Volume 13: Issue 4 March 1999

Online

Respiratory Diseases
Health professionals can analyze problems related to long-term asthma management with the Asthma Management Model System at www.nhlbisupport. com/asthma/index.html.

Users can formulate research questions and access databases, retrieve the latest treatment guidelines and published literature, obtain continuing education credits, and browse and download materials. The site also features online forums and discussions.

Crosscutting
Your Guide to Choosing Quality Health Care is now available at www.ahcpr.gov/consumer/qntool.htm. The Guide is based on research about the information consumers want and need when making decisions about health plans, doctors, treatments, hospitals, and long-term care. A limited number of free printed copies of the Guide are available through the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research Publications Clearinghouse; call (800) 358-9295.

To look for jobs, internships, and fellowships, visit the Public Health Employment Connection at web.sph.emory.edu/phemploy.nsf. A form is available for posting jobs. For more information, contact the site administrator, John Youngblood, at Emory University's Rollings School of Public Health, jyoung@sph.emory.edu, or call (404) 727-8323.

Although his findings proved that genetic material is DNA, Oswald Theodore Avery never won a Nobel prize. However, his work is now being recognized on the National Library of Medicine's new Web site, "Profiles in Science," www.profiles.nlm.nih.gov. The site features scientific discoveries including the unpublished writings, letters, and lab notes of great scientists.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases
The STDGEN Relational Database, www.stdgen. lanl.gov, organizes genetic information about a variety of sexually transmitted disease-causing organisms, including viruses, bacteria, and protozoa. The database translates DNA sequences into gene-product sequences and then organizes these into logical groups, such as outer membrane proteins that are likely candidates for vaccines or diagnostic tests.

Immunization and Infectious Diseases
The Hide & Seek! Web site at www.healthmedi aint.com provides information and products to help prevent the spread of infection. Videos and posters are available in English and Spanish on topics such as handwashing. Neckties are also available for purchase, with proceeds going to fund research and help eradicate infectious diseases.

In Print

Nutrition
Two new dietary books are available from Family Health Publications. The Doctor's Pocket Calorie, Fat & Carbohydrate Counter (1999 Edition) includes an 80-page fast-food section, a free Food Information Service, and an introductory weight control Section. The cost is $7.00, plus shipping and handling. The Food & Exercise Diary allows individuals to record food and exercise patterns for 10 weeks. The cost is $4.00. Both books are packed in display packs of 10 books, and discounts are available for larger quantities. To order, write Family Health Publications, P.O. Box 1616, Costa Mesa, CA 92628, call (949) 642-8500, or fax (949) 642-8900.

Environmental Health
"What You Need to Know About Pfiesteria Piscicida" (publication number EPA 842-F-98-011) is available from the National Center for Environmental Publications and Information at (800) 490-9198. The 6-page brochure answers such questions as "What is Pfiesteria?" "How does Pfiesteria affect fish?" "Where has Pfiesteria been found?" and "Can Pfiesteria cause human health problems?"

Heart Disease and Stroke
Stop Heart Disease Before It Stops You: The Healthy Heart Handbook for Women has been revised. It now includes 100 pages of the latest information on preventing cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, and chest pain. The book can be downloaded free from www.nhlbi.nih.gov. For printed copies ($5.50 each), write the NHLBI Information Center, P.O. Box 30105, Bethesda, MD 20825-0105, call (301) 251-1222, or fax (301) 251-1223.

Cancer
"Los Mamogramas y El C ncer de Los Senos" (publication number [FDA] 98-4269S) discusses the purpose of a mammogram, recommendations regarding mammograms, risk factors for breast cancer, tips for self-examination, and treatment of breast cancer. For a free copy, write Publications Orders, Food and Drug Administration (HFI-40), Rockville, MD 20857, or visit www.fda.gov.

HIV
A new brochure, "How to Protect Yourself From AIDS," provides an overview on HIV/AIDS, as well as information on condoms and other precautions, testing, and treatments. For a free copy, write Publications Orders, Food and Drug Administration (HFI-40), Rockville, MD 20857, or visit www.fda.gov. The publication number is (FDA) 98-1296.

People with Disabilities
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and its partner, Toy Manufacturers of America (TMA), have completed the 1998-1999 Guide to Toys for Children Who Are Blind or Visually Handicapped. For free copies, call AFB's Information Center, (800) 232-5463, or e-mail afbinfo@afb.net. For more than 100 copies, contact TMA at (800) 851-9955.

In Funding

Educational and Community-Based Programs
Nine States have received Youth Development State Collaboration Demonstration Project grants. Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New York, and Oregon will each receive $120,000 to help identify, develop, and strengthen effective youth development strategies. Efforts will focus on young people at risk, such as homeless and runaway youth.

The new Rural Hospital Flexibility Program provides Medicare cost-based reimbursement for Critical Access Hospitals. The $25 million grant program to States will be administered by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, which will make an announcement in March, with applications due in May. The Office expects to make awards by September 1999.

Cancer
To spur development of technologic improvements in cancer treatment and detection in the 21st century, the National Cancer Institute recently created an Unconventional Innovations Program. The 5-year, $48 million program seeks to stimulate development of radically new technologies in cancer care. The earliest contracts are expected to be awarded in 1999.

Clinical Preventive Services
In partnership with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Colorado Trust has awarded Denver Health a $2.4 million grant to improve access to health care services for Denver's medically underserved population. The 5-year grant for "Community Voices: Healthcare for the Under-served" will fund a targeted public outreach and awareness effort, a user-friendly system designed to ensure that eligible patients are enrolled in appropriate health insurance plans and to provide case management for high-risk patients.

Educational Aids

Maternal and Infant Health
The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) has opened the NICHD Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse features a toll-free number, online ordering of publications through the NICHD Web site, and an information and referral service. Write NICHD Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 3006, Rockville, MD 20847, call (800) 370-2943, fax (301) 984-1473, e-mail NICHDClearinghouse@ iqsolutions.com, or visit www.nih.gov/nichd.

10th Annual Art and Science of Health Promotion Conference: Balancing High Tech with Human Touch in Health Promotion. Amelia Island, FL. Sponsored by American Journal of Health Promotion and Wellness Councils of America. (248) 682-0707. March 1-16, 1999.

Prevention 99: Scientific, Political, and Social Priorities for the 21st Century. Arlington, VA. Sponsored by the American College of Preventive Medicine and the Association of Teachers of Preventive Medicine. (703) 917-8966. March 18-21, 1999.

American Association for Cancer Research 90th Annual Meeting. Philadelphia, PA. (215) 440-9300, fax (215) 440-9313, or e-mail aacr@aacr.org. April 10-14, 1999.

Pacific Rim Perinatal Conference on "The Impact of Substance Use and Its Impact on Families." Honolulu, HI. Sponsored by March of Dimes, Chapter of the Pacific. (808) 536-1045. May 6-8, 1999.

National Rural Health Association 22nd Annual Conference: "Tools for a Healthy Future." San Diego, CA. (816) 756-3140, e-mail mail@nrharural.org, or visit www.NRHArural.org/conf99. May 27-30, 1999.

"College Health: Establishing Priorities for the 21st Century." Philadelphia, PA. Sponsored by the American College Health Association. (410) 859-1500 or visit www.acha.org.
June 2-5, 1999.

American College of Sports Medicine. Seattle, WA. (317) 637-9200. June 2-5, 1999.

National Wellness Coalition Annual Meeting. Stevens Point, WI. (715) 342-2969.
July 10-16, 1999.

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