The Best Pledge We Can Make

<span style="font-size: large;">   I was at the school rec center last week when a few people were registering as guests. I overheard the staff person as he was asking them to sign a liability waiver. He said, </span><div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: large;">"This just means that you are taking responsibility for your body." </span></blockquote>    <span style="font-size: large;">I smiled when I heard it and I have thought about it ever since.  What an awesome concept. What if every person, better yet, every middle school child, signed a pledge committing to take care of their body.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">   This commitment</span><span style="font-size: large;"> could be similar to those kids make about not smoking or doing drugs.  DARE to be healthy, if you will.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">   Even better, it could be something required of us, before we get health insurance. </span></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: large;"> I hereby agree to take care of my body.  I will eat well, exercise daily and avoid all forms (active and passive) of tobacco smoke.  I will consume alcohol responsibly and protect myself from environmental toxins/radiation (e.g., sun, xrays, pollution, coal emissions). </span></blockquote><div>(The government needs to help us out with the last few). </div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: large;"> I do these things in order to prevent disease and to promote my healthy active life.  </span></blockquote><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">   Now if we can find away to 'police' that... ok, enforce .. ok encourage... though my radical, nanny self wants to add, </span></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: large;">and if I willingly break this vow, I will be responsible for my own health care bills and or higher insurance premiums and copays!</span></blockquote><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">   Seriously, I do pledge to do every thing in my power to live a healthy life and if by no fault of my own, I get sick.. I hope someone will take care of me :)  Ok - even if its my 'fault'... I hope someone will take care of me... just saying.</span></div>

The Best Pledge We Can Make

   I was at the school rec center last week when a few people were registering as guests. I overheard the staff person as he was asking the...

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How Drug Stores Profit with Free Meds

<span style="font-size: large;">  According to the CDC, half of  all adults in the USA have at least one chronic disease.  According to the National Council on Aging, 92% of older adults (I do not know what age, but lets assume over 65) have at least one chronic disease and a disturbing 77% have at least two.  </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">  Chronic disease include heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, arthritis and some lung conditions.  These are often preventable.  Lifestyle factors that increase the ris<span style="font-size: large;">k of these conditions</span> are physical inactivity, being overweight, poor diet, and smoking.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">   I have noticed that many pharmacies, like the one at my local grocery store, offer FREE generic diabetes medication.  I imagine that this is because they will make money when they charge customers for all their other medications (because so many <span style="font-size: large;">of them </span>have mor<span style="font-size: large;">e than one disease)</span>.  </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">   I know people who say that they want to eat what they like (and as much as they like), that they are "fat and happy" and <span style="font-size: large;">t</span>hat they don't care to exercise.  Some <span style="font-size: large;">of them</span> get upset with people like me who support governmental policies that encourage dietary moderation (rest<span style="font-size: large;">raint)</span> and try to reduce the amount of time people spend sitting. </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">  But in the end, I am just trying to save them  <i>money</i>  and increase their healthy, active years of living.  Though I could put the drug companies out of business if everyone listened to me!.  </span>

How Drug Stores Profit with Free Meds

  According to the CDC, half of  all adults in the USA have at least one chronic disease.  According to the National Council on Aging, 92% o...

