PH/HA News
Newsletter of the Public Health/Health Administration Section
of the Medical Library Association
Fall 2003
Editor: Barbara Nail-Chiwetalu
Column Editors: Marie Ascher (Grey Literature), Helena VonVille (GIS)
Newsletter Committee: Bradley Long and Linda Spitzer
PH/HA News Web site: http://phha.mlanet.org/newsletter.html
CONTENTS
PH/HA Updates and Projects
Columns
MLA Announcements
News From/About the National Library of Medicine (NLM)
Resources and Announcements
The National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism (MIPT) Library
Contributed Articles
Conferences/Calls for Papers and Posters
PH/HA Updates and Projects
From the Editor
Barbara Nail-Chiwetalu, Editor/Chair of Newsletter Committee, PH/HA, bnailchi@umd.edu
I am sorry to report that Richard Harris, a member of the PH/HA Newsletter Committee has decided to step down. We wish him well and hope to see him active in PH/HA in the future.
I wish to thank all who contributed to this Fall issue. The newsletter can only be as good as the information we are able to gather or receive. I am particularly excited to see folks contributing articles to share what they have learned from workshops or conferences. I look forward to seeing more of these in future issues of PH/HA News.
As we complete the second issue of PH/HA News with new personnel, I would appreciate receiving any positive comments, constructive criticism, or suggestions for improvement. This is your newsletter! We wish to make it something that is helpful to you and that you enjoy reading when it arrives each season. Thank you.
--------------
Back to top
--------------
From the Chair
Marie Ascher, Chair PH/HA, marie_ascher@nymc.edu
I hope many of you had the opportunity to view the MLA Satellite Teleconference in September, "Reading Between the Lines: Focus on Health Information Literacy." I have had the pleasure over the last several months to participate as a member of the MLA Task Force on Health Information Literacy. My role on this task force is to represent the interests of PH/HA in this area. I have a background in working with the public's health information needs, with behavioral health issues, and with information literacy efforts in general. So, I feel pretty well suited for the work of the task force. However, I think it is time that I turn to the membership of PH/HA at large to solicit comments and creative ideas regarding perspectives and how you see the MLA Task Force addressing the issue of health information literacy.
The draft definition of Health Information Literacy proposed by the Task Force is:
Health Information Literacy is the set of knowledge and skills needed to: recognize a health information need; identify likely information sources and use them to retrieve relevant information; assess the quality of the information and its applicability to a specific situation; and analyze, understand, and use the information to make good health decisions.
For those of you who will be attending APHA, there will be several sessions on health literacy to attend. See if you can't network and make connections with individuals and organizations who might be useful partners in the arena of health information literacy. And have a great time in San Francisco. I wish I could be there.
--------------
Back to top
--------------
An Invitation to Librarians Attending APHA
Submitted by Nancy Schaefer
Public Health librarians attending the American Public Health Association annual meeting in San Francisco are invited to join the meeting of Sewell Stipend recipients in the Tech Theatre, MCC (Moscone Center) 232, on Sunday, November 16, 2003 from 10:30-11:30 am. For more information about the meeting, the stipend, or a possible dinner out on Sunday evening at a local restaurant, contact Nancy Schaefer, Chair of the Client Relations Committee of the PH/HA section, at NancyS@library.health.ufl.edu or (352) 392-1306.
--------------
Back to top
--------------
Public Health/Health Administration Section: Continuing Education Survey 2003/2004, October 21, 2003
Submitted by Kay Deeney, PH/HA Continuing Education Committee Chair, kdeeney@ucla.edu
Here are the results of the survey about possible continuing education classes, distance education opportunities, and journal clubs. A total of 26 individuals e-mailed or faxed their surveys to me.
| Would you be interested in? | Class, In Person | Distance Education | Journal Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Health Knowledge Base | 8 | 13 | 3 |
| Health Literacy | 6 | 9 | 7 |
| Public Health 101 | 6 | 9 | 8 |
| Bioterrorism & Public Health | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| Evidence Based Public Health | 11 | 10 | 6 |
| PubMed Searching for Public Health Personnel | 12 | 10 | 0 |
| Public Health Informatics | 15 | 13 | 8 |
| Statistics & Datasets | 15 | 15 | 4 |
| Epidemiology | 11 | 11 | 2 |
| Toxicology/ToxNet Databases | 10 | 8 | 0 |
Additional specific topics mentioned were: personal knowledge management, health economics, online survey tools, genetics and public health, occupational health hazards, public health outreach with special populations, public health information centers, library administration, electronic journal subscription-state licenses, grants, GIS (geographic information systems), global/international public health, and local programming which addresses specific local needs (state-centric). Another suggestion was to look at documents, reports, or books that have changed public health. This would be a book club instead of a journal club.
