May 2007

News from the PAN Branch

Two NC Division of Public Health Dietitians Leading by Example

Sheree Vodicka has been elected as President-Elect for the NC Dietetic Association. Sheree serves as the Healthy Weight Communications Manager in the Physical Activity & Nutrition Branch of the Division of Public Health.

Tracey Bates has served for the past two years as the President of the NC Dietetic Association and will be finishing up her term. Tracey serves as a Nutrition Program Consultant in the Nutrition Services Branch of the Division of Public Health. Many thanks to both of these dietetic professionals for their demonstration of volunteerism and leadership.

NC Receives Grant to Support Local School Wellness Policy Tools

North Carolina Action for Healthy Kids received a 2007–2008 Action for Healthy Kids Team Grant made possible by Kellogg’s Corporate Citizenship Fund in the amount of $21,450. The grant funds will be used to conduct regional trainings in the Spring of 2008 on a series of tools that are being developed for schools for the implementation of local school wellness policies.

The trainings are one part of the Successful Students Eat Smart and Move More project, a joint effort of many state and local agencies, including the Department of Public Instruction, the Division of Public Health, the NC School Boards Association and the NC Parent Teacher Association, among many others. The regional trainings are being supported with in-kind from the Department of Public lnstruction’s Child Nutrition program, which is responsible for monitoring local wellness policy in school districts. The grant year begins July 1 and ends June 30, 2008.

Programs, Projects and Initiatives

California Childhood Obesity Conference Presentations Now Posted

The Center for Weight and Health at the University of California at Berkeley has posted speaker presentations from the 2007 California Childhood Obesity Conference, Protecting the Future of our Children, held in Anaheim, California, January 23–26, 2007.

Prevalence of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Physical Activity by Race/ Ethnicity

This report, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes racial/ethnic differences in the combined prevalence of engaging in two behavioral strategies for reducing the risk for chronic disease: consuming fruits and vegetables five or more times per day and engaging in regular physical activity. For more information go to this site (From [Enewsletter] NCPPA News, 4/5/07).

Success Stories

New NC Obesity and Physical Activity Maps Released

To provide local health officials with information they can use to identify areas of success and concern as they work to reduce rates of obesity in their communities, the N.C. Division of Public Health has compiled maps showing each county’s percentage of overweight and obese adults, as well their percentage of adults meeting daily physical activity requirements. Using data from the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), North Carolina counties have been color-coded according to the percentage of adults in that county reporting a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or higher. A BMI of 25 or higher indicates that a person is likely overweight or obese and may be at increased risk for a variety of chronic diseases.

An additional color-coded map indicates the percentages of adults meeting daily physical activity requirements throughout the state. Both maps are available on the Eat Smart, Move More…NC website.

Featured Resources and Research

Nutrition Standards Proposed for ‘Competitive’ Foods in Schools

A new report by the Institute of Medicine proposes a set of nutritional standards for foods and drinks available in schools that compete with the national school meal programs. The standards promote consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nonfat or low-fat dairy products and limit the amount of saturated fat, salt, added sugars, and total calories. The standards also recommend against the sale of caffeinated items.

Although you must pay for copies of the full report, you may read it on-line and download a fact sheet and other brief summary items. All files are in PDF format:

• News Release
• Product Examples
• Fact Sheet
• Report Brief
• Opening Statement
• Full Report
• Project Web Site

What We Eat in America New Data Analysis

New data analysis from What We Eat in America, NHANES 2001-2002 has been released on the Food Surveys Research Group’s website. The Food Surveys Research Group is a program with the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center of the Agricultural Research Service, USDA.

Dietary Data At A Glance—Breakfast in America, 2001-2002 (3-page factsheet) 12 summary data tables. The Food Surveys Research Group is also putting micro data from past USDA nationwide food surveys on our website. Thus far, data available on the site include the 1994-96, 1998 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals and the 1989-91 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals and their respective Diet and Health Knowledge Surveys.

These products can be viewed at on the USDA website.

