NEA Big Read. National Endowment for the Arts announces funds to revitalize the role of literature in American popular culture and bring the transformative power of literature into the lives of its citizens. Eligible applicants include city or township governments, county governments, public and state controlled institutions of higher education, state governments, nonprofit organizations, and private institutions of higher education. The deadline for applications is April 12, 2007. Awards range from $5,000-$20,000. A match is required. For further information, contact Arts Midwest at (614) 341-0755 or TheBigRead@artsmidwest.org; or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=12710&mode=VIEW
Neighborhood Excellence Initiative. Bank of America launches its fourth year of the Neighborhood Excellence Initiative which offers leadership training and general operating support for growing nonprofits, recognizes the local heroes, and embraces the next generation of student leaders. The Neighborhood Builders program provides grants and leadership training to groups working to promote vibrant neighborhoods. The program areas of focus are community and workforce development with an emphasis on housing and neighborhood revitalization; mentoring outreach and early childhood education; and health and human services. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations. The deadline for applications is June 29, 2007. Awards ranging from $5,000-$200,000 are available. For further information, go to: http://www.bankofamerica.com/foundation/index.cfm?template=overview
Save Our History. The History Channel announces funds for organizations that collaborate with educators on projects that help students understand the importance of history in their communities. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations. The deadline for applications is June 1, 2007. Approximately $250,000 is available to fund awards up to $10,000. For further information, contact Gage Weeks at info@saveourhistory.com; or go to: http://www.saveourhistory.com/minisite.do?content_type=mini_home&mini_id=51103
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 numbers of HIV and AIDS diagnoses for American Indians and Alaska Natives represent less than 1% of the total number of HIV/AIDS cases reported to the HIV/AIDS Reporting System. However, when population size is taken into account, this population in 2004 was ranked 3rd in rates of AIDS diagnoses, after African Americans and Hispanics [1]. The rate of AIDS diagnoses for this group has been higher than that for whites since 1995. " Read the entire CDC fact sheet at http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/aian.htm
National Minority Organization Immunization Project Funding
Racial and ethnic disparities are a significant problem with regard to access to healthcare services, risk for vaccine preventable disease, and disease burden. Research has shown that barriers associated with racial and ethnic disparities can be addressed through providing education, educational materials, healthcare services, and technical assistance using racial, ethnic, and linguistically appropriate means. The purpose of this program is to assist National Minority Organizations (NMO's) with the promotion and improvement of childhood, adolescent, and adult immunization coverage levels among racial and ethnic minorities. For more information, see http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=12712 . Applications are due Apr 23, 2007.
Integration of Food and Nutrition into Prevention, Care, and Treatment of HIV Infection and AIDS (R03) Grant
This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) solicits Small Grant (R03) applications from applicant organizations that propose to examine the impact of new programs/guidance intended to fully integrate food, both in terms of provision of and recommendations to improve dietary intake of HIV infected and affected women infants and children, and nutrition including assessment of nutritional status and its impact on prevention, care and treatment of HIV infected and affected women infants and children. Deadline for application is March 30, 2007. Details http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=12063
[posted on the National Minority AIDS Council Lifeline]
The National Indian Women's Health Resource Center is a non-profit organization whose mission is to assist American Indian and Alaska Native women in achieving and maintaining optimal health and cultural well-being for themselves, their families, and their communities. http://www.niwhrc.org/ [posted on National Minority AIDS Council Lifeline] March 21, 2007 marks the first annual National Native (American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian) HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. This day is an opportunity to increase awareness of the impact of HIV/AIDS on American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. http://www.omhrc.gov/hivaidsobservances/nnaad/index.html
National Institute of Public Health (FHI) – Sweden - 2006
Available online as PDF file [48p.] at: http://www.fhi.se/shop/material_pdf/r200622_diskrimination_eng.pdf
“….The Discrimination – a threat to public health report presents the results of a major population survey which indicates that the incidence of discrimination is prevalent, takes various forms in society, and is correlated with gender, age, country of origin, disabilities and sexual orientation. According to this survey, there are very strong links between discrimination and mental ill-health.
According to a qualitative study presented in the report, people have a wide range of views on the discrimination concept. There is a great need for the formulation of reliable questions to measure the incidence of discrimination, but this is also a complex matter. According to the report, efforts to counter discrimination also entail efforts to improve public health. As a result, it is essential to arrive at satisfactory methods for investigating and monitoring discrimination in society if effective measures are to be taken to counter discrimination." [posted on PAHO/WHO Equity List]
New CDC Report Shows Decline in Stillbirths; Racial Disparities Persist
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/2007/r070221.htm
The rate of fetal deaths, also known as stillbirths, occurring at 20 weeks of gestation or more declined substantially between 1990 and 2003, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Although fetal mortality rates declined among all racial and ethnic groups from 1990-2003, the fetal mortality rate for non-Hispanic black women was more than double that of non-Hispanic white women (11.56 per 1,000 vs. 4.94 per 1,000).
APHA Announces New Web Site
http://www.apha.org/welcomeltr.htm
The American Public Health Association (APHA) announces their newly designed Web site. The new site has many new elements to make information more accessible including enhanced search and navigation features, an A – Z index of health topics, and Web pages for each APHA section.
Reports of the Surgeon General
http://hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/library/reports.htm
Reports of the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service focus the Nation's attention on important public health issues. Reports on tobacco use, nutrition, violence, and HIV/AIDS have heightened America's awareness of important public health issues and generated major public health initiatives.
