Physical Activity Update | Eat Smart, Move More…NC

This toolkit includes ideas and resources on planning healthy school fundraisers. It is useful for PTA members, Booster Club parents and members, and anyone involved in school fundraising. Check out the toolkit for planning tips, ideas on how to use physical activity and non-food items, and a local healthy fundraising success story. The kit is available for download in PDF format.

Dr. Leah Devlin Named 2006 ASTHO McCormack Award Honoree

Dr. Leah Devlin, Director of the North Carolina Division of Public Health and North Carolina State Health Director, was awarded the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) highest and most prestigious award – the McCormack Award during the Awards Luncheon at the ASTHO Annual Meeting held in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Devlin was recognized for many of her wonderful attributes and specifically for her leadership and integrity.

ASTHO is the national nonprofit organization representing the state and territorial public health agencies of the United States, the U.S. Territories, and the District of Columbia. ASTHO’s members, the chief health officials of these jurisdictions, are dedicated to formulating and influencing sound public health policy, and to assuring excellence in state-based public health practice.

The McCormack Award was established in 1950 to honor the late Arthur T. McCormack, a Kentucky State Health Official. This award is presented each year to a current, or former public health official who has served in public health for at least ten years, has served as a state health official for at least five years, has demonstrated excellence, and has made a significant contribution to the knowledge and practice of the field

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Devlin on this prestigious recognition!

Eat Smart, Move More…North Carolina Holiday Challenge

The PAN Branch and local partners are gearing up for an Eat Smart, Move More…North Carolina Holiday Challenge. The Challenge will be presented to North Carolina consumers during a 7-week campaign that will run Nov. 13 - Dec 31 (the week before Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve), with the goal being that North Carolinians maintain their current weight during the upcoming holiday season. Local health departments and other partners are invited to implement the campaign in their worksites, and to work with local businesses and organizations to implement the campaign in their local communities. Here are a few details:

Locals can partner with an interested organization, such as health care provider, community-based organization, and/or a media outlet.

The idea is that local “events” will kick off the campaign, inviting consumers to join in the Challenge.

Participants can enroll in the challenge at an event or on the Eat Smart, Move More…North Carolina web site (incentives for signing up and giving email address)

Campaign Components may include these items and more:

Weekly electronic newsletter, each focused on a different theme or concept. Following are some potential ideas for the themes:

Stress and relationship to eating - coping strategies
Strategies for eating healthy when entertaining or being entertained (healthy beverage choices, etc.)
Seasonal fruits and veggies
Healthy recipes for leftover Thanksgiving turkey
Cooking tips, recipes, healthy substitutions for baking
Healthy gift ideas
How to set achievable resolutions
Reader tips - section of e-letter
Highlight an individual story each issue

Web-based discussion board with Ask the Expert feature

Weekly newspaper article

Food diary, weight log, physical activity log or some other physical activity planning tool

Next month’s update will include more detailed information for how to get involved. Contact Bithiah Lafontant, Healthy Weight Communications Specialist, for more information at Bithiah.lafontant@ncmail.net to get involved or call 919-707-5223.

Local School Wellness Policy

The N.C. Division of Public Health, the Department of Public Instruction, the N.C. PTA and the N.C. School Boards Association, among others, are partnering to create a “buzz” around Local School Wellness Policy. A multi-disciplinary advisory team has met to map out a framework for a social marketing intervention targeting school board members, PTA members and School Health Advisory Council chairs with messaging and resources to help keep school wellness a priority for schools as they implement and evaluate their new school wellness policies. For more information, contact Cameron Graham at 919-707-5231 or email her at Cameron.Graham@ncmail.net.

Programs, Projects and Initiatives

Safe Routes to School Workshop – How to Apply

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Workshops are an important mechanism to generate enthusiasm for a SRTS program in your area. This one-day workshop helps individual school communities develop action plans, based on their unique situations, to overcome barriers and reinforce beneficial behaviors. The workshop brings together the right people as potential partners who can provide resources, help build community support, and/ or influence policies that will make it safer for more children to bike and walk to school.

Workshops may be requested through NCDOT for any school instructing any grade from kindergarten through eighth grade. Each workshop is co-taught by instructors trained to teach the Safe Routes to School National Course and recognized as preferred instructors through the NCDOT training program.

