| CalAsthma Update - June 05, 2008 |
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GENERAL
1) Event: CDC Asthma Teleconference, June 10th
2) Training Opportunity: The Women's Foundation of California Women's Policy Institute
3) Resource: DASH Asthma Video and Toolkit
4) Resource: Alliance for Healthy Homes IPM Policy Paper
5) Study: Link between Childhood Allergies, Asthma Symptoms, and Exposure to Cats
6) Study: Asthma and Suicidal Ideation among Adults
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
7) Event: Health Impact Assessment Practitioner Mini-Course in San Francisco, July 22nd
8) Funding Opportunity: RAMP Legacy Projects
9) Funding Opportunity: Grants Available from the BAAQMD for Projects to Reduce Vehicle Emissions
10) Job Announcement: Hayward Unified School District seeks two School Nurses
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
11) Job Announcement: ALA seeks Asthma Coordinator for San Diego office
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GENERAL
1) Event: CDC Asthma Teleconference, June 10th
There is a CDC asthma teleconference scheduled for June 10th from 12pm until 1pm Pacific Time. The call will feature Ms. Elise Pechter and the presentation topic is “Cleaning Products and Asthma”. Elise Pechter is the supervisor of the work-related asthma (WRA) program in the Occupational Health Surveillance Program (OHSP) in the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. As a certified industrial hygienist, Ms. Pechter focuses on the exposures associated with asthma, and methods to promote prevention. OHSP works within the health department to ensure that asthma program activities include consideration of adults and their work. The presentation for the call can be downloaded at http://www.betterasthmacare.org/file_search.cfm?Category=7&search=yes. Call in information is 888-381-9691, passcode: asthma, leader: Marcia Griffith (mag9@cdc.gov).
2) Training Opportunity: The Women's Foundation of California Women's Policy Institute
The Women's Foundation of California is accepting applications for their 2008-2009 Women's Policy Institute. The Women's Policy Institute provides intensive advocacy and leadership training for up to 30 California women each year who are - through their existing leadership roles, prior experience on women's issues and deep connections to the grassroots community - poised to play a greater role in advocating for public policy that advances an agenda for women and girls. Over the course of one year, elected participants will attend four retreats, take part in weekly teleconferences and conduct various other activities aimed at providing "learning while doing". The deadline for applications is June 11th. For more information and to apply, visit http://www.womensfoundca.org/site/c.aqKGLROAIrH/b.982363/k.A67F/WPI__How_to_Apply.htm.
3) Resource: DASH Asthma Video and Toolkit
To support schools and communities in creating asthma-friendly schools, the Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH), at the CDC, has released “Initiating Change: Creating an Asthma-Friendly School”, a toolkit developed to help advocates at the district and school levels persuade people in their schools and communities of the importance of asthma-friendly schools. The toolkit includes a 13-minute video on “Creating an Asthma-Friendly School” as well as materials to help people plan and facilitate a showing of the video in their community or school and a science-based suggestions and tools for making schools more asthma-friendly. The toolkit and a link to a podcast of the video are now available on the CDC/DASH website at http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/asthma/creatingafs. A link to an on-demand webinar on “Marketing Asthma-Friendly Schools” is also available at this site. The webinar provides information on how asthma advocates can use the video and toolkit to encourage people to make their schools more asthma-friendly. To order the video (in DVD format), a CD-ROM of all toolkit materials, or a hard copy of the toolkit (which includes the DVD and CD-ROM) e-mail cdcinfo@cdc.gov or call 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636).
4) Resource: Alliance for Healthy Homes IPM Policy Paper
The Alliance for Healthy Homes has authored a paper on integrated pest management (IPM) titled, IPM Policy Options for Residential Real Estate. IPM is a set of basic property maintenance and repair practices designed to prevent and eliminate habitat for rodents and insects, as well as the targeted use of lower-toxicity substances. The paper was commissioned by the New England Asthma Regional Council (ARC) and the Boston Public Health Commission for the Healthy Pest Free Housing Initiative, which works with housing, health, advocacy, and academic institutions to reduce pest infestation and pesticide use in public housing in Boston. The paper reviews the policies that already exist and discusses promising potential housing-centered IPM policies. To access the full text of the paper, visit http://www.afhh.org/dah/dah_pesticides_IPM_Policy_Options.pdf.
5) Study: Link between Childhood Allergies, Asthma Symptoms, and Exposure to Cats
In a study published in the April edition of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, researchers sought to evaluate the relationship between cat ownership and the development of early sensitization and wheeze. Using a prospective birth cohort study, Dominican and African American mothers living in New York City underwent repeated questionnaires about their child from birth to age 5 years – samples were also collected from the child for antibody analysis. The results showed that cat ownership may have a protective effect against the development of asthma symptoms in young children at age five. Children with cats in the home were more likely to have made allergy-related antibodies to cats. This finding suggests that prolonged cat ownership and early life exposure to cats may have a protective effect against early asthma indicators, such as wheeze, as children reach age five. To view an article about the study, visit http://fridayletter.asph.org/article_view.cfm?FLE_Index=7361&FL_Index=1518# and to view the abstract, visit http://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(08)00352-7/abstract.
