>> Go to September 2004 Bulletin >>

September 2004 Events * Conference Highlights HIV/AIDS and Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases Topic(s): HIV/AIDS, Minority Outreach When: September 28, 2004 Where: Howard University Blackburn Center, Washington, DC Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) A conference entitled Promoting Life, Health, and Happiness: Preventing HIV/AIDS and other STDs will strive to increase knowledge about HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The event, which is free and open to the public, will also inform participants about available resources that focus on prevention strategies, risk reduction, testing, and treatment. Through its participation, the NIAID HIV Vaccine Communications Campaign will enhance its outreach to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and reach 400–500 students and health professionals from the Greater Washington Metropolitan Area with information about the hope, promise, and progress of HIV vaccine research. The conference is sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Howard University Department of Health, Human Performance & Leisure Studies.NIAID Vaccine Research Center's Chad Womack, Ph.D., will give a presentation on the recent developments in HIV vaccine research and the importance of support from the African American community. Staff will distribute campaign materials from an exhibit booth. Next Steps For more information, contact Matthew Murguía at (301) 435-7164. * Drug Harm Exhibit at Times Square in New York City Topic(s): Drug Abuse When: September 14, 2004–February 1, 2005 Where: One Times Square, New York City, NY Institute: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) An exhibit on the historic and contemporary connections between global drug trafficking and terrorism is opening at One Times Square in New York City and will run for four-and-a-half months. Entitled Target America: Drug Traffickers, Terrorists, and You, it is geared toward students, but large attendance by the general public is expected because of the high profile tourist location. One of the exhibit's features is a Memorial Wall to individuals, famous and ordinary, who have lost their lives to drug abuse or addiction. Another section covers Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) topics, such as drug production and trafficking. The exhibit is coordinated by the DEA. Other agencies involved include NIDA, which has developed information and graphics for a photomural wall and the Memorial Wall, along with several other federal and private agencies. The free exhibit is open every day of the week, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Next Steps For further information, call (212) 337-1265 or visit www.usdoj.gov/dea/deamuseum/website/index.html. * Environmental Health Researchers Kick off Breast Cancer Sister Study Topic(s): Cancers, Environmental Health When: September 2004 Where: Nationwide Institute: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Sisters share a lot more than secrets and laughter. They also share genes and at least some elements of lifestyle. Scientists already know that if a woman has breast cancer, her sister has a much higher chance of developing the disease, too. That’s why the NIEHS is kicking off the Sister Study, which hopes to glean more information about environmental and genetic causes of breast cancer. Researchers believe ingredients in many common products interfere in the role of hormones, possibly contributing to breast cancer development. But studies have not been able to establish a strong link.In October, NIEHS will begin recruiting 50,000 women nationwide who do not have breast cancer, but have a sister who has been diagnosed with the disease. The Sister Study will follow women for at least 10 years, providing data that researchers will use to search for causes of breast cancer. Researchers will gather information about women's lifestyles, medical histories, jobs, and environment, as well as collect blood and urine samples, toenail clippings and house dust. The women will answer questions about their diet, family history, environmental exposures, and additional information if they develop breast cancer. To be eligible for the study, women must be between 35 and 74 years of age, live in the United States, and have a sister related by blood who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Women who live in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Virginia can enroll now. Women in other states can pre-register now for enrollment in mid-October. Women who do not qualify can still help by volunteering or by spreading the word about the study. Next Steps For information or to join, call toll-free (877) 474-7837 or visit www.sisterstudy.org. * Future Addiction Research is Topic of Convention Topic(s): Drug Abuse When: October 22, 2004 Where: San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA Institute: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Experts from many scientific disciplines will discuss recent findings and future research on addiction at a mini-convention sponsored by NIDA, Frontiers in Addiction Research. Sessions are open to the public as well as scientists and include: o Behavioral Neuroscience of Nicotine