Requests for workshops should be made by completing the request form found under the “What’s New” section at this site and returning it to:

Terry Canales, PE. Safe Routes to School Coordinator, 1552 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC, 27699-1915 or by email to tcanales@dot.state.nc.us.

Success Stories

Southwestern Community College Walking Trail

The Southwestern Community College (SCC) Walking Trail began in 1998 as a nature trail developed by SCC. Beginning in September of 2005, the students and staff at SCC worked to expand the trail to include newly added wooded sections and urban sidewalks on campus. Over 55 students, employees and community members volunteered to re-establish and expand the trail, which is now a 1.87 mile loop. The trail opened officially in December of 2005, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and inaugural hike led by college president Cecil Groves. The main trail work began in September and was completed in October 2005 by the SCC Outdoor Leadership Club, with assistance from SCC employees. SCC has provided the trail not only for its staff and students, but also for the surrounding community.

SCC established a virtual plaque on their website to spotlight employees and students who join the 100 or 500 mile clubs. So far, eight employees have become 100 milers, meaning they have charted their 53 laps around the trail. In addition to being noted on the virtual plaque, students and staff who reach these milestones are rewarded with a SCC polo shirt with the trail logo.

SCC took advantage of its student and employee resources when completing the trail. Wren Haney, SCC Advertising & Graphic Design student, designed the trail logo, and SCC surveying students designed the trail map. SCC also partnered with its existing clubs, including the Outdoor Leadership Club to help complete the trail project. To read the whole story, go to this site.

Featured Resources and Research

Trust for America’s Health Report Finds America’s Obesity Epidemic Still Growing

A report issued recently by the public health advocacy group Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) finds that adult obesity rates continued to rise in 31 states last year. The report’s authors attribute the increases to the failure of quick-fix solutions and a dearth of comprehensive, effective long-term solutions that are fully funded by government, the Associated Press reports. (From RWJF News Digest 9/8/2006) For more information and to read the report go to this site.

North Carolina Launches Statewide Anti-Obesity Plan

North Carolina obesity prevention experts launched a new statewide initiative aimed at reducing obesity rates over the next five years through policy changes that promote healthy lifestyles, the Associated Press reports. For more
Information, go to this site.

Increasing Activity Should Begin In School

The American Heart Association recommends that schools lead the way to ensure that all children and youth participate in adequate physical activity during the school day. The scientific statement “Promoting Physical Activity in Children and Youth: A Leadership Role for Schools” is published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. “Children and youth spend a substantial number of their waking hours in school, so it’s important that schools provide “adequate physical activity” said Russell R. Pate, Ph.D., chair of the writing group and a professor of exercise science at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C. For more information go to this site.(From NPPA News 9/1/2006)

More Time In PE Doesn’t Add Up

Just increasing the amount of time students are supposed to spend in physical education class is no guarantee they’ll move more, a new study shows. Obesity experts have been calling for children to go to gym class more often to help stop obesity in young people. About one-third of children and teens in the USA are either overweight or on the brink of becoming so.

Government research shows that the percentage of high school students enrolled in daily physical education decreased from about 42% in 1991 to 33% in 2005. Most states introduced legislation this year and in 2005 to toughen up PE requirements. To figure out whether higher PE time requirements are effective, economist John Cawley of Cornell University and colleagues analyzed data on 37,000 teens in grades nine through 12 from government surveys in 1999, 2001 and 2003. The economists did calculations on students’ height, weight and amount of time in gym classes and compared the data with states’ PE requirements. (From NPPA News 9/1/2006)
For more information go to this site.

Local Wellness Policies Fall Short Of Federally Mandated Requirements

A preliminary analysis of Local Wellness Policies collected from 112 school districts in 42 states found that only half of the newly approved policies met all of the minimum guidelines for nutrition and physical education required by the federal government.

Action for Healthy Kids collected and assessed Local Wellness Policies that were available shortly after the July 1, 2006 deadline set forth in the Child Nutrition and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program (WIC) Reauthorization Act of 2004.

