What’s New

ICF Macro Exhibits at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene’s 58th Annual Meeting.

The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene will host their 58th Annual Meeting from November 18-22, 2009, in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1903, ASTMH is a global health worldwide organization that focuses on disease prevention and improving health among people across the globe. Public health officials, military personnel, researchers, professors, and physicians are some of the attendees that will be present during the conference. All parties plan to join and learn more about effective ways to get involved and promote the importance of global health.

ICF Macro will exhibit at booth #107 and will use this major networking opportunity to share science with peers and colleagues in the global health industry. For more information, visit http://www.astmh.org/meetings/.

ICF Macro at the Section 508 Coordinators Conference Vendor Day.

The Federal Government Section 508 Coordinators meet annually for their conference and Vendor Day event. The conference offers a great opportunity to share and showcase products and services to selected representatives who are directly responsible for the implementation of Section 508 within the Federal Government. Both the conference and Vendor Day event will be held on November 5 in Gettysburg, PA.

At the conference, ICF Macro will be exhibiting and showcasing services directly related to Accessibility and Section 508 Compliance. If you would like more information, please visit http://www.eval.org/eval2009/.

ICF Macro Exhibits at the APHA 137th Annual Meeting and Exposition.

For the 137th year, the American Public Health Association (APHA) is hosting its Annual Meeting & Exposition. This year, it will occur in Philadelphia from November 7-11. This educational forum is designed to give professionals the opportunity to learn from experts in the field, discover new research findings, and share products and services among peers. This conference has been in existence longer than any other public health gathering, and attracts over 13,000 attendees.

ICF Macro and ICF International will be exhibiting and presenting at the APHA conference. Our booth (#923) will showcase our many public health programs and campaigns, and our team will also be a part of the presentation section of the conference. For more information, visit http://www.apha.org/meetings/.

The American Evaluation Association's Evaluation 2009 welcomes ICF Macro.

Expecting approximately 2,500 evaluation practitioners, academics, and students, the American Evaluation Association’s annual conference will incorporate over 40 topical strands, including this year’s presidential theme, Context and Evaluation. The AEA annual conference, “Evaluation 2009,” will hone in on the different dimensions of context and how it attributes to evaluation methods.

ICF Macro will be exhibiting at the conference. Our presence will inform existing and potential future clients of the expanding research and evaluation capabilities through our merger with ICF International. For more information, please visit http://www.eval.org/eval2009/.

National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing, and Media 2009

This year’s theme for the third annual National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing, and Media is “Participation Powers Prevention” to encourage the public to more fully participate in matters of health, especially prevention, is a cornerstone of health reform. The conference, sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and co-sponsored by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the National Public Health Information Coalition, will take place from August 11–13 in Atlanta.

2009 National Conference on Community Preparedness (NCCP)

On August 9–12, ICF Macro will be at the 2009 National Conference on Community Preparedness: The Power of Citizen Corps, hosted by FEMA's Community Preparedness Division. The NCCP will bring together approximately 750 state and local elected officials, emergency management, fire and police services, public health and emergency medical services, non-governmental organizations, private business and industry, advocacy groups, and members of the public. Taking place in Arlington, VA, the conference endeavors to help communities become safer, stronger, and better prepared for all types of hazards.

ICF Macro will promote its work in risk communication, emergency preparedness, communication strategy, health and threat literacy, partner engagement, and community-based education and training. Please visit the ICF Macro booth, #416.

ICF Macro at Weight of the Nation

From July 27-29, ICF Macro will be in Washington, DC, exhibiting at Weight of the Nation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) inaugural conference on obesity prevention and control. This conference will provide a forum to highlight progress in the prevention and control of obesity through policy and environmental strategies. As a result of the plenary and concurrent sessions, CDC and its partners hope to better identify the challenges to obesity prevention and control, in order to set appropriate policy. Then CDC will use this information to produce a “National Road Map for Obesity Prevention and Control” and guidelines for investing in integrated obesity prevention and control initiatives.

A centerpiece of the conference will be the presentation of 24 recommended community level strategies and measurements to prevent obesity. These will be published in an upcoming edition of the “Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report” along with an implementation and measurement guide. These products are an outgrowth of work conducted by staff in ICF Macro’s Atlanta office.

At the conference, ICF Macro will showcase these products as well as others that we have developed to help communities plan, implement, and monitor their obesity prevention efforts.

For more information, please see www.weightofthenation.org.

DHS Program Celebrates 25 Years
Health Data from 85 Countries Available

Since 1985, the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) program has collected, analyzed, and disseminated nationally representative data on fertility, health, HIV, and nutrition through 240 surveys in 85 countries. ICF Macro has managed the DHS program and provided technical assistance for the DHS surveys for more than two decades.

25th Anniversary video accolades include:"The data support informed decisions and lead to better population and health policies," "...helped catapult us into the modern world of evidence-based policy decisions," "...the estimates have changed the way the world understands the AIDS epidemic," and, "The [DHS] program represents the international standard for quality control in data collection, ensures free access to data and survey tools, and strives to build capacity in host countries."

Biomarkers and GIS are used to enhance data collection. Data are available for free through final reports, full datasets for analysis, and easy web tools such as the STATcompiler, HIV/AIDS Survey Indicators Database, STATmapper, and HIVmapper.

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Congress Receives Children’s Mental Health Report Prepared by ICF Macro

The fourth annual short report that ICF Macro prepared for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) was presented at a Congressional briefing on May 7, National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. The short report documents results achieved by SAMHSA’s Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services Program for Children and Their Families (CMHI). This is the most comprehensive effort to date to promote the development of systems of care to improve the lives and outcomes of children with serious emotional disturbance and their families. Since 1993, the CMHI has funded 144 grantees in 50 states, 2 territories, 18 tribal communities, and the District of Columbia, and has provided over $1.37 billion toward the development of local systems of care.

Kathryn Power, director of the Center for Mental Health Services at SAMHSA, shared findings from the report with more than 100 attendees at the Capitol Hill briefing. Goldie Hawn, who supports children through The Hawn Foundation, attended the briefing and spoke on behalf of children’s mental health. On May 8, Ms. Hawn received an award at a performance to celebrate resilience, in which youth from across the country who are living with mental health challenges demonstrated their gifts at the Harmon Theater.

The short report describes educational, emotional, and behavioral outcomes for youth with serious emotional disturbance receiving services in systems of care. This information is used to improve mental health programs and outcomes for children, youth, and their families across the United States.

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ICF Macro Presence at Cancer Registries Conferences

ICF Macro recently exhibited at the National Cancer Registrars Association’s 35th Annual Conference, which took place May 31-June 3 in New Orleans, LA. The theme of this year’s conference was Transforming and Building: Working Together Towards Global Change.

