HCMN News – March 23, 2007

1. In the Spotlight: TB in Nigeria
2. AIDS Action Newsletter
3. Where the Heart Listens
4. Imagining a World Without AIDS
5. 2007 Leadership in Strategic Health Communication Course
6. Photoshare Winners
7. Impact of an Avian Influenza Campaign in Egypt
8. Welcome to HCMN!

In the Spotlight: -   TB PRINT MATERIALS – NIGERIA

(Visit https://m-mc.org/spotlight/tb_special/index.php for a version of this Spotlight in HTML format) In order to combat TB, the Federal Government in Nigeria introduced the WHO-recommended TB Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) in 2001, and the Federal Ministry of Health plans to expand this program in all States. The following flipchart and poster are among the many materials developed by Jigawa State Ministry of Health and Partnerships for Transforming Health Systems (PATHS) to promote the DOTS program in Jigawa State:  http://db.jhuccp.org/mmc/media/FCNGA14.PDF  ,  http://db.jhuccp.org/mmc/media/PONGA366.PDF

AIDS Action" newsletter:  "AIDS Action - China Edition" or ‘Aizi Ni Wo Tan’ is a new quarterly publication targeted at frontline health workers and community groups involved in HIV and AIDS work. Designed to fill an existing communication gap, its aim is to provide a forum for practical suggestions and information to assist readers in planning and carrying out community-based prevention and care.  "AIDS Action - China Edition" is jointly published by Healthlink Worldwide and China HIV/AIDS Information Network (CHAIN), and is based on the successful model used by the international edition of "AIDS Action", produced by Healthlink Worldwide between 1987 and 2001. In line with Healthlink Worldwide's increasing focus on local production of health information, "AIDS Action - China Edition" is the latest in a series of regional editions of the newsletter. Published in Chinese, it features a mix of both local and relevant international content, and is guided by an editorial advisory group consisting of both Chinese and overseas members, who bring with them many years of experience in HIV and AIDS prevention and care.  For further enquires, please contact: Todd Owen - Programme Coordinator (Beijing) Healthlink Worldwide / CHAIN Partnership Phone: +86 13426200553 Email:

Where the Heart Listens:  New book just published – A Handbook for Parents and their Allies in a Global Society.  Go to:   Written by HCMN member Eve Sullivan of the Parents Forum!  Go to http://www.parentsforum.org/book/index.html for more information.

Imagining a World Without AIDS  - A HISTORY of the INTERNATIONAL AIDS VACCINE INITIATIVE, December, 2006.  The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative is pleased to announce the publication of Imagining a World without AIDS: A History of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative.  Marking IAVI's 10th anniversary since its founding in 1996, this document examines IAVI's history, including achievements and challenges. It also includes a timeline of critical points for IAVI and the AIDS vaccine field, as well as a review of the research and development, policy and advocacy initiatives that have been undertaken as part of the effort to speed a safe and effective AIDS vaccine for use throughout the world. Print copies are available by contacting or the document may be viewed and downloaded from the web at http://www.iavi.org/history. In addition to this resource, we have also developed an accompanying multimedia presentation that is available at http://www.iavi.org/iaviat10

2007 Leadership in Strategic Health Communication course:  Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Center for Communication Programs is pleased to announce the 2007 Leadership in Strategic Health Communication: Making a Difference in Infectious Diseases, HIV/ AIDS and Reproductive Health course.  The course responds to changing health needs around the world and provides for a more need based course content incorporating some of the latest thinking on leadership development and applies them to strategic health communication planning. Its modular structure allows specialization through "multi-track" sessions on three core areas: Infectious diseases with special attention to tuberculosis and malaria, HIV/AIDS and reproductive health. The workshop is scheduled for June 4-22, 2007. The workshop fee is now offered at a discounted rate of US $5450.00 with a $50.00 application fee if paid by March 15, 2007. The optional coaching phase fee is $400.00. Fees paid after March 30, 2007 will be paid at the regular $5,700.00 for the classroom phase and $700.00 for the optional coaching phase. This cost does not include hotel accommodations, travel, and per diem. Please visit our website at http://www.jhuccp.org/training/Workshop/Advances.htm for application and sponsorship forms.

Photoshare Contest Winners:  Photo from India Honored in 4th Annual Photoshare Photo Contest Sponsored By Hopkins' INFO Project and Canon -  www.photoshare.org/contest/2006/06winners.php:    A photo of a polio-affected boy participating in an athletic meet in Chandigarth, India won 1st Place/Best of Show at the 4th Annual Photoshare Photo Contest. Pradeep Tewari submitted the winning photo in the competition sponsored by The INFO Project at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's/Center for Communication Programs (CCP) and Canon. INFO is a reproductive health knowledge-sharing resource supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). INFO's Photoshare service helps international non-profits communicate health and development issues through photography. By facilitating photo sharing among colleagues in international development, Photoshare has become a leading source for editorial development photography. The Photoshare collection, consisting primarily of photos taken by public health professionals in the field, contains thousands of images illustrating the realities of urban and rural life in developing countries, as well as global efforts to improve and save lives, www.photoshare.org. Open to amateurs and professionals alike, the contest drew interest from around the globe, including more than 294 participants who submitted more than 941 photos shot in 94 different countries.

