{ 2003 }

Online Learning Update Blog

Educational Technlogy Blog

Online Higher Ed Notebook

eLearningpost

January 2003

It's hard for me to stay away from the CDC's many Web sites for very long since they're so good. This one in particular contains a lot of information for those with diabetes and those in the healthcare field (and family) trying to prevent the onset of diabetes. Here are some of the available links to content:

	Conferences
•	Diabetes FAQs
•	Diabetes Projects
•	Links
•	National Diabetes Education Program
•	News & Information
•	Publications & Products
•	State-Based Programs
•	Statistics

I also found the report, Diabetes Trends, and the accompanying Diabetes Trends Maps of interest. According to the CDC's Website, "diagnosed diabetes, including gestational diabetes, increased 8.2% between 2000 and 2001."

While there are many other sites with Diabetes information, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, Health Resources and Services Administration, the Indian Health Service and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), I'm really partial to this site.

Posted January 24, 2003 10:50 PM

Great site for finding data on tobacco dependence and its treatment. For health educators it provides "effective intervention and outreach services for children and adults" and develops "policy initiatives to reduce the prevalence of tobacco use and resultant health and economic burdens."

Other information available on the site includes reports, fact sheets, and other publications, grant opportunities and a quit line. 

Posted January 24, 2003 10:50 PM

"Are You Ready? A Guide to Citizen Preparedness brings together facts on disaster survival techniques, disaster-specific information, and how to prepare for and respond to both natural and man-made disasters.

As the most comprehensive guide to personal emergency preparedness published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Are You Ready?will help individuals prepare themselves and their families for disasters.

Revised in September 2002, Are You Ready? provides a step-by-step outline on how to prepare a disaster supply kit, emergency planning for people with disabilities, how to locate and evacuate to a shelter, and even contingency planning for family pets. Man-made threats from hazardous materials and terrorism are also treated in detail. The guide details opportunities for every citizen to become involved in safeguarding their neighbors and communities through FEMA's Citizen Corps (www.citizencorps.gov) initiative and Community Emergency Response Team training program." (from site)

The files are available in PDF and Word formats. The Word format is much smaller than the PDF.

Posted January 24, 2003 10:50 PM

This resource "contains words and expressions pertaining in Spanish pertaining to health and medicine.  Many are home remedies and cultural beliefs." They are based on many interviews of folks in deep south Texas and northeastern Mexico.

The list is not long but looks like it would be quite useful for case and health workers.

Posted January 23, 2003 9:22 PM

Developed by the National Park Service, this encyclopedia "summarizes information related to fish, wildlife, invertebrates, and other non-human living resources. This product differs from existing databases in that it has an environmental toxicology emphasis and it summarizes information on these issues into a single, easily searchable source."

Posted January 22, 2003 3:16 PM

The CDC has pulled together a nice Web Site that answers many of the questions you might have about what the 5 A Day Program is. Find out what a serving size is, how best to include fruits and vegetables into your diet, and even what a fruit and vegetable is.

Of possible interest to those concerned with nutrition, learn about the role of antioxidants, and which fruits and vegetables are nutrient rich. There's even a discussion of consumption patterns and awareness on the part of Americans about the 5 A Day message.

Posted January 22, 2003 3:00 PM

"The Commission's mission is to study the United States mental health service delivery system, including both the private and public sector providers. The Commission will advise the President on methods to improve the system so that adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances can live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities. This President's Commission is the first comprehensive study of the nation's public and private mental health service delivery systems in nearly 25 years.

The report, "Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General," along with other materials, provides the scientific basis for much of the Commission's work". A copy of the Surgeon General's report as well as bibliography of the Commissioners' background materials is available at the site. 

A great start to a problem that has needed attention for years.

Posted January 13, 2003 1:45 PM

"An online survey of 2,084 adults 50 years and older revealed that 70% use the Internet to research health information -- surpassed only by "stay current with news and events" (72%) and "stay in touch with friends and relatives" (94%). The SeniorNet survey also found that 46% of respondents have been using the Internet for more than 5 years".

