This is an archive page. The links are no longer being updated.

HHS WEEKLY REPORT
March 31 - April 6 2002

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

IN THIS ISSUE:
1) Secretary Thompson's public schedule for the week of March 31- April 6
2) Americans will Kick Butts on April 3
3) HHS weight loss challenge
4) Secretary Thompson travels to study infectious disease pandemic in Africa
5) HHS Week in Review

------------------------------

Secretary's Schedule for the week of March 31 - April 6

The Secretary will be in Africa all week.

------------------------------

Americans will Kick Butts on April 3

Every day, nearly 3,000 young people under the age of 18 become regular smokers. Each year adolescents smoke more than 900 million packs of cigarettes. "These are unbelievable numbers," Secretary Thompson said. "We must do everything that we can to teach our children the deadly dangers of smoking."

April 3 will mark the 7th annual Kick Butts Day. Begun in September 1995, Kick Butts Day has grown into an international observance of the health dangers of smoking. More than 5 million children living today will die prematurely because of a decision they will make as adolescents - the decision to smoke cigarettes. For more information on how you can participate go to www.kickbuttsday.org.

Secretary Thompson continued, "I think that Kick Butts Day is a special opportunity for people to make a serious commitment to their health by quitting smoking. But everyday we need to kick butts."

The Surgeon General has released several Reports that detail the deadly affects of smoking. Some can be found ------------------------------

HHS weight loss challenge

Secretary Thompson is urging all HHS employees to lead the way to good health among federal agencies and take better care of themselves.

As part of his efforts to raise awareness about diabetes, Secretary Thompson issued a challenge to HHS employees to eat right and exercise. Secretary Thompson asked all employees to weigh themselves the day after Easter, and encouraged anyone who is overweight to lose 10 pounds, and said that he himself plans to lose 15 pounds.

"Diabetes is a battle we can win!" Secretary Thompson said. "It doesn't have to be devastating. It can be prevented and, if it occurs, managed successfully."

------------------------------

Secretary Thompson travels to study infectious disease pandemic in Africa

This week, HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson will depart on his first official trip to Africa, making a series of stops in four countries across the continent. Visiting Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana and Côte d'Ivôire, the Secretary will lead a White House mission to discuss the development and enhancement of disease surveillance systems, and ways to strengthen and expand biomedical research and training efforts.
Each year, the global pandemic of diseases of poverty- HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria- claim nearly 6 million lives in Africa.

"I want to get a first-hand look at how infectious diseases are affecting children, families, individuals, and local communities in Africa," Secretary Thompson said. "And I want to see how we're spending our money, and what programs need more help."

Earlier this year, Secretary Thompson announced that the President's FY 2003 budget includes a $100 million contribution from HHS to support the work of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The contribution brings the U.S. commitment to $500 million.

Additionally, the President's budget request for HHS includes nearly $13 billion in domestic and international HIV/AIDS programs and research. Combined with other federal programs, the Bush administration proposes spending more than $16 billion in combat HIV/AIDS around the globe.

During the week-long stay, the Secretary and other members of the delegation will meet with foreign dignitaries, tour various health care facilities, and make site visits to HHS research and training programs.

------------------------------

HHS WEEK IN REVIEW

------------------------------

President Bush emphasizes prevention

On Tuesday, March 26th, President George W. Bush announced his nominees for Surgeon General, Dr Richard Carmona, and Director of the National Institutes of Health, Dr Elias Zerhouni. During his remarks, the President strongly endorsed the principle of prevention:

"I have asked Dr. Carmona to lead an important initiative focusing on prevention and life-long healthy living as a key component to medical care. The research is overwhelming that simple improvements in diet and exercise would result in dramatic improvements in America's health. Studies show that overweight Americans who are at risk of developing type II diabetes or coronary heart disease can delay and possibly prevent these diseases with just moderate exercise and a healthy diet. Walking 30 minutes a day will dramatically improve your life. Playing a game with your children in your backyard will help. Walking in a park can make a difference to your health.

"These relatively small actions can dramatically reduce costs and strain on our health care system. Fitness and a healthy lifestyle are a priority for me. I really like to run. It makes me feel better. The doc and I are going to encourage all our country to either run or walk or swim or bicycle for the good of their families, for the good of their own health, and for the good of the health of the nation."

