The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released an updated and improved version of the Surgeon General’s Internet-based family health history tool. This new tool makes it easier for consumers to assemble and share family health history information.  It can also help practitioners make better use of health history information so they can provide more informed and personalized care for their patients. For more information please visit the following URL: https://familyhistory.hhs.gov/fhh-web/home.action [scb]

The American Library Association (ALA) Public Information Office announced the release of “Increasing Relevance, Relationships and Results: Principles & Practices for Effective Multicultural Communication—Library Edition,” http://tinyurl.com/7xdtvo written by the Metropolitan Group, a leading strategic communication and resource development agency specializing in work with libraries.

The article defines eight principles and practices for effective multicultural communication, and highlights the important, integrated role multicultural communication plays in creating social change. Read more at http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2009/january2009/piomulticulturalcomm.cfm [scb]

It’s a new series of classes presented by the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, MidContinental Region! We’re focusing on the “spotlight” aspect - choosing limited databases on which to focus, and practice time with exercises in each monthly session. The first is “Update on PubMed” - presented by Rebecca Brown on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009 for one hour - 1:00 MT, 2:00 CT.

This online training is FREE, and requires no registration. All you need is a computer with Internet access and a phone. All classes can be accessed by going to https://webmeeting. nih.gov/mcrupdate. The series is targeted for the fourth Wednesday each month. Upcoming dates and topics include: Feb. 25 -MedlinePlus and the Household Products Database., March 25 - Educational Resources for Kids, and April 22 - Drug Resources. We hope to “see” you there!

The National Library of Medicine and the American Library Association want to show you how to find the information that will help you achieve good health.

The site introduces the resources of the National Library of Medicine and provides information that helps communities of color in rural settings make good health decisions. Visit http://olos.ala.org/goodhealth/ today! [da]

This three-day summit attempted to showcase the collective contribution of NIH in the development of new knowledge in the Science of Eliminating Health Disparities; highlight the progress of NIH minority health and health disparities research activities to improve prevention, diagnostic, and treatment methods; increase awareness and understanding of disparities in health; showcase best-practice models in research, capacity-building, outreach, and integrated strategies to find solutions to health disparities; and identify gaps in health disparities research. View the webcast at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/health_cast/hcast_index.cfm?display=detail&hc=3091 [scb]

On Thursday, December 18, from 3 - 4 pm EST, join The Disparities Solutions Center and representatives from the American Hospital Association and the National Association of Public Hospitals (both to be confirmed) as [they] continue [the] Robert Wood Johnson Foundation sponsored web seminar series with an event launching Improving Quality and Achieving Equity: A Guide for Hospital Leaders. This Guide is constructed to be clear, concise, practical, and easy to read. It is targeted to hospital leaders - including CEOs, VPs, and others that focus on quality, safety, finance, and risk management. The 60-minute, interactive, web-based seminar is free and open to the public. Register online now as space is limited. http://tinyurl.com/63d4en [posted on Joint Commission Hospitals, Language, and Culture List] scb

Google also has a new ‘branch’ called Google.org. The site “aspires to use the power of information and technology to address the global challenges of our age: climate change, poverty and emerging disease.” Included in the new site is a section called: Explore flu trends across the U.S. The page includes a flu shot locator by zip code. http://www.google.org/flutrends/ [rb]

Fotonovela from Hypertension Project
https://xfiles.uth.tmc.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-1937631_1-t_BTd1XO6o (PDF file)
Como Controlar Su Hipertension
This fotonovela was developed as a collaboration between the University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston and the CDC.

Free Somali Mental Health Video
Egal Shidad, a Somali folk character, is at work to bring mental health messages to the Somali communities in the United States. The Confederation of Somali Community, ECHO Minnesota (Emergency, Community and Health Outreach), KFAI Community Radio, Saint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN) collaborated to produce and hour-long show which is now available on the web at http://newroutes.org Somali producer and host Mukhtar Gaaddasaar takes the audience on a journey to learn about mental health.

The program includes storytelling, personal opinions, historical accounts of traditional ceremonies, guidance from an Imam, and valuable insight from two mental health professionals experienced in working with Somalis. A free DVD with English subtitles will be available in December and you can put in your request by writing directly to the project managers - a link is on the web site.

[posted on ClAStalk listserv] scb