First Lady Michelle Obama Launches Let's Move: America's Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids - 10-FEB-2010 First Lady Michelle Obama announced an ambitious national goal of solving the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation so that children born today will reach adulthood at a healthy weight and unveiled a nationwide campaign – Let's Move – to help achieve it.

President Obama Establishes Task Force on Childhood Obesity - 10-FEB-2010 President Obama has established a Task Force on Childhood Obesity to develop an interagency action plan to solve the problem of obesity among our Nation's children within a generation.

SOPHE Announces Findings of Health Educator Job Analysis 2010 - 10-FEB-2010 The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) and its partners announce the findings of the Health Educator Job Analysis 2010 (HEJA-2010) that was undertaken to validate the contemporary practice of entry- and advanced-level health education specialists.

National Library of Medicine Creates Haiti Earthquake People Locator - 08-FEB-2010 The National Library of Medicine (NLM) announces the release of the Haiti Earthquake People Locator (HEPL), a new system that can assist in the reunification of family members and loved ones during the ongoing relief efforts in Haiti.

APHA Scorecard Tracks How Members of Congress Voted on Public Health Legislation - 08-FEB-2010 The American Public Health Association has released its annual congressional voting record, which tracks how members of Congress voted on legislation that is important to public health.

More than 30 Percent of Seniors Are Not Immunized Against Pneumonia in 36 States - 08-FEB-2010 A new report from the Trust for America's Health (TFAH), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) found that more than 30 percent of adults ages 65 and older had not been immunized against pneumonia in 36 states as of 2008.

Workgroups Develop Draft Competencies in Public Health Preparedness and Response - 08-FEB-2010 Subject matter experts have developed draft competencies for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-funded Public Health Preparedness and Response Competency Development Project.

USDA Announces Food Safety Initiatives for School Lunch and Other Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs - 08-FEB-2010 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced several new initiatives to assure the safety and quality of food purchased by USDA for the National School Lunch Program and other food and nutrition assistance programs.

Panel Calls for Reducing Colorectal Cancer Deaths by Striking Down Barriers to Screening - 08-FEB-2010 An NIH state-of-the-science panel found that the most important factors associated with being screened for colorectal cancer are having insurance coverage and access to a regular health care provider.

APHA Says President's Budget Hits, Misses Public Health Mark - 04-FEB-2010 The American Public Health Association (APHA) welcomes proposed increases to some of the nation's public health programs in the president's budget, but notes that the proposal falls short of the mark for others.

ASTHO: Administration Budget Is Short on Needed Support for Public Health - 03-FEB-2010 The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) commends President Obama for proposing increases to some of public health's most important programs, but is concerned about the proposed limited funding for state and local public health infrastructure.

CDC Releases Social Media Guidance and Best Practices - 03-FEB-2010 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released the first phase of guidance documents for social media tools to assist in the planning, development and implementation of social media activities.

Results from NHIS: More than 50% of Americans Search for Health Information Online - 03-FEB-2010 Results from the CDC's National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) show that 51% of adults aged 18-64 use the Internet to look up health and medical information.

HHS FY 2011 Budget - 03-FEB-2010 The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) FY 2011 budget invests in health care, disease prevention, social services, and scientific research.

APHA Abstract Submission Deadlines Extended - 02-FEB-2010 Certain Sections, Special Interest Groups, Caucuses and Forums of the American Public Health Association (APHA) have extended the deadlines for submission of abstracts for the 2010 Annual Meeting to be held November 6-10, 2010 in Denver, CO.

ASPH Releases Public Health Student Recruitment Video - 01-FEB-2010 The Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) has released “CAUSE | EFFECT”, a video designed to build awareness about careers and degree programs in public health.

APHA Public Health Materials Contest—Deadline: March 26, 2010 - 01-FEB-2010 The American Public Health Association (APHA) Public Health Education Health Promotion Section is soliciting health education, promotion and communication materials for the 20th annual competition.

January 2010

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HHS Secretary and Surgeon General Join First Lady to Announce Plans to Combat Overweight and Obesity and Support Healthy Choices - 28-JAN-2010 First Lady Michelle Obama, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin announce plans to help Americans lead healthier lives through better nutrition, regular physical activity, and by encouraging communities to support healthy choices.

Disaster Experts Available to Respond to Health Inquiries From Officials Leading Relief and Recovery Efforts in Haiti - 28-JAN-2010 IOM's Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness includes experts who specialize in managing emergencies and responding to medical, public health, and infrastructure needs before, during, and after disasters. These experts may be available to answer questions from officials confronting the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti.

Report Card: Government Failing to Protect America from Grave Threats of WMD Proliferation and Terrorism - 28-JAN-2010 The bipartisan Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism has released a report card that includes three failing F grades on rapid and effective response to bioterrorism; Congressional oversight of homeland security and intelligence; and national security workforce recruitment.

NLM Launches Emergency Access Initiative - 26-JAN-2010 The National Library of Medicine (NLM) has launched the Emergency Access Initiative that provides free access to full text articles from major biomedicine titles to healthcare professionals, librarians, and the public in the United States affected by disasters. The service is currently available to organizations involved in relief efforts or impacted by the Haitian earthquake.

Task Force Releases Evidence-Based Findings on Worksite Health Promotion Interventions - 25-JAN-2010 The Task Force on Community Preventive Services has released new evidence-based recommendations in two key areas of employee health promotion: assessing health risks and decreasing tobacco use.

ASPH Develops Web Page for Haitian Earthquake Relief by Schools of Public Health - 25-JAN-2010 The Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) has created a web page to highlight the responses, trainings, and media resources about Haitian earthquake relief from schools of public health.

National Plan for Action on Health Disparities Public Comments Due February 12 - 25-JAN-2010 The Office of Minority Health, HHS, requests comments on the National Plan for Action that proposes strategies to eliminate health disparities. Comments are due February 12, 2010.

CDC Study Finds One in Five American Youths Have Abnormal Lipid Levels - 25-JAN-2010 Twenty percent of young people aged 12-19 years in the United States have at least one abnormal lipid level, according to a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

New USPSTF Recommendation for Screening for Obesity in Children and Adolescents - 25-JAN-2010 Based on new evidence that children and adolescents can be effectively treated for obesity, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) now recommends that clinicians screen children ages 6 to 18 years for obesity and refer them to programs to improve their weight status.

CDC Provides Guidance for Relief Workers and Others Traveling to Haiti for Earthquake Response - 21-JAN-2010 The CDC has provided guidance to advise relief workers and other personnel traveling to Haiti to assist with the humanitarian response following the earthquake.

NACCHO Call for Proposals for Annual Meeting - Due Date: January 29 - 21-JAN-2010 The NACCHO Annual Conference Workgroup seeks session proposals for NACCHO Annual 2010, set for July 14–16, 2010, in Memphis, TN, under the theme, 20/20 Public Health Vision: Prevention, Equity, Leadership.

ASPH Now Accepting Applications for ASPH/CDC/PRC Minority Health Fellowship Program—Deadline: March 4, 2010 - 21-JAN-2010 The ASPH/CDC/PRC Minority Health Fellowship Program provides a unique training opportunity for under-represented minority students currently enrolled in doctoral level, research-based (e.g. PhD, DrPH, EdD, ScD) programs at schools of public health or accredited universities with CDC-funded PRC.

New Page from NLM on Haiti Earthquake Information - 21-JAN-2010 NLM's Disaster Information Management Research Center has developed a health information web page that provides health information links related to the Haiti earthquake from both government agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Award-Winning Public Health Newspaper Launches New Web Site - 21-JAN-2010 The American Public Health Association (APHA) has launched a new website for the public health newspaper, The Nation's Health.