This mandate requires every school district participating in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program to develop and launch a Local Wellness Policy by the start of this school year. Each school district’s policy is to include nutrition guidelines for all foods sold on campus during the school day, goals for nutrition education and physical education, and a plan for implementation that includes naming a person or persons responsible for implementation.

Results from the recent Action for Healthy Kids evaluation indicates compliance with the federal policy guidelines varies dramatically among school districts, with only 54% of the districts meeting all of the minimum requirements. Other findings:

40% did not specify who was responsible for implementation
19% did not address implementation or evaluation
18% did not include goals for physical education
14% did not specify goals for nutrition education

Additionally, the research uncovered little evidence in the policies of measurable objectives, and very few included timeframes for implementation or indicate whether funding is available to support the policy.

“While we celebrate the fact that many districts are well on their way to creating healthier learning environments, this snapshot reminds us that many districts and schools need assistance so they can meet the general requirements and the spirit of the Wellness Policy mandate,” said Alicia Moag-Stahlberg, MS, RD, Executive Director, Action for Healthy Kids. “We’re committed to providing resources that enable districts to continually refine their wellness policies and not let them sit on a shelf. This is an historic opportunity for schools to boost academic performance by creating an ongoing culture of wellness in every classroom and lunchroom across America.”

In June and July 2006, Action for Healthy Kids collected 112 Local Wellness Policies from districts in rural, urban, and suburban locales. The policies were collected through a variety of methods, including the Action for Healthy Kids listserv along with approved local wellness policies posted on district, state, or organization websites.

The represented school districts ranged in size from 166 students to 345,978 students. There were 19 small school districts (up to 2,500 students), 39 medium-sized districts (2,501-20,000 students), and 54 large school districts (over 20,000 students) represented in the analysis.

Following the initial collection, Action for Healthy Kids analyzed the policies to determine if the minimum requirements were being addressed, and to assess the degree to which these policies meet the benchmark “fundamentals,” which were developed jointly with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States Department of Agriculture, and Action for Healthy Kids along with guidance from partner organizations.

“Because we examined a very small percentage of districts nationwide, we do not want to overstate our learning - it is a snapshot,” said Moag-Stahlberg. “We feel confident, however, that there are numerous districts and schools that could benefit from our Campaign for School Wellness resources.

Action for Healthy Kids stands ready to provide free wellness policy development tools, after-school program support, along with tools to help track and monitor policy implementation. We also can provide parents with resources and information to get them involved with school wellness.

Visit the Action for Healthy Kids website.

Study Finds Early-Childhood BMI a Good Indicator of Obesity Risk Later in Life

A study published in Pediatrics finds that children who are overweight or obese during their preschool or elementary school years face an increased risk of being overweight or obese at age 12, suggesting a need for early intervention, the Associated Press reports. To read the complete report, go to this site (From RWJF New Digest: Childhood Obesity 9/28/2006).

HRSA Releases New Chartbook on Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children

A new HRSA publication, Overweight and Physical Activity Among Children: A Portrait of States and the Nation, 2005, reports on the prevalence of overweight and levels of physical activity among children and their families at the national and state levels using data from the 2005 National Survey of Children’s Health. The report includes information for each state, easy-to-follow bar graphs as well as breakdown analyses by ethnic and racial group.

The Data Resource Center features an easy-to-use interactive data query that allows users to search, view and compare NSCH results at state, regional and national levels, stratified by selected demographic characteristics including age, race, household income, insurance type, and special health care needs status. To view or download the report, go to this site, click on the chartbook icon to visit the Data Resource Center.

NCPAD New Document: Parental Roles in Facilitating and Supporting an Active Lifestyle for a Child with a Disability

As parents search for ways to help create an active lifestyle for their child with a physical disability, it is imperative to keep in mind that parental attitudes relative to a child’s involvement in sport, as well as their overall potential, are keys to the child’s success.

The attitudes that parents have must not only be positive, supportive, and dynamic, but they must also be contagious in order to be absorbed by the child, his or her friends, peers, and the extended family. When everyone adopts a positive attitude, an environment is created and opportunities are taken, limits are removed, and potential is increased. Read the entire piece at this site.

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Need information on reading disability? Want to know how much calcium is in a serving of broccoli? Trying to find out how to apply for a research grant to study spinal cord development in zebra fish?

