UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER NOTES
"Promoting Health Through Physical Activity"

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IN THIS NOTE 

NEWS FROM THE PREVENTION CENTER - Governor's Award, Army Focus Groups, Southeastern ACSM Lecture Tour, Chronic Disease Surveillance, Cooper Institute Conference on Physical Activity Interventions 

HEALTH OBSERVANCES IN NOV NEW PUBLICATIONS - Trails in SC; Church-Based CVD Prevention

NATIONAL NEWS - Washington Report, Healthy People 2010, Walkable Community Awards

STATE NEWS - Palmetto Trails Update 

WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES - Trail Building, Diabetes & African Americans, Healthy Communities, Exercise Medicine, Minority Health, Rails-to-Trails

WEB PAGES - The President's Challenge, Cardiovascular Disease Annotated Bibliography

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USC PREVENTION CENTER UPDATE

PROGRAM RECOGNITION: The Placemat Strength Training Program was recognized recently as the 1997 winner of the Governor's Health Promotion for Older South Carolinians Award. The Placemat Program is funded by the SC Department of Health and Human Services; it is designated as one of the core demonstration projects of the USC Prevention Center. Working with the Community Long Term Care Program, the project trains providers who then teach homebound elderly clients a series of exercises (illustrated on a placemat) to improve strength and flexibility. Congratulations to PI Maureen Sanderson and staff, Carol Cornman and Marcia Lane.

ARMY FOCUS GROUPS: The USC Prevention Center has been selected by the US Army to conduct a series of focus groups about physical activity messages for military beneficiaries and civilian employees. The purpose of this work is to determine if the new CDC physical activity campaign, "Ready, Set, It's Everywhere You Go!", is appropriate for a new physical activity program being developed by the Army. Focus groups are planned for Fort Jackson (Columbia, SC) and Fort Lewis (Tacoma, Washington). The project is being coordinated by Marcia Lane and involves collaborators at the CDC and at the Medical University of South Carolina. For more information, contact Marcia at 803-777-4159.

ACSM LECTURE TOUR: Center Director Barb Ainsworth recently completed the 1997 Southeast American College of Sports Medicine Scholar Lecture Tour. Her travels took her to the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, University of Mississippi, University of Louisville, and University of New Orleans. The title of her speech was, "Why is Physical Inactivity a Public Health Problem?".

CHRONIC DISEASE SURVEILLANCE: The Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, the Association of State and Territorial Chronic Disease Program Directors, and the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion recently convened the first of two workshops to develop a national plan for chronic disease surveillance. Center Deputy Director Fran Wheeler participated in the first work session, which focused on developing lists of chronic diseases, conditions and determinants that should be under national, state and local surveillance. A second meeting will be held in early December, after which time the lists will be circulated for review and comment. For additional information, contact Fran Wheeler at 803-777-5054.

COOPER INSTITUTE CONFERENCE ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTERVENTIONS: The USC Prevention Center was represented at the Cooper Institute/ACSM Specialty Conference on Physical Activity Interventions by Dean Dianne Ward and Deputy Director Fran Wheeler. This conference brought together the world's leading experts in physical activity intervention to highlight the state-of-the-art and to make recommendations for research for the next decade. Major sessions included interventions targeting youth, interventions targeting older adults, interventions targeting underserved populations, interventions in health care settings, worksite physical activity interventions, mediated approaches to increasing physical activity, lifestyle physical activity interventions, and environmental and policy approaches to increasing physical activity.

