Stop Dying!?

<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To resolve the issue of what to do with our dead - we must stop dying.  I suppose that isn't going to happen anytime soon and if it did, then we'd have to stop being born - or we'd run out of space.  Still run out of space we might, for the burying of our dead and because we bury our dead- or specifically,  burying of our dead in cemeteries with head stones and such.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">  I do not want to think of my death in any detail at all, but I have thought that cremation would be my final act.  Less muss, fuss, taking up space etc.  Truly the whole conversation wigs me out.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And now I hear that burning bodies are bad for the environment TOO.  We put chemicals and metals in our bodies which are released into the air - at least during traditional cremation procedures.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There is something called eco cremation that strives to decontaminate before incinerating - or something like that.  </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Perhaps we should consider just letting our bodies go straight into the ground and then building and growing over and around them.  OR</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We could just <i>stop dying</i> - if death is going to lead to climate change we really must avoid it :)</span></span>

Stop Dying!?

To resolve the issue of what to do with our dead - we must stop dying.  I suppose that isn't going to happen anytime soon and if it did,...

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Mexico Gets Bold

<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It was just a day or so ago that I made reference to the low rate of HPV vaccinations in American girls.  Today I learned that Mexico is making the vaccine a mandatory or routine immunization for all  girls at age 9.  Mexico has a public and private health care system - I guess this is something that will be covered by the government.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This is a boon for the drug company who I imagine will continue its push to get boys vaccinated as well.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span><br /><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/mexico-hpv-vaccine-girls-2012-215548488.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">See the story here.</span></span></a>

Mexico Gets Bold

It was just a day or so ago that I made reference to the low rate of HPV vaccinations in American girls.  Today I learned that Mexico is mak...

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The CFSAN Responds

<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I have posted about my label issue in the last two Sunday's Odds and Ends - it started with this one...</span>.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u>Carbon Monoxide?!</u> - I have an issue with the fish I buy at Walmart.  I shop at Walmart because it has the lowest prices.  (I also shop at higher end grocers and health food stores, but only when I cannot find what I need at Walmart).  I have made my Walmart statements in the past, but I feel the need to reiterate.  The people that work there are EMPLOYED.  I know that they may not have the highest wages, but maybe the people who pay better would not higher these same people.  I also wonder if the employees are as unhappy as the antiwalmart folks claim that they are.  Seems like a good research study question to me.</span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That said - I am upset about the fish that I buy at the store.  I did not realize it was a Walmart product, but the Tilapia and Salmon have the exact same calories per gram - 100 calories per 113 g serving.  This is not possible because they do not have the same nutrient profile.  While looking at the label in order to find the contact information to alert them to this MISTAKE - I saw these words (on the tilapia) "carbon monoxide treated to retain coloring."  No kidding.  I am waiting to hear back from Walmart on both issues.  Next stop - FDA.  The FDA is in charge of safety and labeling.</span></span> <br /><u></u><br /><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And last night I wrote this:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>FDA Update</u> - No word from Wal-Mart regarding my two concerns about their fish so I composed and sent an email to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Outreach and Information Center today.  You see - I have gumption.</span></div><br /><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And today I received this response from the Center for Foods Safety and Applied Nutrition or CFSAN</span></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Dear Ms. Dingman, the use of carbon monoxide is safe and has been used for meats for several years.  The gas does not cause an issue with the meat.  Under the regulations the manufacturer sets the serving size and is required to have accurate information on the label.  I don't know why they are using the same label information if it is not accurate.  They may be rounding and the counts may not be that dissimilar.<br />Ms. Jeannine Ertter-Prego<br />Consumer Affairs Specialist</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I did ask her two or three more questions - but youget the gist of it - and no - I wasn't satisfied with either of those answers.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span></span>

The CFSAN Responds

I have posted about my label issue in the last two Sunday's Odds and Ends - it started with this one... . Carbon Monoxide?! - I have a...

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Odds and Ends

<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Navigating Obesogenic Environments</u> - Once again, my hero Boyd Swinburn PhD, writes a fascinating article regarding obesity.  This is one of four articles that are published in the journal Lancet (subscription needed for the full articles) this month.  The articles come out in preparation for a UN General Assembly Meeting in NYC next month.  So much is said in the first article that bears repeating - that if you can get a hold of it you should read it.  I will try to link the summaries.  He and the co authors say important things, like " obesity is the result of people responding normally to the obesogenic environments they find themselves in."  Obesity causing (obesogenic) is usually defined this way: the environment makes walking or cycling difficult, makes energy dense, nutrient poor food readily available, tasty (addictive?) and cheap and markets that food incessantly.  </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The best lines in the article are on p 809 " Undoubtedly, the final decision to consume a particular food or beverage, or to exercise or not, is an individual decision.  However, to negotiate the complexity of the environment and the  choices it poses, (makes) many of these decisions automatic or subconscious."  Another term used in the paragraph is "passive over consumption."</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What I want to add here is what persons such as myself and many of you may take for granted, the agency to navigate these food deserts or obesogenic areas.  A real life example from my weekend grocery shopping:  At the store the yogurt was in multipacks and I did not want to buy four of one kind.  I said, never mind - I will not be forced into buying what the grocer wants me to buy.  I decided (my choice) to go somewhere else.  While I was somewhere else, I found sales on items that I really like and saved several dollars.  I was able to go to the other store because of several factors that people with such privilege take for granted;  1) I have gumption (agency) 2) I had the time (i.e. hours in a day), 3) I had transportation, 4) I had money to buy something else, 5) I did not have a child demanding I buy something they saw on TV, 5) there WAS another store I could go to... and such... this is navigating an environment that makes its MUCH easier to get the cheap, bad for me food.  Additionally, at store one, the type of lettuce I always buy was not stocked.  I found someone, asked for it and then waited for it. I had assertiveness and time - people with such attributes and luxury often remain oblivious to the fact that others may not have them- and so when we say that an individual has a choice we need to think that through a little further.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">(also read the article for a wonderful discussion on why individual causal factors need to be given less of a focus - here is a <a href="http://www.thelancet.com/series/obesity">summary page </a>for the articles)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Dinosaurs and Fruit</u> - I saw a package of plums in the produce department.  They were in a net like bag which had a cardboard label on the top.  It was decorated with dinosaurs and I guess it was a brand - like Dinosaur brand fruit.  I did not look at the price but imagine it cost more than Tony the Tiger's Frosted Flakes - still this is the kind of population level change that makes sense for obesity prevention.  We cannot make people eat fruit or anything for that matter, but we can make fruit as alluring as junk food AND as cheap.  We can level the playing field and then individual level programs might be more effective.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <u>FDA Update</u> - No word from Wal-Mart regarding my two concerns about their fish so I composed and sent an email to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Outreach and Information Center today.  You see - I have gumption.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>HPV Vaccine Update </u>- The other day I mentioned a recent MMWR that was released by the CDC.  I focused on the obesity rates between USA and Canada but in that same report there was information on vaccines and specifically the vaccine used to prevent some strains of the human papillomavirus.  I have written about this - mostly in 2006 or 07.  I am not fond of this vaccine - but it is more a bias then anything "medical."  It is expensive, takes 3 doses and does NOT prevent cervical cancer nor obviate condom use and pap smears.  According to the CDC report, only about 49% of the target population (girls who are not yet sexually active) have had the vaccination -  have had one dose of it- even less have had all three.  Poor Merck - that must hurt.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>More on Social Constructs </u>- In the last year I have heard a lot about things being socially constructed.  It is taking me some time to wrap my mind around this as it was not so popular of a concept the last time I was involved in academia.  As I am specifically teaching about gender identity to undergraduate students, I want to better grasp this.  I found a nice video recently and from there my mind went to this:  We, the people of a society, country, culture etc , define what masculine and feminine are.  We decide what a man must do, look like, sound and act like to be MANLY or masculine just as we define what is WOMANLY.  We define it - it is not something that our genes or biology tells us - it is what our parents, peers, leaders, movies, songs, books ETC tell us.  That means it is socially constructed.  A woman who does not wear high heels and makeup and who works in construction is not considered "feminine" but she is a woman - she may or may not identify as a female - and she is expressing herself as she wants - that is not WRONG - not ABNORMAL - it is just what it is.</span>

Odds and Ends

Navigating Obesogenic Environments - Once again, my hero Boyd Swinburn PhD, writes a fascinating article regarding obesity.  This is one of...