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Odds and Ends

<span style="font-size: large;">   I think the Odds and Ends post may be retiring. This pains me because at least two of my dearest friends seem to like them most of all.  I am contemplating this change because I have been reviewing the analytics - who reads which blog posts - and not many people who don't know me are reading the odds and ends.  I think that  main theme posts are more popular.  Also, my school work and Mon/Tues class prep are demanding a bit more of my time (of course this should be so - it is a doctorate program after all!).</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">      I do a few tidbits for today</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Shirataki Shout Out </i> In the current nutrition action newsletter from CSPI, my favorite non flour noodles are highlighted.  Shirataki noodles are made from tofu and are calorically dilute.  They meet the definition for a very low calorie food.  You can use them in stir fry meals - hot or cold - and make them into Italian dishes.  You can search for shirataki recipes on my You Tube channel.   I did spell it wrong on the channel so click<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/deerunstoo/videos?query=shiritaki" target="_blank"> here</a> to find the recipes.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Bojangles on Campus</i> - The students at my University say that there should not be a fast food restaurant on the first floor of one of the residence dorms.  Still - the restaurant does occupy such a space and as I cycled by today at around 1 pm, I noticed a crowd of people waiting to be served. Money Talks!  That restaurant isn't going anywhere.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Tree Tents and Global Warming</i> What an interesting research project.  Trees that would be subject to the effects of global warming are being exposed to those conditions by scientists.  I heard about this on an NPR show this morning.  I learned that when trees such as these die, they release carbon into the atmosphere.  Carbon emissions are one of the factors implicated in global warming.  Thus as the trees (in groves) die, the very thing that caused their death is perpetuated and strengthened. The story refers to the tents as a torture lab.  I hope that you care enough about the planet to want to hear the story and am including the link <a href="http://www.npr.org/2012/08/26/159373972/torture-lab-kills-trees-to-learn-how-to-save-them" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Diet Quality and Meals Away from Home</i> My research interests include the impact that meals away from home have on the diet quality of Americans.  I will talk more about this in another post.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Cycling Injuries</i> - As a runner who has been cycling more because of a <u>running</u> injury - and not my first or last, I had a thought.  "Do cyclists ever have over use injuries?" It seems like cyclists don't have to stop cycling to heal from an injury like runners often do. So I did a little, informal research.  I was surprised to find that the most common and frequent problem from cycling is knee related.  KNEE - the joint that people always (incorrectly) assume is damaged by running.  The other issue with cycling is related to pressure and lack of blood flow to the perineum and genitalia.  Both of these issues can be corrected or prevented with proper bike adjustment, seat alignment and seat construction. I read an article that suggested that to prevent overuse injuries in cycling a person should start slowly - and slowly was defined as one or two hours a day.  Are you kidding me?  BTW - I have ridden three times this week - all over 2 hours.  I am training for an event, I guess.  But I will be glad to get back to the old me.  Cycling involves too much sitting.  (NOTE:  Runners and Cyclists have falls - but the most serious injuries from falls/crashes are amongst cyclists - and indeed those types of injuries require significant recuperation times)</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i>One for Tobacco</i> - Sadly, a federal appeals court in the US struck down the graphic warning label requirement of the FSPTCA of 2008.  I am quite disappointed.  Last week Australia won a round and this week the Tobacco Industry won one.  Personally, I think the entire world should be a smoke free zone (but tobacco itself - unlit or unheated (without fumes) - is ok with me).</span>

Odds and Ends

   I think the Odds and Ends post may be retiring. This pains me because at least two of my dearest friends seem to like them most of all.  ...

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Odds and Ends

<span style="font-size: large;"><i>F as in Fat</i> The 2012 report from RWJF and the Trust for America's Health will be released soon.  This week a press update offered news on disappointing and compelling trends.  The majority of states have an adult obesity rate of 25% or higher.  Twelve states have rates of 30% or higher and when rank ordered, the 30 heaviest states include 7 from the South.  This speaks to regional food norms.  In the South one can expect foods to be deep fried, rich, sweet and salty (maybe not all at once!).  It is also custom in the South to eat what you are offered and for those offerings to be generous.  The pending report form TFAH and RWJF will offer suggestions on curbing the obesity epidemic and the benefits that we can expect from certain strategies.  </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i>We're # 1</i> I passed a billboard that proclaimed hospital X to be number one in heart surgery. I considered this to be evidence that hospitals are competing for customers.  There must be a significant number of them (or why advertise on a billboard).  A great many Americans have or will have heart disease - in fact, the odds of dieing from it are pretty high.  It is the number one cause of death here.  The hospitals know this and can profit from it.  They must - billboards are not cheap.  Incidentally, the current HSPH newsletter has a link to a blog post by one of their esteemed staff on the topic of hospital ratings.  The blogger discusses how a hospital can be scored differently by 3 credible sources. It is a great, MUST read.  Click <a href="http://blogs.sph.harvard.edu/ashish-jha/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i>MCR (medicare</i>)  Not to be political but to acknowledge a topic that has become political.  I have been listening to the public discourse and in the interest of full disclosure, I support the Affordable Care Act.  The ACA has benefited Medicare recipients that I know personally.  Still, there may be a future where persons over the age of 67 are seeking health care coverage as primary payers of that coverage.  Perhaps they will have vouchers.  In order for such a person to find the best coverage for the least amount of money (premium, copay, deductible) they will need to be healthy and not smoke.  The insurance companies will probably SEEK out healthy active seniors in order to reduce losses related to costs of covering non healthy older adults.  The majority of older adults are currently and will continue to be unhealthy.  Half of all adults now suffer from at least one chronic disease associated with being inactive and or overweight.  (increasingly adults have more than one disease, i.e arthritis and diabetes)</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">     You won't be able to change your past, but you have some control over your future. Get some amount of exercise every single day, always be aware of the foods you are consuming - aim for quality in the proper quantity, avoid all cigarette smoke.</span>