HHS Deploying U.S. Medical Personnel to Haiti - 15-JAN-2010 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has activated the National Disaster Medical System and the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and are sending personnel to Haiti.

CDC Urges Continued Influenza Vaccination as Supplies of 2009 H1N1 Vaccine Increase - 13-JAN-2010 The CDC is encouraging providers to continue vaccinating high risk persons with the remaining supplies of seasonal vaccine and to expand 2009 H1N1 vaccination to anyone who wants it, regardless of age.

Diet May Protect Against Gene Changes in Smokers - 13-JAN-2010 Leafy green vegetables, folate, and some multivitamins could serve as protective factors against lung cancer in current and former smokers, according to a study that is a first step in understanding a complex association.

New CSTE Applied Epidemiology Fellowship Program—Deadline February 1, 2010 - 13-JAN-2010 In response to the need for a skilled workforce in applied epidemiology at state and local health departments, the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) has established the Applied Epidemiology Fellowship Program in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH).

IOM Report Recommends Steps to Reduce Threats Posed by Hepatitis B and C - 13-JAN-2010 Stepped-up vaccination requirements, a boost in resources for prevention and treatment, and a public awareness campaign similar to the effort that dispelled the stigma of HIV/AIDS are needed to curb the health threats posed by hepatitis B and hepatitis C, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM).

HHS Releases the Nation's First Health Security Strategy - 07-JAN-2010 HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has released The National Health Security Strategy, the nation's first comprehensive strategy focused on protecting people's health during a large-scale emergency.

White House Sets New Deadline (January 21) for Comments on Public Access Policies - 07-JAN-2010 The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), within the Executive Office of the President, requests input from the community regarding enhancing public access to archived publications resulting from research funded by federal science and technology agencies.

Community Guide Recommends Provider Reminders Systems to Increase Cancer Screenings - 07-JAN-2010 The U.S. Task Force on Community Preventive Services recommends provider reminder systems to increase use of cancer screening with mammography, Pap, fecal occult blood tests, and flexible sigmoidoscopy.

Assessment of Epidemiology Capacity in State Health Departments, United States, 2009 - 07-JAN-2010 The number of state health department epidemiologists and the tasks they can perform have decreased since 2006.

National Influenza Vaccination Week, January 10–16, 2010 - 07-JAN-2010 National Influenza Vaccination Week is a national observance to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination.

December 2009

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NACCHO Accepting Online Model Practice Program Applications - Jan 4 to Feb 12, 2010 - 30-DEC-2009 NACCHO is requesting online applications for model and promising practices developed and/or implemented by local health departments (LHDs) to facilitate effective and innovative public health practice.

Poll Finds Three Quarters of Parents Who Tried to Get H1N1 Vaccine for Their Children Have Gotten It - 30-DEC-2009 A new poll by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health shows that three-quarters of parents who tried to get the H1N1 vaccine for their children were able to do so, but more than a third of parents overall do not expect to get the vaccine because of concerns about the safety of the vaccine.

Survival of Children with HIV in the United States Has Improved Dramatically Since 1990s - 30-DEC-2009 The death rates of children with HIV have decreased ninefold since doctors started prescribing cocktails of antiretroviral drugs in the mid-1990s, concludes a large-scale study of the long-term outcomes of children and adolescents with HIV in the United States.

New Report: H1N1 Reveals Gaps in Nation's Emergency Health Preparedness Efforts - 17-DEC-2009 The seventh annual report, Ready or Not? Protecting the Public's Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism, released by the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), found that the H1N1 flu outbreak has exposed serious underlying gaps in the nation's ability to respond to public health emergencies and that the economic crisis is straining an already fragile public health system.

Public Input Requested on Public Access to Federally Funded Research - 17-DEC-2009 The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy has launched the Public Access Policy Forum to address public access to federally funded research. The Forum will be open through January 7, 2010 for public comments.

CDC Introduces Online Content Syndication - 17-DEC-2009 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has introduced Content Syndication, a new online tool to assist state and local health departments and other public health partners in communicating and managing health information.

Special Public Health Journal Issue Highlights Quality Improvement and Accreditation - (Public Health Foundation (PHF)) - 17-DEC-2009 The January/February 2010 issue of the Journal of Public Health Management Practice (JPHMP) is now available online free of charge through support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

SOPHE Unveils New Website - 16-DEC-2009 The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) has unveiled a newly renovated website that includes resources for those interested in health education, health promotion, and disease prevention.

The "This Is Public Health" Web Site Has a New Look - 16-DEC-2009 The “This Is Public Health” sticker campaign web site has a new look and new features.

CDC Offers New Public Health Image Library Daily Widget - 16-DEC-2009 CDC.gov now offers a widget to include daily images from CDC's Public Health Image Library.

President Obama Releases National Strategy for Countering Biological Threats - 16-DEC-2009 President Obama has released the National Strategy for Countering Biological Threats that outlines the President's vision for addressing the challenges from proliferation of biological weapons or their use by terrorists.

Only 5.4% of World's Population Covered by Comprehensive Smoke-free Laws - 09-DEC-2009 Only 5.4% of the world's population was covered by comprehensive smoke-free laws in 2008, up from 3.1% in 2007, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported in its second report on the global tobacco epidemic.

New Report Highlights Consequences of Health Department Funding Cuts - 09-DEC-2009 The ability of local health departments to protect and improve the public's health is in jeopardy, according to a new Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-funded report by Health Management Associates, an independent research group.

Annual Report to the Nation Finds Continued Declines in Overall Cancer Rates - 09-DEC-2009 Rates of new diagnoses and rates of death from all cancers combined declined significantly in the most recent time period for men and women overall and for most racial and ethnic populations in the United States, according to a report from leading health and cancer organizations.

EPA Recognizes Greenhouse Gases as a Public Health Threat - 09-DEC-2009 After a thorough examination of the scientific evidence and careful consideration of public comments, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that greenhouse gases threaten the public health and welfare of the American people.

New York Autopsies Show 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus Damages Entire Airway - 09-DEC-2009 Researchers from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner report that in fatal cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza, the virus can damage cells throughout the respiratory airway, much like the viruses that caused the 1918 and 1957 influenza pandemics.

HHS to Review Policies for Responding to Public Health Emergencies - 09-DEC-2009 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced that the agency will review its policies for responding to public health threats.

NACCHO Survey of LHDs Finds Job Losses and Program Cuts Continue - 03-DEC-2009 The most recent National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) survey of local health departments (LHDs) found that job losses are accelerating in LHDs and that budget cuts are reducing public health services.

APHA 2010 Annual Meeting Call for Abstracts - 02-DEC-2009 The American Public Health Association (APHA) call for abstracts for the 2010 APHA Annual Meeting in Denver will open for submissions on December 18, 2009. The deadline for abstract submissions is February 1-5, 2010.

Opportunity to Provide Feedback on Draft Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals - 02-DEC-2009 The Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health Practice is offering the chance to provide feedback on draft core competencies for Tier 1 and Tier 3 public health professionals.

ASPH Announces Summer Internship Opportunities at CDC - 02-DEC-2009 The Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH ) has announced the availability of new summer internship opportunities with the ASPH/CDC Public Health Internship Program. The deadline for applications is January 19, 2010.

Community Guide Recommends Regulating Alcohol Outlet Density to Prevent Excessive Alcohol Use - 02-DEC-2009 A review from the Guide to Community Preventive Services finds that regulating the number of places in a given area where alcohol may be legally sold is an effective way to prevent excessive alcohol use.