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The more prevalent the disease the cheaper the drug - and vice versa

<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When a company or a financial analyst reports that a drug will be a block buster - it means one of two or three things - there are a helluva lot of people who need it (like an obesity drug), it is better than another drug that many people need (like lower side effects or more effective), or it is the ONLY treatment for a fatal disease.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The last is the case for Pfizer and its new NSCLC drug.  I am referring to non small cell lung cancer.  According to <a href="http://yourhealtheducator.blogspot.com/2009/06/lung-cancer-types-and-causes.html">my own post</a> - which I had to reread because my brain is getting full and leaking info - non small cell lung cancer, of which there are four categories, accounts for 80% of lung cancer cases.  In actuality, not that many people get lung cancer each year - but 80% of those are NSCLC.  The other 20% is SCLC - almost always due to smoking.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The ACS estimates 220,000 new cases of lung cancer for 2011.  The type of cancer that Pfizer's drug treats (by shrinking tumors) is thought to be found in 1 to 7% of 80% of that number - get it?</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">According to a<a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-26/pfizer-wins-u-s-approval-for-tumor-fighting-medicine-to-treat-lung-cancer.html">n article in Bloomberg </a>news, the drug, which is available immediately, could </span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">"generate sales of $540 million by the end of 2015."</span><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">To me this is a heads up - a kind of treatment that only a millionaire can afford.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">To give you some perspective, because 220,000 does sound like a lot - there were close to 2 million cases of diabetes diagnosed in 2010 alone according to the HHS' <span id="Radeditorplaceholdercontrol7"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). </span></strong></span></span></div><br />

The more prevalent the disease the cheaper the drug - and vice versa

When a company or a financial analyst reports that a drug will be a block buster - it means one of two or three things - there are a helluva...

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Canada - Our skinny (?) neighbor

In the current issue of the CDC Weekly Mortality and Morbidity Report is this information about obesity rates in recent years.  Adults in the USA are much heavier than those in Canada.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNU-n6djJYOQTJBJTvXmJrzPc5x4NcquMiAsBQvCdjW8Fnqa1phOhaxLdGKkrFhaQGtoIMcLB2sBB2GL5uL-FSYVPePUyRHg5sZ4Eyoip83VS-9xa2UNlVQ5pAs0GrlDTxCt9WqTCmKO5/s1600/obesity+rates+2007-2009+usa-canada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="614" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNU-n6djJYOQTJBJTvXmJrzPc5x4NcquMiAsBQvCdjW8Fnqa1phOhaxLdGKkrFhaQGtoIMcLB2sBB2GL5uL-FSYVPePUyRHg5sZ4Eyoip83VS-9xa2UNlVQ5pAs0GrlDTxCt9WqTCmKO5/s640/obesity+rates+2007-2009+usa-canada.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />

Canada - Our skinny (?) neighbor

In the current issue of the CDC Weekly Mortality and Morbidity Report is this information about obesity rates in recent years.  Adults in th...

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How gay and straight men and women view SEX

<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">These generalizations are complements of the text book referenced below.  The author's present them in regards to research that I have not personally reviewed.  That being said, the information comes with a credible backdrop, makes sense intuitively and is quite interesting.  So as I will be teaching next week....-</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Heterosexual men can separate sex from love relatively easily however, they report better sex with women to whom they do have an emotional attachment.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gay men are also able to separate love from sex and in fact have the most casual sex of the four groups listed here (makes sense - they do not have to contend with those emotional women!)</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Heterosexual women are not as inclined to separate love from sex and less likely to have casual sex.  However, I wonder if this is a societal construct more than a "woman" difference. Heterosexual women have their self esteem tied to their involvement in "committed" relationships.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lesbian women have more of an emotional and physical intimacy with their partner.  They initiate sex later in the relationships (regardless of what the L Word shows!) and have sex less often.  They have more touching, caressing and similar intimacies.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">In addition to these groups are celibate persons who choose not to "do it" at all and may be more productive individuals because of this abstinence and asexual persons who feel no attraction to either sex.  I wonder if celibacy can lead one to become asexual.  Asexuals do continue to have sex in spite of their lack of attraction (according to the text) where as the celibate have the attraction and not the sex!</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><h1 id="product-name" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="main-title" itemprop="name">Human Sexuality: Diversity in Contemporary America by </span>William Yarber, Barbara Sayad, Bryan Strong - McGraw-Hill Higher Education (2009) </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="main-title" itemprop="name"> </span></span></h1><h1 id="product-name" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="main-title" itemprop="name"> </span></span></h1>

How gay and straight men and women view SEX

These generalizations are complements of the text book referenced below.  The author's present them in regards to research that I have n...

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Ethical Obligation??

<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When I read this story and the quote by Co CEO J Mackey  I was shocked.  I said out loud, "Are you kidding me?"  Whole Foods wants to open a Wellness Club to help people understand how to eat healthy.  </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The CEO said that people are "woefully" ignorant and he felt an <i>ethical obligation</i> to help them.  This Whole Foods altruism comes with a not so ethical cost - 700+ dollars for a year.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here is a <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/story/2011-08-24/Whole-Foods-tests-Wellness-Clubs-for-healthier-eating/50125800/1">link to the story</a> that I read.  BTW, in case you couldn't catch my opinion - I think the idea is terrible.  It is not accessible to the people who most need it.  Besides,  - it is the job of the FDA/USDA to educate people and to do so for free. </span></span>

Ethical Obligation??

When I read this story and the quote by Co CEO J Mackey  I was shocked.  I said out loud, "Are you kidding me?"  Whole Foods wants...

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Broadcast Message

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EOmhwG4jq8OWJv72pviNPq67FqspgFKKeV-2dcLt_6fScfzpVF5WbGZr1CKHfPNmZCQ5MxwAIwcLmjv4DL-X7dFh2-KwuMkqFiJIBZdJNwtlgmqdMUAAX_JsTSzOgYMgmNijNNEJIhgV/s1600/blog+hold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EOmhwG4jq8OWJv72pviNPq67FqspgFKKeV-2dcLt_6fScfzpVF5WbGZr1CKHfPNmZCQ5MxwAIwcLmjv4DL-X7dFh2-KwuMkqFiJIBZdJNwtlgmqdMUAAX_JsTSzOgYMgmNijNNEJIhgV/s1600/blog+hold.jpg" /></a></div><br />

Broadcast Message

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Another Problem with Gastric Bypass

