New Resources

Cancers

• Questions and Answers About Physical Activity and Cancer
  Format: Web Site
  Institute: National Cancer Institute (NCI)

  There is strong evidence that physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of several different cancers, including of the colon, breast, prostate, lung, and endometrium. In a new Web site, NCI answers 11 questions about the link between cancer and a person's physical activity.
  
  Physical activity is any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles. Such movement results in an expenditure of energy. It is a critical component of energy balance, a term used to describe how weight, diet, and physical activity influence health, including cancer risk.
  
  

  Next Steps
  To see the full list of NCI questions and answers, please visit www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/PhysicalActivity.

• 100 Years of Advances Against Cancer; What Lies Ahead; Clinical Trials
  Format: Web Site
  Institute: National Cancer Institute (NCI)

  The past century has seen many remarkable advances against cancer, a disease known to mankind for thousands of years. The accomplishments of the last 10 years, such as human gene therapy, biotechnology products like monoclonal antibodies, the identification of disease genes, computer-assisted imaging, and the decline in the cancer death rate, all build upon knowledge gained earlier in the twentieth century. Throughout the 1900s, medicine and research saw great advances, and cancer research and cancer researchers were full partners in that growth.
  
  NCI has developed a Web site giving the history of cancer research and discoveries, as well as a look at future plans.

  Next Steps
  To see the site, please visit http://cra.nci.nih.gov/2_accomplishments/100_years.htm.

Diabetes

• Updated Diabetes Advice Available; Diabetes PSA Receives Award
  Format: Booklet, Web Site
  Institute: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

  To continue educating people about diabetes, NIDDK's National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) has updated some of its publications. And one of its public service announcements (PSA) achieved an award. The publications and award are:

  • 4 Steps To Control Your Diabetes For Life—This easy-to-read booklet lays out the four key steps for controlling diabetes and includes a record card to monitor care.
    
    
  • Tips for Helping a Person with Diabetes—Managing diabetes can be difficult. This one-page reproducible handout provides tips and resources for supporting a loved one with diabetes.
    
    
  • Get Real TV PSA—This NDEP PSA won a Gold Mercury Award in the Print and Video Awareness Campaigns category. International Mercury Awards are sponsored by MerComm, Inc. to advance the arts and sciences of communications. To date, the PSA has aired more than 2,500 times on about 225 stations, generating the equivalent of $1.7 million in free advertising for NDEP.
  
  More

  Next Steps
  For free copies of either publication, call (800) 438-5383 or visit the NDEP Web site at www.ndep.nih.gov to download an electronic version. To view the PSA, visit www.ndep.nih.gov/campaigns/tools.htm#psaTV.

Gene Therapy

• New System for Reporting Adverse Events in Human Gene Therapy Trials
  Format: Web Site
  Institute: Office of the Director (OD)

  In an effort to speed up how quickly researchers report adverse events in human gene therapy trials, the NIH and the Food and Drug Administration have launched a new Web-accessible database called Genetic Modification Clinical Research Information System (GeMCRIS).
  
  GeMCRIS, developed collaboratively by the two agencies, will provide information directly to the public and will improve the government’s ability to monitor adverse or undesirable developments in these gene therapy trials, also known as gene transfer trials. With this important electronic tool, scientists can report on and analyze any adverse events.
  
  NIH Director Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D., said, “GeMCRIS is an important achievement and a unique resource for scientists, patients, and the public. GeMCRIS will help advance gene therapy, while allowing the NIH, the FDA, and the research community to maintain appropriate oversight.”
  
  Acting FDA Commissioner Lester M. Crawford, D.V.M., Ph.D., said, “the development of GeMCRIS illustrates the government’s commitment to addressing public and patient concerns about safety while advancing gene therapy.”
  

  Next Steps
  The public GeMCRIS site is at www.gemcris.od.nih.gov.

Infections

• The Problem of Antibiotic Resistance Explained
  Format: Fact Sheet
  Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

  Antibiotics are frequently relied upon to fight infections caused by disease-causing bacteria. Yet some bacteria are no longer vulnerable to the killing action of most antibiotics. This updated fact sheet presents an overview of antibiotic resistance, factors that contribute to the problem, and current NIAID-supported research in this area.

  Next Steps
  The fact sheet is available online at www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/antimicro.htm.

Population Groups

• Diabetes Information Produced for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
  Format: Web Site and Brochures
  Institute: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

  Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders with diabetes can view—in a choice of 15 languages—colorful, informative brochures or Web pages that explain the link between diabetes and heart disease. In May, which is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, NIDDK's National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) is offering patient education handouts tailored specifically for these diverse populations.
  More

  Next Steps
  To view the Web pages and to obtain free copies of the brochure, please visit www.ndep.nih.gov/get-info/heartcare.htm.