American Indian/Alaska Native Outreach
August 1-6, 2002
Anchorage, AK

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) and the National Eye Institute (NEI) shared an exhibit at the 31st annual conference of the Association of American Indian Physicians in Anchorage, AK, August 1-6. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, the National Library of Medicine, and the Office of Science Education also exhibited at the conference. The conference focused on current trends, policy, research, and practices concerning, the health care of American Indians and Alaskan Natives. In addition, on August 3, NIDCD's Office of Diversity and Minority Outreach and Office of Health Communication and Public Liaison discussed NIDCD's partnership program with the University of Alaska as part of a session for medical students and resident physicians. For more information, contact Marin P. Allen, Ph.D., at (301) 496-7243 or by e-mail at marin_allen@nih.gov.

6th Annual NIMH Research Roundtable Includes Public Participants
June 19, 2002
Washington, DC

The 6th Annual Research Roundtable was held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, on June 19th. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) convened this annual meeting with interested organizations, representing wide-ranging perspectives including those of consumers and providers of mental health services, family members, research scientists, and others. The meeting is an important component of NIMH's overall strategic planning process and is designed to exchange information with attendees about current and future NIMH activities, and to get critical input from all those attending through ample opportunity for comments, suggestions, and questions. A report from this Roundtable will be available at www.nimh.nih.gov/events/roundtablemenu.cfm, where proceedings from past years' meetings are also posted.

NIAAA-Supported Initiative Places Underage Drinking Prevention Dioramas in Airports
Nationwide

To draw attention to the widespread problem of alcohol use by children in this country, the NIAAA/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation initiative, Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free, has sponsored the placement of more than 200 dioramas in 36 major airports across the United States. The message, "1 in 4 eighth graders has been drunk," is prominently displayed on each diorama against a background of children's faces. Along with the subtext, "Let's stop kidding ourselves about childhood drinking," the dioramas make a compelling case for putting the prevention of early alcohol use on the national agenda. The Leadership initiative is spearheaded by more than 30 governors' spouses from every region of the United States. Their goal is to educate the American public about the dangers of alcohol use by children ages 9 to 15 and to mobilize action to prevent it. This effort is the only national coalition that focuses on the prevention of alcohol use in this young age group. The initiative benefits from additional support from the NIH Office of Research on Women's Health, the NIH National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and advisors from 28 major public and private organizations.

To see whether your local airport is participating in this effort, or for other information resources about underage drinking and initiative activities, visit the Leadership's Web site at www.alcoholfreechildren.org.

NIAID Offers Educational Workshops on Community Involvement
September 19, 2002
Anaheim, CA

The National Institute and Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) continues efforts to increase public awareness about the latest HIV/AIDS research and particularly the progress of HIV/AIDS vaccine research. NIAID will conduct two educational workshops at the U.S. Conference on AIDS in Anaheim, CA, sponsored by the National Minority AIDS Council. One workshop provides an overview of HIV/AIDS vaccine research, including the need for increased community awareness, support, and involvement in the research process.

The other session is designed to increase awareness about and foster interest in various opportunities for community involvement in NIAID-funded HIV/AIDS research. NIAID is committed to community participation in all aspects of the research process, from setting research priorities to disseminating research findings. A sustained relationship with the community acknowledges the critical role of the community as an equal partner in research and helps foster and maintain trust. This session addresses how "community" is defined in the context of research; the role of a Community Advisory Board; challenges research sites face in soliciting and maintaining community involvement; and specific challenges in international HIV research, particularly in developing countries. For registration information, visit www.nmac.org or contact James Hadley at (301) 496-5717.

CARRA Program Celebrates One Year of Scientific/Public Interaction
September 2002

This September 2002 marks the one-year anniversary of a new program at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Over the last 12 months, the Office of Liaison Activities (OLA) has been busy promoting its Consumer Advocates Research and Related Activities (CARRA) program and has filled 71 requests so far. The purpose of the CARRA program is to increase opportunities for cancer patients to provide their perspective into NCI's research.

