RAMP Digest – August 20
GENERAL
1) Events: Become an ALA Certified Freedom from Smoking Facilitator
2) Funding Opportunity: EPA RFP for Reducing Public Exposure to Indoor Pollutants
3) Resource: Asthma Mortality Data Added to California Breathing Website
4) Study: NIAID Continues to Search for Asthma Predictors
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
5) Event: In-Use Off-Road Diesel Vehicle Regulation Training in Sacramento, September 8th and 9th
9) Job Opportunity: Breathe California seeks Community Health Programs Specialist
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
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GENERAL
1) Events: Become an ALA Certified Freedom from Smoking Facilitator
Online registration is now available for the American Lung Association (ALA) of California’s Freedom From Smoking Facilitator trainings in Sacramento and Los Angeles. These two day trainings are offered on multiple dates will teach participants about behavior change, tobacco addiction and how to facilitate the American Lung Association Freedom From Smoking Program. For more information and to register, visit: //www.mrsnv.com/evt/home.jsp?id=2623.
2) Funding Opportunity: EPA RFP for Reducing Public Exposure to Indoor Pollutants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9 is soliciting proposals from universities, state, local, multi-state, tribal governmental agencies and non-profit organizations for projects to support demonstration, training, outreach and/or education projects to reduce exposure to indoor pollutants for K-12 schools and homes. Proposals will be accepted for projects addressing three indoor air priority areas: Indoor Air Quality Management in Schools; Reduce Exposure to Indoor Asthma Triggers; Indoor Asthma Trigger Training for Health Professionals. Proposals may address more than one area. The closing date for receipt of hard copy and email submissions is September 29th. For more information, please visit: //www.epa.gov/region09/funding/pdfs/revR9-2009indoorAirRfp8-17-09.pdf.
3) Resource: Asthma Mortality Data Added to California Breathing Website
California Breathing has posted their analysis of asthma mortality data by racial/ethnic subgroups. Asthma disparities among the major racial/ethnic groups are well documented, but information on asthma outcomes for subgroups are seldom reported. By looking at Latino and Asian/Pacific Islander subgroups, this analysis examines the variation in asthma mortality rates that is obscured when the smaller groups are combined into broad categories. For more information, please visit: //www.californiabreathing.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=38&Itemid=1.
4) Study: NIAID Continues to Search for Asthma Predictors
A new study conducted by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID)funded nationwide network of clinical researchers finds there are no current clinical tests that successfully predict future risk of asthma attacks for inner-city patients adhering to current treatment recommendations. This finding differs from previous observations that suggested that these earlier conclusions were based on observation of patients with poorly controlled asthma, who had not received care based on current guidelines. For more information, visit: //www3.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2009/AsthmaPredictors.htm.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
5) Event: In-Use Off-Road Diesel Vehicle Regulation Training in Sacramento, September 8th and 9th
Free training sessions will be held to learn more about the California Air Resources Board (ARB) In-Use Off-Road Diesel Vehicle Regulation and the new provisions and compliance planning. Two sessions will be held at the Cal/EPA building in Sacramento on September 8th and 9th. The course will also be webcast. Register online at: //www.arb.ca.gov/training/courses.php?course=504. For more information, contact: Gia Moreno at gmoreno@arb.ca.gov or by phone at: 916-323-1681.
6) Event: The American Lung Association and the Contra Costa Health Plan (CCHP) offer a free class in Spanish for Adults with Asthma in Pittsburg, September 9th
Adults with asthma in Contra Costa County are invited to attend a three hour class in Spanish on how to better control their asthma symptoms and prevent asthma attacks. “Breathe Well, Live Well” (BWLW) will be taught in Spanish by a nurse and asthma specialist. BWLW is a comprehensive adult asthma management program that has been proven effective through nationwide testing. Studies show that participants in BWLW see a decrease in the severity of their asthma symptoms, have fewer respiratory problems and are more likely to stick to their asthma treatment. The class will be held at the Pittsburg Health Center, from 4-7pm. A free $20 gift card is provided to attendees who have asthma. An RSVP is required. For more information, contact: Chris Tanaka, RN, 925-313-6060.