The component of the National Institutes of Health that conducts and supports research on human development, medical rehabilitation, and the health of children, adults, families, and communities, launched its redesigned Web site.
The new National Institute of Child Health and Human Development site provides easy access to information for patients, the general public, scientists, and the news media.

The new site provides fast and easy access to a wide array of
information, from child health, to developmental disorders, to women’s health, to basic and clinical research,” said Duane Alexander, M.D., director of the NICHD. “This site is useful not only to people who need health information; it’s also a tool for scientists who need research information.”

The redesigned site was unveiled at the Institute’s September 11, 2006 meeting of the NICHD’s National Advisory Child Health and Human Development Council.

The NICHD sponsors research on development, before and after birth, maternal, child, and family health, reproductive biology, population issues and medical rehabilitation. For more information, visit the Institute’s Web site at this site.

School Health Index Training Manual Now Available

The Division of Adolescent and School Health is pleased to announce the release of the School Health Index Training Manual. This manual is a packaged set of materials for conducting trainings or presentations on the School Health Index: A Self-Assessment and Planning Guide (SHI). It provides detailed materials and resources on how to implement the SHI in schools. Users can select the most appropriate sections of the SHI Training Manual and customize those components to best suit their needs.

The SHI Training Manual includes:

Detailed scripts to facilitate a SHI training
Seven PowerPoint presentations with speaker notes
Activities and handouts to engage participants in the SHI process
Additional resources for SHI planning, including tips on how to form a school health team, frequently asked questions (FAQs), draft letter of support, sample training agendas, trainer’s checklist, presentation tips and icebreakers

This manual is intended to be used in conjunction with the School Health Index, which can be completed interactively, downloaded, or printed from the Web site.

Designed for use at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, the SHI has already helped thousands of schools around the country to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their school health programs and policies, prioritize actions for improvement, and develop a team approach to implementing school guidelines recommendations.

It addresses physical activity, healthy eating, tobacco-use prevention, unintentional injury and violence prevention, and asthma. The SHI is a user-friendly, confidential means of engaging the people who know your school best, to improve the health and well-being of your students and staff—often at little or no financial cost! For more information and to download and print the manual go to this site.

Progress in Preventing Childhood Obesity: How Do We Measure Up?

IOM Report Calls for Greater Leadership, Resources and Evaluation in Childhood Obesity Fight

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation requested in 2005 that the IOM convene an expert committee to examine the nation’s progress in addressing obesity in children and youth. Progress in Preventing Childhood Obesity: How Do We Measure Up? presents the committee’s conclusions and recommendations. It emphasizes a call to action for key stakeholders and sectors to lead and commit to childhood obesity prevention, evaluate all policies and programs, monitor their progress, and widely disseminate promising practices.

This report examines the progress made by obesity prevention initiatives in the United States over the past two years. The report builds on the IOM’s 2005 report, Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance, a congressionally mandated study that provided a blueprint to guide concerted actions for many stakeholders—including government, industry, media, communities, schools, and families—to collectively respond to the growing obesity epidemic in children and youth. To review the report, go to this site.

The Keystone Center Youth Policy Summit on Adolescent and Childhood Nutrition

The Keystone Center in Colorado is pleased to share the final report of the third Keystone Center Youth Policy Summit on Adolescent and Childhood Nutrition in America’s K-12 Schools. Forty high school students from 10 specialized math and science schools in nine states have produced a set of
recommendations that help chart policy direction that will encourage youth to lead healthier lives.

The Keystone Center encourages you to review, consider, and share these recommendations with others. An unusual process was used to achieve this result. The summit involved months of preparatory individual student research; consultation with food, nutrition, and medical experts from prominent non-profit organizations, corporations, and government agencies; training in the fundamentals of negotiation, creative problem solving, and policy analysis; as well as the use of a simulated call for recommendations from The White House. The Keystone Center Youth Policy Summit on Adolescent and Childhood Nutrition in America’s K-12 Schools resulted from an ongoing collaboration between the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology and The Keystone Center.

Both of these organizations are committed to inventing, shaping, testing, and implementing science-based collaborations that will enable students to take on tomorrow’s leadership. A link to the report can be found at this site.

