CCIH Monthly Bulletin

APRIL 2006

1. CCIH AND MEMBER NEWS

DR. VINOD SHAH, VELLORE CHRISTIAN MEDICAL COLLEGE, AND REV. DAVID BECKMANN, BREAD FOR THE WORLD, TO SPEAK AT CCIH CONFERENCE

The CCIH Annual Conference will be officially opened by Dr. Vinod Shah from the Christian Medical College, Vellore, India, who will lead the opening plenary on Saturday evening with the topic of Christian Health and Wholeness. At the Sunday morning worship service, Rev. David Beckmann, head of Bread for the World, will challenge us on the topic of the Biblical Theology of Ministry to the Poor. Other speakers at the conference include Dr. Raj Arole, founder of the Rural Comprehensive Health Project in Jamkhed, India, and Dr. Ted Green and Allison Herling, authors of CCIH's soon-to-be-published "The ABC Approach to Preventing the Sexual Transmission of HIV".

CCIH ANNUAL CONFERENCE, MAY 27-29

REGISTER NOW ONLINE!

CCIH will hold its 2006 Annual Conference at the Bishop Claggett Center in Buckeystown, Maryland, with the theme of: Excellence, Innovation and Influence: Pathways to Health and Wholeness. Through plenary sessions, Bible studies, workshops and small group discussions we aim to discover what it means to promote "wholeness" in the context of International Health. We will learn about best practices as we search for ways to integrate wholeness into our ministries. And we will strive to understand how our faith can add an extra dimension to this discussion and to the methods we employ to meet the complex needs of those we serve. Through study of the Scriptures, prayer and reflection we will spend some time listening to what God says to us about our professional (both collective and individual) and our personal lives. Among the topics to be covered during the conference are:

• Health and Wholeness in practice;
• Christian Perspectives in Reproductive Health and Family Planning;
• Health Systems Co-management by FBOs;
• An overview of the PACANet Conference held in December in Nigeria;
• Health Assets mapping;
• Innovations in Human Resource Management by African Christian Health Associations; and
• The ABC Approach to HIV Prevention.

For more information on the CCIH conference click here or contact Sharon Franzén at sfranzen@ccih.org. The conference schedule may be viewed at http://www.ccih.org/conferences/may2006/ccih_2006_schedule.html. To register for the conference, go to http://www.ccih.org/conferences/may2006/ccih_2006_registration.html.

There will also be special sessions catering for students to explore the realities and possibilities of careers in International Health. For more student information, go to http://www.ccih.org/students/index.htm.

The venue for the conference, the Bishop Claggett Center (http://www.claggett.ang-md.org) is located in Frederick County, Maryland, about an hour from downtown Washington DC. It sits on a bluff overlooking Sugarloaf Mountain and the scenic Monocacy River Valley and provides a tranquil setting in an atmosphere of Christian hospitality. It will provide a wonderful setting for the sharing, learning, networking and reflecting that are integral to our annual conferences.

REGISTER NOW THROUGH CCIH FOR GLOBAL HEALTH COUNCIL CONFERENCE AND SAVE $200

The Global Health Council is holding its annual conference May 30-June 2 (see #23 under Conferences and Events.) CCIH encourages its members to attend the GHC Conference and so, as a service to its members, we are facilitating registration for the GHC conference through a special Caucus Discount rate. To take advantage of the caucus rate of $150 (a $200 savings) one must be a member of the GHC and of the GHC Faith and Global Health Caucus. The discount will only be valid if 25 or more members apply for it. To learn how to take advantage of this discount, please contact Sharon Franzén at sfranzen@ccih.org. Registration should be done through CCIH, not through the GHC.

CCIH BOARD OF DIRECTORS: PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

The CCIH Board of Directors met March 20-21 at the Catholic Relief Services Headquarters in Baltimore, MD. Moving carefully and prayerfully through a full agenda the Board enthusiastically tackled important issues related to the vision and future of the organization. For instance, the Board

• gave thanks for the success of the student-organized Faith and International Development Conference held at Calvin College, which was supported by CCIH and CCIH members World Vision, International Aid and Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, as well as Calvin College and the Lily Vocation Project;
• acknowledged and gave thanks for the recent donations received in support of CCIH’s ministry among students and decided to hire a part-time Program Associate to focus on student issues;
• approved a revised Board Nominations Policy, clearly defining the process and clarifying the responsibilities of, and expectations for, CCIH Board members;
• agreed to replace the title of “Friend of CCIH” with “CCIH Affiliates” in order to more clearly define the relationship between CCIH and these secular organizations which support the CCIH mission;
• agreed to establish working groups within CCIH, focused around topics of mutual interest, with the aim of achieving clearly defined goals; established a sub-committee to draw up guidelines for working groups and to encourage their formation; and
• agreed to apply for a summer intern from the University of Michigan Population Fellows Program Minority Serving Initiative.

The Board also agreed to the basic agenda of the CCIH Annual Meeting to be held at the Bishop Claggett Center on Monday 29 May at 7:30pm. This agenda, as well as information regarding nominees for Board positions, will be sent to all members prior to the meeting.

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CCIH TO ESTABLISH WORKING GROUPS

In March CCIH surveyed its members regarding their interest in participating in working groups. CCIH sees working groups as a mechanism to engage members to:

• increase opportunities for networking,
• improve lateral learning,
• enhance resource and information sharing, and
• advance Christian focused international health agendas that would benefit from collaborative thinking and action.

In its recent meeting the Board of Directors enthusiastically supported the formation of working groups and designated a sub-committee to draft guidelines for their operation. The committee hopes to complete its work prior to the Annual Conference in May with the hope that many of the groups can have their first meetings at the conference. It is not too late to express interest in participating in a working group, either as a leader or a member. Please contact Sharon at sfranzen@ccih.org to do so.

CCIH ACCREDITED TO MAJOR U.N. GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON AIDS

CCIH is one of four U.S. faith-based organizations specially accredited by the United Nations to participate in the U.N. General Assembly Special Session on AIDS (UNGASS) to take place in New York May 31-June 2. The others are also CCIH members, namely, Interchurch Medical Assistance (http://www.interchurch.org), Balm in Gilead (http://www.balmingilead.org), and the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (http://www.crwrc.org). Several other CCIH members have permanent accreditation with the U.N., and some of them, such as Catholic Relief Services (http://www.crs.org) and World Vision (http://www.worldvision.org), will also be involved.

In 2001 the U.N. General Assembly, for the first time in history, called a session to deal with a health challenge: AIDS. Nearly all countries in the world, including the U.S., signed a Declaration of Commitment promising to take serious action against AIDS. UNGASS 2006 will be a five-year assessment of what was accomplished and what remains to be done. Keeping the Promise is one of the themes being examined. Pre-conference activities are planned for civil society and for youth on May 29-30.

