Wellness and Prevention Health Reform Digest, September 13th, 2013 | Health Reform

Wellness and Prevention

Health Reform Digest

Today’s News (9/13/13)

Hope you were able to either attend or watch the terrific White House Champions of Change - Prevention and Public Health event earlier this week. For some additional coverage from the Washington Post, Trust for America’s Health, AARP, and PR Newswire.

The National Council on Aging reminds us that the 6th annual National Falls Prevention Awareness Day is fast approaching - September 22nd. This year there are 47 states, numerous communities, and many national partner organizations participating. “States and communities are organizing tai chi demonstrations on State Capital steps, flash mobs and more to bring awareness to the issue of falls among older adults. The leading cause of injury related ED visits and injury related deaths among older adults.”

A draft of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s Strategic Plan (2014-18) is available for comment. “Every four years, HHS updates its strategic plan, which describes its work to address complex, multifaceted, and ever-evolving health and human service issues.” The comment period closes on October 15th. To submit comments, you’ll see several different options included in the above link.

Earlier this week, the Senate Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging featured a hearing titled The Dental Crisis in America: The Need to Address Cost. To view an archived video of the hearing and the testimony. You may wish to consider organizational support for the Comprehensive Dental Reform Act, S7232, sponsored by Senator Bernard Sanders (I-VT), ready for reintroduction later this month. Here’s a copy of the legislation and a one page summary. To register your organizational support.

Nationals fans, another reminder that The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases is sponsored the 2nd Annual Flu Season Awareness Night at the September 16th Nationals game vs the Atlanta Braves. Tickets within the reserved group of discounted field level seats may be purchased online, with a portion of ticket sales being donated to NFID. There will be a screening of a public service announcement on flu shots, distribution of educational materials and vouchers for flu vaccines.

As you know, “the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs provide meals to millions of children each day, providing a big portion of many students’ daily calories. Ensuring that school meals are nutritious is important for kids’ health, as well as for academics — healthy kids learn better. Schools have been working hard over the past year to implement updated nutrition standards for school lunches. And it’s paying off. If your school isn’t meeting the standards, find out what the barriers are, and help connect your school with resources and technical assistance that can help them get there.” For more information from Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Be sure to check out the upcoming Childhood Obesity Summit, sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. It’s scheduled for Friday, September 20th, from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the offices of the Washington Post. For additional information and to register.

Good video from CA4Health, the Public Health Institute led Community Transformation Grant in California, featuring strong new healthy beverage standards aimed at giving children “a head start to a healthier life.” It reports that, “As of September 1st, 1,500 children through age five now drink water and unflavored milk (and breast milk for those up to 12 months) instead of soda, sports drinks, juice and juice drinks, and chocolate or other flavored milk.”

Here’s an article from the St. Louis Post on the Tips from Former Smokers, Prevention Fund-supported program. According to Harold P. Wimmer, National President and CEO of the American Lung Association, “This study is the latest in a long line of evidence showing that media campaigns are among the most effective ways to reduce tobacco use. The Lung Association knows that the majority of smokers want to quit but most of them need assistance to be succeed and quit for good.”

Opportunities/Deadlines

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

The YMCA is seeking signatories on a letter in support of funding for the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program. (deadline extended to September 20th)

The Campaign for Public Health Foundation is accepting nominations for its 4th Annual Unsung Heroes of Public Health Awards. (deadline, November 1st)

The Healthy Schools Campaign and Trust for America’s Health are seeking supporters for a vision promoting health and wellness for all students, Health in Mind: Improving Education Through Wellness. (no deadline)

The Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products has an advance notice of proposed rulemaking on menthol cigarettes. (deadline, September 23rd)

HHS has issued a Request for Information (RFI) on the civil rights provision of the Affordable Care Act. The provision prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity) disability, or age in certain health care programs and activities. (deadline September 30th)

The Food and Drug Administration is seeking comments for an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking on removal of menthol cigarettes from the market (deadline extended to November 22nd)

Food, Nutrition & Policy Consultants has updated its memo on upcoming regulations regarding nutrition, obesity prevention, menu labeling and nutrition facts based on the recently released OMB Unified Regulatory Agenda. (multiple deadlines)

Multiple funding announcements for HHS programs funded in full or partially by the FY 2013 Prevention and Public Health Fund. (multiple deadlines)

The Voices for Healthy Kids Initiative has a funding opportunity available through its Strategic Campaign Fund. (no deadline)

A call for proposals has been issued for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s (RWJF) Healthy Eating Research program that promotes healthy eating among children. (deadline, September 11th)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for Prevention Research Centers. (deadline, September 16th)

The Clinton Health Matters Initiative (CHMI), in partnership with the Knight Foundation’s has issued a News Challenge for innovative ideas which harness information and data for the health of communities. (deadline, September 17th)

Upcoming Events

today’s additions in red

Creating Accountable Communities for Health:

Common Vision, Common Language