[posted on PHPartners http://phpartners.org/ - New Links for the week of Feb 23, 2007]
Moran Family Foundation to Fund Programs for Children and Families Facing Poverty
Deadline: Contact funder
The Moran Family Foundation ( http://fdncenter.org/grantmaker/moran ) is accepting proposals. The foundation supports innovative programs that promote healthy development of at-risk children and at-risk families whose lives are impacted by the challenges of poverty. Innovative pilot programs being initiated or expanded by organizations with budgets less than $1.5 million are encouraged to apply. http://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/10006357/moran
American Psychological Foundation Invites Applications for the Pre-College Grant Program
Deadline: May 1, 2007
The American Psychological Foundation ( http://www.apa.org/apf/ ) is a nonprofit philanthropic organization that advances the science and practice of psychology as a means of understanding behavior and promoting health, education, and human welfare. APF is seeking proposals for programs that support the science and application of psychological science among talented high school students. More than two hundred thousand students are currently enrolled in high school psychology, and APF wants to support high-quality education in the field and to nurture the next generation of psychologists. http://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/10006362/apa
Avon Foundation Invites Applications for Supporting the Safety Net Breast Cancer Care Program
Deadline: May 1, 2007
The Avon Foundation ( http://www.avoncompany.com/women/ ) Breast Cancer Crusade regional "Supporting the Safety Net" program supports public, community, and safety net hospitals and healthcare systems that provide breast care to low-income, at-risk, uninsured, and underinsured individuals. Through this initiative, the foundation supports programs that enable medically underserved women to get from screening to diagnostics and care. Priority is given to the eight cities where Avon Walks for Breast Cancer are held. http://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/10006369/avoncompany
Cable Positive Invites Applications for Tony Cox Community Fund
Deadline: March 16, 2007
Cable Positive ( http://www.cablepositive.org/ ), the cable and telecommunications industry's national AIDS action organization, offers grants through the Tony Cox Community Fund to encourage AIDS organizations and local cable systems to work together in joint community outreach efforts and/or to produce and distribute new locally focused HIV/AIDS-related programs and public service announcements. http://www.cablepositive.org/programs-tonycox.html
[posted on RFP Bulletin (February 23, 2007)]
Read the Winter 2007 issue of “NIH MedlinePlus Magazine” at no cost online at http://www.fnlm.org/magazine/winter2007.pdf Along with several articles on topics such as COPD and the Red Dress Campaign is a special section on Aging Well.
The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commission has created a fact sheet on health coverage for immigrants. This fact sheet can be downloaded at http://www.insurance.wa.gov/consumers/SHIBA_HelpLine/documents/Immigrants_and_health_care_coverage.pdf It includes phone numbers for federal agencies for people who want to find out more information about specific services for people with immigrant status. Other publications from the office are available
Enlgish: http://www.insurance.wa.gov/consumers/SHIBA_HelpLine/readonline_shiba.asp
Other languages (Chinese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese)http://www.insurance.wa.gov/consumers/SHIBA_HelpLine/publications_otherlanguage.asp
Thanks to BHIC reader Dan Bassill for the sharing the following information:
Networking builds links and connections among people who have different perspectives -- different takes on the world they see. When they start communicating about those perspectives, opportunities to discover new insights, new ideas and to shape new approaches come to life.
The Tutor/Mentor Connection supports this form of networking, by using its http://www.tutormentorconnection.org web site as a place to gather ideas from people around the world who are already working with disadvantaged kids, and to encourage networking and collaboration among different groups, so that more and better programs emerge in high poverty areas, and are sustained in year to year growth and process improvment.
Among the members of BHIC are many who are already leading project that engage volunteers or intend to change youth aspirations, habits and outcomes. The T/MC invites you to browse the links library, register to use its web site, write articles or start discussions on its forums, or take a role in sharing what you know and expanding the T/MC network through the May and November conferences held in Chicago.
Email Dan Bassill at tutormentor2@earthlink.net if you have questions about using the web site or posting links or articles.
On Friday, March 2, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. ET, the Kaiser Family Foundation will launch a new series of live, interactive webcasts entitled "Today's Topics In Health Disparities," which will be devoted to addressing a range of issues relating to health and health care disparities in the United States. Each discussion will feature a panel of experts tackling current issues in health disparities and answering questions from webcast viewers.
WHAT: The first discussion in the series will be titled "Is the U.S. Making Progress in Reducing Disparities in Health Care Access and Quality?" and will provide an overview of key findings in the 2006 National Healthcare Disparities Report (NHDR), produced annually since 2003 by the Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research (AHRQ). The panel will focus its attention on evidence showing the areas in which racial and ethnic disparities in health care have narrowed, and discuss interventions that may explain some of the gains achieved.
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/health_cast/hcast_index.cfm?display=detail&hc=2042
[posted on Kaiser Family Foundation email alert]
March 22-24, 2007
New York City
http://www.arc.org/content/view/487/111/
The Facing Race Conference will bring together key policy advocates, academics, researchers, organizers and activists interested in exploring innovative strategies and successful models for changing public policy to produce more racial equity.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CD-07-005.html
CDC is committed to achieving true improvements in people’s health and has defined specific Health Protection Goals to prioritize and focus its work and investments and to measure progress. The purpose of this RFA is the achievement of new scientific knowledge that can accelerate the translation of research findings into public health practice through implementation, dissemination, and diffusion research. The specific objective of the RFA is to conduct translation research using an evidence-based intervention or policy. Proposed research should identify: 1) impediments and/or facilitators to the successful translation of evidence-based public health intervention(s); 2) methodological tools for the successful translation of evidence-based programs, practices, or policies; that retain fidelity, and achieve positive outcomes for target populations; or 3) optimal strategies to enhance the widespread adoption and institutionalization of effective public health intervention programs.
KNOWLEDGE RIVER at the UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA School of Information Resources and Library Science is offering Generous Financial Aid for FALL 2007
APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 1,2007
http://knowledgeriver.arizona.edu
Knowledge River, a Masters Degree program leading to an exciting career as a librarian or information professional, focuses on the information and library needs and perspectives of Latinos and Native Americans. Students accepted into Knowledge River receive full tuition and a graduateassistantship or stipend for one academic year, in addition to other special program features. A Bachelor's degree in any field is a prerequisite. Full information about Knowledge River is available at the above web address.
Now recruiting our sixth cohort, Knowledge River will select fifteen new students to begin in Fall 2007. As part of the School of Information Resources and Library Science (SIRLS), students wishing to apply for Knowledge River must also be accepted by SIRLS. All application materials are online at: http://sir.arizona.edu To contact SIRLS, please call 520 621 3565.