CCIH has been in touch with top officials in USAID and the State Department Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator about the official U.S. delegation to UNGASS. Dr. Mark Dybul of OGAC assured CCIH that “The US will have a strong FBO component to its delegation.” His message continued, “We would be delighted to have regular communication with representatives of the larger FBO community at the high level forum during the meeting.”

The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (http://www.e-alliance.ch/aidssummit.jsp) is coordinating and facilitating a number of FBO activities at UNGASS. To join a listserv providing updates and action alerts on UNGASS, send an email with your name and organization to cbordeau@e-alliance.ch. For a website with information on UNGASS, focusing on civil society including FBOs, go to http://www.ungasshiv.org.

CHILD FIRST MEDS: HELPING RURAL COMMUNITIES PROVIDE THEIR OWN HEALTH CARE

CCIH member Child First Meds (The Lucress Watson and Dick Watson Children's Foundation) seeks out a long-term relationship with rural communities that are taking responsibility for their own health care. Of particular interest are those projects which provide basic health services to children. Child First Meds provides these communities with essential medicines. Currently Child First Meds supports programs in Haiti, Kenya, Liberia, South Africa, Central African Republic and Nicaragua, assisting nearly 100,000 children. Child First Meds also responds to communities experiencing disasters and to the requests of some short-term medical missions. Emergency boxes were sent to victims of Hurricane Katrina. And two emergency medical containers with medical and pharmaceutical supplies were sent to Pakistan after the October 2005 earthquake. These supplies benefited about 20,000 people. Child First Meds would be happy to hear about organizations which may benefit from a relationship with them. Please contact Dick Watson at rjwats@aol.com or by phone at 979-828-3747.

MEDICAL MISSION EXCHANGE CONNECTS UNDERSERVED PATIENTS WITH HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

CCIH Affiliate, Medical Mission Exchange (MMEX), provides a free, online extensive database of long and short term medical missions serving Belize, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Haiti and Honduras. MMEX has recently revamped and improved its website (http://www.mmex.org) to make it easier for missionaries, healthcare providers, NGOs and others to locate when and where these groups are working and what medical specialties are represented. Interested persons can search the Web site, using the criteria of location, date, and specialty. Patients can be offered a specific date and place to see a specialist. The goal of the MMEX Web site is to enable referrals to be made to short-term mission groups prior to their arrival, thereby better utilizing the physicians and other health care providers who are volunteering their services. Visit the website to locate medical missions scheduled for any of these countries. You can even add your own mission to the database so others can find you. Resources available through MMEX include local mission organizations, general information about the countries and the medical facilities available there, and general information about finding the mission opportunity that is just right for you. Also available are health related articles and a list of upcoming conferences of interest to or about international health.

STUDY SHOWS FAITH-BASED DRUG SUPPLY ORGANIZATIONS PLAY CRUCIAL ROLE IN HEALTHCARE PROVISION

CCIH Member Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network (EPN) and the World Health Organization (WHO) released a report on March 24 detailing a study of 16 EPN member faith-based drug supply organizations (DSOs) and their contribution to medicines supply in 11 Anglophone and Francophone sub-Saharan African countries in 2003. Entitled "Multi-country study of medicine supply and distribution activities of faith-based organizations in sub-Saharan African countries", the report can be found at http://www.who.int/medicines/areas/access/EN_EPNstudy.pdf. The study looked at the supply, storage and distribution systems of these faith-based organizations, also known as Christian Health Associations. In addition, questionnaires were used to assess how the organizations' services were perceived by their clients, founding bodies and governments. A peer-review element of the study gave the organizations an opportunity to learn more about establishing good evaluation and self-evaluation techniques.

Studies have shown that faith-based organizations contribute up to 40% of overall health care services in some places but their specific role in drug supply and procurement activities is not well documented. This joint EPN/WHO study shows that faith-based DSOs play a crucial role in terms of increasing access to medicines, especially in rural and other remote areas of Africa, and provide a complementary service where government supply measures may fail to serve the public health system. In such circumstances faith-based DSOs offer a "safety net" function in the pharmaceutical supply system. EPN was pleased with the results of the study. It boosted staff morale by offering an opportunity to learn how others in similar situations overcame their problems and by sharing knowledge of good practices. The paired assessment methodology developed evaluation skills, helping to instill a sense of empowerment among EPN members and leading to ownership of the study results. The study was perceived by all participating EPN members as a first step of a process for further collaboration among Network members.

GIVING HOPE TO HIV/AIDS ORPHANS

CCIH member Church World Service (CWS) and its African Initiative (http://www.churchworldservice.org/africainitiative), working through the YWCA (Young Women's Christian Association) is sponsoring "Giving Hope", a program that assists churches and grass-roots organizations to meet the needs of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)in four African countries. Beginning in Rwanda, the program has now spread to Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya.

Many of the orphans and vulnerable children in these countries live in households headed by an older sibling. The Giving Hope program brings these child-headed households together to form OVC working groups which provide economic, practical and emotional help to each other to increase their chances of survival. The groups operate income generating projects, such as bee-keeping and farming and can even give loans to members to start small businesses. The program objectives for Giving Hope goal is to increase support for self-empowerment for 26,400 children in 6,600 households affected by HIV/AIDS, ensure programmatic responses by at least 27 church-based or related organizations, and reduce HIV/AIDS transmission among 30,000 youth through creative youth-led prevention and education initiatives. The program is expected to reach more than 14,636 orphaned and vulnerable children in 2006. For more information on the program go to http://www.christianpost.com/article/missions/1985/section/cws.ywca.giving.hope.program.helps.african.hivaids.orphans/1.htm, http://www.churchworldservice.org/Development/archives/2006/03/58.html, http://www.churchworldservice.org/Development/archives/2006/02/54.html, and http://www.churchworldservice.org/africainitiative/hivsupport.html

HE INTENDS VICTORY: GOD LOVES US, EVERYONE!

He Intends Victory, a CCIH Member, began in 1990. It is a ministry declaring God's love to Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and a ministry equipping churches and individuals to share God's love to PLWHA through education and support. He Intends Victory supports homes for HIV positive men, women and children in 13 countries on five continents and supports the efforts of local churches to minister to those who are HIV positive. For more information on He Intends Victory, visit their website at http://www.heintendsvictory.com.

INTERCHURCH MEDICAL ASSISTANCE ADOPTS GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Given the growing frequency of collaboration between Christian and secular agencies, some Christian organizations have felt the need to clearly articulate their organizational values and the terms on which they can comfortably cooperate with governments, donors, professional organizations, and other secular groups.