Other comments
"I can rarely attend MLA annual meeting based CE's, so my preference is for online access."
"I've participated in two Public Health Journal Clubs: Evidenced PH and PH informatics. I did think that they were very useful."
Over half of the respondents were interested in participating in an electronic journal club. Many were in the "Maybe" category. Eight people are interested in "maybe" being an E-Journal Club Convener.
For details on the MLA Journal Club, see http://www.mlanet.org/education/telecon/jcguide.html
Based on the results of the survey, we will be planning for the rest of the year! Thanks to all who contributed!
--------------
Back to top
--------------
Columns
CDC Column: CDC Web Site Redesign
http://www.cdc.gov
The CDC Web site provides a critical service for both health professionals and consumers alike. The CDC Web site is visited an average of over 5 million times per month and has over 150,000 pages of disease prevention, health promotion and occupational safety content. Currently however, the Web site does not offer a consistent experience to visitors. Most searches of the CDC site result in visitors to the Web site having to navigate through several different Centers' individual content pages in order to glean all the information on a particular health topic. Search results can be frustrating and confounding.
A large redesign of the CDC Web site is underway. At the heart of the redesign is the ability to browse and navigate the depth and breadth of CDC content by topic. The new architecture supports how individuals tend to look for health content and also will facilitate retrieval of complimentary information that is currently dispersed across the site. The new, more flexible search functionality will increase accuracy in retrievals and allow for multiple paths into content areas.
The technology at the core of the redesigned site includes content/document management, portal servers, search and controlled health thesaurus tools, knowledge management, collaborative technology, and Web usage reporting and analysis tools. The redesigned CDC Web site will ensure quick and intuitive access to relevant content optimized for usability and readability.
The current CDC Web has been very popular and helpful, and in fact has been praised more than once for its usefulness and utility (e.g. http://www.gcn.com/vol19_no31/news/3194-1.html). CDC believes that the redesigned site will result in an even more useful and user-friendly Web experience. Redesign of the CDC Web site is a very large undertaking. Therefore, the new design will be rolled out incrementally. The first four content areas, which are being tackled are: arthritis, folic acid, hantavirus, and traumatic brain injury. Seasonal trends, key health campaigns, and breaking news will also be highlighted.
Please continue to visit our site and look for changes soon. We invite your feedback!
--------------
Back to top
--------------
MLA Announcements
MLA Continuing Education Grant
http://www.mlanet.org/awards/grants/index.html
Each year the Medical Library Association awards a grant to one or more of its members to provide them with the opportunity to increase their competence in the theoretical, administrative, or technical aspects of librarianship. This grant may be used to attend an MLA course or others CE activity and may range from $100 - $500. Candidates for the CE Grant must: (1) hold a graduate degree in Library Science; (2) be a practicing medical librarian with at least two years of professional experience; (3) be an individual member of MLA; and (4) be a US or Canadian citizen or permanent resident. For more information about this grant and the application visit MLA's Web site above.
Applications should be submitted to Lisa C. Fried at MLA Headquarters. The application deadline is December 1, 2003. For additional information, contact: Lisa C. Fried, Medical Library Association, 65 East Wacker Place, Suite 1900, Chicago, IL 60602-4805. Phone: 312.419.9094; Fax: 312.419.8950; E-mail: mlapd2@mlahq.org .
