HHS WEEKLY REPORT
April 13 - April 19 2003

THIS ISSUE AVAILABLE ONLINE WITH EXPANDED INFORMATION AND PHOTOS AT:
http://www.hhs.gov/news/newsletter/weekly

IN THIS ISSUE:
1) NHANES Examination Survey Open for Data Collection
2) National Infant Immunization Week Urges Parents to Vaccinate
3) Benefits of a High Fiber Diet
4) Health and Human Services Awards over $1 billion in Funds for HIV/AIDS Patients
5) Surgeon General Carmona Announces 50 Schools in 50 States

NHANES Examination Survey Open for Data Collection

The NHANES examination survey will be hosting an open house here in Washington, D.C. Monday April 14 beginning at 1 p.m. Dr. David Fleming, Deputy Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will kick off the program, followed by an open house. As one of the fifteen examination survey's in the country, the study will be collecting population data about the health and well-being of 5,000 residents in the area. Some laboratory tests that are conducted for the survey are physical exams, household interviews, and lab tests to gauge the health and nutritional status of Americans.

Data that is collected and compiled across the country is used as the epidemiological basis for much of the public health and biomedical research. The information is used as a demographic snapshot and is used to track health trends such as cholesterol levels, overweight, and obesity, heart disease, plus chronic and infectious diseases.

CDC is holding an open house for the tour April 14 following a program in the Hubert H. Humphrey building in Washington, D.C. A short program and tour will commence the survey for the D.C. metropolitan area, which will run until May 22.

Examinations will be conducted from March 21 through May 22, 2003. For more information about the NHANES survey, or to take a virtual tour please visit http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/about/major/nhanes/mectour.htm

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National Infant Immunization Week Urges Parents to Vaccinate

In observance of National Infant Immunization Week, the Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will unveil a national campaign this week (April 13-19th) targeted towards the nation's black and Hispanic population to encourage vaccinating infants and children at birth, 2,4,6, 12, and 15 months old. The immunization coverage has caused a disproportionate number of minority children not obtaining vaccine-preventable diseases such as polio and measles.

Vaccination coverage has closed in recent years, yet there is still a significant disparity. "While immunization coverage among children in the United States is at or near record levels for most vaccines, unfortunately, not all Americans are benefiting equally from medical advances and disease prevention." Dr. Christina Beato said, HHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health at HHS. "The nation's health status will never be as good as it can be as long as we have racial disparities in our health care system."

The development and widespread use of vaccines among populations is the purest form of preventive medicine our nation's health care system can support. Currently, over 20 percent of the nation's 2-year olds are still without one or more of the recommended immunizations, and these rates are 5 to 8 percent higher among the African American and Hispanic populations.

For more information, call 1-800-364-2057 ext. 34. To order immunization booklets or download the poster, go to www.cdc.gov/nip. For more information please visit www.cdc.gov/nip/ or call 1-800-232-0233 (Spanish) or 1-800-232-2522 (English).

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Benefits of a High Fiber Diet

In the future, the HHS newsletter will be focusing on the benefits or drawback's of diets-fad or otherwise. Here is the first installment.

With a gradual increase of fiber (and water) into your diet, you could reduce the risk of colon cancer, intestinal disorders, heart disease, constipation, the production of LDL's ("bad cholesterol") and aid in moderate weight loss. The Food and Drug Administration and the National Cancer Institute both recommend high fiber diets, which amounts to 20-35 grams of fiber per day, although they are careful to recommend you get your fiber from foods and not dietary supplements.

High-fiber foods also contain a considerable amount of antioxidants and phytochemicals, which are an advantage in any diet.

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Health and Human Services Awards over $1 billion in Funds for HIV/AIDS Patients

Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced over $1 billion to help states provide prescription drugs and medical care to HIV/AIDS patients. The grants offer services for patients through the state-run AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs). There are also additional funds going into the Minority AIDS initiative (MAI) and designated "emerging communities" which have growing populations of HIV/AIDS infected patients by way of Title II of the Ryan White CARE Act.

"Poverty, unfortunately, is a common symptom of AIDS, but these grants to states will help us ensure that prople with AIDS can get needed care and services," Secretary Thompson said. "When insurance runs out, when savings are depleted, or when disability checks are needed to buy groceries instead of prescriptions, patients can turn to the programs funded by these grants to get life-sustaining medical treatment."

These grants are awarded to each state plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands and the Republic of Palau.

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Surgeon General Carmona Announces 50 Schools in 50 States

U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona announced his goal to visit at least one school in each of the 50 states during his tenure to talk to students about the importance of making healthy choices. His first stop was to Patterson High School in Baltimore, Md., where, on April 9, Dr. Carmona spoke to about 400 students about his life and the tough decisions that teens face.

"Sometimes the best decisions you can make are the least popular," Surgeon General Carmona said. "But in the end you'll find that the healthy choice, the best choice, will lead down a road to success."

Dr. Carmona also thanked teachers and parents for their dedication to students. "I want to thank parents, teachers, and community leaders who are the role models to our next generation 365 days a year."

Students, teachers and administrators who are interested in inviting the Surgeon General to visit their school should write a letter of invitation to:

VADM Richard Carmona
U.S. Surgeon General
Office of the Surgeon General
Hubert H. Humphrey Building
200 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, D.C. 20201

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Last updated April 15, 2003
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