U.S.
EPA Aging Initiative List Serve Dec. 2011
Happy Holidays to all and a Very Happy New Year.
I.
Announcements
County
Health Roadmaps
Ranking
the health of nearly every county in the nation, the County Health Rankings
illustrate what we know when it comes to what's making people sick or healthy.
The new County Health Roadmaps show what we can do to create healthier places
to live, learn, work and play. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is
collaborating with the University of Wisconsin
Population Health Institute (UWPHI) to bring this program to cities, counties
and states across the nation.
The
County Health Roadmaps project includes several efforts to build connections
with local communities, national partners and leaders across all sectors to
improve health. The project includes grants to coalitions across the U.S. that
are working to improve the health of people in their communities; grants to
national organizations to mobilize local leaders and affiliates to improve
health; a prize program to recognize communities taking action and whose
promising efforts will likely lead to better health; and tools and resources to
help groups working to improve the health of people in their communities. http://www.improvingpopulationhealth.org/blog/2011/12/county-health-roadmaps.html
December
11th, International Day of Mountains
The
United Nations General Assembly has designated 11 December, from 2003 onwards,
as "International Mountain Day". This decision results from the
success of the UN International Year of Mountains in 2002, which increased
global awareness of the importance of mountains, stimulated the establishment
of national committees in 78 countries and strengthened alliances through
promoting the creation of the International Partnership for Sustainable
Development in Mountain Regions, known as the 'Mountain Partnership (WSSD,
Johannesburg, 2 September 2002). FAO was the designated lead coordinating
agency for International Year of Mountains and is mandated to lead observance
of International Mountain Day.
This
year's International Mountain Day theme will focus on Mountains and Forests. It
aims to raise awareness about the relevance of mountain forests and the role
they play within a Green Economy as well as in climate change adaptation
measures. Healthy mountain forests are crucial to the ecological health of the
world. They protect watersheds that supply freshwater to more than half the
world's people. They also are the home of untold wildlife, provide food and
fodder for mountain people and are important sources of timber and non-wood
products. Yet in many parts of the world mountain forests are under threat as
never before and deforestation in tropical mountain forests continues at an
astounding rate. Protecting these forests and making sure they are carefully
managed is an important step towards sustainable mountain development. By
linking this year's International Mountain Day to the International Year of
Forests 2011, we can benefit from the international existing attention and
focus on the theme as well as twinning certain communication activities and
products to produce a more effective awareness raising exercise. http://www.fao.org/mnts/en/
UN
launches 'Decade on Biodiversity
The
United Nations launched the Decade on Biodiversity with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urging humanity to live in harmony with nature and
to preserve and properly manage its riches for the prosperity of current and
future generations. "Ensuring truly sustainable development for our
growing human family depends on biological diversity and the vital goods and
services it offers," Ban said in his message to the launch event delivered
on his behalf by Kiyo Akasaka,
Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, in the
Japanese city of Kanazawa.
"While
the poor suffer first and worst from biodiversity loss, all of society stands
to lose from this mass extinction. There are also the opportunity costs what
cures for disease, and what other useful discoveries, might we never know of
because a habitat is destroyed forever, or land is polluted beyond all
use?"
The
General Assembly previously declared the period 2011-2020 as United Nations
Decade on Biodiversity to promote the implementation of a strategic plan on
biodiversity and its overall vision of living in harmony with nature. The main
goal is to mainstream biodiversity at different levels. Throughout the Decade,
governments are encouraged to develop, implement and communicate the results of
national strategies for implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity.
In
his own statement at the launch of the Decade, Akasaka
stressed that stable ecosystems have the capacity to create jobs.
"Sustaining them sustains job growth," he said. "With the world
undergoing a youth bulge, sustainable use of biodiversity is not an isolated
'ecological' green approach, but an indispensable pillar of sustainable
development for future generations," said Akasaka.
Human
activities have caused the extinction of plants and animals at some hundreds or
thousands of times faster than what the natural rate would have been, Akasaka pointed out. "We cannot reverse extinction. We
can, however, prevent future extinction of other species right now. For the
next 10 years our commitment to protecting more than eight million species, and
our wisdom in contributing to a balance of life, will be put to a test,"
he said. For more information see: http://southasia.oneworld.net/globalheadlines/un-launches-decade-of-biodiversity
Robert H. Binstock, Prominent
Gerontologist and Mentor
(December
6, 1935–November 22, 2011)
Robert
H. Binstock (December 6, 1935–November 22, 2011) has
died at age 75 in Cleveland, Ohio. He is survived by his wife, Martha Binstock, and daughter Jennifer Binstock.
Dr. Binstock, a prominent gerontologist and professor
of Aging, Health and Society at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland,
held primary appointments in the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics
in the School of Medicine and in the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing,
where he also served as faculty associate in the University Center on Aging and
Health. His secondary appointments were in the bioethics, medicine, political
science and sociology departments. Binstock received
his bachelor's and doctoral degrees in political science from Harvard
University.
