THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

60

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII JOHN A. BURNS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE TO ESTABLISH A NATIVE HAWAIIAN HEALTH TASK FORCE.

 

 


     WHEREAS, obesity and chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, disproportionately affect Native Hawaiians; and

 

     WHEREAS, in order to address the health of indigenous people, Hawaii's policies, programs, and services must focus on economic and social conditions that influence group differences in health status; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Department of Native Hawaiian Health, as part of the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, recently completed a two-year study entitled "Assessment and Priorities for Health and Well-Being in Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Peoples"; and

 

     WHEREAS, these findings were presented to a joint legislative committee on September 23, 2013, along with recommendations and priorities to improve the health and well‑being of the State's indigenous and Pacific Islander populations; and

 

     WHEREAS, the study also detailed successful programs that have led to reduced risk factors for diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, and these programs include weight and blood pressure management; and

 

     WHEREAS, it is necessary to address the findings and recommendations of the Department of Native Hawaiian Health's study by creating a task force to formulate policies and procedures to eliminate the disproportionate impact of the social determinants of health and chronic disease on all individuals, with particular focus on Native Hawaiians and other Pacific peoples; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2014, that the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine is requested to establish a Native Hawaiian Health Task Force to be administratively attached to the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is urged to include:

 

     (1)  The Chair of the Department of Native Hawaiian Health of the John A. Burns School of Medicine, or the Chair's designee;

 

     (2)  The Director of Health, or the Director's designee;

 

     (3)  The Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, or the Chief Executive Officer's designee; and

 

     (4)  Up to twenty additional task force members with demonstrated interest in and backgrounds beneficial to assisting the functions of the task force, including members with extensive knowledge, expertise, or experience in areas such as Native Hawaiian health or health care, and Native Hawaiian health care consumers, to be appointed by the Chair of the Department of Native Hawaiian Health of the John A. Burns School of Medicine; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Native Hawaiian Health Task Force is requested to:

 

     (1)  Create data sharing policies between state agencies to improve access for Native Hawaiian and other Pacific peoples;

 

     (2)  Propose cost-effective improvements to the environments where Native Hawaiians and other Pacific peoples live, learn, work, and play;

 

     (3)  Propose legislation to address social determinants of health in Hawaii;

 

     (4)  Raise awareness and propose programs to advance health equity;

 

     (5)  Propose programs and legislative action that will address barriers to access to health care;

 

     (6)  Guide the use of existing collaborations, systems, and partnerships to leverage resources and maximize outcomes;

 

     (7)  Propose activities that will support community organizations promoting their own health; and

 

     (8)  Propose initiatives that will increase preventive services available in Native Hawaiian communities; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Native Hawaiian Health Task Force is requested to report its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2016; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health, Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and Chair of the Department of Native Hawaiian Health of the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine.

Report Title: 

Native Hawaiian Health Task Force; John A. Burns School of Medicine