The 19th Annual International Interdisciplinary Conference on Hypertension and Related Risk Factors in Ethnic Minority Populations (ISHIB2004) will take place June 13-16, 2004 at the Mariott Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan. The conference theme this year is Disparities in Cardiovascular Health: Bridging the Great Divide. Scientific Co-Chairs C. Venkata S. Ram, MD (Texas Blood Pressure Institute) and Linda Burnes-Bolton, DrPH, RN (Cedars-Sinai Health System) have assembled a multidisciplinary planning committee dedicated to developing a challenging educational experience relevant to clinical practice, research, and public health. The conference comprises 9 satellite symposia, 6 plenary sessions, and 9 workshops, all with opportunities to earn CE or CME credits.

Responding to feedback from previous conferences, planners revised the conference format to provide more interactive and peer-training opportunities. Plenary sessions and workshops will evaluate the public health implications of hypertension in ethnic populations, the role of allied health professionals in treating hypertension and co-morbid conditions, genetics of hypertension, and the use of powerful drugs to treat hypertension. Some sessions will focus on clinical trials or compare and contrast national and international treatment guidelines. Topics will be explored within clinical, basic science, and health promotion and prevention areas. Workshops will present this important information in an interactive, peer-directed, topic-specific format.

The early registration deadline for ISHIB2004 is February 14, 2004. Abstract submittal and awards nomination deadlines are also February 14. For more information, call 404.875.6263 or email ishib2004@ishib.org. Watch the ISHIB website for updates.

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ISHIB is proud to recognize the initial 4 founding members of its newly created Corporate Affairs Council.

• Abbott Laboratories
• Biovail Corporation
• Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• Merck & Co., Inc.

This council was created to facilitate communications between ISHIB and corporate supporters, and its goal is to be the major interface between ISHIB and its partners in industry. ISHIB appreciates the opportunity to work with these organizations on the exciting new activities and organizational directions of the Society.

The US Preventive Services Task Force reaffirmed its recommendation that clinicians measure blood pressure of all adults aged 18 and older because of good evidence that early detection and treatment of high blood pressure can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

"High blood pressure is highly treatable, and screening is critically important because it can detect the disease usually in an early stage when it is generally easier to control," said Task Force Chair, Alfred O. Berg, MD, who is also Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle.

The Task Force also looked at blood pressure measurement in children and adolescents but found insufficient evidence that it accurately identifies those who have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and insufficient evidence that treating it decreases the incidence of CVD.

The high blood pressure recommendations and materials for clinicians are available from the AHRQ website. Previous Task Force recommendations, summaries of the evidence, easy-to-read fact sheets explaining the recommendations, and related materials are available from the AHRQ Publications Clearinghouse by calling 800.358.9295 or sending an email to ahrqpubs@ahrq.gov. Clinical information also is available from the National Guideline Clearinghouse.

The health of women's hearts are being seriously neglected by the medical community and by women themselves warns the World Heart Federation. "Women are the hearts of their families but are neglecting their own hearts. The good news is that small changes in lifestyles can bring big rewards and help us all to live life to its fullest," said Jane Seymour, award-winning actress, mother, and World Heart Federation Goodwill Ambassador.

Each year, over eight million women worldwide die from heart disease or stroke, the highest cause of death amongst women. This is almost 18 times higher than from breast cancer and 6 times more than HIV/AIDS-related deaths. In developing countries, half of all deaths of women over 50 are due to heart disease and stroke.

There is no doubt that women with heart disease are under-treated. For example, a smaller number of women than men with chronic heart disease are treated with angioplasty and coronary artery bypass surgery. And according to new findings, nearly 6 in 10 physicians believe men are more likely to die from stroke, whereas in fact, more women die from stroke (11%) than men (8.5%).

It's important for women to adopt a healthy lifestyle as early as possible in their lives. The World Heart Federation's advice will help women to keep their hearts healthy.

The World Heart Federation is a non-governmental organisation based in Geneva and dedicated to the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases around the world. The Federation is committed to helping the global population achieve a longer and better life through prevention and control of heart disease and stroke, with a particular focus on low and middle-income countries. The World Heart Federation comprises 168 member societies of cardiology--including ISHIB--and heart foundations from over 100 countries and continental members covering the regions of Asia-Pacific, Europe, East Mediterranean, the Americas and Africa.

On October 4, ISHIB participated in "Compassion in Action" weekend, a large local initiative reaching out to immigrants, refugees, and the under-served in an increasingly diverse area of Metro Atlanta. The weekend involved more than 30 member churches and over 130 different community-service projects, which touched thousands in the community, providing free health screenings (including patient education, referrals, and counseling), home and school restoration services, food and clothing drives, and much more.

Christopher Fitzpatrick, chief executive officer of ISHIB, stated, “This support from AstraZeneca provided ISHIB with resources to further our mission of improving the health and life expectancy of ethnic minority populations through public awareness and prevention programs.”