U.S. EPA Aging Initiative List Serve September
2011
I.
Announcements
II. News, Research, Reports and Presentations
III. New Resources and Opportunities
IV. Building Sustainable Communities
V. Pharmaceuticals in the Environment
VI. Intergenerational Activities
VII. Funding Opportunities
VIII. 2011 Calendar of Events
IX. Call for Abstracts
I. Announcements
September 5th
is Labor Day.
A Message from Lisa
Jackson, Administrator of the U.S. EPA
The Standards and protections the EPA upholds ensure the health and the
environment for millions of Americans.
As we celebrate Labor Day and honor the productivity and innovation of
American workers, it is important to note that a clean environment is also good
for American jobs and the economy.
Environmental standards that protect us from contamination in our
drinking water, and air pollutants that cause asthma and ling disease also
support a strong economic climate for investment and job creation. To see a video of the Administraor's message
see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eu8XwrwIPCI
Labor Day: How it Came
About; What it Means
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor
movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American
workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers
have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.
More than 100 years after the first Labor Day observance, there is still
some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers.
Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the
Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American
Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those "who
from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold." On the other hand, many believe that Matthew
Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research
seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of
Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J.,
proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor
Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a
Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and
picnic.
The First Labor Day
The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882,
in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The
Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on
September 5, 1883.
In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as
originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in
other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a
"workingmen's holiday" on that date. In 1885 Labor Day was celebrated
in many industrial centers of the country. For more on the history of Labor Day
see: http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htm
September 13th is Protect Your
Groundwater Day
Simple
ways everyone can act to protect groundwater
Everyone
can and should do something to protect groundwater. We all have a stake in
maintaining its quality and quantity. For starters, 95 percent of all available
freshwater comes from aquifers underground. Being a good steward of groundwater
just makes sense. Most surface water bodies are connected to groundwater so how
you impact groundwater matters. In addition, many public water systems draw all
or part of their supply from groundwater, so protecting the resource protects
the public water supply and impacts treatment costs.
If you
own a well to provide water for your family, farm, or business, groundwater
protection is doubly important. As a well owner, you are the manager of your
own water system. Protecting groundwater will help reduce risks to your water
supply. To learn more about how you can get involved in protecting your
groundwater see http://www.ngwa.org/Events-Education/groundwater-day/Pages/default.aspx
Active Aging Week:
September 25th to October 1st
In its ninth year, Active Aging Week, September 25–October 1, promotes
the benefits of active, healthy lifestyles for adults over 50. During that
time, host sites invite older adults in their local communities to experience
free wellness activities and exercise in a safe, friendly and fun atmosphere.
Below are some insights from veteran organizers as well as some general
planning tips for participating in this kind of health promotion event: http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/blog/post/Active-Aging-Week-2011.aspx
II. News, Research,
Reports and Presentations
EPA Announces Schedule
for Dioxin Assessment
EPA announced it plans to complete the non-cancer portion of its
Reanalysis of Key Issues Related to Dioxin Toxicity and Response to the
National Academies of Science (NAS) Comments, and post the final non-cancer
assessment to the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) by the end of
January 2012. After completing the
non-cancer portion, EPA will finalize the cancer portion of the dioxin
reanalysis as quickly as possible.
The decision to split the dioxin assessment into two portions, one being
the cancer assessment and the other being the non-cancer assessment, follows
the release by the Science Advisory Board (SAB) of its final review report of
EPA’s Reanalysis of Key Issues Related to Dioxin Toxicity and Response to NAS
Comments on August 26, 2011. This
reanalysis report responded to the recommendations and comments included in the
National Academy of Sciences' (NAS) 2006 review of EPA's 2003 draft dioxin
assessment.
The SAB report indicates that EPA
selected the most appropriate scientific studies to support the non-cancer
health assessment and the oral reference dose derived in the draft assessment. The SAB also commended EPA for a clear and
logical reanalysis document that responded to many of the recommendations
offered previously by the NAS.
Specifically, the SAB acknowledged that the process the agency used to
identify, review and evaluate the scientific literature was both comprehensive
and rigorous, and the SAB report noted that “the criteria for study selection
have been clearly articulated, well justified, and applied in a scientifically
sound manner.”