<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Readers of my blog know that I am passionately against  surgery or any extreme measures (even diets, pills, patches etc)that are intended to help people lose weight.  I believe that with access to healthy foods and an understanding of what is healthy and how calories impact weight, lifelong changes can be made (without sacrifice or discomfort).</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I do not mean to imply that anyone needs to be as disciplined or stubborn as I am with my  eating, but that what and how much we eat IS the issue and temporary or extreme measures do not change this truth.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Some of you may  know that someone very close to me has had a Gastric Bypass so I get an inside scoop every now and again.  </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I wish I had the time to follow my thoughts with a literature review (what are the experiences of other persons who have had this surgery, for example) but I do not.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here is the "other" problem (besides it being an invasive process with a very high side effect profile) with the procedure.  It leaves one with a pocket rather than a 'stomach' for their food.  The person has to eat only ounces at a time HOWEVER, as you know from my volumetrics commentaries - there is not always a direct association between size or volume and energy (cals).  A person with an egg sized stomach can still consume far too many calories than is necessary for them.  </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My friend is not on target with her weight loss and her weight loss moderator has suggested the culprit is - SUGAR.  My friend said she has trouble with greasy foods and thus avoids them, but she does not have problems with high fat foods necessarily - ie full fat cheese and meats.  </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This surgery will not stop you from wanting foods that are calorically dense - instead learning to cook and eat differently can attend to this issue. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> I mean to say that a small, (or tiny) stomach does not lead directly to lower energy intake.</span></span>

Another Problem with Gastric Bypass

Readers of my blog know that I am passionately against  surgery or any extreme measures (even diets, pills, patches etc)that are intended to...

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Odds and Ends

<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u>Bladder Cancer</u> - A new study adds to the evidence that cigarette smoking is a cause of bladder cancer.  As I listened to a discussion about this study, which included one of the main researchers, I made two notes.  One is that the results showed that the difference in diagnosis of this cancer between people who never smoked and those who were current smokers was substantial.  Smokers were 4x more likely to get the disease.  The second thing that struck me was a statement that a listener made when she called in to the show.  She said that her husband had been diagnosed with bladder cancer and his doctor told him that it was 100% related to his smoking.  The wife said, "sure they knew about heart disease and lung problems, but bladder cancer"?  Which begs the question... "if you knew about the other fatal illnesses related to smoking - why were you still smoking?"  The answer would have to be - addiction.  There are exceptions, but the majority of people do not play Russian roulette.</span></span><br /><br /><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Environmental Literacy</span></span></u><br />"Environmental literacy is essential for life in the 21st century.  No Child Left Inside will provide students with the knowledge and experience they need to grow up healthy in a sustainable world with strong respect, concern and understanding of the eco-system in which they live," said Senator Benjamin L. Cardin, Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Water and Wildlife Subcommittee. "This bill represents a critical investment in the future of our nation and the children who will be responsible for answering the most critical questions of our time."<br /><br />The words above are taken from an article that I read on the Senators own website which you can access <a href="http://cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-joins-baltimore-students-cats-and-dogs-in-support-for-no-child-left-inside-environmental-education-initiative">here. </a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In re to the above -On NBC News this week, it was said that the environmental health literacy component of MDs curriculum was now official.  Students would have to pass a course on this or a subject test in order to graduate.  As I listened to that story (strong work by Sen. Cardin and his colleagues), I found the opposition's complaints ironic.  The argument against this curriculum requirement was concern that the students did not have time to learn about sustainability and environmental issues because children from China and India were scoring better on tests in math, science, what have you, then American students.  Two things - scoring higher on a test only means scoring higher on a test, it is not a measure of intelligence or productivity. Second - SERIOUSLY - China and India are the biggest users and polluters of the earths resources!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u>Butter </u>- Remember that straw poll that they had at the Iowa State Fair?  Wagering bets on upstart politicians was not the only craziness that ensued.  It seems that these days the thing to do at a fair is to eat the most outlandish unhealthy item that a vendor has concocted.  I believe the winner this year is Fried Butter on a Stick.  I feel nauseous just reporting it. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u>Communication Flaws</u> - Ah - this is a sentence from my text book and it is a good one.  It is regarding communication between couples and things we come to notice over time - you know, after the halo effect of a new relationship fades.... "then we become aware of our limitations in communication or more often, our<u> perceptions of the limitations of others."  </u>(Human Sexuality, Yarber, W. et al)</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u>Carbon Monoxide?!</u> - I have an issue with the fish I buy at Walmart.  I shop at Walmart because it has the lowest prices.  (I also shop at higher end grocers and health food stores, but only when I cannot find what I need at Walmart).  I have made my Walmart statements in the past, but I feel the need to reiterate.  The people that work there are EMPLOYED.  I know that they may not have the highest wages, but maybe the people who pay better would not higher these same people.  I also wonder if the employees are as unhappy as the antiwalmart folks claim that they are.  Seems like a good research study question to me.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That said - I am upset about the fish that I buy at the store.  I did not realize it was a Walmart product, but the Tilapia and Salmon have the exact same calories per gram - 100 calories per 113 g serving.  This is not possible because they do not have the same nutrient profile.  While looking at the label in order to find the contact information to alert them to this MISTAKE - I saw these words (on the tilapia) "carbon monoxide treated to retain coloring."  No kidding.  I am waiting to hear back from Walmart on both issues.  Next stop - FDA.  The FDA is in charge of safety and labeling.</span></span><br /><u><br /></u><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u>Graphics </u>- Big Tobacco is challenging one (at least) of the components of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.  They do not want the graphic labels, of which I have previously spoken, to be on the packs.  This was discussed on several programs this week - including World Have Your Say.  My feeling is that a person who is addicted to tobacco is going to "not see" those labels just like they do not "hear" the warnings.  People who do not smoke - our youth- may very well be discouraged by the labels.  Remember the cigarette company ads lead young persons to believe that they will be tough like cowboys, suave like well dressed black men, or thin like models - just by smoking.  The graphic labels will give the TRUE outcomes associated with smoking - lung disease, clotted arteries, wrinkly skin and emphysema.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(I did have seven points to make today - but now it seems too much - so I am skipping the last one)</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span>

Odds and Ends

Bladder Cancer - A new study adds to the evidence that cigarette smoking is a cause of bladder cancer.  As I listened to a discussion about...

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Turn the Table

<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Tonight I link you to a great article published in the New York Times.  It speaks to my passion of making unhealthy food less affordable and health promoting foods more so.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I only regret that I did not see the story when it was printed nearly a month ago.  I  came across it by accident.  It was listed on a website where Dr. Kelly Brownell was discussing the soda tax on a radio show. I caught wind of that from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.. and so on.  Read the article <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/24/opinion/sunday/24bittman.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all">here</a>.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> I am not opining further.  I did save 7 notes during the week for tomorrow's O&Es so stay tuned for that.</span></span>

Turn the Table

Tonight I link you to a great article published in the New York Times.  It speaks to my passion of making unhealthy food less affordable and...

