Synergy Online – May 23, 2002

In this issue:
-AFRICAN MINISTERS ADOPT DRUG CONTROL ACTION PLAN
-SUMMERACTIVE 2002 IS IN FULL SWING!
-THE ERADICATION OF POLIO IN PICTURES
-OBESITY IN CANADA: TALES FROM THE SCALES
-NEW BULLETIN FOR HEART HEALTH FROM THE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF
CARDIOVASCULAR SCIENCES
-CANADIAN WEST NILE VIRUS SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS READY FOR 2002 MOSQUITO
SEASON
-PAHO 2003 TRAINING PROGRAM IN INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
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AFRICAN MINISTERS ADOPT DRUG CONTROL ACTION PLAN

At a meeting on drug control held in Yamoussoukro, Cote d'Ivoire, May
6-11, 2002, African Ministers adopted a plan of action against drug
abuse. Ministers from 40 African countries and delegates from several
regional African and international organizations and NGOs met together
with the UN International Drug Control Program (UNDCP) and agreed on the
need for stronger drug control actions to prevent drug trafficking and
abuse in the context of African development. The Plan of Action for Drug
Control 2002-2006 will be implemented by the Organization of African
Unity (OAU) member states, regional and international organizations, as
well as civil society. Based on the principle of integrating and
mainstreaming drug control into African development initiatives, the
action plan hopes to create synergies with larger development programs,
such as those addressing HIV/AIDS, poverty alleviation or post-conflict
rehabilitation. For more information, visit:
http://allafrica.com/stories/200205150672.html.
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SUMMERACTIVE 2002 IS IN FULL SWING!

SummerActive is an annual campaign that encourages people to get active!
This year, the campaign takes the healthy active living focus one step
further, integrating healthy eating and tobacco-free lifestyle
initiatives and messages into the broader physical activity campaign.
SummerActive 2002 emphasizes the substantial health, economic and other
benefits associated with these three lifestyle issues. Running from May
8 to June 21, the 2002 campaign is full of exciting programs and
initiatives - not to mention, Prizes, Prizes, Prizes! To find out more
about taking the first step towards regular activity and a healthy
lifestyle, participants can visit their provincial or territorial Home
page to find the list of events registered in their area. After choosing
a convenient event that fits their needs, participants can register
their activity for the chance to win one of five great gift packs.
Registered participants will also be eligible to win one of five grand
prizes that will be awarded at the end of the campaign. Visit the
SummerActive 2002 website for more information:
http://www.canoe.ca/SummerActive/home.html.
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THE ERADICATION OF POLIO IN PICTURES

The Endofpolio campaign is now online. This website documents the
worldwide campaign to eradicate polio by 2005 led by WHO, Rotary
International, the Centers for Disease Control and UNICEF. The site
features photographs by world renowned photographer Sebastião Salgado,
who has captured eradication efforts in the few remaining polio-endemic
areas. Salgado's photographs document the ravages of the disease and the
massive campaign to ensure that no child suffers polio. Visit the site
at: http://www.endofpolio.org/.
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OBESITY IN CANADA: TALES FROM THE SCALES

Canadians are getting bigger and not better says a major study
coordinated by the University of Saskatchewan and published in the April
2002 issue of the International Journal of Obesity. The Heart and Stroke
Foundation warns that obesity is a major cause of high blood pressure,
heart disease and stroke. Yet when it comes to accumulating girth,
Canadians are breaking all their previous records. This is especially
true for Canadian kids who are developing weight problems; left
unmanaged these will potentially lead to cardiac troubles in their 30s
and 40s. For more information, visit the Heart and Stroke Foundation
website: http://ww2.heartandstroke.ca/.
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NEW BULLETIN FOR HEART HEALTH FROM THE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF
CARDIOVASCULAR SCIENCES

The International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences, based in Winnipeg,
provides the organizational structure for the worldwide sharing of
research and education information in the field of heart health. Its
mission is to promote cardiovascular education of professionals and lay
people and to recognize major cardiovascular achievement throughout the
world. The Academy has created a new bulletin called CV Network. The
bulletin is available online in PDF format at the Academy website:
http://www.heartacademy.org/.
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CANADIAN WEST NILE VIRUS SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS READY FOR 2002 MOSQUITO
SEASON

Health Canada, together with other federal departments and agencies,
provincial and territorial ministries, and national organizations, is
again coordinating surveillance efforts to monitor the spread of West
Nile (WN) virus during the upcoming mosquito season. The goal of
surveillance is to identify WN virus activity as early as possible so
that steps can be taken to reduce the risk of exposure of humans to the
virus. However, the risk of being bitten by a WN virus-infected mosquito
is low, as is the risk of serious health effects from the virus for
normally healthy people. Even in areas where mosquitoes carry the virus,
very few mosquitoes - less than one per cent - are likely to be
infected. West Nile virus was first detected in North America in the New
York City area in 1999. That year, there were 62 confirmed human cases
of illness in the United States, mostly in elderly people. Seven deaths
resulted, including one Canadian who had visited the area during the
outbreak.  Last year, WN virus was detected for the first time in
Canada. Health Canada has been monitoring the situation but, to date,
there have been no human cases of illness due to WN virus reported in
Canada.
HTTP://WWW.HC-SC.GC.CA/ENGLISH/MEDIA/RELEASES/2002/2002_36.HTM
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PAHO 2003 TRAINING PROGRAM IN INTERNATIONAL HEALTH

Health professionals in the Americas, who have leadership skills as well
as an intense interest in the international dimensions of health, are
invited to apply for the Pan American Health Organization's 17th
Training Program in International Health (TPIH-2003). The training
process involves participants in a work-study format at PAHO for a
period of 11 months starting January 27, 2003.

Canadian residents can request an application form and a complete
information package via electronic mail to the following address:
[log in to unmask] The duly completed application form must be sent
care of: María-Victoría Palacio, CSIH-PAHO Liaison Assistant, Canadian
Society for International Health, One Nicholas Street, Suite 1105,
Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 7B7. Deadline for submission of applications: July
31, 2002.

For more information, visit:
http://www.paho.org/English/HSP/HSR/pfsiabout.htm.
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