The National Board of Public Health Examiners: credentialing public health graduates.

The National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE, the Board) is the result of many years of intense discussion about the importance of credentialing within the public health community. The Board is scheduled to begin credentialing graduates of programs and schools of public health accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) in 2008. Among the many activities currently underway to improve public health practice, the Board views credentialing as one pathway to heighten recognition of public health professionals and increase the overall effectiveness of public health practice. The process underway includes developing, preparing, administering, and evaluating a voluntary certification examination that tests whether graduates of CEPH-accredited schools and programs have mastered the core knowledge and skills relevant to contemporary public health practice. This credentialing initiative is occurring at a time of heightened interest in public health education, and an anticipated rapid turnover in the public health workforce. It is fully anticipated that active discussion about the credentialing process will continue as the Board considers the many aspects of this professional transition. The Board wishes to encourage these discussions and welcomes input on any aspects relating to implementation of the credentialing process.

Diseases of comfort: primary cause of death in the 22nd century.

CONTEXT: The world has started to feel the impact of a global chronic disease epidemic, which is putting pressure on our health care systems. If uncurbed, a new generation of "diseases of comfort" (such as those chronic diseases caused by obesity and physical inactivity) will become a major public health problem in this and the next century. OBJECTIVE: To describe the concept, causes, and prevention and control strategies of diseases of comfort. METHODS: Brokered by a senior research scientist specialised in knowledge translation, a chair, a president, and a past president of national public health associations contributed their views on the subject. RESULTS: Diseases of comfort have emerged as a price of living in a modern society. It is inevitable that these diseases will become more common and more disabling if human "progress" and civilisation continue toward better (more comfortable) living, without necessarily considering their effects on health. Modern technology must be combined with education, legislation, intersectoral action, and community involvement to create built and social environments that encourage, and make easy, walking, physical activity, and nutritious food choices, to reduce the health damaging effects of modern society for all citizens and not only the few. CONCLUSIONS: Public health needs to be more passionate about the health issues caused by human progress and adopt a health promotion stance, challenging the assumptions behind the notion of social "progress" that is giving rise to the burden of chronic disease and developing the skills to create more health promoting societies in which individual health thrives.

The Asian Tobacco Education, Cancer Awareness and Research's role in tobacco and cancer control efforts in Asian American communities.

PURPOSE: This article identifies the urgent needs for tobacco and cancer control in Asian American communities and the barriers that have historically prevented the development and implementation of tobacco and cancer prevention and intervention research programs among Asian Americans residing in Delaware Valley region of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. This article also presents ATECAR, the first long-term federal effort in tobacco and cancer control targeting the multi-ethnic Asian American communities in this area. METHODS: ATECAR uses a three-pronged approach: the development of community and university infrastructure, the development of training programs for minority and underserved students so that they will pursue cancer research careers, and community-based intervention research projects. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: ATECAR's pioneering work redefined our understanding of Asian Americans' smoking habits and the important role of smoking, especially in newly immigrated communities. CONCLUSION: The advent of ATECAR marks the building of a viable infrastructure that can ensure sustainability of current and future efforts in tobacco control and use.