Odds and Ends

F as in Fat The 2012 report from RWJF and the Trust for America's Health will be released soon.  This week a press update offered news ...

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Odds and Ends

<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Water Conservation - Beverage Heroes?</i>  A story from the Associated Press (AP) caught my attention yesterday.  It was published in many papers so you might have caught it.  The largest beverage companies are spending millions of dollars to assure that certain land areas are NOT developed and that the proper care of watersheds is administered.  The conservation efforts are intended to protect the companies bottom lines - the products they sell.  Beverages are predominately water.  I understand that their motive is self satisfying but the outcome is beneficial to everyone and I applaud the efforts.  Here is a <a href="http://www.fox28.com/story/19222728/beverage-companies-pay-millions-to-conserve-water" target="_blank">link</a> to the story from one of many sources.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Weight Control Success</i> You are probably aware that individual research experiments and the National Weight Control Registry support the assertion that people who are successful at maintaining weight loss use self monitoring techniques.  They keep track of their intake of calories.  The level of monitoring (every calorie or just general daily calories) is not as important as the awareness of what one is eating. Because we spend almost 50% of our food budgets on away from home meals and calorie monitoring is a successful weight control technique, it is vital that we have calorie content available on menus and menu boards.  Lets get the final rule written and the numbers on our menus!  (FDA delay)</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Eye Drop Application</i> Here is another thing you may know, but just in case you don't I will share it.  Actually there are two things. As noted previously, I have sun damage to my eyes.  The condition is called pinquela.  My whites are discolored (this makes me sad).  The eye doctor suggests that I use drops every day.  He told me this two years ago, so I got some Visine.  When I saw him in July he said "NO!  That is the opposite of what you need."  Ooops.  So for dry, damaged, scratchy eyes, <u>lubricant</u> drops are helpful.  I bought the store brand after I used up the sample he gave me. (But only after I compared the ingredients labels).  Anyways, I also told him that I had trouble administering the drops.  I would blink before the drop reached my eye.  So - here is the technique.  With your eye closed, squeeze a drop in the corner (where your tear ducts are) then tilt back and open your eye, lean sideways, and the drop rolls right in!</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i>NFL and Disease Prevention</i> Somewhere along the line, I signed up to receive occasional emails from the NFL.  This would be precipitated by my love of the NYG - whom I shall see play in person next month!  In July,  I received one of the emails and it was announcing a new Wellness Initiative for current and former players, coaches, team members and families.  The main focus appears to be mental health.  This may be a response to suicides and family conflict that plagues some of the players.  Though it includes physical health - that may be related more to injuries (including concussions) that can turn in to disabilities than chronic disease prevention.  The program includes a 24 hour hot line for members in crisis.  You can learn about it by clicking <a href="http://nfllifeline.org/resources/programs-and-benefits/" target="_blank">here</a>.  I can't imagine this being a bad thing.  I hope that it helps.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Lastly my weekly exercise chart.  I didn't share it last week, but I add it today to highlight the near absence of any red columns!  That is running.  I did manage 15 minutes, but clearly I am not healed so I stopped. I hope for more red next time.  BTW, for those who have followed my swimming trials and tribulations.. just once a week, okay just this semester, Oh, if the pool is closed, its not my fault, YAY!, okay twice a week, okay three times a week.. Well, the whole Rec Center is closed this week and I am thinking of <u>paying</u> to swim at the Y.  Clearly I made it past the six months (now two years) time that makes something a habit.</span><br /><br /><img alt="" src="data:image/png;base64,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" /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>

Odds and Ends

Water Conservation - Beverage Heroes?   A story from the Associated Press (AP) caught my attention yesterday.  It was published in many pape...

