ToxMystery (http://toxmystery.nlm.nih.gov) is the National Library of Medicine’s new, interactive learning site for 7-10 year old kids. It provides a fun, game-like experience while introducing potential environmental health hazards sometimes found in the home. “Toxie” the cat helps find the hazards hidden in each room, and offers hints when needed. The objective is to find all the hazards. ToxMystery’s Parent Resources page provides more detailed information about everyday environmental hazards that can be harmful to one’s health. A For Teachers page contains more than ten downloadable activity pages that can be used in elementary school classrooms.
A copy of Charting the Course for the 21st Century: NLM's Long Range Plan for 2006-2016, as approved by the NLM Board of Regents is available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/plan/lrp06/lrp06_home.html Of specific interest is Goal 2. Trusted Information Services that Promote Health Literacy, Improve Health Outcomes, and Reduce Health Disparities Worldwide
CDC Recommends Routine, Voluntary HIV Screening in Health Care Settings http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r060921.htm
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published new recommendations for health care providers that are designed to make voluntary HIV screening a routine part of medical care for all patients aged 13 to 64. The new recommendations are designed to increase early diagnosis of HIV infection as a pathway to improved treatment and prevention.
NIH News Releases
http://www.nih.gov/news
Public Health Leaders Recommend Voluntary National Accreditation Program
http://www.rwjf.org/newsroom/newsreleasesdetail.jsp?id=10433
The Steering Committee of the Exploring Accreditation project has released a model for a voluntary national public health accreditation program. In releasing the model, the committee of state, local and federal public health practice leaders contends that it is both desirable and feasible to develop the program and proposes steps for implementation.
[posted on PHPartners http://phpartners.org/ - New Links for the week of Sep 29, 2006]
Are you wondering about the National Library of Medicine (NLM)? There is now an entry about NLM on wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Library_of_Medicine
No Shelter from the Storm: America's Uninsured Children
http://www.childrenshealthcampaign.org/tools/reports/no-shelter-from-the-storm.html
A Report from the Campaign for Children's Health Care, September 28, 2006
This report takes a closer look at uninsured children—who they are and what kinds of services they miss out on as a result of being uninsured. It is based on data projections from the Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC) to the Current Population Survey (CPS) conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau (2004-2006), as well as the 2005 National Health Interview Survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics.
The Campaign for Children’s Health Care released a new fact sheet and report on uninsured children in America. The fact sheet, America’s Uninsured Children: Minorities at Greater Risk, finds that more than 60 percent of the uninsured children in the United States are racial or ethnic minorities. http://www.childrenshealthcampaign.org/assets/pdf/Uninsured-Minority-Kids-at-Risk.pdf
[posted on Families USA Health Action e-mails]
Why Not the Best? Results from a National Scorecard on U.S. Health System Performance http://www.cmwf.org/usr_doc/Commission_whynotthebest_951.pdf
Created by the Commonwealth Fund Commission on a High Performance Health System, the National Scorecard on U.S. Health System Performance is the first-ever comprehensive means of measuring and monitoring health care outcomes, quality, access, efficiency, and equity in one report. Its findings indicate that America's health system falls far short of what is attainable, especially given the resources the nation invests. Across 37 indicators of performance, the U.S. achieves an overall score of 66 out of a possible 100 when comparing actual national performance to achievable benchmarks. Scores on efficiency are particularly low. This report explains how the Scorecard works, describes results for each domain of performance, and discusses implications for policies to improve quality, access, and cost performance. http://www.cmwf.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=401577
The Rising Prevalence of Severe Poverty in America: A Growing Threat to Public Health
Since 2000, Americans have been getting poorer, and national rates of severe poverty have climbed sharply, according to a study published in the October issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine...The percentage of Americans living in severe poverty--earning less than half of the poverty threshold--grew by 20% between 2000 and 2004, and the proportion in higher income tiers fell. The researchers reported that the number of Americans living in severe poverty increased by 3.6 million between 2000 and 2004. "These trends have disturbing implications for society and public health," said Steven H. Woolf, MD, MPH, Professor of Family Medicine, Epidemiology and Community Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, and lead author of the study. [Medical News Today, 8-31-06] http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=50785
Strategies for Improving Latino Healthcare in America
The Latino Healthcare Taskforce's charge was to analyze key challenges facing Latino healthcare and offer recommendations on how best to meet them. The Taskforce sought to: Identify barriers that could impact strategies and action plans, primarily at the federal level, Propose alternative solutions to issues at all levels, and Provide action recommendations to President Bush, as well as to community, governmental agency and congressional leaders. [Report, September 2006, 65 pg pdf] http://tinyurl.com/legaz
Where are the Men?: The Impact of Incarceration and Reentry on African American Men and Their Children and Families
By the end of June 2005, there were over 2.1 million people incarcerated in jails and prisons in the United States – equivalent to one in every 136 U.S. residents... The mass incarceration of individuals in the U.S. has had a detrimental impact on people of color, particularly African American men...African American men who are incarcerated and then reenter their communities upon release confront numerous obstacles including unemployment, disenfranchisement, limited housing, poor health, and lack access to health services. These obstacles have health and socioeconomic impact on their children, families and communities. [Community Voices] http://www.communityvoices.org/Uploads/wherearethemen2_00108_00144.pdf
Funding for Mental Illness Information and Outreach Initiatives
Deadline: December 22, 2006