Dioxins are toxic chemicals that share a similar chemical structure and
act through a similar mechanism. While dioxin levels in the environment have
been declining since the early seventies, dioxins remain a concern because they
will continue to enter the food chain through releases from soils and
sediments, and they have been the subject of a number of federal and state
regulations and cleanup actions.
More information on dioxin: http://www.epa.gov/dioxin/
More information on IRIS: http://www.epa.gov/IRIS/
National Research
Council New Report: Sustainability and the U.S. EPA
Sustainability is based on a simple and long-recognized factual premise:
Everything that humans require for their survival and well-being depends,
directly or indirectly, on the natural environment. The environment provides
the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat.
Recognizing the importance of sustainability to its work, the EPA has
been working to create programs and applications in a variety of areas to
better incorporate sustainability into decision making at the agency. To
further strengthen the scientific basis for sustainability as it applies to
human health and environmental protection, the EPA asked the National Research
Council (NRC) to provide a framework for incorporating sustainability into the
EPA's principles and decision-making.
This framework, Sustainability and the U.S. EPA, provides recommendations
for a sustainability approach that both incorporates and goes beyond an
approach based on assessing and managing the risks posed by pollutants that has
largely shaped environmental policy since the 1980s. Although risk-based
methods have led to many successes and remain important tools, the report
concludes that they are not adequate to address many of the complex problems
that put current and future generations at risk, such as depletion of natural
resources, climate change, and loss of biodiversity. Moreover, sophisticated
tools are increasingly available to address cross-cutting, complex, and
challenging issues that go beyond risk management.
The report recommends that EPA formally adopt as its sustainability
paradigm the widely used "three pillars" approach, which means
considering the environmental, social, and economic impacts of an action or
decision. Health should be expressly included in the "social" pillar.
EPA should also articulate its vision for sustainability and develop a set of
sustainability principles that would underlie all agency policies and programs. For more information see http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13152#description
Barrett JR, 2011 A Different Diabetes:
Arsenic Plus High-Fat Diet Yields an Unusual Diabetes Phenotype in Mice.
Environ Health Perspect 119(8): doi:10.1289/ehp.119-a354b
Obesity is the leading cause of type 2
diabetes mellitus. Because inorganic arsenic has been associated with type 2
diabetes in laboratory studies, chronic arsenic exposure has been hypothesized
to heighten the risk of diabetes in obese individuals. A new study reveals a
synergistic relationship between inorganic arsenic exposure and obesity that
impairs glucose tolerance in mice.
Control mice on the high-fat diet
weighed more and accumulated more fat than control mice on the low-fat diet.
They exhibited higher fasting blood glucose, higher fasting and post–glucose
challenge serum insulin, and greater insulin resistance, symptoms consistent
with type 2 diabetes. In contrast, arsenic-exposed mice on the high-fat diet
accumulated less fat than unexposed mice on the same diet and had lower serum
triacylglycerol, fasting blood glucose, and insulin measures. However, glucose
intolerance was high in these mice, even exceeding that observed in controls on
the same diet.
The results suggest inorganic arsenic
reduces diet-induced obesity in mice but acts synergistically with a high-fat
diet to produce glucose intolerance, a symptom typically associated with
prediabetes. The combination of glucose intolerance and elevated blood glucose
levels with near-normal plasma insulin levels differs from the typical
phenotype for type 2 diabetes.
Particulate Matter Exposures, Mortality, and Cardiovascular
Disease in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study
Puett RC, Hart JE, Suh H, Mittleman M, Laden F, 2011
Particulate Matter Exposures, Mortality, and Cardiovascular Disease in the
Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Environ Health Perspect 119(8):
doi:10.1289/ehp.1002921
The association of all-cause mortality
and cardiovascular outcomes with air pollution exposures has been well
established in the literature. The number of studies examining chronic
exposures in cohorts is growing, with more recent studies conducted among women
finding risk estimates of greater magnitude. Questions remain regarding sex
differences in the relationship of chronic particulate matter (PM) exposures
with mortality and cardiovascular outcomes.