The board of CCIH organizational member Interchurch Medical Assistance (I.M.A., http://www.interchurch.org) has just adopted the following set of provisional guiding principles to help in decision making on joining various partnerships.  Your comment on these principles would be welcome.  If your organization has comparable guiding principles, we would invite you to send them to us (sfranzen@ccih.org) for sharing within the Christian international community.  The IMA contact person is Dr. Daniel Aukerman, danielaukerman@interchurch.org.

Guiding Principles

Interchurch Medical Assistance, Inc.

Core principles guide Interchurch Medical Assistance (I.M.A.) in relief and development assistance in partnership with those we serve. I.M.A. views these principles in terms of the ethos and practice that informs its service.

Ethos

1. Faith directs I.M.A.‘s activities from a Christian perspective, with an ecumenical spirit, in service for and with God. Faith motivates I.M.A.’s ethos, modus operandi, and programmatic focus, and is strengthened by working hand-in-hand with domestic and overseas partners.

2. Integrity underlies I.M.A.’s dedication to nurture mutual respect, honesty, transparency, and commitment in all partnerships, and to uphold its core principles in all activities.

3. Justice requires I.M.A. to promote policies and programs that foster equality, advance peace and harmony, and respect the basic human rights of all people.

4. Solidarity directs I.M.A.’s work towards a paradigm of unity, working together with partners and recognizing our common aim to promote health of body, mind, and spirit for the benefit of all in the global community.

Practice

1. Partnership depends on collaboration and coordination with both domestic and overseas partners in an open, transparent, and respectful manner. I.M.A. seeks to work with and augment existing structures and institutions, at both the community and national level, rather than setting up its own systems.

2. Ownership and empowerment are principles with which I.M.A. seeks to build, promote, and nurture development activities of implementing partners.

3. Sustainability means that I.M.A.’s programs seek to ensure an enduring benefit with local control and funding.

4. Assessment, Monitoring, and Evaluation are the tools with which I.M.A. and partners will carefully examine the potential benefits and risks, track progress, and measure impact.

5. Accountability requires I.M.A. to build systems with all partners to maintain effective checks and balances to provide honesty and transparency. I.M.A. will monitor and take appropriate actions to correct shortcomings within its control. I.M.A. will be open with its stakeholders encouraging all with whom it works to practice similar accountability.

CCIH RECRUITING PART-TIME COORDINATOR FOR STUDENT OUTREACH

CCIH is seeking a part-time Program Associate to lead and coordinate an intensified program of outreach to students and young professionals. If you, or someone you know, may be interested, please inform Sharon Franzén at sfranzen@ccih.org.

Thanks to grants from World Vision USA for student programs, the CCIH board, approving a recommendation from the student board member-at-large David Beversluis, decided to hire someone to focus on strengthening and expanding CCIH’s activities with students.

Programs envisaged include:

- managing a mentorship program

- compiling a database of CCIH contacts at colleges and universities

- developing a student section of CCIH website

- compiling and disseminating information about internships and jobs in international health

- representing CCIH at conferences and meetings

- helping organize CCIH conferences and workshops to meet the needs of students

- communicating with students interested in Christian international health.

If you have suggestions for student activities, please inform CCIH.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE CCIH COMMUNITY

Click here to view the April 2006 Prayer Calendar.

2. CONFERENCES AND EVENTS

APRIL 21: DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE JOINT FAITH-BASED EXHIBITION AT THE INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE IN TORONTO, AUGUST 13-18

USAID RFA: INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD FEEDING PROGRAMS (IYFP) DEADLINE EXTENDED

Funding Opportunity Number: M-OAA-GH-HSR-06-292

Estimated Total Program Funding: $46,000,000

Funding Instrument type: Cooperative Agreement

Closing Date for Applications: May 5, 2006

The successful applicant will work within the strategic frameworks of the USAID Missions and Bureaus to improve the nutritional and health status of infants and children in fragile, transformational and strategic states. The agreement will support two of USAID’s Intermediate Results: Support Global Technical Leadership in IYCF and Strengthen and Expand IYCF Program Implementation. In developing this RFA, USAID reaffirms its commitment to continue joint agency (UNICEF/WHO) initiatives to improve IYCF. The proposed program is designed to reflect the latest scientific and epidemiological evidence on the fundamental factors, biological and socio-cultural, affecting feeding practices for infants and young children. An integral part of this initiative is a clear appreciation of the diverse and critical roles that the public/private/donor sectors all need to play in order to accomplish these goals.

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=2933.

USAID RFA: IMPLEMENTING THE EXPANSION OF THE ROLE OF NETWORKS OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS (PHAs) IN UGANDA DEADLINE ANNOUNCED

Funding Opportunity Number: 617-06-004

Estimated Total Program Funding: $3,000,000

Funding Instrument type: Cooperative Agreement

Closing Date for Applications: April 20, 2006

Under the proposed program the recipient will facilitate the mobilization and strengthening of the

capacity of PHA networks at the national and district levels, and of PHA groups at the sub-district and community level for effective coordination and improved access to prevention, care and treatment services for HIV/AIDS. The recipient will also facilitate access for PHAs and their families to orphan support and other ‘wrap around’ services such as nutritional programs and income generating initiatives by partnering with PEPFAR and non-PEPFAR activities.

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=7383&mode=VIEW.

USAID RFA: CONTROL OF NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASE

Funding Opportunity Number: M-OAA-GH-06-845

Estimated Total Program Funding: $100,000,000

Funding Instrument type: Cooperative Agreement

Closing Date for Applications: April 21, 2006

The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to provide USAID and the Bureau of Global Health with assistance to decrease the burden of 13 diseases recognized as the ‘Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). The special focus of this cooperative agreement will be five NTDs – lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), onchocerciasis (river blindness), shistosomiasis (snail fever), soil transmitted helminthes (intestinal worms) and trachoma – that can be prevented and/or cured in an integrated fashion using cost-effective strategies with highly effective drugs that major pharmaceutical companies are contributing free or at a very low cost. USAID wishes to partner with an organization that has proven capability in working with neglected tropical diseases, grant-making capability and a history of attracting other donor funding.

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=8507.