Love Your Heart: New NHLBI Resource Helps Women Reduce Heart Disease Risk

A must read for women who want to show their hearts some love, “The Healthy Heart Handbook for Women” is an invaluable and easy-to-use resource every woman should read from cover to cover. A full-color, 122-page booklet from “The Heart Truth” campaign, it is packed with the latest information on preventing and controlling the risk factors for heart disease—the No.1 killer of women.

“The Healthy Heart Handbook for Women“ a publication of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health, contains new information on women and heart disease and offers practical suggestions for reducing the risk of heart-related problems. The handbook also describes the warning signs of heart attack and how to get help quickly. Featured highlights from “The Healthy Heart Handbook for Women” include:

• Questions to Ask Your Doctor
• Heart Attack Risk Quiz
• ABCs of Diabetes
• Five Aids for Quitting Smoking
• Heart Attack Risk Table
• Stories of real women’s experience with heart disease

The handbook also provides information about healthy eating to reduce heart disease risk, including a sample eating plan and a chart on how to properly read a nutrition label. “We know that being able to quickly scan a nutrition label is an important skill to help make heart healthy nutritional choices,” said Catherine Loria, Ph.D., a nutritional epidemiologist in the Division of Prevention and Population Sciences at NHLBI. “Critically assessing food based on fat, sodium, and calories empowers you to take control of your personal health.”

“The Healthy Heart Handbook” is available for $4.00 from the NHLBI Information Center, (301) 592-8573 or (240) 629-3255 (TTY); it is also online.

Reducing Sodium Decreases Long-Term Risk For Cardiovascular Disease

Reducing sodium intake not only prevents high blood pressure, but also prevents heart disease, according to new clinical trial data from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health. Men and women with pre-hypertension who reduced their sodium intake by 25 to 35 percent had a 25 percent lower risk of total cardiovascular disease over the 10 to 15 years after they reduced their sodium intake.

“The Long-term Effects of Dietary Sodium Reduction on Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes: Observational Follow-up of the Trials of Hypertension Prevention,” is published online on April 20, 2007 by the British Medical Journal.

Announcement about the Launch of the New CDC.gov

On Thursday, April 19, 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) unveiled a new Web site designed to improve the usability and performance of www.cdc.gov. The new CDC.gov Web site provides better access to health and safety topics, data and statistics, news and events, and expanded tools and resources, as well as an improved search engine. The new Web site is user-centered, based on research, and is the product of extensive user testing of CDC’s principal audiences.

CDC.gov’s new features include:

• CDC Features—timely articles keep you informed on important health topics
• Health and Safety Topics—content organized for better browsing
• CDC For You—CDC resources grouped for specific audiences
• New Search Engine—relevant search results and “suggested topics”
• A-Z Index—alphabetical listing of all of CDC’s online information
• Top 20 List—see what’s popular on CDC.gov
• Data & Statistics—public health data, survey results, and trends
• Tools & Resources—calculators, photos, podcasts, and other helpful tools
• Publications—MMWR, EID, and other journals, newsletters, periodicals
• What’s New—quick links to what’s new on CDC.gov
• E-mail Updates—CDC.gov updates emailed to your inbox
• Tag Cloud—graphic representation of most requested CDC.gov topics

Legislation

Fruit and Vegetable Partners Focused on the 2007 Farm Bill

Want a primer of the 2007 Farm Bill and where partners are focusing their efforts related to fruits and vegetables. Check out the Council of Fruit & Vegetable Nutrition Coordinators Advocacy Committee—What You Absolutely Need to Know About the 2007 Farm Bill.

Grants/Awards

USDA–Economic Research Service, Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Program—2007 Request for Research Proposals

Proposal Submission Deadline - May 21, 2007.

