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Objectives: Overcoming health disparities between majority and minority populations is a significant national challenge. This paper assesses outreach to Native Americans (American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians) by the National Library of Medicine (NLM). A companion paper details NLM's portfolio of Native American outreach projects. Method: NLM's Native American outreach is assessed in light of the presentations at a community-based health information outreach symposium and the goals set by NLM's plan to reduce health disparities. Results: NLM's current portfolio of Native American outreach projects appears most advanced in meeting the goal set in area 1 of the health disparities plan, "Promote use of health information by health professionals and the public." NLM's portfolio also shows significant strength and good progress regarding area 2 of the plan, "Expand partnerships among various types of libraries and community-based organizations." The portfolio is weaker in area 3, "Conduct and support informatics research." More knowledge-building efforts would benefit NLM, the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, and Native American and community-based organizations. Implications: The current Native American outreach portfolio should be continued, but new approaches are needed for evaluating Native American outreach and for forging collaborations with Native American groups, approaches grounded in consultation and mutual understanding of needs and perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents abstracts of papers submitted in the preconference platform session of the 2003 Spinal Cord Conference and Training that was held in Long Beach, California in June 2003. Assessment and management of patients with acute spinal cord injury; Postoperative management of myocutaneous flapsurgery in persons with spinal cord injury; Surgical management of pressure ulcers.

Presents abstracts of papers submitted at the poster session of the 2003 Spinal Cord Conference and Training that was held in Long Beach, California in June 2003. Information on medullary substrate for cardiovascular differential responses to stimulation of specific acupoints with electroacupuncture; Effect of gabapentin and tramadol on neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury; Use of functional magnetic stimulation for restoring cough in patients with tetraplegia.

Presents abstracts of papers submitted at the 2003 Spinal Cord Conference and Training that was held in Long Beach, California in June 2003. Review of repair strategies after spinal cord injury; Focus on the pharmacological changes of the spinal cord associated with the learning of a motor task; History and potential of bion, a family of imlpantable neuromuscular micro-stimulations.