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Odds and Ends

<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I certainly do not have 3 days worth of O&E this week - just 4 blurbs (finals are approaching and I have been writing papers for days).</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u>Cashing in on Diabetes</u> - I read an article in which a stock analyst recommended that people consider investing in companies that will be treating diabetes.  In the article, it was noted that countries outside of the USA may not be in as much health care debt and will be spending money to treat this epidemic rise of diabetes (related to obesity) in their populations.  In other words, the rates of diabetes are going up everywhere, and in emerging markets the governments haven't had to try and get a grip on spending, so there is a profit to be made.  Scandalous.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u>Swinburn Speaks</u> - I always listen.  He is my hero. He gave his thoughts in regards to the goal of dietary interventions, programs and policies. Dr. Swinburn said that a change in behavior, not a change in weight, should be the focus.  Especially, he said, in regards to youth.   I strongly agree.  The behavior change I would like to encourage is choosing foods that are lower in calories and higher in nutrients.  If a person fills their plate with items that are low in energy density, a healthy weight should follow.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u>Robots for Our Own Good</u> - Ford Motor Co is using robots in its plants to do things that human cannot do well, cannot do safely, or cannot do efficiently.  The use of robots will also reduce environmental pollution.  This is a plus side of automation.  I understand there is a downside.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u>Calorie Burn & Intensity</u> - I just realized that I had a bit of data that could be used for an example - a teaching moment if you will.  It regards the intensity and duration of exercise within the same subject and the caloric expenditure difference between levels.  I.e. this controls for height and  weight because it is the same person - me.  </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'We' know that running burns more calories than walking because it is of higher intensity, higher METs.  We think that if we walk twice as long as we run, the caloric expenditure will be the same (or close).  My little experiment is that I ran three miles and then I walked three miles - same route, day, and body!  (I went to meet my Saturday walking buddy, but I got there early and did this short run first. I kept my Garmin device on for both).  </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Calorie monitoring devices are prone to inaccuracies so the amount that it says I burned for each activity is a broad estimate. The difference between the two amounts is the point of this post.  So the 30 minute 3+ mile run burned 238 calories and the 1 hour 3- mile walk burned 159 calories.  Not the same no matter how you look at it and I walked twice as long as I ran.</span></span>

Odds and Ends

I certainly do not have 3 days worth of O&E this week - just 4 blurbs (finals are approaching and I have been writing papers for days). ...

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Probabilities

<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have just returned from a wake - saying goodbye to an outstanding community member who touched my life in a way that can never be forgotten -  or undone.  I am blessed by having known her.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">She did not die of natural causes.  She died of Lung Cancer.  I do not know what "caused" her cancer.  We don't really know what causes anyone to end up with a disease because so many factors interplay.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A person can smoke and get lung cancer or not get lung cancer.  A person can not exercise and stay healthy or exercise and stay mobile into their very late years.  But it is not a crap shoot at all. </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We have known risk factors and probabilities.  It is possible to stack the deck in ones favor.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> That being said: </span></span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">maintain a normal weight</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">exercise daily (including strength training on 2-3 days) </span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">limit saturated fats, sugars, salt and empty calories (and sometimes calories in general)</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">add fruits, vegetables, fish, whole grains and healthy oils to your diet</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">don't smoke</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">limit radiation (sun and medical)</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">avoid environmental toxins</span></span></li></ul><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I want to add that we learn new things every day.  It may be that what we thought was a risk factor turns out not to be and vice versa.  I hope that you won't take that to mean that no one knows what they are talking about and instead take it as learning and getting better at things.  You can only act on the information available to you today, but that does not mean that it won't change.  You should act accordingly.</span></span>

Probabilities

I have just returned from a wake - saying goodbye to an outstanding community member who touched my life in a way that can never be forgotte...