November 2009

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Highest Rates of Obesity, Diabetes in the South, Appalachia, and Some Tribal Lands - 19-NOV-2009 Wide sections of the Southeast, Appalachia, and some tribal lands in the West and Northern Plains have the nation′s highest rates of obesity and diabetes, according to estimates released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Only 25 Percent of Adults Aged 50-64 Get Recommended Preventive Screenings - 19-NOV-2009 Only about 1 in 4 Americans aged 50–64 regularly take advantage of preventive services such as screenings and immunizations, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in collaboration with AARP and the American Medical Association (AMA).

20-Year Analysis by America's Health Rankings Finds U.S. Making Successful Strides in Disease Treatment, But Not Prevention - 19-NOV-2009 The 20th Anniversary Edition of America's Health Ranking identifies smoking as the greatest health challenge of the past 20 years and warns that obesity is likely to be the next national health battle.

HHS Secretary Sebelius Issues Statement on New Breast Cancer Recommendations - 19-NOV-2009 HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has issued a statement on the new breast cancer screening recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force stating that the Task Force is an independent panel that makes recommendations but does not set federal policy.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Updates Recommendations for Breast Cancer Screening - 17-NOV-2009 The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now recommends against routine screening mammography in women aged 40 to 49 years and recommends against teaching breast self-examination.

WHO Unveils Pandemic Guide for Mass Gatherings in the Context of H1N1 Influenza - 17-NOV-2009 The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an interim guide for mass gatherings during a pandemic that urges planners to pay close attention to local virus circulation, length of the event, age of participants, and healthcare capacity.

Doctor of Public Health Core Competency Model Released - 17-NOV-2009 The Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) Board of Directors unanimously approved release the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) Core Competency Model that includes seven domains and a total of 54 competencies.

CDC Video Podcast: H1N1 Flu Vaccine - Why the Delay? - 17-NOV-2009 This video explains how flu vaccines are made, manufactured, shipped, and how people can find vaccines in their area.

Thousands of Public Health Experts to Address Leading Issues at APHA Annual Meeting - 02-NOV-2009 More than 10,500 public health professionals will meet in Philadelphia, PA, November 7-11, to address the nation's top public health challenges at the American Public Health Association's 137th Annual Meeting.

WHO and UNICEF Launch Action Plan to Reduce Child Deaths from Pneumonia - 02-NOV-2009 A comprehensive action plan that can save up to 5.3 million children from dying of pneumonia by 2015 has been launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

New Video Supports Enhanced U.S. Vaccine Preparedness - 02-NOV-2009 The Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism has released a new video to engage the U.S. public on the need to improve the nation's capability to produce vaccines and medicines.

October 2009

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Public Comments Invited on the Proposed Healthy People 2020 Objectives - 29-OCT-2009 The Healthy People 2020 objectives that were reviewed by the Federal Interagency Work Group are posted online for public comment.

PubMed Launches Redesigned Interface - 29-OCT-2009 The National Library of Medicine's PubMed database of biomedical journal literature has transitioned to a redesigned interface.

SOPHE Celebrates National Health Education Week with Food Safety Discussions - 29-OCT-2009 The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) recently celebrated National Health Education Week with the theme "Let's Dish: Food Safety at the Table."

APHA's Get Ready Campaign: Check Emergency Stockpile Kits When Setting Clocks on November 1 - 22-OCT-2009 APHA's "Get Ready: Set Your Clocks, Check Your Stocks" campaign raises awareness of the importance of having a stocked emergency preparedness kit complete with food, water and first aid supplies.

WHO Reports Childhood Vaccines at All-Time High, But Access Not Yet Equitable - 22-OCT-2009 A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the World Bank reports that more infants are being immunized today than ever before, but millions of children are still at risk, particularly in the poorest nations and communities, where preventable diseases take their deadliest toll.

IOM Report: Smoking Bans Reduce the Risk of Heart Attacks Associated with Secondhand Smoke - 21-OCT-2009 The Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, Secondhand–Smoke Exposure and Cardiovascular Effects: Making Sense of the Evidence, confirms that secondhand smoke could cause heart attacks and that smoke–free laws prevent heart attacks and save lives.

New Dental Public Health Page Now Available on PHPartners.org - 21-OCT-2009 The Dental Public Health topic page on PHPartners.org includes links to selected resources on dental and oral health from government agencies, professional and research organizations, and educational institutions.

New Public Health Genomics Page Now Available on PHPartners.org - 21-OCT-2009 The Public Health Genomics page on PHPartners.org includes links to selected resources on genomics from government agencies, professional and research organizations, libraries, and educational institutions.

UNICEF and WHO Launch Strategy to Reduce Childhood Deaths from Diarrhea - 14-OCT-2009 A new report, Diarrhoea: Why Children are Still Dying and What Can be Done, lays out a seven-point plan that includes a treatment package to reduce childhood diarrhea deaths and a prevention strategy to ensure long-term results.

New System for Monitoring Emergency Department Visits for Influenza-Like Illness - 14-OCT-2009 CDC has partnered with the International Society for Disease Surveillance and the Public Health Informatics Institute to enhance surveillance for influenza-like illness.

CDC Launches Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work Program - 14-OCT-2009 CDC's Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work program educates pharmacists, healthcare providers, and the general public about the importance of appropriate antibiotic use and the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.

Study Shows a Little Money Buys a Lot of Calories at City Corner Stores - 14-OCT-2009 A new study documents what foods and beverages children purchased in local corner stores on their way to and from school, and the nutritional content of those items.

NIH Prepares to Launch 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Trial in People with Asthma - 14-OCT-2009 The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is preparing to launch the first government-sponsored clinical trial to determine what dose of the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine is needed to induce a protective immune response in people with asthma, especially those with severe disease.

States to Get First Injectable H1N1 Vaccine Doses Next Week - 08-OCT-2009 States will begin receiving their first injectable doses of the pandemic H1N1 vaccine next week and can look forward to plentiful and steady supplies over the next 2 weeks.

APHA Applauds Senate HELP Committee's Nomination of Dr. Regina Benjamin as U.S. Surgeon General - 08-OCT-2009 The American Public Health Association (APHA) applauds the Senate, Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for approving the nomination of Regina Benjamin, MD, as U.S. surgeon general.

Fewer U.S. Schools Selling Less Nutritious Food and Beverages - 08-OCT-2009 Fewer secondary schools in the United States are selling less nutritious foods and beverages, such as candy and soda, according to a survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

HHS Unveils New Features on Flu.gov - 08-OCT-2009 New resources on www.flu.gov include a new H1N1 Flu Self-Evaluation guide and a new Flu Myths and Facts section.

ASPH Releases This is Public Health Campaign Evaluation - 08-OCT-2009 The Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) has released a report detailing an evaluation of the "This is Public Health" campaign.

Report Finds Hospital Beds Could Run Out in 15 States if 35 Percent of Americans Get H1N1 - 07-OCT-2009 Trust for America's Health (TFAH) has released a new report that finds 15 states could run out of available hospital beds during the peak of the outbreak, if 35 percent of Americans were to get sick from the H1N1 flu virus.

New Tools Help Emergency Planners Select Alternate Care Facilities and Transfer Patients During Disasters - 07-OCT-2009 Two interactive computer tools released the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality will help emergency planners and responders select and run alternate care facilities during disaster situations.

AHRQ Releases Guide to Clinical Preventive Services 2009 - 01-OCT-2009 The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has released the Guide to Clinical Preventive Services 2009, which provides updated recommendations on topics such as aspirin for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, major depressive disorder for children and adolescents, screening for prostate cancer, universal screening for hearing loss in newborns, and screening for colorectal cancer.

CDC Reports Obese and Overweight Women Have a Higher Risk of Giving Birth to Baby with Heart Defects - 01-OCT-2009 A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds that women who were overweight or obese before they became pregnant had a higher risk of having a baby with certain heart defects compared with women who were of normal body mass index (BMI) before they became pregnant.

