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Harry Rutter's Public Health Today
(Blog from the UK)  

eLearning Blogs

Online Learning Update Blog

Educational Technlogy

Online Higher Ed Notebook

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August 2003

August 25, 2003 10:55 AM

Food Safety and Nutrition

Alice Henneman, MS, RD. and Joyce Jensen, REHS, both from the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County have created a Web site for the National Food Safety Education Month (SM) that takes place in September. Alice and Joyce have created and posted on their site posters in black and white and also color (PDF) that you can print out and post on your refrigerator or use for table tents to remind people to be careful about how and when they store food. Thanks Alice and Joyce. These are very nice.

Alert, verification and public health management of SARS in the post-outbreak period (WHO)

This recommendation provides a rationale for continued vigilance for SARS, discusses the risk assessment, describes the SARS Alert (an operational definition to ensure that appropriate infection control and public health measures are implemented until SARS has been ruled out as a cause of the atypical pneumonia or RDS), discusses the international reporting of SARS, and describes the enhanced surveillance and special studies for SARS-CoV infections in animal and human populations. Three annexes complete the document.

Covering Kids & Families (RWJF)

To address the need to reduce the number of uninsured children and adults who are eligible for public health care coverage programs but not enrolled, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation launched Covering Kids & Families (CKF), The Foundation has devoted $55 million dollars to increase the number of children and families who benefit from existing health care coverage programs. Over half of the 7.8 million uninsured children are Hispanic or African American.

Covering Kids & Families operates through statewide projects in 45 states and the District of Columbia and more than 140 local community projects. In addition, 4 states have CKF liaison grants that provide opportunities to participate in the national CKF initiative.

Find news about the project, search for details about the state and community projects and by target population or intervention type, find numerous resources and communications tools that can be used to "inform low to moderate-income families about low-cost and free health care coverage that's available through Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP)". This is a very richly populated Web site for content.

August 23, 2003 5:18 PM

West Nile Virus Activity - US, 2003

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report reports that in 2003 to date, a total of 715 human cases of West Nile virus in 29 states, including 14 deaths. Colorado continues to be the hardest hit state this year so far with 263 human cases and 6 deaths. South Dakota had 117 cases, Nebraska 99 cases and three deaths, and Texas next with 70 cases and two deaths.

"During the reporting week of August 14--20, a total of 322 human cases of WNV infection were reported from 21 states (Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wyoming), including five fatal cases from three states (Colorado, Nebraska, and Ohio). During the same period, WNV infections were reported in 1,143 dead birds, 291 horses, one dog, and 491 mosquito pools".

Source: MMWR, 52(33):796, August 22, 2003.

The Bowker Annual Chapter on NLM, 2003

Great description of the National Library of Medicine, giving its collection size and resources, as well as a brief introduction to the databases managed by NLM staff, the outreach to health care and public health providers, a brief description of the exhibitions it has mounted over the past year, and the research and development that the NLM has promoted through its own staff's efforts and through grants.

Although likely of more interest to librarians and to researchers, it is worth knowing something about the resource that does so much to make public health and medical content accessible to its practitioners.

Suggestions for Authors' Keywords (NLM)

"A new Web site is available from the MeSH Section at NLM to help authors in finding keywords for articles. Some publishers and editors ask article authors to designate several keywords that describe the content of an article being submitted for publication.

Frequently, authors contact NLM to ask how to obtain the MeSH vocabulary. When asked about the planned use, the answer is most often that they want to find keywords for an article, following the instruction of their editor or publisher.

While the complete MeSH vocabulary is available for download, a better approach is described on the new Suggestions for Authors Web page. Rather than getting a file of 21,000 MeSH descriptors, the author can use the MeSH Browser to quickly find the four or five MeSH descriptors that most closely characterize the author's article. In just a few minutes, the keywords can be found, simply and easily.

The Web site offers suggestions for determining appropriate keywords and alternative approaches. However, it should be remembered that the NLM indexing staff do not rely on author-provided keywords. The indexing process considers the full content of each article, not only what is included in the abstract or on the first page.

Please see the Suggestions for Authors Web site at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/authors.html".

Source: NLM Technical Bulletin, 333: July-August 2003.

August 22, 2003 3:12 PM

Fight the Bite Colorado

A West Nile virus prevention and education campaign brought to you by Colorado's state and local health departments.