To contact the Knowledge River office, please call 520 621 3958 or email: kriver@mail.sbs.arizona.edu
The Foundation-Sponsored Issue of the Journal of Public Health Management & Practice (JPHMP) Offers Expert Insights and Analyses
Responding to the desire of policy-makers and key stakeholders for more information about how America's public health system is financed and how funds are managed, this special issue takes a major step toward building a field of study in public health finance and advancing public health systems research.
March/April 2007, Volume 13, Issue 2 - Free online
http://www.rwjf.org/newsroom/featureDetail.jsp?featureID=2267&type=3&c=EMC-CA141 [posted on PAHO/WHO Equity list]
Bilingual Handbook--Help for Hispanic Parents of ADHD Children A bilingual handbook to help Hispanic parents in the United States recognize attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in their children is available the National Alliance for Hispanic Health. It contains info on recognizing the disorder and the rights of children to obtain services and education.(Source: ScoutNews, LLC in HealthFinder)
Summary article: http://healthfinder.gov/news/newsstory.asp?docID=601760
PDF download: http://www.hispanichealth.org/pdf/ADHD_CHADD.pdf[posted on Sound Partners Digest February 20, 2007]
Drug Free Communities Support Program. Department of Health and Human Services announces funds to support the efforts of community coalitions to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth and, over time, among adults by addressing the factors in a community that increase the risk of substance abuse and promoting the factors that minimize the risk of substance abuse. Eligible applicants include community-based organizations. The deadline for applications is April 17, 2007. Approximately $6,000,000 is available to fund 60 awards up to $100,000. A match is required. For further information, contact Kimberly Pendleton at (240) 276-1421 or kimberly.pendleton@samhsa.hhs.gov; or go to: http://www.samhsa.gov/Grants/2007/sp_07_001.aspx
Technology Mini-Grants. Sunlight Foundation supports local groups that have creative ideas for changing the relationship between elected Federal representatives and the people they represent. Projects could range from citizen media, to creative use of the Internet to engage citizens in watch dogging, to opening up new ways of communicatingwith federal lawmakers to creative mapping of lawmakers' activities. Eligible applicants include nonprofits and community-based organizations. There is no deadline date for applications. Approximately 8-10 awards, ranging from $1,000-$5,000, are available. For further information, contact Nisha Thompson at (202) 742-1520 or nthompson@sunlightfoundation.com; or go to: http://www.sunlightfoundation.com/node/2058
Parent Information and Training Program. Department of Education announces funds to support projects that provide training and information to enable individuals with disabilities, and the parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or other authorized representatives of the individuals, to participate more effectively with professionals in meeting the vocational, independent living, and rehabilitation needs of individuals with disabilities. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations. The deadline for applications is March 14, 2007. Approximately $700,000 is available to fund 7 awards. For further information, contact Ellen Chesley at (202) 245-7346 or Ellen.Chesley@ed.gov; or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=12541&mode=VIEW
Technology for After-School Programs. GTECH announces funds to provide state-of-the-art computer labs to organizations in inner-city communities. GTECH supports after-school programs targeting disadvantaged youth and at-risk children aged 5-15. Eligible applicants include nonprofits with existing after-school programs in need of a computer lab. There is no deadline date for applications. Awards up to $15,000 are available. For further information, go to: http://www.gtech.com/about_gtech/proposal_guidelines.asp
Teens and Prescription Drugs. White House Office of National Drug Control Policy National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign released a new White House analysis that shows alarming trends in teen abuse of prescription drugs and cough and cold medicines to get high. The report shows that teens are turning away from street drugs, like marijuana and cocaine, and are now abusing prescription drugs to get high. For more information, go to: http://www.mediacampaign.org/teens/.
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.
In an article published today in BMJ, Commonwealth Fund president Karen Davis examines current roadblocks to universal health coverage in the U.S. and offers possible pathways to a health system in which affordable care is accessible to every American. The complete article, Uninsured in America: Problems and Possible Solutions, is available for free download from BMJ. http://www.cmwf.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=464574&#doc464574 [posted in Commonwealth Fund email alert]
Nominations Invited for CDC Foundation Hero Award
Deadline: March 15, 2007
The CDC Foundation ( http://www.cdcfoundation.org/ ) Hero Award was established in 2005 to coincide with the foundation's tenth anniversary celebrating "A Decade of Heroes." The award recognizes an individual or organization that has made a significant contribution to improving the public's health through exemplary work in advancing CDC's mission of promoting health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability. http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10006299/cdcfoundation
UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation to Offer Medical Assistance Grants
Deadline: Open
The UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation ( http://www.uhccf.org/ ) is offering support to meet the needs of children across the United States with assistance grants for medical services not fully covered by health insurance. Parents and caretakers across the country will be eligible to apply for grants of up to $5,000 for healthcare services that will help improve their children's health and quality of life. Examples of the types of medical services covered by UHCCF grants include speech therapy, physical therapy, and psychotherapy sessions; medical equipment such as wheelchairs, braces, hearing aids, and eyeglasses; and orthodontia and dental treatments. http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10006300/uhccf
[posted on RFP Bulletin (February 16, 2007)]
"This essay details how Native Americans are underrepresented in the field of Library Science, the possible causes behind this imbalance, and surveys programs designed to recruit Native Americans and other minority groups. The results of these efforts to bring diversity to the profession have yet to be seen. Research into recruitment techniques is presented, with the caveat that agreement on "Who is Native American?" is needed before the research can be used in practice." http://informatics.buffalo.edu/org/lsj/articles/lloyd_2007_2_underrepresented.php Library Student Journal February 2007 [posted on the American Indian Library Association Listserv]
On May 17 and 18, 2007, the Tutor/Mentor Connection will host a two-day Tutor/Mentor Leadership and Networking Conference in partnership with the Children & Family Justice Center at the Northwestern University Law School in Chicago. We are now recruiting workshop presenters. If you would like to volunteer time to present a workshop, use the Presenter Interest form to submit a proposal. Read about the Conference’s history, strategy and sponsor opportunities. As speakers are confirmed,more information will be added to the site. http://www.tutormentorconference.org/
