SPH News March 16, 2009
SPH News is a school-wide electronic newsletter distributed to SPH faculty and staff every other week during the school year. Please send news items to SPHNews@umn.edu.
From the Dean
It may seem to Americans that the scourge of tobacco is a tired old story. After all, we’ve seen tremendous progress in reducing the burden of disease and death since 1964 when the first U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on smoking and health appeared. But the impact of tobacco marketing and promotion of smoking in the developing world shows that the war against smoking on a global scale is far from won.
That’s one conclusion I drew from several sessions I attended at the 14th World Congress on Tobacco or Health in Mumbai, India. This meeting has been held regularly since the 1970s, but the importance of this one was its focus on the developing world. Originally scheduled to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, some smoking researchers and experts felt that a conference focusing on smoking in the developing world should be held in the developing world. One of those so believing was the SPH’s own Prof. Harry Lando, a world renowned researcher in tobacco and smoking behavior, and a University of Minnesota Distinguished International Professor. Harry and other colleagues pushed to move the conference to a developing nation and got their wish. Somewhat nervously, Harry also agreed to take a key role in organizing the conference and in assisting in raising the millions needed to implement it.
I am pleased to report that the conference was a roaring success. It attracted some 2,000 attendees from all over the world (more than expected), and did well financially, too. Most of all, the sessions were a good cross-section of original research and applications of advocacy and practice. They will no doubt set the agenda for both in the developed and developing world until the Congress meets again. This was all about public health impact and Minnesota was front-and-center on the world stage due in major part to Harry Lando.
Now, Harry will be the first to tell you that he couldn’t do this alone and that many, many people made this possible. He is right, of course. There are too many to name. But almost everyone I spoke to noted that Harry’s global leadership was critical in pulling together the network that made this conference work. He deserves our thanks as do all the researchers, advocates, students, and government and private funders around the world who share the vision of the best health possible for all.
—John R. Finnegan, Jr., Ph.D.
(Top)
Faculty News
As part of the federal stimulus funding the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will allocate at least $200 million to support NIH Challenge Grants in Health and Science Research. The NIH has identified 15 areas to encourage research in high priority areas, including:
Behavior, Behavioral Change, and Prevention
Bioethics
Clinical Research
Comparative Effectiveness Research
Enabling Technologies
Enhancing Clinical Trials
Genomics
Health Disparities
Information Technology for Processing Health Care Data
Translational Science
The challenge grants are part of the $10.4 billion of temporary funds added to the NIH budget. The money must be allocated by September 2010. To stay current on new funding opportunities provided by the stimulus bill, join the Office of the Vice President for Research listserv.
• More on challenge grants
Pat McGovern gave the Ethel Austin Martin Distinguished Lecture at South Dakota State University on March 4. She spoke on "Maternal Employment and Breastfeeding: Findings from the Minnesota Postpartum Health Study."
The Children, Youth, and Family Consortium (CYFC) Scholars program supports U of M faculty, research staff and graduate students from diverse disciplines to conduct research focused on the intersection of educational and health disparities. This program is open to all faculty and professional and administrative staff across the university system. The request for applications for individuals to serve as either CYFC "scholars" or "fellows" is available at the CYFC website. Applications are due Friday, April 3.
• Request an application
The 35th Ten-Day Seminar on the Epidemiology and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease will be held July 26 through Aug. 7 in Tahoe City, Calif. Applications are due at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 23. The seminar is offered by the American Heart Association Council on Epidemiology and Prevention, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors. For more information contact the American Heart Association National Center at 214-570-5935.
The International Society of Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention announces the 42nd Ten-Day International Teaching Seminar on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention to be held Sept. 27-Oct. 9 in India. For questions contact Kay-Tee Khaw at +44-1223-217292 or at kk101@medschl.cam.ac.uk. Applications are due Wednesday, April 1.
(Top)
School News
The Healthcare Reform and Health Equity forum will be held from 8:45 am. to 12 p.m., Friday, April 17, in Coffman Memorial Union Theatre. The forum will focus on models for reforming our health care system and implications of these models for reducing health disparities. Speakers include Senator Amy Klobuchar; Jeffery Korsmo, executive director of the Mayo Clinic Health Policy Center; and SPH Alumnus Michael Trujillo, health research director for the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. (formerly director of the Indian Health Service and Assistant Surgeon General).
• Information and Registration
Faculty and staff are invited to attend the SPH Admitted Student Reception on Monday, March 23. The reception will be held from noon to 4 p.m. in the Mississippi Room at the Coffman Union. Faculty members are needed to have lunch with students at 12:30 and to sit with students from their majors at 1:45 PM. For more information or to RSVP for lunch, contact Melvin Monette at monet008@umn.edu.
