Social Media Going Strong at Oregon State University SRP Research Translation Core
As social media becomes a more common form of communication, public health professionals are exploring ways to use social media to share information and create dialogues. Naomi Hirsch, Ed.M. (http://ehsc.oregonstate.edu/naomi)  , at the Oregon State University (OSU) Superfund Research Program Research Translation Core (http://oregonstate.edu/superfund/translation)   and OSU EHSC Community Outreach and Engagement Core (http://ehsc.oregonstate.edu/outreach)   has created several social media outlets that are active and going strong. Hirsch helps manage the OSU SRP and COEC Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/OSUSuperfund)  , a very active Twitter account (https://twitter.com/SRP_OregonState)  , a YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/OregonStateSuperfund)  , and a Pinterest page (http://pinterest.com/environhealth/)  . Hirsch also created a resource page (http://oregonstate.edu/superfund/apha-roundtable-communication-strategies#.UYl1T44p5a8)   to help people new to social media get started.

Hirsch encourages "thinking differently about how we create materials for the public so we can have greater impact and reach more people." Audiences appreciate more visuals and multimedia. She plans to use more videos to translate research while providing training to graduate students on communicating their science online. SRP Trainee Andy Larkin won second place in the Scholars' Insights (http://gradschool.oregonstate.edu/event/76)   competition for his 3-minute talk on Air, Asthma, and Apps (http://media.oregonstate.edu/media/Andy+Larkin+-+2nd+Place/0_t53kzpja)  . Hirsch says, "Social media is designed for multi-directional communication, and people will understand the science if we engage in conversations. That's why I work so hard in utilizing it."

You can read more about Hirsh in the PEPH Grantee Highlights (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/dert/sphb/programs/peph/grantee-highlights/index.cfm#a359422)!

Air Pollution, Particulate Matter, and Inflammation as Contributing Factors in Autism
Autism is a complex, heterogeneous neurological disorder that now affects nearly 1 in 88 children. Investigators are researching possible causes of autism, and genetic and environmental factors are likely to contribute.

Heather Volk, Ph.D., M.P.H. (http://keck.usc.edu/Education/Academic_Department_and_Divisions/Department_of_Preventive_Medicine/About_the_Department/Our_People.aspx?facid=3980)  , with collaborators Rob McConnell, M.D. (http://keck.usc.edu/profiles?facid=760)   and Irva Hertz-Picciotto, Ph.D., M.P.H. (http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/publish/facultybio/search/faculty/855)  , published a report linking traffic related air pollution and regional air quality exposure to risk of autism. This data expanded on previous studies of roadway distance, as a proxy for traffic pollution exposure, and autism risk. Their population-based case-control study (http://archpsyc.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1393589#AuthorInformation)   suggests that exposure to traffic related air pollution and criteria pollutants (e.g., nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter) during pregnancy and the first year of life is associated with autism. "This study helps support the growing evidence that air pollution exposure, potentially acting through the immune system, can affect the developing brain and may have a role in autism spectrum disorders," stated Volk. Dr. Hertz-Picciotto added that with recent scientific advancements, "Air pollution and inflammatory pathways present intriguing possibilities for future prevention efforts." The study was part of the Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment (CHARGE) (http://beincharge.ucdavis.edu/)   study in collaboration with the MIND Institute at the University of California, Davis (http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/mindinstitute/)  .

In a separate study, Alan Brown, M.D., M.P.H. (http://asp.cumc.columbia.edu/facdb/profile_list.asp?uni=asb11&DepAffil=Psychiatry)  , and his team at Columbia University, reported (http://www.nature.com/mp/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/mp2012197a.html)   that increased maternal inflammation markers were significantly associated with increased risk of autism in their children. Increased maternal inflammation could be an indication of maternal infections.

Pestibytes Podcast Series Discusses Common Pesticide Questions

How can I wash pesticides from fruit and veggies? Can bug bombs really explode? With a baby on the way, is it okay to spray? These and seventeen other common pesticide questions are discussed in a podcast series called Pestibytes (http://npic.orst.edu/pestibytes/index.html)  . The series was created under a cooperative agreement between Oregon State University Superfund Research Program, the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC), and the U.S. EPA (cooperative agreement #X8-83458501). The short podcasts feature NPIC specialists offering information. Transcripts of the podcasts are also posted on the website.

For additional materials please refer to the PEPH resources page.

The PEPH Evaluation Metrics Manual (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/programs/peph/metrics/index.cfm) provides examples of tangible metrics that PEPH grantees and program staff can use for both planning and evaluation. Example logic models are used as a means to develop evaluation metrics for cross-cutting PEPH themes such as Partnerships, Leveraging, Products and Dissemination, Education and Training and Capacity Building. PEPH grantees (including all project partners) are the primary target audience for this document.

