The National Library of Medicine has compiled a list of mobile applications and mobile-optimized web sites for disaster preparedness and response.

Apps listed include:

• WISER: information for first responders in HAZMAT situations
• First Aid from the American Red Cross: life-saving first aid information, including how-to videos
• Apps from NLM, CDC, EPA, FEMA, and the National Weather Service

The full list: http://1.usa.gov/RMP4DD

Several key agencies, including FEMA, APHA, and the CDC have joined together to encourage Americans to ask the question, “Would you be ready if there were an emergency?” Throughout the month, more than 3,000 orgnizations nationwide are supporting efforts to help Americans prepare in case of emergency, with many events culminating on “Get Ready Day,” September 18th.

For more information and resources for planning an event: http://bit.ly/Q4ca6S .

Also: CDC Features page http://1.usa.gov/Uy0iuj and http://www.ready.gov . [Public Health Newswire, Sept. 4, 2012]

Publications.USA.gov is a Federal Citizen Information Center site which offers important consumer information and publications on a variety of topics to “help you make important life decisions”. Formerly Pueblo.GSA.gov, the site offeres free online information and free and low-cost government publications on categories including: animals, cars, consumer protection, and health. For example, the Wiser Women Action Kit ( http://1.usa.gov/POWzFt ) includes 18 publications which provide practical health tips. The publications may be downloaded or ordered as print versions. [USA.gov]

Nourishing USA is a United States-based nationwide anti-hunger advocacy program that strives to achieve “nutrition for all” in America. Nourishing USA has released two downloadable guides to assist organizations providing food and nutrition programs to their community.

The Junior Chef Teaching Guide (http://bit.ly/P8fNsr) is a step-by-step guide on how to successfully teach a Junior Chef Class in your neighborhood. This guide includes recipes, child-friendly handouts, and full instructions on running a class and teaching low-income children about eating healthy.

The Soup Kitchen Culinary & Nutritional Guide (http://bit.ly/TwpamD) is intended to be used as a culinary and nutritional resource to help create nutritionally balanced menus at your community food program. This guide includes tools for you such as 52 weekly recipes, nutrition label, and a “why is this meal healthy for me” handout for each recipe. These recipes are portioned for fifty and include ingredients most used in soup kitchens across America.

Team Up. Pressure Down. (http://1.usa.gov/P1TK4R) is a nationwide program to lower blood pressure and prevent hypertension through patient-pharmacist engagement. Part of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Million Hearts initiative, Team Up. Pressure Down. provides videos and resources for the public to better understand high blood pressure (also called hypertension) and the steps to prevent or treat it.

Bullying is when a person or group repeatedly tries to harm someone who is weaker or who they think is weaker. Often people dismiss bullying among kids as a normal part of growing up. But bullying is harmful. It can lead children and teenagers to feel tense and afraid. For some, the effects of bullying last a lifetime.

Healthy People 2020 is providing an educational webinar, “Spotlight on Health: Bullying Among Adolescents,” on September 27 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. EDT that will highlight Healthy People 2020, bullying among adolescents, bullying prevention and systematic policy changes, and populations at risk. Register at http://bit.ly/P1Q7fr

For additional resources on bullying, MedlinePlus has a comprehensive Health Topic page on the topic (http://1.usa.gov/QlWGr9), including specific resources for children and teenagers.

World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th promotes worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides. The theme of World Suicide Prevention Day this year is “Suicide Prevention across the Globe: Strengthening Protective Factors and Instilling Hope”. On average, almost 3,000 people commit suicide daily. For every person who completes a suicide, 20 or more may attempt to end their lives. Suicide is a multi-determined phenomenon that occurs against a background of complex interacting biological, social, psychological and environmental risk and protective factors. Despite the complexity of this phenomenon, suicide can be prevented.

The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) website (http://bit.ly/Ot5b4s) provides a toolkit, press release preparation materials, and information in multiple languages for organizations preparing to participate in World Suicide Prevention Day.

In addition, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (http://1.usa.gov/RTsa8f) provides over eighty publications on suicide prevention for both health professionals and the public. Many of the SAMHSA publications are available as both a digital download and in print.

HHS: New challenge announced. Reducing Cancer Among Women of Color App Challenge, calling on developers to create a mobile application that would help educate underserved and minority women about cancer and screenings, and allow secure access to medical records. The submission deadline is February 5, 2013.

Learn more : http://1.usa.gov/OXBRCz

HHS: New challenge announced. The Million HeartsTM Risk Check Challenge, invites developers to create a mobile app that will help consumers take a heart health risk assessment, find places to get their blood pressure and cholesterol checked, and use the results to work with their health care professional to develop a plan to improve their heart health. The submission deadline is Oct 31, 2012 11:00 PM EDT

Learn more: http://1.usa.gov/TrJ95K

In September, observe Infant Mortality Awareness Month.  American Indian/Alaska Native infants have disproportionately high rates of mortality.  For AI/AN communities, connecting to healthcare and resources grounded in Native culture and traditions can help families break unhealthy patterns that may contribute to the high incidence of infant mortality.

The National Healthy Start Association provides a variety of resources that help raise infant mortality awareness: http://bit.ly/OV9BlZ .

The March of Dimes American Indian/Alaska Native Women’s Committee also provides resources for AI/AN families through their Coming of the Blessing Initiative: http://bit.ly/O8Z2Pg

Health care disparities are the difference or gaps in care experience by one population compared to another.  Disparities have been noted in health outcomes, including clinical outcomes such as mortality, process measures in the health care system, and disease prevalence.  By definition, a disparity in health care quality or health outcomes is not due to difference in the health care needs or preferences of the patient but to other factors.  Such differences in health outcomes and their determinants are associated with certain social conditions and demographic attributes.  Despite what is known about disparities, it is not clear what strategies have the potential to improve the quality of care effectively and to reduce inequities for segments of the population.

Quality Improvement (QI) is a multidisciplinary, systems-focused, data-driven method of understanding and improving the efficiency, effectiveness, and reliability of health processes and outcomes of care.  For this report, the Effective Health Care Program defined a QI intervention as a change process in health care systems, services, or suppliers for the purpose of increasing the likelihood of optimal clinical quality of care, measured by positive health outcomes for individuals and populations.  An intervention could also be described as a strategy aimed at reducing the quality gap (the difference between health care processes or outcomes observed in practice and those potentially obtainable based on current evidence-based knowledge) for a group of patients representative of those encountered in routine practice.

This review evaluates the effectiveness of QI interventions in reducing disparities in health and health care.  Two key questions are addressed:

1. What evidence is available about the effectiveness of quality improvement strategies to reduce differences in health outcomes associated with selected disparities in patients with key conditions?
2. What evidence is available about the harms related to quality improvement strategies to reduce difference in health outcomes associated with selected disparities in patients with key conditions?

To view the full report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)’s Effective Health Care Program, visit this site: http://1.usa.gov/PYMxUg