Biological safety fact sheets
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the American Biological Safety Association in March released four new fact sheets on biological safety issues. The fact sheets, developed as a reference tool for laboratory employees, address topics such as select agent diseases and zoonotic diseases. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
New tool for parents with uninsured children
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in April released Insure Kids Now, a free online resource to help parents determine if their uninsured children are eligible for health insurance provided through the Children’s Health Insurance Program. For more information, visit www.insurekidsnow.gov or call 877-KIDS-NOW.
Center for Interventional Oncology formed
The National Institutes of Health in April announced the opening of the Center for Interventional Oncology. The center, which is a collaboration of the NIH Clinical Center, the National Cancer Institute and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, offers new and expanded opportunities to investigate cancer therapies that use imaging technology to diagnose and treat localized cancers in ways that are minimally or non-invasive. For more information, visit http://clinicalcenter.nih.gov or www.cancer.gov.
New series of public service announcements
Released in April by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the Ad Council, "Questions" is a new series of public service announcements that encourage consumers to get involved in their health care by asking appropriate questions when visiting the doctor. The ads direct audiences to visit a comprehensive Web site to learn the 10 questions that every patient should think about asking before visiting a doctor. For more information, visit www.ahrq.gov/questionsaretheanswer.
Online discussion about health system reform
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in April launched a new online forum for posting and exchanging ideas about the issues and opportunities surrounding the future of America’s health system. The Web site allows states, local governments, providers and consumers to work together to examine opportunities where health system reform might enhance prevention, treatment and recovery services to people in need. For more information, visit www.samhsa.gov/healthreform.
Domestic violence sourcebook
Released in March by Omnigraphics, the "Domestic Violence Sourcebook" provides updated information about the physical, mental and social effects of violence experienced by intimate partners, parents, children, teens and elderly adults. The sourcebook also provides information about types of abuse, prevention, guidelines for emergency intervention, safety plans and facts about financial and legal assistance for victims. For more information, visit www.omnigraphics.com or call 800-875-1340.
Redesigned Advocates for Youth Web site
Advocates for Youth in April announced the launch of their redesigned Web site. The site features tools such as the Sex Education Resource Center, Today’s News, five new blogs and more than 100 youth activist profiles. For more information, visit www.advocatesforyouth.org.
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