Addiction. o Creative Directions in Imaging. o Poster Presentations. o Mechanisms of Brain Resiliency and Repair. o The Role of Glutamate in Drug Addiction. o Keynote Speaker: Jacob A. Waletzky Award Recipient Presentation. The mini-convention will be held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, a nonprofit organization of physicians and scientists in basic research who study the brain and nervous system. The Jacob A. Waletzky Award is granted annually by the Society for Neuroscience to a young scientist researching in this field. Next Steps Registration is required and costs $25 before 6 p.m. Pacific Time on October 8, or $35 thereafter. More information is available at www.masimax.com/frontiers2004. * Latino/Latina Community to Hear about HIV Vaccine Research Topic(s): HIV/AIDS, Population Groups When: October 7–10, 2004 Where: Washington Hilton Seattle Airport and Conference Center, Seattle, WA Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Latinos and Latinas can learn more about HIV vaccine research and what this means for them at an upcoming conference presentation by NIAID HIV Vaccine Communications Campaign representative Dennis Torres. Mr. Torres will collaborate with Gary Chovnick, M.P.H., Seattle HIV Vaccine Trial Unit, to speak at el Encuentro, a conference sponsored by the non-profit National Latina/o Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Organization (LLEGÓ). Next Steps For more information, contact Matthew Murguía at (301) 435-7164 or visit the conference Web site at www.llego.org/pages_e10/e10_main.htm. Registration costs $100–$200, depending on status. * Small Steps. Big Rewards. Campaign for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Topic(s): Population Groups When: September 29, 2004 Where: Paradise Valley Hospital, National City, CA Institute: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in some Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Small Steps. Big Rewards. Two Reasons I Find Time to Prevent Diabetes...My Future and Theirs is a new multilingual diabetes prevention campaign tailored for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, launched by NIDDK's National Diabetes Education Program. The good news is that type 2 diabetes can be prevented—and small steps bring big rewards.NDEP and local partner organizations also committed to spreading the good news that diabetes can be prevented will launch the campaign from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m (PST) on September 29. Speakers include: o The Honorable Nicholas Inzunza, Mayor, National City, CA; o Ms. Aurora Cudal, United Filipino American Senior Citizen Association; o Dr. James Gavin, M.D., Ph.D., Chair, National Diabetes Education Program and President, Morehouse School of Medicine; o Ms. Nina Agabyani, Director, BALANCE Program, Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations; o Ms. Chita Domingo, Physical Activity Instructor, Hope Adult Day Health Day Center. Next Steps To attend the launching ceremony or for more information, contact TaWanna Berry, NDEP Deputy Director, NIH, at (301) 496-3583 or ndep@nih.gov. * THE EYE SITE Exhibit on Low Vision Will Visit 16 Malls in 2004 Topic(s): Eyes and Vision When: March 1–October 16, 2004 Where: Las Vegas, NV; Cheyenne, WY; Owensboro and Ashland, KY; Phoenix and Tucson, AZ; Presque Isle, ME Institute: National Eye Institute (NEI) To help people understand low vision (vision problems that interfere with a person's ability to perform everyday activities) and to explain what people with vision loss can do to stay independent, NEI developed THE EYE SITE: A Traveling Exhibit on Low Vision for Shopping Centers. The exhibit will visit 16 shopping malls during 2004, in Arizona, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Vermont, and Wyoming.Two identical exhibits have been on tour since 2001. By the end of 2004, they will have traveled to 65 malls in 29 states and the District of Columbia. Since THE EYE SITE tour was launched, the NEI has: o Provided more than 30 million people with the opportunity to visit the exhibit and learn about low vision. o Distributed more than 50,000 publications. o Worked with more than 65 vision-related organizations to offer nearly 150 public events. Next Steps Members of the public can visit the exhibit during regular business hours at any mall on the tour. For more information, visit THE EYE SITE Web site at www.nei.nih.gov/nehep/eyesite. * V I S I O N Traveling Exhibit Visits Nashville, TN Topic(s): Eyes and Vision When: May 29–October 3, 2004 Where: Nashville, TN Institute: National Eye Institute (NEI) V I S I O N, a traveling exhibit on eye-brain coordination and research into protecting sight, is visiting the Adventure Science Center in Nashville, Tennessee. The exhibit explains how the eye focuses light, how we perceive motion and color, and how the brain processes visual information into a meaningful picture.V I S I O N was developed as part of the NEI’s 25th anniversary celebration. The 2,000-square-foot exhibit illustrates how the eye and brain work together to create vision and how researchers are developing ways to protect our sight from visual disorders and diseases. The exhibit includes 10 interactive modules developed by the Exploratorium in San Francisco. Since the