7) Event: Informational Session for the Heavy-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Regulation in Sacramento, September 14th
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) staff is holding an informational session on the Heavy-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emission Reduction Regulation. ARB staff will present an overview and answer questions about the regulation. The regulation was developed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in California by reducing the aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance of heavy-duty tractors and trailers that travel on California highways. The session will be held at the Byron Sher Auditorium at 1001 I Street in Sacramento and broadcast via webcast. You can attend in person or watch the webcast at: //www.calepa.ca.gov./broadcast.
8) Event: Kaiser Permanente Presents the 13th Annual Asthma Health Fair at the Oakland Medical Center, October 21st
On October 21st from 9am to 4:30pm, this annual gathering will provide instruction on peak flow meters, spacers, and metered dose inhalers, asthma self-management plans, and lung function tests (spirometry). The featured “Asthma Update” speaker at noon is Dr. Ananse Taharka, Pulmonologist, Asthma Specialist, Intensive Care Unit Director at the Oakland Medical Center. For more information, contact: Kimberly Reynosa, MD, 510-752-6954.
9) Job Opportunity: Breathe California seeks Community Health Programs Specialist
Breathe California seeks a Community Health Programs Specialist who will be responsible for overseeing all activities related to conducting tobacco cessation programs with youth in San Francisco high schools. Responsibilities include: working with school personnel to provide coordinated tobacco services; promoting, recruiting and conducting cessation classes with youth; conducting classroom presentations on general tobacco issues and the benefits of quitting; and assisting peer educators on annual tobacco awareness events, etc. For more information, contact: Karen Licavoli Farnkopf at Breathe California, karenl@ggbreathe.org.
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
10) Event: The Fresno-Madera Medical Society (FMMS) Presents a Media and Speakers Bureau Training in Fresno, August 29th
The Fresno-Madera Medical Society (FMMS) is seeking physician speakers who want to learn how to develop “bullet proof” messaging to work effectively with the media and craft messages on critical issues tailored to FMMS. Topics will include: air quality, obesity prevention, or your own area of interest. The event is free and will be held on August 29th @1382 E. Alluvial #106 in Fresno (FMMS Office).
11) Event: 6th Annual Central Valley Clean Air Action Day: INVESTING GREEN IN THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY, September 1st
Join advocates from the Central Valley and allies from across the state on a fun, free and important journey to Sacramento to talk with legislators about clean air for the San Joaquin Valley! If you believe in clean air, renewable and clean technologies, and quality green jobs, complete the registration form today! Contact Neri Murillo at (559) 486-3279 x3 or nmurillo.cvaq@gmail.com for more information. To access the registration form click on the link below.
12) Event: CME Asthma Lecture for Health Care Providers hosted by the Kings County Asthma Coalition and Anthem Blue Cross in Lemoore, September 17th
“Overcoming Barriers to Asthma Guidelines” by Marie Joseph, M.D., Associate Professor at the UCSF-Fresno Department of Pediatrics, will discuss: 2007 NIH asthma guidelines; what is new and changed from previous guidelines; the role of spirometry and allergy testing in asthma; and, the new asthma co-morbidities, among other topics. The event will be held from 6-7:30pm at the West Hills College Conference Center in Lemoore. For more information, contact: Christine Pickering, 559-707-5147.
13) Fellowship Opportunity: The Great Valley Center is Accepting Applications for The Institute for the Development Of Emerging Area Leaders (IDEAL)
The IDEAL program is a six-month fellowship opportunity where emerging leaders from the Central Valley will spend two to four-day weekends learning about the important drivers that will shape our future – demographics, the economy, water, agriculture, health, education, the environment, and a variety of other issues facing the region. The upcoming IDEAL program will take place from January to June 2010. Applications are due on October 2nd and available at: //www.greatvalley.org. For more information contact: Manuel Alvarado at 209-522-5103 or manuel@greatvalley.org.
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