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The 2007 USPHS Scientific and Training Symposium Was a Success!
Submitted by LCDR Maleeka Glover

This year’s Symposium took place June 3-7 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The theme was “The Many Faces of Public Health.” The conference brought together more than 1,000 public health providers, administrators and researchers for continuing education seminars on the latest trends and innovations in public health care delivery, administration and research.

On Sunday, the Global Health Summit II began, which focused on “Improving Global Health and Safety Through Diplomacy.” The Summit had many noteworthy speakers, and included a luncheon with RADM Kenneth Moritsugu, Acting Surgeon General, who spoke on “An Opportunity to Shape a Corps of Federal Health Professionals to Serve in the Field of Health Diplomacy.”

Monday included a transformation update, and the Symposium officially kicked off with “Where We Are, Where We Are Headed: A Status Report from HHS Agency Leadership.” RADM William Craig Vanderwagen, Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, continued the discussion with his Luther Terry Lecture on “The Commissioned Corps as a Force Multiplier and Bridge to Strengthen Public Health.” The day concluded with a wonderful concert by the PHS Ensemble. Tuesday was Category Day. Each category had an opportunity to showcase the most recent research and topics in their field. There was a great sense of pride from each of the categories. The day concluded with an Annual Physical Fitness Test, and the Surgeon General’s 5K Run/Walk along the Cincinnati Riverfront, where ACOA’s very own LCDR Danice Eaton was the overall female winner. On Wednesday, the Scientific contributed papers were presented and the 2007 PHS Awardees received their awards. Thursday’s focus was the Biological Disaster Response Training, discussing various topics from pandemic influenza, mass medication and vaccination, to surge capacity and quarantine.

In addition to the sessions, the Uniform Inspection Booth sponsored by JOAG and the Poster Sessions were very successful and well attended.

The event closed with an inspiring keynote address by Acting Surgeon General RADM Kenneth Moritsugu. Thanks to everyone who attended the Symposium in Cincinnati for a very productive and successful week of training, education, and networking!!!

Mark your calendar for the 2008 USPHS Scientific and Training Symposium which will be held the week of June 8 in Tucson, AZ. Also watch the Symposium website for copies of the presentations from this year, which should be posted later this summer.

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The Basics of Physical Fitness
Submitted by Lauren Williams

We are all aware of the importance of physical fitness and know that it is important to our health. But what exactly is it and what does it include? The CDC defines physical fitness as “a set of attributes that people have or achieve that relates to the ability to perform physical activity.” In regards to health, there are five components of physical fitness:

• Cardiorespiratory Fitness
• Body Composition
• Flexibility
• Muscular Strength
• Muscular Endurance

Let’s take a close look at each of these components and why each is important for good health.

Cardiorespiratory Fitness
Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a measure of the heart’s ability to deliver oxygen-rich blood to the muscles. It is essential for helping to prevent cardiovascular disease later in life, as well as providing energy for activities of daily living. It is also important because it allows us to perform greater amounts of work without becoming fatigued. Cardiorespiratory fitness can be improved by incorporating regular aerobic activity into your exercise routine. The current recommendation from Healthy People 2010 is:

• 30 or more minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on 5 or more days per week, or
• 20 or more minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity on 3 or more days per week

There are a number of ways that cardiorespiratory fitness can be tested. Timed tests such as the 1.5 mile run or submaximal graded tests, which examine heart rate response to increases in workload, are two examples of how one can not only find out their initial cardiorespiratory fitness level, but also track their improvements with training. It is important to note that standards for cardiorespiratory fitness differ with age and between genders.

Body Composition
Body composition refers to the relative amount of fat and nonfat tissues in the body. Nonfat tissues consist of bone, muscle, connective tissues, and organs. Healthy body fat levels relate to a number of health and psychological issues.  Two frequently used measures of body composition are percent body fat and body mass index (BMI). Percent body fat provides an approximation of the ratio of fat mass to lean mass in the body. Standards exist for men and women and can provide a guideline for weight loss and weight control. BMI is a ratio of height to weight. BMI can be determined by using the BMI calculator on the CDC’s Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity website. The CDC recommends a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9. Measuring BMI allows one to assess their risk for potential weight problems. Identifying such risk can allow for further screening for other conditions.

Flexibility
Flexibility refers to the range of motion within a joint. Flexibility is specific to each joint and it is important to include flexibility training for the total body in your exercise regimen. Having good range of motion in all joints is necessary for efficient movement, not only in exercise, but also for activities of daily living.  Flexibility can be improved by incorporating stretching into your exercise routine, or by attending classes such as yoga or Tai Chi, which have known flexibility benefits. Flexibility exercises can be done every day. Since flexibility is joint-specific, there are a number of tests used to measure it. One of the most common is the Sit & Reach Test, which examines flexibility in the lower back and hamstrings. Standards for flexibility also differ with age and between genders.

