NEWS FROM SOUTH CAROLINA: SC Governor's Council Awards, Walking for the Health of It

NEWS FROM AROUND THE U.S.A.: Congratulations to Wanda Jones, Congratulations to Rails-To-Trails Conservancy, Shape of the Nation Report, Washington Report

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS: 1998 National Physical Fitness and Sport Month, NHLBI Educational Materials, Physical Activity for Elementary School Children

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES: SC Healthy Communities Training, Promoting an Active South Carolina, 1998 CDC Diabetes Translation Conference, Obesity: Impact on Cardiovascular Disease

WEB SITES OF INTEREST: Outdoor Adventure, Volksmarch and Walking Index

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SC GOVERNOR’S COUNCIL AWARDS: The SC Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness has announced its second annual awards to honor outstanding leaders in the field of physical activity. Awards are given to an individual, community, worksite and school for efforts to increase physical activity levels in South Carolina. For nomination forms or information on nomination criteria, contact Karrie Beeman at (803) 737-3734.

WALKING FOR THE HEALTH OF IT: March 1, Hadassah’s Walk for Osteoporosis Awareness, Columbia; contact Kathy Kline at (803) 982-2580. March 5 (and every Thursday at noon), Main Street Walking Tours, Columbia; contact Historic Columbia Foundation at (803) 252-1770.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE U.S.A.

CONGRATULATIONS TO WANDA JONES: CDC’s Wanda Jones has been appointed to the post of Deputy Assistant Secretary for Women’s Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She will direct the U.S. Public Health Service’s Office on Women’s Health –dedicated to improving the health of American women of all ages, races and ethnicities.

SHAPE OF THE NATION REPORT: The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) recently released a report on school physical education programs. Most states are not living up to the Surgeon General’s recommendations for daily, quality physical education for grades K-12. Forty-seven states require some physical education for students, but only Illinois has a mandate for daily physical education. Three states - Colorado, Mississippi, and South Dakota – have no requirements for physical education. Copies of the full report may be ordered by calling 1-800-321-0789.

WASHINGTON REPORT: The 105^th Congress has reconvened for its second session, with the FY1999 budget as a major focus of attention. There is broad support for doubling NIH funding over the next five years, a idea that is appealing for supporters of basic research, but somewhat frightening for programs that depend upon non-NIH funding. It is unlikely that the federal budget can sustain such large increases in NIH funding without crowding out all other spending. The President’s budget calls for $1.5 billion for NIH in FY99, with small increases or level funding for most public health programs.

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS

1998 NATIONAL PHYSICAL FITNESS AND SPORT MONTH: A colorful poster, press release, planning sheets, parents’ brochure, and participation certificate are included in a May Physical Fitness and Sport Month Kit. The kit may be purchased from the National Association for Sport and Physical Education and/or the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD). Call 1-800-321-0789.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN: The Council on Physical Education for Children (part of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education) has released a new document to promote physical activity in schools and in physical education programs. Copies of the full document may be obtained from the AAHPERD at 1-800-321-0789.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES

SC HEALTHY COMMUNITIES TRAINING: March 9 –12, 1998, White Oak, SC. Cost is based on individual charges for registration, meals and lodging (approximately $50 per day). For more information, call Carolyn Boltin at (803) 734-9351.

PROMOTING AN ACTIVE SOUTH CAROLINA: A Conference on Physical Activity and Health. April 28 29, 1998, Columbia, SC. Cost is $55, or $25 for students. For more information, call Karrie Beeman at (803) 737-3734.

1998 CDC DIABETES TRANSLATION CONFERENCE: Balance, Support and Prevention – Act Today for a Better Tomorrow. April 27 – 30, 1998, Tampa, Florida. Cost is $35. For more information, call Adeline Yerkes at (405) 271-4072.

OBESITY: IMPACT ON CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE: May 22-24, 1998, Amelia Island, Florida. Cost is $100 – $425, depending on profession and American Heart Association membership status. For more information, call Futura Media Services at (914) 273-1047.

WEB SITES OF INTEREST