Impact of an Avian Influenza Campaign in Egypt:  Communication Impact—“Communication for Healthy Living’s Campaign Improves Response to Avian Influenza in Egypt.” - Eighty-six percent of the adult population in Egypt were able to recall messages from the communication campaign, which included broadcast and print materials as well as community outreach activities. Seventy-eight percent of those who could recall a message, compared to 55% who could not, reported taking at least one protective action, including avoiding contact with birds, keeping children and the elderly away from poultry, and washing their hands and utensils more carefully after preparing poultry. The Communication for Healthy Living (CHL) Project, whose core partners include the Ministry of Health and Population and the Ministry of Information/State Information Service, worked well before any outbreak, under the “Your Health Is Your Wealth” Program, to develop an integrated package of communication interventions. The CHL Project was implemented by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health/Center for Communication Programs through the Health Communication Partnership. For a paper copy, please email: or go to http://www.jhuccp.org/orders/orderform.php

 Welcome to HCMN!

Tamiru Legesse
Addis Ababa University
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Email  =  
I'm a postgraduate student of communication at Addis Ababa University(AAU). Funded by AAU, I am conducting a research on health communications aimed at family planning.

Isaura Martinez
El Salvador
Email  =  
I have worked for the Panamerican Health Organization in my country, with a project called Health Channel, which is a new instrument of health communication and education. With that, human resources from all around the country can improve their knowledge and apply them to help the people in communities.  I also have been  involved in social research for public health, planning and evaluating health communication and promotion strategies and design of materials. 

Uttaran Dutta
IDC, IIT Bombay.
Kolkata
India
Email =  
I am a Visual Communication Designer from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Bombay).  Some of my projects are:
•           Major Project: Designing Health Awareness Program for the tribal of Karjat Region, MH, India.
•           Research Project: Information and communication needs of people in towns and villages
•           Interaction Design Project: Sharing –remembering device for underserved communities- Transportation workers.

Dr. Vipin Varma
Founder Director
THOT Consultants
New Delhi
India
Email =  
We are a Strategic Communications Planning, Creative design & Production support, Training, Monitoring & Evaluation Consultancy with a specialization in the social, healthcare and life-sciences sectors. Having established and led the Social & Healthcare practice of Ogilvy & Mather, India for almost five years; we have the domain and functional expertise to deliver integrated communications strategy and monitoring across the public, development, and corporate (including Corporate Social Responsibility) organizations, nationally as well as internationally.

Dr. Urvashi Chandra
GTZ- Health Sector Support
New Delhi
India
Email =  
I work for the German Agency for Technical Cooperation- Health Sector Support. Under the National Rural Health Mission, we provide technical assistance to the Government of India on various aspects related to reproductive, maternal and child health. Communications is a key component of our work.

Micheal Mapundi
Liliongwe, Malawi
Email =  
We teach local communities about the effects of domestic violence and how to live peacefully in a society.

Ritu Mahendru
Lecturer
AGASHI
London
United Kingdom
Email  =  
AGASHI - Acting on Gender and Sexual Health Issues aims to address the sexual health needs of young people and women, to raise awareness on issues related to reproductive and sexual health issues and to create a unbiased broader public understanding about women’s rights, gender and violence.

Charles Mkula
Media and Communications Coordinator
Hyphen Media Institute
Lilongwe
Malawi
Email =  
The mission of the Institute is to contribute to the development of the country by providing media and communication interventions to facilitate change towards promoting national development. Hyphen Media Institute strives to stimulate informed and inclusive public debate around key development issues  It aims to give the Malawian society and the international community access to correct information, media facilities, and services for the benefit of the public and private sectors, with particular attention to the needs of the local communities.

Meira Neggaz
Executive Director
WINGS
Antigua
Guatemala
Email =  
WINGS focuses on increasing access to reproductive health information and services in Guatemala, focusing on family planning and cervical cancer.    

Sesan Olukoya
Executive Director
African Youth Empowerment-Nigeria (AYEN)
Lagos
Nigeria
Email =  
The AFRICAN YOUTH EMPOWERMENT- NIGERIA (AYEN), is an international, independent, non-governmental, non-political and action oriented youth empowerment organization set up to contribute to the wellbeing of the youths even as they grow to become the leaders of tomorrow; and to as well assist them in the personal development of youths  through training for skill acquisition towards meaningful contribution to communal development. Our efforts at AYEN are focused on addressing major issues on youth development, empowerment, and education through workshops, seminars, vocational and leadership training courses in the African countries. The provision of education and financial assistance in the areas of training and scholarship offers, to encourage the youngsters to get off the streets into the classroom is also our utmost goal through means from individuals, cooperate bodies, philanthropists and local donors.  

Henry Kabwe
National Chairperson 
Media Network on Orphans and VChildren
Lusaka
Zambia
Email  =  
Media dissemination of information on various child selected topics done through training of journalists in workshops, radio programs, television programs and newsletters.

Tania Sultana
BCCP
Dhaka
Bangladesh
Email  =  
Develop communication strategies for intended audiences, develop communication messages & materials for relevant working field for intended audiences, and
conduct research, & pretest communication materials

The Health Communication Partnership
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health/Center for Communication Programs in partnership with
Academy for Educational Development " Save the Children " The International HIV/AIDS Alliance
Tulane University's School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine

Disclaimer: The information provided on this web site is not official U.S. Government information and does not represent the views or positions of the U.S. Agency for International Development or the U.S. Government.