We are attempting to get this information back primarily from sites that are testing physical activity interventions; however, there is a short section on SAE's for other health behaviors for those sites not conducting physical activity interventions. Only one completed questionnaire from each site (return instructions are enclosed in the survey). Completed surveys are requested by March 13th, so we can include results in our SBM presentation. Our pilot tests indicate that the survey take about 10-15 minutes to complete.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation. If any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Barb Resnick or Mace Coday. 

MAINTENANCE OF LONG-TERM BEHAVIORAL CHANGE

Release Date: January 15, 2003
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: March 11, 2003
Application Receipt Date: April 11, 2003

The Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research along with 10 other National Institutes of Health invites applications for research projects that: a) examine biopsychosocial processes and test interventions designed to achieve long-term health behavior change, and b) a Resource Center to provide coordination for this set of research projects. This Request for Applications follows on a 1997 RFA focusing on "Innovative Approaches to Disease Prevention Through Behavior Change." The goal of the 1997 RFA was to stimulate investigation of innovative strategies designed to achieve healthy behavior change by focusing on tobacco use, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and alcohol abuse. The RFA solicited intervention studies aimed at either a comparison of theoretical approaches to behavior change or assessment of the utility of specific behavior change theory in a multibehavioral framework.

All BCC project sites are strongly encouraged to submit applications. For further details about this RFA, please click on the topic subhead above. 

CDC's 5-A-Day program has five SBIR's now open with closing dates of April 1 and December 1,   2003. Topics are located on pages 138 and 139 of the Solicitation noted above.

They include:

• Design, develop and evaluate a fruit and vegetable logo program that aids consumers in determining servings of fruit and vegetables consumed.
• Design, develop and evaluate methods to encourage purchase of simple, timesaving, fresh and good tasting healthful food items in supermarkets, convenience stores or other locations.
• Design, develop and evaluate innovative food service alternatives for use at schools, workplaces or other locations.
• Design, develop and evaluate (pilot test) a comprehensive educational strategy/program with school aged children and young adults that focuses on increased vegetable and fruit consumption.
• Design, implement and evaluate an environmental change intervention incorporating 5-A-Day.

To download a PDF version of the document, click on the topic subhead.

N.B. The following is an excerpt from the NIH Final statement on Sharing Research Data, issued February 26, 2003. For a complete account of the NIH Data Sharing Policy, please click on the topic subhead above.

The NIH endorses the sharing of final research data to serve these and other important scientific goals.  The NIH expects and supports the timely release and sharing of final research data from NIH-supported studies for use by other researchers. Starting with the October 1, 2003 receipt date, investigators submitting an NIH application seeking $500,000 or more in direct costs in any single year are expected to include a plan for data sharing or state why data sharing is not possible.  

 The final NIH statement on data sharing is largely the same as stated in the March 1, 2002 draft with the following exceptions:   

• The effective start date has been changed from January 1, 2003 to October 1, 2003 receipt date. 

• This policy applies to applicants seeking $500,000 or more in direct costs in any year of the project period.  Such applicants are expected to contact IC program staff prior to submission and are also expected to include a data-sharing plan in their application stating how they will share the data or, if they cannot share the data, why not. Applicants responding to an RFA or RFP will find instructions related to data sharing in the specific announcement. 

•  Several groups and individuals objected to sharing of research data prior to publication.  As noted earlier, NIH recognizes that the investigators who collect the data have a legitimate interest in benefiting from their investment of time and effort.  We have therefore revised our definition of "the timely release and sharing" to be no later than the acceptance for publication of the main findings from the final data set.  NIH continues to expect that the initial investigators may benefit from first and continuing use but not from prolonged exclusive use.

The Program Office of the National Children's Study is conducting a national search for a qualified behavioral or social scientist to help develop a large cohort study of environmental effects on children's health and development, as part of a federal multi-agency effort. The position will support the scientific planning, implementation, analysis and reporting of the study with respect to the child development, behavior, and social science aspects of the study. Duties will include synthesizing scientific data, writing study protocols, scientific supervision of NCS research projects, serving as (or becoming) an expert on the developmental, behavioral, and social science aspects of the study for the Program Office, and working with study committees and working groups to provide scientific support. The full job announcement, including a description of required qualifications and application procedures, can be accessed by clicking on the above subhead.

Inquiries from potential applicants should be directed to Dr. Peter Scheidt. 

The incumbent manages complex, multidisciplinary grants, contracts and/or cooperative agreements which includes overseeing scientific, administrative and fiscal aspects of such grants and monitoring them to completion. The incumbent evaluates and assesses current projects for scientific merit, adequacy and relevancy to objectives. Performs scientific and administrative reviews and analyses of the research grants from a program view point for use as a guide to planning and developing future empirical studies in cancer survivor populations, with particular attention to the health and functioning of long term survivors and their families. Presents research concepts for new programs; visits research institutions and grantees to explain objectives and determine progress of research. Publishes peer reviewed papers, technical reports and other relevant scientific and health policy articles to a variety of audiences inside and outside the government.

For more information and application procedures, click on the subhead above and enter Announcement Number NCI-03-2100.

A diet low in energy-dense foods that are high in saturated fats and sugars, and abundant in fruit and vegetables, together with an active lifestyle are among the key measures to combat chronic disease recommended in an independent Expert Report prepared for two UN agencies.

 The report, commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), from a team of global experts, aims to identify new recommendations for governments on diet and exercise to tackle the ever-increasing number of people who die each year from chronic diseases. The burden of chronic diseases – which include cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes and obesity – is rapidly increasing worldwide. In 2001, chronic diseases contributed approximately 59% of the 56.5 million total reported deaths in the world and 46%of the global burden of disease.

The Expert Report will be formally published in April as a WHO/FAO technical report together with an evaluation by the Organizations and outlines of actions to implement the recommendations. The Report will be a critical science-based contribution to the development of the Global Strategy, aimed at reducing the growing burden of disease related to cardiovascular diseases, several forms of cancer, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis and dental disease.

For more detailed information, please visit the WHO website by clicking on the topic subhead above.

A national satellite broadcast and webcast.
March 28, 2003
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. ET

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 was designed to facilitate health insurance reform, implement standards for the transfer of health data, and protect the privacy of healthcare consumers. On April 14, 2003, compliance with the HIPAA Privacy Rule will become mandatory for all covered entities except for small health plans. This new law restricts the use and disclosure of protected health information and provides consumers with greater access to and control over their own medical records. While the Privacy Rule was not designed to impede public health practice, it is clear that the implementation of this rule presents some serious challenges to public health practice. This program will discuss these challenges and present strategies for preserving and promoting effective public health practice within the new HIPAA environment.

For further details and registration information, please visit the PHGR website by clicking the the topic subhead above.

A summary of the above conference is now available online. A copy of the agenda, abstracts, presentations, bibliography, and a list of awardees can be accessed by clicking on the subhead above.