The Winter 2021 issue of Colorado Family Physician is out. In this issue, we focus on a theme of Health Equity and explore it from some unexpected angles, such as disability rights and environmental justice. We also discuss important vaccine news, updates on COVID-19, and the care benefits of sympathy. And don’t forget the CME!
The last few months have seen a tremendous upheaval in our society, from the COVID-19 pandemic to, more recently, a mass movement to demand action in response to police brutality toward people of color. We as doctors are not immune from this upheaval. I am so proud of how all of you have responded to
This post is a resource for publicly available COVID-19 updates for Colorado family doctors. On July 16, Governor Polis issued a statewide mask requirement for the state of Colorado for everyone over 10 years of age in a public space. Read the order here. Colorado is also providing guidance for safe and effective wearing of
The CAFP works hard to be a trusted voice at the advocacy table when discussing health policy in our state. Our efforts to improve House Bill 1232 – Standardized Health Benefit Plan Colorado Option have taken place alongside the advocate community and the medical community because our members understand the benefits and challenges that exist
During this year’s legislative session, 20 states have introduced legislation to restrict transgender youth’s access to therapies and treatments, including gender-affirming care. These bills, should they be signed into law, would interfere with the physician-patient relationship by penalizing or jailing physicians who administer or refer these services. While Colorado has not seen anti-trans legislation, the
After a robust legislative session, changes to Colorado’s school entry immunization process will take effect when students return for the 2021-2022 school year, beginning July 1. The changes, approved by the legislature and signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis on June 26, 2020 and further codified by the Colorado Board of Health in November
Dear Governor Polis, On behalf of the undersigned healthcare professionals and organizations, we urge you to maintain the existing Executive Order requiring masks in indoor public spaces. While there will be a time in the near future when masking can be eased, relaxing the mandate now would be premature and could undermine our progress against
Over 20% of all congenital hearing loss is caused by congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMV), and 25% of children born with cCMV will have hearing loss or developmental problems. But in Colorado, over half of all children with health conditions due to cCMV are never diagnosed. Postnatal CMV infection can occur as early as 3 weeks
To our community, The devastating events that took place this past week in Boulder, Colorado and Atlanta, Georgia are heartbreaking. They display the grim manifestation of multiple epidemics that for too long have gone unchecked. While the economic and social stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic are always on our minds, both gun violence and racism
On Thursday, March 11, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law, sending $1,400 to most Americans and aid to state and local governments, schools, and businesses. This $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill also included expanding the Affordable Care Act and tax benefits that are estimated to cut child poverty rates in the US
COVID-19 vaccination has been challenging for both seasoned vaccinators and those newer to vaccine administration. The following resources may be especially useful to those who do not have a lot of vaccine administration experience but are involved in the COVID-19 vaccination response. These resources may also be useful to vaccinators with more experience: Understanding How
On May 23, 2019, Governor Jared Polis signed SB19-228 Substance Use Disorders Prevention. The new law, section 12-30-114, C.R.S., requires the Colorado Medical Board (Board) to adopt rules on substance use prevention training for prescribers. The Board’s new Rules went into effect on March 30, 2020, and require any physician or physician assistant seeking a