As an exhibitor, ICF Macro had the opportunity to present its new image, and relate to potential clients more than ever before.  There were more than 1100 attendees at the conference, primarily related to an actual hospital’s setting for cancer data. Networking was key, and ICF Macro was very successful making great connections. Furthermore, the Marketing and Communications team worked closely with ICF Macro’s exhibiting staff to compose new panels, brochures, handouts and of course the giveaways to create a great booth space! 

For more information, please visit http://www.ncra-usa.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1.

A bit later in the month, ICF Macro will also exhibit at the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) 2009 Annual Conference from June 13-19, 2009 in San Diego, CA. The conference is entitled, “Charting the Course to a New World in Cancer Surveillance” and will cover the relevancy of cancer registries in the present and in the future. It will highlight new directions in cancer surveillance including technological advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, as well as innovations that will impact the cancer data collection. Also for discussion will be cancer registry data in diverse populations.

ICF Macro will be at Booth #9, presenting more giveaways and brochures. More than 300 attendees are expected, and ICF Macro looks forward to building relationships with others in the field.  The team is planning to focus on promoting ICF Macro’s services to Central Registries, through networking and field experience.

For more information, please visit http://www.naaccr.org/index.asp?Col_SectionKey=1&Col_ContentID=1.

ICF Macro at the National Conference on Tobacco or Health

ICF Macro will be exhibiting at this year’s National Conference on Tobacco or Health which takes place in Phoenix, AZ from June 10 to 12. The purpose of the conference is to help improve and sustain the effectiveness and reach of tobacco control programs and activities in the United States. Program areas this year include: Cessation, Communication and Media, Evaluation and Surveillance, Increasing Diversity/Eliminating Disparities, International Tobacco, Legal Issues, Nicotine and the Science of Addiction, Non-Cigarette Tobacco and Nicotine Products, the Tobacco Control Movement, Tobacco Control Policies, Tobacco Industry, and Youth.

ICF Macro will be at Booth #400 during the conference.

For more information, please visit
http://www.tobaccocontrolconference.org/2009/.

ICF Macro Leads Panel on Emerging Infectious Diseases

ICF Macro, an ICF International Company, will provide a panel presentation on the rapid detection of emerging infectious diseases at the Global Health Conference on May 27. The experts will present “Rapid Detection of Emerging Infectious Diseases: New Approaches, Today’s Tools.” Recent fears of an H1N1 influenza pandemic illustrate the importance of rapid detection of new diseases. “Emerging infectious diseases threaten global health, livelihoods, and economic stability,” said Denise Johnson, ICF Macro technical director. “The earlier we detect these diseases, the more effective our response can be. New integrated surveillance approaches can help detect such diseases in both animal and human populations before they become public health threats.”

ICF Macro has partnered with government agencies supporting pandemic prevention and preparedness efforts in the United States and globally, including work for the U.S. Agency for International Development, to strengthen animal and human health surveillance in countries most affected by the H5N1 virus. The panel will be moderated by Erin Eckert, ICF Macro principal investigator, MEASURE Evaluation. For more information, visit http://www.globalhealth.org/conference_2009/view_top.php3?id=954#b1

ICF Macro will also provide additional presentations, and will be exhibiting at the Global Health Conference. Visit us at booth #408.

ICF Macro Presents at Eastern Evaluation Conference

ICF Macro staff members are participating in the Eastern Evaluation Research Society (EERS) conference, April 19-21, in Absecon, NJ. Shauna Clarke and Edith Stevens are presenting on Responding to the Challenge of Assessing Educators’ Technology Proficiency with Technology in a session on Monday, April 20, 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. This presentation reports on the results of a grant that investigated what it means to be technology proficient. No Child Left Behind requires states to report on the technology literacy of teachers, administrators, and students. ICF Macro engaged in a collaborative process doing telephone focus groups with administrators and teachers on the MD technology literacy inventories, instruments designed to measure teachers’ and administrators’ technical proficiency. In addition, Agata Jose-Ivanina is presenting a skill-building session on Getting More out of Excel, Tuesday April 21, 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Ohio Family Health Survey Informs Public Policy in Tough Economy

ICF Macro is participating in the largest state survey of health insurance coverage and access to care; data are having an immediate impact on policy decisions in Ohio regarding Medicaid and the use of stimulus dollars. The Ohio Family Health Survey (OFHS) shows coverage of children has risen, but coverage for adults has declined. The number of children without insurance has dropped from 5.4 percent to 4.0 percent since 2004, but more working adults are uninsured. This is tied to a decline in Ohioans with job-related coverage and a significant increase in adults who are not working. The OFHS data supports decisions regarding health care reform and is expected to be used by state agencies and the legislature to measure the impact of reforms. More than 43,000 telephone interviews with Ohioans were completed by the ICF Macro call center in Springfield, OH from 2008 to 2009.

ICF International Acquires Macro

In March 2009, Macro International joined with ICF International, a global professional services firm, to expand our capabilities in research and evaluation.

ICF International (NASDAQ:ICFI) partners with government and commercial clients to deliver professional services and technology solutions in the energy and climate change; environment and infrastructure; health, human services, and social programs; and homeland security and defense markets. The firm combines passion for its work with industry expertise and innovative analytics to produce compelling results throughout the entire program life cycle, from research and analysis through implementation and improvement.

The company, referred to as ICF Macro, will be held as a wholly owned subsidiary of ICF International.

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Macro Participates in FedCASIC

Macro is pleased to be participating again in the annual FedCASIC conference in Washington, DC, running March 17–19. The event, sponsored by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau, is the 13th annual Federal Computer Assisted Survey Information Collection (CASIC) meeting. Macro has been a regular participant over the past decade, reporting on many technologies and data collection and management issues including:

• Data security and confidentiality
• Web-based influence and attitudes measurements
• Biomarker testing
• Cell phone research
• Mobile and geographic data collection and reporting

Martin Wulfe is providing an overview of Macro’s secure FTP control center, a sophisticated system that provides direct, flexible control of data access between interviewers’ laptop computers and Macro’s data control center.

Macro International Awarded Roger M. Smith Team Award

Macro was recently recognized by the Indian Head Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center with the 2008 Roger M. Smith Team Award for "Go Places! with Math and Science," a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) initiative.

The Roger M. Smith Team Award recognizes collaboration efforts that meet customer needs by providing products or services that ultimately result in improved organizational performance and increased effectiveness. Macro collaborated with Charles County (Maryland) school teachers and Indian Head Division subject matter experts to develop career pipeline lessons for elementary, middle, and high school students. In support of this initiative, Macro developed activity lessons, teacher guides, student worksheets, evaluations, brochures, posters, portable display units, and a website.

