Philomena ODeas Dia de los Muertos focuses on a Latino woman and the bright and sensuous colors and patterns of her clothing. Fiona Wilsons Boy in Park consumes the eyes through its incredible hue of green grass that surrounds the small child.

In the featured black and white photographs, the stark contrasts create images that convey bold statements on the state of Latino health. In Annie ONeills photograph, Mother and Child, a mother cradles her child and wears a poignant expression that causes questions to arise Is she ill? Is her child sick? Lynn Johnson and Elizabeth Press create a visual declaration in their photos Birth in Dominican Republic, Dialysis in Cuba and Cuba Pediatric Care in which startling images of a birth and sicknesses follow one after the other.


The Faculty Show features photography, film, video and installations produced by the faculty members of Filmmakers working artists. Photographs range from Pittsburgh city skylines and bridges to captured street corners in Shanghai. The talented faculty reveals the work in several ways and through different mediums. Some incorporate graphite into their photographs while others print emoticons onto T-shirts.

The works of art displayed at Filmmakers are diverse and powerful images, videos and installations. They capture and collaborate simple yet fascinating works of art that convey multiple messages. Whether through inspiring sadness or awe, the exhibit will surely provoke and entertain.

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Recourse Grows Slim for Immigrants Who Fall Ill

By NINA BERNSTEIN of The New York Times (March 3, 2006)

In the last decade, more and more immigrants are delaying care or retreating to bootleg drugs and unlicensed practitioners.

When Ming Qiang Zhao felt ill last summer, he lay awake nights in the room he shared with other Chinese restaurant workers in Brooklyn. Though he had worked in New York for years, he had no doctor to call, no English to describe his growing uneasiness.

For the full article, click: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/03/health/03patient.html

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Photovoices Exhibition: Lecture dates and times

All lectures are Free to the Public and will begin at 7 pm
at Pittsburgh Filmmakers
477 Melwood Avenue, North Oakland

Food and Drink Reception included

Thursday March 16 7-9 pm
Health Barriers for Latino Immigrants: Is Language the Only Issue?
with
Patricia Documet, MD, DrPH
Nathalie Folch, MD, MPH
and Sister Janice

Monday March 20 7-9 pm
Access to Meaningful Health Information: Tell Me in my own Language!
with
Mr. Paul Cushing, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Federal Region III.
Learn how individuals with limited English proficiency can be assured access to meaningful health information in their own language.

Monday March 27 7-9 pm
Environmental Health Risks: Breast Cancer and Latinas
with
Dr. Irma Russo of fox Chase Cancer Center,
an Argentinian trained doctor and researcher, will present in Spanish, with English hand outs.



Click HERE to download a copy of the PHOTOVOICES poster to your computer.

Photovoices is funded in large part by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

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