The ASPH Study Guide for the Certification in Public Health (CPH) exam is now available!  Developed with the help of twenty faculty members at schools of public health, the study guide was created over the past year to assist candidates in preparing for the CPH examination. The certification in public health exam is the result of a multi-decade effort to heighten the visibility of the public health profession and to standardize core public health knowledge across core disciplines. The first exam will be held this year from August 11-30.

There are 14 more weeks left to register for the first public health certification exam.  ASPH staff members who have registered for the exam include Ms. Liz Weist, Director, Special Projects (George Washington, 1997); Ms. Gillian Silver, Manager, Research and Educational Programs (Columbia, 1997); Ms. Laura Biesiadecki, Senior Manager, Public Health Preparedness (UNC, 1991); Ms. Rita Kelliher, Director, Grants and Contracts (UMass Amherst, 1983); Ms. Karen Helsing, Director, Educational Programs (Johns Hopkins, 1995); and Dr. Harrison Spencer, President and CEO (Berkeley, 1972).  The exam will be administered August 11-30 and all are eagerly, but not without some trepidation, beginning to study.   

This week, thirteen schools of public health joined up with ASPH to become early adopter of materials developed as part of a national marketing and branding initiative.   In 2006, under the guidance of the ASPH Communications Committee, chaired by Dean Max Michael (UAB), ASPH hired the communications and marketing agency SS+K to build awareness and support for public health nationally and to promote the value and importance of public health.

ASPH has issued a request for applications (RFA) for students to develop and execute a “This is Public Health” communications campaign during National Public Health Week, which will be held April 7-13.    The RFA challenges students at ASPH-member schools to develop communications campaigns that help raise awareness about public health and how it affects our lives.  ASPH is awarding winners with grants up to $2,000 to execute their ideas.

As reported in December, ASPH is working in collaboration with the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) program, to solicit applications for the class of 2008-2009.  Applications are due Friday, February 1.

ASPH announced this week that it will accept applications for an internship opportunity at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The internship opportunity will provide a unique opportunity for motivated and experienced individuals to play major roles in increasing linkages between the public health and traffic safety sectors.

ASPH recently announced its Public Health Policy Fellowship Program. The fellowship will provide a unique opportunity for those who have recently received an MPH or doctorate degree from an ASPH-member school of public health to play a role in helping to shape U.S. public health policy.

ASPH regularly provides members and Friday Letter readers with information about grant opportunities.  New opportunities are listed each week in the “Funding Opportunities” section of the Friday Letter.  Readers can access a full listing of grant notices by visiting the “Funding for Faculty” section of the ASPH Web site.  You may want to bookmark this page (http://www.asph.org/document.cfm?page=747).  Listed below are grant opportunities that have been posted in the last seven days. 

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement is to seek a cooperative agreement for studies to evaluate the validity of self-reported adult vaccination status in the U.S. for the nine most common adult vaccines among populations for which the vaccine is indicated when collected during either a telephone or in-person large population coverage survey.

The purpose of this announcement is to seek a cooperative agreement for evaluating the effectiveness of an intervention designed to assist obstetrician-gynecologists in initiating and maintaining a program to provide human papillomavirus (HPV), trivalent influenza (TIV) and combined tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap) for their patients.

This funding opportunity announcement seeks a cooperative agreement for evaluating the effectiveness of a hospital-based program for vaccination of birth mothers and other household contacts with influenza (Trivalent Inactivated Vaccine -TIV, Live Attenuated Intranasal Vaccine LAIV) vaccine and combined tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine.

The purpose of this funding announcement is to seek a cooperative agreement for studies that will help identify strategies for extending the influenza vaccination season in medical offices.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) solicits Research Project (R01) grant applications from applicants that propose to stimulate and expand research in the health of minority men.

The purpose of the program is to develop and support core public health functions related to injury prevention and control, focusing on the NCIPC priority areas (e.g. prevention of child maltreatment, senior fall prevention and residential fire prevention) as well as other emerging injury related public health issues.

The Tobacco Dependence Program of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Public Health is offering a five-day curriculum to prepare health care professionals to provide treatment for tobacco dependence.  Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of tobacco addiction, as well as essential evidence-based treatment tools necessary to help their patient's achieve freedom from tobacco.

With a $200,000 grant from Duke University and the Templeton Foundation, researchers at the University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health are beginning a two-year study to understand better the relationship between religious faith and well-being. Dr. Robert McKeown, an epidemiologist and the study’s principal investigator, stated ample evidence exists to document the positive health effects of religious participation.  However, less understood are the complex pathways that produce these broad health benefits and decreased health care expenditures.