New Resource Maps and Tracks H1N1 Flu Cases Nationwide - 01-OCT-2009 HealthMap is a mapping and tracking resource that permits tracking of H1N1 and seasonal flu activity by state and territory.

HHS Success Story Report: Health Information Technology Strengthens Care in Rural Communities - 01-OCT-2009 The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released a report on how health information technology can improve health care for Americans living in rural communities.

NIH Requests Input on Consumer Health Information Needs - 01-OCT-2009 The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Request for Information (RFI) will provide insight and a better understanding of the health information needs and information-seeking behaviors of NIH health consumer audiences.

CDC Reports Majority of Americans Not Meeting Recommendations for Fruit and Vegetable Consumption - 01-OCT-2009 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report that shows that no U.S. state is meeting national objectives for consumption of fruits and vegetables.

September 2009

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CDC Releases H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Community and Faith-based Organizations - 29-SEP-2009 A new guide from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides specific action steps that community and faith-based organizations can take to help keep communities healthy during flu season.

NACCHO Reports Results from 2009 Annual Preparedness Survey - 29-SEP-2009 The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) has prepared new research briefs that highlight results from the 2009 Annual Preparedness Survey.

IOM Report: Guidance for Establishing Crisis Standards of Care for Use in Disaster Situations - 29-SEP-2009 The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has released a report that provides guidance to state and local public health officials, healthcare facilities, and professionals in the development of policies and protocols for crisis standards of care in disaster situations where resources are scarce.

CDC Launches H1N1 Flu Mobile Texting Pilot - 29-SEP-2009 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched a three-month text messaging campaign pilot to have important CDC information about H1N1 flu and other topics delivered directly to mobile phones.

New IOM Report: Sustaining Global Surveillance and Response to Emerging Zoonotic Diseases - 24-SEP-2009 Significant weaknesses undermine the global community's abilities to prevent, detect early, and respond efficiently to potentially deadly species-crossing microbes, such as the pandemic H1N1 influenza virus sweeping the globe, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the National Research Council.

Candy and Fruit Flavored Cigarettes Now Illegal in United States - Step is First Under New Tobacco Law - 24-SEP-2009 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a ban on cigarettes with flavors characterizing fruit, candy, or clove.

Early Release of Health Insurance Coverage Estimates from the National Health Interview Survey - 24-SEP-2009 Estimates of health insurance coverage from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), show that 44.9 million persons of all ages (14.9%) were without health insurance from January to March 2009.

HHS Announces Winner of Video PSA Contest on Flu Prevention - 24-SEP-2009 Dr. John Clarke of Baldwin, N.Y., is the winner of the 2009 H1N1 PSA Contest for his video entitled H1N1 Rap by Dr. Clarke.

New Report from TFAH Highlights Proven Disease Prevention Programs in Communities - 24-SEP-2009 Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and The New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) have released a new report, Compendium of Proven Community-Based Prevention Programs, that features a range of evidence-based disease prevention programs that have shown results for improving health and reducing costs in communities.

U.S. Census Bureau New Report - Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2008 - 17-SEP-2009 The U.S. Census Bureau reports that real median household income in the United States fell 3.6 percent between 2007 and 2008, the poverty rate rose from 12.5 percent in 2007 to 13.2 percent in 2008, and the number of people without health insurance coverage rose from 45.7 million in 2007 to 46.3 million in 2008.

FDA Approves Vaccines for 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus - 15-SEP-2009 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that it has approved four vaccines against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. The vaccines will be distributed nationally after the initial lots become available, which is expected within the next four weeks.

CDC Releases Planning Materials and Templates for Vaccination Clinics in Schools - 15-SEP-2009 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released information for planning and conducting school-located 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccination clinics that target school-aged children.

WHO Reports Road Accidents, Suicide, and Maternal Conditions are Leading Causes of Death in Young People Globally - 15-SEP-2009 A World Health Organization (WHO) study of global patterns of death among people aged between 10-24 years of age has found that road traffic accidents, complications during pregnancy and child birth, suicide, violence, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis (TB) are the major causes of mortality.

HHS Joins Ad Council and Warner Bros. Pictures to Combat Childhood Overweight and Obesity - 15-SEP-2009 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Ad Council have launched a new series of public service advertisements (PSAs) designed to address childhood overweight and obesity.

HHS and USDA Unveil New Food Safety Consumer Web Site at www.foodsafety.gov - 09-SEP-2009 A new website from Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) features the latest food safety and recall information from across the government.

CDC Updates Recommendations for the Use of Antiviral Medications in the Treatment and Prevention of Influenza - 09-SEP-2009 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued updated recommendations on the use of antiviral agents for treatment and chemoprophylaxis of influenza including 2009 H1N1 influenza infection and seasonal influenza.

Surgeons General and STOP Obesity Alliance Announce America has Reached Tipping Point on Obesity - 09-SEP-2009 The two most recent Surgeons General of the United States, Dr. David Satcher and Dr. Richard H. Carmona, are urging policymakers to take direct action in health reform to address obesity and the chronic diseases associated with it.

IOM Report Recommends Respirators to Protect Health Care Workers Against Novel H1N1 Influenza - 09-SEP-2009 In preparation for this year's fall and winter flu season with novel H1N1 influenza A, a new report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) provides recommendations on necessary respiratory protection for healthcare workers in their workplace against novel H1N1.

New Director of CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) - 09-SEP-2009 HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced the selection of John Howard, M.D., as the new director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

UPCPHP Releases New Informational Video on H1N1 - 09-SEP-2009 The University of Pittsburgh Center for Public Health Preparedness (UPCPHP) has released an informational video to help schools, families, and the general public understands the current H1N1 situation.

APHA's Get Ready Day - September 15, 2009 - 02-SEP-2009 The American Public Health Association's (APHA) Get Ready Day raises awareness about community preparedness.

WHO Advises Countries to Prepare for Second Wave of Influenza Pandemic - 02-SEP-2009 The World Health Organization (WHO) is advising countries in the northern hemisphere to prepare for a second wave of pandemic spread.

NLM Offers Disaster Information Resources on Hurricanes and Wildfires - 02-SEP-2009 The National Library of Medicine (NLM) provides online health safety information on how to prepare and protect yourself from wildfires and hurricanes.

PHF Offers TRAIN Discount to States - 02-SEP-2009 The Public Health Foundation (PHF) is offering states the ability to become part of the TRAIN Community for one full year for $25,000 (a $30,000 discount).

CDC Reports Births Decline in Most Areas Hardest Hit by Hurricane Katrina - 02-SEP-2009 Births in most of the Gulf Coast areas hit by Hurricane Katrina plunged in the 12 months following the deadly storm, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Presidential Advisory Group Releases Report Assessing H1N1 Preparations - 02-SEP-2009 A Presidential advisory group has released a report assessing the Obama Administration's preparations for this fall's expected resurgence of 2009 H1N1 flu and outlines key steps officials can take to minimize the disease's impact on the nation.

August 2009

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FDA Moves Forward on Implementation of Tobacco Law - 26-AUG-2009 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially established the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) to provide advice, information, and recommendations to the Commissioner of Food and Drugs on health and other issues relating to tobacco products.

CDC Issues Guidance to Institutions of Higher Education for Responding to Influenza - 26-AUG-2009 The CDC is providing guidance to help decrease the spread of flu among students, faculty, and staff of institutions of higher education and post-secondary educational institutions during the 2009-2010 academic year.

NLM Launches Rapid Research Notes - 26-AUG-2009 The National Library of Medicine (NLM) has launched a new resource to archive research made available through online venues for rapid scientific communication. PLoS Currents: Influenza is the first collection to be archived.

