Media Advisory February 26, 2004 www.center4research.org

Media Contact: Cathleen Witter (202) 223-4000 or cw@center4research.org

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Washington, D.C. — The National Research Center for Women & Families, in cooperation with the Congressional Women's Caucus and the Congressional Vision Caucus, will release a new report based on the first study ever conducted on all blind adults in the U.S.

The prevalence of blindness is increasing. Americans are living longer than ever before, and as baby boomers age, the public health implications become staggering. Obesity is also part of the problem, since obesity increases the rate of diabetes, which can lead to vision loss. As a result, millions of Americans are at risk to lose their vision.

The new report, "Blind Adults in America: Their Lives and Challenges," which is based on the study, will be released at the briefing in hard copy and CD. Advance copies of the report are available.

What: Breakfast briefing on the first national study ever conducted on the daily lives of blind Americans    Where: Capitol Hill, 1310 Longworth House Office Building    When: Thursday, February 26, 9:00 – 10:00 AM    Featuring:    Co-Chairs of the Congressional Vision Caucus: The Honorable Gene Green and The Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen    Margaret Giannini, M.D., Director, Office on Disability, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services    Diana Zuckerman, Ph.D., President, The National Research Center for Women & Families    Author of the report, "Blind Adults in America: Their Lives and Challenges"    Ms. Betsy Paull O'Connell, President of the Board, Aid Association for the Blind of Washington D.C.    Jim Dickson, Vice President for Government Affairs, American Association of People With Disabilities

The National Research Center for Women & Families is a research and education organization that explains the policy implications of scientific research to policy makers, opinion leaders, and the public.

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