School of Public Health Expands Education Outreach with Web-streaming Video

Contact: Karl Luntta (518) 437-4980

ALBANY, N.Y. (December 18, 2003) -- The University at Albany School of Public Health has launched a Web-streaming educational series aimed at nurses, physicians, educators and other public health professionals. Sixteen streaming video programs are currently online, with plans to launch another 25 to 30 by fall 2004.

The Web-streaming media initiative is a continuation of the School of Public Health's efforts to provide relevant distance educational programming for public health professionals, which began in 2001 with live satellite broadcasts of presentations by public health experts and other programs. "Our mission is to make information accessible to busy professionals and environmentalists who work in public health professions, wherever they are and whenever they need it. This tool allows us to reach that goal," said Carol Young, director of Continuing Education at the School of Public Health.

The range of material offered is designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of public health professionals as well as those in parallel professions. "We'd like to reach a national audience. The material is relevant, and the presentation on the Internet makes it accessible to everyone. Certainly specific topics will be of interest to different people, but we aim to develop programs with broad scope and reach. Some would certainly have international appeal especially from entities abroad who want, but can't get our satellite broadcasts," said Cheryl Reeves, associate director of Continuing Education.

Many programs offer an online application for continuing-education credits, and all are free of charge.

Topics cover public health law to agricultural terrorism
The Web-streaming programming, initiated during the fall 2003 semester, originates from different sources within the public health sector and covers topics from women's health to public health preparedness and cancer mapping. Currently available from the University's Center for Public Health Preparedness (CPHP) is "Addressing the Threat of Food and Agricultural Terrorism" with Bruce L. Akey, DVM. CPHP will follow this selection with a new program each month, with such programs as "Coordinating Community Response: Public Health, Hospitals, Law Enforcement and Emergency Management Services," "Public Health Law Related to Terrorism", Bioterrorism and Zoonosis," and "Addressing Intentional or Accidental Threats of Water Contamination."

Also online is recorded programming from the ongoing Women's Health Grand Rounds (WHGR) satellite broadcast series, including "Preconception Care" with Dr. Cynthia Chazotte, "Breast Milk and Breastfeeding for NICU Infants" with Dr. Richard Schanler, Dr. Ruth A. Lawrence, and Karlene H. Hill, and "Folic Acid Update for Health Care Professionals," with Dr. Godfrey P. Oakley Jr. Two programs from the school's popular Third Thursday Breakfast Broadcasts (T2B2) are also available online: "Creating Health Equity Through Social Justice" with Dr. Adewale Troutman, director of the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness, Atlanta, GA; and "Cancer Mapping: The NYSDOH Cancer Surveillance Improvement Initiative," with Mark Baptiste, director of the Division of Chronic Disease Prevention and Adult Health, New York State Department of Health.

Continuing education credits
Additional WHGR and T2B2 programs already available online are slated to offer continuing education credits shortly, including "Coping with the Ecological Aftermath of 9/11," "Emergency Preparedness: What's Your Competency?", "The Public Health Response to Terrorism: Past Experience & Future Challenges," "Antibiotic Resistance: A New Public Health Problem," "'Smart Growth and Public Health," "Unlocking the Door to Understanding Our Target Audiences: Tobacco Control," "Eat Well, Play Hard: A Model for Preventing Childhood Overweight," "Newborn Screening," and "Thriving in School: Healthy Kids Learn Better."

The Center for Public Health Preparedness at the University of Albany was funded in 2002 with a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Women's Health Grand Rounds and T2B2 programs are funded primarily by the New York State Department of Health. T2B2 programming's Internet availability is also supported by a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant through the New York New Jersey Public Health Training Center (NYNJ PHTC).

For information on Web-streaming programs from the University at Albany's Center for Public Health Preparedness, go to www.ualbanycphp.org. For complete information about the Web-streaming library for the Women's Health Grand Round Series and T2B2 go to www.albany.edu/sph/coned/videostream.html. To subscribe to University at Albany School of Public Health e-mail updates on specific topics of interest, visit www.informz.net/ualbany-sph/profile.asp.