Federal Guidelines Encourage Employers to Plan Now for Upcoming Influenza Season - 26-AUG-2009 The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Homeland Security (DHS) have released new guidance for businesses to plan for and respond to the upcoming flu season.

Online Exhibit of Chinese Anti-Malaria Posters - 24-AUG-2009 The National Library of Medicine has mounted an online exhibit of public health posters presenting China's campaign to control malaria in the 1950s through the early 1970's.

Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance Premiums Increase 119 Percent from 1999-2008; Projected to Double Again by 2020 - (Commonwealth Fund) - 20-AUG-2009 The report, Paying the Price: How Health Insurance Premiums Are Eating Up Middle Class Incomes, State Health Insurance Premium Trends And The Potential Of National Reforms, finds that national reforms that slow health care cost increases by 1 to 1.5 percent per year would yield substantial savings for families and businesses across the country.

Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., Sworn in as NIH Director - 20-AUG-2009

HHS Announces $13.4 Million in Financial Assistance to Support Nurses - (Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)) - 20-AUG-2009 HHS Deputy Secretary Bill Corr today announced the release of $13.4 million for loan repayments to nurses who agree to practice in facilities with critical shortages and for schools of nursing to provide loans to students who will become nurse faculty. The funds were made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)

HHS and USDA Announce New Strategies to Keep America's Food Supply Safe - 05-AUG-2009 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that prevention and partnership will guide their departments' efforts to safeguard the food Americans eat every day. The departments' new guidelines aim to reduce foodborne pathogens in ground beef, leafy greens, tomatoes, and melons.

CDC Advisors Make Recommendations for Use of Vaccine Against Novel H1N1 - 05-AUG-2009 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) have made recommendations for use of vaccine against novel influenza A (H1N1). The committee recommended that vaccination efforts focus on five key populations. Vaccination efforts are designed to help reduce the impact and spread of novel H1N1. The key populations include those who are at higher risk of disease or complications, those who are likely to come in contact with novel H1N1, and those who could infect young infants.

July 2009

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Study Reveals Majority of District Wellness Policies Fail to Provide Healthy School Environment for Kids - 29-JUL-2009 A new report released by Bridging the Gap and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation says that school district wellness policies are weak and fail to provide children with healthy foods and physical activity they need to learn and grow.

PHF Provides QI Methods and Tools to Prepare for the Fall Flu Season - 29-JUL-2009 The Public Health Foundation (PHF) has released a paper, Your Pandemic Flu Plan For Fall 2009, that describes how quality improvement (QI) methods and tools can be used to review and refresh state and local pandemic flu plans and improve community outcomes.

Study Estimates Medical Cost of Obesity May Be as High as $147 Billion Annually - 29-JUL-2009 The health cost of obesity in the United States is as high as $147 billion annually, based on a new study from RTI and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

NIAID Set to Launch Clinical Trials to Test 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Candidates - 29-JUL-2009 Scientists in a network of medical research institutions across the United States are set to begin a series of clinical trials to gather critical data about influenza vaccines, including two candidate H1N1 flu vaccines. The research will be under the direction of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health.

Experts Support National Public Reporting of Healthcare Associated Infections - 23-JUL-2009 Five organizations representing the nation's experts in infectious diseases medicine, infection prevention in healthcare settings, and public health and disease prevention, announced their support for a provision requiring national reporting of healthcare-associated infection (HAI) rates, which is contained within the healthcare reform bill introduced by leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives.

New Obesity Data Shows Blacks Have the Highest Rates of Obesity - 23-JUL-2009 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that in 2006-2008, blacks had 51 percent higher prevalence of obesity, and Hispanics had 21 percent higher obesity prevalence compared with whites.

FDA Approves Vaccine for 2009-2010 Seasonal Influenza - 23-JUL-2009 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a vaccine for 2009-2010 seasonal influenza in the United States. The seasonal influenza vaccine will not protect against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. The FDA continues to work with manufacturers, international partners and other government agencies to facilitate the availability of a safe and effective vaccine against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.

Discovery of New Transmission Patterns May Help Prevent Rotavirus Epidemics - 23-JUL-2009 Federal researchers report that new vaccines have the potential to prevent or temper epidemics of the childhood diarrhea-causing disease rotavirus, protect the unvaccinated and raise the age at which the infection first appears in children.

HHS Flu Prevention Contest - 23-JUL-2009 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is sponsoring a contest and awarding $2,500 to the winning entry for a flu prevention video public service announcement (PSA). Contest entries are due August 17, 2009.

New network to combat noncommunicable diseases - (World Health Organization (WHO)) - 16-JUL-2009 The Global Noncommunicable Disease Network (NCDnet) will unite currently fragmented efforts by bringing the cancer, cardiovascular, diabetes and respiratory communities together with tobacco control, healthy diets and physical activity advocates.

New Data Say Uninsured Account for Nearly One-Fifth of Emergency Room Visits - 16-JUL-2009

Dr. Regina M. Benjamin nominated to serve as Surgeon General - 14-JUL-2009

National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network - (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)) - 08-JUL-2009 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched the Web-based Environmental Public Health Tracking Network, a surveillance tool that scientists, health professionals, and members of the public can use to track environmental exposures and chronic health conditions.

FDA: New Public Health Regulation to Improve Egg Safety and Reduce Salmonella Illnesses - 08-JUL-2009 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a new regulation expected to prevent each year 79,000 cases of foodborne illness and 30 deaths caused by consumption of eggs contaminated with the bacterium Salmonella enteritidis. The final rule requires preventive measures during the production of shell eggs in poultry houses and requires subsequent refrigeration during storage and transportation.

Nearly 44 Million in United States Without Health Insurance in 2008 - 08-JUL-2009 New data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that an estimated 43.8 million Americans had no health insurance in 2008, approximately 2.8 million more than in 1997.

CDC Introduces New Website to Help Employers Combat Obesity and Reduce Health-Related Costs - 01-JUL-2009 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has unveiled LEAN Works!, a website designed to help businesses address obesity. LEAN stands for Leading Employees to Activity and Nutrition.

FDA Seeks Public Input on Tobacco Regulation - 01-JUL-2009 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seeking public input on the implementation of its historic new authority overseeing tobacco products in the United States. The agency invites the public to provide information and share views on a wide range of topics, from product content to advertising and marketing. All public comments will be posted online.

Revised Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals Adopted by Council on Linkages - 01-JUL-2009 The Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health Practice recently voted to unanimously adopt the revised version of Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals. The revised Core Competencies address changes in the practice of public health and reflect the input received from more than 600 public health professionals through an extensive review process.

Dynasty: Influenza Virus in 1918 and Today - 01-JUL-2009 The influenza virus that wreaked worldwide havoc in 1918-1919 founded a viral dynasty that persists to this day, according to scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health. The scientists argue that we have lived in an influenza pandemic era since 1918, and they describe how the novel 2009 H1N1 virus now circling the globe is yet another manifestation of this enduring viral family.

New Report Finds Obesity Epidemic Increases, Mississippi Weighs in as Heaviest State - 01-JUL-2009 Adult obesity rates increased in 23 states and did not decrease in a single state in the past year, according to F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies Are Failing in America 2009, a report released by the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). In addition, the percentage of obese and overweight children is at or above 30 percent in 30 states.

HHS Releases New State by State Reports Highlighting Urgent Need for Health Reform - 01-JUL-2009 The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has released a series of new reports on the health care status quo that highlight the urgent need for health reform across the nation. The new reports are available at http://www.healthreform.gov/healthcarestatus.html and include information on health care cost and quality in all fifty states.