Muscular Strength and Endurance
Muscular strength is defined as the ability of a muscle to exert maximal force. Muscular endurance is defined as the ability of a muscle to perform repeated contractions without undue fatigue. Both are important components of physical fitness as they help with the ability to perform activities of daily living, decrease the risk of joint and/or muscle injury, and increase the strength of bones and muscles. In order to improve both strength and endurance, the American College of Sports Medicine recommends the following:

• 8-10 exercises for the major muscle groups
• 2-3 days per week on non-consecutive days
• 1-3 sets of each exercise
• 8-12 repetitions per set, at a resistance that is heavy enough that when you perform the set, you won’t be able to do more than 12 repetitions at that resistance level

Muscular endurance is more commonly measured than muscular strength. Timed push-ups and sit-ups tests are frequently used methods. As with cardiorespiratory fitness and flexibility, standards differ with age and between genders.

The staff in the Lifestyle Fitness Centers is available to help you develop an exercise program to improve your physical fitness. Whether you are preparing for your Annual Physical Fitness Test or would just like to be able to perform more push-ups, let us assist you. In addition, we also offer quarterly Fitness Evaluations to help your track your training goals. Look for upcoming CDC announcements for dates and locations. We look forward to seeing you!

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How is your Financial Health?
Submitted by LCDR Maleeka Glover

Do you know if your finances are strong? Are you planning for retirement? How much money should you save? Where should you invest? Are these and other questions like these on your mind? If so, there are resources available. Free financial advice is available through USAA.

What Is Your Financial Strength?
USAA’s assessment will help you identify where you are doing well financially, as well as the areas that need attention. Get answers to questions like:

• Where should I focus first?
• Do I have too much debt?
• How do I start saving?
• Do I have enough insurance?

Complete the free financial assessment and receive a personalized action plan that will help you make the right financial decisions.

What about Retirement?
Let USAA guide you on the road to retirement. Take advantage of competitive products, world-class service and free, no-obligation guidance from licenses retirement advisors. Get guidance if you are:

• Retiring within five years
• Just starting out
• Growing your savings and assets
• Already retired

Have Your Planned for Survivorship?
Protecting your loved ones and their standard of living requires careful consideration and expert planning. Turn to financial advisors at USAA for free survivorship advice you can trust. Take advantage of valuable estate planning and asset distribution tools.

Step 1 Safeguard your estate.
Step 2 Develop a survivorship roadmap.

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At Sea and On Shore with PHS Environmental Health and Engineer Officers: USNS COMFORT Latin America and Caribbean Humanitarian Mission, 30 June 2007 – Caribbean Sea
Submitted by CAPT Craig Shepherd, CDR Christopher Brady and LCDR Diane Kelsch

The Caribbean Sea and countries along the shores are famous for their aqua blue waters and ancient cultures.  However, in these tropical lands are communities with high rates of gastrointestinal diseases, malaria, dengue, and poverty, with limited access to health care.  In partnership with 12 host countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, the U.S. Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS COMFORT (T-AH 20) is underway on a four month deployment conducting humanitarian assistance missions to those afflicted areas.  Shipmates to the eight hundred U.S. Navy, Army, Air Force, Canadian Forces, and NGO personnel are Environmental Health Officers CAPT Craig Shepherd (CDC) and LCDR Diane Kelsch (FDA), and Engineer Officer CDR Christopher Brady (IHS).  They are part of the 18 member PHS Team that also includes Dental (Dentists and Dental Hygienists), Medical, Nursing, and Veterinary Officers.

CAPT Shepherd (Officer-in-Charge of the PHS Teams), CDR Brady, and LCDR Kelsch are assigned to an 11-member Preventive Medicine team providing trainings on food safety, personal hygiene, household water storage and treatment, and sanitation, along with conducting assessments of vector habitats, food safety, and water supply and sanitation facilities.  In addition, team members provide technical oversight to Navy Seabee crews constructing improvement projects for clinics and schools.

In Belize, the PHS Officers traveled to the Valley of Peace, a community of 2,000 people originally established by the United Nations for refugees from Guatemala and El Salvador.  While there, the PHS Officers provided trainings at the local school and conducted evaluations of the community water supply, providing recommendations on disinfection and treatment. 

After five days in Belize, the COMFORT anchored off the shores of Guatemala where the PHS Officers provided assistance in the town of Livingston.  At this site, the Environmental Health and Engineer Officers conducted trainings to the 350 people at the clinic using a local interpreter who translated the material in both Spanish and Quek’chi, the local indigenous language spoken by approximately 60 percent of the population.  Additionally, they met with smaller groups of people providing follow-up training on food safety and promoting household water disinfection with free sample packets of the locally available bleach “Magia Blanca.” 

At the end of the day, the hour ride back to the COMFORT, with spraying salty water as the boat breaks through the waves, offers a welcome relief from the 105-degree heat index on land.  The time on the sea also provides time to reflect on this mission of goodwill that brings drops of relief to individual lives.  The next stop for PHS Team 1 will be Panama where they will be followed by other PHS Officers who will carry on the mission for our neighbors to the south with the friendly smiles and grateful communities.

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