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June 2004 Events * May is Better Hearing and Speech Month Topic(s): Community Outreach, Ear, Nose, and Throat When: May 2004 Where: Nationwide Institute: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) About 30 million Americans are exposed to dangerous levels of noise every day and 10 million Americans already have related hearing loss. During May, which is Better Hearing and Speech Month each year, organizations around the country team up to get the word out to the public about hearing loss and offer free or reduced price hearing tests and assistance in obtaining hearing aids. Given the proliferation of noise through such avenues as headphones, amplification systems, and power tools, our daily exposure to noise may be far greater now than at anytime in human history. The greatest increase has occurred in just one generation, yet noise-induced hearing loss is completely preventable. NIDCD Director James F. Battey, M.D., Ph.D., notes in an April 2004 Time Magazine article, “The greatest increase in noise-related hearing loss occurs for people 45 to 64 years old. This is almost 20 years younger than we would expect.” Dr. Battey also notes in a March 2004 Washington Times article that hearing loss is caused by a combination of three factors, “the loudness of the sound, the duration of exposure, and the distance away from the source of noise.”Among the organizations publicizing Better Hearing and Speech Month are many that also are part of the WISE EARS!® coalition led by NIDCD. Next Steps To learn how to protect your hearing, call (800) 241-1044 for free information and publications or visit www.nidcd.nih.gov and click on Health Information and WISE EARS!®. * Obesity and the Built Environment: Improving Public Health Through Community Design Topic(s): Environmental Health When: May 24–26, 2004 Where: Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, DC Institute: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) This conference will examine how buildings and other constructed parts of our environment contribute to obesity, through, for example, facilitating access to food and reducing the need for physical activity. The conference also will investigate how environmental health research and interventions can address the public health problem of obesity. Who Should Attend? * Academicians from schools of public health, architecture, planning, medicine, and nursing. * Representatives of environmental, health, planning, and transportation agencies of federal, state, and local governments. * Advocacy and public health professional organizations and associations. * Community and business leaders. * Policy makers, urban planners, communication specialists, health educators, physicians, nurses, and public health practitioners. Next Steps For more information, please visit www.niehs.nih.gov/drcpt/beoconf. * PBS’ American Family Campaign to Reach Hispanic/Latino Audiences Topic(s): Population Groups When: April 4, 2004 Where: Nationwide Institute: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) In the second season of PBS’ acclaimed drama series, American Family , PBS will feature materials from NIDDK's National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) to highlight the prevention and treatment of diabetes for Hispanics. During the new season, which began April 4, 2004, American Family—Journey of Dreams will chronicle the daily struggle and triumphs of the Gonzalez family.This program focuses on Latino health and wellness issues, while also emphasizing the importance of family sharing and heritage. As part of the effort, local PBS stations are encouraged to create relationships with local organizations to reach and serve Latino families and neighborhoods. To support NDEP’s role as a partner, PBS will provide a NDEP profile to each of the local PBS stations that underscores the expertise and resources about diabetes that NDEP offers. PBS will also give selected stations outreach grants to help develop local projects, such as health fairs and health workshops, family fitness events, and family sharing and learning activities. Next Steps PBS’ Web site is www.pbs.org/americanfamily. NDEP’s Web site is http://ndep.nih.gov. * Science in the Cinema Begins May 11 at the AFI Silver Theater Topic(s): Community Outreach, Medical Research Ethics When: May 11–July 13, 2004 Where: AFI Silver Theater, Silver Spring, MD Institute: Office of Science Education (OSE) The NIH’s free annual Science in the Cinema series begins on May 11 and will show movies with medical science-related themes. This festival, sponsored by OSE in partnership with the historic AFI Silver Theater and Cultural Center in downtown Silver Spring, will be held at the Silver Theater. Each film showing will be followed by comments from a guest speaker with expertise in the film’s subject area and then by audience questions. Film titles and the medical themes covered are: * May 11: Silvia—depression and suicide * June 8: Dark Victory—brain cancer * July 13: Miss Evers’ Boys—Tuskegee syphilis experiments, human subjects research, history of medicine The films begin at 7 p.m. and free tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis (there are 400 seats) through the AFI Silver box office the day of the show. All films are shown with captions and American Sign Language interpreters will be available for the post-film discussions. Science in the Cinema is open to the general public and is intended for a broad range of individuals who enjoy the cinema and have an interest in science and medicine. Next Steps - For further information about Science in the Cinema, visit OSE’s Web site at http://science.education.nih.gov/cinema. To request reasonable accommodation, e-mail moorec@mail.nih.gov or call (301) 402-2470 [TTY: (301) 496-9706]. - For information about the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, visit AFI Silver’s Web site at http://afi.com/silver or call (301) 495-6720. The AFI Silver is at 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910, and is easily accessible by Metrorail via the Red Line’s Silver Spring station. * THE EYE SITE Exhibit on Low Vision Visits Ohio, Wyoming, North Dakota Topic(s): Eyes and Vision When: May 2004 Where: Minot, ND; North Olmsted, OH; Casper, WY; Beachwood, OH Institute: National Eye Institute (NEI) To help people understand low vision (vision problems that interfere with the ability to perform everyday activities) and to explain what they can do to stay independent despite vision loss, NEI developed THE EYE SITE: A Traveling Exhibit on Low Vision for Shopping Centers. The exhibit will visit shopping malls in the above four locations during May. By the end of 2003, two identical exhibits had visited more than 49 malls or other venues in the District of Columbia and the states of Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia. Since THE EYE SITE tour was launched in April 2001, the NEI has: * Provided more than 29 million people with the opportunity to visit the exhibit and learn about low vision. * Distributed more than 50,000 publications. * 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 in South Dakota Ends in May Topic(s): Eyes and Vision When: May 2004 Where: Sioux Falls, SD Institute: National Eye Institute (NEI) The NEI’s V I S I O N traveling exhibit wraps up its tour in South Dakota on May 16.V I S I O N was developed as part of 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. These modules demonstrate how the eye focuses light, how we perceive motion and color, and how the brain processes visual information into a meaningful picture. Since the exhibit tour was launched in 1993, V I S I O N has visited science museums in 29 cities and been seen by more than 5 million visitors. Next Steps Members of the public can visit the exhibit through May 16 at the Kirby Science Discovery Center. For hours and directions, visit the Discovery Center’s Web site at www.washingtonpavilion.org/ScienceDiscoveryCenter/Index.cfm. Resources * 100 Years of Advances Against Cancer; What Lies Ahead; Clinical Trials Topic(s): Cancers 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 Information Produced for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Topic(s): Population Groups 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. NDEP's educative materials are useful tools to distribute at health fairs, libraries, hospitals, and work sites in local communities. 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. * New System for Reporting Adverse Events in Human Gene Therapy Trials Topic(s): Gene Therapy 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. * Questions and Answers About Physical Activity and Cancer Topic(s): Cancers 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. * The Problem of Antibiotic Resistance Explained Topic(s): Infections 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. * Updated Diabetes Advice Available; Diabetes PSA Receives Award Topic(s): Diabetes 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. 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. Announcements * American Indian Students Tour Rocky Mountain Laboratories Topic(s): Infections, Minority Outreach When: April 22, 2004 Where: Hamilton, MT Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) American Indian college students from a variety of places in Montana dabbled in electron microscopy, genomics, and robotics during a tour of the Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton, Montana. These laboratories, whose parent organization is NIAID, form a state-of-the-art research facility and attract world-class scientists to study infectious microbes that cause disease in humans and animals. Students belonging to the American Indian Science and Engineering Society requested the tour as part of the organization’s regional conference at the nearby University of Montana, Missoula. Researchers Tom Schwan, Ph.D., and Olivia Steele-Mortimer, Ph.D., updated the group on current research under way at the facility, including tick-borne diseases and how Salmonella enteriditis infection is becoming a life-threatening illness for people with suppressed immune systems. Students also received information about job opportunities available through NIAID's Intramural Research Opportunities Program. Intramural programs are those that take