The American Psychiatric Foundation is making up to $750,000 in grant funds available over the course of three years (2005-07) to fund public education, information, and outreach initiatives that promote the early recognition and treatment of mental illness. Grants from the foundation can support a wide variety of public education activities in this arena. The foundation seeks to fund new and innovative ideas and programs that promote public awareness of mental illness, the effectiveness of treatment, and the importance of early intervention. Details: http://www.psychfoundation.org/call_for_proposals.cfm
[posted on ACHI Community Health News, 9-27-06]
A national report released by Florida State University researchers September 26 reveals that 99% of all U.S. public libraries provide free public access to computers wired to the internet and that librarians overwhelmingly (71%) say that the most important impact of this service is providing internet access to those who otherwise would not have it. The report, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and ALA, also found that insufficient computer workstations and internet bandwidth pose the biggest challenges for U.S. public libraries in providing quality services.... http://www.ii.fsu.edu/plinternet_reports.cfm
Information Use Management and Policy Institute, Florida State University [posted on AL Direct 9/27/2006]
FDA & YOU, a newsletter for teens, parents, and educators includes current information on many of the Food and Drug Administration's medical product and health topics you’ve been wondering about. Health and science educators will find many resources, including pre-packaged lesson plans designed to generate classroom discussion. Each issue of FDA & YOU is available in an easy-to-print PDF format accessed by the PDF icon next to an issue number. http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/fdaandyou/index.html
The Office of Rural Health Policy is concerned that incorrect information is circulating regarding the application deadline for this year's Outreach Grant Program. They wanted rural providers to know that the deadline is still October 18. For more information on this grant program, visit: http://ruralhealth.hrsa.gov/funding/outreach.htm [Kansas Rural Health Information System (KRHIS) notice]
Read the latest issue of NIH MedlinePlus Magazine at http://www.fnlm.org/magazine/autumn2006.pdf This issue features Mary Tyler Moore and tells of her battle with diabetes. Other articles include: The Sister Study: Breast Cancer as a Family Affair, Easing Arthritis: A Lifestyle Solution, and more. This magazine is a publication of the National Institutes of Health and the Friends of the National Library of Medicine.
"Teaching Patients With Low Literacy Skills, 2nd Ed." 1996, JB Lippincott Pub. is now available on line and may be read and downloaded at no charge. http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/healthliteracy/doak.html [posted on the HealthLiteracy listserv]
American Psychiatric Foundation Offers Funding for Mental Illness Information and Outreach Initiatives
Deadline: December 22, 2006
The American Psychiatric Foundation ( http://www.psychfoundation.org/ ), a charitable and educational subsidiary of the American Psychiatric Association ( http://www.psych.org/ ), works to advance public awareness of mental illnesses and the fact that they can be effectively treated. The foundation is making up to $750,000 in grant funds available over the course of three years (2005-07) to fund public education, information, and outreach initiatives that promote the early recognition and treatment of mental illness. Grants from the foundation can support a wide variety of public education activities in this arena. http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10004470/psychfoundation
Yoplait, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and Self Magazine Team Up to Find Individuals Making Strides in the Fight Against Breast Cancer
Deadline: November 6, 2006
Yoplait ( http://www.yoplait.com/ ), the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation ( http://www.komen.org/ ), and Self magazine ( http://www.self.com/ ) have announced the launch of the third Yoplait Champions program, a nationwide search for up to twentyfive ordinary individuals doing extraordinary things in the fight against breast cancer. Between September 18 and November 6, 2006, individuals can visit the Yoplait Web site to nominate a friend, family member, neighbor, co-worker, or themselves for the opportunity to be selected as one of up to twenty-five Yoplait Champions. Yoplait will donate $1,000 on behalf of each champion to the charity of each champion's choice. http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10004472/yoplait
Welcome Back Awards Program Seeks to Honor Five Innovators in the Depression Community
Deadline: November 13, 2006
The Welcome Back Awards is a national awards program that recog- nizes those who have made great achievements in the depression community. Each year, five honorees receive up to $15,000 to donate to the not-for-profit organization of their choice. The Welcome Back Awards are sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company ( http://www.lilly.com/ ). http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10004473/WelcomeBackAwards
[psoted on RFP Bulletin (September 22, 2006)]
Healthy Tomorrows Partnership for Children Program. Department of Health and Human Services announces funds to: 1) support the development of family-centered, community-based initiatives that plan and implement innovative and cost-effective approaches for focusing resources to promote community defined preventive child health and developmental objectives for vulnerable children and their families, especially those with limited access to quality health services; 2) foster/promote collaboration among community organizations, individuals, agencies, businesses, and families; 3) involve pediatricians and other pediatric health professionals in community-based service programs; and 4) build community and statewide partnerships among professionals in health, education, social services, government, and business to achieve self-sustaining programs to assure healthy children and families. Eligible applicants include city or township governments, county governments, state governments, nonprofits, faith-based, and community-based organizations. The deadline for applications is October 20, 2006. Approximately $600,000 is available to fund 12 awards up to $50,000. A match is required. For further information, contact HRSA Call Center at callcenter@hrsa.gov; or go to: http://tinyurl.com/zd879
Funding Alert is a free service of the Office of Partnerships and Grants Development. To start your own online subscription to Funding Alert, simply register with DC.Gov and subscribe at DCDocs http://dc.gov/registration/dcdocs.asp. For archives, visit http://opgd.dc.gov, Information, Grant Funding Alerts.