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Odds and Ends (3 of 3)

<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Diet Pill Warning </u>– why would ya??  I hope you wouldn’t.  A certain batch of diet pills from Japan are said to contain a cancer causing agent called phenolphthalein.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Measuring Fatness</u> – The BMI is an inaccurate measure of fatness, especially for individuals. It is the best we have right now for tracking the weight status of populations.  Some researchers are calling for the use of a DEXA scan or a blood test instead.  The BMI is a math calculation based on height and weight - i.e. it is basically free. We can get height and weight by self report (it may be inaccurate, but most people can tell you their numbers). Otherwise, why not use WHR  - which tends to be more accurate than BMI. Here we would have to measure a persons waist and hip circumference because most people won't be able to articulate this in a phone interview.    I can’t believe researchers would suggest the routine use of  DEXA which costs 100s of dollars and offers some radiation exposure. Blood tests are also expensive and invasive.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>What's the fuss </u>– So Mary J Blige and BK got a lot of flack over her singing a song about chicken snack wraps, and the ads have been pulled, temporarily they say.  Are these the same snack wraps I already reviewed for calorie and fat content?  Not sure, so might as well do it again…Oh I think that was McDonalds.  Anyways, BKs wraps have about 400 calories and 6 grams of sat fat.  They are high in sodium also.  I have a feeling that the 400 calories is for one wrap.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Death in Old Age</u> – One of my favorite sayings , by Richard Doll, is  "<i>Death in old age is inevitable, but death before old age is not.” </i>  I think of that when I hear absurd statements like , “he died of natural causes” when someone is in their 50s, like Thomas Kinkade.  It is much more likely that Mike Wallace died of natural causes at 93.</span> </div>

Odds and Ends (3 of 3)

Diet Pill Warning – why would ya??  I hope you wouldn’t.  A certain batch of diet pills from Japan are said to contain a cancer causing agen...

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Public Health

<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A newscaster was discussing what appears to be a growing trend where parents are choosing not to have their children receive any or all of the recommended (even mandatory) vaccines.  The change may be related to fears that are unsubstantiated, but I am not venturing into this argument - well, I would say that if you are contemplating not having your children vaccinated that you make sure your reasons are supported by reputable scientific sources.</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 statement that caught my attention the other night was, to paraphrase:</span></div><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">That is why they call it Public Health.  The actions or inactions of an individual can have an impact on the health of others. </span> </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A person's family, friends, community - the country can become sick or pay a cost because of one or more individuals behavior.</span></blockquote><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I, and many others, consider obesity to be a public health concern, but there are those that don't.  Some will say that being overweight or obese, to whatever degree that <b>it is</b> a choice, is a personal decision and thus, one's personal business.  Even if I believed that obesity was (always) solely the responsibility of an individual (I don't), I would still think that a high  population rate of obesity is  a Public Health issue.  </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Obesity relates to a loss of productivity, mobility, mental health, physical health and independence.  Those losses can be devastating to one person, but we have about 75 million obese people in this country. The CDC estimates over 147 billion in medical costs for treating them in 2008 alone.  The mental and economical costs are not included</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It is a good thing then that Medicare is going to start paying for some preventative services, but that's another story.  Point for today - Obesity IS a public health issue, if not crisis.</span></span>

Public Health

A newscaster was discussing what appears to be a growing trend where parents are choosing not to have their children receive any or all of t...

