RAMP Digest – May 11

On May 12th the CDC is hosting an asthma teleconference from 12-1pm (Pacific Time). The presentation topic is “The National Respiratory Training Center” and the speaker is Judith Taylor-Fishwick, MSc, AE-C. Ms. Taylor-Fishwick is the Director of the National Respiratory Training Center and has over 20 years of healthcare-related experience. As an Assistant Professor within the Department of Pediatrics, Judith designed and managed asthma programs in the community setting and is also an Associate of the Center for Managing Chronic Disease at the University of Michigan. Judith is an accomplished researcher within the field of asthma and has published extensively. To download the presentation for the call, visit //www.betterasthmacare.org/file_search.cfm?Category=7&search=yes. The call-in information is: 888-381-9691, passcode: asthma, leader: Marcia Griffith. For more information, contact Marcia Griffith at 770-488-3717 or via e-mail at mag9@cdc.gov.

2) Event: ARB Chair’s Seminar Series Webinar on Climate Change, May 26th

The next webinar of the California Air Resources Board Chair’s Seminar Series is taking place on May 26th from 1:30-3:30pm (Pacific Time). The presentation topic is “What Americans Really Think About Climate Change” and the speaker is Jon Krosnick, Ph.D. from the Woods Institute for the Environment at Stanford University. Dr. Krosnick will describe findings from a series of national surveys that he has designed and conducted since 1996, tracking what Americans do and do not believe on the climate change issue. The presentation will highlight results that challenge many widely-held presumptions about public opinion, illuminate the increasing politicization of the issue, and help set the stage for future legislation on climate change. For more information on how to join the webcast and view the presentation, visit //www.arb.ca.gov/research/seminars/krosnick/krosnick.htm.

3) Funding Opportunity: NACI Demonstration Projects Related to the Asthma Guidelines

The Academy for Educational Development (AED) has announced the release of the National Asthma Control Initiative (NACI) Enhanced Application Demonstration Projects Request for Proposals (RFP). AED is a nonprofit organization supporting the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) by managing the implementation of these demonstration projects. The purpose of the procurement is to support demonstration projects that will take on efforts to address the six key messages of the Guidelines Implementation Panel (GIP) Report. The Report outlines recommendations and strategies to enhance the utilization of the Expert Panel Report 3 (EPR-3): Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. The NACI has been created to put the GIP recommendations in motion. Interested organizations or groups will use a variety of evidence-based or best practice approaches to take on efforts to address the six key messages of the GIP Report. Up to 20 demonstration projects will be awarded through subcontracts of up to $100,000 for a two-year period. The awards are expected to be announced on October 1st. Proposals are due on June 15th. For more information, visit https:65.209.224.65/procurement.aed.org/solicitations/dsp_viewRFPInfo.cfm?cntSolicitation=17.

4) Funding Opportunity: CDC Healthy Housing Grants

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a program announcement entitled, “Building Strategic Alliances for Healthy Housing.” Approximately $650,000 will be available to fund up to 6 awards. The purpose of the program is to reduce or eliminate housing-related health hazards and to promote housing that is safe, healthy, accessible and affordable. Applications are due June 18th and the estimated funding date is August 31st. For more information, visit //www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=47188.

5) Resource: American Lung Association State of the Air Report

The American Lung Association has released their 10th annual State of the Air report. This report card grades the air quality in 1,000 counties across the country. The State of the Air: 2009 uses data from state air quality monitors to grade the most widespread air pollutants that can damage health – ozone and particle pollution. For more information, visit //www.stateoftheair.org/?tr=y&auid=4799173.

6) Resource: PERE Report: Justice in the Air

The Program for Environmental and Regional Equity (PERE) at the University of Southern California has released a report titled, Justice in the Air: Tracking Toxic Pollution from America’s Industries and Companies to Our States, Cities, and Neighborhoods. This study tracked which states and metropolitan areas have the biggest gap between the health risk from toxic pollution faced by people of color and the poor compared to their proportion of the population. The report also lists the industrial companies whose pollution has the most disproportionate impacts on minority or low-income neighborhoods. For more information and to access the report, visit //college.usc.edu/geography/ESPE/perepub.html.

7) Study: Vitamin D Levels and Asthma

In a study published in the May 1st edition of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine researchers examined the relationship between measured vitamin D levels and markers of asthma severity in childhood. The relationship between vitamin D levels and markers of allergy and asthma severity were measured among 616 Costa Rican children between the ages of 6 and 14 years. Analysis showed that vitamin D levels were significantly and inversely associated with markers for allergy and asthma. The authors concluded that their results suggest that lower vitamin D levels are associated with increased markers or allergy and asthma severity among Costa Rican children with asthma. To view the abstract of this study, visit //ajrccm.atsjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/179/9/765.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

8) Event: FOCUS Forum on Air Quality in Our Communities in San Francisco, May 14th

A FOCUS Forum on the topic of “Air Quality in Our Communities” is taking place on May 14th from 9:30-11:30am at the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) in San Francisco. The guest speaker will be David Vintze, Manager, Air Quality Planning for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD). The discussion will focus on the BAAQMD’s development of an Indirect Source Review Rule (ISR) to address the adverse impacts of growth on our climate. The proposed ISR is one of several elements of a more comprehensive approach to address health concerns in communities that are disproportionately impacted by poor air quality and to minimize the effects of land use decisions on local and regional air quality. For more information, visit //www.bayareavision.org/initiatives/speakerseries.html. RSVP to JoAnna Bullock at JoAnnaB@abag.ca.gov or 510-464-7968.