Objectives: In this study we explored
these associations in the all-male Health Professionals Follow-Up Study
prospective cohort.
Methods: The same spatiotemporal
exposure estimation models, similar outcomes, and biennially updated covariates
were used as those previously applied in the female Nurses’ Health Study
cohort.
Results: Among 17,545 men residing in
the northeastern and midwestern United States, there were 2,813 deaths,
including 746 cases of fatal coronary heart disease (CHD). Findings were
similar for separate models of exposure to PM ≤ 10 µm in diameter and PM
between 2.5 and 10 µm in diameter and for co-pollutant models.
Conclusions: Among this cohort of men
with high socioeconomic status living in the midwestern and northeastern United
States, the results did not support an association of chronic PM exposures with
all-cause mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in models with time-varying
covariates. Whether these findings suggest sex differences in susceptibility or
the protective impact of healthier lifestyles and higher socioeconomic status
requires additional investigation. http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1002921
United Nation Leaders
2011 High Level Meeting on Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases
Four non-communicable diseases, cardiovascular disease, chronic lung
diseases and diabetes, kill three in five people worldwide and cause great
socioeconomic harm within all countries, particularly developing nations. The
United Nations' General Assembly will convene a High-Level Meeting on
non-communicable diseases in New York City, September 19-20, 2011.
For more information see: http://www.un.org/en/ga/ncdmeeting2011/
Greenversations: Blogging at EPA
Our summer interns and Senior
Environmental Employment Program (SEE) participants have prepared and reviewed
a number of blogs this summer. See Greenversations
August 2011. Alex Grosky wrote blogs on both Rachel Carson “Sense of Wonder”
Contest on August 5th and Keeping Cool in Extreme Heat on
Friday, August 12th, 2011. Sarah Bae blogged about the Dangers of Being a
Couch Potato on August 18th, and our SEE participant, James Young wrote a
blog about Ultraviolet Radiation: Bring Out The Suntan Lotion, But What
About Your Eyes? To read these blogs
see http://blog.epa.gov/blog/2011/08/
About Careers: Opportunities for College and Grad School Graduates:
EPA leads the nation's environmental science, research, education and
assessment efforts, and works to protect our health and our environment. Numerous
opportunities are available within EPA for students to gain vital career
experience while contributing to the mission of protecting human health and
safeguarding the environment. Internships, fellowships and other opportunities
are available in Washington, D.C., laboratories, and at regional EPA locations
nationwide. Opportunities for graduates are available at EPA with an emphasis
on career and leadership development. http://www.epa.gov/careers/gradopp.html
About the See Program: The Senior Environmental Employment
(SEE) Program provides an opportunity for retired and unemployed older
Americans age 55 and over to share their expertise with the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA). Administered by EPA, this program provides older
workers with an opportunity to remain active using their matured skills in
meaningful tasks that support a wide variety of environmental programs. For
more information go to: http://www.epa.gov/ohr/see/brochure/
III. New Resources and Opportunities
Presentations from the Climate Change and the Health and
Well-Being of Older Americans: Setting a Research Agenda Meeting: Arlington VA, July 2011
http://www.epa.gov/aging/resources/epareports.htm#presentationsatannualconferences
Hurricanes and Tropical Storms
Hurricanes and tropical storms can pack
a powerful punch, with soaking rain, flying debris, high winds and tidal surge.
In addition to causing extensive damage in coastal areas, they often bring
flooding hundreds of miles inland with torrential rains and high winds, posing
a threat to millions of people who don't even live on a shoreline. Eight of the
ten most expensive Federally-declared disasters have been caused by hurricanes.
This website also provides information from how to plan in advance to minimize
potential loss to property and your home and how to protect your family and
property and how to file a flood insurance claim. See: http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/flooding_flood_risks/tropical_storms_hurricanes.jsp
Well Water: What to Do After the Flood
Approximately 15% of Americans rely on
their own private drinking water supplies, and these supplies are not subject
to EPA standards, although some state and local governments do set rules to
protect users of these wells. These households must take special precautions to
ensure the protection and maintenance of their drinking water supplies.