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Macro Awarded MEASURE Evaluation Leader with Associates Award

Macro is part of a consortium that was awarded the MEASURE Evaluation Phase III leader with associates award (LWA) by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Since 1997, Macro has been a major part of USAID’s initiatives to help developing countries collect and use data to monitor and evaluate population, health, and nutrition programs. The program covers a range of programmatic areas including reproductive health, child health, nutrition, HIV/AIDS, gender, and infectious diseases including malaria.

The contract will serve as the Bureau for Global Health’s flagship program for monitoring and evaluation of population, health, and nutrition projects. Macro is a subcontractor to the University of North Carolina/Carolina Population Center. Other partners include the Futures Group, John Snow International, Tulane University, and Management Sciences for Health.

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Macro Contributes to Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Annual Meeting

Macro experts contributed papers and chaired seminars at the recent annual meeting of the American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Macro staff members highlighted global public health work in malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, avian influenza, and other infectious diseases.  Erin Eckert, with assistance from Ashley Garley, co-chaired a symposium on the Roll Back Malaria Monitoring and Evaluation Reference Group to discuss M&E needs in the move towards malaria elimination. The session showed clear evidence of the rapidly changing profile of malaria in many key African countries, and drew an overflow audience eager to hear the breaking news of these results. Ravi Goud, Kiersten Johnson, Shane Khan, and Erin Eckert all presented posters on the results of malaria work that Macro has conducted over the past year.

Johnson presented a unique approach to investigating the effects of vector control on burden of malaria by examining the association between use of mosquito nets and severe anemia among young children in 8 sub-Saharan African countries.  Khan and Eckert used DHS datasets to examine patterns of ownership and use of bednets for malaria in Angola, and the relationship between bednet use and parasitemia levels. Goud presented a study on the impact of malaria interventions in Madagascar that was co-funded by the U.S. Presidents Malaria Initiative and the Global Fund for AIDS, TB, and Malaria.

See a list of Macro staff presentations at ASTMA.

Public Health Preparedness Summit

Macro is presenting and exhibiting at the Public Health Preparedness Summit, February 18-20 in San Diego, CA.

• The application of a communication map in emergency planning
• The steps that organizations and agencies should take in communicating with the general public during radiological emergencies
• Challenges in communicating to the public during a radiological emergency

Visit Macro at the summit at booth 813.

Click to view information on Macro's Emergency Preparedness and Risk Communication work.

Macro International Awarded Two National Science Foundation Contracts

Macro was recently awarded two contracts by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to collect data on the performance and effectiveness of 10 programs promoting the study and professional pursuit of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at academic institutions across the United States. For Division of Engineering Education and Centers (EEC), Macro will continue to provide support for program-level databases, the Partnerships for Innovation (PFI) public website and database, and national workforce data analysis tasks. Macro will also collect data over a four-year period on the effectiveness of mathematics and science education and research for the NSF Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR).

Macro has supported EHR and EEC since 1998, maintaining and supporting multiple web-based systems that collect data on individuals’ progress in education and research for EHR and from program awardees on their center’s funding, personnel, institutions, research, and outputs for EEC. During a decade-plus working relationship with NSF, Macro has been awarded multiple contracts totaling $30 million to carry out these tasks for EEC and EHR.

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Macro Awarded Maryland Youth and Adult Tobacco Surveys Contract

Macro was awarded a contract to conduct the biennial Maryland Youth and Adult Tobacco Surveys in 2008 and 2010.   The data gathered allows Maryland’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) to develop biennial estimates of the prevalence of tobacco-use behaviors and exposure to second-hand smoke for the state as a whole and for each of its 24 political subdivisions.  

Macro has conducted the Youth Tobacco Survey (YTS) and the Adult Tobacco Survey (ATS) for DHMH since their inceptions in fall 2000.   Macro also has conducted the ATS for 15 other states or parts of states and the YTS in 10 states.  In addition, Macro has fielded the National YTS since its inception in 1999 and will be fielding the first National ATS in the latter half of 2009.

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Macro to Serve as the Data Coordinating Center for CDC's HIV/AIDS Data

Macro was recently awarded a contract with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention to be the Data Coordinating Center for the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System (NHBS) and the Medical Monitoring Project (MMP). The NHBS and MMP surveillance systems were launched as part of CDC’s strategic plan to strengthen the capacity to monitor the HIV/AIDS epidemic nationwide.

The goal of the Data Coordinating Center is to develop a data submission and monitoring application that provides sites with user-friendly tools to manage participant tracking information, data collection schedules, data submissions, error resolutions, and reporting. The resulting system will produce timely data that can be used by CDC and the funded sites to inform programs on a national, state, and local level.

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Macro Awarded APHIA II Evaluation

Macro has been awarded the 5-year APHIA II contract. The APHIA II Evaluation project is designed to contribute substantively to strengthening Kenya’s monitoring and evaluation framework. Activities will focus on improving and coordinating reporting for U.S. government health assistance (primarily HIV/AIDS but including reproductive health, malaria, and other health issues).

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Macro Awarded CDC Cancer Surveillance Contract

Macro recently announced that it was awarded its fourth multi-year contract to maintain and enhance the National Program of Cancer Registries Cancer Surveillance System (NPCR-CSS) for the CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP). Macro has collected and processed data from State and territorial cancer registries in the United States since the project’s inception in 1999.

The NPCR collects data on the occurrence of cancer, the type, extent, and location of the cancer and the type of initial treatment. This allows public health professionals to better understand and address the nation’s cancer burden.

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Macro Receives P&B Exceptional 53 Award

Macro International is pleased to announce its inclusion in The Gazette of Politics and Business list of the 53 top businesses and organizations in the State of Maryland. The awards program examines a company’s annual revenue and employee growth as well as noteworthy product or service innovations, community service efforts and how the companies portrayed themselves as "a good place to work."

Macro was recognized for exceptional growth during the last three years, as well as for community service programs including: raising money for HIV/AIDS and breast cancer research, supporting the Maryland School for the Blind, and a staff-inspired campaign to raise relief funds following the recent 7.9 R earthquake in China's Sichuan Province. The award also noted Macro's innovations in research, analysis, and social marketing that contribute substantially to positive health outcomes around the world. 

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Macro Awarded SAMHSA Materials Development and Marketing Support Contract

Macro recently announced that it was awarded a 5-year contract to continue supporting the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Office of Communications (OC) with its communications needs. Macro has provided this department with publications- and media-related materials development services since 1998. Macro provides SAMHSA with quick-turnaround high-quality products that help inform and educate service providers, consumers, policymakers, the media, and the general public about substance abuse and mental health information.