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Exercise - the comfort of a PLAN

<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It has not been that long since I posted my exercise plan with the hopes of swimming 2x a week through August, etc.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The past two weeks were challenging.  I <i>was</i> able to keep things as planned  when I had the day long classes the week before last.  I only had to shift times, not days or actions.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This week I had one all day event that interrupted my running time on Wednesday, but worse - or in addition, the fitness center was only open on Monday and Friday and the pool was closed all week. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The fall schedule is now posted for the center and the pool and I know my class schedule (though not my "work hours").</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">First I will explain how I did my work-around this week and then I will share my plan for (oh my gosh)the whole fall.  YIKES.  Can I commit?</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sigh - well - it gives me leverage with my walking buddy.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Oh yes, let us start there.  The real deviance began last weekend. My pal called (before my alarm was due to go off - dang it) to say that she and her son's dog (pet sitting) had been attacked by yellow jackets.  Her hand was hurt and she worried over the dog so we postponed.  It began to rain and rained most of the day.  Instead of an hour long walk, I did an hour of step aerobics (in my living room to a DVD).</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sunday my friend's hand had swollen badly.  She went to Prime Care where she received a shot.  I took a run around my neighborhood because I figured the trail would be too muddy to navigate, but I still ran.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Monday the pool was closed so I cycled about 12 miles and then later did my weight training - in the PM - not AM.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My Tuesday went as planned. Wednesday I had to be somewhere early and did not run first.  I felt bad all day so I decided to run that night - it helped.  I ran Thursday too because the gym was closed.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Today I cycled another 12, and I had company :).  I went to do my weights at 1:30 and that is where I decided that I was going to blog about this tonight.  (oh and since I did not run today I will run tomorrow.  This weekend we will walk on Sunday instead - just so I can end the week as off schedule as I started!)</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">School is back in session and the younger students are back.  I have been lifting weights at 9:30 am all summer and even during school, I bet that time will be less crowded.  I was NOT intimidated by all the boys/men in the weight room today - as I was one year ago.  Still, it was crowded.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The advice I want to offer you - besides mapping out your weekly exercise routine- is to plan the weight training you will do before you walk in the door. It is far less daunting if you know exactly what machine and or free weights that you will use and in what order.  Just walk in with a mission, do your thing, and get out :)</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So the schedule is up and I have just committed myself to continue swimming twice a week.  I made recurring appointments on my Google calendar for weight training Mon and Thurs at 9:30 and swim Monday at 12 and Thursday at 4 (after my class).  I was frustrated last fall/spring because the swim schedule is inconsistent - but with a plan in place, I think I can do this.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><br /> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZYsOdEXwMbE58OYmuhz6RaKxLH6mE7Av-drPYMJbcRVP0BKCydicfNzDsPfaMh_C5zXkehtXG7bNXFIR0j89EnLVLqrX8cOeAsjO_lE_NKGFA3HjuyPpTFKveRXDSVDlB90R8qVG7gNg/s1600/weight+training.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZYsOdEXwMbE58OYmuhz6RaKxLH6mE7Av-drPYMJbcRVP0BKCydicfNzDsPfaMh_C5zXkehtXG7bNXFIR0j89EnLVLqrX8cOeAsjO_lE_NKGFA3HjuyPpTFKveRXDSVDlB90R8qVG7gNg/s320/weight+training.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><br /> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HA - this picture is at least 5 years old and at yet another gym!</td></tr><br /> </tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I will try my running and walking on the other days as has been.  X fingers and welcome Fall Semester.  I am SO thrilled to be in this comfortable place with a general understanding of the expected course work.  It is so much better than a year ago!</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span>

Exercise - the comfort of a PLAN

It has not been that long since I posted my exercise plan with the hopes of swimming 2x a week through August, etc. The past two weeks were ...

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HIV Virus May Hide in Brain

<div>FRIDAY, Aug. 27 (HealthDay News) -- The brain can be a convenient hiding place for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.<br />That's the finding of Swedish researchers who analyzed samples from about 70 HIV-infected patients who'd been taking anti-HIV drugs. The tests showed that about 10 percent of the patients -- a larger proportion than expected -- had traces of HIV in their spinal fluid but not in their blood.<br />Another study by the researchers found that 60 percent of 15 HIV-infected patients treated with medication for several years showed signs of inflammation in their spinal fluid, although the levels were lower than they were without treatment.<br />Anti-HIV drugs can prevent the virus from multiplying, but the virus also infects the brain and can cause damage if the infection isn't treated, according to lead researcher Dr. Arvid Eden, a doctor and researcher at the Institute of Biomedicine at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg.<br />"Antiviral treatment in the brain is complicated by a number of factors, partly because it is surrounded by a protective barrier that affects how well medicines get in," Eden said in a university news release. "This means that the brain can act as a reservoir where treatment of the virus may be less effective."<br />It is unclear whether small quantities of the virus in spinal fluid represent a risk for future complications, researchers said. Still, the findings indicate that "we need to take into account the effects in the brain when developing new drugs and treatment strategies for HIV infection," Eden added</div>

HIV Virus May Hide in Brain

FRIDAY, Aug. 27 (HealthDay News) -- The brain can be a convenient hiding place for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. That's the finding o...

