Statewide news

Oregon WIC upgrades food packages

It’s called the biggest transformation in 30 years for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

The changes, launched in Oregon August 1, improve nutrient content, reinforce healthy choices and support WIC focus on breastfeeding. They are based on recommendations from the Institute of Medicine and the American Academy of Pediatrics as well as the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

The new food choices are lower in saturated fat and cholesterol and higher in fiber. For the first time, they include fresh fruits and vegetables.

One of every three Oregon children under age 5 receive WIC services at some point in their childhood.

In addition clients with medical conditions that qualify them for specific medical formulas or foods can get these and other WIC foods, with a written prescription.

For more information on WIC, see the Department of Human Services WIC web site for providers, or its announcement of the recent changes.

You may also connect directly to the WIC Medical Documentation Form.

Report shows gaps in Oregon’s primary care quality

In pockets across the state, there are gaps between the health care that people receive and the care they should get, according to a recent report on the quality of health care in the state.

Information for a Healthy Oregon: Statewide Report on Health Care Quality is a comprehensive report on the quality of primary care. Produced by The Oregon Health Care Quality Corporation, the report establishes a baseline against which to measure the state’s progress toward improving health care.

Among the report's findings:

• More than 80 percent of patients with diabetes have their blood sugar control checked at least once a year, a rate that's better than the national average. The state's rates for diabetes patients getting annual eye exams and kidney disease screenings are in the top 10 percent of health plans nationally.
• The chlamydia screening rate is lower than the national average. Less than 30 percent of women who needed the screening got it when visiting a doctor.
• Practices in the southern coast region have the best rates for chlamydia and breast cancer screening. Urban areas, especially Portland, have better diabetes scores.

Access the full report at www.partnerforqualitycare.org/publications.php.