Read the press release.

Macro Again Awarded the ABLEDATA Contract

Macro recently announced that it was awarded a five-year ABLEDATA contract by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research. ABLEDATA provides objective information on assistive technology and rehabilitation equipment available from domestic and international sources. The project provides information about commercially available, as well as custom-built and do-it-yourself, assistive devices to consumers, organizations, professionals, and caregivers within the United States, helping people locate the assistive products they need.

Macro has operated ABLEDATA since 1992, taking it from a relatively small database of assistive technology with a limited customer base to an internationally renowned source of comprehensive, objective information about assistive products and other disability-related issues that serves more than 5 million people annually.

Read the press release.

Macro Author Contributed to New CDC Cancer Burden Assessment

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today announced the release of a new assessment of the burden of Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers in the United States. New studies show 25,000 cases annually from 1998-2003 of HPV-associated cancers in 38 states and the District of Columbia.

The CDC’s National Program of Cancer Registries Cancer Surveillance System is managed by Macro International. Dr. Kevin Zhang, project director, co-authored an article which was included in the monograph.

The publication was a collaborative effort among the CDC, state cancer registries, the National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, and academic institutions.

Evaluation 2008: American Evaluation Association Conference

Macro is providing presentations on wide range of evaluation services at the American Evaluation Association’s annual conference, November 5-8 in Denver, CO.

Macro staff will present on topics including:

• Modeling the Logic and Measuring the Performance of Government Programs
• Retention in a Longitudinal Outcome Study
• Monitoring and Evaluation Strategies to Improve National (HIV) Prevention Programs
• Reviving the Evaluability Assessment Method
• What Every Evaluator Should Know About His or Her Role in Performance Management.

See a detailed list of presentations authored or co-authored by Macro professionals.

Stop by our table to learn about Macro’s work.

Macro Interational Awarded MEASURE DHS III Contract

Macro was recently awarded the MEASURE Phase III Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) contract by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The $142 million, five-year contract will serve as the Bureau for Global Health’s primary demographic and health data collection effort. Macro has held the Measure III contract since 1992, and since 1979, has been a major part of USAID’s initiatives to help developing countries collect and use data to monitor and evaluate population, health, and nutrition programs. The MEASURE DHS Phase III project also supports biomarker testing, providing countries with information on national rates of HIV, malaria, anemia, and other health threats.

"The MEASURE DHS project is considered the ‘gold standard’ in national survey research,” said Ann Way, the project director. “DHS surveys are widely respected and used worldwide,” said Dr. Way. “For the new project, we will expand efforts to build local capacity to collect, analyze, and use demographic and health data in close collaboration with our project partners: The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, PATH, CAMRIS, Blue Raster, and The Futures Institute."

APHA 136th Annual Conference

Join Macro International at APHA in San Diego, CA, October 25-29. Check out Macro staff members’ papers and presentations and learn more about our work at booth number 808.

At APHA, Macro will showcase our work in:

• Innovations in School Asthma Programs
• Complete Basic Vaccination in Nepal: Barriers and Trends Over the Last Decade
• Suicide Prevention on College Campuses: The Relationship Between Knowledge, Prevention, Exposure, and Stigma
• Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Eye Health and Disease Among Older Adults: Results of a National Telephone Survey

See a list of Macro staff presentations at APHA.

View the Macro Public Health case history brochure.(PDF)

Macro’s Evaluation Work Featured in Online Learning Webcast and Publication

Macro’s Helene Jennings was recently featured in a webcast about online learning that was sponsored by the US Department of Education (ED) as part of the International Society for Technology in Education’s annual conference.

In the webcast, Helene brought to life the book Evaluating Online Learning: Challenges and Strategies for Success (PDF). She explained, “In putting together this publication, ED expanded the definition of online learning far beyond courses and virtual schools, adding a rich mix of creative applications such as electronic fieldtrips. Macro has been a leader in evaluating online materials. Our work for ThinkPort, Maryland Public Television’s portal for teachers, was presented as a case study.”

Helene explained that randomized control trials are the “gold standard” in evaluation, but these studies can cost millions of dollars to conduct. Macro has applied the same model on a smaller scale, creating a process that is not overly expensive, but is still rigorous.

Listen to the webcast. Choose "Click to View" and complete the registration information.

To view the book Evaluating Online Learning. (PDF)

Macro Cited in Gazette Papers for Commuter Program

For many years, Macro has supported telecommuting and commuting options that reduce environmental impact, cut costs, and allow for a better balance of work and family life. These programs are offered in all of Macro’s offices.

In a recent article in the Maryland Gazette newspapers, Macro was cited as a commuter-savvy employer. The article reported: “Macro International began its formal telework program in 2003, although some employees previously teleworked on an informal basis for years.”

Macro recently created its own ridesharing system where staff members can input information about their commutes, to facilitate making ridesharing arrangements. Macro supports ride sharing to help reduce traffic levels and greenhouse gas emissions in addition to helping employees manage their commuting options.

View the Gazette Newspaper article.

African American Women and Mass Media Pilot Kicked Off

The Savannah Tribune recently publicized the July 24 kick off of a cancer awareness pilot project designed to increase awareness of breast cancer, mammography, and the availability of local screening services among women aged 40-64. The program, sponsored by the African American Health Information & Resource Center, Daniels Communications Group, Sisters Network, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, focuses on the vital role that early detection using mammograms and preventive care plays in reducing the number of breast cancer deaths.

Breast cancer survivors were honored, and the event celebrated this effort to save the lives of African American women. Ashani Johnson-Turbes and Yasmine Zavahir of Macro International delivered the closing remarks.

View the Savannah Tribune article.

National Conference on Health Communication, Media, and Marketing

Macro is participating in the second National Conference on Health Communication, Media, and Marketing from August 12 to 14 in Atlanta, GA. The conference is sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Macro provides a wide range of communication and social marketing services, including formative research, strategy development, message development, materials development and distribution, capacity building, and impact evaluation.

Stop by our booth to learn more about Macro’s work helping young enlisted personnel quit tobacco, making vision a health priority, promoting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and forging partnerships to stop underage drinking.

See a list of Macro presentations.

View Macro’s Communication and Social Marketing case history brochure.

Faith-Based Initiatives Demonstrate Success with WIBs

Macro recently completed an analysis of the effectiveness of Faith-Based Community Organizations (FBCOs) in working with Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs) based on Department of Labor demonstration projects.

