CDC Says American Diet Still Falls Short.

MedPage Today (12/15, Fiore) reports that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Americans are still falling short of national dietary recommendations, eating too many sweets and not enough vegetables and whole grains." On the Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2005), "a national...index that measured compliance with US dietary guidelines from 2005, the average overall diet score was only about 60 points out of 100 – 'indicating Americans' diets need improvement,' Bethene Ervin, PhD, RD, wrote in a National Health Statistics Report." MedPage Today explains that the HEI-2005 "assesses specific intake of various nutritional categories, including whole fruits, dark green and orange vegetables, whole grains, milk, meat and beans, oils, fats, sodium, alcohol, and added sugar."

Department of Preventive Medicine Grand Rounds


Dru Bhattacharya, Director of Health Policy and Law, will discuss:

Politics and Public Health Policy from Johnson to Obama

Event will be held in the Department of Preventive Medicine Library, Maguire bldg 3rd floor

Can also join via videoconference (for students only), contact Holly Kramer at hkramer@lumc.edu

Studies Suggest Fructose May Not Be Ideal Sweetener For Diabetics

MedPage Today (12/8, Fiore) reports that "fructose may not be an ideal sweetener for diabetics," according to research presented at a press briefing arranged by the Endocrine Society. The results of several studies have suggested that "its links with hypertension, adiposity, and increased uric acid levels could potentially outweigh its immediate blood sugar benefits, especially among patients with diabetes, who already have or are at risk for such comorbidities," researchers explained. In fact, "the American Diabetes Association doesn't recommend fructose as a substitute sweetener for glucose," MedPage Today points out. However, people with diabetes may consume fruit as part of "a healthy diet."

Environmental Ethics, Emerging Contaminants, and Emerging Technologies

New Doctoral Training Program at Brown University


Brown University’s Department of Sociology seeks applications from students who want to study ethical issues concerning emerging contaminants and technologies. Applicants will most likely be students with a general interest in one or more of: environmental sociology, medical sociology, and science studies. This new Research Training Program, “New Directions in Environmental Ethics: Emerging Contaminants, Emerging Technologies, and Beyond,” funded by NSF’s STS Program, will also fund a Postdoctoral Fellow. The Training Program synthesizes three areas on the cutting edge of STS research: 1) emerging contaminants and technologies, 2) public participation in science, and 3) reflexive research ethics. These areas are tied together by a commitment to developing and implementing research and methods that make science and technological innovation more accountable and responsive to public needs and wellbeing. Students will participate in the Contested Illnesses Research Group led by Dr. Phil Brown, a long-standing research group with many funded projects, which includes 2 faculty, 3 postdocs, and 6 graduate students. Students will also be involved with the Program in Science and Technology Studies, including its many seminar and colloquium speakers. Training grant recipients will have dedicated courses and seminar series, opportunities for collaboration on existing research, and opportunities to develop new research. A laboratory and community component will provide for the Trainees to observe scientific practices and public engagement, and to connect with scientists and social movement leaders, by visiting laboratories and community-based organizations.

Brown University has a very strong environmental health presence, including a Superfund Research Program, Children’s Environmental Health Center, and National Children’s Study. The STS Program has grown substantially in recent years, offering exciting learning opportunities. The Contested Illnesses Research Group maintains many relationships with research organizations and community groups. Trainees will have a unique opportunity to develop STS theoretical approaches and research directions for the study of emerging science, health social movements, public participation in science, and research ethics.



Applicants will need to meet the Department of Sociology’s criteria for admission, and will complete all the same requirements as other doctoral students. Applicants should visit the Department of Sociology website for details – http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Sociology/graduate/. All students accepted to the Department of Sociology get 5 years of funding as long as they make expected progress, with the first year typically being a University Fellowship and the next four years being a combination of research assistantships and teaching assistantships. Trainees in the Environmental Ethics, Emerging Contaminants, and Emerging Technologies Program get up to three of their funded years supported by the Training Program and thus will not need to be research assistants or teaching assistants in those years. There will be options for combining support from research assistantships and teaching assistantships for those who wish that experience.Trainees also get additional summer funding, and some research travel funds.

For additional information write: phil_brown@brown.edu. Prior contact before the application is encouraged. Applications should be sent to the Brown University Graduate School. In addition, applicants should send a CV and a cover letter describing their interests in, and qualifications for, the Training Program.

December 15—Last day to apply late for May 2012 degree conferral. This option is for first-time applicants only.

For complete list of key dates and deadlines, see the Graduate School calendar:
http://www.luc.edu/gradschool/key_dates.shtml#fall

On-Campus Event:
When: Friday, Dec. 9, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Black Cultural Center (Entrance is in the alley on the right side of Campion- on Loyola Ave.), LSC
The Department of Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs would like to invite you to: Desserts in December! Come celebrate the closing of this semester, your hard work, and accomplishments by enjoying some tasty treats! Free!

