Today’s News (2/7/12)    

     While the working deadline for conferees to reach agreement on the “extenders” package is February 17^th (providing sufficient time for final Congressional passage prior to February 29^th), discussions on financing options are happening right now, and you can be certain that the Prevention Fund remains on the table.   To help us again successfully turn back use of the Fund as an offset, it is vitally important that you communicate your position to Congress now.  Here’s a link to copies of recent letters in support of the Fund – http://healthyamericans.org/health-issues/category/protecting-the-prevention-and-public-health-fund/recent-organizational-letters-in-support-of-prevention-fund.  We urge you to join your colleagues in issuing a letter in support of the Fund and in opposition to its use as an offset.  No time like the present!

      And here’s the conferee list:  Senators Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Mike Crapo (R-ID), John Barrasso (R-WY), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Max Baucus (D-MT), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Bob Casey (D-PA).   In the House, it’s Dave Camp (R-MI), Kevin Brady (R-TX), Renee Ellmers (R-NC), Nan Hayworth (R-NY), Tom Price (R-GA), Tom Reed (R-NY), Fred Upton (R-MI), Greg Walden (R-OR), Sander Levin (D-MI), Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Allyson Schwartz (D-PA), and Henry Waxman (D-CA). 

      Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) issued a statement today on TFAH’s report, Bending the Obesity Cost Curve - Reducing Obesity Rates by Five Percent Could Lead to More than $29 Billion in Health Care Savings in Five Years, stating that, “This study reinforces the common-sense notion that prevention is the best medicine.  This is exactly why the Prevention and Public Health Fund created in the Affordable Care Act is such an important step toward changing our sick care system into a true health care system. Investing in proven community-based prevention programs that promote health and wellness, such as those that improve access to fresh fruits and vegetables, increase physical activity, and decrease tobacco use, could save the country more than $16 billion within five years. I applaud the Trust for America’s Health for their recognition of the great opportunity we have before us to make ours a healthier and more fiscally responsible nation.”   And here’s TFAH’s release – http://healthyamericans.org/newsroom/releases/?releaseid=255.

     The Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) is hosting a Congressional reception on Tuesday, February 14^th from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. in 902 Senate Hart Office Building.  Stop by to network and learn more about maternal and child health programs in your state!  You also will have the opportunity to hear from Rep. DeLauro (Ranking Member House LHHS Subcommittee).  Please RVSP to agomez@amchp.org. 

     Opportunities/Deadlines    

{the Opportunities/Deadlines categories are live links which you can click on for further   information}

 

            Sign On Documents and Opportunities for Input

 

   Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids is facilitating the submission of letters to the editor in support of the Prevention and Public Health Fund (no current deadline)    

 

   National Wildlife Foundation seeks signatures on a letter opposing elimination of federal funding for the EPA’s Office of Environmental Education (no current deadline)    

 

     Nemours seeks signatures on a letter in support of the Healthy Kids from Day One Act (no current deadline)

 

     The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) seeks signatures on a letter urging Congress to address the antibiotics crisis (deadline, February 9^th)

 

           Regulatory Comments

 

   None current.  

 

           Funding Opportunities

 

  The National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI) has announced a funding opportunity for nonprofit organizations hosting state level meetings promoting cross-sector examples of the intersection between agriculture and human health. (deadline, February 13^th)

 

  The Public Health Foundation has launched a national award program to promote use of quality improvement (QI) (deadline, March 16^th)

 

  The Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced the availability of $110 million in grants under the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative to transform public and assisted housing and to revitalize communities. (deadline, April 10^th)

 

 

    Upcoming Events 

 

Community Commons:  Creating Maps and Exploring Resources

Wednesday, February 8^th, Noon (EST) – webinar

To register for February 8^th – https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/534316726

 

Just a Little Heart Attack – {new}

Sponsored by the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women campaign

Reception and screening of Just a Little Heart Attack

Tuesday, February 14^th, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Cannon Caucus Room – 345 Cannon House Office Building

To RSVP: Please contact Nikki Davis at nikki.davis@heart.org or (202) 785-7947

 

The Power of Prevention:  Spending Smarter to Improve Dental Health

Sponsored by The Pew Children’s Dental Campaign

Wednesday, February 15^th, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.

Gold Room (2168 Rayburn House Office Building)

To RSVP:  Please contact Crystal Scott at cscott@pewtrusts.org or call (202) 540-6634

 

Prevention in the Affordable Care Act:  Highlighting Community Success Stories {new}

Sponsored by Dialogue4Health

Wednesday, February 15^th, 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. (EST) – webinar

To register:  Click on the following and scroll down to the February 15^th event -http://www.dialogue4health.org/webforums/index.html.

