November 18, 2004
Genital Herpes
Thanks to Sandra Hand for reviewing on behalf of
the College the draft Recommendation Statement,
“Screening for Genital Herpes,” developed by the United
States Preventive Services Task Force. Currently, Dr.
Hand is a California licensed physician, Board certified
in Public Health and Preventive Medicine, with
management experience in correctional medicine, public
health, managed care, acute and sub-acute facilities.
November 18, 2004
CDC Influenza Update NetConference
ACPM staff participated in a CDC-sponsored webcast with
updated information on influenza vaccine supply and
distribution. Allocation of federal supplies will be
based on a ratio of local need to national need. There
is no established prioritization of subsets of patients
for whom vaccination is indicated. Antiviral treatment
for illness and chemoprophylaxis was discussed at
length, as well as appropriate infection control
measures.
November 17, 2004
Coalition for Health Funding
ACPM staff attended a meeting for Coalition for Health
Funding members. Craig Caplan, congressional assignment
editor of C-SPAN, presented post-election review and
analysis. The outlook for health funding, in general,
is not optimistic. Health care positions of new members
of Congress and new leadership were also discussed.
November 16, 2004
Health Professions Development
ACPM staff attended the November 16 meeting of the
Health Professions and Nursing Education (HPNEC)
coalition. The meeting featured a presentation from
Captain David Rutstein, MD, Deputy Associate
Administrator, Bureau of Health Professions (BHPr), HRSA.
Dr. Rutstein provided an overview of the recent
reorganization within BHPr, with an emphasis on BHPr’s
new strategic plan and program performance measures.
The coalition also discussed the status of FY 2005
appropriations for Titles VII and VIII health
professions training programs and plans for FY 2006
budget advocacy.
November 12, 2004
Full-Body CT Scans: Preventive Medicine?
The National Academies hosted a panel discussion on
the emerging trend of full body CT scans. Panelists
represented a spectrum of views reflecting radiation
concerns and possible harm of elective CT scanning,
efficacy data and utility of full body CT scans, and the
possible role of full body CT scans as a new tool in
preventive medicine efforts, with an emphasis on patient
education and motivation to modify lifestyle.
November 10, 2004
Patient Safety Survey
ACPM staff participated in an AHRQ-hosted telephone
briefing on a new hospital patient safety culture survey
developed by a coalition of hospitals, federal agencies
such as AHRQ, and accrediting agencies such as JCAHO.
The survey is intended as an internal assessment tool to
establish a baseline for new safety initiatives.
November 9, 2004
APHA Annual Meeting
The ACPM/Pfizer Resident in Health Policy and
Preventive Medicine attended the APHA annual meeting in
Washington, DC. Seminars and poster presentations
relevant to prevention activities included topics in
epidemiology, clinical preventive medicine, and public
health infrastructure including aspects of physician
leadership.
November 8, 2004
USPSTF Meeting
ACPM attended the most recent meeting of the United
States Preventive Services Task Force, which included
discussion on recommendations for screening childhood
obesity, breast cancer genes, and HIV among other
topics. A portion of the meeting was dedicated to
refining USPTSF processes such as distinguishing more
carefully between “I” and “C” recommendations, the role
of cost in analysis (it remains relevant only to
supporting discussion and is not used to determine
letter grades), and clarifying grades for evidence as
opposed to grades for recommendations.
November 3, 2004
Flu Vaccine Shortage
Thanks to ACPM President
Robert Harmon
for serving as a spokesperson to the USA Today on
behalf of ACPM regarding the flu vaccine shortage.
November 1, 2004
Primary Prevention of Breast Cancer
Thanks to Clyde B. Schechter for serving as a
spokesperson to the NHC Japan Broadcasting Corporation
on behalf of ACPM.
November, 2004
GME Funding
Strategy
ACPM continued to lobby on Capitol Hill for reform of
Preventive Medicine graduate medical education (GME)
funding. Legislative aides were briefed on the need for
sustainable funding for Preventive Medicine training and
recommendations for increasing funding for residency
programs. Strategies for collaboration and legislative
progress continue to be developed.
November, 2004
GME Funding Strategy
ACPM staff continued to meet with legislative staff to
discuss a line-item funding strategy for Preventive
Medicine graduate medical education. ACPM met with
legislative staff representing Senator Clinton (D-NY)
and Representative Johnson (R-CT). An ACPM
steering committee has been formed and its first meeting
will be held in December to discuss strategy and
grass-roots advocacy.