--------------
Back to top
--------------
MLA Mid-Atlantic Offers Student Internship
http://www.cbil.vcu.edu/mac/pd/internship.html
Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Medical Library Association sponsors an annual internship. To qualify for this internship the student must be enrolled in an MLS, MLIS, or MIS program in the mid-atlantic region and have demonstrated an interest in health sciences librarianship or medical informatics as a career. The benefits of this internship are:
- to have an opportunity for networking
- to participate in the MAC annual meeting program committee
- to receive travel and lodging for the MAC Program Committee meeting
- to receive a half-day CE class at the MAC annual meeting
For more information about this internship, visit the Web site above and/or contact Betty Greenstein at 252.744.2243 or E-mail: greensteinp@mail.ecu.edu .
--------------
Back to top
--------------
Medical Library Association Scholarship
http://www.mlanet.org/awards/grants/index.html
The Medical Library Association is offering a scholarship of up to $5,000 to encourage library school students who show excellence in scholarship and potential for accomplishment in health sciences librarianship. Eligibility: (1) Applicant must be a student entering an ALA-accredited library school OR a student who has at least one-half of the requirements of the program to finish when the scholarship is awarded in February; (2) Applicant must be a citizen of or have permanent residence in either the United States or Canada; (3) Past recipients of the MLA Scholarship or the MLA Scholarship for Minority Students are not eligible.
Application forms can be requested from the Professional Development Department of the edical Library Association or downloaded from the Web site listed above. The application packet includes: a completed application form; at least two and no more than three letters of reference; an official transcript from each college or university attended; and a statement of career objectives. The application deadline is December 1, 2003. Return the completed forms to: Professional Development Department, Attention: Lisa C. Fried, Medical Library Association, Suite 1900, 65 East Wacker Place, Chicago, IL 60601-7298. Phone: 312.419.9094, ext. 28; Fax: 312.419.8950; E-mail: mlapd2@mlahq.org .
--------------
Back to top
--------------
News From/About the National Library of Medicine (NLM)
Updates from the Division of Specialized Information Services (SIS) of NLM
Submitted by Colette Hochstein, D.M.D., MLS
http://sis.nlm.nih.gov
Tox Town
http://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov
Eight new chemicals are now available in Tox Town. Go to the Town or City Scenes and click on More Chemicals, at the bottom, for a complete list. The new chemicals include
common (or "criteria") air pollutants regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency:
Nitrogen Oxides, Particulate Matter and Sulfur Dioxide. Other new chemicals are Benzene and Chromium. Three large groups of chemicals: Pesticides, Phthalates, and Volatile Organic Compounds are also described. Tox Town includes a 1-2 page description of each chemical, Internet links for more information, and shows where a chemical might be found in the Town or City. Chemicals are selected for Tox Town based on their wide presence and use in the United States and their potential influence on the public's health.
Haz-Map
http://hazmap.nlm.nih.gov/
The Haz-Map database is an occupational health database designed for health and safety
professionals and for consumers seeking information about the health effects of exposure to chemicals at work. Haz-Map was updated in February, 2003; the database now contains 1149 hazardous agents, and 183 occupational diseases. The Web site now also provides a link to the NLM Haz-Map Fact Sheet (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/factsheets/hazmap.html) , and to a downloadable Haz-Map brochure in PDF format.
TOXNET
http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/
- TRI 2001 (Toxics Release Inventory) is now available on TOXNET ( http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?TRI )
- TOXNET users can now search all databases simultaneously: the number of records retrieved for each of the TOXNET databases is displayed, and links to the individual results are provided.
- Users can now search simultaneously in "Core" and "Special" for TOXLINE and for DART. More detailed descriptions of TOXLINE Core and TOXLINE Special can be found at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/factsheets/toxlinfs.html and http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/help/DARThelp.htm#dartspecialandcore . **Search limits are available for customized searches in the TOXNET databases, including TOXLINE, DART, HSDB, IRIS, GENE-TOX, and CCRIS (see the "LIMITS" button on the search page for each resource)
- TOXNET now has a "Browse the Index" feature, which displays a segment of the database index, beginning with the term entered. This allows users to scan the index alphabetically or numerically, above or below the original display, by selecting the "Up" or "Down" button. The number of records in the database containing each index term is displayed. Users can search on the selected term(s) by checking the "Check to Select" box(es) that correspond to the index term(s) of interest and by clicking the "Select" button.
The Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?HSDB
The Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)is a toxicology database on the National Library of Medicine's TOXNET system. It focuses on the toxicology of potentially hazardous chemicals, and is enhanced with information on human exposure, industrial hygiene, emergency handling procedures, environmental fate, regulatory requirements, and related areas. Chemicals are added to HSDB on a scheduled basis. They are peer- reviewed by the HSDB Scientific Review Panel of outside experts (http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?DescSRP.htm). Further information about HSDB can be found on the National Library of Medicine's HSDB Fact Sheet at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/factsheets/hsdbfs.html.
NLM-Tox-Enviro-Health-L" Announcements List
http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/Tox/ToxListServ.html
You can receive concise updates on NLM's Division of Specialized Information Services (SIS)'s resources, services, and outreach in toxicology and environmental health by joining the "NLM-Tox-Enviro-Health-L" Announcements List at the Web site above.
FY 2003 AIDS Community Outreach Projects: NLM Funds 16 AIDS Community Information Outreach: Projects in September 2003 in the 10th Round of the Program
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/news/aidsprojs03.html
NLM has continued its HIV/AIDS-related outreach efforts to community-based organizations, patient advocacy groups, faith-based organizations, departments of health, and libraries. This program provides support to design local programs for improving information access for AIDS patients and the affected community as well as their caregivers. Emphasis is on providing information or access in a way meaningful to the target community. Projects must involve one or more of the following information access categories: information retrieval, skills development, Internet access, resource development, and document access. Awards were made for the following projects:
Standard Award Projects
- AIDS Education Global Information System (AEGiS) (San Clemente, CA)
- Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium-"Community Drum"-An Alaska Native/Rural Alaska AIDS Information Community Outreach Project (Anchorage, Alaska)
- Center for AIDS: Hope & Remembrance Project-Project AIR 2003 (Houston, TX)
- Critical Path AIDS Project-Community-Based Internet Connectivity: An AIDS Outreach Project (Philadelphia, PA)
- Family and Medical Counseling Service, Inc.-Health Information Ventures (Washington, DC)
- Holyoke Health Center, Inc.-Cultural Access to HIV/AIDS Resources (Holyoke, MA)
- Public Health - Seattle & King County-HIV/AIDS Information Outreach: Working with Communities at Risk of Acquisition and Transmission of HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (Seattle, WA)
- Regents of the University of New Mexico-New Mexico AIDS InfoNet (Albuquerque, NM)
- Self Reliance Foundation-Conociendo el SIDA (Understanding AIDS): A Public Education Campaign Targeting Latino Adults (Washington, DC)
Express Award Projects
- Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC)-Sexual Assault HIV Information Project (Cambridge, MA)
- Carl Vogel Center-Facilitating Access to HIV/AIDS Health Information (Washington, DC)
- Columbus AIDS Task Force-Central Ohio's HIV/AIDS Resource Library (Columbus, OH)
- Planned Parenthood Center of El Paso-Helen Gillette Library Resource Expansion Program (El Paso, TX)
- Public Health-Seattle & King County-Teen Advisory Board HIV/AIDS Internet Outreach Project (Seattle, WA)
- Sisterlove, Inc.-Sister's Wisdom, Sister's Lives: Information and Resources for Women of African Descent Affected by HIV/AIDS (Atlanta, GA)
- YWCA of Northwest Louisiana-AIDS Minority Community Outreach Program-Internet Public Access Project (Shreveport, LA)
--------------
Back to top
--------------
Healthy People 2010: Information Access Project Update
Submitted by Lisa Sedlar and Ione Auston, NICHSR, NLM, NIH, HHS
http://phpartners.org/hp
The National Library of Medicine (NLM) has become increasingly involved with improving access to relevant information for the public health community. A major effort has been the Partners in Information Access for the Public Health Workforce initiative (http://phpartners.org/), a collaboration to provide the public health workforce with timely, convenient access to information resources to help them improve the health of the American public.