The Touching Lives and Communities report presents results, insights, and information from 22 demonstration projects as reported directly by the WIB grantees. The dimensions of Outreach/Working with FBCOs, Data Outcomes/Reporting, and Capacity-Building/Sustainability were evaluated and the question of whether and how these WIB/FBCO partnerships will sustain themselves beyond the end of the grant funding was examined.

The report includes case studies of promising practices from WIB grantees. These case studies chronicle particular projects in total, to provide a more thorough, contextualized “story” of how these particular grantees made this challenging project into a success in their particular community.

Click here for links to the Touching Lives and Communities report and case studies.

First Cell Phone Omnibus Survey

Macro is pleased to announce the second running of MacroPoll Wireless, the first-ever cell-phone omnibus survey.

As more people switch from landlines to cell phones, researchers are seeing the effects of missing “cord-cutters” in their samples. Estimates indicate cord-cutters (the cell-only population) make up 13 percent, and are projected to rise to 25 percent this year.

In October, Macro completed the first MacroPoll Wireless, a national omnibus survey conducted with cell phone users. Two-hundred and fifty respondents answered the survey, with over 100 reporting that they don’t have a landline.

Eight cell-survey pioneers placed an eclectic set of questions on the survey with topics including political preferences, awareness and perceptions of current events, consumer expenditures, health and healthcare, and mobile phone and Internet usage.

MacroPoll Wireless will run again in February 2008. Please contact Randy ZuWallack at randal.zuwallack@macrointernational.com or at 802-863-9600 for information about purchasing questions or about the survey itself.

Click here for more information on MacroPoll Wireless

Click here to view the MacroPoll Wireless press release

American Evaluation Association Annual Conference

Macro is participating in the American Evaluation Association’s (AEA’s) annual conference on November 7–9 in Baltimore, MD, and is co-sponsoring the AEA International Reception. Macro provides a wide range of evaluation services, including program evaluation, performance management, evaluation design, outcome/impact evaluation, data analysis, and formative evaluation.

Macro staff members are chairing 8 sessions and providing 17 presentations, including:

• Reading First Program: Successes and Challenges
• Tools for a Successful Randomized Control Trial in an International Arena
• The Impact of a Smoking Cessation Media Campaign in the Military
• Implementation of Evidence-based Interventions in Community Mental Health Settings
• Challenges and Good Practices in Evaluating Anti-child Labor and Basic Education Programs Worldwide.

See a detailed list of presentations authored or co-authored by Macro professionals.

Stop by our booth in the lobby of the Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel to learn about some of Macro’s work, including rapid evaluation of a school-based asthma program, policy and management guidance on veterans benefits, implementation analysis of a nutritious eating program to a health care cost containment survey, access to children’s mental health services within communities, and analysis of child labor practices in nearly every country and territory in the world.

View Macro’s AEA case history brochure.

APHA’s 135th Annual Meeting

Join Macro International at APHA in Washington, DC, on November 3–7. Check out Macro staff members’ papers and presentations and learn more about our work at booths 729 and 1047.

For instance, Macro has been helping the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) better understand the nature of child and forced labor around the world and the effectiveness of programs to combat it in its worst forms. We use innovative sampling and methodologies to measure incidence and prevalence in places and industries in which there is little or no scientific data. We are assisting USDOL in tracking the incidence of child and forced labor and human trafficking in relation to production of goods in nearly every country and territory in the world.

Macro also collects data on foreign governments’ efforts to combat child labor, contributing to the development of the crucial Trade & Development Act (TDA) annual reports. This data goes out to policymakers all over the world, supporting them in developing programs to help such children as carpet weavers in Nepal, child fishermen in Nigeria, young market vendors and porters in Peru, and child agricultural workers in Haiti.

At APHA, Macro will showcase our work in:

See a list of Macro staff presentations at APHA.

View the Macro case history brochure.

Macro Helps Redefine HIV/AIDS Prevention in Africa

A recent Macro analysis on HIV infections within married couples in Africa has challenged AIDS prevention practitioners and policymakers to look at significant new sources of infection. Surprisingly, the study found when only one partner in a marriage has HIV (HIV discordant couple), women were the infected partner in a majority of cases in 4 of the 11 countries studied. Even in the other seven countries, more than one-third of discordant couples had wives infected, not their husbands.

Because husbands were traditionally thought to be the cause of wives’ infections, most prevention efforts have been aimed at men. Macro’s findings point out the importance of redirecting prevention efforts to include married women.

Macro’s Vinod Mishra, the lead author of the study, pointed out, “This is not about laying blame; it’s about saving lives by preventing future infections.”

Macro’s analysis was presented at the HIV/AIDS Implementers’ Meeting held June 16–19 in Kigali, Rwanda. The meeting, sponsored by PEPFAR, the Global Fund, UNAIDS, UNICEF, WHO, and the World Bank, was attended by more than 1,500 HIV/AIDS program planners and implementers from around the world.

Click here for the IRIN PlusNews article. To view the related article in The Economist, click here.

Macro International Honored With More Video Awards

Following recent wins in the Aurora and Telly awards competitions, Macro has won several more awards for video productions. These videos help our clients showcase human rights, educate the public, support communities, and improve lives.

Macro won two top awards and three second-place awards from The Pegasus Awards, which recognize work produced by nonbroadcast video professionals throughout the United States in educational, medical, and government-related content areas. Macro won awards for the following video programs.

Award of Excellence

Kevin Hines TV Public Service Announcement—Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

How To Organize a Reach Out Now Teach-In for Your Community—SAMHSA/Center for Substance Abuse Prevention Underage Drinking Prevention

Award of Honor

Addiction Treatment Workforce: Where We Are, Why We’re Here, and Where We Need To Be—SAMHSA/Center for Substance Abuse Treatment Recovery Month

Profiles in Public Health: LCDR Thomas Pryor—U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps

Douye (Our Cause)—Human Rights Action Center

Macro also won a third-place certificate for creative excellence for “Vida en la Communidad Para Todos” (the bilingual Hispanic/Latino Initiative 2-DVD set is available at http://hablemos.samhsa.gov/paratodos/onlines.aspx) in the U.S. International Film and Video Festival, Community Development category. This competition is devoted exclusively to recognition of outstanding business, television, documentary, educational, entertainment, industrial, and informational productions.

Macro a Gold Sponsor at AAPOR’s 62nd Annual Conference

Macro was a Gold sponsor and presented and exhibited at the 62nd annual American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) conference in Anaheim, CA, on May 17–21.