New Snapshots Show States Vary Widely in Providing Quality Health Care - 01-JUL-2009 The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's (AHRQ) annual release of State-by-State quality data continues to give States mixed reviews for the quality of care they provide. AHRQ's annual State Snapshots are based on data drawn from more than 30 sources, including government surveys, health care facilities and health care organizations.

June 2009

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HHS Releases New Report: Hidden Costs of Health Care - 24-JUN-2009 The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has released a new report -- Hidden Costs of Health Care: Why Americans are Paying More but Getting Less. The report documents the rising cost of deductibles, co-payments and out-of-pocket expenses that are making it more difficult for families with insurance to receive the health care they need.

Dr. Howard Koh Confirmed as the Next Assistant Secretary for Health - 24-JUN-2009 The United States Senate has unanimously confirmed Dr. Howard Koh as the next Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

WHO and UNICEF Call to Protect Hospitals and Schools from Impact of Disasters - 24-JUN-2009 The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF have called on governments to strengthen risk reduction measures so that health and education systems are able to cope with disasters, including the risks from climate change.

APHA Releases Issue Brief on Public Health Safety Net - 18-JUN-2009 The American Public Health Association (APHA) has released a timely issue brief, Holes In the Net: Surveying the Impact of the Current Economic recession on the Health Care Safety Net. The brief examines how our nation's health care safety net is unraveling at a time when millions of Americans have nowhere else to turn for health services. It also examines the marginalization of the public health infrastructure in its ability to strategically plan for and protect the public's health.

EPA Announces Public Health Emergency in Libby, Montana - 18-JUN-2009 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa P. Jackson has announced that the agency has determined that a public health emergency exists at the Libby asbestos site in northwest Montana. This determination recognizes the serious impact to the public health from the contamination at Libby and underscores the need for further action and health care for area residents who have been or may be exposed to asbestos.

CDC Reports that Norovirus and Salmonella Leading Causes of Foodborne Disease - 18-JUN-2009 Norovirus and Salmonella were the leading causes of foodborne disease outbreaks in 2006, according to a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The report, based on investigations of foodborne disease outbreaks provides the most recent report of how many illnesses were linked to specific types of foods.

As College Drinking Problems Rise, New Studies Identify Effective Prevention Strategies - 18-JUN-2009 Researchers from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), NIH, analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other government sources and found an increase in drinking-related accidental deaths among 18 to 24 year-old students, which resulted mainly from traffic-related incidents. In addition, the researchers found the proportion of students who reported recent heavy episodic drinking sometimes called binge drinking, also increased. A special issue in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs describes the results of a broad array of research-based programs to reduce and prevent alcohol-related problems at campuses across the country.

Healthy Vision Community Awards - (National Eye Institute, NIH) - 18-JUN-2009 The National Eye Institute (NEI) announces that applications for the 2010 Healthy Vision Community Awards (HVCA) program will be available June 29, 2009. This program provides funding up to $10,000 for the implementation of eye health education and promotion activities that support the Healthy Vision 2010 objectives and the Healthy People 2010 goals to reduce health disparities and improve quality of life.

New Public Health Quality Improvement Handbook from PHF - 18-JUN-2009 The Public Health Quality Improvement Handbook from the Public Health Foundation (PHF) is an anthology of chapters written by subject matter experts in public health who are successfully meeting client needs, working together to maximize outcomes, and expanding their collaboration with community partners to encourage better health within neighborhoods, counties, and states.

FDA Issues Public Health Advisory Regarding Levemir Insulin - (Food and Drug Administration (FDA) U.S.) - 16-JUN-2009

WHO Raises Flu Pandemic Alert to Phase 6 - 11-JUN-2009 On the basis of available evidence and expert assessments of the evidence, the scientific criteria for an influenza pandemic have been met. The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) has therefore decided to raise the level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 5 to phase 6.

Report Finds 10 Early Lessons Learned from the H1N1 Outbreak - 10-JUN-2009 Trust for America's Health, the Center for Biosecurity, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has issued a new analysis report, Pandemic Flu: Lessons From the Frontlines. The report found that the initial response to the H1N1 outbreak showed strong coordination and communication and an ability to adapt to changing circumstances from U.S. officials, but it also showed how quickly the nation's core public health capacity would be overwhelmed if an outbreak were more severe or widespread.

Task Force Recommends Increasing Alcohol Taxes to Prevent Excessive Alcohol Use and Other Harms - 10-JUN-2009 The U.S. Task Force on Community Preventive Services recommends alcohol excise taxes for public health purposes to reduce alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harms, such as alcohol-impaired driving, motor vehicle crashes and fatalities, and deaths from cirrhosis of the liver.

HHS Report on Health Disparities: Minorities, Low Income Americans More Likely to Be Sick, Less Likely to Get Care - 10-JUN-2009 U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has released a new report on health disparities in America and participated in a White House Health Care Stakeholder Discussion on the importance of reform that reduces disparities that exist in our current health care system.

WHO Recommends Global Use of Rotavirus Vaccines - 10-JUN-2009 The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that rotavirus vaccination be included in all national immunization programs to provide protection against a virus that is responsible for more than 500,000 diarrhoeal deaths and 2 million hospitalizations every year among children. More than 85% of these deaths occur in developing countries in Africa and Asia. This new policy will help ensure access to rotavirus vaccines in the world's poorest countries.

Summer of Service - 04-JUN-2009 Summer of Service is a national coalition of major youth-serving organizations that are committed to engaging youth in service during the summer months and recognize the potential of youth to identify issues, develop projects, and provide lasting benefits to the communities in which they live through volunteer service.

Call for pictorial warnings on tobacco packs - (World Health Organization (WHO)) - 02-JUN-2009 WHO today urged governments to require that all tobacco packages include pictorial warnings to show the sickness and suffering caused by tobacco use.

HHS Releases $30 Million to Help Medicare Beneficiaries Access Their Benefits - (Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) U.S.) - 02-JUN-2009 HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today released $25 million in grants to help older people, individuals with disabilities and their caregivers apply for special assistance through Medicare, and an additional $5 million for a national resource center to support these important efforts.

New Reports Show Weak Progress on Health Quality - (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)) - 02-JUN-2009

May 2009

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Well Water Should Be Tested Annually to Reduce Health Risks to Children - 26-MAY-2009 Private well water should be tested yearly, and in some cases more often, according to new guidance offered by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

New National Campaign to Protect Families from H1N1 Virus and Stay Healthy - 26-MAY-2009 The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced that HHS is joining the Ad Council and Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, to launch a national public service advertising campaign designed to encourage American families and children to take steps to protect themselves from the 2009 H1N1 flu virus and continue to practice healthy habits.

New CDC Data Show Drinking While Pregnant Still a Problem - 26-MAY-2009 The number of women who drink alcohol while pregnant is not decreasing, according to a 15 year-study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Approximately 1 in 8 women drank any amount of alcohol while pregnant, the study says. Surgeons general have warned pregnant women to abstain from alcohol consumption in order to eliminate the chance of giving birth to a baby with alcohol related birth defects.

President Obama Appoints Dr. Thomas Frieden as CDC Director - 18-MAY-2009 President Barack Obama has appointed Dr. Thomas Frieden, currently Commissioner of the New York City Health Department, as Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). President Obama also announced that Acting CDC Director Dr. Rich Besser, who has led the CDC's Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response for the past four years, will continue in this role.

ASPH/CDC Public Health Preparedness Fellowship Program Now Accepting Applications Deadline June 30, 2009 - 18-MAY-2009 A collaborative initiative of the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), the ASPH/CDC Public Health Preparedness Fellowship Program will recruit and place up to three fellows in public health agencies that are funded through CDC's Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) cooperative agreement. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, June 30, 2009.

