To meet the increasing demand for a workforce with skills and experience in developing and managing peer support programs, Peers for Progress partnered with peer support programs around the world and public health students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to create mentored experiences. These short term training opportunities yield tangible benefits to the host organizations in the form of program plan and curricula development. To demonstrate how students could be involved in your organizations, we are featuring the experiences of 7 Public Health students sponsored by Peers for Progress and collaborators on a variety of projects across 4 sites in China, Mexico and Australia during this past summer.  [Read the report]

Research Briefs

Peers for Progress recently kicked off a new service - A weekly email sent to you with highlights of papers addressing peer support and closely related material. Here features several articles from the weekly briefs and other sources.

A Qualitative Analysis of Motives for Lay Person Involvement in Health Promotion

Fienieg et al collect qualitative data from 24 lay persons across six sites in the Netherlands to identify factors that motivate them to assume an active role in the health of their communities. Their analysis reveals four key motivational themes. (Health Promot Int, Sept, 2011) [Full abstract]

Potential Uses of Online Social Networks in Peer Support

O’Dea uses a cross-sectional survey of 74 students to assess the applicability of online social networks to peer support services for mental health. Results indicate that online social networks are a viable platform for peer support, with 82% of participants indicating use of social networking sites and 47% expressing a belief that these sites could be used to address mental health issues. (Stud Health Technol Inform, 2011) [Full abstract]

Survey Identifies Common Features and Calls for CHWs as “Health Profession”

A survey of Community Health Workers by Ingram et al identifies common features in their training and activities, e.g., tending to serve communities from which they come, frequent focus on chronic disease and, prevention and access to care.  Paper calls for CHWs to be considered “a health profession rather than an intervention.”  (J Community Health, October, 2011) [Full abstract]

Peer Support among Mothers After the Death of a Child

In their longitudinal qualitative study of an Internet based peer support for mothers with recently deceased children, Aho et al discovered that participants both gave and received emotional, cognitive, and community support (Scand J Caring Sci, October, 2011). [Full abstract]

 Qualitative Study of Use of High- and Low-Tech Intervention Technologies by Promotoras

Arvey et al use observational and qualitative data to analyze technology use among Promotoras to promote colorectal screenings. Specifically, they differentiate between high-tech (i.e. computer based) and low-tech (i.e. flip charts and videos) approaches and the challenges posed by each method. (Health Educ Behav, October, 2011) [Full abstract]

More articles can be found at Science of Peer Support

Funding and Dissemination Opportunities

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]

Call for Abstracts-The 5th Annual NIH Conference on Dissemination and Implementation                                          DEADLINE: November 10, 2011                                                                    The 5th Annual NIH Conference on Dissemination and Implementation is calling for proposals. The Priority will be given to abstracts that address the overall conference theme, Research at the Crossroads, and that present high-quality data (quantitative/qualitative/mixed-methods) to support abstract conclusions. [More info]

AAFP Seeking Proposals that Promote PCMH                   DEADLINE: December 1, 2011                                                                    The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) is seeking proposals for research that investigates the value of family practice, with a special emphasis on the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH). The PI must be an AAFP member to apply to this grant. [More info]

Avon Foundation Grant for Peer Educator Programs for Healthy Relationships                                                                                DEADLINE: December 3, 2011                                                                    The Avon Foundation is seeking proposals for the establishment of a peer educator network on college campuses that would address issues of sexual violence and harrasment through prevention education and advocacy. All U.S.-based colleges and nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations are eligible to apply. [More info]

NINR Grant for Improving QOL                                                      DEADLINE: December 5, 2011                                                                      The National Institute of Nursing Research is issuing a grant opportunity for research that focuses on the behavioral component of health issues. Specifically, the institute supports innovations that improve the quality of life of patients with acute and chronic illnesses. [More info]

CDC’s Research Grant for Chronic Disease Management            DEADLINE: December 5, 2011                                                                    The American Centers for Disease Control  and Prevention is calling for proposals on chronic disease management and prevention, with an emphasis on self management education and translational research. The CDC has paid special attention to research that is participatory and takes into account multiple social ecological factors. This is a great opportunity to demonstrate the role that peer support can play in promoting chronic disease self management. [More info]

US HHS’ Grant for Chronic Disease Management           DEADLINE: December 5, 2011                                                                       The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking proposals for programs that address causes of chronic illness, intervention research, or dissemination research. One key area of research is chronic disease self management. [More info]

Call for Abstracts-2012 ICBM                                                        DEADLINE: January 15, 2012                                                                           The 12th International Congress of Behavioral Medicine (ICBM) to be held in Budapest, Hungary in 2012 has opened up online application for abstracts. The theme of the 12th Congress Behavioral Medicine: From Basic Science to Clincial Investigation and Public Health will be reflected throughout the meeting through a variety of symposia, paper and poster presentations. [More info]

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16th Reach to Recovery International Breast Cancer Support Conference (Nov 9-12, 2011, Taipei, Taiwan)

World Diabetes Day Nov 14

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