Drilled, driven or bored wells are best disinfected
by a well or pump contractor, because it is difficult for the private owner to
thoroughly disinfect these wells. If you suspect that your well may be
contaminated, contact your local or state health department or agriculture
extension agent for specific advice on disinfecting your well. The suggestions
below are intended to supplement flood precautions issued by State and local
health authorities.
Well and Pump Inspection
Flood Conditions at the Well - Swiftly moving
flood water can carry large debris that could loosen well hardware, dislodge
well construction materials or distort casing. Coarse sediment in the flood
waters could erode pump components. Wells that are more than 10 years old or
less than 50 feet deep are likely to be contaminated, even if there is no
apparent damage. Floods may cause some wells to collapse.
Electrical System - After flood waters have receded and
the pump and electrical system have dried, do not turn on the equipment until
the wiring system has been checked by a qualified electrician, well contractor,
or pump contractor
Pump Operation - All pumps and their electrical
components can be damaged by sediment and flood water.
You will also find information about steps to take
in the event of the need to disinfect flooded wells. For more information see: http://water.epa.gov/drink/info/well/whatdo.cfm
What to Do Recovering From and Coping With Flood Damaged Property
FEMA has recommendations for the first
steps to take after a flood.
http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/aftrfld.shtm
It also has some helpful information to
save water damaged property and heirlooms, photos, textiles and other items.
http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/coping.shtm
The EPA Aging Initiative Fact Sheet – "Water Works"
Water, if contaminated, can harm human
health especially that of older persons and those with chronic health
conditions. This page offers information on steps you can take to reduce your
exposure to these environmental hazards.
You may download a copy of the fact sheet: http://www.epa.gov/aging/resources/factsheets/ww/ww_english_100-F-09-044.pdf
You may order copies at http://www.epa.gov/aging/resources/factsheets/order.htm
NCOA Awarded Grant from
Retirement Research Foundation to Provide Economic Check Ups for Vulnerable
Older Adults
Grant Will Bring Strong Focus to Comprehensive
Economic Needs of Disadvantaged Seniors
The Retirement Research Foundation (RRF) has awarded a $1.125 million
grant over three years to the National Council on Aging (NCOA) to develop a
free online tool, called EconomicCheckUp, that will assist millions of
struggling older adults. The Foundation’s timely support will also allow for
critical investments in the evaluation of NCOA’s multi-site direct service
Economic Security Initiative.
Today, 1 in 3 older adults lives in or on the edge of poverty. The
economic recession has hit these seniors hard, and a lifetime of work has
turned into a daily struggle to stay healthy and make ends meet.
By utilizing EconomicCheckUp, community organizations participating in
NCOA’s national Economic Security Initiative can outline a plan to help
vulnerable older adults obtain benefits to pay for costs such as prescriptions,
utilities, and food, and provide them with a path to future economic well-being
through debt management, housing assistance, money management, employment
opportunities, and more.
EconomicCheckUp will build upon NCOA’s successful BenefitsCheckUp® portal
(www.BenefitsCheckUp.org) which helps seniors identify federal, state, and
local benefits for which they are eligible. Over the last 10 years,
BenefitsCheckUp has connected 3 million seniors with over $10 billion in needed
benefits. http://www.ncoa.org/press-room/press-release/ncoa-awarded-grant-from-the.html
How Many Older American
Live—AARP Fact Sheet- #230 June, 2011
This fact sheet describes how the future has changed for many Americans
65 years of age and older. The recession
has left millions with high expenses, lower incomes, depleted savings, and
reduced home equity or homes lost to foreclosure. Long term trends have also
had a negative impact and this fact sheet examines ten facts including how many
elders live in poverty, median income, out-of-pocket health care costs, etc. http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/ppi/econ-sec/fs230-economic.pdf
IV. Building Healthy Communities - Sustainable Communities
Greening America’s Capitals
EPA today announced that through its
Greening America’s Capitals (GAC) project, it will help the capital cities of
Alabama, Arizona, Mississippi, Nebraska and the District of Columbia to create
healthy communities through green development. GAC will help to stimulate
economic development, provide more housing and transportation choices, and
reduce infrastructure and energy costs. Through this project, EPA will provide
design assistance from private-sector experts to help these capital cities
demonstrate sustainable designs that create vibrant neighborhoods with multiple
social, economic, environmental, and public health benefits. The five selected
cities are:
Montgomery, Ala. Montgomery will receive assistance to
redesign a one-mile segment of the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail
to improve the streetscape for walking and biking, include natural solutions to
manage storm water, known as green infrastructure, and create better
connections between neighborhoods for pedestrians in an area crisscrossed by
major highway overpasses.