Dr. Ming Tai-Seale, associate professor at the Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health, recently was chosen to serve as chair-elect within the AcademyHealth Organization. The AcademyHealth Organization is a national organization for health services researchers, policy analysts and practitioners. It contains several interest groups covering a broad range of health research and policy interests. The largest is the Health Economics Interest Group, with more than 2,000 members and of which Dr. Tai-Seale has been an advisory board member for the past three years and is now chair-elect.

Dr. Diane E. Heck has been appointed chair of the Department of Environmental Health Science in the New York Medical College School of Public Health. Dr. Heck brings an extensive background in research that will complement the department’s goals of providing students with the knowledge and practical skills to recognize and address environmental hazards.

Dr. Allison Rosen, a researcher with University of Michigan's School of Public Health and Health System, has been selected to receive a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) Foundation’s McDevitt Excellence in Research Award for her work as a clinical researcher. Dr. Rosen was honored with the BCBSM award for her work investigating the cost, value and benefits of medical care in the policy forum.

The Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) has launched a multimedia page at www.hsph.harvard.edu/multimedia/ that includes podcasts, video clips, and slide shows on various public health topics. Click below to listen to a sampling of the podcasts:

The National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE) developed a certification examination for public health professionals that is designed to set a standard of knowledge among public health professionals.  Graduates of schools of public health accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health will be able to take the examination in August. Dr. Bernard Goldstein, chair of NBPHE, visited the Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health (HSC-SRPH) on Monday, January 14 to introduce the exam.

Dr. Jonathan B. Oberlander, an associate professor of health policy and administration at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) School of Public Health and of social medicine at the UNC School of Medicine, will present the 2008 Foard Lecture on Monday, April 14 at the William and Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education in Chapel Hill, NC.

The Board of The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has named Dr. Anthony S. Bryk, whose work has informed and inspired school reform efforts, the next president of the Foundation effective this August.

The ADEAGies Foundation recently announced the winners of the inaugural William J. Gies Awards for Vision, Innovation and Achievement. Named after Dr. William J. Gies, a pioneer in dental education, “The Gies Awards” recognize contributions to and support of global oral health and education initiatives. 

In a report of the American Medical Association (AMA) Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs, authors Mr. Nathan A. Bostick, Dr. Mark A. Levine and Mr. Robert M. Sade discuss the research in their article, “Ethical Obligations of Physicians Participating in Public Health Quarantine and Isolation Measures.” The following is a brief synopsis of the article.

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is becoming increasingly common among individuals in their nineties and appears to be a viable treatment option in this group, according to a study published in the American Journal of Cardiology. Dr. Judith Lichtman, associate professor of epidemiology at the Yale School of Public Health, led the study.

Adolescents who participate in physical education at school are more likely to maintain a normal weight as young adults, according to a study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. For each weekday of physical education at school the odds of being an overweight adult decreased by five percent. Participation in all five days of physical education decreased the odds of being an overweight adult by 28 percent.

ASPH will regularly provide members and Friday Letter readers with links to other electronic newsletters that may be of interest to the public health community. Links to E-newsletters will be added to a Web page found at http://www.asph.org/document.cfm?page=924.

The Public Health Data Standards Consortium (PHDSC) and the Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) invite public health, clinical and information technology experts to review the White Paper on Building a Roadmap for Health Information Systems Interoperability for Public Health. The public review period is open through Saturday, January 19.

The National Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Organization’s 2008 National Conference will be held in Denver, CO from June 28-July 1. The four-day conference will focus on efforts to improve health care in underserved communities. Exhibitor applications are currently being accepted. The early-bird deadline to submit applications is Thursday, January 31.

AcademyHealth’s Public Health Systems Research (PHSR) Interest Group (IG) is offering 10 Student Scholarships and an Article of the Year Award.  The Student Scholarships recognize graduate students who demonstrate potential to contribute to the field of PHSR through promising research. The Article of the Year Award recognizes the best scientific work that the field of PHSR has produced and published in 2007.

Faculty for the Engaged Campus is seeking teams from 20 diverse colleges and universities across the U.S. to participate in a charrette to facilitate development of innovative campus-wide mechanisms for preparing and supporting community-engaged faculty. The charrette will be held May 28-30 at the Rizzo Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  The deadline to apply is Monday, March 17.