Employment Opportunity:
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Summer 2012 Research Experiences
Undergraduates, Graduate Students, and Faculty
http://www.orau.gov/dhseducationprograms

· DHS Summer Research Team Program for Minority Serving Institutions
· Early career faculty teamed with undergraduate and graduate students
· 10-week summer research experiences at university-based DHS Centers of Excellence nationwide
· Faculty and student stipends, housing allowances, travel expenses
· Areas of research:

Homeland security related science, technology, engineering and mathematics
· Faculty apply for up to $50,000 in follow-on funding at end of summer
· U.S. citizenship required
· Faculty application deadline: January 8, 2012



Questions regarding DHS Education Programs can be sent via e-mail to dhsed@orau.org.

Healthcare Fellowships

Healthcare Fellowships
Sponsor: Families USA
Families USA is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to the achievement of high-quality, affordable healthcare for all Americans. The Wellstone Fellowship for Social Justice is designed to foster advancement of social justice through participation in healthcare advocacy work that focuses on the challenges facing many communities of color. The Villers Fellowship for Health Care Justice was created to inspire and develop the next generation of healthcare justice leaders. Each fellowship is for one year.

Each fellowship includes a compensatory package including a salary and benefits. Eligible applicants must be authorized to work in the US and have a college degree or plan to receive a degree by August 2012.

Please contact Families USA for more information and to apply for this funding: http://www.familiesusa.org/fellowships/

Department of Preventive Medicine Grand Rounds December 8 11 AM

Thursday December 8, 11 AM


Dr. Lara Dugas will discuss the paper: Childhood adiposity, adult adiposity and cardiovascular risk factors. published in the NEJM, 2011. This paper presents 23 yrs of follow-up data from 6328 participants. You may attend the via conference call or in person (Maguire Bldg 3rd floor, Department of Preventive Medicine library). For call-in information, contact Dr. Kramer at hkramer@lumc.edu

CDC Study: Many Americans With HIV/AIDS Not Receiving Treatment.

A number of sources covered the release of a CDC report describing the status of HIV/AIDS treatment in the US.

The Washington Post (11/30, Brown) reports that just over "a quarter of Americans infected with the AIDS virus are getting the form of medical care that maximizes their life expectancy. ... Only 28 percent of the 1.2 million people living with HIV in the United States have their 'viral load' controlled." The report also showed "significant differences by age, sex and ethnic group. For example, 76 percent of HIV-positive people ages 18 to 24 who are in medical care are prescribed antiretrovirals, compared with 92 percent of people 55 and older. Ninety-two percent of whites are prescribed the drugs, compared with 89 percent of Hispanics and 86 percent of blacks. Eighty-four percent of whites achieve full suppression of viral load in their bloodstreams, compared with 79 percent of Hispanics and 70 percent of blacks." In addition, 86% of women and 90% of men are prescribed antiretroviral therapy, and 71% of women and 79% of men "achieve viral suppression."

Bloomberg News (11/30, Lopatto) adds, "About 20 percent of those who have HIV haven't been tested and don't know they have the virus, the Atlanta-based CDC said today in a statement."

The Wall Street Journal (11/30, McKay, Subscription Publication) quotes CDC director Thomas Frieden as saying, "We know how to control HIV in individuals and increasingly we know how to control it in communities. ... We've made real progress but have a lot further to go."



CQ (11/30, Subscription Publication) reports, "Nearly three out of four Americans living with HIV do not have their infection under control, according to CDC's Vital Signs report (pdf), released in advance of World AIDS Day, Dec. 1." In addition, the report indicates that "only 51 percent of people who are infected with HIV are getting ongoing medical care and treatment. And only an estimated 28 percent have a suppressed viral load." A related fact sheet (pdf) is also available online.



HealthDay (11/30, Reinberg) reports, "Some 1.2 million Americans are living with HIV...federal health officials report. Efforts to diagnose, treat and reduce transmission of the virus need to be redoubled," the study found. "According to the CDC report, in 2010 only 9.6 percent of adult Americans had been tested for HIV during in the past 12 months. Testing varied by state, from 4.9 percent to 29.8 percent."



New Initiative Targeted Towards High-Risk Communities. USA Today (11/30, Manning) reports, "A new initiative to boost HIV testing rates aims to get more people into treatment earlier, especially in hard-hit communities of black gay and bisexual men, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday." The initiative includes "funding for state and local health departments" to use "for testing, prevention, policy implementation and development and condom distribution," and "a $2.4 million education and advertising campaign, Testing Makes Us Stronger, that is aimed directly at increasing HIV testing in black gay and bisexual communities."



The Boston Globe (11/30, Kotz) "Daily Dose" blog notes, "A recent study of heterosexual couples conducted by the National Institutes of Health showed that consistently taking antiretroviral therapy -- the drugs used to treat HIV -- in combination with safe-sex behaviors, can reduce the risk of spreading HIV by approximately 96 percent. But it can be tough to convince some HIV-positive patients to remain on chronic treatment regimens that frequently cause extreme fatigue, headaches, diarrhea, and sleep disruptions, and in rare cases, heart and liver problems."

Today is the last day to apply for graduation in May 2012

Upcoming Deadlines:

· Tomorrow, December 1—Last day to apply for May 2012 degree conferral in LOCUS
For complete list of key dates and deadlines, see the Graduate School calendar:
http://www.luc.edu/gradschool/key_dates.shtml#fall