Phoenix, Ariz. Phoenix will receive assistance that focuses on
revitalizing Lower Grand Avenue, a key commercial strip that has the potential
to become an area of economic growth by reusing historic buildings for a new
mix of uses. The project will also provide examples of how to use green
infrastructure in arid climates.
Washington, DC The District of Columbia will receive
assistance to make three intersections at the Anacostia Metro Station safer and
more effective for cars, pedestrians, and bicycles. The project will also
develop design options for the surrounding streets and open spaces to improve
the area for pedestrians and increase connections to nearby homes, stores, and
the new St. Elizabeth’s campus.
Jackson, Miss. Jackson will receive assistance to
redesign a downtown segment of Congress Street, which runs past the Mississippi
State Capitol and Jackson City Hall. Assistance will include retrofitting the
street and adjacent public spaces with green infrastructure to manage storm
water, improve pedestrian access and safety, and encourage economic
development.
Lincoln, Neb. Lincoln
requested assistance to create a green infrastructure pilot project in the
South Capitol neighborhood. In this residential area, just two blocks from the
state capitol, improved streetscape design could better manage storm water
while supporting more walking, biking, and transit options.
GAC is a project of the Partnership for
Sustainable Communities among EPA, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD), and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The
interagency collaboration coordinates federal investments in infrastructure,
facilities, and services to get better results for communities and use taxpayer
money more efficiently. The partnership is helping communities across the
country to create more housing choices, make transportation more efficient and
reliable, reinforce existing investments, and support vibrant and healthy
neighborhoods that attract businesses. HUD and DOT were involved in the review
and selection process and will provide technical expertise on each project.
This is the second year of the GAC program. The capital cities selected last
year were Boston, Mass.; Jefferson City, Mo.; Hartford, Conn.; Charleston,
W.Va.; and Little Rock, Ark.
More information see: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/greencapitals.htm
V. Pharmaceuticals in the Environment
NATIONAL TAKE BACK INITIATIVE
October 29, 2011
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
has scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday,
October 29, 2011, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. to provide a venue for persons who
want to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs. Please check back in mid-September to find
convenient collection locations in your zip code area, county, city, or
state. Law enforcement agencies that
wish to host a collection site should call the Point of Contact for your area.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. More than seven million Americans currently
abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use
prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership
for a Drug Free America. Studies show
that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and
friends, including the home medicine cabinet. http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html
Presentations at the annual Conference of the National Association
of Area Agencies on Aging
http://www.epa.gov/aging/resources/epareports.htm#presentationsatannualconferences
Other Useful Information
How to Dispose of Medicines Properly
http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/ppcp/upload/ppcpflyer.pdf
Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) in Water
http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/ppcp/
VI. Intergenerational Activities
Cast Your Votes in Rachel Carson Contest
The Environmental Protection Agency invites the public to vote for their favorite entries in the fifth annual Rachel Carson Sense of Wonder Contest. A panel of judges selected the finalists in five categories: photography, essay, poetry, dance and mixed media (photography and a poem or essay). Finalists were selected based on originality, creativity, use of an intergenerational team, and ability to capture a sense of wonder.
Carson is considered to be the founder of the contemporary environmental movement through her landmark book, "Silent Spring." Using the title of another of Carson's books, "The Sense of Wonder," the contest sought submissions "that best express the 'Sense of Wonder' that you feel when observing the sea, the night sky, forests, birds, wildlife, and all that is beautiful to your eyes."