The Public Health Institute website has launched. Check out the website to learn more about the three-week session, and to get details on courses, registration, tuition, and more.
Maternal and Child Health student Bridget Larson was selected by the National Science Foundation Office of International Science and Engineering to participate in the East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes for U.S. Graduate Students Program. Larson will receive funding to do secondary data analysis on a National Health and Wellbeing Survey of New Zealand Secondary School Students.
Timothy Boyer, a second-year Ph.D. student studying environmental infectious diseases, received the Mary Lauren Olson Memorial scholarship award for 2009 from the Minnesota Environmental Health Association (MEHA) Scholarship Trustees. His research focus is on the relationship between antibiotic use in agriculture and the emergence of antibiotic resistance in the environment.
PHAP student Annie Mach has been accepted to the federal Presidential Management Fellows program. This program provides opportunities for recent grads to have paid employment and leadership training in federal government for two years, rotating between federal agencies and Congress. Mach will attend a job fair in Washington, D.C. later this month to interview for placement.
Environmental Health Sciences staff member Laurie Ukestad joined the National Children’s Study’s (NCS) Ramsey County location team in January as a community and hospital liaison. She is currently working with investigators to develop and implement community outreach activities. As the study evolves, she will also be responsible for hospital engagement activities with the NCS health care team.
The Bell Museum and Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) presents an Earth Day free screening of the film, A Sense of Wonder. The film will be screened at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 22 at the Bell Museum Auditorium. Based on the life of environmentalist Rachel Carson, the documentary-style film examines Carson’s final year of life, during which she battled cancer, an unexpectedly high public profile and backlash from her critics. A panel discussion featuring SPH professor William Toscano and experts from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy’s Healthy Legacy campaign will follow.
The Department of Health and Human Services has released a new report, "Americans Speak on Health Reform: Report on Health Care Community Discussions," which summarizes comments from the thousands of Americans who hosted and participated in Health Care Community Discussions across the country. The report is available on a new Web site dedicated to health reform. The site allows users to share their thoughts about health reform with the Obama Administration and sign a statement in support of President Obama’s commitment to enacting comprehensive health reform this year.
• Visit the website
The SPH Student Senate volunteer committee wants you to join the fight against cancer by participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life beginning Friday, April 17. Last year the SPH relay team raised $5,000. This year’s goal is $7,000. Participate at the event, donate, or both. Donation jars are located in the following areas: Student Services Center (Mayo D305), Dean’s Office (Mayo A3rd floor), WBOB (3rd floor, reception). Please stop by and make a contribution. For more information, contact Erika Vetta at vett0066@umn.edu.
• Join or donate to the SPH Cares about Cures team
Photos from Pamoja 2009 can be viewed online. If you have photos from Pamoja you would like to share, please e-mail them to sphss@umn.edu.
• See the photos
Call for Nominations for SPH Faculty and P&A Awards. The SPH Recognition, Awards, and Honors (RAH) Committee now welcomes nominations for the following awards: the Leonard M. Shuman Award for Excellence in Teaching, The SPH Community Services Award, the Charles N. Hewitt Creative Teaching Award, the SPH Award for Excellence in Advising, and the SPH P&A Excellence Award. Nominations and supporting documentation are due Friday, April 10, and should be sent to Recognition, Awards and Honors Committee, c/o Stefannie Anderson (stef@umn.edu), MMC 197, A302 Mayo. Go to the SPH awards page for details about each award.
A national symposium on medical and health care education reform will be held April 26-28 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Join with national leaders to build consensus on changes needed in medical education to best facilitate health care reform. Nationally recognized medical education experts will jump-start discussions at this highly participatory event.
• More information/registration
Help Minnesota FoodShare fight hunger by donating non-perishable food items or money to the Neighborhood House in Saint Paul. Drop off your food or non-food donations in the bright orange bins in the SPHere, CHIP Lounge and WBOB by Tuesday, March 31. Those wishing to donate money can make checks payable to the Neighborhood House Food Shelf and mail to Neighborhood House, 179 Robie Street East, St. Paul MN 55107. For questions about the FoodShare campaign contact Nancy Hoyt Taff at taff0012@umn.edu.
• More information on the Neighborhood House
(Top)
SPH Events
The SPH is sponsoring a coloring contest in honor of National Public Health Week (NPHW) for children 12 and under. Children of SPH faculty and staff are eligible to enter. The coloring sheet must be postmarked by Friday, March 27 or dropped off to the SPH main office by Monday, March 30. Coloring sheets will be displayed during the NPHW Film Festival (April 6-11) at the Mayo Memorial Auditorium. For questions, call the SPH main office at 4-6669.