WHAT MONTH IS THIS 
Several national health observances take place in the month of November. November is Child Safety and Protection Month (National PTA), National Alzheimer's Awareness Month, National Diabetes Month, and National Epilepsy Month. Also, November 20 is the date for this year's Great American Smokeout, sponsored by the American Cancer Society. The bulletin board outside the Prevention Center Office features information about USC's Alzheimer's Disease Registry ......check it out. For more information, call Carol Cornman at 803-777-5337

NEW PUBLICATIONS 
Thanks to a grant from the Recreational Trails Fund Program, the SC Governor's Council on Physical Fitness developed "South Carolina Trail Resource Guide," which lists agencies and organizations that provide trails or information about trails throughout South Carolina. The guide was compiled from a survey conducted by the Governor's Council, in cooperation with the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control and The SC Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. It features a key to the types of trails available - hiking, mountain biking, bicycling, equestrian, paddle sports, motorcycling/ATVing, walking/jogging. For a copy of the Trail Resource Guide, contact Regina Fields at SC DHEC, 737-3938 or Jim Schmid at SC PRT, 734-0130. For more information about trails in SC, check out the State Trails Program's web site at www.sctrails.net.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) recently announced the publication of "Working with Religious Congregations - A Guide for Health Professionals." This monograph builds on lessons learned from church-based programs supported by NHLBI's Stroke Belt Initiative, including the Strike Out Stroke Project at the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control. The publication is a guide to help professionals in health agencies reach out to religious congregations and work with them to implement CVD risk reduction programs. To review a copy of this report, see Fran Wheeler in the Prevention Center Office; to order a copy, call the NHLBI Information Center at 301-251-1222. To learn more about NHLBI's Stroke Belt Initiative, check out the Institute's web site at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/heart/other/sb_spec.htm; to learn more about South Carolina's Strike Out Stroke efforts, call Barbara Wright-Mallory at DHEC, 737-6054.

NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL LEVEL 
WASHINGTON REPORT: (1) The Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee approved the nomination of Dr. David Satcher (currently Director of CDC) to be the next Surgeon General and DHHS Assistant Secretary of Health. (2) Funding for the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill continues to face an uncertain outcome in Congress due to controversies around educational testing. One continuing resolution has expired (October 23); another is in effect until November 6. Public health advocates remain hopeful about funding increases for tobacco use prevention, diabetes, cancer registries, and cardiovascular disease prevention -- if Congress can overcome controversies surrounding educational testing and needle exchange programs before the planned adjournment date of November 7.

HEALTHY PEOPLE 2010: It's that time again * work is underway to develop objectives for Healthy People 2010. The DHHS Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion has extended a call for comments through December 15, 1997: (1) comments on the proposed framework for Healthy People 2010, and (2) comments on Healthy People 2010 Objectives - additions, deletions or modifications of the Year 2000 Objectives. A copy of "Developing Objectives for Healthy People 2010" is available for review in the Prevention Center Office (see Fran Wheeler). More information about the review process - and how to submit comments - is available at the Healthy People Homepage at http://odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov/pubs/hp2000.

WALKABLE COMMUNITY AWARDS: Walking Magazine has announced its First Annual Walkable Community Awards. Do you live in or know of a great place to walk? Nominate your ;community if you feel it has just the right mix of sidewalks and trails, destinations that can be reached on foot (workplaces, schools, culture, commerce), parks and green spaces, and an active population that values walking. An expert panel representing Walking Magazine, the American Hiking Society and the Partnership for a Walkable America will review the nominations and present awards to communities of all shapes and sizes in May 1998. To nominate your community, describe why you think it works for walkers - in a one-page typewritten letter; longer entries will not be accepted. Entries must be postmarked by December 15, 1997. Mail entries to Walkable Community Award, c/o Walking Magazine, 9-11 Harcourt Street, Boston, MA 02116.

NEWS FROM SOUTH CAROLINA 
PALMETTO TRAILS UPDATE: Volunteers are needed all along our state trail, from the mountains to the sea. Several sections have work days planned in November and volunteers are needed for all sorts of tasks, some of which require no special skills. Call Tom Dawson, the Palmetto Trails Coordinator at 803-7710870, and offer to lend a hand. 

UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS 
CREATING A WALKING TRAIL: November 9-11, 1997, Beaufort, SC. 
A relaxed, "hands-on" workshop to enable participants to create their own pathways to health and education. Learn about the Greenways Project in Beaufort and the creation of a walkable community in Port Royal. Cost is $15; you must register in advance * call 803-757-2251.

TRAIL BUILDING WORKSHOP: November 15, 1997, Poinsett State Park. A highly informative session covering the basics of trail building. Sponsored by Palmetto Trails and the Poinsett State Park Rangers. For information and to register, call Tom Dawson at 803-771-0870 or Terry Hurrey at 803-494-8177.

DIABETES AND AFRICAN AMERICANS:November 17, 1997, Columbia, SC.
A one-day workshop based on the African American Program of the American Diabetes Association. The program's goal is to educate African Americans on the seriousness of diabetes and how diabetes control can prevent or delay complications of this disease. There is no charge for this workshop; for additional information, call Raquel Edmond at 803-799-4246.

YOUTH - TODAY'S ASSETS, TOMORROW'S PROMISE: November 19-21, 1997, Columbia, SC. The 1997 annual meeting of groups affiliated with Healthy Communities, SC Healthy People 2000, and the SC Primary Prevention Institute; sponsored by SC DHEC's Office of Community Development and the SC Hospital Association. A variety of workshops and skills-building sessions, as well as nationally-recognized keynote speakers. A copy of the conference brochure is available in the Prevention Center Office. Cost is $50 (includes some meals); for more information, call 796-3080.

EXERCISE MEDICINE FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM: November 20, 1997, Chapel Hill, NC. A short course to teach health care professionals how to provide counseling and exercise prescriptions for patients with diabetes, lipid disorders, hypertension, coronary disease, depression, immunodeficiency and chronic fatigue. Sponsored by the School of Nursing, UNC-Chapel Hill. A copy of the conference brochure is available in the Prevention Center Office. Cost is $120; for more information, call 919-966-3638.

BUILDING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES OF COLOR: December 7-9, 1997, Columbia, SC. The 1997 Minority Health Issues Conference, coordinated by SC DHEC's Office of Minority Health. A forum for health professionals and consumers to learn about culturally appropriate services in communities of color. A copy of the conference brochure is available in the Prevention Center Office.Cost is $20-200, depending on the sessions selected; prices are lower for registrations received before 11/21/97. For more information, call 803-734-4972.

INTERNATIONAL TRAILS AND GREENWAYS CONFERENCE: January 28-31, 1998, San Diego, CA. After five successful national conferences, the Rails-To-Trails Conservancy is going international to address trails and greenways as an essential public policy issue. The conference will make the connection between trails and transportation, recreation, urban policy, public health, economic development, sustainability, livable communities, land use planning, and more. Cost is $250 if register by November 30, 1997; for more information call 1-800-974-5151 or register on-line at www.railtrails.org.

WEB PAGES OF INTEREST 
THE PRESIDENT'S CHALLENGE: The University of Indiana maintains pages of information about the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. The Council's quarterly publication, Research Digest, is now on-line at this site. The September 1997 issue provided an overview of Youth Sports in America. The President's Council proposes several recommendations to enhance the potential for youth sports to meet the needs of all youth. The full report -- and lots of other information-- is available on-line at www.indiana.edu/~preschal. 

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY: The American Heart Association's Council on Epidemiology and Prevention is developing central reference or annotated bibliography for criteria and methods used by cardiovascular disease epidemiologists. The bibliography contains 22 chapters, divided among eight main sections: clinical endpoints, CVD measurement methods, intermediate and surrogate endpoint measurement, behavioral risk measurement, again and functional health status, psychosocial factor measurement, biostatistical methods, and medical records surveillance methodology. Check out this excellent resource on-line at www.fhcrc.org/~cvdeab -- and don't miss Chapter 16, "Physical Activity Assessment," compiled by Steve Blair.

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Prevention Research Center
Norman J. Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina
730 Devine Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29208
803-777-4253

Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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