March 21, 2007 marks the first annual National Native (American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian) HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. This day is an opportunity to increase awareness of the impact of HIV/AIDS on American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. HIV/AIDS continues to increase among Native people. Per population, American Indians/Alaska Natives have the third highest rates of HIV/AIDS behind Blacks and Hispanics. Native people are more likely to live in rural areas and many rural areas have limited HIV testing services. Stigma about HIV and fear of seeing people they know from their close communities at local health care facilities may also stop people from getting tested. http://www.omhrc.gov/hivaidsobservances/nnaad/index.html See the Resources section http://www.omhrc.gov/hivaidsobservances/nnaad/resources.html for web sites of note. Also, see the National Library of Medicine web site on HIV/AIDS http://www.sis.nlm.nih.gov/hiv.html
Rethinking Equal Access: Agency, Quality, and Norms
Jennifer Prah Ruger -Yale University - School of Medicine
Global Public Health, Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 78-96, 2007
Available online PDF [19p.] at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=957973
“…..In 2005 the Global Health Council convened healthcare providers, community organizers, policymakers and researchers at Health Systems: Putting Pieces Together to discuss health from a systems perspective. Its report and others have established healthcare access and quality as two of the most important issues in health policy today. Still, there is little agreement about what equal access and quality mean for health system development. At the philosophical level, few have sought to understand why differences in healthcare quality are morally so troubling. While there has been considerable work in medical ethics on equal access, these efforts have neglected health agency (individuals' ability to work toward health goals they value) and health norms, both of which influence individuals' ability to be healthy. This paper argues for rethinking equal access in terms of an alternative ethical aim: to ensure the social conditions in which all individuals have the capability to be healthy." [posted on PAHO/WHO Equity Listserv]
About one year ago, MapMuse.com began a project- the interactive mapping of volunteer opportunities across the US. You can find an organzation, or list your own at http://find.mapmuse.com/interest/volunteer [to add an organization at no cost use the "add a missing place" link]
The American Community: 2004 — Feb. 15 — These three reports present a portrait of racial and ethnic population groups in the United States based on data from the 2004 American Community Survey. Each report provides information on a number of characteristics (e.g., education, household type, income, commuting, etc.). Data are presented in tables, figures, and maps. In addition, the Asian and Hispanic reports present data for selected detailed groups (Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese for Asians; Guatemalans, Hondurans, Salvadorans, Colombians, Ecuadorians, and Peruvians for Hispanics). Two additional reports on the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population and the American Indian and Alaska Native population will be released later this year. Internet address:
The American Community – Hispanics: 2004 http://www.census.gov/prod/2007pubs/acs-03.pdf
The American Community – Blacks: 2004 http://www.census.gov/prod/2007pubs/acs-04.pdf
The American Community – Asians: 2004 http://www.census.gov/prod/2007pubs/acs-05.pdf
See other "populations statistices" reports at http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/popula.html [posted by the Kansas Rural Health Information Service (KRHIS)]
The National Heart Lung Blood Institute combined elements from the Act in Time to Heart Attack Signs and the Your Heart, Your Life campaigns to develop this Heart Attack Survival Discussion Kit for Spanish Speakers. The kit's format is primarily for a Spanish speaker to present to a Spanish speaking audience, but also contains English language materials for enhanced usage. Use the Heart Attack Survival Discussion Kit as part of a Promotores/Lay Health Educators Training Refresher or with churches and other groups in the Latino community. Order item #KT-025 at http://emall.nhlbihin.net/product2.asp?sku=KT-025 for ONLY $7.50 each. This link takes you to a web page to order the kit. On that page, some of the links are broken. If you want to see the actual items from the toolkit, see the NHLBI publications for Latinos page at http://emall.nhlbihin.net/latino.asp?p=3&h=3&g=68&r=3
Contraceptive Use and the Poor: A Matter of Choice?
From the "Health for All" declaration made at Alma Alta in 1978 to the recently created Commission on Social Determinants of Health, a recurrent theme is health equity, whereby all segments of society should have equal access to and reap the benefits of health-enhancing interventions. Since 1978, a substantial literature has addressed health equity, much of it relating to the gap between the high rhetorical priority given health equity and its programmatic neglect. Contrastingly, much less has been written about equity in family planning...[This] article...goes a long way toward filling this imbalance in attention. [PLoS Medicine, 2-6-07] http://medicine.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.pmed.0040049
Working Towards Wellness
Chronic disease is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Increasingly it affects people in low to middle-income countries as well as in high-income countries. Chronic diseases impair productivity and lead to associated costs. Multinational companies are using the workplace to promote long-term behavioural changes which will benefit employers, employees and communities. The World Economic Forum's Working Towards Wellness initiative is a collaborative, multi-stakeholder effort to facilitate and stimulate greater business engagement to help prevent chronic disease. [2007] http://www.weforum.org/en/initiatives/wellness/index.htm
National Public Health Week
April 2-8, 2007
The 12th annual National Public Health Week (NPHW) aims to better connect vulnerable and special needs populations with the resources they need to prepare for public health emergencies. During NPHW, national public health leaders will educate the general public, policy-makers and practitioners about a specific issue important to improving the public's health. The theme for the week is "Take the First Step! Preparedness and Public Health Threats: Addressing the Unique Needs of the Nation's Vulnerable Populations." Details: http://www.nphw.org/
Free Cover the Uninsured Week Planning Materials Available
April 23-29, 2007
This year, Cover the Uninsured Week comes at a critical juncture in the health coverage debate: After 10 years, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is up for reauthorization in Congress. Our nation's leaders have the opportunity to provide funding to cover the children currently enrolled in SCHIP and expand the program to cover millions more children in need of health coverage. As a result, Cover the Uninsured Week 2007 will focus on the importance of children's health coverage and the success of SCHIP. Details: http://covertheuninsured.org/materials/
[posted on ACHI Community Health News, 2-14-07]
APHA's Gerontological Health Section Invites Nominations for Award for Excellence in Program Innovation
Deadline: April 1, 2007
The Gerontological Health Section of the American Public Health Association ( http://www.apha.org/ ) is accepting nominations for the 2007 Archstone Award for Excellence in Program Innovation. The award was established to identify best-practice models in the field of health and aging, and to provide recognition and an opportunity to highlight the work at the annual meetings of the American Public Health Association. http://www.archstone.org/press_release2296/press_release_show.htm?doc_id=449477
Project Ignition Service-Learning Competition to Help Promote Teen Driver Safety
Deadline: April 15, 2007