A
former president of the Gerontological Society of
America (GSA), Binstock served as director of a White
House Task Force on Older Americans, and as chairman and member of a number of
advisory panels to the federal, state and local governments and foundations. He
was a former chair of the Gerontological Health
Section of the American Public Health Association, and a member of the
MacArthur Foundation's Research Network on an Aging Society.
Dr.
Binstock was a prolific author, publishing more than
300 articles, book chapters, monographs and books, the majority of them
discussing politics and policies affecting aging. His numerous books includeAging Nation: The Economics and Politics of Growing
Older in America (2008), and multiple editions of the Handbook of Aging and the
Social Sciences.
He
was esteemed in his field, receiving GSA's 2011 M. Powell Lawton Award, the
2010 Distinguished Professor Award from the UCLA Academic Geriatric Resource
Center and Case Western's 2010 Frank and Dorothy Humel
Hovorka Prize, honoring his accomplishments as a
teacher, a researcher and an advocate in the fields of gerontology and
geriatrics. His other awards include the Kent Award; the Brookdale
Award; the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Key Award from the American
Public Health Association's Gerontological Health
Section; the American Society on Aging (ASA) Award (1994); the ASA Hall of Fame
Award (2006); and the Ollie A. Randall Award from the National Council on
Aging.
A
longtime supporter of ASA, Dr. Binstock gave
generously of his time and expertise to ASA's publications and endeavors,
serving for many years on the Aging Today Editorial Advisory Board, and
contributing numerous articles both to Aging Today and to Generations, the ASA
quarterly journal.
http://www.asaging.org/blog/robert-binstock-expert-politics-aging-dies-75
II.
News, Research, Reports and Presentations
United
States Special Committee on Aging
Aging
in America: Future Challenges, Promise and Potential
December
14, 2011
Senator
Herb Kohl (D-WI), Chairman
Senator
Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Former Chairman
Panelists
Dr.
Rob Hudson, Professor of Social Policy at Boston University
John
Rother, President and CEO, National Coalition on
Health Care and NCHC Action Fund
Kathy
Greenlee, Assistant Secretary for the Administration on Aging
Dr.
Richard J. Hodes, Director of the National Institute
on Aging (NIA)
Dr.
Jack Rowe, Director, MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Successful Aging
and Professor at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public
Health
Michael
Harsh, Chief Technology Officer, GE Healthcare
Henry
Aaron, Bruce and Virginia MacLaury Senior Fellow, the
Brookings Institution
Dr.
Laura Carstensen, Professor of Psychology and the Fairleigh S. Dickinson Jr. Professor in Public Policy at
Stanford University
Meeting
Materials and a link to the video of the event are online at: http://aging.senate.gov/hearing_detail.cfm?id=335149&
AARP
Public Policy Institute Solutions Forum: Promoting Aging in Place Policies and
Practices that Work
On
December 8, AARP and The National Conference of State Legislatures hosted a
discussion of the new report:"Aging in Place: A State Survey of Livability
Policies and Practices", published jointly by the AARP Public Policy
Institute and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). The
panel discussion included state legislators and program managers and focused on
state land use, transportation and housing policies that help older adults
remain in their homes and communities as they age. Speakers provided a behind
the scenes look at how states across the country are breaking down the barriers
to building livable communities. This includes successful efforts to integrate
land use, housing and transportation policy; design complete streets; and
provide services and supports at home. Meeting Materials and a link to the
video of the event are online at:
http://www.aarp.org/home-garden/livable-communities/info-11-2011/solutions-forum-aging-in-place.html
Lead
Concentrations in Relation to Multiple Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Disease:
the Normative Aging Study
Peters
JL, Kubzansky LD, Ikeda A, Fang SC, Sparrow D, et al.
2011 Lead Concentrations in Relation to Multiple Biomarkers of Cardiovascular
Disease: the Normative Aging Study. Environ Health Perspect
doi:10.1289/ehp.1103467
Background:
In animal and human studies, lead exposure has been related to cardiovascular
disease (CVD). However, the mechanisms of action have not been fully
elucidated. We, therefore, examined the relationship between lead and multiple
biomarkers of CVD.
Method:
Participants were older men from the Normative Aging Study (NAS) without
preexisting coronary heart disease, diabetes or active infection at baseline
(N=426). Serum biomarkers included lipid profile [total cholesterol,
high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and
triglyceride] and inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein, intercellular
adhesion molecule-1, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor receptor-2 (TNF-R)].
Results:
Lead levels were associated with several CVD biomarkers, including TNF-R and
lipid markers. Specifically, in multivariable models, a 50% increase in blood
lead was associated with 26% increased odds of high TNF-R (>5.52 ng/mL)
[OR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.09-1.45]. There were positive associations of blood lead
with total cholesterol and HDL, more evident when modeled as continuous
outcomes than categorized using clinically-relevant cut-points. In addition,
longitudinal analyses indicated a significant increase in TNF-R over time in
association with high blood lead at the preceding visit.