USDA–Economic Research Service (ERS), Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Program Fiscal 2007 Competitive Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program Description and Application Process:

ERS’s Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Program is now accepting proposals for grants and cooperative agreements for Fiscal 2007. The three priority research areas are (1) Food Choices: Economic Determinants and Consequences, (2) Economic Incentives in Food Assistance Programs, and (3) Food Assistance as an Economic Safety Net. This publication describes the research areas and application requirements. Funding for competitive awards in fiscal 2007 is approximately $2 million. The deadline for proposal submission is May 21, 2007.

You may download the full announcement and application package at the USDA website.

Local Initiative Funding Partners Program

Deadline for Applications: July 10, 2007

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is accepting applications for its Local Initiative Funding Partners Program. The program is a partnership between the foundation and local grantmakers to fund promising, original projects to significantly improve the health of vulnerable people in their communities. Projects must be new, innovative, collaborative, and community-based.

Significant program expansions—such as a major expansion into new regions or to new populations—may also be considered. Projects must be nominated by a local grantmaker interested in participating as one of the funding partners, and willing to work with the grantee to obtain local dollar-for-dollar matching funds throughout the grant period.

Local funders may include independent and private foundations, family and community foundations, corporate giving programs, and other philanthropies.

Up to $5.8 million in matching funds is available for the 2008 grant cycle, with up to 14 matching grants of $200,000 to $500,000 awarded. For information and application guidelines go to this site.
(From AFHK March 2007 Funding Alert)

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Commits $500 Million to Reverse Childhood Obesity
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) announced on April 4 that it will commit at least $500 million over the next five years to tackle one of the most urgent public health threats facing our nation: childhood obesity. This is the largest commitment by any foundation to this issue. The Foundation’s goal is to reverse the epidemic of childhood obesity in the United States by 2015.

The full release is available online.
(From Safe Routes to School E-News: April 2007)

Training and Professional Development

Nutrition and Physical Activity Teleconferences

Every month, the CDC Division of Nutrition & Physical Activity (DNPA) sponsors a monthly teleconference on a variety of topics, but mostly dealing with nutrition and/or physical activity. The calls are scheduled the 2nd Thursday of each month from 1:30-2:30 p.m. The topic for the May 10, 2007, call is: “School and Community Gardens: The Key to Better Nutrition and Physical Fitness”, presented by Michael C. Metallo, President, of the National Gardening Association. Anyone who would like the handouts or participate in future calls please send an email to NC5ADAY@ncmail.net.

A Shared Vision: The North Carolina Integrated Chronic Disease Conference
May 8, 2007
The Friday Center
Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Save the Date for this one-day program, sponsored by Wake AHEC (Area Health Education Center) and North Carolina Public Health, which will provide practical information demonstrating the value and importance of working together in the prevention and control of chronic disease. In addition to primary and secondary prevention strategies to reduce risk factors related to chronic disease will be discussed. The latest evidence-based and practice-based information on, and tools for, program integration/chronic diseases will also be disseminated.

Keynote Speaker:
Larry Cohen, MSW
Executive Director, Prevention Institute
Oakland, California

Who should attend?:

• Healthcare providers
• Public health professionals
• Non-profit organization professionals
• Other community group professionals working in the area of chronic disease prevention

Registration: 7:30 am
Program: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm

Applications for professional credits have been submitted. For more information visit this site.

2007 National Health Education Conference & SOPHE’s 2007 Midyear Scientific Conference
“The Changing Face of Health Education and Health Promotion”
June 7-9, 2007
Seattle, WashingtonM

You are invited to be part of a premier national health education and health promotion conference cosponsored by the Directors of Health Promotion and Education (DHPE), Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at the 2007 National Health Education Conference & SOPHE’s 2007 Midyear Scientific Conference, June 7-9, 2007, in Seattle, WA.

The conference theme, “Changing Face of Health Education and Health Promotion” speaks to breaking down sub-categories within the profession such as infectious vs. chronic, global health vs. domestic health that serve as barriers to progress. This conference will encourage re-conceptualizing health education and health promotion programs, research and practice to cross over professional boundaries and seek an integrated approach to solving health education challenges. Abstract proposals from all professionals and public health partners involved in health education, health promotion, health communication, community health, and behavioral research are encouraged to respond to this invitation.