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September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/ovarian">ovarian cancer:</a></span> is the fifth most common cancer in women. </span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOi-dyvIcqXDpE0ATFty7QcQc66xx7QZEVLko7Ai3gH3QW6RTrBebIcUMtE7RPeccRcYaFkyu8Cs4lzSBppcNIojXJ6joe-XjSgOIQMlH59sie6UjTd8IepSxXe9bVeUgyNv8GH953cxg/s1600/image001.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOi-dyvIcqXDpE0ATFty7QcQc66xx7QZEVLko7Ai3gH3QW6RTrBebIcUMtE7RPeccRcYaFkyu8Cs4lzSBppcNIojXJ6joe-XjSgOIQMlH59sie6UjTd8IepSxXe9bVeUgyNv8GH953cxg/s320/image001.png" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is a cancer that forms in tissues of the ovary. </span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are three types: 1) those of the covering of the ovaries or the epithelial; 2) those of the ovaries themselves or germ cell (this type is seen most often in women under 40) and, 3) those of the connective tissue or sex-cord stroma. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most ovarian cancers are either ovarian epithelial carcinomas (85-90%) or malignant germ cell tumors (5%)</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Estimated New U.S. Cases and Deaths from Ovarian Cancer</strong> </span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New cases - 21, 880 Deaths - 13, 850 (World wide cases 230,000)</span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">RISK FACTORS</span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Age </span></strong><br /><strong><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Family History of Ovarian Cancer</span></strong></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Being of Eastern European (Ashkenazi) descent </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Having never given birth (or had difficulty doing so) </span></strong><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Personal History of </span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Breast, Uterine, Colorectal Cancer</span></strong></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Personal History of</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp013.cfm">Endometriosis</a></span></strong></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Modified from NCI</span></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDt_16O3BJkooQMSAtPMt0Rk4WNR7nCFS0IPpsjQZChjWd8iVwF-IN_vN8jGyOQciID2okLgDVSffSJVyRCDr7jnsCjXSMVy4OGQt3ZJzCTqDh_YIJtLW9xuNbi811PlcX50G2ls_2lQaV/s1600/image003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDt_16O3BJkooQMSAtPMt0Rk4WNR7nCFS0IPpsjQZChjWd8iVwF-IN_vN8jGyOQciID2okLgDVSffSJVyRCDr7jnsCjXSMVy4OGQt3ZJzCTqDh_YIJtLW9xuNbi811PlcX50G2ls_2lQaV/s320/image003.jpg" /></a></td></tr><br /> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From CDC.gov</span></td></tr><br /> </tbody></table><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 13px;">More white women than other ethnicities get this cancer (but Hispanic women come in at a close second) The average age of diagnosis is 63 and although most women get this over the age of 50 (90% of women are over the age of 40), women of any age can be diagnosed. In depth statistics are </span><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 9px;"><a href="http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/ovary.html"><span style="font-size: 10px;">here </span></a></span><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Symptoms</strong></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Early ovarian cancer may not cause obvious symptoms. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, as the cancer grows, symptoms may include:</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3RUsyUdrGjg_oTFRqkkkG-3JnXmFWygjOr_iSyfhswRWistVJOA8VUIkQe_8cm-LtKaFvTXIE-nCvMqOPItUd1I7Z3fboXxWtBJx71QzC-JybWY6DJs5BlIUVhibiFoz4XaaGohrUY4C/s1600/bloat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3RUsyUdrGjg_oTFRqkkkG-3JnXmFWygjOr_iSyfhswRWistVJOA8VUIkQe_8cm-LtKaFvTXIE-nCvMqOPItUd1I7Z3fboXxWtBJx71QzC-JybWY6DJs5BlIUVhibiFoz4XaaGohrUY4C/s200/bloat.jpg" width="132px" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Pressure or pain in the abdomen, pelvis, back, or legs</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• A swollen or bloated abdomen</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Nausea, indigestion, gas, constipation, or diarrhea</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Feeling very tired all the time</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Less common symptoms include:</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Shortness of breath</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Feeling the need to urinate often</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Unusual vaginal bleeding (heavy periods, or bleeding after menopause)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong><em>Based upon the presenting symptoms and since they more often are not due to ovarian cancer, women who get diagnosed are often at advanced stages of their disease.</em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57Ahl6Wp7lD-ZJeir-0Rphj-wVdA4aIwg9jBD62_IPkEwcG7aEA8FjxMUD6wpiXGnJW2PNITVbj2KENx5CTagCRB_9UAlDRk8qilkPpaN0v8MofadNCQ3G28iC66Xi0cFjfbOUBaG3hjR/s1600/image005.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57Ahl6Wp7lD-ZJeir-0Rphj-wVdA4aIwg9jBD62_IPkEwcG7aEA8FjxMUD6wpiXGnJW2PNITVbj2KENx5CTagCRB_9UAlDRk8qilkPpaN0v8MofadNCQ3G28iC66Xi0cFjfbOUBaG3hjR/s320/image005.gif" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6883J320100909">IN THE NEWS....</a><span style="font-size: large;"> Two Gene Mutations Found That Mark Hardest-To-Treat Ovarian Cancer </span>- Sept 9, 2010</em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Finding published in the journal Science and the New England Journal of Medicine (click<a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMoa1008433"> here</a> for full article)</em></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXdjEWTZguEEY4eyr5ihsKGzCFt0oZXw6LorGjVdR76atPUVsAZjGL4Q2Tb_5h3eG3PVfQwljQQiZ1HkgZBZgKcRRycgeCB9qudjM_kap7H3l6DyT4Nq3faHBglge1W_8XluZCLc8HvJI/s1600/Vogelstein-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXdjEWTZguEEY4eyr5ihsKGzCFt0oZXw6LorGjVdR76atPUVsAZjGL4Q2Tb_5h3eG3PVfQwljQQiZ1HkgZBZgKcRRycgeCB9qudjM_kap7H3l6DyT4Nq3faHBglge1W_8XluZCLc8HvJI/s200/Vogelstein-17.jpg" width="133px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5BKCoZEEckB_6rNLHS7kE8oZFn6BRW7_41E54qcNcs46daKjekrTcQDX9Dm5Js4GWsagefxPze-Ih42zOoe516AEZrtHNA51p-QoXi2cDJZE8Ums3Ew-cNAjkM7v3Xgei3ZVyDzOvyp8/s1600/image006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5BKCoZEEckB_6rNLHS7kE8oZFn6BRW7_41E54qcNcs46daKjekrTcQDX9Dm5Js4GWsagefxPze-Ih42zOoe516AEZrtHNA51p-QoXi2cDJZE8Ums3Ew-cNAjkM7v3Xgei3ZVyDzOvyp8/s320/image006.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>The genes are for ovarian clear cell carcinoma (10 - 12% of all ovarian cancers) and is one of the most difficult to treat as well as most lethal. It is linked with endometriosis and is resistant to chemotherapy. Two teams of researchers published on this - one from Hopkins and one from the British Columbia Cancer Agency. Dr. Bert Vogelstein and colleagues at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore named the two new genes as ARID1A and PPP2R1A. (Science abstract </em><a href="http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/science.1196333"><em>here </em></a><em>) </em></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrX4KLBBDHkX0pl5LaxOhw58bP3GDRDWTzWMhjFGmZ2DCHobfHkwWkNOMWE3WFnKgEuD6HFacRwRG-rR192cUIDfzv-kK0CdBnXk6ccGwbsnyVcaqJZMNrHTraW8Yo5-RVGDwSudHnhZz/s1600/huntsman1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrX4KLBBDHkX0pl5LaxOhw58bP3GDRDWTzWMhjFGmZ2DCHobfHkwWkNOMWE3WFnKgEuD6HFacRwRG-rR192cUIDfzv-kK0CdBnXk6ccGwbsnyVcaqJZMNrHTraW8Yo5-RVGDwSudHnhZz/s200/huntsman1.jpg" width="146px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Dr. David Huntsman from the British Columbia Cancer Agency published his groups study in New England Journal of Medicine and found that ARID1A was mutated not only in ovarian clear-cell carcinoma but also in a second type of ovarian tumor linked with endometriosis. He found that "Overall, 46 percent of patients with ovarian clear-cell carcinoma and 30 percent of those with endometrioid carcinoma had ... mutations in ARID1A," It was not found in other ovarian tumor types. The ARID1A gene is also a suspect in some cases of lung and breast cancer, Huntsman's team said.</em></span></em> <br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>These findings may identify new 'on-off switches' for these tumors, as well as mechanisms of action that aide in developing new medications to treat it.</em></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MECHANISM OF ACTION - The ARID1A gene is involved in a process called chromatin remodeling, which helps squeeze DNA into cells and control when and how it gets "read" to perform a biological function. Mutations in it allow DNA to improperly 'read' and activated, per the Hopkins team.<br />"Taken together, these data suggest that ARID1A is a classic tumor-suppressor gene," Huntsman's team wrote. These genes, when not mutated, aid in blocking tumor formation -similar to other genes such as BRCA1 and p53.</span></div><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Currently, since most women are diagnosed with widely spread disease, most (70%) die within five years.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SOURCES: </span><a href="http://link.reuters.com/nyg52p"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">link.reuters.com/nyg52p</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Science, September 8, 2010 and </span><a href="http://link.reuters.com/pyg52p"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">link.reuters.com/pyg52p</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MORE INFO</span></em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><em></em><br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrOAm0KOJYt7XFUlP_sBHUPC50tkoZvx-BXykY61bSvn8dsynbT8OkXsUwZI_Hn7y4ydKBW87SYpK2mXqqHo1oufY61VL8K2Z-CUzA-qDliEy4onIXBPA5AgD8ohEbicwfDrjWaWf7589/s1600/image008.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrOAm0KOJYt7XFUlP_sBHUPC50tkoZvx-BXykY61bSvn8dsynbT8OkXsUwZI_Hn7y4ydKBW87SYpK2mXqqHo1oufY61VL8K2Z-CUzA-qDliEy4onIXBPA5AgD8ohEbicwfDrjWaWf7589/s320/image008.gif" /></a></div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*HERE NCI Site with information, clinical trials and more</span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*What You Need To Know About™ (Epithelial) Ovarian Cancer NCI created resource on ovarian cancer</span></div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">*If you have a hysterectomy, should you get ovaries out to prevent disease? Controversy discussed at CNN report </div><br /><br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">* Here's a CDC Podcast on Gynecologic Cancers</div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New England Journal of Medicine, September 8, 2010.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FULL NEJM ARTICLE AVAILABLE AT </span><a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMoa1008433"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ARID1A</span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

ovarian cancer: is the fifth most common cancer in women. It is a cancer that forms in tissues of the ovary. There are three types: 1) thos...