In 2002, NLM expanded the Partners initiative by developing the Healthy People 2010 Information Access Project (http://phpartners.org/hp), designed to help public health workers quickly and easily find relevant information from NLM's PubMed database and related online resources. The HP2010 IAP service has become the most heavily used section of the Partners Web site. The HP2010IAP provides information and evidence-based strategies, via pre-formulated PubMed searches for selected HP2010 focus area objectives. Seven focus areas are currently available on the site:
- Access to Quality Health Care
- Disability and Secondary Conditions
- Environmental Health
- Food Safety
- Hearing
- Public Health Infrastructure
- Respiratory Diseases
By selecting a focus area, one can automatically run a PubMed search on a specific HP2010 objective. If you have used these resources, NLM would appreciate your comments and feedback (see form at http://phpartners.org/hp/index.html#feedback).
We also hope you will help us publicize this service to the Public Health Community.
Within the next few months, seven additional Healthy People 2010 Focus Areas will be added:
- Diabetes
- Health Communication
- Immunization and Infections Diseases
- Nutrition and Overweight
- Oral Health
- Physical Fitness
- Vision
NLM has been assisted in the development of search strategies for these seven focus areas by a number of volunteer librarians, many of whom are members of the PH/HA section, including: Evangeline Alexander, NLM Associate; Marie Ascher, New York Medical College; Ammon Ripple, University of Pittsburgh; Nancy Schaefer, University of Florida; and Association of Vision Science Librarians (AVSL): Cindy Hutchison, New England College of Optometry; Terry Boyer, Alcon Research, LTD; Suzanne Ferimer, University of Houston College of Optometry; Jackie Stapleton, University of Waterloo; and Maureen Watson, Michigan College of Optometry. Working with expert reviewers from the Healthy People 2010 Work Group Coordinators and the public health community, these librarians fine-tuned PubMed search strategies to identify the most useful citations of interest to the public health workforce.
In early 2004, an evaluation of the overall project will be performed by the Public Health Foundation (http://www.phf.org). This should provide feedback as to the usefulness of the site and to any changes that would be welcomed by the public health workforce.
The following HP2010 focus areas still need to have search strategies developed:
- Arthritis, Osteoporosis and Chronic Back Conditions
- Cancer
- Educational and Community-Based Programs
- Family Planning
- Heart Disease and Stroke
- HIV
- Injury and Violence Prevention
- Maternal, Infant and Child Health
- Medical Product Safety
- Mental Health and Mental Disorders
- Occupational Safety and Health
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Substance Abuse
- Tobacco Use
If you are interested in assisting NLM, either by developing search strategies for any of the above focus areas, or if you are interested in participating in the evaluation of the Web resource, please contact Lisa Sedlar at 301.435.2243 or E-mail: sedlarl@mail.nlm.nih.gov .
--------------
Back to top
--------------
Finding Aid to the Papers of C. Everett Koop
Dr. C. Everett Koop was appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, U.S. Public Health Service (PHS), in February 1981, and sworn in as Surgeon General on November 17, 1981. A finding aid to his papers from 1937-2003 (bulk 1960-2000) is now available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/manuscripts/ead/koop.html . The collection documents Koop's activities as Surgeon General during the 1980's and the many public health issues with which he was concerned.
--------------
Back to top
--------------
University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences Library System Receives NLM Grant
Submitted by Barbara Folb
The University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences Library System (HSLS) has received an 18-month grant from the National Library of Medicine to provide library services and training to the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD). ACHD, a large urban public health agency, serves the city of Pittsburgh and surrounding suburban areas. Under the grant, ACHD staff may borrow from the circulating collection of HSLS, use document delivery services, and request reference assistance. Because ACHD has offices scattered through the county, borrowed items are delivered to their offices via a courier system. Copies of journal articles and book chapters requested through the HSLS document delivery department are delivered as pdf files over the Internet. Reference assistance and training on retrieval of information related to public health is provided by Barbara Folb, MLS, Project Manager.
The project capitalizes on the extensive public health collection in place at HSLS to support the work of ACHD. Through the grant, the economic and logistic feasibility of creating a long-term partnership between HSLS and ACHD will be investigated.
A Web site, http://www.hsls.pitt.edu/phia, has been built to support the project. Principal Investigator for the project is Barbara A. Epstein, MSLS, Interim Director, HSLS. A steering committee including HSLS and ACHD representatives is overseeing the progress of the project. For more information, contact Barbara Folb, E-mail: folb@pitt.edu.