USAID RFA: EXPANDING HIV/AIDS, TB & MALARIA SERVICES TO NORTHERN UGANDA (ACHOLI & LANGO SUB-REGIONS) NEW

Funding Opportunity Number: 617-06-006

Estimated Total Program Funding: $30,000,000

Funding Instrument type: Cooperative Agreement

Closing Date for Applications: May 4, 2006

The Cooperative Agreement will be awarded for 36 months with an additional two year option period. The recipient will be responsible for facilitating the delivery of HIV/AIDS and infectious disease (TB and malaria) services in the Acholi and Lango sub-regions through capacity building, technical assistance and funding. The recipient will also be responsible for facilitating access to wrap around services such as family planning, nutritional programs, water and sanitation activities and income generating initiatives for people living with HIV/AIDS (PHAs) by partnering with USG and non-USG activities. Emphasis should be placed on expanding services to internally displaced people.

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=8598&mode=VIEW.

USAID RFA: TANZANIA YOUTH HIV PREVENTION PROJECT NEW

Funding Opportunity Number: USAID-TANZANIA-06-002-RFA

Estimated Total Program Funding: $25,000,000

Funding Instrument type: Cooperative Agreement

Closing Date for Applications: May 17, 2006

This program will be funded under PEPFAR. The primary objectives are to enable youth, aged 10-24, to reduce the risk of HIV infection, to strengthen national youth HIV prevention efforts (including youth leadership capacity) and to improve the quality and effectiveness of youth HIV prevention programming (encouraging collaboration and cooperation and including significant youth involvement in program planning.) There is a strong AB emphasis on the program as well as emphasis on behavior change.

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=8951&mode=VIEW.

HHS PA: PARENTING CAPACITIES AND HEALTH OUTCOMES IN YOUTHS AND ADOLESCENTS (R01 and R21)

Funding Opportunity Number: PA-06-097, PA-06-98

Estimated Total Program Funding: varies

Funding Instrument type: Cooperative Agreement

Closing Date for Applications: Next due date is June 1, 2006

These program announcements solicit research aimed at increasing parenting capacities while simultaneously focusing on the reduction, elimination or prevention of one or more high-risk health behaviors or poor health habits in youth and adolescent children. Investigators responding to this announcement are required to target two or more ineffective parenting practices or behaviors  (e.g., lack of appropriate parental monitoring, supervision, and communication, high family conflict and disorganization, parental stress and depression, lack of parent-child bonding and negative discipline methods), and two or more youth/adolescent high-risk behaviors (e.g., unhealthy dietary behaviors, inadequate physical activity, tobacco use, alcohol and other drug use, sexual behaviors, and unintentional (accidents) and intentional behaviors (firearm related injuries).  These behaviors are frequently established during childhood and adolescent years and continue on to the adult years. These behaviors are potentially amenable to a variety of health promotion and prevention efforts.

For more information on, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=7366&mode=VIEW (for R01) and http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=7367&mode=VIEW (for R21). Information is also available at http://www.cdcnpin.org. Search for Fund Numbers 2988 and 2991.

JOHN M. LLOYD FOUNDATION

Funding Opportunity Number: CDC 2108

Fund Category: HIV/AIDS

Maximum Funding Available: $20,000

Closing Date for Next Cycle: July 15, 2006

The Foundation supports enlightened public policy programs that advocate for improved access to HIV/AIDS care and services, relevant research efforts, effective prevention programs, and successful education initiatives worldwide. The Foundation also funds pioneering programs that promote education, awareness, and compassion about HIV/AIDS worldwide; novel HIV prevention efforts aimed at men, women, and children worldwide; and medical research that focuses on the prevention

and treatment of HIV/AIDS. Recognizing however that resources are limited compared to the scope of research efforts in HIV/AIDS, the Foundation gives preference to seed grants and small workshops that stimulate new directions for research.

For additional information, go to http://www.cdcnpin.org and search for Fund Number 2108.

FFE GRANT: McGOVERN-DOLE INTERNATIONAL FOOD FOR EDUCATION AND CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM

Funding Opportunity Number: FFE-2007

Estimated Total Program Funding: $100,000,000

Funding Instrument type: Grant

Closing Date for Applications: August 25, 2006

This is not a cash grant program. The grants awarded under this program are in the form of agricultural commodities such as wheat, rice or other foodstuffs. Grants are only awarded under this program for projects carried out in foreign countries. The key objectives of the FFE program are to reduce hunger and improve literacy and primary education, especially for girls. By providing school meals, teacher training and related support, FFE projects will help boost school enrollment and academic performance. At the same time, nutrition programs will be offered for pregnant women, nursing mothers, infants and pre-school children to sustain and improve the health and learning capacity of children before they enter school.

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=7911.

HHS/NIH PA: RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS AND HIV

Funding Opportunity Number: PA-04-115

Funding Instrument type: Grant

Closing Date for Applications: September 1, 2006

This PA calls for studies to examine the extent and nature of religious organizations' involvement in HIV-related activities, the factors that influence such involvement and its effectiveness. The focus is on religious organizations or congregations such as churches, synagogues or mosques. Faith-based organizations -- i.e., those supported by or tied to religious organizations, but not directly providing

religious services -- may be involved in the research, but are not the focus of the research.

For more information see http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=3085. For additional information, go to http://www.cdcnpin.org and search for Fund Number 2612.

HHS PA: HEARING IMPAIRMENT AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS ASSOCIATED WITH HIV/AIDS (RO1) NEW

Funding Opportunity Number: PA-06-251

Estimated Total Program Funding: Not available

Funding Instrument type: Grant

Closing Date for Applications: September 1, 2006

The question of long term effects of HIV/AIDS and its treatment, such as the long term use of antiretroviral therapy, as it pertains to all the communication disorders remain unanswered. Further, as the perinatally exposed infants survive to their adolescent years, questions related to the effects of the infection, and the very early and long exposure to antiretroviral therapy, to the neurological development of areas that affect communication abilities need to be systematically studied. The limited knowledge base about communication disorders in persons living with HIV/AIDS is compounded by the current situation that U.S. national databases, such as those sponsored by the CDC, do not specifically collect information pertaining to communication disorders or difficulties experienced by this population. Research is needed to clarify the role of HIV, AIDS, and therapeutic agents used in the treatment of these diseases in the etiology and development of hearing loss and other communication disorders. Heretofore ignored deficits in hearing, voice, speech and language, balance, taste, and smell in persons living with HIV/AIDS, need to be identified, assessed, and treated, and this program announcement calls for research studies in all of these areas. Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary. The total amount awarded and the number of awards will depend upon the quality, duration, and costs of the applications received.

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=8572&mode=VIEW. For additional information go to http://www.cdcnpin.org and search for Fund Number 3039.