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More to support the meat link

<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It has only been a few weeks since I highlighted the conclusion of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans regarding fat intake and diabetes.  You can refresh your memory in that regard by clicking <a href="http://yourhealtheducator.blogspot.com/2011/06/saturated-fat-and-diabetes.html">here</a>.</span></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I was alerted to a study that offers the same conclusion about red meat and processed meats - such as sandwich slices, bacon, bologna etc.  It is discussed in the current Harvard School of Public Health Newsletter.  </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Instead of reviewing it for you or with you, I am just going to link it.  It is about an hour past when I usually write my blog posts as I had to clean my house for a morning visitor.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sorry - but I leave you with this <a href="http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/2011-releases/red-meat-type-2-diabetes.html">trusted source</a> for today's bit of education.</span></span>

More to support the meat link

It has only been a few weeks since I highlighted the conclusion of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans regarding fat intake and diabetes.  ...

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Sex and Gender Medicine - A Lens for Evaluating Sociocultural Determinants of Disease

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLu3wuT_pkZB0fr34GJjPwC8OfMwmqN6zDBnVE7vCsy5kdGgjt6rQCRzG499AcDKr94VoTN-cysIUjGHSfdBVYc1ZoFcaABhxsw_O73_2gupzJlsRT5RJ-Z5NlD7VowOzUrHD38-QlPdi/s1600/businesscolHeaderSMART.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLu3wuT_pkZB0fr34GJjPwC8OfMwmqN6zDBnVE7vCsy5kdGgjt6rQCRzG499AcDKr94VoTN-cysIUjGHSfdBVYc1ZoFcaABhxsw_O73_2gupzJlsRT5RJ-Z5NlD7VowOzUrHD38-QlPdi/s320/businesscolHeaderSMART.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It used to be good enough to be smart - good in science; good at figuring things out. When you only have penicillin or sulfa, then just making the right diagnosis was pretty impressive. But times of have changed - we have PET scans and PCRs; we have minimally invasive surgery and a vast (if not overwhelming array) of medications and interventions at our disposal. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUeRsf9Ib2uKF2TUWgVowJtKmfLrK5-SS6bN5nylcduXl_9TC_KZKH4d9M5Dnf1oK1FA6HQBVjM3QUDUsqakTHAhNwydTiejNVsazTj6NQiuzrCgkhysNjocZUksqih4N6IW-RrG523JY/s1600/gold_standard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUeRsf9Ib2uKF2TUWgVowJtKmfLrK5-SS6bN5nylcduXl_9TC_KZKH4d9M5Dnf1oK1FA6HQBVjM3QUDUsqakTHAhNwydTiejNVsazTj6NQiuzrCgkhysNjocZUksqih4N6IW-RrG523JY/s200/gold_standard.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So today our gold standard has migrated past being smart and finding the disease 'in' a patient - now we are expected to influence health outcomes. </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">When acute injury and infections were a major cause of death (and we had limited tools) we had challenges. Now, most diseases are chronic and the ability to influence runs over a longer timeframe. Diabetes, Obesity, Hypertension, Heart Disease, Cancer - not 'quick in- quick out' challenges and certainly not the easiest to impact on outcomes. Yet, it is do-able. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlv-STwskqn7uTut_rC-Y6QTR5XHdgTL6C3gJxUDZ6Wh8gxiTOATeDxhXf8TmpcvPjUjsQSCQLFTJTfzdKL-UlI7Ga4Qlc-88aB7UvviqqcZ7stnqTa2F_20WUOtpXWQ8m5NnIGKHXJBte/s1600/acutevschronicdiseasepubmed.png" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlv-STwskqn7uTut_rC-Y6QTR5XHdgTL6C3gJxUDZ6Wh8gxiTOATeDxhXf8TmpcvPjUjsQSCQLFTJTfzdKL-UlI7Ga4Qlc-88aB7UvviqqcZ7stnqTa2F_20WUOtpXWQ8m5NnIGKHXJBte/s640/acutevschronicdiseasepubmed.png" width="640px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We just need to get all of the data - scrutinize the biomedical, be clinically and scientifically curious and obtain data about the person in her world. One of the ways we can impact health disparities (and therefore move care closer to excellent for all) is to see the whole picture. The whole person. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In understanding the whole person, we need their story - who lives with them? who helps them? who do they help? what do they think or fear is going on? how do they define a good outcome? </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Just today, a short essay on the social history was published in NEJM </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPZW8HWB3OroeL_X88G1hzu0-j0p327fMFDxwvehv0Sjpfm57HXorqeRHswcWvH7ymAoiP1TA0lE6NlYalQvsHwoFn6WRlsT3_lCaMNImPmipaUv8fyVrtz2GxDXdUzf7sptrytszS1Qe/s1600/ranjanasrivastava.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPZW8HWB3OroeL_X88G1hzu0-j0p327fMFDxwvehv0Sjpfm57HXorqeRHswcWvH7ymAoiP1TA0lE6NlYalQvsHwoFn6WRlsT3_lCaMNImPmipaUv8fyVrtz2GxDXdUzf7sptrytszS1Qe/s200/ranjanasrivastava.jpg" width="200px" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UZxITwNm3ru4HxMM0jPsdyRJxVljB_Po7xGKepd0jfhRPn5RpLrjYUf6dSdxUB1TRQ-0xn8zJ55oUDVcqqcuCbfLWP94g0VkNP-_80yVELCf_mRcpTHsq5hZ2mboe9evzwuB7laYNjym/s1600/complicatedlivesnejmaug2011.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UZxITwNm3ru4HxMM0jPsdyRJxVljB_Po7xGKepd0jfhRPn5RpLrjYUf6dSdxUB1TRQ-0xn8zJ55oUDVcqqcuCbfLWP94g0VkNP-_80yVELCf_mRcpTHsq5hZ2mboe9evzwuB7laYNjym/s320/complicatedlivesnejmaug2011.png" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><em>Complicated Lives — Taking the Social History</em></strong>  R. Srivastava  N Engl J Med 365:587, August 18, 2011.   I highly recommend that   you read it, as it is written by an Oncologist and gives an interesting perspective on what we need to know to care for patients.  Now worries, it's a quick read!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdrFsSwk04l5OC7Jd04qPA1VV3ewoeGSLmHavwtk7WQZlxvji2s4WvhPr4pe-8Ed_9h31SxxwmhH3iHY86dfVw45SCVyNOKKu7Yg0_amxFkHMtY3WY79YPRlTVXNrvtS2RkPmMklnMoZv/s1600/proportionalcontributiontoprematuredeathSCDH2100mcginnis.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdrFsSwk04l5OC7Jd04qPA1VV3ewoeGSLmHavwtk7WQZlxvji2s4WvhPr4pe-8Ed_9h31SxxwmhH3iHY86dfVw45SCVyNOKKu7Yg0_amxFkHMtY3WY79YPRlTVXNrvtS2RkPmMklnMoZv/s320/proportionalcontributiontoprematuredeathSCDH2100mcginnis.png" width="320px" /></a></td></tr><br /> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McGinnis, J.M. 2002;21:78-93 </td></tr><br /> </tbody></table><strong>Sociocultural determinants of health issues</strong> need to be lenses that we use to evaluate our patients.  <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dr Schroeder from UCSF delivered the Shattuck lecture about this. (We Can Do Better - Improving the Health of American People. Schroeder SA. New England Journal of Medicine. 357(12):1221-8, 2007 Sep 20. ) Access <a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsa073350">HERE</a> courtesy of Pubmed and NEJM.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />As physicians, we need to zoom in and zoom out on the pathophysiology and the life of our patients in order to best understand what is going on and how we can best help them lead healthier lives.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div>For a review on our discussion about sex and gender health disparities, check out this blog entry - click on <a href="http://whepducom.blogspot.com/2011/01/sex-and-gender-resources-from-jan-5.html">Sex and Gender Resources</a> as well as check out our other blog entries.<br /><br /> <br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><br /> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsu_RLSyIAGIp4oRiKfkBcpt3eKyIZmf60CngUSlLWdhnVhuLHyYXVGh8CI7bliiN9rZVMaDfue4128Bij5TFMuHrfKyrHIw-5oNfSlSre4br2k1jBmYgwpDCHg0RrfKkWi6kVAqm302K/s1600/crossculturaleffectivenessblogface.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="145px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsu_RLSyIAGIp4oRiKfkBcpt3eKyIZmf60CngUSlLWdhnVhuLHyYXVGh8CI7bliiN9rZVMaDfue4128Bij5TFMuHrfKyrHIw-5oNfSlSre4br2k1jBmYgwpDCHg0RrfKkWi6kVAqm302K/s200/crossculturaleffectivenessblogface.png" width="200px" /></a></td></tr><br /> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://culturegenderhealth.blogspot.com/">Culture, Gender, Health</a></td></tr><br /> </tbody></table>Our second blog is <strong><em><a href="http://culturegenderhealth.blogspot.com/">Culture Gender Health</a></em></strong> and it reviews some of the definitions we discussed. It is available on the left side of the blog<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;">Our third blog is a patient health blog <a href="http://philadelphiaujima.blogspot.com/">Philadelphia Ujima</a> and is a useful place to find plain language (aka health literacy and culturally appropriate) health education info and resources.</div><br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5DuC48BAukg1eE6R0j-wnjwmHvFxgAwG_5mldR5ZtO2kO2t0_ok5v91xFcs_ZNk7J6XC9lCRTXhoe_-U6KezyzOhNjzEjSHATEv8RAR1SsptUMZ5ipDueruQf59CqZzRwca2o0ujgZFB/s1600/ujimaasthmascreenshotaug2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5DuC48BAukg1eE6R0j-wnjwmHvFxgAwG_5mldR5ZtO2kO2t0_ok5v91xFcs_ZNk7J6XC9lCRTXhoe_-U6KezyzOhNjzEjSHATEv8RAR1SsptUMZ5ipDueruQf59CqZzRwca2o0ujgZFB/s200/ujimaasthmascreenshotaug2011.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">You are invited to suggest topics or even contribute - no advanced computing skills needed!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>This blog was created to help your educational experience - let us know what you think!!</em></div>