Sponsored by State Farm ( http://www.statefarm.com/ ) and coordinated by the National Youth Leadership Council ( http://www.nylc.org/ ), Project Ignition gives students in grades 9 through 12 and their teachers the chance to work together on service-learning projects to address the issue of teen-driver safety. http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10006203/sfprojectignition
Bank of America Accepting Applications for Neighborhood Excellence Initiative
Deadline: Various
Bank of America ( http://www.bankofamerica.com/ ) is committed to the economic strength and stability of the communities in which it does business. The Neighborhood Excellence Initiative, Bank of America's signa- ture philanthropic program, focuses on developing relationships with and investing in strong nonprofits/charitable organizations with great leaders. The program offers leadership training and general operating support for growing nonprofits, recognizes a community's local heroes, and embraces the next generation of student leaders. The program is offered in Bank of America's forty-four markets. http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10006204/bankofamerica
Home Depot Foundation Invites Entries for Awards of Excellence for Affordable Housing Built Responsibly
Deadline: March 31, 2007 (Letter of Inquiry)
The Home Depot Foundation's ( http://www.homedepotfoundation.org/ ) Awards of Excellence for Affordable Housing Built Responsibly seek to identify, recognize, and showcase the outstanding and innovative work of nonprofit housing development corporations engaged in green building/healthy home construction and rehabilitation. http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10006205/homedepotfoundation
American Association of Diabetes Educators Seeks Applications for Self-Care Behaviors Research Grant
Deadline: April 1, 2007
The American Association of Diabetes Educators has issued a Request for Applications for Building the Evidence: The Impact of Diabetes Educator Interventions on Self-Care Behaviors of Diabetes and Related Conditions. This RFA seeks applications using innovative approaches to examine the efficacy of a diabetes educator interventions for improving self-care behavior in managing T1D or T2D or a related condition. Self-care behaviors should be one or more of the seven AADE Behavioral Outcomes: healthy eating, being active, monitoring, taking medications, problem solving, healthy coping, and reducing risks. http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10006209/diabeteseducator
American Legacy Foundation Announces Small Innovative Grants Program Guidelines
Deadline: February 23, 2007 (Letter of Intent)
The American Legacy Foundation ( http://www.americanlegacy.org/ ), has two goals: to arm all young people with the knowledge and tools to reject tobacco; and to eliminate disparities in access to tobacco prevention and cessation services. Through its Small Innovative Grants Program, the foundation supports projects that advance creative, promising solutions based on sound principles of tobacco control to remedy the harm caused by tobacco use in America. Legacy created the program to seed new projects or enable an organization to pilot a new idea or approach. http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10006214/americanlegacy
[posted on RFP Bulletin (February 9, 2007)]
"Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction" was unveiled by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a component of the National Institutes of Health. The 30-page full-color booklet explains in layman's terms how science has revolutionized the understanding of drug addiction as a brain disease that affects behavior. NIDA hopes this new publication will help reduce stigma against addictive disorders. A PDF copy of "The Science of Addiction" can be downloaded at the NIDA website: http://www.drugabuse.gov
This NIH News Release is available online at: http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/feb2007/nida-13.htm
The Local Initiative Funding Partners Program (LIFP) is a partnership program between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and local grantmakers to fund promising, original projects to significantly improve the health of vulnerable people in their communities.
*Projects must be new, innovative, collaborative and community-based. Significant program expansions—such as a major expansion into new regions or to new populations—may also be considered. LIFP matching grants may not be used to administer existing programs.
* Projects must be nominated by a local grantmaker interested in participating as one of the funding partners.
*Local funding partners must be willing to work with each grantee to obtain sufficient dollar-for-dollar matching funds throughout the grant period. These funders may include independent and private foundations, family and community foundations and corporate and other philanthropies.
* Matching funds must represent new funding specifically designated to support the proposed project. In-kind services may not be used to match foundation funds.
http://www.rwjf.org/applications/solicited/cfp.jsp?ID=19831&c=EMC-FA144 [posted on RWJF Funding Alert]
Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Models on College Campuses. Department of Education announces funds to identify models of effective campus-based alcohol and other drug prevention programs and disseminate information about these programs to other colleges and universities where similar efforts may be adopted. Eligible applicants include public and state controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. The deadline for applications is April 9, 2007. Approximately 5 awards are available. For further information, contact Richard Lucey, Jr. at (202) 205-5471 or richard.lucey@ed.gov; or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=12468&mode=VIEW
Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE). Environmental Protection Agency announces funds to help communities understand and reduce risks due to toxics and environmental pollutants from all sources. The CARE grant program will help communities form collaborative partnerships, develop a comprehensive understanding of the many sources of risk from toxics and environmental pollutants, set priorities, and identify and carry out projects to reduce risks through collaborative action at the local level. Eligible applicants include city or township governments, county governments, public and state controlled institutions of higher education, state governments, nonprofit organizations, and private institutions of higher education. The deadline for applications is April 9, 2007. Approximately $2,700,000 is available to fund 10 awards, ranging from $100,000-$300,000. For further information, contact Larry Weinstock at (202) 564-9226 or weinstock.larry@epa.gov; or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=12472&mode=VIEW
Linking Adolescents at Risk for Suicide to Mental Health Services Department of Health and Human Services announces funds to evaluate existing voluntary school-based practices that focus on identifying high school youth at risk for suicide or suicide attempts, the processes by which these youth are referred to appropriate mental health treatment and/or other services, and the outcomes of these processes. Eligible applicants include independent school districts and nonprofit organizations. The deadline for applications is April 6, 2007. Approximately $1,858,000 is available to fund 7 awards up to $265,000. For further information, contact Kimberly Pendleton at (240) 276-1421 or kimberly.pendleton@samhsa.hhs.gov; or go to: http://www.samhsa.gov/Grants/2007/SM_07_006.aspx
Kraft Community Nutrition Program. Kraft Foods announces funds to support organizations to increase their sustainable capacity to collect and distribute nutritious, non-shelf-stable foods, including fresh produce, prepared food, and other perishable food. Eligible applicants include nonprofits and community-based organizations. The deadline for applications is March 9, 2007. For further information, go to: http://164.109.46.215/rfp/kcnprfp07.html
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.