NIH PA: RESEARCH ON PATHWAYS LINKING ENVIRONMENTS, BEHAVIORS AND HIV/AIDS (R01)

Funding Opportunity Number: PA-06-114

Funding Instrument type: NIH Research Project Grant (R01)

Closing Date for Applications: September 1, 2006,2007, 2008 ( see full announcement)

This announcement invites research on the interrelationships among, and pathways linking, social, economic, cultural, and institutional environments; prevalence and patterning of individual behaviors related to HIV risk and prevention; and the prevalence, patterning, and spread of HIV infection in a population.  This announcement seeks to stimulate innovative approaches to understanding the complex mechanisms involved in the spread of HIV and its consequences in a variety of populations across the globe. This includes the search for, production of and testing of improved models to account for changes in both behavior and biology under different levels of disease prevalence. Applicants may wish to consider a range of potential approaches, including observational studies, experimental designs, and simulation modeling.

Examples of research questions include: How do changes in or disruptions of family structures and functioning contribute to increases in HIV-risk behaviors? How do changes in or disruptions of family structures and functioning contribute to increases in HIV-risk behaviors? How does death and disability caused by the spread of HIV in a population affect living arrangements, family composition, relationships and partnerships, relationships across generations and the ability of the family or social unit to provide for itself and/or its children? How has HIV/AIDS changed the role of older people in families and communities?

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=7466. For additional information, go to http://www.cdcnpin.org and search fro Fund Number 2982.

HHS/NIH PA: GLOBAL INFECTIOUS DISEASE RESEARCH TRAINING PROGRAM AWARD

Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-05-128

Estimated Total Program Funding: $600,000 with an award ceiling of $207,000

Funding Instrument type: Grant

Closing Date for Applications: September 13, 2006; September 13, 2007

The purpose of this announcement is to invite applications for U.S. and developing country institutions for programs to provide non-HIV/AIDS infectious disease research training to scientists and health professionals in order to build sustainable research capacity at institutions in low- and middle-income endemic countries.

For more information, go to http://www.cdcnpin.org and search for Fund Number 3280.

HHS/NIH PAR: DISSEMINATION AND IMPLEMENTATION RESEARCH IN HEALTH

Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-06-039, PAR-06-072

Funding Instrument Type: Grant

Closing Date for Applications: There are multiple deadlines, the next deadline is September 22, 2006

These program announcements (PAR) encourage investigators to submit research grant applications that will identify, develop, and refine effective and efficient methods, structures, and strategies that test models to disseminate and implement research-tested health behavior change interventions and evidence-based prevention, early detection, diagnostic, treatment, and quality of life improvement services into public health and clinical practice settings. Programs should support innovative approaches to overcoming barriers to the adoption of evidence-based interventions that previous efficacy or effectiveness research has shown to be effective, but where adoption to date has been limited or significantly delayed.

For more information see http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=3305 and http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=3318. For additional information, go to http://www.cdcnpin.org and search for Fund Numbers 2942 and 2963.

USAID RFA: ANNUAL PROGRAM STATEMENT PUBLIC PRIVATE ALLIANCES

Funding Opportunity Number: M-OAA-GRO-EGAS-06-07

Funding Instrument type: Cooperative Agreement, Grant or other

Closing Date for Applications: September 30, 2006 (see below)

The Global Development Alliance Secretariat of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) invites interest from prospective partner organizations to form public-private alliances to carry out activities in support of USAID's international development objectives. Alliance partners are expected to bring significant new resources, ideas, technologies, and/or partners to address development problems in countries where USAID is currently working. Successful proposals will bring at least a 1:1 resource leveraging to focus on priority development activities within USAID’s manageable interest. However, proposals with greater resource leverage ratios (generally 2:1 or more) are more competitive. Since FY 2002, USAID has obligated $1.1 billion to approximately 290 public-private alliances worldwide, and leveraged over $3.7 billion in committed partner contributions. Through these alliances, USAID has not only gained additional financial resources for development activities, but also new technologies, intellectual capital and technical and managerial expertise that enhance its ability to address an increasingly complex set of development challenges. This solicitation is encouraging and creating the competitive environment for new alliances to be created in FY06 .

The deadline is September 30, 2006 however applications received later than December 16, 2005 despite deserving support, may not be able to obtain funds simply because available funds may already have been earmarked for deserving proposals that were received on or before December 16, 2005. However, such proposals if received before September 30, 2006 may be considered for funding in FY2007. Please review the RFA for more information.

USAID has issued a pre-solicitation announcement for this AIDSTAR program. The RFA has not yet been formally issued by USAID and no deadline for submissions has yet been established.

Under this PEPFAR-funded program USAID would competitively award up to 14 Indefinite Quantity Contracts (IQC) to provide state-of-the-art technical assistance and implementation support for the expansion of high-quality HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment services, and to build in-country technical and management capacity to sustain these services. The two separate sectors envisaged are: Sector (1) Prevention, Care and Treatment (up to eight awards); and Sector (2) Institutional Capacity Building (up to six awards.)

Awards under Sector 1 will provide technical expertise and implementation support for the expansion of HIV/AIDS services across the continuum of prevention, care, and treatment. Partnering with indigenous institutions is a key element of sector 1.  Awards under Sector 2 will support broader institutional development for long-term sustainability of in-country partners, for example, strengthening management and financial accountability systems of local organizations and government agencies.

The announcement specifically notes that “ FBOs with expertise in HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment, and any combination of the above, are invited to submit proposals for Sector 1.” USAID encourages new and non-traditional partners that can add value to the U.S. Government’s HIV/AIDS assistance to participate either as primes or as partners within consortia. Several CCIH members have expressed interest in exploring the idea of collaboration for AIDSTAR. For more information, contact Ray Martin.

NIH PAR: COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN RESEARCH

Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-05-026

Estimated Total Program Funding: Total amount to be awarded depends on the scientific merit of applications and the funds available at the participating NIH Institutes/Centers

Funding Instrument type: Grant

Closing Date for Applications: multiple dates, see full announcement

The ultimate goal of this program is to support research on health promotion, disease prevention, and health disparities that is jointly conducted by communities and researchers . Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is defined as scientific inquiry conducted in communities and in partnership with researchers. The process of scientific inquiry is such that community members, persons affected by the health condition, disability or issue under study, or other key stakeholders in the community's health have the opportunity to be full participants in each phase of the work (from conception, design, conduct, analysis, interpretation, conclusions, communication of results). CBPR is characterized by substantial community input in the development of the grant application.

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=3247&mode=VIEW. For additional information go to http://www.cdcnpin.org and search for Fund Number 2702.

