Upcoming Events

Jan 15-17, 2014

National Health Policy Conference

Feb 3-4, 2014

SOPHE Annual Meeting

Mar 19-21, 2014

Teaching Prevention 2014

Mar 20-21, 2014

Art & Science of Health Promotion Conference

Mar 24-28, 2014

Society for Behavioral Medicine Annual Meeting 

Apr 23-26, 2014

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Partnership Pulse

The staff and Board at Partnership for Prevention wish you a happy and healthy New Year!  

The United Health Foundation, along with the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention, has released the 24th edition of America's Health Rankings®. Every year, a comprehensive set of behaviors, public and health policies, community and environmental conditions, and clinical care data is analyzed to provide a holistic view of the health of the nation. It is the longest running annual assessment of the nation's health on a state-by-state basis. This year's report includes:

* Analysis of our country's top health improvements and challenges over time

* Commentaries from leading national health experts, including Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, Partnership for Prevention's Board Chair
* Online tools available at www.americashealthrankings.org, making it easy to access, compare, share, and act upon data 

The National Commission on Prevention Priorities (NCPP) met in December to review progress on the NCPP's two projects: 1) an online resource to help communities select evidence-based interventions to improve physical activity or reduce tobacco use and 2) an updated ranking of 25 recommended clinical preventive services. Commission members and guests from the CDC, NACCHO, and NC Prevention Partners previewed and provided input on the online resource, which is centered around an online tool that provides customizable results, and draft clinical rankings. Commissioner input will be used to refine the online resource and finalize the clinical rankings, both of which will be available in early 2014.

Nutrition: Partnership and more than 125 other public health organizations urged the farm bill conference committee to work in a bipartisan manner to protect and strengthen our nation's nutrition programs. Steep cuts and harmful policy changes to nutrition programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamps), would negatively affect millions of seniors and children.

Tobacco: Partnership and 24 other national organizations asked the FDA to begin the process to establish a tobacco product standard that would ultimately prohibit menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes. Read the public comment here.   

 Prevention News

In November, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made a preliminary determination that partially hydrogenated oils (the major source of trans fat in the American diet) are no longer "generally recognized as safe." Much research has shown that trans fats negatively affect blood cholesterol levels and increase the risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Experts have estimated that consumption of trans fats may result in 30,000 premature deaths per year in the United States. Although consumption of trans fat has decreased through regulation and voluntary action by the food industry, many American foods still contain trans fat. If the FDA's decision is finalized, partially hydrogenated oils could not be used without FDA permission and would be virtually eliminated from the US food supply.

The Community Preventive Services Task Force recently recommended 

clinical decision-support systems to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD). Health care providers use these computer-based information systems to implement clinical guidelines at the point of care. They provide tailored patient assessments and evidence-based treatment recommendations. This recommendation is based on sufficient evidence of effectiveness in improving screening for CVD risk factors and practices for CVD-related care. 

In November and December, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued recommendation statements for two services.

Oral Cancer: The USPSTF found insufficient evidence to recommend screening for oral cancer in asymptomatic adults (I grade, final statement).

Breast Cancer: The USPSTF also released a draft recommendation statement for BRCA-related cancers in women.

Prevention Institute has released a new resource, developed in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to reduce disparities in chronic disease health outcomes and advance health equity. The Health Equity Guide is designed to help practitioners and health advocates develop, enhance, and apply the critical skills necessary for advancing health equity in their community. It includes information on foundational principles of public health practice and considerations for evidence-based community prevention strategies (i.e. tobacco-free living strategies, health food and beverage strategies, and active living strategies). It also highlights examples of successful equity-oriented approaches to improving public health and reducing disparities, drawn from communities across the country.

Registration is Open for Health Promotion Conference 

Register now for the 24th Annual Art and Science of Health Promotion Conference to be held March 24-28, 2014. The conference brings together more than 600 professionals with a passion for health promotion - individuals who represent the most successful programs in workplace, clinical, educational and community settings. The three-day core conference will feature three inspiring and thought-provoking keynote addresses, concurrent sessions presented by the top scientists and practitioners in the field, plus, many opportunities to collaborate through interactive discussions, networking sessions, fitness activities and social events.