The American College of Emergency Physicians offers a list of 10 warning signs that indicate a medical emergency. http://www.acep.org/webportal/PatientsConsumers/HealthSubjectsByTopic/emcare/whentogotoed.htm This listing is linked off their "Patient and Consumers" web site http://www.acep.org/webportal/PatientsConsumers/
The report, Health Coverage and Access to Care for Hispanics in “New Growth Communities” and “Major Hispanic Centers,” finds that the uninsured rate for Hispanics in new growth communities (31 percent) rose to a level to that of Hispanics in major centers (30 percent) by 2003. Uninsured individuals tend to rely more on safety net providers for their care. However, less than half (43 percent) of the Hispanic population in new growth communities lives within 5 miles of a community health center compared to 71 percent of the population in major centers. Additionally, only half (50 percent) of the new growth community Hispanics live within 10 miles of a safety-net hospital compared to 82 percent of Hispanics in major centers (see figure below). http://www.kff.org/uninsured/kcmu092106pkg.cfm [posted on Kaiser Family Foundation email]
Grants for Human Nutrition Programs
http://www.allenfoundation.org/
The Allen Foundation supports projects that benefit programs for human nutrition in the areas of health, education, training, and research. The Foundation gives preference to proposals that train children and young adults to improve their health and development or that educate mothers during pregnancy and after the birth of their children in order to foster good nutritional habits at an early age. Grants are also provided to encourage the dissemination of information regarding healthful nutritional practices and habits. Low priority is given to proposals that focus on immediate or emergency hunger and malnutrition problems. The next application deadline is December 31, 2006. Visit the website listed above for application guidelines.
Kid's Gardening Projects Funded
http://www.kidsgardening.com/YGG.asp
The National Gardening Association (NGA) supports programs across the United States that actively engage kids in the garden and improve the quality of life for all. NGAs Youth Garden Grants are provided to schools and community organizations with child-centered, outdoor garden programs. K-12 schools, youth groups, community centers, camps, clubs, treatment facilities, and intergenerational groups throughout the United States are eligible to apply. Two hundred programs will receive $250 Home Depot gift cards for the purchase of gardening supplies particular to the needs of their program and an activity package from NGA. Applications must be postmarked by November 1, 2006. Visit the website listed above for application guidelines and forms.
[posted on Native Share [NS_Education] Digest Number 348]
National Health Policy Training Alliance for Communities of Color Website
The Training Alliance is a partnership between Families USA, the Joint Center Health Policy Institute, the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund, and the National Medical Association. This partnership was created to make clear the link between efforts to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities and the role of health policymaking, as well as to ensure that community leaders have the tools, information, and resources they need to address these issues. The new Alliance Web site serves as a one-stop shop for up-to-date information and tools on health, health policy, and health disparities information from the four partner organizations. Link: http://www.healthpolicyalliance.org
The Silent Epidemic — The Health Effects of Illiteracy
Many researchers describe low literacy as a silent epidemic: despite its high prevalence, many physicians and other health care workers remain unaware that their patients may have reading problems. "I think most doctors are blind to the problem," said Barry D. Weiss, a professor of family and community medicine at the University of Arizona. "It's hard for them to believe." Patients with poor literacy skills often are ashamed of their problem and are adept at hiding it. In one study, more than two thirds of patients with low literacy in public hospitals said they had never told their spouses about it. [New England Journal of Medicine, 7-27-06] http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/355/4/339
[posted on ACHI Community Health News, 9-20-06]
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is requesting comments on the future direction and strategy regarding investments in Health Information Technology (HIT) for section 330 safety-net providers (Federally Qualified Health Centers and Migrant Health Centers) through its Office of Health Information Technology (OHIT). OHIT’s goal is to represent the HIT needs of the safety-net community of providers to ensure that a digital divide does not separate care for patients of HRSA grantees and those receiving care in other sectors. The following is a link to the Federal Register where you can get more
information: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-15489.pdf [posted on the KDHE's Office of Local and Rural Health]
Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need. Department of Education announces funds to provide fellowships in areas of national need to assist graduate students with excellent academic records who demonstrate financial need and plan to pursue the highest degree available in their courses of study. Eligible applicants include public and state controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. The deadline for applications is November 20, 2006. Approximately $9,725,000 is available to fund 45 awards. A match is required. For further information, contact Gary Thomas at (202) 502-7767 or OPE_GAANN_PROGRAM@ed.gov; or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=10925&mode=VIEW
Disadvantaged Communities. Public Welfare Foundation announces funds to support services to disadvantaged populations and work for lasting improvements in the delivery of services that meet basic human needs. Specific areas of interest include community development, criminal justice, youth, environment, health, and human rights and global security. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations. There is no deadline date for applications. For further information, go to: http://www.publicwelfare.org/news/news/fund_2006.asp
Funding Alert is a free service of the Office of Partnerships and Grants Development. To start your own online subscription to Funding Alert, simply register with DC.Gov and subscribe at DCDocs http://dc.gov/registration/dcdocs.asp. For archives, visit http://opgd.dc.gov, Information, Grant Funding Alerts.
Created by the Commonwealth Fund Commission on a High Performance Health System, the National Scorecard on U.S. Health System Performance is the first-ever comprehensive means of measuring and monitoring health care outcomes, quality, access, efficiency, and equity in one report. Its findings indicate that America's health system falls far short of what is attainable, especially given the resources the nation invests. Across 37 indicators of performance, the U.S. achieves an overall score of 66 out of a possible 100 when comparing actual national performance to achievable benchmarks. Scores on efficiency are particularly low. This report explains how the Scorecard works, describes results for each domain of performance, and discusses implications for policies to improve quality, access, and cost performance. http://www.cmwf.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=401577
September 19, 2006 http://www.omhrc.gov/healthgap/2006drday.aspx
Takes place on the third Tuesday in September, and encourages individuals to help prevent diseases by making an appointment for a health screening, attending a health event in the community or helping a friend, neighbor or family member do the same.