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Million Hearts

<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In September 2011 the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services announced a campaign that has at its goal the reduction of heart attacks and strokes. Specifically, the CDC and the Centers for Medicare Services are teaming with the AHA, the YMCA, Walgreens and others to reduce the actual number of cardiovascular events by one million.  One million less by 2017.  Heart disease is currently the number one killer of Americans and it is in most part preventable. </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It is two months since the press release and I have not heard anything about this campaign.  I only read about it in a health publication this week.  The campaign is supposed to include an educational piece and I guess as a health educator myself, I can help out by sharing the information with my readers.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The <a href="http://millionhearts.hhs.gov/">website </a>is another great place for you to get information. You will find some interactive tools on the webpage that can help you personally identify risk factors and strategies for prevention.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What I like best about this initiative is that it targets both prevention and treatment.  Improving care for people who already have high blood pressure or high cholesterol  with adequate medication is a treatment focus.  Reducing the numbers of persons who need to take medicine for blood pressure or high cholesterol (ever) is the preventative piece.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For treatment purposes, the initiative focuses on the ABCS.  You should recall that they stand for taking an aspirin a day, managing blood pressure and cholesterol, and quitting smoking.  Another goal of a Million Hearts is to reduce the current number of smokers by 4 million.  </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So my two favorites are 1) keeping people from ever needing to take drugs (this is achieved through exercise, weight control, diets low in sat fat and sodium, avoiding excess alcohol and any tobacco smoke) and 2) four million fewer smokers :)</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;">Again - there is a website with a lot of helpful information on the program and on heart health in general - Please click <a href="http://millionhearts.hhs.gov/about-mh.shtml">here</a>. </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>

Million Hearts

In September 2011 the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services announced a campaign that has at its goal the reduction of he...

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NCD Alliance

<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To the best of my understanding, the NCD Alliance met during the UN General Assembly Meeting that was recently held in NYC.  It was during this meeting, that Tea Collins, the Executive Director of the Alliance, was interviewed by a fellow physician and Professor, Eli Adashi, for Medscape News.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I read this interview and wanted to share a few things with you.  The first is the definition of NCD -</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">NCD stands for Non Communicable Diseases.  The 4 types of diseases that are in this group of diseases were at one time referred to as chronic diseases.  The reason for the name change has to do with some communicable diseases(namely HIV/AIDS) becoming chronic diseases.  So to differentiate between disease we can pass from one to another and diseases that are in large part related to lifestyle factors, the category name has changed.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Dr. Collins does not particularly like the the NCD phrase because the word NON makes the illnesses sound benign or harmless.  They are not.  The four conditions, heart disease, diabetes, cancer and some lung conditions (i.e. COPD) are  serious and epidemic.  These are the top four killers for the entire WORLD.  Sixty percent of all deaths are attributed to these 4 NCDs.  </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Though I agree with Dr. Collins point on lifestyle factors being the main cause - I do have to take issue with his qualifying them as "easily modifiable."  The modifications she advises, and you have heard them before, are tobacco control (i.e. don't use it), alcohol moderation, improved diet (i.e. weight loss or maintenance) and increases in physical activity (exercise).  They may all be "easy" in theory but when it gets down to individuals, a whole host of problems seems to occur.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Speaking of individuals, the interview did note that there are two main strategies or interventions for dealing with the chronic diseases.  They are population level (i.e. public health and policy) and individual level (treatments and programming - i.e. physicians, nutritionists, health educators).  I have been and still am, interested in the population level approaches such as banning smoking in public, outlawing tanning beds, reducing prices for healthy foods, promoting active living by design, etc.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Lastly, another good point that Dr. Collins made regards the mistaken perception that these NCDs are natural parts of aging and that it is the equivalent of "everybody has to die of something."  She specifically said that to consider these <i>diseases of aging </i>is incorrect.  She noted also and correctly that many of our children and young adults are being diagnosed with NCDs.  I would say this is especially concerning considering how few years they have been engaging in that unhealthy lifestyle.  It comes upon us quick and the longer one has diabetes or heart disease, the worse the outcome and the greater the disability (and quite frankly, the cost to society).</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You can learn more about the NCD Alliance and view the worldwide list of members and supporters, including the USA by clicking <a href="http://www.ncdalliance.org/aboutus">here.</a><br /> </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Oh and not only is Dr. Collins and MD, she is also an MPH, MPA and a DrPH (like she must have been in school his entire adult life!)  - I think that the MPA is a Masters in Public Health Administration but I am not sure.</span></span>

NCD Alliance

To the best of my understanding, the NCD Alliance met during the UN General Assembly Meeting that was recently held in NYC.  It was during t...

