Government Documents for You

**Press Release from the United States House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security**

January 14, 2009 (WASHINGTON) – Today, Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) and former Subcommittee Chairman for Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, James R. Langevin (D-RI), released a Majority staff report entitled “Getting Beyond Getting Ready for Pandemic Influenza.”

The report examines the Nation’s state of preparedness and response capabilities in the event of a pandemic influenza outbreak. It identifies sixteen weaknesses in the outgoing Bush Administration’s approach to get prepared for pandemic influenza. In addition, the report provides fifteen critical recommendations for what Congress, the incoming Administration, and the public and private sectors can do to achieve National readiness to combat this threat.

Chairman Thompson released the following statement along with the report:

"It is possible that the next influenza pandemic will result in hundreds of thousands to millions of deaths – even here in the US. Further, pandemic influenza could destroy the security of our Nation and Homeland. Yet despite the horrific consequences, we still are not prepared as a Nation to fully withstand the impact of such a devastating widespread biological event.

The change in Presidential leadership presents a new opportunity to ensure that the Nation is ready to address pandemic influenza from a position of strength. The House Committee on Homeland Security looks forward to working with the Obama Administration to address this threat and achieve National readiness.

The will to meet and overcome pandemic influenza is as great a mission as any on the global battlefield. Our success depends on keeping up the fight until pandemic influenza is overcome.”

The report can be found at the following website: http://homeland.house.gov/SiteDocuments/20090114124322-85263.pdf

MacKay, Andrea P. and Catherine Duran. Adolescent Health in the United States, 2007. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics, 2007. SUDOC: HE 20.6202:2007

Adolescence is a period of accelerated growth and change that bridges the complex transition from childhood to adulthood. The second decade of life is often a turbulent period in which adolescents experience hormonal changes, physical maturation, and, frequently, opportunities to engage in risk behaviors. The patterns of behavior they adopt may have long-term consequences for their health and quality of life. Because of the rapid physical, cognitive, and emotional developments that take place during this age period, adolescence is also a time when many health problems may first emerge. Moreover, adolescents also experience special vulnerabilities, health concerns, and barriers to accessing health care.

Adolescent Health in the United States, 2007 describes the health of the population 10–19 years of age. Because the transition to adulthood often continues through ages 20–24 years (young adults), data for young adults are presented in topic areas when comparable data were available. Topics covered are: Population; Health Status; Violence and Victimization; Reproductive Health; Risk Behaviors; and Health Care Access and Utilization.

This document is available online: http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS99341

Kitchen Companion: Your Safe Food Handbook. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 2008. SUDOC: A 110.8:K 64

This pamphlet is a basic, comprehensive guide to simple steps readers can use to improve and ensure food safety from contaminants. Topics include: Foodborne Bacteria; Shopping for Food; Storing Food; Food Preparation; Cooking Food Safety; Special Guidelines for Certain Food; Specific Preparation and Cooking Methods; Serving Food Safely; Transporting Food; Food Safety in an Emergency; and Food Safety Contacts. This is an extremely useful resource for college students away from home and unfamiliar with the dos and don’ts of food preparation and storage!

This document is available online: http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS99050

El Camino Hacia una Vida Saludable: Basado en las Guías Alimenticias para los Estadounidenses = The road to a Healthy Life: Based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion in collaboration with the Office of Minority Health and Office on Women's Health. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, 2008.
SUDOC: HE 1.2:R 53/SPAN.-ENG

This booklet is based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005. Enclosed are the basic guidelines for eating a healthy diet and being physically active. The information is primarily geared toward the Hispanic/Latino community, and is written in both Spanish and English.

This booklet, as well as Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2005, 6th ed.) can be found at:
http://www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines

Additional information about food groups, nutrition values, and ideas on physical activity can be found at: http://www.healthierus.gov

Evidence of Trends, Risk Factors, and Intervention Strategies: A Report from the Healthy Start National Evaluation 2006: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Infant Mortality. Rockville, MD: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, 2008.
SUDOC: HE 20.9202:T 72

The rate of infant mortality in the United States declined by 74% from 1960 – 2000; however, there are racial/ethnic disparities in birth outcomes where there is a notably higher rate of infant mortality than other races/ethnicities. The groups with the highest rates of infant mortality (in descending order) are: Blacks, American Indian/Alaska Natives, and Puerto Ricans.