GRANT WRITING TRAINING
MAY 16-17, 2007
--FREE OF CHARGE instruction on forming/developing your 501c(3), building capacity and coalition, accessing government funding and program information, creating a proposal and preparing a competitive grant application. Not HUD specific.
______________________________________________________________________
REGISTRATION: SPACE IS LIMITED! Information on registration for the conference and training will follow. Contact Ms. Janet M. Jacobs, HUD, at (303) 672-5432, with questions.
ROOM RESERVATIONS: A block of rooms is being held at the Best Western Rio Grande Hotel, 400 East Second Avenue, in Durango until March 15. We suggest making reservations early since Durango is a popular tourist destination. Call 1-800-245-4466 and request a room in the "HUD Group Block" at a conference rate of $112/night. Specify if you are a government employee in order to receive the government rate. There are a number of other fine hotels in town including the Holiday Inn, the historic Strater Hotel, and the Best Western Durango Inn.
Visit: http://www.fortlewis.edu/ http://www.hud.gov
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion and the Regional Health Administrators are requesting proposals from community-based organizations and others to evaluate the impact of a unique set of healthy lifestyles activities in local settings that support the President’s HealthierUS initiative. As part of the Take Action: Healthy People, Places and Practices in Communities Project, the proposed activities should address one or more of the four parts of the President's HealthierUS initiative: 1) be physically active, 2) eat a nutritious diet, 3) get preventive screenings, and 4) make healthy choices/avoid risky behaviors.
Not-for-profit, community-based organizations including faith-based groups, after school programs, coalitions and others are encouraged to submit proposals. The one-year project period will run from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. Funding for these activities will be between $2,000 and $5,000 and a national evaluation of the project will be conducted. The deadline for receipt of proposals is March 30, 2007. Background information on the project, proposal instructions and forms areavailable at http://www.osophs.dhhs.gov/ophs/healthypeople.
If you have questions or need more information about the Take Action: Healthy People, Places and Practices in Communities Project, please call 1-866-224-3815 or email your questions to answers@JSI.com. [posted on HEALTHYPEOPLE list]
In Motion: The African-American Migration Experience presents a new interpretation of African-American history, one that focuses on the self-motivated activities of peoples of African descent to remake themselves and their worlds. Of the thirteen defining migrations that formed and transformed African America, only the transatlantic slave trade and the domestic slave trades were coerced, the eleven others were voluntary movements of resourceful and creative men and women, risk-takers in an exploitative and hostile environment. Their survival skills, efficient networks, and dynamic culture enabled them to thrive and spread, and to be at the very core of the settlement and development of the Americas. Their hopeful journeys changed not only their world and the fabric of the African Diaspora but also the Western Hemisphere. See the online web site at http://www.inmotionaame.org/home.cfm
Research Report: The Ethical Recruitment of Internationally Educated Health Professionals: Lessons from Abroad and Options for Canada Tom McIntosh, Renée Torgerson and Nathan Klassen.
Canadian Policy Research Networks CPRN Research Report H|11. January 2007. 43 pp.
Available online at: http://www.cprn.org/en/doc.cfm?doc=1611
A new report by CPRN calls for provincial governments to take a closer look at the way they hire doctors, nurses and other health professionals from developing countries. Canada has always relied on newcomers to help deal with shortages in this field, but increasingly these professionals are coming from developing countries, especially from Africa and Asia, which have staffing shortages and critical health problems of their own. [posted on PAHO/WHO Equity Listserv]
"At the end of the 2007 fiscal year, congressional authorization for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is set to expire. For SCHIP, the reauthorization process--historically a chance to review, refine, and revamp programs--will take place at a time when the uninsured rate for children is once again on the rise. In a new report prepared for The Commonwealth Fund Commission on a High Performance Health System, George Washington University's Jeanne Lambrew, Ph.D., examines the array of policy options that Congress is likely to consider for SCHIP, a program widely hailed for assisting children whose families have too much income to qualify." Read an overview and download the report at: http://www.cmwf.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=449518&#doc449518 [posted on The Commonwealth Fund e-mail alert]
"Gibson Gonnie is quite possibly the first traditional medicine man ever to be invited to share his knowledge of Navajo culture and way of life with spiritual leaders in India. " Read the online article at http://www.gallupindependent.com/2007/feb/020807kh_eastmeetswest.html
HRSA Maternal and Child Health
http://www.ask.hrsa.gov/MCH.cfm?content=MCH
HRSA's Maternal and Child Health programs promote and improve the health of mothers, infants, children, and adolescents, including low-income families, those with diverse racial and ethnic heritages, and those living in rural or isolated areas without access to care. Publications include materials on health care, prenatal care and newborn screening, and preventive care and research. [posted on PHPartners http://phpartners.org/ - New Links for the week of Feb 09, 2007]
Knowledge Path: Adolescent Violence Prevention
http://www.mchlibrary.info/KnowledgePaths/kp_adolvio.html
The MCH Library released a new edition of its knowledge path about adolescent violence prevention. This electronic guide offers a selection of resources from the public health, medical, criminal justice, education, and social services literature that measure, document, and monitor adolescent violence; identify risk and protective factors; and report on promising intervention strategies. The knowledge path includes separate sections of resources on specific aspects of adolescent violence such as bullying, firearms, gangs, media violence, school violence, and violent-crime victimization. This knowledge path is intended for use by health professionals, policymakers, educators, community activists, and families who are interested in obtaining timely information on this topic. Knowledge paths on other maternal and child health topics are available at http://mchlibrary.info/KnowledgePaths/index.html
This free and easily accessible online resource offers information on various types of resources available for those in need. The purpose of the Links to Care for the Underserved is to provide information for patients and clinicians on the resources available locally and nationally, for those in need of assistance for the following health and social service issues, with additional attention to migrant health specific resources. http://www.migrantclinician.org/excellence/patientassistance [posted by Nebraska C.A.R.E.S.]
