Highlights July 31 2003

Of Special Interest

The Administration on Aging (AoA) has posted a two-page Fact Sheet and a list of Frequently Asked Questions about the Nutrition Services Incentive Program (NSIP). The NSIP is authorized by Section 311 of the Older Americans Act (OAA) and until 2003 was administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). It was often referred to as USDA cash in lieu of commodities or USDA reimbursement. The Consolidated Appropriations Resolution of 2003 amended the OAA and transferred the appropriation and administration of the program to the AoA. As a result, the USDA no longer administers or provides funding for the OAA Nutrition Programs. For more information, please see the AoA website at http://www.aoa.gov/eldfam/Nutrition/Nutrition_services_incentive.asp.
The AoA National Summit on Creating Caring Communities is being held on September 21-23 in Orlando, Florida at the Caribe Royal Convention Center. The National Summit is designed for professionals and advocates at the state and local levels. It will provide you and members of your organization the opportunity to learn about innovative practices and prepare for the future wave of aging Baby Boomers. For more information, please visit the AoA website at http://www.hsrnet.net/AoASummit/. To register, please see the AoA website at http://www.hsrnet.net/AoASummit/registration.htm.
The aging states project: promoting opportunities for collaboration between the public health and aging services networks report. National Association of State Units on Aging. January 2003.
StairWELL to Better Health: A Worksite Intervention. The CDC’s Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity recently conducted a study to see if making physical changes to a stairwell in the Atlanta-based Koger Center Rhodes Building, combined with motivational signs and music, would motivate employees to use the stairs.

News

FDA cash injection for food security. FDA will receive $5 million to support new measures to minimise potential threats to the safety and security of the nation's food supply. (Source: Food Navigator 7/24/03)
FDA to Encourage Labeling and Competition to Aid in Healthy Diet Choices. New initiative to help consumers obtain accurate, up-to-date, and science-based information about health consequences of foods and dietary supplements. (Source: FDA Digest 7/14/03)

Food Labels Will Provide Information on Trans Fat. FDA will require manufacturers to list trans fat on the Nutrition Facts panel on food labels of foods and some dietary supplements. (Source: FRAC News Digest 7/14/03)
Cookbooks, products cater to special nutritional needs. (Source: ADA Knowledge Center 7/24/03)
National Patient Safety Goals. JCAHO adds to national patient safety goals. (Source: ADA Knowledge Center 7/24/03)

Resources

TheDataWeb. A network of online data libraries. Topics include, census data, economic data, health data, income and unemployment data, population data, labor data, cancer data, crime and transportation data, family dyanmics, and vital statistics data.
Defining Overweight and Obesity (7/2003). Provides information about obesity among adults. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (800) 311-3435.
Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. Nutrition education that offers knowledge and skills to help people control and manage their food and nutrition practices for better health and quality of life. USDA.

HIV and Seniors: Over 50 and living with HIV. For consumers; discusses how HIV and AIDS affects older adults.
HCBS Resource Network. For states, aging communities, and others to provide high quality consumer-directed services in integrated settings through cost-effective delivery models.
International Association for Food Protection. Information on scientific, technical, and practical developments in food safety and sanitation. (515) 276-3344.
Kitchen Thermometers (7/2003). Fact sheet on the usage of kitchen thermometers to prevent foodborne illness. Also available in Spanish. USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service. (800) 256-7072.
National Center on Physical Activity and Disability. Information on health benefits of regular physical activity. NCPAD. 800-900-8086.
Proper Care and Handling of Fruits and Vegetables from Purchase to Preparation (2000). How to handle, store and prepare fruits and vegetables properly. Penn State, Department of Food Science. (814) 865-5444.
Taking Care of Mom, Taking Care of Me: Coping With A Relative's Illness and Death. A book on how to care for an ailing parent. The Judaica Press, Inc. (800) 972-6201.
USDA Table of Nutrient Retention Factors, Release 5 (2003). Data set table for calculating retention of 25 vitamins, minerals and alcohol during food preparation. Agricultural Research Service.

Research and Reports