Remaking American Medicine ... Health Care for the 21st Century, a four-part television series, is scheduled to begin airing on October 5 at 10 p.m. on PBS. Underwritten by RWJF, the series explores the nation’s health care crisis and considers the innovative ways in which providers, patients and their families are transforming care. Organizations across the country are also forming coalitions and organizing community-based events as part of an outreach campaign around the series. Please check your local listings for specific broadcast dates and times in your community. http://www.rwjf.org/newsroom/featureDetail.jsp?featureID=1870&type=3 [posted on RWJF Content Alert]
Baseball Tomorrow Fund Offers Support for Youth Baseball and Softball Programs
Baseball Tomorrow Fund ( http://www.baseballtomorrowfund.com/ ) is a joint initiative between Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association designed to promote and enhance the growth of youth participation in baseball and softball around the world by funding programs, fields, coaches' training, uniforms, and equipment. Grants are intended to finance a new program, expand or improve an existing program, undertake a new collaborative effort, or obtain facilities or equipment necessary for youth baseball or softball programs. http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10004330/baseballtomorrowfund
United States Soccer Foundation Accepting Applications for 2007 Grantmaking Program
Deadline: November 22, 2006
The United States Soccer Foundation's annual grantmaking program awards cash, equipment, and services to support the entire spectrum of soccer communities in the United States -- from small rural clubs to the U.S. Soccer Federation, the National Governing Body for the sport of soccer in the United States. For the 2007 grant cycle, the foundation will award grants exclusively to projects and programs that develop players, coaches, and referees in economically disadvantaged urban areas. http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10004331/ussoccerfoundation
[posted on RFP Bulletin (September 15, 2006)]
Squeezed: Why Rising Exposure to Health Care Costs Threatens the Health and Financial Well-Being of American Families,
http://www.cmwf.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=402531&#doc402531
As health care costs continue to rise, there has been steady erosion in the proportion of workers covered under employer-based plans, as well as in the adequacy of such coverage. Workers forced to turn to the individual insurance market often find coverage unaffordable or unavailable, while families with employer coverage face ever-rising deductibles and other cost-sharing burdens. This study uses the Commonwealth Fund Biennial Health Insurance Survey, 2005, to examine the experience of adults ages 19 to 64 in the individual insurance market compared with adults with employer-based coverage. Compared with adults with employer coverage, adults with individual market insurance give their health plans lower ratings, pay more out-of pocket for premiums, face higher deductibles, and spend a greater percentage of income on premiums and health care expenses. The report also analyzes the implications of rising out-of-pocket spending among all privately insured Americans, particularly focusing on the effect of high deductibles.
[posted on Commonwealth Fund e-mail Alert]
Educating Physicians on Controversies in Health (EpoCH) http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/15369.htmlis a series of brief informational Web streaming programs—developed by the AMA—targeting primary care physicians. The objective of these programs is to inform physicians about the challenges and controversies at the interface of clinical medicine and public health and to offer possible strategies to address these issues in their practices.
Each five-minute program is presented in video format with an on-camera narrator, a slide presentation on emerging controversial health care issues and footage to illustrate the issue. The videos are presented in an unbiased format and are designed to initiate candid discussion among physicians. Episodes will be archived for continuous availability through the AMA Web site.
Topics include: "The Digital Divide", "Racially tailored medicines: Is there a science behind the marketing?", "Health care disparities" and more.
The Pew Hispanic Center today posted a new resource on its website, A Statistical Portrait of Hispanics at Mid-Decade http://pewhispanic.org/reports/middecade/. The information is based on the Center's tabulations of the 2005 American Community Survey, which was fully implemented by the Census Bureau for the first time this year.
The 2005 ACS, released August 29, 2006, has a sample of about 3 million addresses. Presented as a series of tables, the tabulations by the Pew Hispanic Center provide the most up-to-date statistical portrait of the Latino population in the United States. It can be accessed at the Center's website, www.pewhispanic.org [posted on Pew Hispanic Center Release]
CDC Announces Racial Disparities in Childhood Immunization Coverage Rates Closing http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r060914.htm
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that 2005 childhood immunization rates for vaccines routinely recommended for children between 19 and 35 months of age remain at or near record highs. For the first time in the past ten years, rates for the full series of recommended vaccines did not vary significantly by race and ethnicity.
HRSA Report Says 15 Percent of Children Are Overweight http://newsroom.hrsa.gov/NewsBriefs/2006/overweight-children.htm
A new report from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) finds that 14.8 percent of America’s 10- to 17-year-olds are overweight and that 71.3 percent of that age group exercise at least three days a week.
[posted on PHPartners http://phpartners.org/ - New Links for the week of Sep 15, 2006]
Refining and Testing Mental Health Interventions and Services for Youth with Mental Illness who are Transitioning to Adulthood
National Institute of Mental Health
Application Receipt Date(s): November 28, 2006
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-MH-07-051.html
Culturally Appropriate Research to Prevent HIV Transmission and Infection in Young People
National Institute of Nursing Research
National Institute of Mental Health
Application Receipt Date(s): December 21, 2006
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-NR-07-002.html
[posted on NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices for September 15, 2006 (The NIH Guide TOC)]
NCRR Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) (R25)
The National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) invites applications for Science Education Partnership Awards (SEPA) program whose goals are to foster the development of novel programs to improve K-12 and the general public's understanding of the clinical trial process as well as the health science advances stemming from National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded clinical and basic research. The SEPA program supports the creation of innovative partnerships between biomedical and clinical researchers and K-12 teachers and schools, museum and science center educators, media experts, and other interested educational organizations. Particular importance will be given to SEPA applications that target K-12 science educational topics that may not be addressed by existing science curricula, community-based or media activities. -NCRR encourages applicants to submit proposals that will educate the general public on the clinical trials process and of the safeguards provided for patients participating in these trials. NCRR also encourages proposals that target topics that may not be addressed in existing K-12 science education curricula or by other community and media activities. -This FOA will use the NIH Research Education (R25) grant mechanism.
