HEALTH PROMOTION PRACTICE JOURNAL: A new journal is being established by the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) entitled “Health Promotion Practice” (HPP). HPP will publish “authoritative, peer-reviewed articles devoted to the practical application of health promotion and education.” The journal will focus on “critical and strategic information for professionals engaged in the practice of developing, implementing, and evaluating health promotion and disease prevention programs.” HPP will be published quarterly in February, May, August, and November beginning in November of 1999, and has issued its first call for papers. For manuscript submission information or to order the journal call Sage Customer Service at (805) 499-9774.

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: ASTDHPPHE, AAHE, CDC, and NHLBI are calling for abstracts for the 17th National Conference on Health Education and Health Promotion and the 1999 American Association for Health Education Summer Institute. The conference and institute will be held from June 2-4, 1999 at the Hyatt Regency Capital Hill in Washington, DC. The theme is “The Power of Leadership in Health Promotion: Policy, Populations, Partnerships, and Politics.” The deadline for abstracts is March 31, 1999. The conference pre-registration deadline is April 30, 1999. For more information, visit ASTDHPPHE’s website at <www.astdhpphe.org>.

CONFERENCE SUPPORT GRANT: April 5, 1999 is the deadline for letters of intent for the CDC’s Public Health Conference Support Grant Program. The purpose of the grant program is to provide partial support for conferences in the areas of health promotion, disease prevention. The average award is expected to range from $1000 to $30,000. Conferences addressing Healthy People 2000 priority areas, which include Physical Fitness, are eligible. For more information including evaluation criteria and how to apply, see the Program Announcement at <http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/grantmain.htm>.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON

PROPOSED PREVENTION BLOCK GRANT DECREASE: On February 1, President Clinton forwarded his budget proposal for fiscal year 2000 to Congress. The President has proposed a $200 million increase for the Centers for Disease Control and a moderate increase for the Indian Health Service. His two percent proposed increase for the National Institutes of Health is likely to be expanded by NIH friends in Congress. One item of concern is that the CDC Prevention Block Grant is slated for a 20 percent cut, which would be $30 million. Since this block grant funds many of the state health department physical activity programs, this is of particular importance to those interested in promoting physical activity. Consider contacting your congressional representative to educate him or her about the importance of this funding.

RESEARCH NOTES

NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY: Using the BRFSS survey, residents of Maryland, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia were asked about their physical activity levels and their perception of the safety of their neighborhoods. It was found that those who felt their neighborhood was unsafe were more likely to be physically inactive. This effect was particularly pronounced among people over the age of 65. “Neighborhood Safety and the Prevalence of Physical Inactivity - - Selected States, 1996.” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 1999, 48(07);143-146.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY RELATED TO GALLSTONES?: Researchers in Italy analyzed data from 100 gallstone patients and 290 controls to examine the relationship among diet, physical activity, and gallstone formation. The study found that body mass index, intake of refined sugars, and saturated fats were associated with gallstone formation. Physical activity, dietary monounsaturated fats, and dietary fiber were protective against gallstone formation. Misciagna, et al. “Diet, physical activity, and gallstones -- a population-based, case-control study in Southern Italy.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1999, 69(1); 120-126.

PHYSICIAN ADVICE MATTERS: Adults in seven US states and Puerto Rico were asked about their physician’s advice and their personal actions in preventing CVD. Overall, 41.5% reported that their physician had advised them about eating fewer high-fat and high-cholesterol foods, and 42.3% were advised about exercising more. Women reported receiving physician advice more than men did, and the middle-aged received more advice than the younger or older populations. Those who reported receiving physician advice were more likely to report changes in their behavior. Respondents who reported having a history of CVD reported receiving physician advice more often than those without a history of CVD. “Physician Advice and Individual Behaviors About Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction – Seven States and Puerto Rico, 1997.” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. February 5, 1999, 48(04);74-77.

UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS

GREAT LAKES CVH CONFERENCE: The 14th Annual Great Lakes Cardiovascular Health Conference will be held from April 25-27, 1999 in Columbus, Ohio. The theme for this conference will be “The Continuum of Prevention: Cardiovascular Health in the Next Millennium.” Events will include a one-day symposium on hypertension, sessions on elderly, pediatric, and minority populations, and nutrition. The deadline for registration is April 9, 1999. Questions should be directed to (614) 466-2144.

PACIFIC RIM HEALTH AND PE CONFERENCE: The Hawai’i Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance is presenting the Pacific Rim Health and Physical Education Conference 1999, with the theme of “Health and Physical Education into the 21st Century.” The conference is endorsed by the International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education, and features international experts addressing such areas as motor behavior, health education, sport injury care and prevention, and physical fitness and nutrition. Presenters from Singapore, Korea, New Zealand and the US, among others, will focus on sharing expertise among the various Pacific Rim countries. The conference will be held between May 17-20, in Honolulu, Hawai’i. For more information, call (808) 956-3800 or email Kwok Ho, PhD, with the Dept. of Kinesiology and Leisure Science at the University of Hawai’i, at <kwokho@hawaii.edu>.

WORLD CONGRESS ON PA AND AGING: 1999 has been designated as the “International Year of the Older Person” by the United Nations. In recognition of this, the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity is hosting the 5th World Congress on Physical Activity, Aging, and Sports. The Congress will be held from August 10-14, 1999 in Orlando, Florida. There will be sessions on different aspects of aging and keynote speakers such as Dr. Steven Blair and Dr. Patricia Vertinsky. Early registration is due April 1. For more information, call (217) 351-5076, email lindab@hkusa.com.

WEBSITES OF INTEREST

LIVEABLE COMMUNITIES: The Transportation for Liveable Communities Network (TLCNet) is a resource for people working to create more livable communities by improving transportation. TLCNet serves those seeking to make neighborhoods safer, quieter and more child-friendly through traffic calming, bring new life to old commercial areas with public transit improvements, or improve local mobility by retrofitting streets for bicycling and walking. Its purpose is to foster the exchange of ideas and information between people who care about these issues, professionally and/or personally. Resources include topical listservs, discussion groups, documents, and direct links to websites. TLCNet is managed by the Conservation Law Foundation. [From the TLCNet webpage] <www.tlcnetwork.org>

CDC DIVISION OF NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: The CDC Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity has a new website. The site includes “News and Notices on Current Topics,” information on professional training opportunities, publications and information for consumers, and descriptions of programs and projects. Check it out at <www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa>.

USC PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER: The USC Prevention Research Center’s website is undergoing revisions, and now includes current information about the Sea Pines Physical Activity Courses, descriptions of PRC projects, and instructions for the Physical Activity and Public Health listserv. Archives of the listserv will soon be added, and past issues of the newsletter continue to be available. The website address is <http://prevention.sph.sc.edu>.

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This and past issues of the “University of South Carolina Prevention Research Center Notes” are available at our website, <http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/>. If you have an item you would like to submit, please send it to Regina Fields at RMFields@sc.edu.