Sex and Gender Medicine - A Lens for Evaluating Sociocultural Determinants of Disease

It used to be good enough to be smart - good in science; good at figuring things out. When you only have penicillin or sulfa, then just maki...

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Disappointed

<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">At long last I was able to attend a CATCH training.  I have spoken of the program many times.  It is an evidence based multi component school based obesity prevention program.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The trainer who delivered the curriculum and came from Texas to teach the school how to implement it, left me flat and disappointed.  In fact, I did not even stay for the whole event.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was disappointed by the presentation style, use of old information (my pyramid), the referencing of policy not related to this state, and the lack of connection to this school district.  These things greatly impacted the trainers ability to create or provide MOTIVATION and a great opportunity  was LOST - </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can bet I tried though - interspersing when I could.  Truly - I would have done a better job at engaging the audience even with my outsider knowledge of CATCH. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Still there was some interest and sparks of life.  Some good connections between lessons and messages were made.  The activity breaks were pretty cool and provided examples that the teachers could replicate with their students.  </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was disheartened to hear talk about parents consistently using fast food restaurants, children not wanting to try new things and similar misconceptions or blaming.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is true. People are responsible for their choices but those of us who are not living in poverty are responsible for understanding the context under which people make those choices.  MONEY, time, location, marketing and other pressures. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Even more so now as today I heard on the news that 1 in 5 children or 15 million, are living in poverty.  Sorry to say - but healthy food is not cheap food and these are challenges that are faced by the parents of those 15 million children - not all of them are selfish and lazy - in fact, most of them are not.</span></span>

Disappointed

At long last I was able to attend a CATCH training.  I have spoken of the program many times.  It is an evidence based multi component schoo...

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TV and Early Death?

<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A study linking TV time with years of life lost allows me an opportunity to distinguish between population level results and individual factors.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The study is out of Australia and I have NOT reviewed it. Listening to Brian Williams report that watching TV was as bad on our health and longevity as smoking and obesity, gave me pause.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is not <i>watching TV</i> as much as what we might be doing while watching TV.  This could include spending too much time on our bottoms and/or eating junk food. However, if you are watching TV while walking on your treadmill (and not eating chips)- it would likely extend your life.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Just things to consider. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Whereas, being obese and smoking have physical consequences in and of themselves,  watching TV is only (i expect) detrimental because of what we do or do not do because of it.</span></div><br />

TV and Early Death?

A study linking TV time with years of life lost allows me an opportunity to distinguish between population level results and individual fact...

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Muscles

<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I forgot to tell you the best thing about the Farmer's Market we had a couple weeks ago.  I thought of it today because it had to do with muscles, mine specifically :)</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When the event ended, several of us pitched in to take down tents and tables, put away supplies and pack up cars.  The church pastor had been selling bottled water and there was still an unopened case of water on his table.  This water was to go home with one of the ...hmmm - not middle aged, and I don't like old or older, so higher aged? -  higher aged women.  I told her not to try to lift it, but I wanted to see if I could.  It was not heavy really, so when I saw that I could lift it without hurting myself, I just began walking to her car.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">She and some of the others were surprised.  First they said, "Oh No - you can't lift that, " and then saw that I very well could.  I said, I am strong because I lift weights :)  Then I put the water down and made a 'bicep'.  They exclaimed, "Oh, she has muscles!"</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Indeed.  So today, my normal weight training day, when I felt overwhelmed with school requirements, I thought.. just for a second, "I could skip the workout."  But you know - I couldn't and we can't.  If you "don't do it" once it becomes acceptable and you will "not" do it again. How many of you took a day over a year ago - from something - and never went back?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As it is, I only work out with weights twice a week for 40 minutes each time- still double the lowest PAG recommendations but not that much.  I HAD 40 minutes to spare today and I lifted my weights.  I must - the higher aged women are counting on me :) </span></span><br /><br />BTW- notice how I took the opportunity to point out that my strength is related to something I do - just as I remark that my size is related to how I eat and not my genes.<br /><br />AND - I finished my syllabus today - for the class I will start teaching next week - it is SIX pages long :) <br /><br />

Muscles

I forgot to tell you the best thing about the Farmer's Market we had a couple weeks ago.  I thought of it today because it had to do wit...