Source: Paula K. Zeller, M.A., US. National Cancer Institute

Posted January 13, 2003 1:45 PM

The NIH has done it again, this time for science teachers. They've developed a series of "interactive teaching units that combine cutting-edge science research discoveries from the National Institutes of Health, one of the world's foremost medical research centers, with state-of-the-art instructional materials". And, best of all, new supplements will be released each year.

Although intended for high school, middle school and elementary students, the high school content is worth looking at for the quality of the videos and learning content.  Of particular interest to public health folks will be the modules on Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases,  Human Genetic Variation and The Brain: Understanding Neurobiology Through the Study of Addiction, but actually, all the modules are worth watching if you have the time.

The site uses QuickTime and does include a tutorial on changing your options to make QuickTime work more efficiently.

Posted January 11, 2003 12:15 PM

This BBC health article says scientists know what the secret of happiness is. No, it's not love, money or a great job. Here's the formula that's given on the site:

Happiness = P + (5xE) + (3xH)
The equation is based on these 4 questions:

1. Are you outgoing, energetic, flexible and open to change?
2. Do you have a positive outlook, bounce back quickly from setbacks   and feel that you are in control of your life?
3. Are your basic life needs met, in relation to personal health,   finance, safety, freedom of choice and sense of community?
4. Can you call on the support of people close to you, immerse   yourself in what you are doing, meet your expectations and engage in   activities that give you a sense of purpose?

<snip> For the rest of the article click on the URL given at the top of this record.

Do you believe this is the secret of happiness?

Posted January 10, 2003 2:15 PM

An interesting Web site that looks at different diets around the world. On this page find out what the Chinese, French, Japanese and Mediterraneans eat. The site says that only 8% of the French are obese even though they eat rich, saucy, foods and that heart disease is less of a problem around the Mediterrean.

Find out what the people in these countries eat, and when they eat most of their calories. Content is medically reviewed (but not by a nutritionist??)

Posted January 10, 2003 2:15 PM

A interdenominational Christian lobbying group with an interest in preventing and ending hunger in the world. Folks on the PHNUTR-L discussion group spoke highly of the organization.

Get background papers, clip art, hunger facts, with a long list of links to other, hunger prevention Web sites. Hunger hurts.

Posted January 10, 2003 2:15 PM

I was a little overwhelmed by this Website because there's so much information displayed on the home page. It's a little difficult to see the content at a glance because there's so much information to process before you can zero in on what you want. Having said that, one you get into the site you can probably find what you want. I recommend a good site map.

Find FAQs, common food allergens, what's new, advocacy issues, allergy-free recipes, a daily tip, and a children and teen Web site. Those of you who work with children in a school situation will be interested in the managing allergies in school section.

Posted January 10, 2003 12:50 PM

Given the multicultural nature of our society, it's worth it to know where the good language dictionaries hide. Find African, Chinese, Hindi, Cree (and other Native American languages) and many other dictionaries. But, you can also find courses, glossaries, and acronyms. I also liked the "Word of the Day" which today is "chocolate". What's not to like about that word?

Sign up for your "word of the day". Also look for Spanish and Chinese "word of the day" (although these are not sent to you),  crosswords, scrambles and more. You can even learn how to write your name in 13 languages.

Posted January 9, 2003 2:50 PM

When I don't know what a computer term means I turn to Webopaedia for enlightenment. This well-maintained site tells me, for rxample, that I should be using Web site (2 words) instead of Website (one word) when I write about the content on the Web. I love the cross links within the definitions and the list of related terms off to the right.

I sometimes just spend my time loitering around reading definitions (but not often, time being what it is). This is a great place for discovering terms that are newly minted, so, visit the site and key in your words into the search engine or search by category. You can also email definitions to colleagues if you get into an argument with them over a term. The other interesting thing is that when you search, up will pop links to related sites for you to do further investigation. Now let's see, what does "geek" mean exactly?

Posted January 9, 2003 2:38 PM

Have states squandered the approximately $240 billion in tobacco settlement dollars? According to the American Lung Association the answer is "yes".