At AAPOR, Macro staff members highlighted work in areas including global health, education, homeland security, substance abuse, community development, and more, including projects involving:

• Large-scale data collection via the Web, CATI, CAPI, and PDA
• Research and analytic systems integration via the Web
• Program and policy evaluation
• Mobile data collection and GIS mapping

Presentations given by Macro during the AAPOR conference included:

• Cell Phone and Landline Samples: Dual Frame Approach
• Phones and Public-Sector Survey Research: Are Incentive and/or Compensation Offers Really Needed?
• Variables Affecting Consent and Response Rates for an Asthma Follow-Up Survey
• The Impacts of Caller ID on Response and Refusal Rates for the BRFSS
• Final Paper: The Impacts of Caller ID on Response and Refusal Rates for the BRFSS

See a list of Macro’s activities at AAPOR.

Macro International Wins Prestigious Video Awards

So far in 2007, Macro has won eight video awards in categories spanning social issues, public service, and health and wellness.

In the Telly Awards competition, Macro won three “Silver Telly” awards, the highest achievement. Our video team also won two “Platinum Best of Show” awards and three first place “Gold Awards” in the Aurora Awards.

“We’ve won numerous awards in the past,” said Dick Phillips, head of the video production group in Rockville. I think winning these awards for so many diverse programs recognizes the consistent level of excellence that our creative team members bring to every project.”

For instance, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has returned to Macro every year since 2001 for production of its monthly “Road to Recovery” Webcast and television series, which appears online and in more than 15 million homes via cable TV. Producer Doug Cuddihy pioneered the series 6 years ago and has since helped grow its content and creative format.

Producer Angshuman Mojumder created three of the award-winning programs, including videos for the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Office on Smoking and Health (OSH). Former Surgeon General Richard Carmona premiered the OSH video for national press when releasing his report on secondhand smoke exposure last year.

Click here for a full list of the recent video production awards and links to view the award-winning videos.

OnTRAC for OMB Clearances Is Now Available Through GSA

OnTRAC for OMB Clearances, which helps you manage every aspect of your OMB information collection requests through a Web-based system, is now available through GSA Schedule 70 SIN 132-32. Click here to see our catalog. Refer to page 7 for OnTRAC details. To find out more about OnTRAC for OMB Clearances, visit www.ontrac.net.

Macro Expert Presents Bird Flu Data

Macro International's Denise Johnson spoke at the Fourth International Bird Flu Summit in Washington, DC, on March 15. Ms. Johnson presented information on Macro's work for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through the MEASURE (Monitoring and Evaluation to Assess and Use Results) Evaluation project.

The purpose of the Bird Flu summit is to prepare the World to fight this potentially infectious disease. Topics addressed include country reports, surveillance and data management, and preparing community strategies.

As part of USAID’s MEASURE framework, MEASURE Evaluation works to improve and institutionalize the collection and use of data for monitoring and evaluation in several key areas—family planning, maternal health, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, nutrition, and infectious disease.

See the MEASURE Evaluation Fact Sheet on Avian Flu.

Macro Staff Presenting to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Macro International research professionals will present at the 11th annual FedCASIC conference on March 6, 2007. FedCASIC is a series of workshops on computer-assisted survey information collection that is sponsored by the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Macro staff members are presenting on the following subjects:

• Recent Innovations—Robert Dana
• StatMapper—Andrew Ingles
• Multimode Surveys: EIA Diesel Survey—Benita O’Colmain
• Establishment Surveys: SHPPS Survey—Ben Harper
• Web Survey Design—Ed DeWolfe

The conference is held at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, next to Union Station in Washington, DC, from March 6–8.

Macro International Conducts Research on Child Labor and Human Trafficking

Macro International supports measurement and evaluation projects for programs addressing the issues of child labor and human trafficking around the globe. Sound quantitative research in this area is just beginning, and researchers face many challenges. For instance, few established standards exist in an area where behaviors are hidden and often surrounded by taboo.

Macro International staff members recently conducted a research project on child labor in Cambodia. The team applied a risk factors model as a means for describing the dynamic nature of child labor, something commonly done in health studies but new to this field. The research identified geographic location as the key determinant, rather than commonly assumed variables such as poverty or education.

On a recent trip to Southeast Asia, staff members from Macro International presented the results to experts from the United Nations (UN) and national governmental organizations who worked with anti-trafficking programs. Results supported their experiences during the last decade as they worked to eliminate egregious forms of labor. As they have seen, trafficking is often a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, not necessarily being poor or uneducated. The results also highlighted for them the need to better understand the role of geography, as this would help donor agencies focus program resources.

A summary of the paper is located here. The UN Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking in the Greater Mekong Region also has placed the full paper on the Web at the following address: http://www.no-trafficking.org/content/pdf/child%20labor%20research%20paper%20-%20final6.30.06.pdf

infoUSA® Acquires Opinion Research Corporation

The infoUSA acquisition of Opinion Research Corporation was completed on December 4, 2006. An announcement made on December 19, 2006, by infoUSA outlines how our company, going forward doing business as Macro International, Inc., will fit into the larger corporation.

infoUSA was founded in 1972 and is the leading provider of business and consumer databases for sales leads and mailing lists, database marketing services, data processing services, and sales and marketing solutions.

APHA’s 134th Annual Meeting

American Evaluation Association’s Annual Conference

Macro is participating in the American Evaluation Association’s annual conference, October 30 to November 5 in Portland, OR, by exhibiting and offering a number of presentations.

Macro conducts performance and program evaluations for Federal Government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and corporate clients, including the U.S. Department of Education, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Environmental Protection Agency, USAID, the Peace Corp, and the Smithsonian Institute, to name a few.

Presentations cover such topics as local communities’ impact on training and technical assistance on the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families program, Understanding Cultural Competence Via a Multiple-Stakeholder Perspective, Parent and Youth Leadership in Evaluation, and Building Evaluation Capacity.

See a detailed list of presentations authored or co-authored by Macro professionals.

UA Online Becomes a MacroVOLT^TM Affiliate

UA Online will be using Macro’s MacroVOLT system to provide online learning and training in South Africa. Targeted online courses include subjects from many disciplines including organizational development, governmental issues, public health, education, non-governmental organizations, and business development. Courses will be available soon.

The initial offering of courses will be self-paced and self-instructional. Students will register, make payments, study, take quizzes and exams, check their records, submit feedback, print materials they wish to keep, and print certificates of completion at the end of a course—all online.

Courses will be enhanced with graphics and rich multimedia content. Many will offer interaction with content experts through our “Ask-an-Instructor” feature. This feature allows students to pose questions to an expert panel and receive customized answers via e-mail.

Although the development and management of instructional courses is the main goal, courses may also be tailored to support in-person trainings, conferences, and other meetings; deliver Web-based testing courses; develop quick courses from existing materials; develop courses designed for low-speed Internet connections; deliver live Webcasts; and train people in the use of computer-based applications. Find out more about MacroVOLT.