The deadline for voting is September 30th and winners will be announced on the website in October. Each winning team member will receive a certificate for their accomplishment and will be recognized on EPA's website. The contest is sponsored by the EPA in partnership with Generations United, the Rachel Carson Council Inc., the Liz Lerman Dance Exchange and the National Center for Creative Aging. http://yosemite.epa.gov/oa/agingepa/rcvote.nsf/fmVote?OpenForm
September 11th
is Grandparent's Day
Statistics on
Grandfamilies from U.S. Census complied by Generations United
Grandfamilies are families headed by grandparents and other relatives who
are sharing their homes with their grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and/or other
related children. Some grandfamilies are multigenerational households where a
parent works long hours and wants the child close to family while he or she is
at work. However, no parents are present in more than a third of grandfamily
households. Grandparents stepped in to provide care when their parents could
not care for the children.
The following data on children and caregivers in grandfamilies comes from
the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2005-2009 American Community Survey (ACS).
Children:
More than 6.7 million children live in households maintained by
grandparents or other relatives
More than 4.8 million children live with grandparents, and about 1.9
million with other relatives like aunts or uncles
About 2.5 million of these children have no parents present in the home
according to Census data analysis conducted by Generations United partners
Grandparents:
About 2.5 million grandparents who live with their grandchildren report
they are responsible for their own grandchildren
About 830,000 of these grandparents are age 60 or older
About 950,000 of these grandparents report that they have been
responsible for the grandchildren for more than 5 years
“Grandfamilies” come together for different reasons – parental death,
substance abuse, military deployment, incarceration, mental illness. As a
result, grandfamilies are in every area in the country, all income levels, all
races, and all ethnicities. For more
information see: http://www2.gu.org/OURWORK/Grandfamilies/GrandfamiliesStatistics.aspx
Fourth Annual GrandRally—Sept 15th
For Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
The GrandRally is
an historic gathering of grandparents and other relative caregivers from across
the country that brings attention to the needs of children and grandfamilies. See: http://cdf.childrensdefense.org/site/PageServer?pagename=grandrally_home
Promoting Intergenerational and Environmental Health Across the
Lifespan
New York City - June 7-8, 2012
Conference will be held June 7-8,
2012, at the New York Academy of Medicine
1216 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street New
York City, NY
The day and a half, interactive event
will focus on diverse factors that influence both human and ecological health
across the lifespan. Following the successful October, 2010 conference Children
First: Promoting Ecological Health for the Whole Child at UCSF organized by
the Whole Child Center, the Collaborative on
Health and the Environment (CHE), and the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative
Medicine, we propose to expand this conference program to a multi-dimensional,
lifespan framework of diverse factors that influence both human and ecological
health. These include the many levels of the built, food, chemical,
psychosocial, and socioeconomic environments, and the practices and policies
that promote or impede health at all ages. The conference venue for Promoting
Intergenerational and Environmental Health Across the Lifespan is the newly
renovated New York Academy of Medicine, a beautiful location
across from Central Park on Fifth Avenue located on New York's "Museum
Mile."
This conference will combine plenary "conversation" sessions
featuring prominent leaders in a range of fields, along with innovative
educational techniques to bring a deeper experiential quality to the meeting.
Provocative dialogues and question and answer exchanges will be co-facilitated
by elders and youth. Creative expression of music, art, dance and other
experiential activities will be interspersed throughout the conference. Our goal
is that this conference will model our vision of healthy systems across
disciplines and generations by encouraging active participation and maximizing
the creative energy and expertise of attendees, speakers and sponsors.
For more information see: http://www.healthandenvironment.org/news/conference/intergen2012
VII. Funding Opportunities
New-- FY 2012 National Environmental Information Exchange Network Grant
Program
EPA, states, tribes, and territories, are working
together to implement the Exchange Network (EN), a secure, Internet- and
standards-based way to support electronic data reporting, sharing, and
integration of both regulatory and non-regulatory environmental data. EN
Partners exchanging data with each other or with EPA, should make the Exchange
Network and the Agency's connection to it, the Central Data Exchange (CDX), the
standard way they exchange data and should phase out any legacy methods they
have been using. More information on the Exchange Network is available at
www.exchangenetwork.net. The Exchange Network Grant Program provides funding to
states, tribes, inter-tribal consortia and territories to develop and implement
the information technology and information management capabilities they need to
actively participate in the Exchange Network. This grant program supports the
exchange of environmental data and collaborative work within the Exchange
Network. Grantees may also use grant funds for the standardization, exchange
and integration of geospatial information to support work to preserve and
improve the environment, natural resources, and human health.