According to the report, "[f]orty-three states and the District of Columbia received an “F” in smokefree air laws; 32 states and the District of Columbia received “Fs” in tobacco program funding, 17 received “Fs” in tobacco taxes, and 28 received an “F” in laws limiting youth access to tobacco".  To see how your state did, click on your state on the map, or use the drop-down box to select your state from the alphabetical listing.

The methodology for determining the grades is included. Get details on smokefree air, youth access to tobacco products, tobacco prevention and control spending, and on the effects on smoking of raising the cigarette tax.

Posted January 5, 2003 3:45 PM

This 140 page report from the Royal Society in Britain was issued in July 2002. The Inquiry was composed of scientists, veterinarians, farmers, and other concerned parties. A Summary Report is also available if you do not have time to read the full report. The report deals with the Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreak in England in 2001; it makes ten recommendations intended to minimize the importation of a disease entering the country and to ensure that the outbreak is kept local and does not develop into an epidemic.

Posted January 5, 2003 3:45 PM

For those interested in Social Marketing, this is a great site. Find

Definitions and Overviews
Research, Evaluation and Guides
Campaigns
Organizations and Groups
Other Health Communication Resources
Related Links

Much of the marketing revolves around food and nutrition, but not all. Many of our local health department colleagues have contributed content. Way to go!

posted January 5, 2003 1:58 PM

Some might wonder what an organization dealing with literacy is doing on a public health Weblog. It's here because so much of the health information that we provide to people is done in text format of some kind - brochures, HTML,  MS Word documents, images containing text and so on. Those who cannot read cannot derive much benefit from printed content. This site aims to help with the problem of literacy.

Created by the National Literacy Act of 1991, the main function of the Institute is "to ensure that all Americans with literacy needs have access to services that can help them gain the basic skills necessary for success in the workplace, family, and community in the 21st century."

Several particularly useful organizations of literacy information appear on their Website:

• the Equipped for the Future program, which contains content standards for adult education 
• the Literacy and Learning Disabilities section, which deals with research into adult learning disabilities
• the literacy directory, a National database of literacy programs
• Bringing scientific evidence to learning which covers major literacy issues from the research angle
  

posted January 4, 2003 9:58 AM

The National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity has provided us with a short, but important, document that describes how purchasing a larger size at a fast-food restaurant can add appreciatively to our calorie intake and can reduce the amount of money in our pockets. It also documents the increase in obesity rates in children over the past few years. An example: purchasing a large fries instead of a regular at MacDonalds adds 330 extra calories. Cinnebon's regular sized roll costs, on average, about $2.00 and provides 300 calories and 5 grams of saturated fat; for an additional $.48 you can add 370 additional calories and 15 percent more saturated fat.

For a good look at the fast-food industry's marketing technique of "value" marketing and "bundling" increases portion size and thus your waistline, read the first part of the document.

It's no wonder that ethnic foods are beginning to become popular and that MacDonald's has lost money for the first quarter ever. We cannot continue to eat e ach meal as if we will never get another.

posted January 4, 2003 9:58 AM

This CD presents key principles and steps in developing and evaluating health communications program for the public, patients, and health professionals. It expands upon and replaces two earlier publications titled Pretesting in Health Communications and Making PSA's Work. The guide discusses specific steps in program development and includes examples of their use. Sources of additional information on each subject are included at the end of the chapters.  (from site)

Also known as the "pink book", this CD can be obtained for free (I think, since I couldn't tell from the description) in groups of 20 from the National Cancer Institute.  This is a good opportunity to partner with colleagues to get this CD.

posted January 3, 2003 1:32 PM

Well-known to health educators and health providers, this site is a digital library of digital multimedia files, such as images and videos, that can be used for teaching purposes. New users must register.

Although HEAL started in 2000 with funding from the National Science Foundation in collaboration with the National Library of Medicine, about 1800 multimedia records are available for searching. Do not look for specific public health content, but more clinical content such as dermatology, ObGyn, neuroanatomy, neurology, pathology, biochemistry, and cardiology.

HEAL uses the IMS metadata standard for medical educational resources.

posted January 3, 2003 1:11 AM