Health & Disability Digest, January 2017

Zika Corner is a roundup of information and resources related to the Zika virus. This information is an aggregate of key developments across the federal government and our state, local, and private partners.

As the Zika emergency response approaches one year, CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report highlights 10 critical contributions towards the fight against Zika virus this year. Read more.

On January 18, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced $66.1 million in funding to health departments in American Samoa, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Florida to help combat the Zika virus. Congress authorized this funding in the Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017, and Zika Response and Preparedness Act (P.L. 114-223). Through these awards, $66.1 million is available over a three-year period, with $60.6 million directed to Puerto Rico, which has the highest incidence of locally transmitted Zika cases. Funds will support prevention activities and treatment services for health conditions related to the Zika virus, including improving provider capacity and capability. Read the full announcement. 

Look for additional Zika resources for workforce capacity on disability and developmental monitoring are available in the Public Health is for Everyone Toolkit.

This tobacco free toolkit, was written by the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine/Behavioral Health and Wellness Program. The toolkit contains information and instruction on education about tobacco use, skills for engaging individuals in tobacco cessation discussions, methods for assessing readiness to quit, and information and research on treatments. Read more about the toolkit here. Download the full toolkit.

From the CDC, a new study shows that rural Americans are more likely to die from five leading causes than those in urban areas. The five leading causes include heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries, chronic lower respiratory disease, and stroke. Read the full report.

Disease and poor health and the benefits of well-being and good health are inequitable distributed among the nation's population. Communities in Action: Pathways to Health Equity identifies the major elements of effective or promising solutions and key levers, policies, stakeholders, and other elements needed to be successful. View the report and additional information from the report here.

Date: March 20 - 22
Register today!

The 2017 Disability Policy Seminar is an opportunity to cultivate champions on Capitol Hill and advance the movement for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. There will be sessions from experts in the field and opportunities to discuss key issues with others from your state. Learn more at disabilitypolicyseminar.org.

Abstracts Due: February 23 
Conference Date: November 4 - 8

The Disability Section of the American Public Health Association is seeking abstracts on topics relating to disability and public health to present at the 2017 APHA annual meeting.

Abstracts are limited to 250 words. Abstracts are reviewed anonymously and rated based on the following criteria:

1. importance of the issue or problem addressed;
2. clarity of content;
3. soundness of the methodology and conceptual framework used;
4. substantive findings or recommendations;
5. relevance to a broad audience.

To read more about the specific topic areas of interests for 2017 APHA, further information on presentation submissions, and how to submit abstracts, click here.

Date: Tuesday, January 31
          4:00pm - 5:00pm ET

Register Here

Learn about the current health care policy debate and what policies are important to children, youth, and adults with disabilities and their families. Strategies for successful health care advocacy will also be discussed. Learn more.

Date: Tuesday, February 21
          3:00pm - 4:--pm ET

Register Here

This webinar will provide an overview of the Zika virus infection, updated case numbers for infants with congenital Zika virus infection, and useful resources for families and EI professionals. Findings on the potential clinical manifestations of congenital Zika virus infections will be discussed as well as the still evolving clinical, policy, and research implications for early intervention professionals. Learn more.