2005 SMART BRFSS Data and Prevalence Tables Now Available

The CDC’s Behavioral Surveillance Branch in the Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Coordinating Center for Health Promotion, is pleased to announce the release of the 2005 SMART BRFSS data and prevalence tables.

SMART BRFSS (Selected Metropolitan/Micropolitan Area Risk Trends from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System) began with the analysis of data from the 2002 BRFSS. It now includes data from 2002 through 2005, with prevalence estimates for over 170 metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas (MMSAs), as well as many counties within those areas.

There are 29 additional MMSAs with data available for 2005, including San Diego, California; Flint, Michigan; Atlantic City, New Jersey; Buffalo, New York; Scranton, Pennsylvania; and Spartanburg, South Carolina. As with the past data, the Web site includes both the data sets and the prevalence tables for MMSAs and counties, as well as pre-set Quick View charts which compare county, MMSA, and state data for seven select risk factors in an easy-to-print PDF format. The SMART BRFSS data and prevalence tables are located at this site.
For more information, please contact Lina Balluz, Sc.D., M.P.H. at 770-488-2466 or lib7@cdc.gov.

Legislation

There are no updates at this time.

Grants

American Hiking Society Accepting Applications for the 2007 National Trails Fund

Deadline for Applications: November 1, 2006

The American Hiking Society, the national leader in promoting and protecting foot trails and the hiking experience, is delighted to announce it is currently accepting applications for 2007 National Trails Fund grants.

Grants range from $500 to $10,000 per project and are awarded to dedicated nonprofit organizations that are helping to build and maintain hiking trails, preserve lands, and promote trail volunteerism throughout America.

The National Trails Fund is supported thanks in part to generous donations from Therm-a-Rest, MSR and L.L.Bean, the program’s Charter Sponsors. Their support, along with private gifts from individuals and businesses, allows American Hiking Society to award at least $40,000 each year, providing a significant base to secure the future for trails and open space. For information on how to register go to this site.

Grants Available to Promote Healthy School Communities

Deadline for Applications: November 15, 2006

The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
(ASCD) will award 10 grants of $10,000 each to help schools and communities work together to create a healthy school environment. The selected schools will demonstrate the capacity for best practice in leadership and instruction, support comprehensive health programs, and create strong collaborations with other community institutions.

The grant program is part of ASCD’s worldwide effort to promote the integration of health and learning and the benefits of school-community partnerships. Grantees will assess the health-related aspects of the learning environment and use the results for school improvement and community engagement. They will participate in a study to identify the key indicators of success. School communities will receive technical assistance and become part of a Healthy School Communities network.

“ASCD is committed to supporting systemic healthy school reform. We are determined to assemble rigorous evidence that will enable us to track our progress and share resources, information, models, and key learnings that will significantly improve the future of children’s health and learning worldwide,” said Gene Carter, ASCD’s Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer.

Healthy School Communities sites will be selected in November 2006. The pilot grant is open to K–12 public and independent school communities in the United States and its territories, including Department of Defense Schools, Canada, the Caribbean, and the Asia Pacific region.

ASCD’s Healthy School Communities is part of a large, multiyear plan to shift public dialogue about education from an academic focus to a whole child approach that encompasses all factors required for successful learning.

ASCD hopes to recast the definition of a successful learner from one whose achievement is measured solely by academic tests, to one who is knowledgeable, emotionally and physically healthy, civically engaged, prepared for economic self-sufficiency and ready for the world beyond formal schooling.

Founded in 1943, ASCD, a nonprofit association, is one of the largest professional development organizations for educator leaders. It provides education information services, offers
development for effective teaching and learning, and supports activities to provide educational equity for all students. ASCD’s 175,000 members reside in 135 countries and include principals, teachers, superintendents, professors of education, and other educators. Grant applications are available online at: www.ascd.org/healthyschoolcommunities and are due November 15, 2006, for more information about the application process, contact Theresa Lewallen, director, at 1-703-575-5622 or healthyschoolcommunities@ascd.org.