--------------
Back to top
--------------
Resources and Announcements
The National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism (MIPT) Library
Formerly funded by Congress through the National Institute of Justice and currently funded through the new Department of Homeland Security's Office for Domestic Preparedness, the National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism (MIPT) Library in Oklahoma City contains valuable information for health care professionals. From the Web site at http://www.mipt.org, you may search the library catalog for emergency health and response issues, public health policy, bioterrorism, anthrax, and other types of health-related issues. On the MIPT Web site are guidelines for responding to biological and chemical attacks, hazardous materials guides, emergency response and mental health issues, decontamination guidelines, a number of federal documents pertaining to emergency response issues, and a database of emergency health training events and courses. They provide a calendar of upcoming conferences discussing terrorism, counterterrorism, and/or emergency response to terrorist incidents. For more information, contact Dr. Brad Robison, Library Director, National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism, 204 N. Robinson, Suite 1404, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Phone: 405.278.6311, Fax: 405.232.5132, E-mail: Robison@mipt.org.
--------------
Back to top
--------------
MediLexicon
http://www.medilexicon.com/
MediLexicon, based in the United Kingdom, is the world's largest growing online database of over 70,000 pharmaceutical and medical abbreviations. Definitions for acronyms and abbreviations in the fields of medicine, pharmacy, biotechnology, and more may be found in this resource. The Web site also offers the latest medical news (updated daily), which readers may choose to receive as an e-mail newsletter every two weeks. Users are encouraged to send in any corrections or missed acronyms and abbreviations.
--------------
Back to top
--------------
Informatics Training Fellowship at JHU
The Division of Health Sciences Informatics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine offers an exciting opportunity for individuals to participate in an Informatics Training Fellowship. This interdisciplinary program selects candidates from the disciplines of basic science, clinical science, library science, nursing, and public health. The two-year fellowship begins on July 1, 2004. Application review will begin during the Fall, 2003, and positions will be offered by April 1, 2004. See http://dhsi.med.jhmi.edu/content/admissions.html for complete program information. For more information, contact Harold P. Lehmann, M.D., Ph.D., Director of Research and Training, Division of Health Sciences Informatics, Suite 1-201, 2024 E Monument Street, Baltimore, MD 21287-0007. Phone: 410.502.7569; E-mail: lehmann@jhmi.edu.
--------------
Back to top
--------------
The American Public Health Association (APHA) and WebMD Medscape have collaborated in launching a new "Public Health and Prevention" Web site hosted by Medscape.com. Each month about a half a million health professionals come to the Medscape site for health care information and instruction. Medscape has more than 600,000 registered physician members and an even larger number of non-physician health professional members. At any one time, Medscape has about 200 separate CME/CE certified activities on the site. Medscape also has an online newsletter subscription program--with more than 2 million professional newsletter subscribers who receive over 10 million newsletters per month. The Medscape site consists of over 25 separate specialty home pages, one of which is the new "Public Health and Prevention" site. Suggestions about information that might be useful to post on the new Web page are encouraged. You must register before accessing the site at http://www.medscape.com/publichealthhome .
--------------
Back to top
--------------
The Healthy Refrigerator
http://www.healthyfridge.org/
In recent years, Americans have grown more concerned about their health. The Healthy Refrigerator site is a good way for users to learn about how to eat healthier and improve their cholesterol at the same time. The site is divided into four separate sections, including The Healthy Fridge, Good Nutrition, Heart of the Matter, and Just for Kids. The Healthy Fridge area is a good place to start, as it contains a "top 10" list of ways to maintain a refrigerator with healthy food options, along with introducing the "Refrigerator Makeover" program, where various celebrities (such as Mike Ditka) agree to have their refrigerators "made over" to incorporate healthier foods. The Heart of the Matter section is also a valuable area, as it contains a place where users can calculate their risk for heart disease and learn more facts about heart disease. [KMG]
Source: The Scout Report, August 8, 2003, Volume 9, Number 31. Used with permission.