CARRA has approximately 200 members that represent many different cancer types, age groups, and ethnic groups from across the nation. They provide their viewpoint and ideas to NCI staff by participating in NCI activities like scientific peer reviews, cancer center site visits, Web site usability testing, focus groups, and publication review and development. NCI staff request a CARRA member to bring their patient perspective to "the table."

For a list of list of many CARRA members and their organizations, go to http://la.cancer.gov/carra/member_roster.html. You can also visit the CARRA Homepage for more information about CARRA members' roles, responsibilities, and activities at: http://la.cancer.gov/carra/index.html.

One Year After 9/11: What Have We Learned and Where Do We Go From Here?
September 9, 2002
New York, NY

The New York Academy of Medicine, in collaboration with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), is presenting a conference to provide national and regional leaders in public health, science, medicine, and preparedness planning the opportunity to examine research findings on substance abuse and mental health consequences since 9/11 and to explore policy and planning initiatives in New York. For more information, contact the program coordinator, Maya Ravindranath, at (212) 822-7220 or e-mail mravindranath@nyam.org.

NIDCR Hosts Third Annual Patient Advocates Forum
May 2, 2002
Bethesda, MD

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) hosted its third annual Patient Advocates Forum on May 2 at the Holiday Inn in Bethesda. The conference welcomed 15 patient advocates representing 12 organizations with a shared interest in the oral health effects of their respective disorders and conditions. Of particular interest to the advocates this year was in-depth information on clinical trials. National Library of Medicine staff gave attendees an interactive look at www.clinicaltrials.gov, a Web site that provides patients, health care professionals, and the public easy access to information on clinical trials for a wide range of diseases and conditions. Following was a presentation on NCI's new clinical trials education program, which can be readily adapted to trials on any condition. This educational series includes workbooks, brochures, slide programs, and videos for a variety of audiences. NIDCR staff rounded out the discussion with a presentation of ongoing Institute-supported clinical trials. For more information, contact Patricia Sheridan at (301) 594-7557 or by e-mail at Patricia.Sheridan@nih.gov.

NIAAA Continues Recruitment for COMBINE Study
Nationwide

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has recruited more than 800 of the 1,375 patients needed for the Institute's largest alcohol treatment study. However, the 11 centers involved in the clinical trial continue to seek partners to spread the word about the study and recruitment efforts. COMBINE, combining medications and behavioral interventions, is an evaluation of various combinations of behavioral interventions (including motivational enhancement, cognitive behavioral therapy, and referral to self-help) and two pharmacologic interventions (naltrexone and acamprosate) to treat alcohol dependence, commonly known as alcoholism. COMBINE is expected to determine which combinations may improve treatment outcome. Individuals interested in participating should visit www.clinicaltrials.gov. To learn more about the study or about partnering with a clinical site in your area, contact Ann M. Bradley at (301) 443-0595 or via e-mail at abradley@willco.niaaa.nih.gov, for additional information or to obtain the name of the recruitment coordinator nearest you.

Biodefense Research and Support: Job Opportunities

Consider joining the national effort to build a new research program aimed at the global problem of bioterrorism and emerging infections. Dynamic and committed individuals are invited to join the scientific and medical forces at NIAID. For further information on the numerous immediately available positions, go to http://healthresearch.niaid.nih.gov/omni or contact James Hadley at (301) 496-5717.