NIH/NIDA PA: INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH COLLABORATION ON DRUG ADDICTION (ROI)

Funding Opportunity Number: PA-06-050

Funding Instrument type: Grant

Closing Date for Applications: Multiple dates, see full announcement

This program announcement is part of The National Institute of Drug Addiction’s effort to encourage rigorous collaborative international research and will provide funding for projects conducted in whole or in part outside the U.S. The International Program extends the Institute mission internationally through programs that: 1) take advantage of unique opportunities to advance scientific knowledge through research, 2) address the global impact of addiction on public health through activities that build research capacity internationally, and 3) effectively disseminate and share the knowledge gained through NIDA-supported research to scientists, treatment providers, and policy makers around the world. The research must be conducted by U.S. investigators in collaboration with non-U.S.-based investigators.  This is a broad call for innovative research and applications are encouraged in all areas of science addressing drug addiction including but not limited to prevention, basic science, epidemiology, treatment and health services.  While the priorities will change from year to year, in FY06 priority areas include: linkages between HIV/AIDS and drug abuse, methamphetamine abuse, inhalant abuse, smoking during pregnancy, and drugs and driving.

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=3186.

NIH PA: RECENT HIV INFECTION: NEW PREVENTION CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Funding Opportunity Number: PA-05-164

Funding Instrument type: Grant

Closing Date for Applications: Multiple dates, see full announcement

This Program Announcement solicits innovative basic or applied research applications that will advance prevention opportunities to reduce transmission risk or minimize neuro-cognitive impairment in persons with recent HIV infection (i.e., 0 – 6 months post-exposure). Principal Investigators are urged to develop new research that extends knowledge of the basic biological processes of acute and early HIV disease to address the specific prevention needs of highly infectious, newly infected persons who may account for a disproportionate share of secondary HIV transmissions. This PA is intended to support basic and applied HIV prevention science research. Examples of possible research topics are research on the identification of, and referral for treatment and prevention services for, persons with recent HIV infection; studies to tailor brief, efficacious HIV risk reduction counseling to persons with acute IV infection, particularly those from severely affected communities or subgroups; and studies to interrupt mother to child transmission (MTCT) in persons with recent HIV infection.

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=3181.

ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATION

Funding Opportunity Number: CDC 2252

Fund category: HIV/AIDS

Closing Date for Applications: There is no deadline

The mission of the Elton John AIDS Foundation is to provide funding for educational programs targeted at HIV/AIDS prevention and/or the elimination of prejudice and discrimination against HIV/AIDS-affected individuals, and for programs that provide services to people living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS. The Foundation funds nonprofit organizations providing direct care for persons with HIV/AIDS or prevention education programs directed towards persons practicing high risk behavior.

For additional information, go to http://www.cdcnpin.org and search for Fund Number 2252.

W.K. KELLOGG FOUNDATION

Funding Opportunity Number: CDC 2924

Fund Category: Other health-related

Closing Date for Applications: There is no deadline

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to apply knowledge to solve the problems of people. Its founder W.K. Kellogg, the cereal industry pioneer, established the Foundation in 1930. Since its beginning the Foundation has continuously focused on building the capacity of individuals, communities, and institutions to solve their own problems. Grants are made in the four areas of: Health, Food Systems and Rural Development, Youth and Education, and Philanthropy and Volunteerism. Most grants are awarded in the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean, and seven southern Africa countries including Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe.

For more information, go to http://www.cdcnpin.org and search for Fund Number 2924 or go to the Kellogg website at http://www.wkkf.org/Grants/.

INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES: SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM NEW

Funding Opportunity: up to 5 grants are awarded annually for up to $5000

Closing date for Applications: varies, next cycle is October 1, 2006

The Small Grants Program is designed to fund pilot research projects by young investigators in developing countries. The goal is to support and foster the professional development of young individuals in the field of infectious diseases research by helping them to acquire additional skills and data to apply for other grants. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to investigations of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis or treatment of infectious diseases, the epidemiology and control of hospital-acquired infections, and modeling of cost effective interventions. Upon completion of the project, a written report of the project must be sent to the Society.

For information, go to the Society website at http://www.isid.org/programs/prog_smgrants.shtml.

MAC AIDS FUND: GLOBAL FOUNDATION GRANTS

Funding Opportunity Number: CDC 2228

Fund category: HIV/AIDS

Closing Date for Applications: Application dates are open ended; see below

The MAC AIDS Fund encourages charitable, non-profit organizations to submit applications now for funding in a number of HIV/AIDS related program areas. Typically the Fund supports organizations that provide basic needs, direct services, education, awareness and prevention programs to men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS. Proposals need to be received at least three weeks prior to quarterly board meetings, usually held in March, June, September, and December.

For additional information, go to http://www.cdc npin.org and search for Fund Number 2228.

MILAGRO FOUNDATION

Funding Opportunity Number: CDC 2739

Fund Category: Other health-related

Estimated Total Program Funding: $2500 - $5000

Closing Date for Applications: There is no deadline; see below

Milagro is a charitable foundation that supports children and youth in three areas: helping them to live healthy lives through education and prevention of disease; helping them live literate lives through learning; and helping them live culturally enriched lives through arts education. Grants are awarded to community-based, grass-roots organizations that work with children and youth, especially those at risk and disadvantaged due to factors as poor health, illiteracy or insufficient educational and cultural opportunities. There is no application deadline. The Board makes decisions on grants in February, June and October. Grant deadlines are usually at least two months prior to meetings so the next opportunity would be in June.

For additional information, go to http://www.cdcnpin.org and search for Fund Number 2739.

4. OTHER NEWS AND RESOURCES

INVITATION TO SUBMIT SUGGESTIONS FOR PLENARY SESSIONS AT THE ECUMENICAL PRE-CONFERENCE AT THE IAC CONFERENCE, TORONTO

The Advisory Committee planning the IAC Ecumenical Pre-Conference is calling for suggestions for speakers for the five Plenary sessions scheduled for August 10 and 11. Please go to http://www.ccih.org/conferences/IACToronto06/EcumenicalPreConferencePlenarySessions.doc for information on the themes of these sessions. If you plan to propose a speaker please send the following to Linda Hartke at lhartke@e-alliance.ch:

Name
Title and organization
Contact information
Are they planning to be in Toronto for the IAC? For which plenary session are you proposing this person? A brief explanation of why you are proposing her/him and what special inputs she/he would bring to the pre-conference.

Some points to bear in mind when proposing someone to be a Plenary Speaker: plenaries should focus on concrete, active ideas that go beyond simply pushing the message that the church needs to be involved; plenaries should have theological input which makes a strong connection to the faith basis; plenary sessions must be as interactive as possible; the conference leadership is committed to the full participation of people living with HIV and to diversity among speakers; and there is no budget to bring speakers to Toronto or to the Pre-Conference.