HHS Establishes Office of Health Reform - 14-MAY-2009 Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius has announced the establishment of the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Office of Health Reform. This office will spearhead the department's efforts to pass urgently needed health reform this year and coordinate closely with the White House Office of Health Reform.

New Community Guide Web Site Launched - 14-MAY-2009 The Guide to Community Preventive Services has redesigned its web site to better meet the needs of those who work to promote public health and safety in their communities.

HHS Makes Funding Available to Strengthen Non-Profits, Faith Based Groups - 14-MAY-2009 The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the availability of grants worth $50 million from the Strengthening Communities Fund, a new fund created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The fund will strengthen nonprofit and faith-based organizations that aid families and communities who are struggling in the economic downturn.

New State-by-State Report Shows Gaps in Health Strongly Linked to Education Levels - 06-MAY-2009 Across the country, adults in every state fall far short of the level of good health that should be achievable for all Americans, according to a report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Commission to Build a Healthier America.

HHS Secretary Sebelius Highlights Two New Reports on Health Care Quality, Says Improving Quality is Key Component of Health Reform - 06-MAY-2009 The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) recently released the 2008 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Reports. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius challenged hospitals to work to reduce health care associated infections. The annual 2008 reports indicate that patient safety measures have worsened and that a substantial number of Americans do not receive recommended care.

NACCHO Requests Local Health Departments to Share H1N1 Stories - 06-MAY-2009 The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) is collecting stories, lessons learned, and experiences from local health departments about their response to H1N1 influenza.

HHS Releases New Report: Hard Times in the Heartland: Health Care in Rural America - 06-MAY-2009 The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released a new report, Hard Times in the Heartland: Health Care in Rural America, outlining the health care challenges facing rural communities.

Public Health Librarians Provide Information About the H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) - 06-MAY-2009 Members of the Public Health / Health Administration (PH/HA) section of the Medical Library Association (MLA) have created websites to provide information about the influenza A H1N1 (swine flu).

H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Podcasts Available through TRAIN - 05-MAY-2009 In partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Public Health Foundation (PHF) has made CDC's H1N1 Flu podcasts available through TRAIN, a learning resource for professionals who protect the public's health.

ASTHO State H1N1 Flu Information - 05-MAY-2009 The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) has compiled an information page on H1N1 influenza with links to emergency declarations, guidance, travel advisories, and press releases from individual states.

Schools of Public Health Respond to 2009 H1N1 Influenza Outbreak - 05-MAY-2009 In response to the rising number of H1N1 influenza cases in the United States and abroad, the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) member Schools of Public Health have provided training to state and local health departments engaged in response, conferred with health departments on legal and ethical issues related to isolation and quarantine, developed computational models to run simulations of disease spread and the effect of interventions, and provided expert analysis and advice to the media and community.

IOM Releases Guide to Recent Work on Pandemic Flu - 05-MAY-2009 The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has released a guide based on past IOM reports and workshop summaries related to major policy issues for pandemic influenza and other infectious disease threats similar to the current spread of H1N1 (SO) influenza. The guide highlights action and information that could be useful for near-term implementation of pandemic planning and response.

FDA and FTC Warn Public of Fraudulent 2009 H1N1 Influenza Products - 05-MAY-2009 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are alerting the public to be wary of Internet sites and other promotions for products that claim to diagnose, prevent, mitigate, treat or cure the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. The agencies are also advising operators of offending web sites that they must take prompt action to correct and/or remove promotions of these fraudulent products or face enforcement action.

CDC Reports Number of U.S. Adults Reporting Disabilities is Increasing - 05-MAY-2009 The number of U.S. adults reporting a disability increased by 3.4 million between 1999 and 2005, according to a recent report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). An estimated 1 in 5 U.S. adults (47.5 million, or 21.8 percent) report a disability. The three most common causes of disability among adults in the United States are arthritis or rheumatism, back or spine problems, and heart disease.

National Library of Medicine Launches Web Pages on 2009 H1N1 Flu - 05-MAY-2009 The National Library of Medicine has launched several new web pages on 2009 H1N1 Flu.

April 2009

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CDC Issues Guidance for Clinicians and Public Health Professionals on Swine Flu - 29-APR-2009 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued new interim guidance for clinicians, state public health laboratories, and public health officials related to the swine influenza outbreak.

Current WHO Phase of Pandemic Alert - 29-APR-2009 The World Health Organization (WHO) uses a six-phased approach to group and describe phases of global pandemics. Phases 13 correlate with preparedness, including capacity development and response planning activities, while Phases 46 clearly signal the need for response and mitigation efforts.

AHRQ Tools and Resources for Influenza Preparedness - 29-APR-2009 The United States, as well as other countries, has confirmed cases of swine influenza (sw H1N1) virus infection. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), working together with other U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agencies, is providing information and resources to support efforts to address this outbreak.

NACCHO Officials Available to Comment on Swine Flu Outbreak - 29-APR-2009 The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) can provide the media with expert commentary on the national outbreak and how local health departments are responding. NACCHO's members are leaders in health departments across the country, and many of them have been working around the clock to mount a response against the virus.

FDA Authorizes Emergency Use of Influenza Medicines, Diagnostic Test in Response to Swine Flu Outbreak in Humans - 29-APR-2009 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in response to requests from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has issued Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) to make available to public health and medical personnel important diagnostic and therapeutic tools to identify and respond to the swine flu virus under certain circumstances. The agency issued these EUAs for the use of certain Relenza and Tamiflu antiviral products, and for the rRT-PCR Swine Flu Panel diagnostic test.

NLM Enviro-Health Link on Swine Flu - 28-APR-2009 The National Library of Medicine (NLM) Division of Specialized Information Services has released an Enviro-Health Links page on Swine Flu. This page contains links to resources about the 2009 Swine Flu outbreak, including transmission, prevention, treatment, and the genetic makeup of the influenza virus.

CDC Investigates Human Cases of Swine Flu - 27-APR-2009 CDC is investigating human cases of swine flu in the United States. The CDC Swine Flu website provides updates on the investigation and information and guidance for clinicians, public health personnel, and the public.

HHS Declares Public Health Emergency for Swine Flu - 27-APR-2009 The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a nationwide public health emergency declaration in response to recent human infections with a newly discovered swine influenza A (swine flu) virus. The declaration will help HHS prepare for prevention and mitigation activities by enabling Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emergency use authorizations of drugs, devices, or medical tests under certain circumstances.

ASPH Creating Global Health Competency Development Model - 27-APR-2009 The Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) is creating a model of global health core competencies for masters-level students in global health programs. The global health competency model will aim to provide a baseline overview of the knowledge, skills and other attributes that are expected of emerging global health professionals.

Report Calls for Stronger State and Local Food Safety Roles, New Links to Federal Reform Efforts - 23-APR-2009 Recent Salmonella outbreaks involving peanut butter and fresh produce underscore the need to repair gaps in state and local food safety programs and integrate them better with federal food safety efforts, according to a new report prepared with extensive input from state and local officials. The report calls for leadership by Congress and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to build an integrated national food safety system that makes effective use of the best science and all available public resources to prevent foodborne illness.

AHRQ Invites Nominations for Members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) - 23-APR-2009 The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) invites nominations of individuals qualified to serve as members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). The USPSTF is a panel of outside experts that makes evidence-based recommendations to the health care community and the public regarding the provision of clinical preventive services.

CDC Expands Emerging Infections Collaboration Abroad - 23-APR-2009 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) International Emerging Infections Program (IEIP) has expanded its collaborations and improved IEIP sites and facilities in several countries overseas as part of its continuing effort to help public health officials address emerging global health issues.

