Peers for Progress Newsletter Archive - August 31 2011 Newsletter Copy

Peers for Progress e-News

August 31, 2011

Patient Founded Peer Support Programs

The key ingredient to all successful peer support programs is peer support. Interestingly, we have found quite a few patient founded peer support programs from around the world that capture the essence of peer support and also are able to bridge the gaps between patients and health care systems. In this issue, we are highlighting two examples: Taiwan Breast Cancer Alliance in Taiwan and College Diabetes Network in the U.S.

Program Spotlight

Taiwan Breast Cancer Alliance

Founded in 2002, Taiwan Breast Cancer Alliance, a nonprofit organization with 700 volunteers and 15,000 members, shares its comprehensive approach to addressing the needs of women with breast cancer and influencing government policy, including ongoing support, health education, family and spouse involvement, partnership with the providers, and advocacy. [Read the presentation] [Watch a video]

College Diabetes Network for Students with Type 1 Diabetes

Considered the first of its kind, the College Diabetes Network (CDN) shares its strategies and experience in creating support networks, web-based resources and collaborating with others to serve young adults with Type 1 diabetes at U.S. colleges. [Read more]

CDN offers internship opportunities and is also currently seeking someone with a diverse background and business expertise to join their board of directors. Please contact Christina Roth (croth@collegediabetesnetwork.org) for more information.

MoPo Tsyo’s Highlights in Cambodia - April-July, 2011

MoPo Tsyo in Cambodia is kicking off a new service to improve patient adherence to medication and peer support (a.k.a. voucher scheme). They are also releasing a report documenting their 5-year experience with the Peer Educator Network and more. [Read more]

Program Resources

NHLBI’s CHW’s Heart Health Manual for Latinos

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) just released “Your Heart, Your Life”, a health manual designed specifically to guide community health workers (CHWs, nonprofessionals) through the process of communicating with the Latino community about heart disease. It focuses on helping people build skills to make practical, lasting changes to fight heart disease and improve their health. [Read the Manual]

Joslin Diabetes Center’s Interactive Wok

The Asian American Diabetes Initiative at the Joslin Diabetes Center has just released a new interactive feature on their website which enables users to calculate the nutritional value of their next meal. The tool, known as Interactive Wok, is specifically tailored to the dietary needs of Asians that have diabetes and is available in English, Chinese and Japanese. [Read More]

Research Briefs

Exploring Applicability of a Mobile Phone-Based Healthy Lifestyle Program for Overweight and Sedentary Adults

Fukuota et al. identified the interest of and key themes for a mobile phone-based healthy life style program among culturally diverse, overweight and sedentary adults, including real-time support from both peers in the program and health care professionals, tailoring of programs, self-monitoring and motivation, removing barriers (fear of failing, technology) and sustainability. (Journal of Medical Internet Research, July, 2011) [Full abstract]

Evaluating Feasibility of a Mobile Phone Intervention for Peer Health Aids Workers in Rural Uganda

A mixed methods evaluation by Chang et al. on the impact of a mobile phone support intervention used by community based peer health workers on AIDS care in rural Uganda found improvements in patients care and logistics and broad support for the intervention. Key challenges identified included variable patient phone access, privacy concerns, and phone maintenance. (AIDS and Behavior, July 2011) [Full abstract]

Combining Exercise and Peer Support to Reduce Stress in Nursing Students in Taiwan

Hsieh explored the potential impact of adding a discussion meeting as a peer support component to address feelings and stress coping strategies to a 16 week exercise intervention program for a group of nursing students in Northern Taiwan. The intervention group had significantly less stress reported at the conclusion of the study compared to the control group. (Journal of Nursing Research, Sep 2011) [Full abstract]

Effectiveness of Mobile Phone Short Messages

A study by Hussein et al found that the use of SMS text messages between patients and the clinical team to enhance patients’ self-management significantly reduced A1c levels among patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Its successful results suggested the potential use and impact of such a mobile phone feature for peer support intervention (Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, Aug 2011) [Full abstract]

Funding, Training & Abstract Opportunities

Call for Abstracts- SBM’s 33rd Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions

DEADLINE: September 13, 2011

The abstract submission for the Society of Behavioral Medicine's (SBM) Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions is now open. [More info]

NIDDK Research Project Grants

DEADLINE: September 25, 2011

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) seeks investigator-initiated project applications to address scientific areas related to diabetes, kidney diseases and more, as well as new approaches to prevent, treat and cure these diseases. Both US-based and non-US based organizations are eligible to apply. These awards are up to $6.25 million for up to five years. [More info]

NIDDK Research Education Grants

DEADLINE: September 25, 2011

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) seeks proposals to create educational opportunities to attract undergraduate and graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows to careers in areas of biomedical or behavioral research of particular interest to the NIDDK (e.g., diabetes). Only US-based organizations are eligible. These awards are up to $500K for up to five years. [More info]

Australian Community Campaigns Grants

DEADLINE: September 30, 2011

The Australian Department of Health and Aging seeks ideas for local community initiatives and programs to promote messages regarding chronic disease prevention and healthy lifestyle choices. [More info]

NIH Pioneer Award Program for Innovative Behavioral Research

DEADLINE: October 7, 2011

The NIH is seeking US based behavioral scientists for the Director’s Pioneer Award Program. The goal of the program is to promote innovative research in biomedicine and behavioral science, with an emphasis on sustainability. Recipients of the grant must dedicate the majority of their time to their research (51%). [More info]

NIH Grants for Innovative Research on Chronic Disease Self management in Children

DEADLINE: October 5, 2011

The National Institutes of Health is seeking research that would improve quality of life and self management skills among children and adolescents with chronic diseases (however, chronic mental illnesses are beyond the scope of this grant). Special emphasis is placed on the family-community dynamic in promoting self care activities. Only citizens of the US are eligible to apply. [More info]

NIH Career Development Awards for Behavioral Scientists

DEADLINE: October 31, 2011

The National Institute of Health Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Awards (IRACDA) is seeking highly trained behavioral scientists to work on NIH funded projects in conjunction with biomedical scientists. [More info]

Visit Peers for Progress Funding Opportunities for a complete listing of current funding & training opportunities

Peers Organizational News

New Opportunity and Position for Kevin Helm, Peers for Progress Assistant Director

Kevin Helm, MBA, has served as Assistant Director of Peers for Progress since 2008. During this time, he has provided our activities outstanding assistance in management, finances, marketing, and program administration. His contributions have ranged from treasurer's reports to website development.

This summer, Kevin was recruited to the position of Executive Vice President of the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors, closely associated with the American Academy of Family Physicians. This was a fine opportunity for Kevin and, so, he assumed that role in late August. In his new role, Kevin will manage all administrative and operational functions of the Association, from strategic direction to fiduciary stability. He will also represent the Association in its relationships with other groups in family medicine and the broader health community.

Peers for Progress will miss Kevin greatly, as we also wish him well in his new role. We know he will be a great asset to family medicine and the training of future professionals in the field.