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Odds and Ends

<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It would seem that most of the items on my list for this Sunday's O&E ended up being a blog post during my very hectic 'work' week.  I will give you what is left.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u>I Can't See Anything</u>: Oh my.  I watched a lady trying to back out of a parking space earlier this week, as I was walking to my car.  She had began her endeavor by asking a couple loading/unloading (?)their groceries if she had room to back up.  She pulled back in and back out.  She ran into a white SUV with her white luxury car.  She hit it pretty hard and I sure saw it coming.  She then got out of her car and looked at the SUV bumper and turned to the people who had helped her the first time and said, "I can't see anything.  I don't think I did anything."  I continued walking to my car but I was thinking, "Oh my gosh.  No lady, you CAN"T see anything."  The way she said it was pretty funny too.  She acted like the SUV was at fault for being in the parking space behind her.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u>Employee Wellness and Benefits</u>:</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you are already healthy a financial incentive from your employer (like lower premiums) can come later, but if you need to change a behavior - i.e. stop smoking, the incentive needs to be immediate, so says, behavioral economics.  You can read about it <a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1105966">here</a>. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u>Produce Advice</u>:  I was in the produce aisle at my local grocery store yesterday when a young woman who was shopping with a young man asked me how to tell if a pepper was "good".  I was delighted that the youngster (:)) felt comfortable asking and that she was buying veggies.  YEAH!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u>Family of Helmet Wearers and then </u>?  As I walked through my little arboretum park this afternoon, I was passed by what appeared to be a mom and dad with their two children.  All were riding bicycles and wearing helmets!  A few minutes later a young man rode by on his bicycle.  He was also helmeted but I am pretty sure the strap was not fastened.  So um, what's the point?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u>PA "activity"</u>:  One of the student teachers in my class this week gave us an activity.  We were putting together a goal plan for a person who was described to us.  For example, a 60 year old woman who wants to maintain her weight and improve her fitness.  The information we were given about the "client" did not contain a very, very important piece of information.  Can you guess what it is/was?  Okay - time is up... the missing information is - "what the person is currently doing!"</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <u><br /></u></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u>Sexual Abuse:</u> I am quite miffed at myself. I wrote down sexual abuse but nothing else on my notepad.  I cannot for the life of me recall what I meant to say unless it related to a great presentation I saw this week.  If so, I do not have the information to share with you.  Dang.  I can tell you that it rephrased things like - instead of women blowing a whistle if they were being attacked, a man should blow the whistle if he is going to attack someone.  Shifting the responsibility for protection to the one perpetrating the offense.  It was awesome.</span></span><br /><br /><br />

Odds and Ends

It would seem that most of the items on my list for this Sunday's O&E ended up being a blog post during my very hectic 'work'...

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Genes and Aging

<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last Friday, August 5, 2011, the radio show Science Friday, had as a guest, a researcher who studies genetics and aging.  In fact, he is currently engaged in a long term study regarding the characteristics, biological and otherwise, of persons who live past the age of 100 (more often women than men).</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was so happy when I heard the exchange below that I knew I would have to tell you about it.  Of course, I was falling asleep while listening to the show, so I had to find the transcript.  What you can't get from the text below is HOW Dr.Nir Barzilai Director, <a href="http://www.einstein.yu.edu/aging/">Institute for Aging Research</a> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.einstein.yu.edu/">Albert Einstein College of Medicine</a>  Bronx, New York,   gave. his "Absolutely Not" answer.  It was very passionate and it thrilled me to pieces, as it would of course.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The full interview is only about 12 minutes and you can listen to it by going to <a href="http://www.sciencefriday.com/program/archives/201108051">this website</a> and clicking the arrow on the top left of the page, under the word LISTEN.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The exchange below is from Ira Flatow the host, and Dr. Barzilai</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">FLATOW: No kidding. So can you then make the blanket statement that forget about all this exercise and good food? </span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">MEDICINE: Absolutely not. You know, those people are rare. They are unique. They are one out of 10,000. And they can do it because they have the genes. Whatever we know is still right for the rest of us, the people who are not naturally going to be 100, if we want to live healthy longer, if we want to get over the age of 80, if we want to live eight years more than others, we do have to go and do all those lifestyle interventions. </span></div>

Genes and Aging

Last Friday, August 5, 2011, the radio show Science Friday, had as a guest, a researcher who studies genetics and aging.  In fact, he is cur...

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A Safe Place for Answers

<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My first step in preparing to teach Human Sexuality involves exploring the textbook and the online resources. </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">One of the objectives for the class is for students to be able to openly discuss issues of sexuality.  Others include accepting diversity of sexual and gender expression and knowing where to find reliable answers to questions they may be afraid to ask.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Today I offer you a website that I consider "safe" and credible.  It is hosted by Columbia University.  Numerous topics are covered, some more sensitive than others, and some VERY personal.  You can search for answers, ask questions or browse by subject.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Best of all is the name of the website (below)-  I have tried to link directly to the page that discusses sexuality.  On the left (once you are on the page) is the list of subject areas and you can certainly switch to the one that most interests you.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span><br /><a href="http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/Cat6.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Go Ask Alice!</span></span></a>  

A Safe Place for Answers

My first step in preparing to teach Human Sexuality involves exploring the textbook and the online resources.  One of the objectives for the...

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Financial Health

<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This short post regards the financial health of the individual who is offered a deal to buy an expensive item on credit when they have NO Credit and the financial health of the country when banks and businesses do that.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think that it is reckless and leads to economic problems for all of us.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am inspired to make this declaration after days of hearing the same advertisement from Krazy Kevin Powell while I listen to the radio on line.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wasn't able to find the ad in text - but to the best of my recollection it involves two or three people giving testimonials about how they had no credit, and were able to buy a motorcycle/or car.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">One person specifically says that he had bad credit because "I did not pay my bills" but Krazy Kevin Powell... blah blah blah...</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">All I can say is "Are You KIDDING me?"</span></div><br />

Financial Health

This short post regards the financial health of the individual who is offered a deal to buy an expensive item on credit when they have NO Cr...

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Men of a Certain Age

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style><br /> /* Style Definitions */<br /> table.MsoNormalTable<br /> {mso-style-name:"Table Normal";<br /> mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;<br /> mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;<br /> mso-style-noshow:yes;<br /> mso-style-parent:"";<br /> mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;<br /> mso-para-margin:0in;<br /> mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;<br /> mso-pagination:widow-orphan;<br /> font-size:10.0pt;<br /> font-family:"Times New Roman";<br /> mso-ansi-language:#0400;<br /> mso-fareast-language:#0400;<br /> mso-bidi-language:#0400;}<br /> </style> <![endif]--> <br /><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I must take a few minutes to post something from this <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6029a1.htm">MMWR</a> from the CDC.  It is a Weekly Morbidity and Mortality Report (published last month).  It is referencing visits to a hospital emergency department for a sports or recreation illness or injury.  It narrows that down to heat illnesses.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The study includes persons who visited 66 different hospitals over 8 years.  These people are said to 'represent' the country.  For that part of the study we have national averages.  Males are more likely to visit EDs and the age group that visits most are between 15-19.  You should look at the article which I linked in the opening sentence.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What drew my attention was the change of sport over time (over a persons life time) that led to their heat illness.  I only have time to talk about males right now - but in the two younger age groups, the number one sport/activity related to the hospital visits is football.<span>  </span>From the ages of less than 14 to 19 it is football, from 20-44 it is exercise (all types I suppose), and the number one reason for non fatal heat related illnesses at age 45 and older (males) is GOLF – ha ha , laughing my self silly.<span>  </span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span></span>By the way, the report lists the top five reasons for hospital visits.  I was just giving you the number one.<span> </span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span>Interesting too that bicycling does not even make the top 5  list for men or women until after age 20 and it moves up to number three when men reach 45 or older.<span>   </span>Number three for women over age 45 is GOLF <span>:)</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>I realize that this post was not well written - and I apologize.  This week of class work has been awesome - but incredibly time consuming! </span></span></div>

Men of a Certain Age

I must take a few minutes to post something from this MMWR from the CDC.  It is a Weekly Morbidity and Mortality Report (published last m...

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Learning to Teach

<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There is a great deal to be said of the title of this post - but alas I cannot.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Today I began my four day crash course for planning my first college teaching experience.  I have to create the syllabus, content, testing, etc.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Tonight we were asked to read three chapters, an article and to write a two page paper.  At this point, my paper is two and a third pages long and I need to edit it.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I may not be able to blog this week - but I am always thinking of you!</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am teaching Human Sexuality this fall so prepare yourself for some interesting blogs :)</span></span>

Learning to Teach

There is a great deal to be said of the title of this post - but alas I cannot. Today I began my four day crash course for planning my first...

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