Conclusion:
Blood lead may be related with CVD through its association with TNF-R in
healthy older men. In addition, the magnitude of the association of blood lead
with TNF-R increased with age in the study population. http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1103467
Improving
the Linkages between Air Pollution Epidemiology and Quantitative Risk
Assessment
Fann N, Bell ML,Walker K, Hubbell B, 2011
Improving the Linkages between Air Pollution Epidemiology and Quantitative Risk
Assessment. Environ Health Perspect 119(12): doi:10.1289/ehp.1103780
Background:
Air pollution epidemiology plays an integral role in both identifying the
hazards of air pollution as well as supplying the risk coefficients that are
used in quantitative risk assessments. Evidence from both epidemiology and risk assessments has historically supported critical
environmental policy decisions. The extent to which risk assessors can properly
specify a quantitative risk assessment and characterize key sources of
uncertainty depends in part on the availability, and clarity, of data and
assumptions in the epidemiological studies.
Objectives:
We discuss the interests shared by air pollution epidemiology and risk
assessment communities in ensuring that the findings of epidemiological studies
are appropriately characterized and applied correctly in risk assessments. We
highlight the key input parameters for risk assessments and consider how modest
changes in the characterization of these data might enable more accurate risk
assessments that better represent the findings of epidemiological studies.
Discussion:
We argue that more complete information regarding the methodological choices
and input data used in epidemiological studies would support more accurate risk
assessments—to the benefit of both disciplines. In particular, we suggest
including additional details regarding air quality, demographic, and health
data, as well as certain types of data-rich graphics.
Conclusions:
Relatively modest changes to the data reported in epidemiological studies will
improve the quality of risk assessments and help prevent the misinterpretation
and mischaracterization of the results of epidemiological studies. Such changes
may also benefit epidemiologists undertaking meta-analyses. We suggest
workshops as a way to improve the dialogue between the two communities. http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1103780
Arsenic
Exposure and Hypertension: A Systematic Review
Abhyankar
LN, Jones MR, Guallar E, Navas-Acien A, 2011 Arsenic Exposure and
Hypertension: A Systematic Review. Environ Health Perspect
doi:10.1289/ehp.1103988
Objective:
To summarize published epidemiologic studies concerning arsenic exposure and
hypertension or blood pressure measurements.
Data
sources and extraction: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Toxline and applied
pre-determined exclusion criteria. Eleven cross-sectional studies were
identified. Measures of association were abstracted or derived. Pooled odds
ratios were calculated using inverse-variance weighted random-effects models.
Conclusion:
This systematic review identified an association between arsenic and the
prevalence of hypertension. Interpreting a causal effect of arsenic on
hypertension is limited by the small number of studies, the presence of
influential studies and the absence of prospective evidence. Additional
evidence is needed to evaluate the dose-response relationship between arsenic
exposure and hypertension.
http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1103988
Overt
and Latent Cardiac Effects of Ozone Inhalation in Rats: Evidence for Autonomic
Modulation and Increased Myocardial Vulnerability
Farraj AK, Hazari MS, Winsett DW, Kulukulualani A, Carll AP, et al. 2011 Overt and Latent Cardiac Effects of
Ozone Inhalation in Rats: Evidence for Autonomic Modulation and Increased
Myocardial Vulnerability. Environ Health Perspect
doi:10.1289/ehp.1104244
Background:
Ozone (O3) is a well-documented respiratory oxidant, but increasing
epidemiologic evidence points to extra-pulmonary effects including positive
associations between ambient O3 concentrations and cardiovascular
morbidity/mortality.
Objectives:
With preliminary reports linking O3 exposure with changes in heart rate (HR),
we hypothesized that a single inhalation exposure to O3 will cause
concentration-dependent autonomic modulation of cardiac function in rats.
Methods:
Rats implanted with telemeters to monitor HR and the electrocardiogram were
exposed once by whole-body inhalation for 4 hr to 0.2 or 0.8 parts per million
(ppm) O3 or filtered air. A separate cohort was
tested for vulnerability to aconitine-induced
arrhythmia 24 hr after exposure.
Conclusions:
O3 exposure causes several alterations in cardiac electrophysiology that are
likely mediated by modulation of autonomic input to the heart. Moreover,
exposure to low O3 concentrations may cause subclinical effects that are only
manifested when triggered by a stressor, suggesting that the health effects of
ambient levels of air pollutants may be insidious and potentially
underestimated (This abstract does not reflect EPA policy). http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1104244
Assessing
the Influence of Indoor Exposure to "Outdoor Ozone" on the
Relationship between Ozone and Short-term Mortality in U.S. Communities
Chen
C, Zhao B, Weschler CJ, 2011 Assessing the Influence
of Indoor Exposure to "Outdoor Ozone" on the Relationship between
Ozone and Short-term Mortality in U.S. Communities. Environ Health Perspect doi:10.1289/ehp.1103970
Background:
City-to-city differences have been reported for the increase in short-term
mortality associated with a given increase in ozone concentration (ozone
mortality coefficient). Although ozone concentrations are monitored at central
outdoor locations, a large fraction of total ozone exposure occurs indoors.