This is a very rich site indeed for West Nile virus prevention and education information. Learn what the symptoms of the disease are, how it affects children and seniors, horses, birds, dogs and cats.

Get surveillance maps, learn how to prevent mosquitos from breeding on your land whether you are a farmer or a home owner or a manager of people who work outdoors. Suppliers of insecticides and related control supplies are suggested. Get additional information from local public health departments.

August 18, 2003 11:10 AM

Improving Palliative Care (National Academy Press)

New book from the National Academy Press. All the full texts of all National Academies Press books are available for free online reading at the NAP website.

Household Products Database (NLM)

Learn which household products pose a potential health risk to you and your family. Look for products by a list of products (auto products, pesticides, home inside, home maintenance, landscape/yard, personal care/use, and hobbies/crafts), ingredients or search the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Effects of Products. As well as a help link and a glossary, you can contact NLM for additional information. Other Internet Resources links you to Government Information Resources, MSDS Information Resources and Resources from the National Library of Medicine.

I wanted to know if my bathroom shower stall scum remover might be toxic because it always makes me cough after spraying it on my shower walls. I searched by Product | Home Inside | Bathroom | Soap Scum Remover | Tilex Spray Soap Scum Remover. I learned that "prolonged inhalation of vapors or mist may cause respiratory irritation," that it "may cause skin irritation," that it "causes eye irritation," and if I were foolish enough to drink it, I could count on nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Nice. I think I'll continue using it given the alternative.

Just as a point of interest, the database gives you Brand Information, Manufacturer, Health Effects, Handling/Disposal, and a listing of the Ingredients from MSDA/Label. NLM has done a fabulous job on this database. It's well worth looking at.

August 17, 2003 2:50 PM

Technology-assisted Learning Centers (TALCs) for Performance Improvement, Johns Hopkins University

"Established in 1973, the JHPIEGO Corporation is a nonprofit organization affiliated with Johns Hopkins University. JHPIEGO works to improve the health of women and families throughout Asia, Near East and Europe, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean". Site describes the use of computer-assisted learning using Technology-Assisted Learning Centers in its various projects. Use their online tutorials to learn. Important tools for learners include ReproLine® (Reproductive Health Online), ReproLearn™ tutorials, ModCal® Courseware for Reproductive Health Professionals, and JHPIEGO TrainerNews®, an electronic newsletter supporting reproductive health faculty and trainers through brief articles on training tips and techniques.

American Red Cross - Disaster Services

This individual page from the American Red Cross' Web site describes the services it can provide in the event of a disaster such as "house or apartment fires (the majority of disaster responses), hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents, explosions, and other natural and man-made disasters". Find your local Red Cross office, give blood, volunteer to help out, and get access to preparedness information, disaster safety, and what to do after a disaster.

Continuing Education. Great Lakes Centers

"The Illinois Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety Education and Research Center provides a link to their Continuing Education Catalog and a description of what the CE consists of".

Alabama Tobacco Free Families

Alabama Tobacco Free Families is a program that believes women should remain tobacco free prior to, during, and after pregnancy. A smoke-free home protects all family members, especially children. Access the online Quit Kit which contains information and activities those desiring to quit smoking can use to make quitting easier. Other quit smoking information for current and future moms and links to related content.

Population Services International

PSI is "a nonprofit group based in Washington, D.C. that is the leading social marketing organization in the world, with programs in more than 70 countries". "PSI uses social marketing to deliver health products, services and information that enable low-income and other vulnerable people to lead healthier lives". Experience social marketing through a Flash and RealPlayer presentation. Gain access to research briefs, annual reports, translated texts and publications. Links to projects, affiliates, donors and other organizations.

United Nations Population Fund

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is the world's largest international source of funding for population and reproductive health programmes. It works with governments at their request to provide support programmes that help women, men and young people. Many critical population issues such as improving reproductive health, promoting gender equality, supporting adolescents and youth, preventing HIV/AIDS as well as other issues are covered in the appropriate link.

Juxtopia

Juxtopia is the leader in developing intelligent simulations and solutions for health and medicine. See an example of a simulation and get some background on the company. Useful site to know about if you are developing public health simulations.

Project Implementation and Training Associates

Offers expertise and training in project management. Purchase The Project Managers Primer online from PITA.