HHS Releases Guidance for Securing Health Information and Preventing Harm from Breaches - 23-APR-2009 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has published guidance regarding technologies and methodologies to secure health information and prevent harm by rendering health information unusable, unreadable, or indecipherable to unauthorized individuals. The guidance provides steps entities can take to secure personal health information and establishes the trigger for when entities must notify that patient data has been compromised.

New National Campaign to Refocus National Attention on the HIV Crisis in the United States - 16-APR-2009 Officials from the White House, Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have announced a new five-year national communication campaign, Act Against AIDS, which highlights this alarming statistic and aims to combat complacency about the HIV/AIDS crisis in the United States.

CDC Reports Progress in Foodborne Illness Prevention has Reached a Plateau - 16-APR-2009 The incidence of the most common foodborne illnesses has changed very little over the past three years, according to a 10-state report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The findings are from 2008 data reported by the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet), a collaborative project of CDC, U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and 10 state sites.

ASPH and CDC Collaborating on Preparedness Competency Development Project - 16-APR-2009 The Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness & Emergency Response (CDC COTPER) are collaborating to create a model of core competencies for the public health preparedness and response workforce. The competency model will provide a national standard of skills for the public health workforce to demonstrate in all hazards preparedness and response situations. The completed model of core competencies will be used to develop curricula to train the workforce.

New 11th edition of CDC's Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine Preventable Diseases (The Pink Book) Now Available from PHF - 16-APR-2009 The new, 11th edition of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine Preventable Diseases (The Pink Book) is now available to purchase from the Public Health Foundation (PHF). The Pink Book provides physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, and others with comprehensive information on vaccine-preventable diseases. The new 11th edition contains the latest information and updates on immunization.

New Video Campaign: Healthiest Nation in One Generation - 08-APR-2009 The American Public Health Association (APHA) has launched a new viral video campaign aimed at raising awareness of the role of public health in ensuring a healthy America and illustrating how investments in public health can dramatically improve health outcomes in the span of one generation. The viral video is intended to be easily shared with friends, family and coworkers through email, Facebook, You Tube, and other media sharing tools.

NACCHO Annual 2009 Poster Showcase - Submission Deadline April 24 - 08-APR-2009 The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) invites online proposals to participate in the NACCHO Annual 2009 Poster Showcase for the NACCHO Annual Meeting, July 29-31, 2009. The Poster Showcase features visual presentations of recent program initiatives, research findings, and other information of interest and importance to local public health practitioners. The application deadline is April 24, 2009.

APHA Releases Agenda for Health Reform - 08-APR-2009 The American Public Health Association (APHA) released its Agenda for Health Reform with the observance of National Public Health Week. The APHA Agenda for Health Reform calls for the support of population-based services that improve health and the reform of health care coverage and delivery.

HHS Releases $338 Million to Expand Community Health Centers, Serve More Patients - 01-APR-2009 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the release of $338 million to expand services offered at the nation's community health centers. The money was made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and comes as more Americans join the ranks of the uninsured.

19th Annual APHA Public Health Materials Contest—Deadline Extended to April 10, 2009 - 01-APR-2009 The American Public Health Association (APHA) Public Health Education Health Promotion section is soliciting health education, promotion and communication materials for the 19th annual competition. The contest provides a forum to showcase public health materials during the APHA Annual Meeting and recognizes professionals for their hard work. Entries will be accepted in three categories; printed materials, electronic materials, and other materials. The deadline to submit entries for the contest has been extended to Friday, April 10.

HHS Invites Public Comments on Healthy People 2010 Objectives to Develop Healthy People 2020 Objectives - 01-APR-2009 The HHS Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) is seeking preliminary comments on existing Healthy People 2010 objectives to help inform the development of a set of draft Healthy People 2020 objectives. ODPHP will use the existing Healthy People 2010 objectives as a starting point to develop the Healthy People 2020 objectives. Comments are due April 24, 2009.

March 2009

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HIV-related TB deaths higher than past estimates - (World Health Organization (WHO)) - 25-MAR-2009

David Blumenthal, M.D., M.P.P. is selected as the Obama Administration's choice for National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. - (Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) U.S.) - 25-MAR-2009

NIH's We Can! Partners With Subway Restaurants To Expand Movement To Prevent Childhood Obesity - (National Institutes of Health (NIH)) - 25-MAR-2009

CDC Reports Teen Birth Rates Up Slightly in 2007 for Second Consecutive Year - 18-MAR-2009 The birth rate for U.S. teens aged 15 to 19 increased by about 1 percent in 2007, from 41.9 births per 1,000 in 2006 to 42.5 in 2007, according to a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is the second year in a row that teen births have gone up. They increased 3 percent in 2006 following a 14-year decline.

Framingham Heart Study Launches New Project to Develop Blood Tests for Heart Disease - 18-MAR-2009 The landmark Framingham Heart Study (FHS) is launching a major initiative to discover risk factors and markers that could lead to new blood tests to identify individuals at high risk of heart disease and stroke. Frozen blood samples, imaging studies, and other medical test results gathered over the years from more than 7,000 FHS participants of diverse ages will be analyzed to identify which blood biomarkers are associated with heart disease, metabolic syndrome, and related risk factors.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommends Using Aspirin To Prevent Cardiovascular Disease When the Benefits Outweigh the Harms - 18-MAR-2009 Patients and clinicians should consider risk factors—including age, gender, diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, smoking and risk of gastrointestinal bleeding—before deciding whether to use aspirin to prevent heart attacks or strokes, according to new recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

Epi-Info Goes Open Source - 18-MAR-2009 CDC's National Center for Public Health Informatics (NCPHI) has released Epi Info's code to the public. Developers and other entities can use the Epi Info code to add features, contribute enhancements, and make it a better product. Epi Info allows public health professionals to develop questionnaires and forms, customize the data entry process, and enter and analyze data.

CDC Reports Wireless-Only Phone Use Varies Widely Across United States - 12-MAR-2009 A report from CDC′s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), “Wireless Substitution: State–level Estimates from the National Health Interview Survey, January–December 2007,” is the latest report on wireless substitution in the United States. NCHS does not include wireless telephone numbers when conducting random-digit-dial telephone surveys. The exclusion of households with only wireless telephones has potential implications for results from health surveys.

AHRQ Issues Recommendations for Safeguarding Children During Public Health Emergencies - 12-MAR-2009 The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has released two new tools designed to protect and care for children who are in a hospital or a school during a public health emergency.

Midwestern and Southern States Receive Least Federal Funding for Disease Prevention - 12-MAR-2009 Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) have released a new report that found Midwestern and Southern states received less funding from the federal government than Northeastern and Western states did in fiscal year (FY) 2008 for disease prevention programs, which can amount to millions of dollars in differences.

APHA Commends President's Emphasis on Scientific Integrity - 12-MAR-2009 The American Public Health Association commends President Obama for releasing a memorandum highlighting the importance of insulating the federal government's scientific decisions from political influence.

HHS Issues Special Report on Health Reform and Launches New healthreform.gov Web Site - 05-MAR-2009 The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a report, Americans Speak on Health Reform: Report on Health Care Community Discussions. The report summarizes comments from Americans who hosted and participated in Health Care Community Discussions across the country and highlights the need for immediate action to reform health care. The report is available on a new Web site dedicated to health reform: http://www.healthreform.gov.

APHA Welcomes Sebelius HHS Secretary Nomination - 05-MAR-2009 The American Public Health Association (APHA) welcomes President Obama's nomination today of Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

NLM Announces Funding Opportunities for the Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - 05-MAR-2009 This new program will support research on topic areas that address specific scientific and health research challenges in biomedical and behavioral research that would benefit from significant 2-year jumpstart funds. The application due date is April 27, 2009.

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