Applications are due by November 29, 2006.
AWARD AMOUNT: Multiple awards up to $250,000
CONTACT: Leslie Le at (301)435-0856 or leleslie@mail.nih.gov
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-06-549.html [posted on HHS CFBCI Listserv: September 15, 2006]
The National Library of Medicine has compiled publications dealing with the environmental and health issues related to the collapse of the World Trade Center. http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/enviro/wtcairbornehazards.html
Human Health and the Environment. The Beldon Fund is seeking applications to engage new constituencies in exposing the connection between toxic chemicals and human health and promoting public policies that prevent or eliminate environmental risks to people's health, particularly through application of the precautionary principle. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations. The deadline for applications is November 1, 2006. For further information, go to: http://www.beldon.org/.
Presidential Award for Reading and Technology. International Reading Association is accepting applications for the annual Presidential Award designed to honor educators in grades K-12 or equivalent who are making an outstanding and innovative contribution to the use of technology in reading education. Entrants must be educators who work directly with students ages 5-18 for all or part of the working day. Entries incorporating any brand of computers, operating systems, software applications, and other technologies such as TV or video are acceptable. The deadline for applications is November 15, 2006. For further information, go to: http://www.reading.org; or http://www.plato.com.
Funding Alert is a free service of the Office of Partnerships and Grants Development. To start your own online subscription to Funding Alert, simply register with DC.Gov and subscribe at DCDocs http://dc.gov/registration/dcdocs.asp. For archives, visit http://opgd.dc.gov, Information, Grant Funding Alerts.
The component of the National Institutes of Health that conducts and supports research on human development, medical rehabilitation, and the health of children, adults, families, and communities, launched its redesigned Web site. The new National Institute of Child Health and Human Development site provides easy access to information for patients, the general public, scientists, and the news media.
"The new site provides fast and easy access to a wide array of information, from child health, to developmental disorders, to women's health, to basic and clinical research," said Duane Alexander, M.D., director of the NICHD. "This site is useful not only to people who need health information; it's also a tool for scientists who need research information". http://www.nichd.nih.gov
[posted on NIH News Release is available online at:http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/sep2006/nichd-13.htm]
The Wellstone Fellowship for Social Justice aims to advance social justice through health care advocacy by focusing particularly on the unique challenges facing communities of color. The ideal candidate must demonstrate an interest in health care policy and racial/ethnic health disparities. http://www.familiesusa.org/about/wellstone-fellowship.html
The Villers Fellowship for Health Care Justice was created in 2005 by Philippe Villers, Founder and President of Families USA. Villers Fellows will conduct research on a range of health care policy issues, and write and contribute to publications that are relevant to current health policy debates. http://www.familiesusa.org/about/the-villers-fellowship.html
[posted on Families USA email]
Mike Kelly, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), UK
Josiane Bonnefoy, Instituto de Epidemiología y Políticas de Salud Pública, Universidad del Desarrollo (Chile)
Antony Morgan, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), UK
Francisca Florenzano, Instituto de Epidemiología y Políticas de Salud Pública, Universidad del Desarrollo (Chile).
Paper by the Measurement and Evidence Knowledge Network to articulate a series of methodological, theoretical principles that will help to inform the development of evidence, May 2006
Prepared for the Measurement and Evidence Knowledge Network of the World Health Organisation's Commission on Social Determinants of Health
Available online as PDF file [29p.] at: http://www.who.int/social_determinants/resources/mekn_paper.pdf
"The position taken here is that systematically differential patterns of health outcomes which have their origins in social factors are unfair and unjust and the social factors which cause this state of affairs are also unfair and unjust. The explicit value position is that this is morally indefensible and that there is an imperative to find solutions. Furthermore, because these factors are social and they are the product of human agency they are also potentially changeable through human agency." [posted on PAHO/WHO Equity list]
Rand Study Shows Providing Health Insurance to Low-Income Children Improves Their Quality of Life
Providing low-income children with government-sponsored health insurance improves their quality of life as it expands their access to doctors and other health services, according to a RAND Corporation study issued today. Studying families in California, researchers found that children newly enrolled in a public health insurance program reported improvements such as doing better in school, feeling better physically and getting along better with their peers, according to a study published in the September edition of the Journal of Pediatrics. "Having an insurance card makes it easier to get care when you need it and getting that care makes you feel better," said Michael Seid, a RAND psychologist and lead author of the study.[RAND News Release, 9-7-06] http://www.rand.org/news/press.06/09.07.html
The Changing Face of Health Education and Health Promotion
Call for Abstracts Deadline: October 20, 2006
June 7-9, 2007 -- Seattle, WA
This national health education and health promotion conference is cosponsored by the Directors of Health Promotion and Education, the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Proposals are encouraged for concurrent sessions, pre or post-conference workshops, or poster presentations at the 2007 National Health Education Conference & SOPHE's 2007 Midyear Scientific Conference. Online submissions: http://www.sophe.org or go directly to http://www.sophe.org/abstract_index.asp
[posted on ACHI Community Health News, 9-13-06]
Eight Americas: Investigating Mortality Disparities across Races, Counties, and Race-Counties in the United States
Describes a study that used race, location of the county of residence, population density, race-specific county-level per capita income, and cumulative homicide rate to divide the U.S. population into eight distinct groups, in order to explore the causes of the health disparities among these groups. Includes life expectancy comparisons among groups, with several groups specifically identified as rural.