North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR)

From June 10–16, Macro representatives attended the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) annual conference in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Attendees included June Bray, Janice Gregoire, Felicia Johnson, Shelley Jordon, Brenda Lange, Lisa Mims, Kathy Tinney, Jewel Woods, Pankaj Kishore, and Kevin Zhang.

Kevin Zhang's article, "Geographic Variation in the Incidence of Colorectal Cancer (CRC) in the United States, 1998–2001," with coauthors from CDC and several State registries, was presented at one of the sessions and will be formally published in the September issue of the journal Cancer. The NAACCR Board acknowledged Kevin for his contributions and participation in the NAACCR’s GIS Committee as well.

Macro manages the Delaware Central Cancer Registry under the supervision of Betsy Cromartie, which received a Gold Standard for the completeness and quality of their data. For the first time, the State of Texas achieved the Gold Standard award.  This was due in part to the success of the case finding project conducted by Macro and managed by Kathy Tinney. Both projects are under the direction of June Bray.

Our Macro booth was also a favorite attraction at the conference exhibit with many attendees drawn in first by the advantageously displayed edible treats.

NAACCR is a professional organization that develops and promotes uniform data standards for cancer registration; provides education and training; certifies population-based registries; aggregates and publishes data from central cancer registries; and promotes the use of cancer surveillance data and systems for cancer control and epidemiologic research, public health programs, and patient care to reduce the burden of cancer in North America.

Macro Report Challenges African AIDS–Poverty Link

Vinod Mishra, director of research in Macro’s Demographic and Health Research division, completed a study on HIV as it relates to wealth in eight African countries. His study shows that the wealthiest people in the countries surveyed have higher HIV prevalence rates than the poorest, disputing the commonly held belief that AIDS is a disease driven by poverty.

Mr. Mishra reported on his findings at the third annual U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief meeting in Durban, South Africa. Interest in the results was immediately apparent among officials of leading international health organizations, country mission directors, international donors, and journalists. Mr. Mishra was quoted and his findings were published in the Boston Globe and in more than two dozen print and online media outlets.

The data for this report were collected as part of Macro’s MEASURE DHS project for the United States Agency for International Development. The surveys—the most complete of their kind in Africa—included interviews with between 6,000 and 18,000 people in each country and the collection of blood samples for HIV tests.

Macro Presents on "Confronting Core Values" at Conference

As in previous years, Macro played a prominent role at the 2006 American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) conference in Montreal. The conference, held May 18–21, 2006, featured an extensive array of paper sessions, poster sessions, panels, and roundtables on issues related to social, market, and public opinion research. The theme for the 2006 conference was “Confronting Core Values.”

Twenty Macro staff members across several practice areas presented 11 professional papers and posters. Presentations included “Hutus and Tutsi: A Comparison of International Radio Listening Habits and Perceptions of the Outside World,” “Family Values and Conflicting Messages: Abstinence Education in Florida,” and “Improving Response in Spanish-Speaking Households.”

In addition, several Macro staff members served as chairpersons and discussants for panels at the event. Macro also sponsored the Saturday Evening Awards Banquet.

Global Health Council

Macro is participating in the 33rd Annual International Conference on Global Health in Washington, DC—attended by 2,000 health delegates from around the world—with papers, posters, and presenters. In addition, exhibits at the conference describe our global health-related services, including major multinational programs and a wide range of research, monitoring and evaluation, capacity building, and information management capabilities.

Macro’s presence at the Global Health Conference includes exhibits describing:

• MEASURE DHS—Over two decades, we have been a major part of the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID's) initiatives to help developing countries collect and use data to monitor and evaluate population, health, and nutrition programs. Activities have expanded to include reproductive health, children’s vaccination programs, and HIV/AIDS. More than 200 studies have been completed in 75 countries.
  
  
• MEASURE Evaluation—As part of USAID’s MEASURE framework, MEASURE Evaluation works to improve and institutionalize the collection and use of data for monitoring and evaluation in several key areas—family planning, maternal health, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, nutrition, and infectious disease.
  
  
• Child Survival Technical Support—Private voluntary organizations (PVOs) and their local partners must sustain public health support. Through the Child Survival Technical Support (CSTS+) project, Macro provides assistance to improve quality of service and to build a capacity for continuation. We provide regional training events, telephone and in-person consulting, mobile computing and data collection, mobile and geographic data management, and dissemination of technical assistance materials. We work with PVOs directly, with a consortium of PVOs, and with USAID.
  
  
• Global Health Monitoring—Macro has been a leader in global health over its 40-year history, completing thousands of projects in more than 100 countries. We work with federal agencies, health ministries, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), PVOs, and donor organizations in a wide range of areas including: health risk surveys, maternal and child health, educational opportunities, child labor, HIV and infectious diseases, health education, and program monitoring.

For more information on Macro’s health monitoring capabilities, please e-mail us at globalhealth@macrointernational.com.

Macro Counts Fish as Washington Post Article Highlights the Science

The Washington Post reported that statistics about fish are vital to the fishing industry, where even a temporary loss of stock can cost hundreds of millions of dollars to businesses, not to mention the impact on the ecosystem. During the past 100 years, the world’s fish supply has shrunk and now one-quarter is being harvested faster than fish can reproduce to replace it. A high harvest rate demands accurate accounting.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)—dedicated to marine preservation—monitors the level of marine resources, including incidence of anglers as well as their level of effort.

Macro conducts two interrelated surveys—an intercept survey of anglers, which measures the average catch per recreational fishing trip, and a telephone survey gauging the level of fishing effort by the general population—to assess the impact of recreational fishing on U.S. marine fisheries. During our tenure, we have established protocols and procedures such as programming, assigning and scheduling interviews, and collecting and processing data.

View Scientists Try to Count Fish in Sea

Macro Data Makes Washington Post Front Page

The article, titled How AIDS in Africa Was Overstated, reports on significant differences between previous AIDS infection rate estimates and actual rates based on Macro and other survey data.

Macro has collected, analyzed and disseminated accurate and representative demographic and health data through more than 200 surveys in 75 countries. Our current India survey involves interviews with 240,000 women and men on topics such as child health, nutrition, reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, fertility, family planning, child mortality, environmental health, women’s empowerment, and domestic violence. Blood samples are being collected to complete 280,000 anemia tests and 150,000 HIV tests. Macro conducts the MEASURE DHS survey program for the U.S. Agency for International Development.

View How AIDS in Africa was Overstated.

Download printer-friendly version of the full article without graphs.

