Take Charge Challenge

The Take Charge Challenge is an inclusive 10-week physical activity program where participants determine their own goals, participate in activities of their choice and receive rewards for meeting their goals. 

The seniors at the City of Santa Fe Senior Center Services recently completed the Take Charge Challenge (TCC).  Participants have not only met their goals, many participants exceeded their physical activity goals!  This wonderful group is a role model for all of us to get in shape!

The following are TCC participant comments about their experience with physical activity and goal setting:

“I have to keep going with my exercise for me first, and then I have to try to stay healthy and fit to help my husband with his health problems.  Doing the band exercises [my TCC goal] is great for my back and arm and I do the exercises everyday and night.” (M.D.)

“Each day at 4pm I took my kitchen timer out with me to my one acre property, along with my seven dogs and one cat, so I could walk briskly for 30 minutes [my TCC goal].  When I got lazy and unmotivated (which occurs quite often), my pets run to the door, barking and jumping and wagging their tails to remind me it is time to walk.  They urge me not to forget my daily exercise and thank goodness for them!” (S.C.)

“I enjoyed the Take Charge Challenge very much.  I will continue to do as much as I can.  I am very hyper (so I’ve been told) which keeps me on my toes and allows me to help others.  Thanks very much!” (C.M.)

Way to Go Santa Fe Seniors!

Living Well with a Disability Workshop

Living Well with a Disability is a curriculum designed to share ways of living a healthy lifestyle both inside and out.  The curriculum is designed with issues germane to people with disabilities.

The Santa Fe New Vistas Center for Independent Living consumers recently completed the Living Well with a Disability Workshop (LWD).  Some highlights of the workshop included learning about goal setting, how to beat the blues, and healthy communication.  Experiential learning took place too- participants were exposed to a wonderful Dahn Yoga class, which everyone enjoyed.  The last day of the workshop focused on nutrition, and participants were asked to bring a “healthy dish” to share.  Everyone really enjoyed sharing new recipes, ideas for healthy ingredients and eating!  This “potluck” was reported to be the best tasting, most colorful, and most healthful potluck ever.  Overall, LWD participants enjoyed the workshop and learned a great deal from the class content and from each other. 

The following are participant comments about the LWD experience:

“This class gave me the impetus to overcome my inertia and try new alternatives.  I met new people and made friends, and did exactly what I set out to accomplish.  I learned so much!  The team of presenters did a fantastic job of putting this all together.  They worked very well together.” (M.L.)

“I met some great women and got good ideas for balancing my life.  I still am having difficulty putting ideas into practice, but the group encouraged me, and assured me I can do this…” (C.S.)

“During the class I had two profound insights which will help me now and in the future.  Thank you to all presenters who were knowledgeable and went above and beyond the call of duty!” (C.V.)

                                                      Keep up the great work Living Well recipients!

Data Surveillance

ODH coordinates statewide efforts to systematically collect, interpret and disseminate useful information on disability and health issues such as:

How many persons in New Mexico have a serious/chronic physical and/or mental limitation?

What are the personal, family, and social costs of managing a disability and associated secondary conditions?

What are the important health problems of persons with disabilities?

During 2003, the ODH sponsored a new survey asking some questions designed to get more specific information on barriers to health care, specifically including those of lack of transportation, lack of accessibility of medical facilities, and health care provider attitudes that may present barriers to people with disabilities.  Data from that survey should be available in the fall of 2004.

Disability in New Mexico, a report based on the State of New Mexico Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Surveys (BRFSS) of 1998-2000 is now available in a PDF format. 

Recently, ODH collaborated with the Center for Development and Disability (CDD) on an Access to Health Care Study.  The first phase of the study was recently completed, which consisted of 6 focus group interviews: those who are deaf or hearing impaired; blind; cognitive disabilities; mobility impairment; caregivers; and those with multiple chemical sensitivities.  For more information you can download the power point presentation, Access to Healthcare, delivered at the NMPHA meeting in 2006 by Heidi Fredine at the CDD. 

Health Promotion

People with disabilities, like everyone else, are not defined by and should not be labeled by any adjectives that accompany them, such as "disabled" or "handicapped", any more than a person with allergies would be called an "allergic person."  People are people first.  As people, they want what everyone else wants- to participate fully in society and to have equal access to goods, services, healthcare and employment opportunities.  The program has a number of efforts directed toward facilitating this full inclusion and participation:

ODH seeks to reach out to people with disabilities in communities across the state and involve them in their local community health planning processes.  It participates in various health service delivery organizations and planning coalitions, such as:

The Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC), STOMP (Stop Tobacco on My People) Disability Initiative, The Department of Health Emergency Preparedness People with Disabilities, Seniors, People with Chronic Mental Illness and Current Substance Abusers Workgroup, The Increasing Minority Participation Statewide Committee, The Obesity, Physical Activity and Nutrition (OPAN) efforts, The Healthier Communities Partnership.

ODH produces helpful materials. For example, in conjunction with the Disability and Health Policy Resources Unit at the CDD the Tips for First Responders guide was developed.  This guide instructs on how to assist persons with disabilities in an emergency. 

ODH supports many other health promotion and advocacy activities.  In addition to supporting programs, providing resource materials and participating in other advocacy activities, ODH works on policies to eliminate barriers to health care.  Inclusion for all persons is only possible in an environment free of barriers - from physical to attitudinal barriers. 

FAS Prevention

Utilizing state funds, the ODH contracts with the University of New Mexico, Center for Alcohol, Substance Abuse, and Addictions (CASAA), to coordinate, implement and evaluate a statewide Statewide Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Prevention Program. 

The program supports a full-time prevention coordinator and the following activities: A statewide advisory committee that meets quarterly in Albuquerque, A southern New Mexico FAS committee, Statewide FAS Prevention Plan, Collaboration on and implementation of three national FAS prevention initiatives in New Mexico, Policy initiatives targeting reduction of alcohol consumption while pregnant, A youth peer education prevention project, FAS prevention presentations at conferences within the state, Resources for public use such as videos, fact sheets, directories and posters, Local and statewide media campaigns, Local community prevention initiatives.

Contact the FAS prevention coordinator, Jerome Romero, at 505-925-2302 for more information.