The APHA Public Health Education Health Promotion section is soliciting health education, promotion and communication materials for the 18^th annual competition. The contest provides a forum to showcase public health materials during the APHA Annual Meeting and recognizes professionals for their hard work.

Yale Center for Public Health Preparedness in collaboration with the state of Connecticut is co-hosting a conference on Thursday, January 24 on preparing for disasters and the psychological aftermath.

The Florida Department of Health will be sponsor a free broadcast program, “Finding Our Voices: Mobilizing Black Gay Men,” to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and mobilize black, gay men to respond to the HIV/AIDS crisis. The broadcast will take place on Tuesday, February 5 from 10-11 a.m. (ET). The deadline to register is Thursday, January 31.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) invites constituent representatives to attend the open session of the 98th Meeting of the National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse on Wednesday, February 6 from  8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (ET) at the Neuroscience Center, Conference Room C, 600l Executive Boulevard, Bethesda, MD. 

AcademyHealth will be hosting Health Policy Minicourses on Wednesday, February 6 at the Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington, DC. These courses are designed to give health policy professionals the tools needed to reach informed policy decision.

The University at Albany Center for Public Health Preparedness will be hosting a broadcast entitled “Dealing with Animals in Emergencies” on Thursday, February 14 from 10-11:15 a.m. (ET). Because emergencies impact both human and animal populations, it is important to include plans for animals in preparedness activities to ensure their safety before, during and after an emergency. This program will focus on how to prepare, plan and respond to disasters affecting animals.

The "Assessing Bioavailability as a Determinant of Pollutant Exposure: Building a Multidisciplinary Paradigm for the 21st Century and Beyond" conference seeks to bring together prominent researchers and officials from Environmental and Medical Sciences, Public Health, Toxicology, Risk Assessors, Regulators and Remediators to establish common concepts and identify major systematic gaps in knowledge of bioavailability and its implications, as well as define and prioritize research needs. The conference will be held February 19-21 in Tampa, FL.

The 2008 Public Health Preparedness Summit will be held from February 19-22 in Atlanta, GA. This third annual summit aims to improve the ability of public health and emergency preparedness professionals to plan, prepare, respond to and recover from public health emergencies.

The Geological Society of America will host a meeting, titled “GeoHealth I: Buildling Bridges Across the Geological and Health Sciences," March 4-6 at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Headquarters in Reston, VA.  The meeting will be devoted to interdisciplinary research and applications taking place at the nexus of the geosciences and health sciences.

The Michigan Public Health Training Center (MPHTC) will offer a seven-week mentored, online course called "Beyond Numbers: Qualitative Research Methods, Application and Analysis" from March 10-April 25.  This course is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to identify appropriate methods for collecting qualitative data, develop and conduct a qualitative research plan and gain an appreciation of the role qualitative research methods can play in understanding public health and related issues.

The Unite For Sight 5th Annual International Health Conference will be held at Yale University from April 12-13.  This year’s conference, “Building Global Health for Today and Tomorrow,” will feature 180 speakers in international health and development, public health, eye care, medicine, social entrepreneurship, non-profits, philanthropy, microfinance, human rights, anthropology, health policy, advocacy, public service, environmental health and education.

The Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) is hosting Forces of Change: New Strategies for the Evolving Healthcare Marketplace. The Executive Education program will take place April 15-18, 2008 in Boston, MA. A Virtual Seminar Series and Intensive Seminar for New and Emerging Leaders will also be offered.

The National Center for Health Marketing's Global Health Odyssey will be offering the 2008 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Disease Detective Camp (DDC). DDC is an academic day camp for students who will be high school juniors and seniors during the 2008-2009 school year. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 25.

Nearly ever month the CDC’s Division of Reproductive Health’s Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Program (MCH EPI) hosts an interactive web cast that focuses on issues relevant to practicing MCH epidemiologists. Listed below is the schedule for 2008. The first web cast will be held on Wednesday, February 6.

University of Michigan School of Public Health epidemiology and international health alumni Mr. Edward Kadunc (Class of 1974) has been named to lead the Pan American Health and Education Foundation (PAHEF). An international development expert for 30 years, Mr. Kadunc comes to the foundation most recently having served as mission director in Mexico for the U.S. Agency for International Development.

New!

Volume 123

Issue 1
January/February 2008

Public Health Reports (PHR) is an informative and accessible resource for practitioners, teachers and students of public health. The Journal provides important research and key discussions on the major issues confronting the public health community. Subscribe Today!