Blueprint Partners Progress Newsletter: November 2004

In This Issue:

Policy Briefing in Washington, D.C. on Older Adult Obesity
Active Aging Toolkit Presented at Conference
New Surgeon General’s Report on Bone Health
Website for 2005 White House Conference on Aging
Journal on Active Aging Article on Pre-enrollment Screening
National Women’s Health Indicators Database Launched

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Policy Briefing on Older Adult Obesity
The American Federation for Aging Research is hosting a policy briefing, “The Politics of Older Adult Obesity,” in Washington, D.C. on December 2, 2004. The luncheon meeting will be held at 12:00 – 2:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, 400 New Jersey Ave., NW.

Speakers include Judith Salerno, M.D., Deputy Director, National Institute on Aging; Robert Friedland, Ph.D., Director of the Center on an Aging Society, Georgetown University; Jessie Gruman, Ph.D., President, Center for the Advancement of Health; and Mike Magee, M.D., Host, HealthPolitics.com and Director, Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative.

The policy briefing will address the role of various levels of government, communities, the corporate sector, and health care systems on the fight against adult obesity and related diseases. The luncheon and policy briefing are free. Seating is limited, however, so contact John Beilenson (jbeilenson@aboutscp.com) or Christine Gherst (cgherst@aboutspc.com) at 610-687-5495 to reserve a seat.

Active Aging Toolkit Presented at AAFP Conference
The Active Aging Toolkit was presented at the American Academy of Family Physicians Annual Scientific Meeting last month. The Toolkit instructs physicians on techniques to counsel their patients, including behavioral counseling, physical assessment, and goal setting. It includes a provider manual as well as patient education materials to help teach patients how to safely begin a physical activity program. The Toolkit offers The First Step to Active Health Program, which is being used in trials by family physicians in three states. This news release provides information on the toolkit and how it will be used.

New Surgeon General’s Report on Bone Health
The U.S. Surgeon General recently released the first report on the state of America’s bone health. The report contains information about those who are most affected by osteoporosis and low bone mass, the repercussions associated with untreated bone disease, and recommendations for improving the nation’s bone health. Copies of the report and a simple guide to improving bone health, “The 2004 Surgeon General’s Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis: What it Means to You,” are now available upon request by calling 866-718-BONE.

Website for 2005 White House Conference on Aging
The White House Conference on Aging launched a new website to provide information about the planning and progress of the upcoming conference, which is scheduled for October 23-26, 2005 in Washington, D.C. The website will be updated with the development of the conference agenda, topic areas and delegate selection, and regional, state, and local information related to the conference.

Journal on Active Aging Article on Pre-Enrollment Screening
“Beyond Screening,” an article about the barriers of pre-enrollment screening, is now posted on the National Blueprint website. The authors make the case for new counseling protocols. Authors include Wojtek Chodzko-Zajko, Ph.D.; Marcia Ory, Ph.D.; and Barbara Resnick, Ph.D.
www.agingblueprint.org

National Women’s Health Indicators Database Launched
The Office on Women’s Health and the National Women’s Health Center introduced the new National Women’s Health Indicators Database, which compiles health statistics information backdated from 2000. Statistics are provided on national, regional, state, and county levels for mortality rates, access to health care, infections and chronic disease, prevention, mental health, and other topics.

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The Blueprint Partners Project is an initiative of the Active Aging Partnership. For more information, contact the National Blueprint Office at the University of Illinois Department of Kinesiology, 350 Freer Hall, 906 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801.
E-Mail: blueprint@kines.uiuc.edu
Phone: (217) 244-7122
Website: www.agingblueprint.org