exhibit was launched in 1993, it has visited science museums in 30 cities and been seen by more than 5 million visitors. Next Steps Visitors can see the exhibit Monday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. and Sunday 12:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m. Find more information on the V I S I O N exhibit Web site at www.nei.nih.gov/education/visionexhibit/index.asp or visit the Adventure Science Center Web site at www.adventuresci.com, or call the center at (615) 862-5160. * Web Chat on Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Cancer Topic(s): Cancers, Alternative Medicine When: September 20, 2004 Where: Nationwide Institute: National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) People interested in hearing from experts about complementary and alternative medicine will have the opportunity during an hour-long Web chat session. NCCAM Director Stephen E. Straus, M.D., will address topics related to the use of complementary and alternative medicine in treating cancer and how to find reliable information on this topic. In organizing the session, NCCAM is partnering with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and CancerCare. The chat will be held on ASCO's consumer Web site, People Living With Cancer, www.plwc.org, on Monday, September 20, 2004 at 2 p.m. The public may submit questions beforehand. Next Steps More information is available at http://nccam.nih.gov/news/upcomingmeetings/index.htm or www.plwc.org. Resources * Light Cigarettes Are Not Safer: Questions and Answers Topic(s): Cancers, Smoking Format: Online Fact Sheet Institute: National Cancer Institute (NCI) Many smokers choose low-tar, mild, light, or ultra-light cigarettes because they think that these cigarettes might be less harmful to their health than regular or full-flavor cigarettes. Although the smoke from light cigarettes may feel smoother and lighter on the throat and chest, they are not healthier than regular cigarettes. The truth is that light cigarettes do not reduce the health risks of smoking. The only way to reduce a smoker’s risk, and the risk to others, is to stop smoking completely. To help increase people's understanding about light cigarettes, NCI has created an online fact sheet with questions and answers. Next Steps To view the fact sheet, visit http://cis.nci.nih.gov/fact/3_74.htm. * Booklet Explains Sports Injuries and Prevention Steps Topic(s): Bones, Joints, and Muscles, Injuries and Wounds Format: Booklet Institute: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) In recent years, increasing numbers of people of all ages have been heeding their health professionals' advice to get active and enjoy all the health benefits exercise has to offer. But for some people—particularly those who overdo or who do not properly train or warm up—these benefits can come at a price: sports injuries. Handout on Health: Sports Injuries is a new booklet that explains different types of sports injuries and how to treat and prevent them, and gives information on recent treatment advances. It also highlights risk factors and contains a resource list. Developed by NIAMS, this booklet is for athletes of all ages and levels, for people who exercise, and for health care professionals, coaches, and anyone else who wants to know more about sports injuries. Next Steps To order free copies, call the NIAMS Clearinghouse toll-free at (877) 22-NIAMS or view the information at www.niams.nih.gov. * Complementary and Alternative Medicine Statistics Topic(s): Alternative Medicine Format: FactSheet Institute: National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) A nationwide government survey of more than 31,000 adults on their use of complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM) showed that 36 percent of U.S. adults use some form of CAM. Based on this study, which was part of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's 2002 National Health Interview Survey, NCCAM developed a new fact sheet that outlines results, including graphics. Next Steps The fact sheet is available on the NCCAM Web site at http://nccam.nih.gov/news/camsurvey_fs1.htm. To download graphics or view the full report, visit http://nccam.nih.gov/news/camsurvey.htm. * Lasers in Cancer Treatment: Questions and Answers Topic(s): Cancers Format: Online Fact Sheet Institute: National Cancer Institute (NCI) Laser therapy uses high-intensity light to treat cancer and other illnesses. Lasers, which can shrink or destroy tumors, are most commonly used to treat superficial cancers (cancers on the surface of the body or the lining of internal organs), such as basal cell skin cancer and the very early stages of some cancers, such as cervical, penile, vaginal, vulvar, and non-small cell lung cancer. NCI has prepared a laser fact sheet to explain more about how laser is used to treat cancer. The term laser stands for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. Ordinary light, such as that from a light bulb, has many wavelengths and spreads in all directions. Laser light, on the other hand, has a specific wavelength, is focused in a narrow beam, and is thus very high intensity. This powerful beam of light can be used to cut through steel or to shape diamonds. Because lasers can focus very accurately on tiny