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

IN THIS ISSUE:
1) First Ever Community Health Center Conference
2) Transforming the Commissioned Corps
3) Personal Health
4) NALBOH's 11th Annual Conference: Boards of Health: Stewards of Public Health July 16 - 18, 2003
5) Summer Health and Safety Tips from the CDC
6) Secretary Thompson's public schedule

First Ever Community Health Center Conference

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson will speak at the first ever conference for community health center grantees on Tuesday, July 1. The conference will bring together more than 800 community health center grantees, from across the country.

Some of these centers specialize in helping migrant workers, the homeless, public housing residents and those in school-based settings.

Secretary Thompson will announce new funding for community health centers, expanding President Bush's plan for wider access to health care for the uninsured in the U.S. Largely, community health centers deliver primary health care to uninsured minority populations living in inner cities and administer services regardless of ability to pay.

"Health centers are critical components of a strong health care safety net for all Americans. They care for millions of Americans without health insurance, provided needed primary care, preventive services and specialized care to meet their needs," Thompson said. "With these grants, we move closely to fulfilling President Bush's five-year expansion plan while shoring up the finances of existing centers so they can continue to provide community services to those in need."

The conference will take place at the Omni Shoreham in Washington, D.C. June 29 through July 2.

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Transforming the Commissioned Corps

Health and Human Services Secretary Thompson and U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona are going to announce the Bush administration's plan to transform the Commissioned Corps, a public health service group, on Wednesday, July 3 when he addresses Officers of the Commissioned Corps. The corps assisted in the search and rescue at the World Trade Center following the September 11th attacks, and delivered antibiotics to 37,000 Americans following the anthrax attacks.

Secretary Thompson will also highlight the Commissioned Corps Readiness Force, which will serve the country in the event of a public health emergency.

"As we stare into an uncertain future of possible terrorist attacks, emerging infectious diseases, and natural disasters, the American people must know that they can depend on their Public Health Service to aid them in times of need." said Secretary Thompson.

The mission of the Public Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Corps is to provide highly-trained and mobile health professionals who carry out programs to promote the health of the Nation, understand and prevent disease and injury, assure safe and effective drugs and medical devices, deliver health services to Federal beneficiaries, and furnish health expertise in time of war or other national or international emergencies. As one of the seven uniformed services of the United States, the PHS Commissioned Corps is a specialized career system designed to attract, develop, and retain health professionals who may be assigned to federal, state or local agencies or international organizations to accomplish its mission.

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Personal Health

Facts About Heart Disease and Women: Be Physically Active

Coronary heart disease is a woman's concern. Every woman's concern. One in ten American women 45 to 64 years of age has some form of heart disease, and this increases to one in four women over 65. Another 1.6 million women have had a stroke. Both heart disease and stroke are known as cardiovascular diseases, which are serious disorders of the heart and blood vessel system.

Regular physical activity can help you reduce your risk of coronary heart disease. Being active helps women take off extra pounds, helps to control blood pressure, lessens a diabetic's need for insulin, and boosts the level of "good" HDL- cholesterol. Some studies also show that being inactive increases the risk of heart attack.

This information is provided by the National Institutes of Health.

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NALBOH's 11th Annual Conference: Boards of Health: Stewards of Public Health July 16 - 18, 2003

National Association of Local Boards of Health
http://www.nalboh.org/confer/program.htm
Baltimore, MD

HHS Senior Participants:
Thursday (7/17)
Keynote Speech: 9:30 a.m. Dr. Richard Carmona

Thursday (7/17)
Awards Dinner: 6:00 p.m. Dr. Julie Gerberding

Friday (7/18)
Plenary Session: 9:00 a.m. ASPHEP Jerome M. Hauer

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Summer Health and Safety Tips from the CDC:

Sun and Heat: Studies show more than a million cases of the most common forms of skin cancer are diagnosed each year, and that even a few serious sunburns can increase your risk of getting skin cancer. You can protect yourself during the time of day when the sun's UV (ultraviolet) rays are strongest - between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. - by wearing long sleeves and pants, and by applying sunscreen and a protective lip balm with an SPF of 15 or higher. Be sure to reapply frequently especially after swimming.

Heat exposure caused 8,015 deaths in the United States from 1979-1999. Most heat-related deaths occur in the hot summer months, and the elderly, the very young and people with chronic health problems are most at risk. Because even healthy people can fall victim to summer heat, take the following precautions to reduce your risk:

• Drink plenty of water or other non-alcoholic beverages;
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that is light in color;
• Reduce strenuous activities or do them during the cooler parts of the day.

Water Safety: Thousands of Americans drown each year, and thousands more are injured or killed in boating accidents. Drowning is the second leading cause of injury-related death for children age 14 and under. Follow these common-sense precautions for safe summer fun in the water:

• Always have an adult closely supervise young children any time they are swimming, playing or even bathing in water;
• Never swim alone or in unsupervised locations. Teach your children to always swim with a buddy;
• Never drink alcohol before or while swimming, boating or water skiing, and never drink alcohol while supervising children;
• Learn to swim, as swimming lessons benefit adults and children age 4 and up;
• Properly maintain your pool to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Never swallow pool, lake, or river water.

Food Safety: Summer is the season for outdoor barbecues and picnics; however, food-related illness can put a damper on those outdoor fests. CDC estimates that 76 million Americans get sick from food-related illness every year. More than 300,000 end up hospitalized and about 5,000 die each year from foodborne illness. Protect yourself and your friends and family in these ways:

• Cook meat, poultry and seafood thoroughly. Use a meat thermometer to be sure your grilled meats are "done." Ground beef, for example, should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Don't cross-contaminate one food with another. Wash your hands, utensils and cutting boards after they have been in contact with raw meat or poultry and before they touch another food;
• Bacteria can grow quickly at room temperature, so refrigerate leftover foods promptly;
• Wash produce thoroughly to remove visible dirt, and discard the outermost leaves of a head of lettuce or cabbage.

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Secretary Tommy G. Thompson's public schedule:

• Monday, June 30 - President Bush & Secretary Thompson do an event in Miami, FL

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Last updated June 30, 2003
United States Department of Health and Human Services
Contact the HHS Newsletter Team.