9) Event: ALAC Open Airways for Schools Train the Trainer Workshop in Emeryville, June 2nd

The American Lung Association in California (ALAC) is conducting an Open Airways for Schools (OAS) Train the Trainer workshop on June 2nd and 3rd in Emeryville. The one and one-half day training includes basic information about asthma, modeling of appropriate skills, a thorough review of the OAS curriculum, and tips for working with children. Upon completion of the workshop, participants are certified to conduct OAS instructor trainings for their local ALAC communities. The fee is $150 and registration is only available online at: //www.mrsnv.com/evt/home.jsp?id=2481. For more information, contact Donna Beal, MPH, CHES at 805-963-1426 x104 or via e-mail at dbeal@alac.org.

10) Event: Healthy Housing for California Symposium in San Francisco, June 16th

California Breathing is hosting an upcoming symposium on “Healthy Housing for California: Reducing the Burden of Asthma and Other Health Impacts”, on June 16th and 17th in San Francisco. The featured speaker is Rebecca Morley, Executive Director of the National Center for Healthy Housing. The symposium will bring together professionals and advocates in the fields of housing, health, policy, code enforcement, legal assistance, property management, community development and green building. Attendees will learn about the link between health and housing, especially as it relates to asthma and to reducing health disparities. The program will feature both recent data and promising approaches for application in the field. For more information, visit //www.californiabreathing.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=49.

11) Event: Breathe California is hosting Camp Superstuff in San Jose, August 3rd

Breathe California of the Bay Area is hosting their annual asthma and allergies day camp, Camp Superstuff, from August 3rd through August 7th. Camp Superstuff is designed for children with asthma, ages 6 to 12, and teaches campers important techniques critical to managing their asthma. There are also opportunities for campers to participate in traditional camp activities such as field trips, games, arts and crafts, skits, and more. The camp will take place from 9am until 5pm at Willow Glen High School in San Jose. The cost is $120/camper ($150/camper after July 3rd), scholarships are available and the camp is free to members of Santa Clara Family Health Plan, Valley Health Plan, and Blue Cross State Sponsored Business. The deadline to apply is July 17th. For more information, visit //www.lungsrus.org/Programs/Asthma/asthma_camp.htm.

12) Job Announcement: CDPH seeks IAQ Program Section Chief

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Environmental Health Laboratory Branch is recruiting for the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Program Section Chief. The position is permanent, full time and is located in Richmond, CA. The IAQ Program Section Chief is responsible for setting research and policy direction for programs on indoor pollution, exposure assessment, building ventilation, health risk reduction, control strategies, as well as emerging issues related to green chemistry and climate change adaptation; planning, leading, and oversight of investigations to inform options for state policies on indoor pollution; developing and supporting collaborations on research and policy issues with other CDPH programs; providing technical assistance; as well as other responsibilities. Qualifications include at least five years of progressively responsible research, including at least three years in program supervisory roles, and a Ph.D. in engineering, mathematics, or the physical, biological, or environmental sciences or a related field. For more information and to view the complete position description, visit //www.cal-iaq.org/RESEARCH/Chief_posting_2009-04-24.htm.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

14) Event: Healthy Homes Symposium in San Diego, May 28th

The National Center for Healthy Housing is hosting a Healthy Homes Symposium on May 28th in San Diego. This two-part symposium will include a legislative summit as well as a community forum and will convene state and local officials, researchers, and community groups to discuss the implementation of a local and statewide Healthy Homes policy. For more information and to register, visit //healthyhomescollaborative.org/HHHFLocalRegionalSymposia/tabid/211/Default.aspx.

15) Event: South Los Angeles Health and Human Rights Conference in Los Angeles, June 5th

The 1st Annual South Los Angeles Health and Human Rights Conference is going to be held on June 5th from 8:30am until 5pm at the California Science Center (700 Exposition Park Drive) in Los Angeles. The conference is an opportunity to share lessons and leverage resources toward a common purpose: marked and measurable improvements in the health and well-being of children, adolescents, and families. For more information, contact jimmangia@wellchild.org or rmanchanda@wellchild.org or call 323-541-1600 x4001. Visit //tcenews.calendow.org/pr/tce/document/TRI_FOLD_v121.pdf to access a conference brochure.

16) Event: Coalition for Clean Air California Air Quality Awards in Los Angeles, June 12th

The Coalition for Clean Air is hosting their 2009 California Air Quality Awards on June 12th in Los Angeles. The theme of this year’s event is Honoring Extraordinary Women. The event will take place from 12-1:30pm at The Los Angeles Athletic Club (431 West Seventh Street). For more information about sponsorship or to purchase tickets, call 213-630-1192 or visit //coalitionforcleanair.org/09awards.

17) Event: ALAC Annual SCAMP Camp, June 21st

The American Lung Association in California is presenting the 36th Annual SCAMP Camp for children with asthma. Children will be involved in traditional camp activities and learn skills on how to manage their asthma. SCAMP Camp will take place June 21st through June 26th for Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside County residents. Families with children ages 8-14 who have been diagnosed with asthma are encouraged to apply. A $35 non-refundable application fee is required with the application. There is no additional charge to attend camp. The deadline to submit an application with fee is May 15, 2009. For more information, please visit //www.californialung.org/about/events/scamp-camp-2009 or contact Kenyatta Parker at 714-835-5864 ext. 117 or at kparker@alac.org.

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RAMP Digest – May 11

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