Prevention is a major focus of HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson's efforts to create a healthier America.

------------------------------

HHS announces pre-diabetes category

Secretary Thompson joined the American Diabetes Association on Wednesday, March 27, to warn Americans of the dangers of "pre-diabetes" and urged people to take healthy steps to reduce their risks of developing diabetes.

HHS-supported research shows that most people with pre-diabetes will likely develop diabetes within a decade unless they make modest changes in their diet and level of physical activity, which can help them reduce their risk and avoid this debilitating disease.

"The good news is if you have pre-diabetes, you can do something about it," Secretary Thompson said. "We want people to know that pre-diabetes is a serious condition that can be reversed or alleviated with modest changes in their daily routines - - such as eating fewer calories and walking regularly for exercise."

It's estimated that 16 million Americans have pre-diabetes, an increasingly common condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet diabetic. Studies have shown that most people with this condition go on to develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years.

Secretary Thompson and the ADA also released an updated HHS estimate showing 17 million Americans suffer from diabetes - - an increase of 8 percent from the most commonly used previous estimate. The new estimate is based on population changes in the most recent U.S. census. The 17 million Americans with diabetes are in addition to the 16 million people estimated to have pre-diabetes.

Intervention in pre-diabetes is critical for these reasons:

An expert panel recommends that doctors screen their overweight patients age 45 and older for pre-diabetes during regular office visits.

The panel also recommends that doctors screen overweight patients younger than 45 if they are significantly overweight and have one of more of the following risk factors:

The expert panel does not recommend routine use of prescription drugs as initial treatment for people who have pre-diabetes, although drug treatment may be considered when appropriate.

Diabetes is the leading cause of adult blindness, kidney failure, and non-traumatic amputations, and is a major cause of heart disease and stroke.

------------------------------

New Freedom Initiative

On Monday, March 25, Secretary Thompson presented President Bush with reports from nine federal agencies outlining more than 400 solutions that the agencies can implement to support community living for the nearly 54 million Americans living with disabilities. The reports stem from the first comprehensive federal review of barriers preventing people with disabilities from living in their communities instead of in institutions.

President Bush called for the federal review last June as part of his New Freedom Initiative, which is aimed at helping people with disabilities participate fully in community life. The President asked Secretary Thompson to lead the government-wide review.

The reports look at barriers to community living in areas such as: health care structure and financing; the shortage of accessible, affordable housing; problems attracting and retaining dedicated personal assistance workers; the shortage of support, including respite services, for caregivers and family members; the need for available, accessible transportation options; multiple barriers to employment; barriers to transitioning from school to post-secondary education; and limited access to technology such as assistive devices.

Secretary Thompson also announced that HHS will provide another $55 million to the "Systems Change Grants for Community Living" program to enable states to improve their community long-term care systems for people with disabilities and long-term illnesses. HHS awarded nearly $70 million for this program in fiscal year 2001.

More information on HHS efforts under the President's New Freedom Initiative is available ------------------------------

Medicare modernization a health care priority

In a speech on March 27 to the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, Secretary Thompson underscored the need for a sound Medicare system that includes a prescription drug benefit.

"All seniors should have the option of a subsidized prescription drug benefit as part of modernized Medicare," said Thompson. "Everyone benefits from the new drugs that are being developed, and we must make sure Medicare beneficiaries have access to them."

At the same time, the Secretary noted, "It's also clear that if we add a drug benefit without comprehensive modernization of the Medicare system, we will only deepen the financial crisis Medicare faces in coming years. That's why the President's plan touches on every aspect of the Medicare system."

Thompson, who made his comments one day after the annual Medicare Trustees report was issued, outlined the President's framework for Medicare modernization and also highlighted some of the changes instituted over the past year to make Medicare more responsive and effective.

He also discussed the Bush Administration's overall health agenda, saying that "Our effort to give Medicare beneficiaries more discretion in the way they obtain health care is rooted in a principle the President articulated in his speech earlier this year in Milwaukee - we trust patients and their physicians. We don't believe government knows best. We want to give patients more choices about their doctors, plans and treatment options."

Thompson's remarks have been carried on C-SPAN and can be read in full on the HHS Web site.

------------------------------

 

FOIA¬ Privacy ¬ Disclaimers¬ Accessibility

Last updated 31 March 2002
United States Department of Health and Human Services
Contact the webmaster