 Volume 14: Issue 1 June 1999 |
 Exhibits
Respiratory Diseases The National Library of Medicine’s "Breath of Life" Exhibit is now open to the public, and will run through June 2000. It provides a unique, interactive look at asthma, highlights experiences of people with asthma, and examines efforts to control and understand the disease. For more information, call (301) 496-6308 or e-mail breathoflife@nlm.nih.gov. In Funding Educational and Community-Based ProgramsThe Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Justice, and the Department of Education are seeking grantees for funds to implement safe, drug-free schools and promote healthy childhood development. Awards will be made to approximately 50 sites; successful applicants will receive support of up to 3 years ranging from $1 million to $3 million dollars per year. Detailed information is available at www.ed. gov/offices/OESE/SDFS, fax-on-demand (800) 638-8736, or e-mail ziegler@ ojp.usdoj.gov. CancerThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced the availability of fiscal year 1999 funds for a cooperative agreement program for organizations serving racial and ethnic minority populations at increased risk for infant mortality, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, HIV, deficits in breast and cervical cancer screening and management, and deficits in child or adult immunization rates. Awards will begin in September 1999; CDC expects to provide up to $9,400,000 for Phase I. For more information, call Letitia Presley-Cantrell at (770) 488-5426. Online NutritionThe National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements, recently launched the International Bibliographic Information on Dietary Supplements (IBIDS)—a database of published, international, scientific literature on dietary supplements, including vitamins, minerals, and botanicals. IBIDS is intended to assist the public and health care professionals in locating credible, scientific literature on dietary supplements. Visit odp.od. nih.gov/ods/databases/ibids.html. Educational and Community-Based Programs
Environmental Health
The National Committee for Quality Assurance has released the latest updates to the Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS) 2000 draft for review and comment. The HEDIS 2000 draft includes a new survey-based measure to evaluate health plans’ efforts to counsel women on post-menopausal treatments, asthma, cardiac care, chlamydia, and diabetes. To download a copy of the draft, visit www.ncqa. org/pages/communications/news/a2krel.html. In Print Cross-cuttingThe final report of the Science Panel on Interactive Communication and Health entitled Wired for Health and Well Being: The Emergence of Interactive Health Communication was released on April 28. This report is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and provides guidance to consumers, health professionals, developers and users of applications, and policymakers about the use, purchase, design, and implementation of emerging communication technologies. The cost of this report is $10, which includes $2 shipping and handling. To order a copy, call (800) 336-4797. TobaccoTwo new tobacco cessation pamphlets that provide both motivation and cessation tools are now available from Journeyworks Publishing. The pamphlet entitled Beyond Willpower: Five Tools to Help You Quit Smoking is especially useful to smokers who have previously tried to quit. For non-motivated smokers, the highly motivational pamphlet entitled 7 Great Reasons to Quit Right Now helps a smoker understand that quitting now will bring huge rewards. This pamphlet is perfect for younger smokers. The pamphlets are free to health professionals and educators. Bulk prices start at 50 pamphlets for $15. For ordering information, call (800) 775-1998 or send a fax to (800) 775-5853. Substance AbuseA new Federal guide assists health professionals with diagnosing and treating drug abusers who also have disabilities. Persons with disabilities face a much higher risk for substance abuse than the general population, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). For more information, or for a copy of the guide, Substance Use Disorder for People with Physical and Cognitive Disabilities, No. 98-3249, call SAMHSA at (301) 443-5052 or call the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Information at (800) 729-6686. On Audio/Video Maternal and Infant Health An updated, Best Start Training Program, which includes transparencies and a video, a training manual, an instructor’s guide, and other valuable information, to aid in counseling WIC participants and promoting breastfeeding, is now available. For more information, call (800) 277-4975, fax (813) 971-2280, or e-mail beststart@mindspring.com.Clinical Preventive Services Medicare now has a toll-free information line, established by the Health Care Financing Administration. Callers can talk to a customer service representative in English or Spanish between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday, to get information about Medicare health plan options in their communities, including original fee-for-service Medicare and, where available, managed care; and the Medicare supplemental insurance (Medigap). The toll-free telephone line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. During nonbusiness hours, callers can access an automated line to request Medicare handbooks or audio tapes in English or Spanish, request updated information about health plans available in their area, or listen to pre-recorded answers to frequently asked questions. Call (800) 633-4227 (1-800-MEDICARE) or TTY at (877) 486-2048.
Atlanta, GA. For information, call (410) 659-9314, fax (410) 685-5653, or visit www.nfb.org. June 30–July 6, 1999. Decreasing the Gap: Developing a Research Agenda on
Socioeconomic Status, Environmental Exposures and Health Disparities. The National Marfan Foundation Annual Conference. National Wellness Coalition Annual Meeting. 4th Annual National Prevention Institute Conference of the
Comprehensive Health Education Foundation. National Conference on Health Statistics: Health in the New
Millennium, Making Choices, Measuring Impact. 1999 Cancer Conference: Meeting the Challenge Return to Prevention Report Index Go to Focus | Spotlight | In the Literature | Etcetera |
Girl
Power! has unveiled BodyWise, a new area on their Web site, designed to teach girls skills
for healthy living. The interactive site gives tips, suggestions, and information on
exercise, healthy eating habits, self-esteem, and positive role models in a fun,
user-friendly way. Visit 
The Aerometric
Information Retrieval System (AIRS), a computer-based repository of information about
airborne pollution, is administered by EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and
Standards, Information Transfer and Program Integration Division. The AIRS database not
only contains an extensive collection of air pollution source reports but also provides
annual summaries of air pollution measurements obtained from individual monitoring
stations. Visit 
CDC, the Health Care Financing Administration, and the National
Cancer Institute have launched a national colorectal cancer
action campaign to educate Americans age 50 years and older about the need for
screening for colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the Nation’s number two cancer
killer. For more information call (770) 488-5131 or (404) 639-3286, or visit 