--------------
Back to top
--------------
New Bioterrorism Workshop Materials Available on Audiotape
Versions of several 90-minute Web-assisted audio conferences sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) on topics related to bioterrorism and health systems preparedness are now available on audiotape for $10 per tape. Call 1-800-358-9295 or send an e-mail to ahrqpubs@ahrq.gov to request AHRQ 03-AV06A for Disaster Planning Drills and Readiness Assessment, which was held April 15. Ask for AHRQ 03-AV10A to order Surge Capacity Assessments and Regionalization Issues, which was held June 17. Request AHRQ 03-AV04A for Addressing the Smallpox Threat: Issues, Strategies, and Tools, which was held March 3. These conferences discuss the latest health services research findings, promising practices, and other important information for state and local health officials and health system decision-makers.
--------------
Back to top
--------------
Guidelines Added to the National Guideline Clearinghouse™
http://www.guideline.gov/
To see what's new at the National Guideline Clearinghouse™ (NGC), an online public resource for evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, select What's New. To subscribe to the NGCTM Weekly Update Service, which notifies you via e-mail when new features and guidelines become available at the NGCTM Web site, select to register. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) also has available a supply of NGCTM tutorials on CD-ROM. The tutorial walks you through a series of informative demonstrations and scenarios on using the NGCTM. The CD-ROM is available free of charge by calling the AHRQ Publications Clearinghouse at 1-800-358-9295 or by sending an e-mail to ahrqpubs@ahrq.gov.
--------------
Back to top
--------------
ASPH Awards Funds for Academic Health Departments
The Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) requested and received approval from the CDC to fund 11 demonstration projects for schools of public health to partner with health departments within their state to examine and create academic health departments. Original plans were to support just one demonstration project. ASPH, through the ASPH/CDC/ATSDR cooperative agreement, is pleased to announce the following schools of public health received awards in the competitive "Development of Academic Health Departments" objective peer review process: University at Albany SUNY SPH, Mel and Enid Zuckerman Arizona COPH, Emory University Rollins SPH, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg SPH, Loma Linda University SPH, University of North Texas Health Science Center SPH, San Diego State University Graduate SPH, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill SPH, University of South Carolina Arnold SPH, University of South Florida COPH, and the University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine.
--------------
Back to top
--------------
Pfizer's Scholars Program for New Public Health Faculty
Pfizer, through their Medical & Academic Partnerships (MAP) division, recently announced new faculty development grants providing $65,000 per year for a duration of two or three years, in various fields, such as clinical epidemiology, pediatric health, women's health, and now, public health. The 2004 Pfizer Faculty Scholar Award in Public Health is a new, nationally competitive career development award intended to support junior faculty in schools and programs in public health who are interested in pursuing community-based, public health practice research. Due January 9, 2004.
--------------
Back to top
--------------
Health Registry Launched to Monitor Long-Term Effects of 9/11
The AP wires reported that New York City and federal health officials just launched the World Trade Center Health Registry to track and evaluate any long-term health effects from the hazardous materials from the collapse of the twin towers. The registry was launched with $20 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and is intended to provide information about the long and short-term health for the estimated 100,000 to 200,000 people exposed to substances, such as asbestos, at the 16-acre downtown Manhattan clean-up site.
--------------
Back to top
--------------
Grants Database
http://www.grants.gov/
The federal government has thousands of grant programs and navigating the numerous Web sites administered by the various grant-making agencies and departments can be difficult at times. Stepping into that breach is Grants.gov, which serves as an electronic storefront for federally-administered grant programs. From the homepage, visitors may want to begin by browsing through a list of grant topics, which range from housing to the humanities. Clicking on each topic will lead to another list detailing which federal agencies provide (or may provide) grant monies within each area. Visitors looking for greater search capabilities will want to move to the grants synopsis search area, which allows for customizable searches for quick access to the relevant grants and application documents. Equally helpful is the federal grant notification service that allows individuals to be notified when new grant announcements are released by various agencies. Through this notification service visitors may also register to receive all notices from selected agencies, funding categories, eligibility groups, or funding opportunity number. [KMG]
Source: The Scout Report, October 24, 2003, Volume 9, Number 42. Used with permission.