place on the NIH campus. Next Steps Contact Ken Pekoc at (406) 375-9690. * Patient Advocates Forum on Oral Health Effects Convenes Topic(s): Oral Health When: April 27, 1904 Where: NIH Campus, Bethesda, MD Institute: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) NIDCR hosted its fifth annual Patient Advocates Forum, welcoming 16 patient representatives from 14 organizations with a shared interest in the oral health effects of their respective disorders. NIDCR staff detailed new funding opportunities focused on research needs of particular interest to participants. In turn, the staff sought input from participants on how best to bring the expertise of their research communities into the grant application process. Forum attendees heard about the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research, received updates on NIDCR and clearinghouse activities, and toured the National Library of Medicine. An informal advocates roundtable provided a venue to discuss issues that cut across the volunteer health organizations, including such topics as sponsoring scientific meetings, collaborating on common interest areas, and raising awareness of nonprofit organizations. Next Steps Contact Patricia Sheridan at (301) 594-7557. * Salvation Army Workshop, An Umbrella of Care, Covers HIV/AIDS Topic(s): HIV/AIDS, Minority Outreach When: April 21, 2004 Where: Bloomingdale, NJ Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) An Umbrella of Care workshop on HIV/AIDS gave Salvation Army employees a basic overview of current HIV/AIDS treatments and therapies, information on the status of HIV vaccine development, and details of how Salvation Army clients and others can access HIV/AIDS care services. Many individuals who are served by the Salvation Army are also at risk for HIV. The Salvation Army event was also co-sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services and NIAID. NIAID officials gave an HIV Vaccine 101 presentation. Next Steps For more information, contact Matthew Murguía at (301) 435-7164. * Small Steps, Big Rewards Aims to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes Topic(s): Population Groups When: April 28, 2004Shiloh Baptist Church, 9th & P Streets NW, Washington, DC Institute: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) A new program, Small Steps, Big Rewards: Prevent type 2 Diabetes, is the first national awareness campaign based on the findings from NIDDK's Diabetes Prevention Program clinical trial. Targeting overweight people above 45, the campaign promotes the message that people can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes by losing 5 to 7 percent of their body weight through moderate changes in diet and increased physical activity. Since the Small Steps, Big Rewards campaign was launched in November, 2002, by NIDDK's National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP), Reaching Out to People at Highest Risk, NDEP has coordinated with its high-risk population work groups to develop tailored diabetes prevention campaign messages. On April 28, NDEP launched the following campaign messages for high-risk audiences: * More Than 50 Ways to Prevent Diabetes—African Americans. * Prevengamos la diabetes tipo 2, Paso a Paso (Let's prevent type 2 diabetes, Step by Step)—Hispanic and Latino Americans. * We Have the Power to Prevent Diabetes—American Indians and Alaska Natives. * Two Reasons to Prevent Diabetes: My Future and Theirs—Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. * It's Not Too Late to Prevent Diabetes. Take Your First Step Today—Older Adults. In addition to unveiling the new campaign messages, NDEP also introduced the Small Steps, Big Rewards Team to Prevent Diabetes. The team comprises outstanding citizens and/or community leaders representing each of the campaign's target audiences. They symbolize the ethnically diverse and inclusive nature of the NDEP's diabetes prevention campaigns and serve as spokespersons to promote the campaign messages to national and local media, and their communities. Next Steps To ask about future campaigns, please contact Joanne Gallivan at (301) 496-6110 or Joanne_Gallivan@nih.gov, or Jane Kelly at (770) 488-5196 or azk9@cdc.gov. * Spreading the Word About Diabetes at Aging Conference Topic(s): Seniors" Health When: April 14–17, 2004 Where: San Francisco, CA Institute: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) To spread the word about ways to prevent diabetes, NIDDK's National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) presented at a conference in San Francisco. The conference was co-sponsored by the nation's two largest professional associations for aging issues, the American Society on Aging (ASA) and the National Council on the Aging (NCOA). The NDEP participated in the following panel presentations: * Closing the Gap: Tools and Model Programs for Addressing Health Disparities. * The NDEP's Small Steps, Big Rewards Campaign: Journeying Together to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes. Next Steps For more information about the conference visit ASA-NCOA's Web site at www.agingconference.org. For more information about diabetes, visit NDEP at http://ndep.nih.gov.