This report provides information about the national Healthy Start program and other perinatal health initiatives to reduce racial/ethnic disparities in birth outcomes. The racial/ethnic disparities in birth outcomes are described and the evidence on behavioral, biological, and social risk factors for poor perinatal outcomes in the context of such racial/ethnic disparities is reviewed. The risk factors are: prenatal care, folic acid use, periodontal care, infant sleep position, breastfeeding, well-child care, interconceptional care, maternal smoking, alcohol and other drug use, adolescent pregnancy, perinatal depression, stress, bacterial vaginosis, domestic violence, and maternal birthweight. The findings from this study provide an evidence base for designing and evaluating initiatives such as Health Start that are intended to reduce or eliminate disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes.

Available on the Internet: http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS99065

Other resources and information available at the Maternal and Child Health Bureau:
http://mchb.hrsa.gov/

**Information from Executive Summary.**

Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis. Bethesda, MD: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, 2006.
SUDOC: HE 20.3323:D 64/2006

The National Institutes of Health publishes informational pamphlets discussing various diseases, conditions, and syndromes. This one discusses Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis, a disease affecting 50% of Americans the age 60 and older. This pamphlet discusses the causes of the disease, its symptoms, and medical solutions.

Look for this pamphlet or others like it at the following websites:

Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis: http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS99064

Also visit National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/a-z.asp

Also visit Health Information at the National Institutes of Health:
http://health.nih.gov/

Access to Science Information Expands with Science.gov 5.0 Launch

200 Million Pages of U.S. Government Science Resources Now Available on the Internet

The latest version of Science.gov http://www.science.gov -Science.gov 5.0-was launched Sept. 15th, allowing users to search additional collections of valuable science resources; more easily target their searches; and readily find links to information on a variety of science topics. Science.gov is a free, integrated single-search gateway to reliable science and technology information from 17 organizations within 13 federal science agencies.

Science.gov 5.0 improves upon the previous version, Science.gov 4.0, by offering seven new databases and portals which allow researchers access to over 200 million pages of scientific information.

In addition to quadrupling the amount of searchable content and enhancing the search technology, Science.gov 5.0 now provides links to related EurekAlert! Science News http://www.eurekalert.org and Wikipedia, and provides the capability to easily download research results into personal files or citation software.

Another key feature of Science.gov 5.0 is a "clustering" tool which helps target searches by grouping results by subtopics or dates. This technology was recently developed through a DOE Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program award.

Science.gov is hosted by DOE's Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI), within DOE's Office of Science. In addition to DOE, Science.gov is supported by contributing members of the Science.gov Alliance, including the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Health and Human Services, and the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Government Printing Office, the Library of Congress, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Science Foundation, with support from the National Archives and Records Administration.

New information available includes:

Thousands of patents resulting from U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) research and development:
DOepatents
http://www.osti.gov/doepatents

Documents and bibliographic citations of DOE accomplishments:
DOE R&D Accomplishments Database
http://www.osti.gov/accomplishments

Millions of electronic scientific documents from around the world known as e-prints:
Eprint Network
http://www.osti.gov/eprints

Comprehensive and peer-reviewed toxicology data for thousands of chemicals:
HSDB Hazardous Substances Databank
http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?HSDB

As well as more than 3 million references to worldwide literature on the adverse effects of chemicals on living organisms:
TOXLINE Toxicology Bibliographic Information
http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?TOXLINE

New information also includes a digital archive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature:
PubMed Central
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov

Cancer-related information of all kinds for all audiences, including support and treatment resources for patients, comprehensive descriptions of research programs and clinical trials for healthcare professionals and the general public, and funding opportunities for researchers:
Cancer.gov
http://www.cancer.gov

Post on GovDocs-L from: Tim Byrne, Information International Associates, Inc., DOE/Office of Scientific and Technical Information

National Center for Health Statistics. Health, United States, 2007: with Chartbook on Trends in the Health of Americans. Hyattsville, MD: 2007.
SUDOC: HE 20.7042/6:2007

This report, compiled by the National Center for Health Statistics and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, presents national trends in health statistics. It includes an executive summary, highlights, a chartbook, trend tables, extensive appendixes, and an index. The chartbook assesses the Nation's health by presenting trends and current information on selected determinants and measures of health status and utilization of health care. Statistical categories include sex, race, Hispanic origin, education, poverty level, and disability.

The report and its contents are available online at:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/hus.htm

**Description taken from the Thurgood Marshall Law Library website**

The Congressional Research Service, an arm of the Library of Congress, serves the legislative process by providing Congress with non-partisan and in-depth legislative research and analysis on a variety of topics. CRS produces or updates more than 3,000 studies and other publications each year, none of which are distributed to the public. Because CRS reports are created using public money and are not readily accessible to the research community, the Thurgood Marshall Law Library has created an online collection in the subject areas of Homeland Security/Terrorism and Health Law and Policy.

http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/crsreports/index.html?AlphaStart=R