Date: 09 / 2006
Journal: PLoS Medicine Volume: 3 Issue: 9
http://medicine.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371%2Fjournal.pmed.0030260#journal-pmed-0030260-t001
[posted on Rural Assistance Center Health Update]
Public Health Nurse (PHN) Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (DPHP) Program
Application deadline: Sep 15, 2006
Grants to Tribal Public Health Nursing (PHN) Programs.
The Public Health Nursing (PHN) Service is the prevention of illness, promotion and maintenance of health through the provision of therapeutic services, counseling, education and advocacy services. http://www.raconline.org/funding/funding_details.php?funding_id=1300
Healthcare and Aging Awards
Application deadline: Oct 2, 2006
Awards will be given to organizations that have demonstrated high-quality, innovative programs that enhance the health-related quality of life in older adults. http://www.raconline.org/funding/funding_details.php?funding_id=623
Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant Program (RHNPGP)
Application deadline: Oct 12, 2006
This Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant Program supports one year of planning to develop integrated health care networks in rural areas. http://www.raconline.org/funding/funding_details.php?funding_id=218
Knowledge Dissemination Conference Grants
Application deadline: Oct 31, 2006
Funding for disseminating knowledge about practices within the mental health services and substance abuse prevention and treatment fields and integrating that knowledge into real-world practice as effectively and efficiently as possible. http://www.raconline.org/funding/funding_details.php?funding_id=30
[posted on Rural Assistance Center Health Update]
New online resources for immigration-themed programs
The ALA Public Programs Office has set up a new website to assist librarians in creating public programs on the theme “Becoming American—New Immigration Stories.” The project is designed to provide libraries throughout the United States with an excellent selection of books on immigrant literature for adults and families http://publicprograms.ala.org/newimmigration/ [posted on American Libraries Direct 09/13/06]
Five Years After 9/11; Public Health Preparedness: An Opportunity and a Challenge
Nicole Lurie, physician, public health researcher, and codirector of the RAND Center for Domestic and International Health Security.
Available online at: http://www.rand.org/publications/randreview/issues/summer2006/pubhealth.html
Key changes include new partnerships, new workforce needs, new technologies, and the integration of emergency preparedness with other public health functions. While each of these factors has had some positive effects on public health, they have not been managed without problems. The preparedness mission has also posed major challenges for public health in the areas of leadership, quality, and accountability. [posted on the PAHO/WHO Equity listserv]
Bikes Belong Offers Grants to Promote Bicycling
Deadline: November 27, 2006
Bikes Belong ( http://bikesbelong.org/ ), a national coalition of bicycle suppliers and retailers, administers a grants program designed "to put more people on bicycles more often." The grants program accepts and funds applications for three types of projects: facilities; education; and advocacy. All proposals must address the goals of the grants program strategic plan -- encourage ridership growth, promote bicycling, build political support, leverage funding, and support bicycle advocacy; address the project objectives of the facility, education, or advocacy funding categories; and propose a specific program or project that is measurable. Bikes Belong will not fund general operating costs. http://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/10004212/bikesbelong
Youth Leaders for Literacy to Awards Grants for Student-Led Projects
Deadline: November 24, 2006
Youth Leaders for Literacy is an initiative of the National Education Association ( http://www.nea.org/ ) and Youth Service America ( http://www.ysa.org/ ) to help youth direct their enthusiasm and creativity into reading-related service projects. Grant applications should propose youth leadership in developing and implementing a literacy project that begins on NEA's Read Across America Day, March 2, 2007, and culminates on YSA's National Youth Service Days ( http://www.ysa.org/nysd/ ), April 20-22. http://www.nea.org/readacross/volunteer/
Applications Invited for American Psychiatric Foundation Awards for Advancing Minority Mental Health
Deadline: November 1, 2006
The American Psychiatric Foundation Awards for Advancing Minority Mental Health, formerly known as the Minority Mental Health Awards, were established in 2003 by the American Psychiatric Foundation ( http://www.psychfoundation.org/ ), the philanthropic and educational arm of the American Psychiatric Association ( http://www.psych.org/ ), with the support of Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. ( http://www.otsuka.com/ ). The awards recognize psychiatrists, other health professionals, mental health programs, and other organizations that have undertaken innovative and supportive efforts to raise awareness of mental illness in underserved minority communities, the need for early recognition, the availability of treatment and how to access it, and the cultural barriers to treatment; increase access to quality mental health services for underserved minorities; and improve the quality of care for underserved minorities, particularly those in the public health system or with severe mental illness. http://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/10004218/psychfoundation
National AIDS Fund and Ford Foundation Announce Gulf Coast HIV/AIDS Relief Fund
Deadline: September 29, 2006
The National AIDS Fund ( http://www.aidsfund.org/ ) and the Ford Foundation ( http://www.fordfound.org/ ) have announced the establishment of the Gulf Coast HIV/AIDS Relief Fund. Through this new fund, the National AIDS Fund will award a total of $500,000 in grants by November 1, 2006, to community- based organizations serving the southern and central areas of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi that were directly affected by Hurricane Katrina. http://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/10004220/aidsfund
Libraries Outside of the United States Invited to Apply for Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Access to Learning Award
Deadline: December 31, 2006
Entries are invited for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's ( http://www.gatesfoundation.org ) annual Access to Learning Award. This award recognizes excellence in providing access to information through computers, at no cost to the user. The recipient will receive an award of up to $1 million. The award is administered by the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications ( http://www.inasp.info ). http://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/10004223/inasp
[posted on RFP Bulletin (September 8, 2006)]
"The report finds that schools provide equitable Internet access - students of different racial, economic and educational backgrounds have similar levels of access. But similarity ends at the schoolhouse gate. At home, 78% of white students have Internet access, which isn’t enormously different than the percentage with access at school. In comparison, only 46% of African American students, 48% of Latinos and 43% of Native Americans had access at home; Asian-Americans and mixed ethnicity students fared better at 74% apiece. Regarding disability, 68% of non-disabled students and 55% of disabled students had home access." Download the report (pdf): http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2006065 [posted on the Digital Divide Listserv http://www.digitaldivide.net/ referring to the PBS Teaching Source "Learning Now Blog" http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/learning.now/2006/09/new_report_exposes_the_schoolh.html
The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) joined the Honorable Greg Walden (R-OR) and the Honorable Earl Pomeroy (D-ND), and many of their colleagues from the House Rural Health Coalition, to unveil a new rural health care bill designed to increase equity and improve access to high quality care in rural America. See the complete news release at http://www.nrharural.org/about/sub/news/H-CARE06.html
Two national surveys conducted and analyzed by the Kaiser Family Foundation show that substantial majorities of pharmacists and physicians believe that the prescription drug law is helping people on Medicare save money on their medications. At the same time, a majority in both professions report that Medicare beneficiaries who they see are encountering problems in getting their medications, sometimes with serious consequences.
