Disparities in Breast Health

Our focus on reducing disparities led to a partnership with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. A gap in care with our Somali patient population was discovered after reviewing numbers for colorectal and breast cancer screenings, pediatric immunizations and diabetes. In the Season 4 finale, two HealthPartners colleagues, family nurse practitioner Munira MaalimIsaq and senior project manager Greg Fedio, share how the Equity Action Lab project helped assess and better understand the gaps and determine steps for changes. "Off the Charts" will return with a new season in spring 2024.

Hosts: Kari Haley, MD, and Steven Jackson, MD

Guests: Munira MaalimIsaq, FNP; and Greg Fedio

HealthPartners website: Off the Charts podcast

Got an idea? Have thoughts to share? We want to hear from you. Email us at offthecharts@healthpartners.com.

HealthPartners created myGenetics, a community health research program in partnership with Helix, because DNA can tell people about their health and may hold the key to understanding certain health risk factors.

Deenya Craig, a HealthPartners patient with a family history of cancer, started having irregular mammograms in her mid-30s and knew DNA testing existed. Through myGenetics, she found out she carries the BRCA2 gene mutation that brings a greater risk of breast and ovarian cancers. She’s now a health advocate and encouraged her family to get checked.

Hosts: Kari Haley, MD, and Steven Jackson, MD

Guest: Deenya Craig

HealthPartners website: Off the Charts podcast

The playing field isn’t always level when it comes to youth sports. Access for kids and communities often depends on whether parents and families can afford the costs connected to teams, training and travel. Lea B. Olsen, a former college athlete with a career in sports, shares her how she found competitive basketball as a kid growing up in South Minneapolis. She talks about how the youth sports model has changed and anxiety’s impact on today’s young athletes.

Hosts: Kari Haley, MD, and Steven Jackson, MD

Guest: Lea B. Olsen

HealthPartners website: Off the Charts podcast

Community Health MPact is a course in which students examine causes of and potential solutions to health inequities impacting urban communities in Minnesota. Urbanization can bring social and economic benefits, but structural inequities in these areas are the key contributors to health inequities which most often harm Black communities and communities of color.

Dr. Priya Sury, a HealthPartners emergency medicine physician at Hudson Hospital in Hudson, Wisconsin, and assistant professor and course director for urban community health at the University of Minnesota Medical School, shares how she was inspired to create the course she wanted when she was a medical student.

Hosts: Kari Haley, MD, and Steven Jackson, MD

Guest: Priya Sury, MD

HealthPartners website: Off the Charts podcast

Allyship is showing solidarity with members of a marginalized or mistreated group to which one doesn’t belong. Kelly Fang, senior on-site well-being program manager and health coach, shares her allyship story that began when her child wanted to dress more masculine. She talks about what allyship is and isn’t, struggling with the concept of “living a double life,” and how to be a resource for others.

Hosts: Kari Haley, MD, and Steven Jackson, MD

Guest: Kelly Fang

HealthPartners website: Off the Charts podcast

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women (excluding skin cancers) and second-leading cause of cancer-related death among women in the U.S. And while African American women are less likely to develop breast cancer, they're more likely to die from it – a lot more likely.

Dr. Lashonda Soma, a breast imager for Midwest Radiology who serves as medical director of HealthPartners Mammography and Regions Breast Health Center, shares her personal and professional experiences with disparities in breast health.

Relevant links:

• Video: Dr. Soma share more about breast health (Breast Cancer Gaps Project)
• Video: Dr. Soma shares five myths about mammograms (Breast Cancer Gaps Project)
• Park Nicollet Health Services: Jane Brattain Breast Center

Hosts: Kari Haley, MD, and Steven Jackson, MD

Guest: Lashonda Soma, MD

HealthPartners website: Off the Charts podcast

Got an idea? Have thoughts to share? We want to hear from you. Email us at offthecharts@healthpartners.com.

About 1.5 million Minnesotans with Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare must complete re-enrollment paperwork to re-determine their Medicaid-eligibility status by May 2024. The already significant disparities with access to health insurance for communities of color make this a health equity emergency.

Leigh Grauman, a licensed social worker and director of training and policy implementation at Portico Healthnet, explains the process, barriers to renewal and how people can help.

Relevant links:

• Minnesota Department of Human Services: Renew My  Coverage website
• State Health & Value Strategies: CMS guidance of conducting eligibility redeterminations at the individual level

Hosts: Kari Haley, MD, and Steven Jackson, MD

Guest: Leigh Grauman

HealthPartners website: Off the Charts podcast

Got an idea? Have thoughts to share? We want to hear from you. Email us at offthecharts@healthpartners.com.

Dr. Deb Thorp, medical director of gender services at Park Nicollet, answers questions about the unique health care needs of people who are transgender, the difference between sex and gender, and the care she and her team have been providing for decades.

Hosts: Kari Haley, MD, and Steven Jackson, MD

Guest: Deb Thorp, MD

HealthPartners website: Off the Charts podcast

Got an idea? Have thoughts to share? We want to hear from you. Email us at offthecharts@healthpartners.com.

Community Circles are virtual, consultant-led, supported classes that bring Black women together through every stage of pregnancy and post-birth to share their experiences, joys, questions, thoughts and fears. The circles are patient-guided and focus on social support and building community among participants.

In the final episode of the third season, Dr. Diane Banigo, a certified nurse midwife, and Ciana Cullens, a community relations liaison, join the show to share their experiences as consultants leading Community Circles. Season 4 of "Off the Charts" will premiere in September.

Hosts: Kari Haley, MD, and Steven Jackson, MD

Guests: Dr. Diane Banigo and Ciana Cullens

HealthPartners website: Off the Charts podcast

Got an idea? Have thoughts to share? We want to hear from you. Email us at offthecharts@healthpartners.com.

Dianne Haulcy is president and CEO at The Family Partnership and host of Early Risers, a podcast from Little Moments Count and Minnesota Public Radio. She joins the show to share what led her to pursue childhood education, how families can talk to kids about race and racism, and how the two podcasts have similar origin stories.

Hosts: Kari Haley, MD, and Steven Jackson, MD

Guest: Dianne Haulcy

HealthPartners website: Off the Charts podcast

Got an idea? Have thoughts to share? We want to hear from you. Email us at offthecharts@healthpartners.com.