New Web Site Offers Physician Training for Use of CDC Growth Charts

A new training module, accessible online atwww.depts.washington.edu/growth, aims to provide training for the use and interpretation of the 2000 CDC Growth Charts. The training modules are a collaboration of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB). The Web site provides self-directed and interactive training modules for clinical and public health professionals who use growth charts to assess physical growth in infants, children, and adolescents. Each module contains learning objectives, text, examples to complete, and a glossary. Users complete the modules at their own pace and may listen to audio clips and complete self-administered tests. Modules developed by the MCHB include the following: Accurately Weighing and Measuring Infants, Children, and Adolescents; Using the CDC Growth Charts for Children with Special Health Care Needs; Adolescent Physical Development: Uses and Limitations of Growth Charts; Poor Growth in Young Children; and Head Circumference. The CDC has developed related modules, including Overview of the CDC Growth Charts; Using the BMI-for-age Growth Charts; and Overweight Children and Adolescents: Recommendations to Screen, Assess, and Manage. The CDC modules can be accessed on the same Web site by selecting “Related CDC Modules.”

AAFP Web Site Offers CME Program on Physician Bioterrorism Preparedness

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recently launched a new online audio presentation on physician bioterrorism preparedness as part of the AAFP Home Study Audio Program. AAFP members may earn up to 0.75 hours of prescribed continuing medical education (CME) credit at no cost by completing the presentation entitled “Bioterrorism.” The presentation addresses the family physician's role in recognizing and responding to bioterrorism. It discusses strategies to deal with a potential smallpox outbreak, detection and management of inhalation anthrax, protection of the nation's food and water supplies, and other topics. The audio discussion can be found online atwww.aafp.org/btresponse.xml, and selecting “Bioterrorism Audio CME.” The audio discussion was recorded by Doug Campos-Outcalt, M.D., M.P.A., medical director for clinical services at the Maricopa County Department of Public Health and associate chair in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, both in Phoenix.

HHS Awards $140 Million to HCOs Affected by Sept. 11 Terrorist Attacks

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy G. Thompson recently announced the awarding of $140 million in grants to reimburse hospitals, clinics, and other health care organizations (HCOs) for costs incurred while responding to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. This funding is in addition to the $1.1 billion in federal funds that President Bush authorized in January to strengthen state and local public health infrastructure. A total of $139,632,866 will be given to facilities in New York ($130.7 million), New Jersey ($4.6 million), Washington, D.C. ($3.9 million), and Virginia ($461,456). Grantees include hospitals, community health centers, mental health providers, blood centers, and ambulance companies that suffered losses caused by increased expenses and lost revenues related to the provision of patient care between Sept. 11 and Dec. 31, 2001. “The dedicated health care professionals who responded on September 11, 2001, and the days following showed not just great expertise but great compassion,” said Secretary Thompson. “We all know they deserve our thanks. And the organizations where they serve need our help. America can do no less for those who, with courage and ability, treated those injured in the attacks.” A complete list of grantees is available online atwww.newsroom.hrsa.gov/releases/2002releases/HHS140million.htm.

NHLBI Launches Web Site to Promote Positive Sleeping Habits in Children

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) launched Mission Z, a new and expanded Web site (starsleep.nhlbi.nih.gov) designed to educate children and their teachers, parents, and pediatricians about the importance of adequate nighttime sleep for children. The site, hosted by cartoon character Garfield the Cat, features several interactive games and downloadable Star Sleeper screen savers. The site also contains special resources for elementary school principals and teachers including sleep-oriented lesson activities and other tools to help them incorporate sleep education into classroom activities. Tools for parents include information on the importance of sleep and ways their children can get adequate sleep on a regular basis. The site is part of the NHLBI's “Sleep Well. Do Well. Star Sleeper Campaign,” a five-year educational initiative of the Institute's National Center on Sleep Disorders Research and Paws, Inc., the corporate entity behind Garfield. The campaign recommends that children get at least nine hours of sleep each night for their health and safety and to do their best in school and other activities. Founding partners of this campaign also include the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Early Registration Deadline for Patient Education Conference Is Oct. 21

The deadline for early registration, and the lowest cost, for the 24th Annual Conference on Patient Education is Oct. 21. Regular registration can be made until Nov. 20. The conference will be held Nov. 21–24 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Physicians can choose from almost 100 CME workshops, seminars, and computer sessions and earn up to 25 hours of AAFP prescribed credit. Plenary sessions include topics such as: diversity; sex, drugs, and violence in the media; and motivating behavior change. The conference is sponsored by the AAFP and the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine. For conference information or to register online, go towww.aafp.org/pec.xml.