Current Issue of the PEPH eNews (http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/pephnews/lists/currentissue.cfm)
(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/dert/sphb/programs/peph/podcasts/index.cfm) As PEPH partners, we are often engaging community members and stakeholders as well as creating and sharing resources to improve public health. In this newsletter, we share information to help you connect and learn in new ways. We encourage you to venture into social media, and include some tips to get you started. Topics this month include asthma in honor of Asthma Awareness Month (http://www.cdc.gov/features/asthmaawareness/)  .

PEPH Podcast on Breast Cancer and the Environment
A new podcast in the PEPH series, Environmental Health Chat (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/dert/sphb/programs/peph/podcasts/breastcancer/index.cfm), features Jeanne Rizzo, R.N. (http://www.breastcancerfund.org/about/staff/jeanne-rizzo-rn-president.html)  , discussing translation of breast cancer research into messages that help inform the decisions we make in our everyday lives. This podcast is Part Two in a series on Breast Cancer and the Environment.

Asthma and Children's Environmental Health Webinar
This month's EPA/NIEHS Children's Centers webinar will be "Asthma" featuring Kari Nadeau, M.D., Ph.D. (http://med.stanford.edu/profiles/Kari_Nadeau/)  , from Stanford University; Rachel Miller, M.D. (http://www.mailman.columbia.edu/our-faculty/profile?uni=rlm14)  , from Columbia University; and Elizabeth Matsui, M.D., M.H.S. (http://www.hopkinschildrens.org/Elizabeth-Matsui-MD.aspx)  , from Johns Hopkins University. The webinar will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 from 1:00–2:30 p.m. ET. Register online. (http://epa.gov/ncer/events/#maycehc-webinar)  

Communication Research PEPH Webinar
Communication research focuses on how social, behavioral, and cultural factors influence risk communication. Learn about how information is received, understood, and applied in the next PEPH webinar, "Communication Research," (https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/400524282)   on May 23, 2013 from 12:30-2:00 p.m. ET. Register online (https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/400524282)  .

Integrated Approaches to Reducing Workers' Health Disparities
A recent article in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajim.22174/abstract)   applies a socio-ecological perspective to promote integrated approaches to improve the health of low-income workers. The authors include Sharon Beard, M.S. (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/dert/wet/staff/beard/index.cfm), of the NIEHS Worker Education and Training Program (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/dert/wet/index.cfm).

Measuring Engagement and Partnership Webinar
The National Cancer Institute Implementation Science Team is hosting a webinar, "How Engaged Are We? Measuring Community Engagement and Partnership (https://cyberseminar.cancercontrolplanet.org/implementationscience/)  " on May 20, 2013, 3:00–4:00 p.m. ET. Register online (https://cyberseminar.cancercontrolplanet.org/implementationscience/)  . Click on the "+" next to the registration button for a description of the webinar.

Asthma Concerns and Action in Chicago EJ Video
Kimberly Wasserman and the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (http://lvejo.org/)   successfully led a push to close two coal-fired power plants in Chicago. She was awarded the Goldman Prize (http://www.goldmanprize.org/recipient/kimberly-wasserman)   for her environmental justice work. Her story is featured in a U.S. EPA EJ video (http://blog.epa.gov/ej/2013/04/1193/)  .

Upcoming PEPH-related Meetings

• June 10, 2013:"NIEHS WETP Awardee Meeting (http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/events.cfm?id=2525)"in Washington D.C.; register (http://project.michaeldbaker.com/WETPMeeting/registration_summer13/registration_form.cfm)   until May 17, 2013.
• June 11-12, 2013:"CPWR/NIOSH Safety Culture Workshop (http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/events.cfm?id=2525)" in Washington, D.C.; register (http://project.michaeldbaker.com/WETPMeeting/registration_summer13/registration_form.cfm)   until May 17, 2013 (location at the same hotel as the WETP Awardee Meeting above).
• June 17–20, 2013: "2013 URISA GIS in Public Health Conference (http://www.urisa.org/2013health)  " in Miami, Florida, on the use of GIS for public health access, processes and decision-making.
• July 9-11, 2013: National Environmental Health Association's "2013 Annual Educational Conference & Exhibition (http://www.neha2013aec.org/)  " in Portland, Oregon.
• July 29–31, 2013: "Environmental Health Disparities and Environmental Justice Meeting (http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/conference/ehd_ej_2013/index.cfm)" in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Visit the Web page (http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/conference/ehd_ej_2013/index.cfm) to learn about the meeting objectives!