Objectives:
To clarify the influence of indoor exposure to ozone of outdoor origin on short
term mortality, we conducted an analysis to determine whether variation in
ozone mortality coefficients among U.S. cities might be partly explained by
differences in total ozone exposure (from both outdoor and indoor exposures)
resulting from the same outdoor ozone concentration.
Methods:
We estimated average annual air change rates (the overall rate at which indoor
air is replaced with outdoor air) and used these to estimate the change in
total ozone exposure per unit change in outdoor ozone exposure (ozone exposure
coefficient) for 18 cities that had been included in the National Morbidity and
Mortality Air Pollution Study (NMMAPS). We then examined associations between
both parameters and ozone mortality coefficients obtained from Smith et al.
(2009).
Conclusions:
Differences in ozone mortality coefficients among cities appear to partially
reflect differences in total ozone exposure resulting from differences in the
amount of outdoor ozone that is transported indoors. http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1103970
Estimated
Acute Effects of Ambient Ozone and Nitrogen Dioxide on Mortality in the Pearl
River Delta of Southern China
Tao Y, Huang W, Huang X, Zhong L,
Lu S-E, et al. 2011 Estimated Acute Effects of Ambient Ozone and Nitrogen
Dioxide on Mortality in the Pearl River Delta of Southern China. Environ Health
Perspect doi:10.1289/ehp.1103715
Background
and Objectives: Epidemiologic studies have attributed adverse health effects to
air pollution; however, controversy remains regarding the relationship between
ambient oxidants (ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)) and mortality,
especially in Asia. We conducted a four-city time-series study to investigate
acute effects of O3and NO2 in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) of Southern China,
with data from 2006 to 2008.
Results:
We found consistent positive associations between ambient oxidants and daily
mortality across the PRD cities. Overall, 10-μg/m3 increases in average O3
and NO2 concentrations over the previous two days were associated with 0.81%
(95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63-1.00%) and 1.95% (95% CI, 1.62-2.29%)
increases in total mortality, respectively, with stronger estimated effects for
cardiovascular and respiratory mortality. After adjustment for PM10, estimated
effects of O3 on total and cardiovascular mortality were stronger for exposure
during high exposure months (September through November), whereas respiratory
mortality was associated with O3 exposure during nonpeak exposure months only.
Conclusions:
Our findings suggest significant acute mortality effects of O3 and NO2 in the
PRD and strengthen the rationale for further limiting the ambient pollution
levels in the area.
http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/articleinfo%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1103715
A
Method to Estimate the Chronic Health Impact of Air Pollutants in U.S.
Residences
Logue JM, Price PN, Sherman MH, Singer BC, 2011 A Method to
Estimate the Chronic Health Impact of Air Pollutants in U.S. Residences.
Environ Health Perspect doi:10.1289/ehp.1104035
Background:
Indoor air pollutants (IAPs) cause multiple health impacts. Prioritizing
mitigation options that differentially impact individual pollutants and
comparing IAPs to other environmental health hazards requires a common metric
of harm.
Objectives:
The objective was to demonstrate a methodology to quantify and compare health
impacts from IAPs. The methodology is needed to assess population health
impacts of large-scale initiatives – including energy efficiency upgrades and
ventilation standards – that affect indoor air quality (IAQ).
Results:
PM2.5, acrolein, and formaldehyde accounted for the
vast majority of DALY losses caused by IAPs considered in this analysis, with
impacts on par or greater than estimates for secondhand tobacco smoke and
radon. Confidence intervals of DALYs lost derived from epidemiology-based
response functions are tighter than those derived from toxicology-based,
inter-species extrapolations. Statistics on disease incidence in the US
indicate that the upper-bound confidence interval for aggregate IAP harm is
implausibly high.
Conclusions:
The demonstrated approach may be used to assess regional and national
initiatives that impact IAQ at the population level. Cumulative health impacts
from inhalation in U.S. residences of the IAPs assessed in this study are
estimated at 400–1100 DALYs annually per 100,000 people.
http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1104035
Environmental
Lead after Hurricane Katrina: Implications for Future Populations
Rabito
FA, Iqbal S, Perry S, Arroyave
W, Rice JC, 2011 Environmental Lead after Hurricane Katrina: Implications for
Future Populations. Environ Health Perspect
doi:10.1289/ehp.1103774
Background:
As a result of Hurricane Katrina, over 100,000 homes were destroyed or damaged
and a significant amount of sediment was deposited throughout the city.
Researchers identified the potential for increased lead hazards from
environmental lead contamination of soils.
Objectives:
To assess the distribution of residential soil and dust lead two years
post-storm. The secondary objective was to compare soil lead pre- and
post-storm.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted in New Orleans, Louisiana. Households
were selected by stratified random sampling. A standard residential
questionnaire was administered and lead testing of both the interior and
exterior of homes was performed. Logistic regression was used to identify
significant predictors of interior and exterior lead levels in excess of
allowable levels.