For information on the MEASURE DHS surveys, including methodologies, data, country reports, comparative studies, geographic analysis, publications and special topics, go to: http://www.measuredhs.com

Macro Study Reveals Key Roadblocks to Disaster Preparedness

Americans are worried, yet unprepared-according to an Macro national telephone survey on individual and household preparedness for terrorist attacks and natural disasters.

"All Americans need to know how to prepare for emergencies," said Macro president, Greg Mahnke. "They should know what steps to take for the national welfare, as well as their own safety and security. Our survey demonstrated that there are large gaps in Americans' knowledge and preparedness. As a country, we need to do something to fill those gaps."

The unbiased, independent survey-a follow up to a 2003 Macro study-examines public attitudes in order to uncover factors that motivate diverse populations to take preparedness measures and identify perceptions that thwart preparedness efforts. Despite the effects of Hurricane Katrina and the spate of disasters that touched the Nation in 2005, Americans across every demographic group are no more prepared for a national emergency than they were in 2003.

The demographic group studied included women, cultural and ethnic minorities, urban residents, older Americans, and those affected by disabilities. Here are some of the results:

• More than 36 percent of Americans are worried about terrorism.
• Americans feel more prepared for a disaster than for a terrorist attack.
• Only 17 percent of all Americans have both an emergency plan that includes a meeting place that has been discussed with family members and a basic emergency kit.
• African Americans, women, and people with disabilities or with household members who have disabilities report significantly higher levels of concern but less preparedness about emergencies than other Americans who are rural, White, and of higher income.
• Women are significantly more likely than men (16 percent and 7 percent, respectively) to cite concern for personal or household safety.
• Urban residents are more motivated for preparedness by marketing efforts.
• Older Americans are more motivated for preparedness by the national threat advisory level.

Download the press release (Word) and white paper (PDF).

Macro mentioned in Wall Street Journal

A survey conducted by Macro was mentioned in the Wall Street Journal Weekend Edition on December 31/January 1. The article, titled Eli's Choice, describes the educational options available to children with Down syndrome and the effects of educational choices on academic performance and social interaction. Macro conducted the survey as a subcontractor to the University of Massachusetts Boston Center for Social Development and Education, which serves as the research coordinator for Special Olympics. The survey polled 5,600 seventh- and eighth-grade students from 70 schools across the country on their willingness to interact with students with intellectual disabilities at school and outside the school environment.

Greg N. Mahnke, Ph.D., Profiled in the Washington Post

Greg N. Mahnke, Ph.D., was profiled in the Washington Post on December 26. Dr. Mahnke recently was named president of Macro. His role in integrating research and technology across Macro and our parent company, Opinion Research Corporation, is discussed in the "New at the Top" column, along with a brief overview of his career.

Proposal Wins 50% Ahead of 2004

On October 5, Macro reported the company had a very successful proposal selling season. "Every September 30, which marks the end of the federal government fiscal year, we take stock of our sales performance," said Frank Quirk, chairman and CEO. "The results for the first nine months of 2005 are sensational, with new bookings totaling $162 million. In September alone, there were 70 separate new wins or add-ons to existing contracts accounting for $75 million in sales. This puts us 50 percent over last year's performance, which was also strong. We now have a contract backlog of $325 million going into the fourth quarter, which indicates that we will have strong revenue performance in 2006."

Macro Experts Present at the American Public Health Association (APHA)

At the annual APHA conference in November, Macro made 21 presentations on a variety of topics. Sessions included oral presentations, roundtable discussions, and posters. National issues that were covered include HIV prevention research, tobacco use, workplace health, and intimate partner violence. Several presentations reported on research pertaining to health issues as they relate to specific ethnic groups; for instance, outreach to Hispanic/Latino communities with public health messages, tobacco use among Asian American youth, and perception and treatment of cancer pain among Spanish-speaking populations.

Presentations on international health issues included several studies done in India, such as the effects of cooking smoke and environmental tobacco smoke on acute respiratory infections in young Indian children. Other sessions focused on public health reporting needs, Federal privacy issues, confidentiality regulations, and similar issues. Information technology also was covered, including interactive Web-based health promotion and information architecture for health information resources.

See a complete list of presentations.

Focus Groups Contribute to FDA’s "Stop the Obesity Epidemic" Campaign

Macro vice president Lynn Halverson and research associate Ewa Carlton play an important role in the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) “calories count” campaign. Macro conducted a 6-month focus group series for FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition to provide consumer feedback to the “Stop the Obesity Epidemic” campaign.

We conducted eight focus groups with adult men and women with varied educational levels. Discussions included how to alert consumers about allergens in certain foods and how to modify food packaging and restaurant menus to provide more useful information. The groups also provided feedback on a graphic icon that showed a specific claim (e.g., “low fat”) and on the clarity of label designs.

Participants believed that providing nutritional information in fast food restaurants would allow them to make healthier food choices. For example, a menu board option viewed by focus group participants provided a distinct group of healthier meal combinations (“combos”) in a separate box adjacent to a list of other possible “combos.” The participants appreciated this menu board because it made the healthier food choices more easily noticeable.

Macro Three-Time Winner of Workplace Award

Macro is pleased to announce that it has won the Workplace Excellence Seal of Approval for the third time, once from Montgomery County and twice from the State of Maryland. “As a company that provides expertise and project management in research, management consulting, and social communications, we have long recognized that our greatest asset is our people,” said Frank Quirk, CEO. “Over the years, we have made many long-term investments in our staff, including good benefits, continuing training and education, employee recognition for individual and team accomplishments, and dedication to diversity. These programs have helped us consistently attract and retain the best and the brightest colleagues.”

SHS Staff Hold a "Booknic" For Local Fourth-Graders

Early this year, Macro’s subsidiary, Social & Health Services, sponsored a “Booknic”—an indoor event with books and snacks—for a Rockville, MD, fourth-grade class.

Web marketer Andrea Harris coordinated the effort on behalf of SHS’ Web and Technology Solutions Department. She worked with an instructor at Strathmore Elementary School, located only 15 minutes from SHS’ Rockville offices, to help improve the students’ access to books at home. Borders Books and Music provided a 20 percent discount for the event.

The project’s original goal was to have one book purchased for each of the 25 students. The SHS shoppers doubled that goal. “Many staff members got to the store, saw a book they had loved as a child, and ended up buying a copy for one of the Strathmore students,” Ms. Harris said. Each student received two books to take home, and the instructor received copies to keep in the classroom.

The students sent a thank you poster and invited SHS back next year. The poster said. “We are grateful to have such generous people in our community.” Ms. Harris agreed and said, “Next year, we’d like to expand the Booknic to the whole school.”