THIS ISSUE AVAILABLE ONLINE WITH EXPANDED INFORMATION AND PHOTOS AT:
http://www.hhs.gov/news/newsletter/weekly
IN THIS ISSUE:
1) HHS Participates in the TOPOFF 2 Simulation
2) HIV Vaccine Awareness Day
3) ACF Helps to Promote Adoption in the U.S.
4) Personal Health
5) Secretary Thompson's public schedule
HHS Participates in the TOPOFF 2 Simulation
HHS officials and staff took part in the largest terrorism response drill in the nation's history from May 12-16. TOPOFF 2 simulated events and response to a "dirty bomb" explosion in Seattle, WA, and the spread of plague from Chicago, IL.
More than 200 HHS employees from various agencies worked together simulating the HHS response to the events in the cities. The Department of Homeland Security was the lead department in the exercise and funded most of the $16 million cost.
In major emergencies the federal government acts to supplement and assist local responders. In this case, the federal government was asked to provide emergency personnel and supplies.
The goal of the exercise was to improve communications and collaboration between and among the departments of the federal government so that in the case of a real emergency the American people would be even better served.
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HIV Vaccine Awareness Day
The sixth annual HIV Vaccine Awareness Day was Sunday, May 18 to recognize the thousands of scientists, study volunteers, researchers, and health professionals around the country who are dedicated to finding a vaccine to prevent HIV infection. More than 100 organizations throughout the U.S. held events to celebrate the advancement towards this goal, provide information to communities, and introduce the new symbol for HIV vaccine awareness by wearing an AIDS ribbon upside-down to form a "V" for "vaccines." These organizations have partnered with the National Institutes of Health, a component of the Department of Health and Human Services, through a unique public-private partnership to find a safe and effective HIV vaccine.
Finding a vaccine for HIV/AIDS is a top priority for the Bush Administration and has been demonstrated by the record number of federal dollars dedicated to ease the suffering of HIV/AIDS patients here in the U.S. and abroad. During his State of the Union address, President Bush announced the Emergency Plan for AIDS relief, a five-year $15 billion dollar initiative - $10 billion in new money - to turn the tide in the global effort to combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Before he announced the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the President's global HIV/AIDS budget increased the U.S. contribution by 82 percent over FY 2001 levels.
More information about HIV Vaccine Awareness Day and HIV vaccine research is available at www.aidsinfo.nih.gov, or www.niaid.nih.gov.
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ACF Helps to Promote Adoption in the U.S.
The Administration of Children and Families (ACF), an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services is partnering up with the Ad Council to develop an advertising campaign to promote adoption of children currently in the foster care system.
"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with the Ad Council to increase the number of children who are adopted," said Wade. F. Horn, Ph.D., assistant secretary for children and families. "We are looking forward to working together to produce a nationwide campaign that will captivate the public and help many waiting children to find permanent, safe, and loving families."
The campaign is aiming to increase awareness of the over 100,000 children in foster care who remain in the system year after year. Adults are often unaware that there is little or no cost to adopt children from the foster care system. They are also not aware that adoptive parents may receive support in the form of training, financial adoption subsidy assistance and Medicaid.
For more information please visit the site www.adoptuskids.org.
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Personal Health
Here is some information to disparage the myth that fish has no fat or cholesterol.
Fact: Although all fish has some fat and cholesterol, most fish is lower in saturated fat and cholesterol than beef, pork, chicken, and turkey. Fish is a good source of protein. Types of fish that are higher in fat (like salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring, and anchovies) are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are being studied because they may be linked to a lower risk for heart disease. Grilled, baked, or broiled fish (instead of fried) can be part of a healthy weight-loss plan.
This information is provided by the National Institutes of Health.
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Secretary Tommy G. Thompson's public schedule:
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Last updated May 29, 2003
United States Department of Health and Human Services
Contact the HHS Newsletter Team.