Immunology: Live T Cell Action in Lymph Nodes: Dating, Mating, Procreating Ophthalmology: Mechanism Found for Rare Vision Defect Health Policy: For-profit Health Plans Appear Not to Restrict High-cost Care Neurology: Faulty Membrane Repair May lead to Muscular Dystrophy Genomics: Center for RNA Interference Probes Fly Genome Imaging: Brain Takes Similar Approach to Bodily, Facial Expressions   Structure Traces Steps in Dengue Virus Infection A Back-end Attack Against Alzheimer's Plaque   Proceedings of the HMS Faculty Council Appointments to Full and Named Professorships HSPH Receives $6 Million Grant to Eliminate Health Disparities Elston Wins HSPH Biostatistics Award Milestone Symposium to Celebrate Civil Rights Honors and Advances   The Family Van: Care and Research on Wheels   Toward Redistributing Health Care Costs   Front Page

IN THE COMMUNITY The Family Van: Care and Research on Wheels The Family Van is a mobile preventive health and social service program of HMS, designed to increase access to health care for families living in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods in Boston. The van provides cost-effective, culturally competent medical screenings, health education, and referrals while serving as an experiential learning program for HMS students. Executive director Alba Cruz said, "The van serves urban Boston. Its target populations are those who are underserved and living in poverty. More than 98 percent are people of color. For 33 percent, English is a second language. Thirteen percent are young people; 26 percent are elderly." Data documenting the support the van gives to patients, providers, and students are being used to demonstrate the potential of this community-based model for reducing health disparities. The van is instrumental in research being conducted on preventable diseases, primary care, and dental health. HMS faculty may participate in the Family Van program. For more information, visit the van's website or contact Jason Copeland, program administrator, at jason_copeland@hms.harvard.edu.