WORLD HEALTH DAY: WORKING TOGETHER FOR HEALTH

On April 7 the world observed World Health Day 2006 (http://www.who.int/world-health-day/2006/en), focusing on the global health workforce crisis. There has been much effort to combat global diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria and to provide basic primary health care around the world. But the success will be limited as long as there is a shortage of qualified health workers and support services where they are most needed: in the developing world. The World Health Organization, in its World Health Report 2006 (http://www.who.int/whr/2006/en/index.html) reports a shortage of more than 4 million healthcare workers in 57 developing countries, primarily in Africa and rural Asia. A major reason for this shortage is the flow of trained healthcare workers from the poorer to the wealthier nations where they receive better pay and benefits. Another reason is an under-investment in the education, training and management of the world’s health workers.

So, how can we tackle this crisis? The first thing is to call attention to the seriousness and the extent of the problem. In his World Health Day message (http://www.who.int/world-health-day/2006/dg_message/en/index.html), WHO Director General Dr. Lee Jong-wook encouraged the world to “ raise awareness of this chronic problem and to build support to ensure … the highest attainable level of health for people everywhere.” Throughout the world on April 7 events took place to echo this WHO message: this issue must be resolved if we are serious about providing basic health care globally. The March CCIH Bulletin called attention to the efforts of African Christian Health Associations to begin to address the shortage of health workers (http://www.ccih.org/bulletin/0306.htm#7) and highlighted the efforts of the UK’s Christian Medical Fellowship to call attention to the crisis and offer solutions (http://www.ccih.org/bulletin/0306.htm#62).

AFRICA MALARIA DAY, APRIL 25

Every year on April 25, Africa Malaria Day, the world calls attention to the fight against malaria in Africa and voices solidarity with the African nations which are battling the disease. About 90% of all malaria deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa. It is the leading cause of death in children under 5. In addition, malaria holds Africa back, developmentally and economically. The direct and indirect costs of malaria cause losses of billions of dollars to these countries which are already some of the poorest in the world. More information about malaria and the burden it places on developing countries, visit the website of the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Global Partnership at http://www.rollbackmalaria.org/. RBM has dedicated a special part of its website to Africa Malaria Day (http://www.rollbackmalaria.org/amd2006/).

In the past, the poor and indiscriminate use of traditional anti-malarial drugs, led to widespread drug resistance. However, a new class of drugs, derived from the plant artemisia annua, has been developed. When artemesinin is combined with other drugs (called Artemesinin-based Combination Therapies, ACTs) it is nearly 95% effective in curing malaria. This year’s Africa Malaria Day events will highlight the need to provide universal access to ACTs and call for these treatments to reach those who need them as quickly as possible. These events will occur all over Africa and elsewhere, aimed at influencing policymakers, media, public health workers and organizations active in the fight against malaria. They will call for funding, better management of resources, access to medical care (including drugs), and the recognition that there must be a combined effort to attack the disease.

If you happen to be in the Washington, DC area on April 25, you can join the Global Health Council and Friends of the Global Fight at a panel presentation on Capitol Hill discussing a comprehensive response to the global burden of malaria. Several other events are scheduled in the DC area. For more information on these events please contact Nicole Bates at nbates@globalhealth.org or Sharon at sfranzen@ccih.org.

ANGLICAN ARCHBISHOP OF KENYA APOLOGIZES FOR CHURCH'S PAST ACTIONS REGARDING HIV/AIDS

Anglican Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi of Kenya, speaking at an AIDS workshop of African Christian and Muslim religious leaders on March 15, apologized for the Church likening AIDS to “a disease for sinners and a curse from God” and said the Church would work to end the stigma associated with the pandemic. He said that the church's previous approach to dealing with those suffering from HIV was "misplaced" and resulted from ignorance of the disease. Nzimbi's remarks were welcomed by many who have been frustrated by the church's attitude and its role in prolonging the stigma that has forced those living with HIV away from the church. The Anglican church is one of Africa's largest churches and has, in recent years, begun to increase its AIDS ministries. This public apology is yet another step in the church's journey to meet the challenges of HIV/AIDS. The speech was widely reported in and outside of Africa. To view some of those reports go to http://za.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-03-24T113832Z_01_BAN440800_RTRIDST_0_OZATP-AFRICA-AIDS-ANGLICAN-20060324.XML and http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=Archbishop+Nzimbi+Kenya+Apology+March+2006.

AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIAN MEDICAL TEAM BRINGS "HOPE" TO RWANDA

Marking the 12th Anniversary of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, Hope Rwanda is supporting 100 days of ministry to that nation which is still trying to recover from the horror of those days. Supported by churches and ministries in Australia, New Zealand and the USA, among them CCIH members Samaritan’s Purse and World Relief, Hope Rwanda brings spiritual and humanitarian assistance to work with Rwandans to rebuild their nation. One of the missions involves a team of Christian surgeons from across Australia who, with full medical teams, will conduct surgery on children and adults suffering from congenital heart ailments and reconstructive surgery on those suffering from cleft lip and/or palate deformities. They will also train Rwandan medical professionals to perform some of the surgery. During the ‘100 Days of Hope’ over three tons of medical equipment and drugs will be shipped to the Rwandan capital, Kigali, including heart lung machines, ventilators, heart monitors, disposable equipment and drugs worth a total of about $500,000. Other projects planned for the 100-day mission include evangelistic outreaches in the national stadium and in outlying regions, leadership training, worship seminars, business seminars, prison outreaches, ten days of youth impact, and projects involving building, education projects and other humanitarian activities. To learn more about Hope Rwanda, go to http://www.hoperwanda.org and http://www.christianpost.com/article/missions/1987/section/%5Chope.rwanda%5C.recruits.medical.specialists.to.join.massive.effort/1.htm.

WHO/UNAIDS REPORT: PROGRESS ON GLOBAL ACCESS TO HIV ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY

WHO and UNAIDS released a report in March examining the progress of the 3 by 5 Initiative. The report entitled “Progress Report on Global Access to HIV Antiretroviral Therapy: A Report on ‘3 by 5’ and Beyond” indicates that the number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy in low and middle income countries more than tripled from 400,000 in December 2003 to 1.3 million in December 2005. While this is below the 3 by 5 target, nevertheless it does represent an increase not only in the total distribution of the drugs but also some progress toward improving health care systems and infrastructures. Obstacles to scaling up HIV treatment and prevention highlighted in the report include poorly harmonized partnerships; constraints on the procurement and supply of drugs, diagnostics and other commodities; strained human resources capacity and other critical weaknesses in health systems; difficulties in ensuring equitable access; and lack of standardized systems for the management of programs and monitoring progress. For more information on the report, visit http://www.who.int/hiv/mediacentre/news57/en/index.html.