--------------
Back to top
--------------
Contributed Articles
Content First: Technology Second. How to Create Great Web Content (Part 2)
Submitted by Laura Larsson, larsson@u.washington.edu
In the Summer issue of PH/HA News, Laura provided Part 1 of this very informative and detailed article on creating great Web content. In this issue, Laura gives us Part 2 that describes more advice from Gerry McGovern, well-known content and Web guru, from a day-long workshop she attended in July 2003. Watch for Part 3 in a subsequent issue of PH/HA News.
See Part 2 at http://depts.washington.edu/hswork/articles/ph-ha/McGovern_Workshop_02.htm .
--------------
Back to top
--------------
Public Health at the QuintEssential Conference (Part I)
Submitted by Brad Long, Bradley.long@jefferson.edu
From October 26-28, 2003, four MLA regional chapters (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York/New Jersey, and Mid Atlantic) and one SLA (Philadelphia) regional chapter met in Philadelphia. Most of the conference focused on issues not specific to public health, but one panel discussion specifically addressed it. "Communicating with Professionals" included a physician, a chemical patent specialist, and the former Health Commissioner of Philadelphia, Walter Tsou, MD, MPH.
Dr. Tsou addressed the apparent lack of communication between health department officials and librarians when it comes to the decision-making process. He felt that this is a critical oversight, and more library/health department partnerships should be developed. However, financial and time constraints, in addition external pressures for immediate action by the media, often play a factor in these undeveloped partnerships. Dr. Tsou stated that librarians need to take an active role in promoting such partnerships because many public health professionals practicing outside of academia either don't think of using a library or do not personally know a librarian to contact for assistance. In the next issue of PH/HA News, I will discuss in detail Dr. Tsou's suggestions for building effective relationships between librarians and public health professionals, in addition to his collection development suggestions.
--------------
Back to top
--------------
Conferences/Calls for Papers and Posters
2nd National Steps to a HealthierUS Summit
April 29-30, 2004
Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel
The 2nd National Steps to a HealthierUS Summit will advance Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy G. Thompson's Steps to a HealthierUS initiative launched in 2003. The summit will focus on chronic disease prevention and health promotion and will feature presentations on asthma, obesity, diabetes, heart disease and stroke, and cancer, as well as lifestyle choices, including nutrition, physical activity, and tobacco use. The Steps initiative is committed to bringing policymakers, the health, education, and business communities, and the public together to establish model programs and policies that foster healthy behavior changes, encourage healthier lifestyle choices, and reduce disparities in health care. To submit abstracts, exhibit, or register to attend, visit http://www.healthierus.gov/steps . The registration fee is $350 before April 1, 2004, $450 after April 1, $500 on site, and $75/day for students with a valid student ID. For more information, contact Nancy Stanisic at 202.260.3601, or visit http://www.healthierus.gov/steps . The summit agenda will be posted as it becomes available.
--------------
Back to top
--------------
International Conference on Women and Infectious Diseases
"Women and Infectious Diseases: From Science to Action" is the theme of the International Conference on Women and Infectious Diseases (ICWID) to be held February 27-28, 2004 in Atlanta, GA. CDC's National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID) is planning the event along with numerous partners. For more information, visit http://www.womenshealthconf.org.
--------------
Back to top
--------------
Tobacco Studies Call for Poster Abstracts
The Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH)/Legacy STEP UP project announces a call for poster abstracts to be presented at STEP UP to Tobacco Control: Advancing the Role of Public Health and Public Health Professionals, a workshop on tobacco studies in SPH. The workshop will be held on April 14-16, 2004 in St. Louis, MO, and is organized to promote the development of education in tobacco control and to enhance participation in tobacco studies, tobacco research, and competency-based training among graduate public health students and professionals. Poster abstracts are due December 30, 2003. See the ASPH Web site at http://www.asph.org .
--------------
Back to top
--------------
Copyright Statement for Content from The Scout Report.
Designated abstracts in this newsletter are © Internet Scout Project, 1994-2003.
See http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/. Permission is granted
to make and distribute verbatim copies of the Scout Report provided the copyright notice
and this paragraph is preserved on all copies. The InterNIC provides information about
the Internet to the US research and education community under a cooperative agreement
with the National Science Foundation: NCR-9218742. The Government has certain rights
in this material.
Back to Archives
©2006 PH/HA
Hosted by 
Last updated on 01-Jun-2004
Contact the PH/HA Web Committee