6) Study: Asthma and Suicidal Ideation among Adults
In a study published in the May edition of the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, researchers examined the association between asthma and suicidal ideation with and without attempts among adults in the United States, specifically investigating the role of cigarette smoking, nicotine dependence, depression, anxiety, and alcohol abuse. Data on 5,692 individuals 18 years and older were analyzed to examine the study objectives. Results showed that estimates of lifetime prevalence for suicidal ideation without and with attempts and asthma were 8.7%, 4.2%, and 12%, respectively. Being a woman, a current smoker, depressed, anxious, an alcohol abuser, or nicotine dependent increased the likelihood of suicidal ideation with attempts and asthma. Accounting for adjustments, a statistically significant association remained between asthma and suicidal ideation with attempts. The authors concluded that cigarette smoking and concurrent mental health conditions may independently account for significant proportions of the association between asthma and suicidal ideation with attempts – more research is needed to further examine the association between asthma and suicide attempts. To view the abstract of the study, visit http://lysander.annallergy.org/vl=1851352/cl=30/nw=1/rpsv/cw/acaai/10811206/v100n5/s7/p439.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
7) Event: Health Impact Assessment Practitioner Mini-Course in San Francisco, July 22nd
The San Francisco Department of Public Health is hosting a four-day training on Health Impact Assessments (HIAs). HIA is an emerging policy evaluation practice used to inform decision makers of the health effects of policy, planning, program, and project choices. This course will provide current and future practitioners of HIAs experience with procedures, regulations, and tools available to implement an HIA practice. This course will review the HIA process and essential steps; explain the regulatory environment for HIA in the United States; explore case studies that reflect a range of practice types and policy contexts; facilitate group exercises in screening and scoping; provide hands-on experience with specific HIA tools and methodologies; consider obstacles and opportunities for the growth of the field; and strategize needs for field development and practice in participant jurisdictions. For more information and to register, visit http://dphwww.sfdph.org/phes/enchia/HIA_Training_2008.htm. Contact hiacourse.dph@sfdph.org or call 415-252-3988 with any questions.
8) Funding Opportunity: RAMP Legacy Projects
The Regional Asthma Management and Prevention Initiative (RAMP) has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Legacy Projects. Legacy Project proposals should be focused on reducing asthma disparities in African American and Latino communities by addressing social determinants of health and by using a public health prevention approach. Priority will be given to proposals that are in alignment with the work of RAMP’s four goal areas to address asthma in African American and Latino communities. The goals are to reduce environmental triggers in homes, reduce environmental triggers and improve education and management of asthma in schools and childcare settings, reduce environmental triggers in the outdoor air with a focus on diesel pollution, and improve culturally competent clinical management. Priority will also be given to proposals that are for community efforts that take place within the nine Greater Bay Area counties, are new projects, can be implemented and reported on during the one year award period, include a proposed level of collaboration among diverse constituents and the involvement of community members in project activities, are part of a strategy working towards systems change as a long-term outcome, and do not conflict with or replicate existing RAMP work. Funding will be for one-year grants and it is anticipated that up to 3 awards, ranging from $25,000 - $30,000 each, will be granted. Applications must be received by July 1st. To access the RFP, visit http://www.calasthma.org/news/show_story/576/.
9) Funding Opportunity: Grants Available from the BAAQMD for Projects to Reduce Vehicle Emissions
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is accepting applications under three grant programs to help reduce motor vehicle emissions, the largest source of air pollution in the Bay Area. The three opportunities are:
1) The Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) Regional Fund (covers a wide range of project types). Visit http://www.baaqmd.gov/tfcaregional for more information - the application deadline is June 30, 2008;
2) Port Trucks under the Goods Movement Program - visit http://www.baaqmd.gov/pln/grants_and_incentives/gm/index.htm for more information; and
3) The Bicycle Facilities Program – visit
http://www.baaqmd.gov/pln/grants_and_incentives/bfp/index.htm for more information.
These grants are directed toward public agencies and owners of heavy-duty on-road diesel vehicles. Information, including application guidance and application forms for these programs, is available at the websites above, by calling 415-749-4994 or by e-mailing grants@baaqmd.gov.
10) Job Announcement: Hayward Unified School District seeks two School Nurses
The Hayward Unified School District seeks to fill two fulltime School Nurse positions. Qualifications include a School Nurse Credential or the eligibility to obtain the Credential, good physical and emotional health, and a California driver's license and transportation. Summers and school vacations off and 183-day Teacher's salary schedule. The positions are open until filled. To apply visit http://husd.k12.ca.us/index.php?option=com_weblinks&catid=55&Itemid=188. For more information, call the School Nurses at 510-723-3900, x. 1.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
11) Job Announcement: ALA seeks Asthma Coordinator for San Diego office
The American Lung Association of California (ALA) is seeking an Asthma Coordinator for their San Diego office. The Coordinator will work with the San Diego Unified School District to conduct home visits in order to provide asthma education and initial environmental assessments. Referrals will be made to the San Diego Healthy Homes Project, as appropriate, and the Coordinator will also be responsible for project outreach, referral to community resources, and collection and reporting of project data. Required experience includes: a high school diploma; BA/BS or at least 1 year relevant experience in conducting home visits; basic knowledge about asthma and environmental triggers; a proven ability to work with a wide variety of organizations; and bi-lingual English and Spanish. To apply, send resume and cover letter to Luis Lechuga, Director of Programs, at llechuga@alac.org, fax to 619-297-8402, or mail to American Lung Association of California, c/o Luis Lechuga, 2750 Fourth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103.
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