• Download a PDF of the coloring sheet
"Childhood Asthma: Potential Causes and Consequences" will be presented on March 26 from 12 to 1 p.m. at the Wilder Center in St. Paul. SPH faculty members Charles Oberg and John Adgate will discuss trends, screening, environmental exposure, and other issues concerning childhood asthma. The event is free and open to all but seating is limited. Lunch will be provided. Register to Laurie Ukestad at ukest001@umn.edu. The Amherst center is located at 451 Lexington Parkway North, St. Paul, 55104. This event is part of the National Children’s Study Speaker’s Series.
The Law School Council, the Medical School Student Council and the School of Public Health Student Senate invite you to the Malpractice Ball on Saturday, March 28. The event will be held from 7:30 to midnight at Blaisdell Manor, 2322 Blaisdell Ave., Minneapolis. Hors d’ouevres will be served and there will be an open bar. Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased through the Student Services Center (Mayo D305) front desk. Tickets will be sold through Wednesday March 18. Questions? Contact Emily Wang, wang0675@umn.edu.
Save the Date for the second annual SPH Research Day: Monday, April 6. Academic Health Center students, faculty, and staff are invited to check out SPH student research posters in Coffman Memorial Union’s Mississippi Room between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Lunch will be provided from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• More information
Attend the fifth annual SPH film festival the week of April 6-11. Hosted in celebration of National Public Health Week this year’s selection of films promises to be educational, intriguing, and thought-provoking. A new addition to this year’s festival is a Family Fun Film Day on Saturday, which includes short films for kids, crafts, and pictures with Goldy Gopher. Winners of the "It’s Global" Public Service Announcement (PSA) contest will be screened Monday evening and Saturday beginning at 1:30 p.m. The evenings begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Mayo Memorial Auditorium. The film festival is free and open to the public.
• More information, including film selections, dates and times
A series on “Causality in the Health Sciences” will take place on five Wednesdays in April, 12:15 -1:15 p.m. The sessions will likely be taped by the AcademyHealth as a webinar. Each session, except for the first, will have a paper that the audience will be encouraged to read before the session. Information on how to access the papers will be sent later. The first session will be held in D199 Mayo. The sessions are organized by the Division of Health Policy and Management.
Date |
Presenter |
Title |
Discussant A |
Discussant B |
Discussant C |
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 1, 2009 |
Bryan Dowd (HPM) |
Overview/Philosophy Background |
All |
All |
All |
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 8, 2009 |
Michael Oakes (EPICH) |
Epidemiological Perspective |
Roger Feldman
(HPM) |
George Maldonado (EHS) |
Pinar Karaca-Mandic (HPM) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 15, 2009 |
Bryan Dowd
(HPM) |
Econometric Perspective |
Michael Oakes (EPICH) |
James Neaton (BIOSTAT) |
Melanie Wall (BIOSTAT) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 22, 2009 |
George Maldonado (EHS) |
Population Perspective |
Richard MacLehose (EPICH) |
Robert Kane
(HPM) |
Bryan Dowd
(HPM) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 29, 2009 |
Gordon Mosser/ Robert Kane (HPM) |
Implementation |
Bryan Dowd
(HPM) |
Beth Virnig
(HPM) |
Jeff McCullough
(HPM) |
(Top)
CPHEO News
Upcoming Courses
Tools for Managing Volunteers During and After a Disaster
These tools were developed for Medical Reserve Corps coordinators, public health agencies or any organization that may deploy volunteers to assist during or after an emergency or disaster and can be adapted to meet your agency needs.
Access tools online
Designing and Conducting Focus Groups Interviews
March 16-17 and 18-19
More details online
Breathe Easier: Advances in Indoor Air Quality and Mold Recognition, Identification and Remediation
March 17-19
Additional information
Global Health Institute-India
March 16-24
More details online
Incident Management Systems Awareness
Monday, March 23
Training descriptions
Occupational Hearing Conservation Recertification Training (CAOHC Approved)
March 24
Additional information
For Emergencies Only? Successful Respiratory Protection Program Implementation
March 25
Additional information
8-Hour Site Worker Refresher
April 9
Additonal Information
Confined Space Entry and Retrieval
April 17
Additonal Information
(Top)
Other Events
March 20, 7:30 to 9 a.m.
Minnesota Public Health Association’s forum: Farm to Table—Food Production in Minnesota
March 30, 4-5:30
"I Want to do Clinical Research but the FDA Wants Me to do What?!?"
April 24, 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Documentary Screening of Money-Driven Medicine
For more events, go to the SPH Online Calendar
Subscribe to SPH calendar updates by e-mail
(Top)
Events on the AHC Web Site
Events on the SPH Web Site
(Top)
To sign up to receive SPH News, send your name and e-mail address to SPHNews@umn.edu.
Read past issues of SPH News
SPHNews is sent by the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, 420 Delaware Street, S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455.
Last modified on Sunday Mar 15, 2009