Deadline: Nov. 4, 2011
http://www.epa.gov/exchangenetwork/grants/index.html
New -- Fall 2012 EPA Greater Research
Opportunities (GRO) Fellowships For Undergraduate Environmental Study
The EPA, as part of
its Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Fellowships program, is offering
Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) undergraduate fellowships for bachelor
level students in environmental fields of study. See Section I.D for
information on the different funding descriptions. The deadline for receipt of
applications is December 12, 2011 4:00 PM ET for receipt of paper applications,
and December 12, 2011, at 11:59:59 PM ET for submittal of electronic
applications to Grants.gov. Subject to availability of funding, and other
applicable considerations, the Agency plans to award approximately 40 new
fellowships by July 30, 2012. Eligible students will receive support for their
junior and senior years of undergraduate study and for an internship at an EPA
facility during the summer of their junior year. The fellowship provides up to
$19,700 per academic year of support and $9,500 of support for a three-month
summer internship.
Deadline: December 12, 2011
http://www.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2012/2012_gro_undergrad.html
New-- Behavioral
and Social Genomics of Aging: Opportunities in the Health and Retirement Study
(R01)
The Health and Retirement Study (HRS; see at http://hrsonline.isr.umich.edu/ ) is a longitudinal, nationally representative sample
of the US population aged 50 years and older (plus spouses) with an oversample
of African and Hispanic Americans and a total sample size of over 20,000. Using
funds from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, the HRS is currently
conducting genome-wide scans of DNA samples from approximately 20,000
participants, using the Illumina HumanOmni 2.5 Quad chip. It is anticipated
that the genotype data for the first 13,000 subjects will be released to the
public via dbGaP in the Fall of 2011, with data from the remaining participants
to be released by the end of 2012. This FOA encourages applications taking
advantage of the newly available genetic data to advance our understanding of
how genetic, behavioral, and psychosocial factors affect the health and well-being
of older Americans.
Deadline:
Sept. 7, 2014
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-11-318.html
New-- Climate Change and Health:
Assessing and Modeling Population Vulnerability to Climate Change (RO1)
This Funding
Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is being issued by the National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) of the National Institutes of Health
(NIH) with participation from the following NIH components: FIC, NCI, NCMHD
NHLBI, NIA, NIBIB, NICHD, NLM and OBSSR. This FOA encourages research
applications to examine the differential risk factors of populations that lead
to or are associated with increased vulnerability to exposures, diseases and
other adverse health outcomes related to climate change. Applications may
involve either applied research studies that address specific hypotheses about
risk factors or population characteristics associated with increased
vulnerability, or research projects to develop general models or methods for
identifying and characterizing population vulnerability to climate change.
The ultimate goal
of this research program is to help inform climate change adaptation and public
health interventions to reduce current and future vulnerability of various
populations to the health effects of climate change. Applications are
anticipated to involve a multidisciplinary research team, including experts in
health sciences and climatology as well as geography, modeling, statistics,
demography, and social and behavioral sciences as appropriate. In addition,
partnerships with community-based or advocacy organizations, public health
officials, urban planners and others are encouraged.
Mechanism of
Support. This FOA will use the NIH Exploratory/Developmental (R21) award
mechanism. Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. Because the nature
and scope of the proposed research will vary from application to application,
it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary. The
total amount awarded and the number of awards will depend upon the mechanism
numbers, quality, duration, and costs of the applications received.