http://www.kff.org/kaiserpolls/pomr090706pkg.cfm [Kaiser Family Foundation News Release]
"An alarming number of grandparents and older relatives in America are having to play the role of mom and dad all over again, because their children are unable to care for their grandchildren. Daily life for these caregivers can be very strenuous, according to a new report from Chapin Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago. Caring for their Children’s Children provides a portrait of these caregivers’ experiences that draws on a family perspective and highlights a number of service-utilization issues. With respect to mental health needs, one-third of grandparents interviewed said they suffered symptoms of depression, and two-thirds were caring for grandchildren whom they identified as having emotional or behavioral problems." http://www.chapinhall.org/article_abstract.aspx?ar=1427&L2=61&L3=131 You will have to register to access the reports, but registration is free. [posted on NRC E-Newsletter, September 5, 2006 ]
Just Move It is a national campaign to promote physical activity for American Indians and Alaska Natives. Use this website to learn how to start an activity in your own community, share information about ongoing programs, contribute stories and enter information in Just Move It's calendar. http://www.justmoveit.org/
Cultural Competency in Health: a guide for policy, partnerships and participation
National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia - published 2006
http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/hp25syn.htm
Download publication: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/_files/hp25.pdf
“…..The Guide provides a model to operate across all levels of the health system - systemic, organisational, professional and individual. It uses the obesity issue to illustrate the principles for building cultural competence in the health system." [posted on CLAS-talk listserv]
American Hiking Society Invites Applications for National Trails Fund
Deadline: November 1, 2006
The American Hiking Society's ( http://www.americanhiking.org ) National Trails Fund is the only privately funded, national grant program dedicated solely to protecting hiking trails. Awards range from $500 to $10,000 per project. Now in its seventh year, the fund has awarded more than $290,000 to 73 grassroots organizations all over the U.S. working to establish, protect, and maintain foot trails in America. http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10004125/americanhiking
National Organization on Disability Invites Entries for Accessible America Awards Program
Deadline: October 31, 2006
The National Organization on Disability ( http://www.nod.org/ ) is calling on America's mayors and chief elected officials to enter their communities in the sixth annual Accessible America awards competition, open to all United States cities and towns. http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10004126/nod
[posted on RFP Bulletin (September 1, 2006)]
On Labor Day 2006, the Economic Policy Institute released its advance edition of The State of Working America 2006/2007.Website: http://www.stateofworkingamerica.org/
Chapter 1: Family Income: "New economy" drives a wedge between productivity and living standards http://www.stateofworkingamerica.org/swa06-01-family_income.pdf
Chapter 5: Wealth: Unrelenting disparities http://www.stateofworkingamerica.org/swa06-ch05-wealth.pdf Read news release for this chapter http://www.epinet.org/newsroom/releases/2006/08/SWApr-wealth-200608-final.pdf
Chapter 8: International comparisons: How does the United States stack up? http://www.stateofworkingamerica.org/swa06_ch08_international.pdf
[posted on PAHO/WHO Equity Listserv]
Asian language pamphlets on nutrition for parents and families now available!
The risk of obesity among Asian-American children increases the longer they are in the United States. Agencies and heath organizations serving this population have expressed the need for educational materials focused on helping children achieve healthy weights. In collaboration with county staff, the University of California Berkeley Cooperative Extension used focus groups to identify the needs and interests of non-English speaking food stamp recipients about childhood overweight. The results of the focus groups were used to design a series of culturally sensitive and relevant educational materials that can help immigrant parents understand how they can adapt to a new environment and food supply in a way that will foster the health and welfare of their children. The Materials are currently available in Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Hmong, and English. http://nature.berkeley.edu/cwh/activities/asian_lang_publications.shtml [posted on the HmongHealth Listserv]
Body & Soul: A Celebration of Healthy Eating & Living http://www.bodyandsoul.nih.gov/ is a health program developed for African American churches. The program encourages church members to eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables every day for better health. Churches that embrace Body & Soul help their members take care of their bodies as well as their spirits.