September is National Cholesterol Education Month
September 2002

Research has shown that lowering blood cholesterol reduces the risk of developing heart disease and having a heart attack. The Adult Treatment Panel III, or ATP III, guidelines call for more aggressive cholesterol-lowering treatment and better identification of those at high risk for heart disease. Accordingly, the theme for this year's National Cholesterol Education Month is "Know Your Cholesterol Numbers-Know Your Risk." For educational materials and ideas on how to promote National Cholesterol Education Month, view the online kit at http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/cholmonth. Be sure to check out the National Cholesterol Education Program's (NCEP) popular interactive Web site, Live Healthier, Live Longer, at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/chd. The Web site features information about cholesterol lowering for persons who want to reduce their risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD) and for persons who already have CHD. The NCEP is sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

6th Annual PRISM Award Winners
May 9, 2002

The movie Blow, starring Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz, received the PRISM Award in the Theatrical Feature Film category at the 6th Annual PRISM Awards™ held on May 9, 2002, at CBS Television City in Los Angeles. The PRISM Awards™ recognize outstanding efforts in the accurate depiction of drug, alcohol, and tobacco use and addiction in film, television, interactive media, and comic book entertainment. Established in 1997, the PRISM Awards™ represent an annual partnership formed by the Entertainment Industries Council, Inc., the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and NIDA. Other PRISM Awards™ were given to ABC's My Wife and Kids and All My Children, Lifetime's The Division, NBC's Third Watch, and ABC's Life With Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows. A PRISM Award™ also went to Ozzy Osbourne for his song "Junkie" in the Music Recording or Music Video category, one of two new categories to receive a PRISM Award™ this year. Independent films Acts of Worship and Smoke and Mirrors: A History of Denial were the recipients of the other new category, the PRISM Film Festival Award, which is presented to films that have not yet been released but are playing the festival circuit. In total, 14 winners were selected out of 56 nominees and 236 submissions.

NIDCD Implementing Periodic Review of Health Materials
August 2002

As part of its program of continuous improvement process, the NIDCD will implement a cyclic review of health-related materials that are disseminated to the public and health professionals. Experts in the fields of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language will assist the Institute with reviewing existing health information materials, such as the Institute's fact sheets and CHID database materials, to ensure they meet the public's needs and determine if additional or updated information is needed. The first review, scheduled for August 2002, will examine voice, speech, and language materials. For more information, contact Marin P. Allen, Ph.D., at (301) 496-7243 or by e-mail at marin_allen@nih.gov.

Health Literacy National Challenge
May 9 and 10, 2002

NIDCD participated in the Institute for Healthcare Advancement's national Health Literacy Conference in Anaheim, CA, May 9 and 10. The conference focused on the consumers' inability to read and understand health information materials, latest research results in health literacy, and factors to consider in calculating the cost of low health literacy, and exchanges of strategies for improving outreach to individuals with literacy challenges. For more information, contact Marin P. Allen, Ph.D., at (301) 496-7243 or by e-mail at marin_allen@nih.gov.

Substance Abuse Increases in New York City in Aftermath of September 11th

Survey results indicate that smoking, alcohol, and marijuana use increased among residents of Manhattan during the five to eight weeks after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Almost one-third of the nearly 1,000 persons interviewed reported an increased use of alcohol, marijuana, or tobacco following the terrorist attacks. The largest increase was in alcohol use. Results of the survey, which was funded by NIDA, appear in the June 1, 2002, issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology.

NIAID Vaccine Research Center Hosts Open House Reception
April 30, 2002
NIH Campus

More than 100 invited guests attended an open house reception at the NIAID Vaccine Research Center on the NIH campus to hear first-hand about the mission of the center, tour the facility, and talk to scientists about their HIV/AIDS vaccine research. Representatives of HIV/AIDS research and service organizations from as far as Baltimore, MD, and Fairfax, VA, heard remarks from Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., NIAID director; Gary Nabel, M.D., Ph.D., VRC director; and Barney Graham, M.D., Ph.D., director of clinical studies. For more information, contact James Hadley at (301) 496-5717.

Redesigned NCCAM Web Site is Launched
Available Now

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) launched its newly redesigned Web site, which houses an array of information on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices and research. The site features not only a new architecture for easier navigation and access to information, but also new content and links. View the Web site at http://nccam.nih.gov. For additional information, contact Irene Liu at (301) 492-6525.

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