NIAAA Releases Video on Women and Alcohol
Available Now

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), in collaboration with the NIH Office of Research on Women's Health, has developed a 12-minute video on women and alcohol. The video includes first-person accounts of women of various ages and ethnic groups who are in recovery, with on-screen information on the prevalence and effects of alcohol problems. The video was pretested in focus groups, and an accompanying brochure is being developed. Copies of the video are available by calling (301) 443-3860 or writing to: NIAAA Publications Distribution Center, P.O. Box 10686, Rockville, MD, 20849-0686.

Underage Drinking Prevention Posters Available
Available Now

NIAAA is working closely with the Department of Education's Safe and Drug-Free School Program to disseminate a new underage drinking prevention poster. The poster depicts a vending machine containing fun-filled items such as a football, camera, skates, and the like with the caption, "With so many things to do, no wonder most kids choose not to drink." More than 50,000 posters have been distributed since May. To view poster or to order on-line, visit at www.niaaa.nih.gov or call (301) 443-3860.

New Fact Sheets about Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Available Now

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has developed two new fact sheets: "Are You Considering Complementary and Alternative Medicine?" and its companion "Selecting a Complementary and Alternative Medicine Practitioner." The fact sheets outline key issues to consider when deciding whether to use a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy or selecting a CAM practitioner. Visit the NCCAM Web site at nccam.nci.nih.gov/health/ to view these fact sheets and more.

NIAAA Video on Community and Public Outreach Programs
June 2000
San Francisco, CA

NIAAA participated in a special workshop on science education and community outreach at the June meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism in San Francisco. The workshop dealt with issues involved in presenting alcohol research to the lay public and school-age children, including how exhibits and exhibitions can be organized, how to create multi-institutional partnerships, and what factors encourage or discourage scientists from becoming involved in outreach activities. Wonderful video footage from science exhibitions around the country was featured as part of the presentations. Dennis A. Twombly, Ph.D., from the Division of Basic Research at NIAAA, presented a talk entitled, "The Objectives of Science Education: Educating the Public, Educating the Scientists, or Educating the Administration?" In addition to describing some of NIAAA's outreach initiatives, Dr. Twombly reviewed potential funding sources for outreach projects and showed video segments from his "Drunken Brain" exhibit. He also reviewed some of the under-appreciated benefits of public outreach projects, such as networking among scientists, heightening the visibility of the presenting scientists and their departments, recruiting students into scientific disciplines, and forging new relationships with other institutions. Enoch Gordis, M.D., former director of NIAAA, discussed the value of public outreach programs to the alcohol research enterprise as a whole and offered some of his unique insights on communicating scientific concepts to the public. Videotape of the workshop is being compiled for distribution in the coming months through a grant from NIDA. For more information contact, contact Dennis A. Twombly, Ph.D., at (301) 443-9334 or by e-mail at dtwombly@mail.nih.gov.

NIAID Compiles Guide on Ethics in Clinical Research at Community Training
May 10, 2002

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) sponsored a one-day training workshop for representatives from the national and international community advisory boards affiliated with NIAID-funded AIDS research networks. The workshop provided an overview of the complex ethical issues involved in conducting clinical research, particularly in developing countries, and gave participants an opportunity to examine the various factors that affect the ethical integrity of research. The session addressed informed consent and the role of Institutional Review Boards and community advisory board members in assuring that a given study is ethical. As part of the workshop, a comprehensive resource guide on ethics in clinical research was compiled to give participants the tools and information needed for their ongoing work. For more information, contact James Hadley at (301) 496-5717.

NIDCD to Release Additional Spanish-Language Health Materials
Available Now

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) recently released 12 more health information publications in Spanish, to add to the 8 existing ones. The newest fact sheets are translated from the following English publications and provide information to the Spanish-speaking public and health professionals: Communication Options for Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Speech and Language Developmental Milestones, Balance Disorders, Velocardiofacial Syndrome (the fourth most common birth defect), and What You Need To Know About Natural Gas Detectors. The Office of Health Communication and Public Liaison is working with members of several Hispanic/Latino/Latina communities on this project. For more information, contact Marin P. Allen, Ph.D., at (301) 496-7243 or by e-mail at marin_allen@nih.gov.

NIDA Launches New Publication for Researcher-Provider Dialogue
Available Now

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) recently launched Science & Practice Perspectives, a new publication that promotes a practical, creative dialogue between researchers and treatment providers. Published twice a year, the exchange of information, observations, and insights is expected to help clinicians maximize their programs and treatment outcomes, while helping researchers construct new hypotheses and design studies relevant to the needs of providers and patients. For additional information, contact David Anderson at (301) 594-6149.

NIGMS Publishes Genes y Poblaciones
Available Now

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) has published Genes y Poblaciones, a Spanish version of the NIGMS brochure Genes and Populations. Genes y Poblaciones is an eight-page, educational brochure that describes in lay language the scientific rationale behind studying identified populations in genetics research. In an easy-to-understand, question-and-answer format, the brochure explains the basic principles of genetics and genetics research and the safeguards that protect individuals and groups in research. The brochure also briefly discusses community consultation. For a free copy of either the Spanish or English version of this publication, contact the NIGMS Office of Communications and Public Liaison at (301) 496-7301, visit the NIGMS publication list online at www.nigms.nih.gov/news/publist.html, or e-mail your request with your postal address to Pub_Info@nigms.nih.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions Brochure Now Available in Spanish
Available Now

NIAAA's widely requested brochure, Frequently Asked Questions, is now available in Spanish. This brochure addresses the most routinely received questions posed to the Institute regarding a variety of alcohol issues. Full-text of both the English and Spanish versions is available on NIAAA's Web site at www.niaaa.nih.gov, or by calling (301) 443-3860.

NIAID Addresses Health Disparities in Strategic Plan
Available Now

NIAID's Strategic Plan for Addressing Health Disparities-Fiscal Year 2002-2006 focuses on HIV/AIDS, asthma, tuberculosis, hepatitis C, organ transplantation, autoimmune diseases, and sexually transmitted diseases. These diseases disproportionately affect underserved minority and low socioeconomic populations. The plan reviews specific objectives for providing tools necessary to eliminate health disparities. You may view the plan at www.niaid.nih.gov/healthdisparities/NIAID_HD_Plan_Final.pdf or order a copy at www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/orderforms/order.htm.

New NIAMS Publications Launched
September 2002

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease (NIAMS) recently published new editions of two booklets in its Q & A series, Gout and Rosacea. Two new titles, Questions and Answers About Reactive Arthritis and Kids and Their Bones, will be available in mid-September. To order free copies (single or bulk), please call the NIAMS Clearinghouse toll-free number, 1-877-22-NIAMS or view the information on the Web at www.niams.nih.gov.

NIAID Releases New Brochure on Tuberculosis
Available Now

Tuberculosis claims more than 2 million lives each year-more than any other disease caused by one infectious organism. NIAID has a comprehensive program of research and clinical programs directed at better understanding TB disease and the bacterium that causes it. After years of slow progress, rapid advances in TB diagnosis, treatment, and prevention are generating enormous research results. The booklet Tuberculosis: Ancient Enemy, Present Threat explains why the time is ripe to eradicate this venerable foe. You can view this brochure at www.niaid.nih.gov/newsroom/focuson/tb02/tb.htm or order a copy at www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/orderforms/order.htm.

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