Dispatch Staff Report
"A 58 percent increase in business for a company is a cause for celebration.
The same holds true for the services provided by the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, which is what happened recently when the library replaced its public computers." http://www.cdispatch.com/articles/2006/08/19/local_news/area_news/area01.txt
[posted on the Digital Divide Network Listserv http://www.digitaldivide.net/]
Call for Proposals The 2007 HMA conference Navigating the River: Journey With Us Through Health Ministries' Healing Waters will be held June 21 - 24 in San Antonio, TX at the Hyatt Regency on the Riverwalk. Have an interesting program? A major benefit of the HMA Conference is that we share ideas with each other and go home re-energized and with a book full of new ideas. What programming idea do you have to share? The Call for proposals is listed on http://www.HMAssoc.org Conferences->Annual Conference->Call for Proposals., or http://www.hmassoc.org/call_for_proposal_directions.html
Am I Rural? The Rural Assistance Center (RAC) http://www.raconline.org/ has established an "Am I Rural?" service that can be used to help determine whether a specific location is considered rural based on various definitions of rural, including definitions that are used as eligibility criteria for federal programs. Just click on this link: http://www.raconline.org/funding/rural.php
[HMA E-Announcement - September 5, 2006]
Community and Educational Funds. MetLife Foundation announces funds for the purpose of supporting educational, health, and civic and cultural organizations. The programs goals are to strengthen communities, promote good health, and improve education. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations. There is no deadline date for applications. For further information, go to: http://www.metlife.com/Applications/Corporate/WPS/CDA/PageGenerator/0,1674,P284,00.html
Green Communities Initiative: Charrette Grants. Enterprise and the Natural Resources Defense Council announce funds for the purpose of coordinating green charrettes to transform the way America thinks about, designs, and builds affordable communities. Awards will assist housing developers with integrating green building systems in their developments and engage in a serious discussion of green design possibilities. Enterprise will award planning grants to affordable housing developers to coordinate green charrettes. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations. There is no deadline date for applications. Awards up to $5,000 are available. For further information, go to: http://www.greencommunitiesonline.org/about-essentials-grants.asp
The Substance Abuse Policy Research Program. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) announces funds to address issues related to substance use, one of the most pressing public health problems facing our nation. Projects are expected to increase understanding of public and private policy interventions to prevent, treat and reduce the harm caused by the use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations. The deadline for applications is November 14, 2006. Approximately $4,000,000 is available to fund awards ranging from $100,000-$400,000. For further information, contact RWJF at (336) 286-4548 or saprp@leaders.ccl.org; or go to: http://www.rwjf.org/applications/solicited/cfp.jsp?ID=19686
Funding Alert is a free service of the Office of Partnerships and Grants Development. To start your own online subscription to Funding Alert, simply register with DC.Gov and subscribe at DCDocs http://dc.gov/registration/dcdocs.asp. For archives, visit http://opgd.dc.gov, Information, Grant Funding Alerts.
The September issue of NIH News in Health, the monthly newsletter bringing you practical health news and tips based on the latest NIH research, is now online at http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/. In this issue:
Feature Stories:
Discussing Drinking. A Back-to-School Conversation You Need to Have.
Drugs are a Drag. Help Your Child Avoid Drugs of Abuse.
Health Capsules:
Stay Skeptical about Genetic Testing
Get Active for a Healthy Heart
Featured Web Site:
College Drinking: Changing the Culture
In a comprehensive 144-page set of guidelines for the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) released earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) details steps to be taken by healthcare providers in treating and counseling individuals. The new guidelines, which update treatment guidelines issued in 2002, were developed by the CDC in consultation with a group of professionals knowledgeable in the field of STDs who met in Atlanta, Georgia, in April 2005. The full text of the guidelines is available at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5511a1.htm [posted on CHHCS News Alert, August 31]
Save the Date!
August 23-26, 2007
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill
Washington DC
Addressing Disparities, Acknowledging Resilience, Providing Actions for Success
This conference is the third conference (1997, 2004) that addresses the unique health issues experienced by women who reflect disparities in the US population. The goal of this conference is to focus on the unique and often unrecognized threats to health status experienced by women of color, by 1) building on the knowledge gained in the previous conferences and uncovering the distinct health issues that women face daily as they carry out their activities for themselves and their families; 2) acknowledging the powerful women who are community leaders and survivors of disparate conditions; and 3) building on the successful models of care and the innate sense of survival that exists within all populations. http://www.4women.gov/mwhs/
Youth Garden Grants Program
Application deadline: Nov 1, 2006
Helps children reap rewards and vital life lessons from working in gardens and habitats. http://www.raconline.org/funding/funding_details.php?funding_id=768
Catalog of Innovative Regional Parnerships: Part Two
Discusses summaries of two innovative regional partnerships in the Tenth District--GROW Nebraska and the Prairie States Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. The regional cooperation in these examples crosses traditional spatial, institutional, and networking boundaries, creating synergies among players that previously seemed unrelated. Organization: Center for the Study of Rural America; Date: 2006; Journal: Main Street Economist Volume: 6 http://www.kansascityfed.org/RuralCenter/mainstreet/MSE_6_06.pdf
Rural Assistance Center Human Services Update
Learn about Health Information Technology at the National Library of Medicine(NLM) http://www.nlm.nih.gov/healthit.html NLM is the central coordinating body for clinical terminology standards within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). NLM works closely with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) to ensure NLM's efforts are aligned with HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt and President Bush's goal for the nationwide implementation of an interoperable health information technology infrastructure to improve the quality and efficiency of health care.