Blueprint Partners Progress Newsletter: July 2007

In This Issue

DHHS Sponsors Satellite Broadcast on Caregiving
HHS Effort Launched to Improve the Health of Hispanic Elders
American Foundation for the Blind Launches Web Site
Study Findings Linking Diet and Lifestyle with Cancer Risk Listed Online
RWJF Study Measured Community Readiness to Improve Health Care Quality
Active Aging Week is held on Last Week in September
AARP Web Site Rates Communities
Upcoming Events and Conferences

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DHHS Sponsors Satellite Broadcast on Caregiving
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) offers programs and support to help people with disabilities and their caregivers to become fully engaged in community life. On September 19, 2007, the agency is presenting a broadcast that can be viewed at downlink sites across the country at 1:00-3:00 p.m. ESDT. The broadcast includes a panel of DHHS experts who will provide information about programs so that caregivers will take advantage of government services and support, and government partners and service providers will better deliver and coordinate these services. During the coming months, DHHS will sponsor additional educational satellite broadcasts on issues that are important to caregivers and service providers.
For more information and a list of broadcast locations, visit:
www.cms.hhs.gov

HHS Effort Launched to Improve the Health of Hispanic Elders
Five government agencies, including Health and Human Services, have teamed up to assist local communities in nine metropolitan areas with large Hispanic populations to develop more coordinated strategies for improving the health and well-being of Hispanic elders. This initiative will encourage Hispanic elders and their families to take advantage of new Medicare benefits, including prescription drug coverage, flu shots, diabetes screening and self-management, cardiovascular screening, cancer screening services, and smoking cessation programs.
For more information about the initiative, visit:
www.academyhealth.org

American Foundation for the Blind Launches Web Site
The new American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) Senior Site is designed for seniors losing their vision, their families, and the professionals who serve them. Materials on the site, such as articles, videos, and links, are provided to enhance the independence of older people beginning to experience vision loss and to dispel fears about what this health condition may mean.
www.afb.org/seniorsite

Study Findings Linking Diet and Lifestyle with Cancer Risk Listed Online
Since 1987, AARP and the National Cancer Institute have collaborated on the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study to understand the impact of dietary and lifestyle factors on the risk for developing cancer. The AARP Web site links to summaries of recently published reports on this issue.

RWJF Study Measured Community Readiness to Improve Health Care Quality
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Center for Health Improvement studied seven important attributes of 14 communities, including community leadership and health information quality infrastructure, to compare communities’ state of readiness to improve health care quality in outpatient settings for patients with chronic conditions. The report is available at:

Active Aging Week is Held on Last Week in September
The International Council on Active Aging has announced this year’s theme for Active Aging Week 2007: “Choose an active life.” The annual event will be held Sept. 24-Oct. 1, during which host organizations will provide free activities, including classes, educational seminars, access to fitness facilities, health fairs, community walks, or tennis matches. Events are typically hosted by senior centers, senior living organizations, health clubs, and park and recreation centers.
www.icaa.cc/aaw.htm

AARP Web Site Rates Communities
On AARP’s community exchange Web page, site users can learn what other communities are doing to improve housing and mobility conditions, talk with others in the online community, and rate their own town as a good place to live. The community rating quiz considers factors such as transportation options, safety and security, housing, recreation and culture, and health and community services.
communityexchange.aarp.org

Upcoming Events and Conferences

2007 Minority Women’s Health Summit: Aug. 23-26, 2007; Washington, D.C.; Office on Women’s Health

ACE International Fitness Symposium: Sept. 4-7, 2007; Las Vegas, NV; American Council on Exercise

Life @ 50+: AARP National Event & Expo: Sept. 6-8, 2007; Boston, MA

NCGNP Annual Conference: Sept. 13-15, 2007; San Diego, CA; National Conference on Gerontological Nurse Practitioners

NRPA 2007 Congress & Expo: Sept. 25-29, 2007; Indianapolis, IN; National Recreation and Park Association

61st Annual High Blood Pressure Research Conference 2007: Sept. 26-29, 2007; Tucson, AZ; American Heart Association

AAFP Scientific Assembly: Oct. 3-7, 2007; Chicago, IL; American Academy of Family Physicians

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The Blueprint Partners Project is an initiative of the Active Aging Partnership. For more information, contact the Blueprint Partnership Office at the University of Illinois Department of Kinesiology and Community Health.
Website: www.agingblueprint.org