areas, they can also be used in place of a scalpel for very precise surgical work. Next Steps To view the laser fact sheet, visit http://cis.nci.nih.gov/fact/7_8.htm. * LiveHelp Service Provides Online Cancer Assistance Topic(s): Cancers Format: Help Service Institute: National Cancer Institute (NCI) LiveHelp provides live telephone assistance to visitors to the NCI Web site, www.cancer.gov. People with questions should call 1-800-4CANCER, where NCI information specialists can answer questions about cancer, help users navigate the NCI Web site, and provide smoking cessation assistance. The service is available Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Next Steps To speak with someone on cancer issues, call toll-free (800)-4CANCER. Announcements * 2004 Historically Black College and University HIV/AIDS Summit Topic(s): HIV/AIDS, Minority Outreach When: October 6–7, 2004 Where: Benedict College, Columbia, SC Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Reports of HIV infection outbreaks among students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) highlight the need for a more forceful HIV prevention message to students and university administrators. Recognizing the essential role of national African-American leadership, particularly on HBCU campuses, in spreading the message, the NIAID HIV Vaccine Communications Campaign plans to talk to about 1,500 HBCU students and administrators at the 2004 Historically Black College and University HIV/AIDS Summit. NIAID staff will speak about the status of HIV/AIDS vaccine research and development, and highlight the critical role that HBCUs play in the research process. The Summit is not open to the public. Conference committee representatives are inviting only selected students from the eight South Carolina HBCUs. The invitees are already involved in community activities on their respective campuses. Brenda Larkin, R.N., B.S.N., C.C.R.C., research nurse for NIAID's Vaccine Research Center and Mark McLaurin, an African-American HIV vaccine trial volunteer, will serve as summit panelists. Their remarks will highlight recent developments in HIV vaccine research and the importance of African-American community involvement and support. Campaign materials will also be distributed at an exhibit booth. Next Steps For more information, contact Matthew Murguía at (301) 435-7164. * Cancer Patients May Review Complementary Alternative Medicine Brochure Topic(s): Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Cancers Institute: National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), National Cancer Institute (NCI) NCI and NCCAM are looking for people who are interested in reading and commenting on a new brochure about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The institutes want to learn what patients or prior patients, based on personal experience, believe is important to include in the brochure. To qualify, participants must be currently receiving standard cancer treatment (such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery), or have received standard cancer treatment within the last 12 months. Use of CAM is not required to participate. CAM can include acupuncture, biofeedback, chiropractic care, dietary supplements, energy healing, herbal medicine, homeopathic treatment, hypnosis, imagery, massage therapy, mind-body therapies (such as yoga or Tai Chi), relaxation therapy, or spiritual healing. Health professionals are not eligible to comment. All participants will be paid for their time, which will total one to two hours. Next Steps If interested, please call toll-free (888) 249-0029. Callers will be asked a few questions about themselves in their choice of English or Spanish and, if selected, will be contacted at a later date. # College Drinking Prevention Web Site Wins Award Topic(s): Alcohol / Alcohol Abuse / Alcoholism When: September 1, 2004 Where: Nationwide Institute: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) The NIAAA College Website, www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov, won a bronze award from the WWW Health Awards, in the category of Health Promotion/Disease and Injury Prevention Information. Sponsored by the Health Information Resource Center, a national clearinghouse for consumer health information programs and materials, the WWW Health Awards provide a "seal of quality" to the best health-related Web sites for consumers and professionals. Sites are judged on accuracy, success in reaching targeted audiences, and overall quality. This award adds to the total of more than a dozen Web honors the site has won since NIAAA launched it in 2002. Next Steps To see the site, visit www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov. # Group Urges More Public Input and Transparency in Priority-Setting Process Topic(s): Community Outreach Institute: Office of the Director (OD) NIH can take steps to become more transparent and to gain more public input into decisions on which research targets to pursue, the so-called research priority-setting process, according to a recent report. In April 2004, the NIH Director’s Council of Public Representatives (COPR) presented this report, containing 11 recommendations on topics such as outreach to communities and partnerships with outside groups, communication with