Lifestyle factors, including physical activity, make a difference in improving and controlling cardiovascular risks, according to a list of the top advances in cardiovascular and stroke research in 2011 by the American Heart Association (AHA)/American Stroke Association (ASA). 

"Multiple new studies this past year supported the importance of lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity in improving and controlling cardiovascular risks," says AHA/ASA. "These findings are especially important given that 39% of Americans believe they are in ideal cardiovascular health when in reality less than 1% are."

Since 1996, AHA/ASA has compiled an annual list of the major advances in heart disease and stroke. Other 2011 advances include congenital heart disease, genetics/personalized medicine, new drugs and treatment for atrial fibrillation, and improved systems of care to deliver faster care for heart attack and stroke.

The Federal Government Affairs Leadership Award is presented annually to an active APTA member who has made significant individual contributions to APTA's Federal Government Affairs efforts and has shown exemplary leadership in furthering the association's objectives in the federal arena. The Public Service Award is presented annually to 1 or more individuals who have demonstrated unique support for the physical therapy profession at a national level. Individuals from the following categories are eligible for nomination: members of Congress/Congressional staff members; members of a state legislature; federal agency officials; health/legislative association staff; and celebrities or other public figures. APTA's Board of Directors will choose award recipients in March. Award presentations will be held at the Federal Government Affairs Forum in Washington, DC. This year's Federal Advocacy Forum will be held in conjunction with a larger event, APTA's Leadership Forum, which integrates APTA's Board of Directors meeting, the Leadership Symposium for New Component President and Executive Teams, and the Federal Advocacy Forum. Participation at other events is not required to attend the Federal Advocacy Forum. Submit nominations by February 27 to Angela Boyd or fax to 703/706-8519. If you need a nomination form or have questions, call Angela Boyd at 800/999-2782, ext 3256.

The White House Champions of Change program highlights the stories and examples of citizens across the country that represent projects and initiatives that move their communities forward. In celebration of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), passed nearly 2 years ago, the program is seeking recommendations of individuals and organizations that are educating others about the new health care law to raise awareness about the benefits of ACA.

If you know a "health care reform champion" who is educating the community about the new health care law and helping people take advantage of the benefits from the law, nominate him or her to the program by midnight February 16.

If you couldn't attend World Physical Therapy 2011 or didn't get to all the presentations, you now can watch and listen to key sessions from the congress. As part of its continued efforts to facilitate information exchange across the profession, the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) is offering 4 discussion panels and 8 focused symposia free of charge. Discussion panels include a video recording of the session with an option to download PowerPoint presentations. Focused symposia include a full audio recording with accompanying PowerPoint slides.

For people with acute and subacute neck pain, spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) was more effective than medication in both the short and long term, say authors of an article published in Annals of Internal Medicine. However, a few instructional sessions of home exercise with advice (HEA) resulted in similar outcomes at most time points.

This randomized, controlled trial was conducted at 1 university research center and 1 pain management clinic in Minnesota. Participants included 272 people aged 18-65 years who had nonspecific neck pain for 2-12 weeks. Participants received 12 weeks of SMT, medication, or HEA. The primary outcome was participant-rated pain, measured at 2, 4, 8, 12, 26, and 52 weeks after randomization. Secondary measures were self-reported disability, global improvement, medication use, satisfaction, general health status (Short Form-36 Health Survey physical and mental health scales), and adverse events. Blinded evaluation of neck motion was performed at 4 and 12 weeks.

For pain, SMT had a statistically significant advantage over medication after 8, 12, 26, and 52 weeks. HEA was superior to medication at 26 weeks. No important differences in pain were found between SMT and HEA at any time point. Results for most of the secondary outcomes were similar to those of the primary outcome.

In a new APTA podcast, association member Pamela Duncan, PT, PhD, FAPTA, discusses how new models of care developed through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Innovation Center) will help meet the 3-part aim of improving health, improving care, and lowering costs through continuous improvement.

Last month, Duncan was appointed to the Innovation Center's advisors program. Of 920 applicants, 73 individuals were selected from 27 states and the District of Columbia to serve on the program. In addition to supporting the Innovation Center in testing new models of care delivery, the advisors will work with other local organizations or groups in driving delivery system reform and build durable skill in system improvement throughout their area or region.