For more information visit: www.sophe.org.

2007 CDC – Division of Cancer Prevention and Control’s (DCPC) Cancer Conference:
“Meeting Future Challenges”
August 13-16, 2007
Atlanta Hyatt Regency, Atlanta, Georgia

The biannual meeting of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Cancer Conference: “Meeting Future Challenges” will be held on August 13-16, 2007, in Atlanta, Georgia. The conference theme of Meeting Future Challenges will be addressed by four days of presentations and discussions on key issues related to CDC’s vital mission of cancer prevention and early detection. The opening plenary session on August 13th will be followed by Day Sessions on Building Partnerships (August 14th), Workforce Development and Policy (August 15th), and Emerging Technologies (August 16th).

By attending this conference, you will learn how you can help:

• Expand the public health role in cancer prevention, detection, treatment, rehabilitation and palliation.
• Develop a coordinated approach to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality.
• Build partnerships and use research findings to support comprehensive cancer control objectives.
• Implement interventions recommended by The Guide to Community Preventive Services.
• Prepare for changes in public health workforce needs.
• Plan for the integration of emerging tools and technologies in cancer prevention and control programs.

For more information visit this site.

Join us as we discuss new ways to meet future challenges in cancer prevention and control by building partnerships, anticipating workforce and policy needs, and integrating emerging technologies.

2007 Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FCNE)
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Excellence!
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
September 29-October 2, 2007

Be simultaneously exposed to an impressive past and an exciting future by attending the FNCE in Philadelphia, September 29 to October 2, 2007. Learn about new product releases, educational resources and cutting edge technology that will fortify the vision of your profession. Earn CPEs while experiencing culinary demonstrations, specialty exhibitor pavilions, over 300 leading food and nutrition exhibits, Meet the author book signings and much more!

In the “City of Neighborhoods” you will find yourself a part of your own special community with colleagues and industry experts passionately dedicated to a health and nutrition revolution for today and tomorrow.

Important Dates:

• Registration: Open June 1, 2007
• Early bird Deadline: August 22, 1007
• Program Preview: Available May 1, 2007

For more information visit: http://www.apha.org/meetings

Society for Public Health Education’s (SOPHE) 58th Annual Meeting
Partnerships to Achieve Health Equity
October 31 – November 3, 2007
Alexandria, VA

SOPHE is pleased to be partnering with CDC’s Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH 2010) program and Eta Sigma Gamma for its 40th Annual Meeting.

Sub-themes include health systems change; social determinants of health and transdisciplinary approaches to health education; health communications, health literacy and technology; cultural competence in bridging differences, and; evaluation and dissemination of evidence-based approaches.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email Cynthia Crocker at ccrocker@cdc.gov.

2007 American Public Health Association’s (APHA) Annual Meeting
Washington, D.C.M
November 3-7, 2007

The American Public Health Association’s (APHA)Annual Meeting & Exposition is the premier Public Health Educational Forum! Learn from the experts in the field, hear about cutting edge research and exceptional best practices, discover the latest public health products and services, and share your public health experience with your peers. The world of public health is in continual motion, and there is no better time to stay abreast of the research and learn about emerging issues.

The APHA Annual Meeting & Exposition is the oldest and largest gathering of public health professionals in the world, attracting more than 13,000 national and international physicians, administrators, nurses, educators, researchers, epidemiologists, and related health specialists. APHA’s meeting program addresses current and emerging health science, policy, and practice issues in an effort to prevent disease and promote health. APHA has a world of public health in store for you. For more information go to: www.apha.org/meetings

22nd Annual Sustainable Agriculture Conference
November 9 - 11, 2007

Join 600+ farmers, educators, extension agents, consumers, and agriculture professionals for a weekend of workshops, wonderful meals, inspiring keynote address, and loads of fun! More info to come - mark your calendars and stay tuned! For more information visit: www.carolinafarmstewards.org/