Results:
109 households were enrolled; 61% had at least one lead measurement above
federal standards. Of homes with bare soil, 47% had elevated lead and 27% had
levels exceeding 1200 ppm. Housing age was associated
with soil lead; housing age and soil lead were associated with interior lead.
Race, income and ownership status were not significantly associated with either
interior or exterior lead levels. The median soil lead level of 560 ppm was significantly higher than the median level of
samples collected before Hurricane Katrina.
Conclusions:
The high prevalence (61%) of lead above recommended levels in soil and dust
samples in and around residences raises concern about potential health risks to
the New Orleans population, most notably children. Steps should be taken to
mitigate the risk of exposure to lead-contaminated soil and dust. Further
research is needed to quantify the possible contribution of reconstruction
activities to environmental lead levels.
http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1103774
Greenversations:
Blogging at EPA
Let's
Feed People, Not Landfills-- By Felicia Chou
I've seen a lot of mold in my life. Bluish-green spotty
ones, cottony white ones, even bright orange ones. I've been seeing them more
often when digging around in my fridge, which is now a thriving spore-iffic ecosystem. To read the entire blog see: http://blog.epa.gov/blog/2011/11/23/not-landfills/
Science
Wednesday: Net Zero-- By Leslie Gillespie-Marthaler
As
someone who has spent time on military installations and has a great respect
for the Army community, I'm thrilled to be helping the Army work toward
"Net Zero" and sustainability. I've lived on installations myself,
and know firsthand that they are very much like small cities. With thousands of
soldiers, civilians and families on base, they face many of the same challenges
that cities around the country are facing, including increased energy costs,
limited water resources and aging infrastructure. For example, last year Army
installations used 41.8 billion gallons of potable water at a cost of $67.4
million. To read the entire blog see: http://blog.epa.gov/blog/2011/11/30/science-wednesday-net-zero/
No
call, no text, no update behind the wheel: NTSB calls
for nationwide ban on PEDs while driving
Following
(the NTS) Board meeting on the 2010 multi-vehicle highway accident in Gray
Summit, Missouri, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) called for
the first-ever nationwide ban on driver use of portable electronic devices
(PEDs) while operating a motor vehicle.
The
safety recommendation specifically calls for the 50 states and the District of
Columbia to ban the nonemergency use of portable electronic devices (other than
those designed to support the driving task) for all drivers. The safety
recommendation also urges use of the NHTSA model of high-visibility enforcement
to support these bans and implementation of targeted communication campaigns to
inform motorists of the new law and heightened enforcement.
"According
to NHTSA, more than 3,000 people lost their lives last year in
distraction-related accidents", said Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. "It is time for all of us to stand up for
safety by turning off electronic devices when driving.""No call, no
text, no update, is worth a human life."
On
August 5, 2010, on a section of Interstate 44 in Gray Summit, Missouri, a
pickup truck ran into the back of a truck-tractor that had slowed due to an
active construction zone. The pickup truck, in turn, was struck from behind by
a school bus. That school bus was then hit by a second school bus that had been
following. As a result, two people died and 38 others were injured. The NTSB's
investigation revealed that the pickup driver sent and received 11 text
messages in the 11 minutes preceding the accident. The last text was received
moments before the pickup struck the truck-tractor.
The
Missouri accident is the most recent distraction accident the NTSB has
investigated. However, the first investigation involving distraction from a
wireless electronic device occurred in 2002, when a novice driver, distracted
by a conversation on her cell phone, veered off the roadway in Largo, Maryland,
crossed the median, flipped the car over, and killed five people. Since then,
the NTSB has seen the deadliness of distraction across all modes of
transportation. "The data is clear; the time to act is now. How many more
lives will be lost before we, as a society, change our
attitudes about the deadliness of distractions?" Hersman
said.
A
synopsis of the NTSB report, including the probable cause, findings, and a
complete list of the safety recommendations, will be available online after the
meeting. http://www.ntsb.gov/news/2011/111213.html
III.
New Resources and Opportunities
Green
Heart: U.S. EPA Air Pollution and the Heart
Heart
Disease is the number one killer for women, as well as for men. Unfortunately
many women think of a heart attack as a problem for men, not them. Each year,
approximately 400,000 American women die from Heart disease and more than 42
million women are currently living with some form of cardiovascular disease
(heart disease). As a matter of fact, heart disease kills more women than the
next seven causes of death combined.
You
probably already know about healthy behaviors for the heart, such as, not
smoking, being active, and maintaining a healthy weight and diet. Other
important factors are your cholesterol levels, blood pressure and glucose
levels. But are you familiar with the risk factor of unhealthy air and the
invisible particle pollution that can harm your heart? Do you know where to
find information about out the air quality in your community or zip code?