Training and Professional Development

National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Congress and Exposition

October 10-14, 2006
Seattle, WA

For more than 40 years the National Recreation and Park Association has brought together professionals, citizen advocates, educators and students who are passionate about parks and recreation. Join thousands of these supporters and industry vendors in Seattle, Washington for NRPA’s Annual Congress & Exposition. To register go to this site.

National Trails Symposium

October 19-22, 2006
Davenport, IA

The Symposium provides an opportunity for greenways and trails advocates, managers, planners, and users, outdoor product providers, as well as conservationists, private landowners, and tourism and business interests to come together for an inspirational and educational conference.

The Symposium addresses both non-motorized and motorized issues and our visions for trails and greenways nationwide. To register go to this site.

Parks, Recreation and Public Health: Collaboration Frameworks for Promoting Physical Activity

October 26 - 28, 2006
Dallas, Tx

Although public health and parks and recreation professionals often share common goals, inadequate discourse has occurred between the professions.

The goal of this meeting, sponsored by the Cooper Institute is to advance the research and practice relationship between public health and parks and recreation. By providing a forum to discuss scientific and practice issues, researchers and practitioners will establish frameworks for strengthening collaboration between these disciplines. For more information and to register go to this site.

Effective Community-Based Physical Activity Programs for Older Adults From Research to Practice

February 14- 15, 2007
Seattle, WA

The Prevention Research Centers Healthy Aging Research Network presents:

Effective Community-Based Physical Activity Programs for Older Adults From Research to Practice, for service providers, public health professionals, researchers and others involved in the dissemination and sustainability of community- and evidence-based physical activity programs for older adults.

For more information, go to 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, Washington

Call for Abstract Submissions:
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). Proposals are encouraged for concurrent sessions, pre or post-conference workshops, or poster presentations at the 2007 National Health Education Conference & SOPHE’s 2007 Midyear Scientific Conference, June 7-9, 2007, in Seattle, WA. Abstracts may be submitted online at This site. The submission deadline for abstracts is Friday, October 20, 2006

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.

Abstract proposals are solicited for sessions that are interactive (e.g. facilitated dialogue, exploration of new ideas, group exercises) as well scientific presentations that promote audience discussion (e.g. research, case study, lessons learned, focus on process or results). Abstract submissions provide opportunities to engage persons at all levels of health education, health promotion, and health communication. Conference participants can explore integrated approaches to public health by viewing and sharing innovative cross cutting themes, effective research, programs and practice.

Visit www.sophe.org to submit an online abstract proposal and choose from the following conference theme areas:

Translation of Research and Linkages to Practice

Submissions are sought that address the application of behavioral research to state, local and federal levels. Submission that address translating publication and journal content to public health education practice; bridging those who produce scientific and scholarly literature to those that affect change in communities; how to apply behavioral and social science research to bring local and national change; and how to bridge research to the programmatic level.

Global Health Education and Promotion

Submissions are sought that address the application of global health issues to domestic public health challenges and the opportunities to learn and dialogue in the areas of developing health systems to meet the public health challenges, cultural cultural competence, health education’s connection to chronic and infectious diseases, environmental health issues and public policy implications.

Institutionalization for Health Education Programs - Beyond Funding

Submissions are sought that address survival of effective health education programs in the face of budget cuts and shifting priorities at the federal, state and community levels. Attention to the role of marketing public health programs and expanding partnerships are encouraged, as well as to addressing the rising appeal of private funding to include foundations and the corporate giving pool, with particular emphasis on the ethical issues and challenges of private funding. Submissions that also address worksite health education and health promotion programs that translate into community programs are encouraged.

Health Disparities: The Research to Practice Continuum

Submissions are sought that address translation of research to practice in health disparities as it applies to global health, evaluation, ethics of health disparity research, institutionalization of programs, ethical challenges, and practice scenarios where change has been affected, as well as the policy implication. Submissions that address cost-benefit analysis of health disparity research and programs are especially encouraged.

For more information contact one of the following co-chairs:
Sandra Bulmer, PhD, SOPHE Abstract co-Chair
Bulmers1@southernct.edu

Bobby Rasulnia, PhD(c), MPA, MPH, CHES, DHPE Abstracts co-Chair
Bba9@cdc.gov

Sonya Geathers, MPH, CDC Abstracts co-Chair
Shg0@cdc.gov.