Well-Being Institute, Inc

The Well-Being Institute serve as "a non-profit research and development corporation to test models of nursing service delivery which use the Personalized Nursing LIGHT Model of nursing care." Get more information on the LIGHT Model (Video and Workbook) and on their publications.

UNICEF

UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to "advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential". Content is available in English, French and Spanish. Locate country information including basic indicators and statistics, and the current situation in the country. Learn about the role UNICEF plays in girl's education, immunization, child protection, HIV/AIDS prevention and early childhood. Find policy analysis, nutrition, life skills and other useful content.

AlcoholScreening.org

Find the answers to the following questions: "Am I drinking safely? Will alcohol cause problems for me later? Is drinking harming my health now? If you consume alcoholic beverages, it's important to know whether your drinking patterns are safe, risky or harmful. This site can help you find out. You can assess your own drinking, learn about alcohol and health issues, and find resources for additional help".

APPEAL

This site provides information about Asian American and Pacific Islander tobacco control issues, current APPEAL projects, policy, useful links and how to become an APPEAL network member. In addition to a useful calendar, get facts and resources, technical assistance and training, capacity building (a community's current ability (as opposed to inherent ability) to respond to certain pressures), youth and families leadership development.

National Center for Tobacco-Free Older Persons, The Center for Social Gerontology

The National Center for Tobacco-Free Older Persons (NCTFOP) is "dedicated to redressing and mitigating the physical and emotional harm to older persons caused by the actions of the tobacco industry. This web site is intended to provide comprehensive information on and access to materials concerning tobacco and older persons, including fact sheets, health-related reports and articles, a detailed bibliography, copies of TCSG's Tobacco & the Elderly Notes newsletter, and much more. Also included on this site is an extensive section on Tobacco & Adult Minorities. A special section of this site provides the most exhaustive information on the Internet on the uses of the state tobacco settlement funds, particularly their use for aging programs and tobacco prevention and cessation."

Recent Entries

Alert, verification and public health management of SARS in the post-outbreak period (WHO)

Covering Kids & Families (RWJF)

West Nile Virus Activity - US, 2003

The Bowker Annual Chapter on NLM, 2003

Suggestions for Authors' Keywords (NLM)

Fight the Bite Colorado

Improving Palliative Care (National Academy Press)

Household Products Database (NLM)

Technology-assisted Learning Centers (TALCs) for Performance Improvement, Johns Hopkins University

American Red Cross - Disaster Services

Continuing Education. Great Lakes Centers

Alabama Tobacco Free Families

Population Services International

United Nations Population Fund

Juxtopia

Project Implementation and Training Associates

Well-Being Institute, Inc

UNICEF

AlcoholScreening
.org

APPEAL

National Center for Tobacco-Free Older Persons, The Center for Social Gerontology

ArcticHealth

Just Ask Cosmo from NLM

Strengthening Head Start: What the Evidence Shows

PrepareNow.Org

California Food Policy Advocates

Asian American Health (NLM)

President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports

Rural Welfare Reform: Lessons Learned (USDA)

World Bank eLibrary

Safety and Health Issues: Workplace Violence (OSHA)

Online Resources for Statistics (multiple sites)

Training Future Physicians About Weapons of Mass Destruction (AAMC Report)

Pilot Health Services Research (HSR) Filters Project

Research on Coronary Heart Disease Often Doesn't Report Findings on Women

The Colossal Colon Tour

Human Development Report 2003

Atlas of Health in Europe

Adult Immunization Schedules (various sites)

2003 Metropolitan Areas

Suicide Awareness

Ergonomics

The Edible Schoolyard

Children's Dental Care Access in Medicaid CHIRITM Issue Brief 2

U.S. Birth Rate Reaches Record Low

Public Health Service Commissioned Corps

Emergency Responders: Drastically Underfunded, Dangerously Unprepared

The Children and Weight On-line Community Discussion Forum

Foodborne Illness Education Information Center (FBIEIC)

Translating Research Into Practice Conference

New Evidence Report Summary on Cancer Control Interventions

Surge Capacity and Regionalization Issues: Third Free AHRQ Web-Assisted Audio Conference on Bioterrorism Preparedness

Conference on the Scientific Basis of Health Services (AHRQ and AcademyHealth)