research and patient communities, and public education on the priority-setting process. “The NIH has a duty to educate members of the public about its mission and operations and a duty to involve the public in the research priority-setting process,” said NIH Director Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D. The COPR assessed how the NIH includes members of the public in its work, highlighted effective strategies, and recommended that the NIH expand on these best practices. The report analysis revealed many ways in which the NIH effectively advises, educates, and seeks input from the public. The COPR focused on how the public is heard in the process used by the NIH to determine which research projects to fund. The COPR believes that public input into the research priority-setting process is important, because decisions to fund specific research initiatives over others has direct implications for the public’s health. Next Steps The Report, Enhancing Public Input and Transparency in the National Institutes of Health Research Priority Setting Process, is available online at http://copr.nih.gov/reports/enhancing.pdf. The COPR's Web site is at http://copr.nih.gov. Additional information on public participation at the NIH is available at http://getinvolved.nih.gov. # HIV Information Supplied at Washington, DC, Black Family Reunion Celebration Topic(s): HIV/AIDS, Minority Outreach When: September 11–12, 2004 Where: Washington National Mall, Washington, DC Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Information on HIV vaccines and research was available to participants in the Black Family Reunion Celebration, a two-day cultural event recognized as the largest, most significant family event in the nation, attracting more than 500,000 people each year. The festival celebrates the enduring strengths and traditional values of the African-American family. Two NIAID groups, the HIV Vaccine Communications Campaign and the Vaccine Research Center, distributed information at the NIH-sponsored pavilion. The event was free and open to the public. Next Steps For more information, contact Matthew Murguía at (301) 435-7164 or visit www.ncnw.org/blackfamily.htm. # HIV Vaccine Issues Discussed at United States Conference on AIDS Topic(s): HIV/AIDS When: October 21–24, 2004 Where: Marriott Hotel, Philadelphia, PA Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Participants at the largest national AIDS workers' conference, the United States Conference on AIDS (USCA), will be able to hear about the latest developments in HIV vaccine research and the importance of clinical trial participation. Speaking on those subjects will be NIAID representatives, who will network with more than 4,000 dedicated case managers, physicians, public health workers, advocates, policy makers, and other leaders in the field. NIAID’s HIV Vaccine Communications Campaign will participate in a special full-day session sponsored by NIH. Representatives will discuss preventive HIV vaccine research and the importance of incorporating this research into larger HIV prevention strategies. In addition, members of NIAID-funded community advisory boards and constituency groups are organizing a morning session on the importance of clinical trial participation, particularly for underrepresented populations. The conference's main sponsor is the National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC), a national organization dedicated to developing leadership within communities of color to address the challenges of HIV/AIDS. Next Steps For information, contact Matthew Murguía at (301) 435-7164 or visit the conference Web site at http://www.nmac.org/conferences/usca2004. Registration fees range from $375–$550. # Meeting Covers Fatigue in Rheumatic Disease and Other Disorders Topic(s): Immune System, Symptoms and Manifestations When: September 8–10, 2004 Where: Airlie Conference Center, Warrenton, VA Institute: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) A working group recently met to discuss the knowledge and treatment of fatigue in rheumatic illnesses. The meeting, entitled The Role of Fatigue in Rheumatic Diseases identified knowledge gaps associated with the study and treatment of fatigue in rheumatic illnesses such as lupus, fibromyalgia and associated disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis. The group compared these knowledge gaps to the study and treatment of fatigue in other disorders, such as cancer, cardiovascular conditions, HIV/AIDS, and multiple sclerosis. The medical school of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) coordinated the meeting. Although attendance was limited to a small group of invited researchers and clinicians, NIAMS and UMDNJ also value input from patient advocacy and support groups. To enable outside group participation, meeting coordinators are producing DVDs of all the sessions. Next Steps To order your free DVD, e-mail Gudrun Lange, Ph.D., at lange@njneuromed.org, or mail your request to: Dr. Gudrun Lange DVA NJ Health Care System 385 Tremont Avenue (Mail Stop 129) East Orange, NJ 07018 After viewing the DVD, you may post comments and suggestions until September 30, 2004, at feedback@njneuromed.org. Feedback is encouraged and will enhance the final summary paper. # Overcoming Health