Deadline:
May 24, 2012
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-10-235.html
New --Advancing
Novel Science in Womens Health Research (ANSWHR) (R21)
The purpose of this
Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), issued by the Office of Research on
Womens Health (ORWH) and co-sponsoring NIH institutes and centers (ICs), is to
promote innovative, interdisciplinary research that will advance new concepts
in womens health research and the study of sex/gender differences. Recent
research reports have established the importance of studying issues specific to
women, including the scientific and clinical importance of analyzing data
separately for females and males. ORWH is particularly interested in
encouraging extramural investigators to undertake new interdisciplinary
research to advance studies on how sex and gender factors affect women's
health; however, applications in all areas of womens health and/or sex/gender
research are invited.
This FOA will use
the NIH Exploratory/Developmental (R21) award mechanism. It is anticipated that
$4 million will be available for FY 2011.
October
16, 2012 for new applications.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAS-10-226.html
New --Social and Behavioral
Research on the Elderly in Disasters (R03)
This FOA issued by
the National Institute on Aging encourages Small Research Grant (R03)
applications from institutions or organizations that propose to conduct
research in the behavioral and social sciences on the consequences of natural
and man-made disasters for the health and well-being of the elderly, with an
ultimate goal of preventing or mitigating harmful consequences. Disasters
include weather-related events, earthquakes, large-scale attacks on civilian
populations, technological catastrophes or perceived catastrophes, and
pandemics.
Deadline: September 7, 2014.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-11-264.html
Translational
Research to Help Older Adults Maintain their Health and Independence in the
Community (R01)
Deadline:
Standard Dates Apply: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-11-123.html
Asthma in Older Adults
(R21)
This FOA encourages
Exploratory/Developmental Grant (R21) applications that propose to study the
pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and/or management of asthma in older
adults. Much of what is known about asthma in adults is based on studies in
younger adult populations; however, the mechanisms underlying asthma in some
older adults may differ, which may impact on diagnostic, treatment, and
prevention strategies.
Deadline: September 7, 2013. http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=BLyDTg9QVLZ93JyJ6x2dx1jK64PSNt6cGZ1d3VdCzYFJF9TvFTW5!-370087949?oppId=56731&mode=VIEW
VIII. 2011 Calendar of Events & Meetings
September 2011
National Senior Center Month
http://www.ncoa.org/strengthening-community-organizations/senior-centers/national-senior-center-month-1.html
September 11-14, 2011
National Home and Community Based Services
Conference
http://www.nasuad.org/events/national_hcbs_conference.html
September 13th: Protect Your Groundwater Day
http://www.ngwa.org/Events-Education/groundwater-day/Pages/default.aspx
September 15 –Fourth Annual GrandRally, For
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
The GrandRally is
an historic gathering of grandparents and other relative caregivers from across
the country that brings attention to the needs of children and
grandfamilies. http://cdf.childrensdefense.org/site/PageServer?pagename=grandrally_home
September 25, 2011--National Public Lands Day
September 28, 2011-- National Women's
Health and Fitness Day http://www.fitnessday.com/women/index.htm
Active Aging Week:
September 25th to October 1st http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/blog/post/Active-Aging-Week-2011.aspx
World Health Organization
International Conference on Age-Friendly Cities
September 28-30, 2011
Dublin, Ireland
http://afc-internationalconference.ie/
October 2011
National Community Planning Month
http://www.planning.org/ncpm/
October
2-4, 2011-- International Symposium on Safe Medicine
Portland, Maine
http://www.umaine.edu/mainecenteronaging/documents/2011MBSGSavetheDatefinal2.pdf
October
26-28, 2011-- Grantmakers in Aging Annual Conference
McLean, VA
http://www.giaging.org/imis15_prod/internet/default.aspx
Oct 29-
Nov 2nd, 2011 -- APHA
Annual Meeting 2011
Washington, DC
http://www.apha.org/meetings/pastfuture/
November
2011
Gerontological Society of America Annual Conference
November 18-22, 2011
Boston, MA
http://www.geron.org/
IX. Call for Abstracts
International Federation
on Ageing 11th Global Conference on Ageing
Prague Czech Republic.
Deadline: December, 2011. http://www.ifa2012.com/abstracts/call-for-abstracts
2012 Calendar of
Events http://www.epa.gov/aging/calendar/2012/index.htm#2012_01