LAURA BUSH ANNOUNCES NEW PEDIATRIC AIDS INITIATIVE

Diagnosing HIV in children and treating children suffering from HIV/AIDS with antiretroviral therapy (ARV) is a difficult task (see http://www.globalaidsalliance.org/Children_Left_Behind.cfm ). The few ARVs made specifically for children are mostly syrups which have to be diluted with drinking water and/or refrigerated, making it difficult for health professionals to recommend their use. Dividing adult-sized tablets to administer to children can work but the dosage depends on weight and it is not always easy to ensure that the dosage is not too low or too high. It was thought that there was just not enough motivation for drug companies to spend the time and money to develop a pediatric ARV pill.

However, the Bush administration has announced a new initiative that not only encourages development of pediatric ARVs but also improvements in the diagnosis and care of young HIV/AIDS victims. This New Partnership on Pediatric HIV/AIDS, announced by Laura Bush on March 13, encourages the development of Pediatric ARVs and treatment practices. The public-private partnership will involve pharmaceutical companies and international agencies, such as UNICEF and UNAIDS. The first meeting of the partnership is on April 19. For more information go to http://www.state.gov/s/gac/rl/fs/2006/62974.htm or http://www.globalaidsalliance.org/pressreleases/press031306.cfm.

WORLD TB DAY, GLOBAL OBSERVANCES ON MARCH 24

The international community observed World TB Day on March 24 (see http://www.stoptb.org/events/world_tb_day/2006/). Some of the highlights of global events and news releases are:

World Health Organization WHO released its latest report Global Tuberculosis Control: Surveillance, Planning and Financing. The report celebrated the fact that the Americas, Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific regions will likely reach TB control targets by the end of 2005. These targets, set by The World Health Assembly, are to detect 70% of TB cases and to successfully treat 85% of them. The other good news is that 26 countries had already met the targets a year ahead of time, two of them being the high TB burden countries of the Philippines and Viet Nam. However, as positive as these statistics seem, the report made it clear that the fight against TB was far from over. It said that there were 9 million new TB cases and approximately 2 million TB deaths in 2004. And while the number of TB cases is stable or falling in some parts of the world, it is growing in Africa, driven by the spread of HIV. More than 80% of all TB patients live in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. The report makes it clear that significant progress in TB control is possible, even in poorer countries, if financial investment and political will are there. To review the WHO report, go to http://www.who.int/tb/publications/global_report/en/index.html.

Stop TB Strategy As part of its plan to strengthen the global response to TB, WHO announced its new strategy in the March 17 edition of the Lancet medical journal (go to http://www.thelancet.com/collections/global/tuberculosis). The strategy supports the GLabal Plan to Stop TB, 2006-2015 which was launched in January by the StopTB Partnership (http://www.stoptb.org). At the core of WHO's new strategy is DOTS, the TB control approach launched by WHO in 1995. Since its launch, more than 22 million patients have been treated under DOTS-based services. The new six-point strategy builds on this success, while recognizing the key challenges of TB/HIV and MDR-TB. It also responds to access, equity and quality constraints, and adopts evidence-based innovations in engaging with private health-care providers, empowering affected people and communities and helping to strengthen health systems and promote research. For more information, go to http://www.who.int/tb/about/en/.

Kaiser Family Foundation In honor of World TB Day, to highlight the WHO report and t o help ensure information about TB/HIV are widely and freely available, the Kaiser Family Foundation, through its two global health websites, GlobalHealthReporting.org and GlobalHeatlhFacts.org, features new and updated resources, including the latest news, new country-level data released by WHO and events related to TB around the world. Visit these sites at http://www.globalhealthreporting.org/; http://www.globalhealthfacts.org/; and http://www.kaisernetwork.org/calendar/calendar.cfm?action=Month&showone=5

In addition, GlobalHealthReporting.org reported on many articles relating to events surrounding World TB day and to comments and observations concerning the epidemic. These can be found at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=36249; http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=36138; http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=36328; http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=36263.

DOCUMENTING THE CONTRIBUTION OF CHRISTIAN AGENCIES TO IMPROVING CHILD HEALTH

A 1999 CCIH study entitled The Contribution of Religious Institutions to 20th Century Progress in International Health found that Christian missions and churches played an enormous role in the evolution of global concepts such as “health for all” and the community-based primary health care approach. Ray Martin presented this topic at the 2005 pre-Global Health Council conference themed, "Faith-Based Organizations as Pioneers and Partners in Health Systems Development," May 31, 2005, at Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, DC. Click here to see the notes on his presentation.

Now, a WHO-supported research project is seeking to ascertain the effectiveness of this approach to improving child health. The following appeal for documentation comes from the Working Group on Community-Based Primary Health Care (CBPHC) of the International Section (http://www.apha-ih.org) of the American Public Health Association (http://www.apha.org). If you are involved in, or know about, community-based primary health care projects involving child health, please contribute as described below. Coincidentally, the three researchers cited below, Drs. Taylor, Perry, and Freeman, are all CCIH members.

Articles and Documents Needed for a Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Community-Based Primary Health Care in Improving Child Health

The Working Group on Community-Based Primary Health Care (CBPHC) of the International Health Section of the American Public Health Association is now beginning a systematic review of the evidence supporting the effectiveness of community-based primary health care in improving the health of children in developing countries. The Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development of the World Health Organization is supporting this effort.

We are looking for published articles as well as unpublished articles and project documents which have formally assessed the effectiveness of CBPHC in improving child health. Our main emphasis is on documentation of changes in mortality rates or changes in serious morbidity, but we will also include changes in key determinants of child health, such as nutrition, immunization coverage, and access to or correct administration of critical medical therapies (such as antibiotic treatment of pneumonia or malaria).

Documentation that evaluates the positive contribution that community participation does or does not have in improving child health is also especially sought. We are looking for evaluations containing qualitative data as well as quantitative data. We are looking for negative evidence as well -- articles and documents describing community-based programs and interventions which did not document an improvement in child health.

An Expert Review Panel is now being assembled by Dr. Carl Taylor, Professor Emeritus at The Johns Hopkins University. This Panel will review the findings of the review and their implications. Dr. Henry Perry of Future Generations and Dr. Paul Freeman, independent international public health consultant, are the Co-Chairs of the Task Force carrying out the review.

If you know of any articles or documents that are not widely known or not easily available which might contribute to our review, please contact one of us:

Paul Freeman (freeman.p.a@worldnet.att.net)

Henry Perry (henry@future.org)

We are planning to widely disseminate the findings of the review, and we hope that this project will help to create a greater appreciation of the role of community-based approaches in improving the health of children living in impoverished populations.