This web site was created to accompany an exhibition at the National Library of Medicine and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture, Baltimore. "African Americans have always practiced medicine, whether as physicians, healers, midwives, or “root doctors.” The journey of the African American physician from pre-Civil War to modern day America has been a challenging one. Early black pioneer physicians not only became skilled practitioners, they became trailblazers and educators paving the way for future physicians, surgeons, and nurses, and opening doors to better health care for the African American community. We celebrate the achievements of these pioneers in medicine by highlighting four contemporary pioneer African American surgeons and educators who exemplify excellence in their fields and believe in continuing the journey of excellence through the education and mentoring of young African Americans pursuing medical careers." http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/aframsurgeons/
SOPHE 58th Annual Meeting
Partnerships to Achieve Health Equity
October 31 – November 3, 2007
Alexandria, VA
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
Deadline: March 15, 2007
Abstracts are now being accepted online for workshops, symposia, oral presentations, and posters for SOPHE's 58th Annual Meeting, Partnerships to Achieve Health Equity, October 31 - November 3, 2007, in Alexandria, Virginia – minutes from downtown Washington, DC. SOPHE is pleased to be partnering with CDC's Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program and Eta Sigma Gamma for its 40th Annual Meeting.
Sub-themes include health systems change; social determinants of health and transdisciplinary approaches to health education; health communications, health literacy and technology; cultural competence in bridging differences, and; evaluation and dissemination of evidence-based approaches. To submit an abstract, go to: http://www.sophe.org/abstract_index.asp [posted on CBPR listerv]
The Colorado State Library of the Colorado Department of Education has compiled a list of web resources pertaining to Spanish literacy for kids. It has been publicized in Colorado, but is useful to a wider audience. Permission granted to nonprofits and government agencies to reproduce at no cost; please credit The Colorado State Library. http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdelib/download/pdf/SpanishLiteracyWebResourcesForKids.pdf [posted on REFORMA listserv]
The California-Mexico Health Initiative (CMHI) launched a new website (http://www.ucop.edu/cmhi) that provides information on programs in the areas of Access to Health Care, Research and Policy, and Training and Exchange. The site contains useful publications like a Spanish-English Health Dictionary, Fact Sheets on the Latino Population and a Guide to Health Programs that can be downloaded from the site. Visitors can also listen to, watch, and download health-related messages in the audio/video section of the site. The site also includes information on training and exchange programs. Links to partner sites are provided at http://www.ucop.edu/cmhi/links.shtml [posted on Office of Migrant Education's News Digest--02/06/07]
"Far too often, ordinary citizens are placed at risk for unsafe care because important health care information is communicated using medical jargon and unclear language that exceed their literacy skills, according to a call to action released today by The Joint Commission in its newest public policy white paper, “’What Did the Doctor Say?:’ Improving Health Literacy to Protect Patient Safety." The paper frames the existing communications gap between patients and caregivers as a series of challenges involving literacy, language, and culture, and suggests multiple steps that need to be taken to narrow or even close this gap." See the full press release at http://www.jointcommission.org/NewsRoom/NewsReleases/hl_020607.htm Read the PDF file of the policy paper at http://tinyurl.com/25rxv7 [posted on [HealthLiteracy 654]
The earlier post has an inactive URL. Thanks to a vigilant reader for not only catching the problem, but providing a live URL as well!
The Danger of Hospital Language Barriers
What happens when a patients and health care providers don't speak the same language? Jaime Holguin looks at some of the consequences -- physical, emotional and financial. [Associated Press, 1-29-07] http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=333026&Category=8&subCategoryID
"The mission of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) is to build the capacity and increase awareness, participation and support for HIV prevention, care and treatment among African Americans. February 7, 2007 marks the seventh year of this annual event. The primary goal of NBHAAD is to motivate African Americans to get tested and know their HIV status; get educated about the transmission modes of HIV/AIDS; get involved in their local community; and get treated if they are currently living with HIV or are newly diagnosed." Seee the National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day web site at http://www.blackaidsday.org/
KaiserEDU.org’s First Annual Student Essay Contest is now open. Submit an original essay on the topic below for a chance to win $1,000. Deadline for submission is March 30, 2007. http://www.kaiseredu.org/studentessay.asp KaiserEDU.org invites undergraduate and graduate-level students in all disciplines to submit an original essay for the website's first competition. [posted by the Kaiser Family Foundation]
Tools to Address Disparities in Health: Data as Building Blocks for Change
pdf file: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/ohpp/clasact/documents/CLASact/research/default.pdf
The QualityTools Web site is sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
January 2007
America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) has designed this toolkit to assist in broadening health insurance plans and healthcare organizations' understanding of the issues surrounding the collection of data on race, ethnicity, and primary language, and it's use to improve the quality care.
Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparities: A Quality Improvement Initiative in Medicaid Managed Care
The Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), January 2007
PDF file [48p.] at: http://www.chcs.org/usr_doc/Racial_&_Ethnic_Health_Disparities.pdf
The workgroup members designed innovative strategies to uncover and address disparities in three targeted areas: birth outcomes and immunizations, asthma care, and diabetes care.