This
webinar will discuss the importance of being aware of the environmental hazard
of air pollution and its potential health impacts on the heart. If you are a
woman, or know a woman, have a mother, a grandmother or a granddaughter, then
this webinar is for you. We also want to you to help us spread the word about
heart disease and air quality by wearing a green heart this coming February
when we wear red to raise awareness of heart disease in women and a green heart
to remember to check the air quality index.
Presentations
by Dr. Wayne Cascio, Dr. Robert Brook and Susan Stone
of the green heart webinar are available at: http://www.epa.gov/aging/press/green_heart.html
IV.
Building Healthy Communities - Sustainable Communities
Decade
of Action for Road Safety
The
first ever Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 was launched last May
with great enthusiasm and optimism across the world. "Decade of Action for
Road Safety 2011-2020: global launch" offers some of the highlights of the
launch from across the globe, detailing events both big and small - from
high-level ministerial gatherings and press conferences to local public
awareness-raising events. It captures many of the visuals from these
gatherings, including the illuminations of iconic landmarks with the road
safety "tag." The brochure also documents the release of national
plans for the Decade as well as introductions of new road safety legislation in
a number of countries. http://www.who.int/roadsafety/decade_of_action/en/
Improving
Global Road Safety: UN Report
Nearly
1.3 million people worldwide die each year of road crashes and 90% in low- and
middle-income countries. Another 20 to 50 million people suffer serious
injuries. Road traffic fatalities are also the leading cause of death for
people from 10 to 24 years of age. See: http://www.who.int/roadsafety/about/resolutions/sept_2011_sg_report_en.pdf
Vision
Zero: Best practices for safer roads from Sweden and the U.S.
In
1997, the Swedish Ministry of Industry, Employment and Communications made a
revolutionary proposition to parliament: that no traffic fatalities would be
acceptable and that this principle would guide the country's transportation
decisions, the so-called "Vision Zero". Many were skeptical in the
beginning but now, 14 years later, Sweden has the lowest per capita traffic
fatalities in the world. Sweden had just 355 traffic fatalities in 2009, close
to a third that of the U.S traffic mortality rate.
The
"Vision Zero" concept is based on designing transportation systems
that minimize the effects of human driver error. The concept has included
successful measures for a safe traffic system design with the right
infrastructure, vehicle technology, control and surveillance.
In
the United States, transportation officials and safety advocates are working
similarly to bring attention to traffic fatalities. Changing safety culture and
common complacency to fatalities forms the bedrock of these efforts.
"Toward Zero Deaths," a comprehensive strategy to address
unacceptable fatalities is a recent, major advance in this direction.
See: http://www.swedishtrade.se/usa/visionzero
US
DOT: Lowest Traffic Fatalities in 60 Years
By
Andrea Bernstein
Traffic
Fatality Report: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811552.pdf
U.S.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced updated 2010 fatality and
injury data showing that highway deaths fell to 32,885 for the year, the lowest
level since 1949. The record-breaking decline in traffic fatalities occurred
even as American drivers traveled nearly 46 billion more miles during the year,
an increase of 1.6 percent over the 2009 level.
"While
we have more work to do to continue to protect American motorists, these
numbers show we're making historic progress when it comes to improving safety
on our nation's roadways," said Secretary LaHood. "Thanks to the
tireless work of our safety agencies and partner organizations over the past
few decades, to save lives and reduce injuries, we're saving lives, reducing
injuries, and building the foundation for what we hope will be even greater
success in the future."
The
updated information released by the Department of Transportation's National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today indicates 2010 also saw the
lowest fatality rate ever recorded, with 1.10 deaths per 100 million vehicle
miles traveled in 2010, down from 1.15 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles
traveled in 2009.
Other
key statistics include:
*
· Fatalities declined in most categories in 2010, including for occupants of
passenger cars and light trucks (including SUVs, minivans and pickups).
*
· Deaths in crashes involving drunk drivers dropped 4.9 percent in 2010, taking
10,228 lives compared to 10,759 in 2009.
*
· Fatalities rose among pedestrians, motorcycle riders, and large truck
occupants.
New
Measure of Fatalities Related to Distracted Driving
NHTSA
also unveiled a new measure of fatalities related to distracted
driving today, called "distraction-affected crashes." Introduced for
2010 as part of a broader effort by the agency to refine its data collection to
get better information about the role of distraction in crashes, the new
measure is designed to focus more narrowly on crashes in which a driver was
most likely to have been distracted. While NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting
System (FARS) previously recorded a broad range of potential distractions, such
as careless driving and cell phone present in the vehicle, the new measure
focuses on distractions that are most likely to affect crash involvement, such
as distraction by dialing a cellular phone or texting and distraction by an
outside person/event. New data released today by NHTSA using its refined
methodology show an estimated 3,092 fatalities in distraction-affected crashes
in 2010.
http://transportationnation.org/2011/12/08/us-dot-lowest-traffic-fatalities-in-60-years/
V.