Disparities: Global Experiences from Partnerships Topic(s): HIV/AIDS, Minority Outreach When: October 6–10, 2004 Where: Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, Atlanta, GA Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) An international conference on overcoming health disparities across the globe will bring together health leaders from more than 23 countries. Entitled Overcoming Health Disparities: Global Experiences from Partnerships Between Communities, Health Services and Health Professional Schools, the conference will include more than 700 U.S. health leaders from academic, clinical, and community settings. Community-Campus Partnerships for Health and The Network: Towards Unity for Health are co-sponsoring this event. The NIAID HIV Vaccine Communications Campaign is participating in this conference in an effort to enhance its outreach to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, health professional schools, and community educators. Campaign representatives will hold a workshop on recent developments in HIV vaccine research, October 7, and will also distribute information at an exhibit booth. Next Steps Registration is required and will be accepted until the end of September. Fees are $200 for students and more for others, depending on status. For more information, contact Matthew Murguía at (301) 435-7164, or visit www.the-networktufh.org/conference. # People With Recurrent Cancer Sought to Discuss Education Materials Topic(s): Cancers Institute: National Cancer Institute (NCI) NCI is looking for people with recurrent cancer who are interested in discussing new education materials related to their illnesses. NCI needs participants to assess the draft material in light of their personal experiences. Health professionals or other people employed in a health care setting are not eligible. People who are interested should call NCI staff, who will ask a few questions and add participants' names, with their permission, to NCI's database. NCI will contact qualified participants at a later date to schedule interviews. All people invited to an interview, which takes no more than an hour, will be paid for their time. Next Steps If interested, call toll-free (888) 249-0029. # RELEASE OF RESEARCH STRATEGY TO FIGHT OBESITY EPIDEMIC Topic(s): Community Outreach, Obesity When: August 2004 Where: Nationwide Institute: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has targeted obesity as a major national priority, prompting the development of a new Strategic Plan for NIH Obesity Research. This plan targets the development of new research in areas of greatest scientific opportunity and coordinates all obesity research across NIH. It places special emphasis on the serious problems emerging in overweight and obese children. The final report incorporates public input fro a wide variety of individuals and organizations. The Plan calls for intensifying efforts along several fronts: * Behavioral and environmental approaches to modifying lifestyles to prevent or treat obesity; * Pharmacologic, surgical, and other medical approaches to effectively and safely prevent or treat obesity; * Breaking the link between obesity and diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers; * Research on special populations at high risk for obesity, including children, ethnic minorities, women, and older adults; * Translating basic science results into clinical research and then into community intervention studies; * Disseminating research results to the public and health professionals. Next Steps The report is available at http://obesityresearch.nih.gov. Free single copies are available (no bulk orders) by contacting the Weight-control Information Network at (202) 828-1025, toll-free (877) 946-4627, or by e-mailing win@info.niddk.nih.gov. # Sertoma Safe Ears! Project to Help Prevent Hearing Loss Topic(s): Hearing Loss Prevention Where: Nationwide Institute: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) There is a new project to help prevent hearing loss, Sertoma Safe Ears! The project involves giving kits—containing educational materials, on hearing loss prevention, a set of disposable hearing protection, and a media package—to members of Sertoma's 650 clubs. Sertoma is a non-profit organization that assists people with speech, hearing, and language disorders, and sponsors community projects. During its 84th convention in July, Sertoma International shared information about the NIDCD's WISE EARS! program with attendees and also introduced Sertoma Safe Ears! in collaboration with WISE EARS! Distribution sites will include retail outlets, such as home improvement centers, that sell equipment with the potential to damage hearing. The first-year goal is to reach more than 100,000 homes in 250 communities. Sertoma is seeking WISE EARS! Coalition members to become supporting partners of the Sertoma Safe Ears! service project. This support will allow Sertoma and WISE EARS! to not only reach more communities, but also to provide higher quality educational materials and hearing protection, as well as the creation of display and promotional materials. The project will begin in May 2005, Better Speech and Hearing Month. Next Steps For more information on Sertoma Safe Ears!, visit Sertoma's Web site at www.sertoma.org.