Resource Corner

Cultural Competence Resources Available
The National Center for Cultural Competence (NCCC) increases the capacity of health care and mental health programs to design, implement, and evaluate culturally and linguistically competent service delivery systems. To do so, NCCC offers technical assistance that includes on-site training, presentations and exhibits, telephone consultations, and cultural competence self-assessments. The NCCC collaborates with the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) to increase access to primary health care services for underserved and vulnerable populations, and to reduce health disparities among racial and ethnic groups. For more information, go to http://www.georgetown.edu/research/gucdc/nccc/.

New Web Site From The Access Project
The Access Project, a national health care initiative supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Annie E. Casey Foundation, has redesigned its Web site to increase the amount of information about community initiatives in support of access to health care for the uninsured. The project works in partnership with Brandeis University and provides field consultants who assist advocates trying to increase or improve access.

The new Web site features "stories from the field" from cross-country project partners who are changing health care policy in their communities. Updated weekly, the site also features a variety of The Access Project publications available to order or download, including policy and data guides, as well as reports from communities that are changing public and private policy to benefit the uninsured. Other features include news and information on community-based surveys of the uninsured, specific issues related to health access expansion, and links to other health and nonprofit Web sites. For more information, contact:

The Access Project
30 Winter St., Suite 930
Boston, MA 02108
Telephone: (617) 654-9911
Fax: (617) 654-9922
E-mail: website@accessproject.org
Web site: http://www.accessproject.org

Capital Assistance Funding: Rural Health Resource Guide
This guide is designed to help hospitals, clinics, community health centers, and other rural health providers learn more about various funding options to meet their capital needs. Rural Information Center Health Services, Rural Health In Brief No. 3, updated December 2002. For more information, go to http://www.nal.usda.gov/ric/ricpubs/capital_assistance.htm.

NHLBI Health Information Network-New Electronic Resource
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health has launched a new electronic information resource for health professionals-the NHLBI Health Information Network. There is no cost to join. To sign up, visit the Web site at http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov, and click on "Join the Network" at the bottom of the page.

Members receive a new e-mail message about twice a month that includes:

• Health Action E-Bulletins: Summaries of NHLBI research findings and publications and their practical application to clinical care.
• HeartMemo and AsthmaMemo: Electronic newsletters featuring updates about NHLBI education programs, professional and patient education materials, highlights of workshops and conferences, data for program planning, and other information.
• Online continuing education: Access to high-quality professional education resources with the convenience of computer access (many include free continuing medical education and certified health education specialist credits).
• Webcasts: Opportunities to participate in major scientific conferences without leaving the office.

American Diabetes Association Web Resources for Patients and Professionals
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has Web-based resources available for health care professionals, including a free weekly electronic newsletter Diabetes E-News Now! for Health Care Professionals. Visit the ADA site at http://www.diabetes.org, and click on "For Health Care Professionals."