Pharmaceuticals in the Environment
Next
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day: April 28, 2012
The
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has scheduled another National
Prescription Drug Take Back Day which will take place on Saturday, April 28,
2012, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity for those who
missed the previous events, or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted,
unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of those medications.
Americans
that participated in the DEA's third National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
on October 29, 2011, turned in more than 377,086 pounds (188.5 tons) of
unwanted or expired medications for safe and proper disposal at the 5,327
take-back sites that were available in all 50 states and U.S. territories. When
the results of the three prior Take Back Days are combined, the DEA, and its
state, local, and tribal law-enforcement and community partners have removed
995,185 pounds (498.5 tons) of medication from circulation in the past 13
months.
"The
amount of prescription drugs turned in by the American public during the past
three Take-Back Day events speaks volumes about the need to develop a
convenient way to rid homes of unwanted or expired prescription drugs,"
said DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart. "DEA
remains hard at work to establish just such a drug disposal process, and will
continue to offer take-back opportunities until the proper regulations are in
place."
"With
the continued support and hard work of our more than 3,945 state, local, and
tribal law enforcement and community partners, these three events have
dramatically reduced the risk of prescription drug diversion and abuse, and
increased awareness of this critical public health issue," said Leonhart.
Please
check back in March to locate collection sites near you.
http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html
Drug
Deaths Now Outnumber Traffic Fatalities in US
December
15, 2011. By Anthony Gucciardi
In
2009, drugs exceeded the amount of traffic-related deaths, killing at least
37,485 people nationwide. According to information provided by the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, the very pharmaceuticals that are
prescribed to treat life-endangering conditions are now ending lives.
The
death toll is partially due to an increase in mental illness medication known
as psychotropics, which have been criticized by
health experts as being often-times unnecessarily prescribed. The pills, given
to patients to prevent suicide thoughts and tendencies, may actually lead to
suicidal thoughts and suicide.
In
2005, it was found that link between Prozac and suicidal behavior was kept a
secret. The BBC even reported in as early as the year 2000 that Prozac 'led to
suicide'. Often-times killers will end their own lives after shootings, or
attempt to force the cops to kill them. This is essentially a form of suicide
with a mixture of murderous tendencies. If Prozac can drive someone to suicide,
could it also drive someone to end someone else's life? Paxil, an
anti-depressant drug, was found to be linked to violent behavior in 2006. The
link incited multiple lawsuits, and brings up questions as to whether or not
similar drugs have the same effects. http://exposingthetruth.info/drug-deaths-now-outnumber-traffic-fatalities-in-us/
VI.
Intergenerational Activities
Best
Intergenerational Communities: Generations United and MetLife Foundation
Think
your community stands out because it works hard to acknowledge and serve all
ages? Then Generations United and MetLife Foundation want to hear from you as
we launch the first-ever "Best Intergenerational Communities Awards."
Judges will select five communities based on standard criteria that take into
account a community's own demographics, services, programs and organizational
structure. We'll recognize winning communities for their specific
intergenerational successes, not as compared to other applicants. Applications
are due January 31, 2012.
http://www2.gu.org/OURWORK/Programs/BestIntergenerationalCommunitiesAwards.aspx
The
Arts and Human Development: Framing a National Agenda for the Arts and Lifelong
Learning & Individual Well-Being
The
National Endowment for the Arts and the U.S. Department of Health & Human
Services hosted last March a first-of-its-kind event to showcase and discuss
recent research on the arts and human development. The one-day forum examined
the relationship between the arts and positive health and educational outcomes
at various segments of the lifespan -- from early childhood, to youth and
adolescence, to older adult populations. This white paper summarizes major
themes from the forum, and highlights related studies. It also makes
recommendations toward establishing a long-term federal partnership to promote
research and evidence-sharing nationwide. http://www.arts.gov/research/TaskForce/Arts-and-Human-Development.html
2012
Rachel Carson Contest
Watch
for an announcement in January for the 6th year of the Rachel Carson Sense of
Wonder Contest. The contest is sponsored by the EPA in partnership with Generations
United, the Rachel Carson Council Inc., the Dance Exchange and the National
Center for Creative Aging.
See:
http://www.epa.gov/aging/resources/thesenseofwonder/2011/
Promoting
Intergenerational and Environmental Health Across the
Lifespan
New
York City - June 7-8, 2012
Mark
your calendar for an extraordinary conference, unlike any you have been to
before. This 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."
For
more information see: http://www.healthandenvironment.org/news/conference/intergen2012
VII.
Funding Opportunities
EPA
Funding Opportunities
Activities
that Reduce Global Anthropogenic Methane Emissions
This
notice announces the availability of funds and solicits proposals for
investigation, survey, study, training, and demonstration projects (eligible
projects) that advance international near-term, cost-effective methane
abatement and/or recovery and use as a clean energy source, and support the
goals of the Global Methane Initiative. This funding opportunity is only for
international activities in support of the Global Methane Initiative. Benefits
to the U.S. will result from the mitigation in climate change emissions and the
potential use of U.S. technologies and services in projects around the world.