[posted on PAHO/WHO EQUITY listserv]
FY07 National Community-Based Lead Outreach and Training Grant. Environmental Protection Agency announces funds to reduce incidences of childhood lead poisoning in low-income communities with older housing. Potential activities include outreach, training, ordinance development, and other activities that would result in reduction of childhood lead poisoning. Eligible applicants include city or township governments, county governments, public and state controlled institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations. The deadline for applications is April 2, 2007. Approximately $1,500,000 is available to fund 8 awards up to $250,000. For further information, contact Darlene Watford at (202) 566-0516 or watford.darlene@epa.gov; or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=12416&mode=VIEW
FY07 Pollution Prevention Grants Program. Environmental Protection Agency announces funds to assist organizations in identifying betterenvironmental strategies and solutions for reducing or eliminating waste at the source. Funds awarded through this grant program help to support work with businesses/industry to reduce the release of potentially harmful pollutants across all environmental media: air, water, and land. Eligible applicants include public and state controlled institutions of higher education and state governments. The deadline for applications isApril 2, 2007. Approximately $4,500,000 is available to fund 60 awards up to $200,000. A match is required. For further information, contact Christopher Kent at (202) 564-8842 or kent.christopher@epa.gov; or go to: http://www.epa.gov/p2/pubs/grants/ppis/2007fpp2grant.htm
Special Improvement Project. Department of Health and Human Services announces funds for special improvement projects, which further the national child support mission, vision, and goals. Eligible applicants include city or township governments, county governments, state governments, nonprofits, and faith- and community-based organizations. The deadline for applications is May 2, 2007. Approximately $700,000 is available to fund 7 awards up to $100,000. For further information, contact Jean Robinson at jean.robinson@acf.hhs.gov; or go to: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/HHS-2006-ACF-OCSE-FI-0005.html
2007 Local Arts and Literacy Programs. Barnes and Noble support organizations that focus on literacy, the arts, and education (K-12) in the communities where company stores are located. Organizations must be willing to work with the local stores on in-store programming. Eligible applicants include nonprofits and community-based organizations. There is no deadline date for applications. For further information, go to: http://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/our_company/sponsorship/Sponsorship_main.html
Community Service Grants. The American Massage Therapy Association Foundation announces funds to provide massage therapy to communities or groups who currently have little or no access to such services. This program is designed to promote working partnerships between the massage therapy profession and community-based organizations. Eligible applicants include nonprofits and community-based organizations. The deadline for applications is April 2, 2007. Awards ranging from $500-$5,000 are available. For further information, contact The American Massage Therapy Association Foundation at info@massagetherapyfoundation.org; or go to: http://www.massagetherapyfoundation.org/grants_community.html
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.
Find resources related to genetic diseases for those of Jewish heritage. http://jewishamericanhealth.medicalcityhospital.com This page was created by a medical librarian at Medical City Hospital in Dallas, TX
American Psychiatric Foundation Offers Funding for Mental Illness Awareness and Education Effort
Deadline: August 1, 2007
The American Psychiatric Foundation ( http://www.psychfoundation.org/ ) is making up to $750,000 in total 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/10006139/psychfoundation [RFP Bulletin (February 2, 2007)]
Office of Minority Health Funding Focus: Scholarships
http://www.omhrc.gov/templates/browse.aspx?lvl=2&lvlID=4
The focus in this issue is on scholarships and fellowships. Do you know of any deserving, hard-working students who could benefit? [posted on OMHRC E*NEWS FLASH!]
Indian Health Service Scholarships
Feb 28 deadline for Indian Health Service Scholarships (2007-2008) for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN), full or part-time students, who intend to serve Indian people upon completing their degree program: http://www.fredonia.edu/na/fa_hppps.asp [posted on [NS_Education] Digest Number 390]
http://www.healthcarethatworks.org/maps/nyc/
Using this tool, visitors can visually see how hospital closures disproportionately impact poor neighborhoods and communities of color. Text on the sidebar guides the user through each decade and demographic overlay, explaining the changing conditions of the city and the impact that closures have on underserved communities.
[posted on ACHI Community Health News, 1-24-07]
The February 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/
Feature Stories:
The Power of Love— Hugs and Cuddles Have Long-Term Effects
A Pain in the Gut—Recognize and Prevent Food Poisoning
Health Capsules:
Pre-Teen Girls at Risk for Extra Pounds
Short of Breath? It May Be COPD
Featured Web Site: Mind Over Matter http://teens.drugabuse.gov/mom/
The gene varieties we inherit and the environment we've been raised in work together to shape who we are. But there's something else involved, according to a new study: how our genes behave. http://www.nih.gov/news/research_matters/january2007/01292007ethnic.htm This article is published in NIH Research Matters at http://www.nih.gov/news/research_matters/
The Danger of Hospital Language Barriers
What happens when a patients and health care providers don't speak the same language? Jaime Holguin looks at some of the consequences -- physical, emotional and financial. [Associated Press, 1-29-07] http://www.columbiantalk.com/read/usworldnews/ASAP01292007news559797.cfm
Where's the Fruit?
Study Unveils Widespread Deceptive Packaging in Children's Foods
Over half of the most aggressively advertised children's foods that prominently feature fruit on their packaging contain no fruit at all, according to a study released today by the Strategic Alliance for Healthy Food and Activity Environments. The study, Where's the Fruit?, reveals that 51 percent of these products do not contain fruit, and another 16 percent contain only minimal amounts of fruit despite prominent fruit promotions on the packaging. [Strategic Alliance, 1-26-07] http://www.eatbettermovemore.org/
Enhancing Public Hospitals' Reporting of Data on Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Care
To assess the ability of hospitals with large minority populations to use existing quality-of-care measure to reduce racial/ethnic disparities, the researchers analyzed quality-related data on acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and pneumonia by patients' race and ethnicity from five major public hospitals...These hospitals exceeded national norms on most measures, and high performance was mostly consistent across racial and ethnic groups. [The Commonwealth Fund, January, 2007] http://www.cmwf.org/usr_doc/998_Siegel_enhancing_pub_hosp_reporting_data_racia.pdf
[posted on ACHI Community Health News, 1-31-07]
The Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD) is the keystone of NCI's efforts to reduce the unequal burden of cancer in our society. As the organizational locus for these efforts, the Center directs the implementation of and supports initiatives that advance understanding of health disparities. CRCHD also integrates studies across NCI's research divisions to identify scientific and policy areas that provide opportunities to reduce and eliminate cancer health disparities. http://crchd.cancer.gov/index.html
2007 Federal Health Information Centers and Clearinghouses
http://www.health.gov/nhic/pubs/2007clearinghouses.pdf
Provides information on health clearinghouses and information centers that focus on specific topics. Services include distributing publications, providing referrals, and answering inquiries. Many offer Web sites or toll-free numbers.
Speaking Together
http://www.speakingtogether.org/
A national program aimed at improving the quality and availability of health care language services for patients with limited English proficiency (LEP). Hospitals pilot new performance measures and test techniques for reducing health care disparities associated with language barriers.
[posted on Rural Assistance Center Health Update]