 

Tobacco Use in Homeless Populations

Sponsored by Break Free Alliance

Three-part webinar series (below)

To register:  http://vmx.highroadsolution.com/se/users/meetingprofile.aspx?account.id=hec

 

Wednesday, February 15^th, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. EST
Making the Case: Tobacco-Free Policies and Cessation Programming for Homeless Populations

 

Wednesday, February 22^nd, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. EST
Systems Change: Integrating Tobacco-Free Policies and Cessation Services into Homeless Service Provider Settings 

Wednesday, February 29^th, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. EST
Innovative Partnerships: Developing Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs

for Homeless and Formerly Homeless Populations 

 

Prevention and Public Health Fund Strategy Meeting

Sponsored by Trust for America’s Health

Friday, February 17^th, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Location to be determined

To RSVP:  Harmeet Singh at hsingh@tfah.org

 

Promoting Health and Preventing Disease for People with Disabilities:  The Unique Role of CDC’s Division of Human Development and Disability

Sponsored by the American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) and the Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD)

Tuesday, February 21^st, 4:00 p.m. (EST) – webinar

To register:  https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/953661018

 

Putting the Tobacco Industry’s Words to Work for You

Sponsored by Legacy and the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education

The University of California, San Francisco

Thursday, February 23^rd, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. EST

To register:  http://contacts.americanlegacy.org/reaction/RSGenPage.asp?rsid=DqYVkomyZGI9WZdig3KHYx_BBUhxiegAR7Drwc-ANIOBGdO8TMk6eTmKL-I6CA6D&aes=y

 

National Forum on the Future of Healthcare:  The Essential Health Benefits

Sponsored by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

Tuesday, February 28^th, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

National Press Club – 529 14th Street NW

To register (by February 1^st):  https://www.seeuthere.com/rsvp/invitation/infoinvitation.asp?id=/m1c9c3bc-43F7QJQX8HO0C&sutGuid=40898

 

2^nd Annual Kidney Action Day on the Hill (and free screenings)

Sponsored by the American Kidney Fund

Thursday, March 1^st Noon – 3:00 p.m.

B-340 Rayburn House Office Building

 

Treating Cardiovascular Disease:  Advancements in Medical Technology Innovation

Sponsored by California Healthcare Institute (CHI) and LifeScience Alley (LSA)

Tuesday, February 28^th, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

1539 Longworth House Office Building  

Save the Date – for more information:  Caitlin Doyle at doyle@chi.org or (202) 974-6323

 

The Science is Clear:  Inappropriate Use in Animal Agriculture Threatens Public Health

Sponsored by Center for Science in the Public Interest and

the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future

Thursday, March 8^th, 11:00 a.m. – Noon

2168 Rayburn House Office Building

 

2012 National Association for Health and Fitness Forum

March 25^th - 27^th, Paris Las Vegas Hotel

Las Vegas, NV

To register:  http://www.physicalfitness.org/register.php?eventid=Mw

 

National Health Impact Assessment Meeting

April 3^rd – 4^th

Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel

Call for abstracts: http://www.cvent.com/events/inaugural-national-health-impact-assessment-meeting/custom-18-0636364fcc2b4736b8426eeb85c9da4a.aspx

To Register: http://www.cvent.com/d/2cq8vk

 

2012 National Health Promotion Summit

Sponsored by the HHS Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion and the

Association For Prevention Teaching and Research

April 10^th – 11^th, Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, DC

For more information:  www.aptrweb.org/teachingprevention

 

Teaching Prevention 2012

Sponsored by the Association For Prevention Teaching and Research

Getting it Together: Prevention in Health Professions Education

April 11^th – 12^th, Madison Hotel, Washington, DC

For more information: www.aptrweb.org/2012summit

 

SOPHE 2012 Midyear Scientific Conference – Tuning Up Health Promotion: New Lyrics

Across the Lifespan
Sponsored by the Society for Public Health Education

April 11^th – 15^th
Sheraton Music City Hotel – Nashville, Tennessee

For more information: http://www.sophe.org/call_for_abstracts.cfm

 

22^nd Annual Art & Science of Health Promotion

Sponsored by the American Journal of Health Promotion

April 11^th-15^th, San Diego, CA

To register: www.HealthPromotionConference.org

For more information:  conference2012@healthpromotionconference.org

 

Society of Behavioral Medicine 33^rd Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions -

Engaging New Partners and Perspectives

April 11^th- 14^th, Hilton New Orleans Riverside, New Orleans, LA

For more information:  http://www.sbm.org/meetings/2012

 

Promising Practices to Eliminate Tobacco-Related Disparities:  The Power of Communities

Sponsored by the Break Free Alliance

April 17^th-18^th – New Orleans, LA

To Register:  http://healthedcouncil.org/promisingpractices_registration.html

 

Sugary Drinks Summit {new}
Sponsored by the Center for Science in the Public Interest
June 7^th-8^th, Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.
To register:  http://www.fewersugarydrinks.com/elements/pdf/summit_registration.pdf

Save the Date – Series of Viral Hepatitis Summits

May 10^th  - Ohio Viral Hepatitis Summit, Quest Conference Center, Columbus, OH

September 20^th – Kansas Viral Hepatitis Summit, Kansas City Airport Marriott

October 11^th – Wisconsin Viral Hepatitis Summit, Sheraton Milwaukee Brookfield Hotel

For more information:  Please call (800) 891-0707 or email tkt@hepatitisfoundation.org

 

The New Public Health – Rewiring for the Future

Midyear meeting of the American Public Health Association

June 26^th – 28^th, Charlotte, NC

For more information:  http://www.apha.org/Midyear

 

2012 Public Health Law Conference – Practical Approaches to Critical Challenges

Sponsored by the American Society of Law, Medicine and Ethics and the Network for Public Health Law

October 10^th – 12^th, Atlanta, GA

For more information: http://www.networkforphl.org/network_resources/public_health_law_conference_2012/