Deadline:
January 19, 2012.
http://www.epa.gov/air/grants_funding.html
FY
2012 Request for Proposals from Indian Tribes and Intertribal Consortia for
Nonpoint Source Management Grants Under Clean Water
Act (CWA) Section 319
The
purpose of this grant program is to provide funding for tribes to implement
their nonpoint source (NPS) management programs developed pursuant to CWA
section 319(b). The primary goal of the NPS management program is to control
NPS pollution through implementation of management measures and practices to
reduce pollutant loadings resulting from each category or subcategory of NPSs
identified in the tribe's NPS assessment report developed pursuant to CWA
section 319(a). EPA has set aside a portion of section 319 funds appropriated
by Congress for competitive grant awards to tribes for the purpose of funding
the development and implementation of watershed-based plans and other
on-the-ground watershed projects that result in a significant step towards
solving NPS impairments on a watershed-wide basis.
Deadline:
January 20, 2012.
http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/nps/tribal/upload/fy12-tribal-319-rfp.pdf
Environmental
Justice Small Grants Program
The
Environmental Justice Small Grants Program supports and empowers communities
working on solutions to local environmental and public health issues. The
program assists recipients in building collaborative partnerships to help them
understand and address environmental and public health issues in their
communities. Successful collaborative partnerships involve not only
well-designed strategic plans to build, maintain and sustain the partnerships,
but also working towards addressing the local environmental and public health
issues. Deadline: February 29, 2012, 11:59am EST
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice/grants/ej-smgrants.html#rfp
Urban
Waters Small Grants
EPA
is soliciting proposals from eligible applicants for projects that will
contribute to improved water quality in urban areas. The goal of the Urban
Waters Small Grants is to fund research, studies, training, and demonstration
projects that will advance the restoration of urban waters by improving water
quality through activities that also support community revitalization and other
local priorities. In general, projects should promote a comprehensive
understanding of local water quality issues; identify and support activities
that address these issues at the local level; engage, educate and empower
communities surrounding the urban water body; and benefit surrounding
communities including those that have been adversely impacted by the water
pollution issues affecting the urban water body.
Deadline:
January 23, 2012.
http://www.epa.gov/urbanwaters/funding/
Other
Funding Opportunities
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.
Deadline:
May 24, 2012.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-10-235.html
Advancing
Novel Science in Women's 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
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
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://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-10-264.html
VIII.
2011 Calendar of Events & Meetings
December
2011 Calendar
UN
National Mountain Day
December
11, 2011
2012
Calendar of Events http://www.epa.gov/aging/calendar/2012/index.htm#2012_01
January
2012 Calendar
National
Radon Action Month
National
Radon Action Month is this January and EPA encourages your
to take simple and affordable steps to Test, Fix, and Save a Life from radon,
the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. As many as 21,000 people die
from lung cancer each year in the United States from exposure to indoor radon
but this health hazard can be prevented. For more information on how to Test,
Fix, Save a Life, obtain a text kit, or contact your state radon office, visit
http://www.epa.gov/radon or call 1-800-SOS-RADON. http://www.epa.gov/radon/nram/
February
2012 Calendar
Black
History Month
http://www.history.com/topics/black-history-month
American
Heart Disease Awareness Month
http://www.healthcentral.com/heart-disease/american-heart-month.html
National
Poison Prevention Month
http://www.poisonprevention.org/
New
Partners for Smart Growth Annual Conference
February
2-4, 2012
San
Diego, CA
Great
Backyard Bird Count
Feb
17-20, 2012
http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/
Association
of Gerontology in Higher Education
February
23-26, 2012
Arlington, VA
March
2012 Calendar
Women's
History Month
http://womenshistorymonth.gov/
Save
Your Vision Month
National
Ground Water Awareness Week
March
11-17, 2012
http://www.ngwa.org/Events-Education/groundwater-day/Pages/default.aspx
World
Water Day
March
22, 2012
American
Society on Aging Annual Conference — Aging in America
March
28- April 1, 2012
Washington,
DC
http://www.agingconference.org
IX.
Call for Abstracts
CSTE
2012 Annual Conference (Conference
dates June 3-7, 2012 in Omaha, Nebraska)
http://cste.abstractcentral.com/
Deadline
January 6, 2012.
International
Academy on Nutrition and Aging meeting
(Conference
dates July 12 - 13, 2012 in Albuquerque, New Mexico)
http://hsc.unm.edu/som/cme/2012/IANA/IANA.shtml
Abstract
Form http://hsc.unm.edu/som/cme/2012/IANA/IANA.shtml
Deadline
January 24, 2012.
Save
the Date!
Children's
Environmental Health Network 2012 Research Conference
The
Contribution of Epigenetics in Pediatric
Environmental Health
This conference is intended for research scientists in the
fields of environmental health, epidemiology, and environmental toxicology, as
well as for public health professionals. Students in these disciplines are
encouraged to register.
May 30, 2012 June 1st 2012. San Francisco, CA