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When Supplements are Harmful

<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This is a subject that is very dear to my heart and one that gets my dander up every time.  I believe one of my blog side panels gives my viewpoint on supplementation and I have openly stated it here, repeatedly, over then past ten years.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What I consistently say is that the vitamins and minerals that we need, including antioxidants that may be helpful in reducing chronic disease, inflammation and damage from aging, are best obtained in their NATURAL forms - in foods, in plant based foods.  These awesome vitamins, minerals and antioxidants should be transported via a fork or spoon - not taken from a pill bottle.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> The only convincing evidence I have ever seen for taking supplements involves calcium and Vitamin D.  Calcium is also associated with negative outcomes so even it cannot be considered an absolute.  All research findings are open to falsification - there can be no "truth" just the truth we know today.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And today we know that there is a lot of harm to be found in these pills, shakes and powders. </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am going to quote a couple of scientists who are responding to this new research and link you to an abstract on the actual published study,</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But before I do - let me remind you of something very important - all those vitamins and supplements you see lined up for purchase are <i>NOT</i> FDA regulated.  The people who make them are the ones claiming how great they are - they are not claims from health experts or nutritionists they are claims from companies with a billion dollar industry -  they want  your MONEY.</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;">You do not have to read the article or its abstract but please know that there IS real harm in taking some of these pills and that harm seems to be especially true for older women.  If it were me - or someone I care about - which really is all of you - I would not recommend anything except calcium and D and only if that person's doctor agreed.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here is <a href="http://www.healthcosmo.com/diet-nutrition/dietary-supplements-linked-to-higher-mortality-in-older-women/">an article</a> (or blog post)regarding the just released study - I am linking it because I am pulling a direct quote from the article which I most want to share, it is attributed to </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Drs. Goran Bjelakovic, M.D., D.M.Sc., of the University of Nis in Nis, Serbia, and Christian Gluud, M.D., D.M.Sc., of Copenhagen University Hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><br /><blockquote>. . . . <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">a</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">dd to the growing evidence demonstrating that <b><u>certain antioxidant supplements, such as vitamin E, vitamin A, and beta-carotene, can be harmful.</u></b></span></span></blockquote> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This <a href="http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/171/18/1625">link</a> will take you to the abstract - or summary- of the actual research which discusses the risks of some supplements to older women.</span></span>

When Supplements are Harmful

This is a subject that is very dear to my heart and one that gets my dander up every time.  I believe one of my blog side panels gives my vi...

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Genetics Extra

<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">From <a href="http://http//yourhealtheducator.blogspot.com/2010/07/gao-gets-genetic.html">past posts </a>you would know that though I believe in genetic predisposition to disease, I do NOT believe that is what people in general should be focusing on. Instead, I think that a genetic predispositions for some diseases is a big flashing neon sign urging that individual to make as many healthy choices in their day to day life as possible. To be fair, there are diseases that are 100% genetic, but they are rare.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">It is more likely that a disease has both a genetic and environmental cause - an interaction often takes place between the two. I am currently refreshing my basic genetic knowledge for the epidemiology class for which I am an assistant. We are having a genetics student as a speaker in a few weeks. One of our suggested themes for the class is HER response to direct to consumer advertising of the genetic tests and the GAOs response to them. This was the topic of a <a href="http://http//yourhealtheducator.blogspot.com/2010/07/gao-gets-genetic.html">past blog post.</a></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I wanted to share a few things from the reading, beyond what I have just said. First is that twin studies are pretty close to the best scientists can hope for to study genetic links. However, the twins have to be identical or monozygotic because those pairs are from the same ovum and share 100% genes. Fraternal or dizygotic twins are the same as non twin siblings in the gene sense. So look for that if you are reviewing a twin study. Further, know that the twins of either type are very likely to also share the same environment and thus be influenced by it. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Adoption studies are better but not perfect as any time we are out in the community there will be factors that we cannot control or even know sometimes that may have an influence.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">The other thing I wanted to explain with regard to twin studies are the terms concordant and discordant. Consider this sentence, "The twins were concordant for breast cancer." My immediately deduction is that the twins BOTH had cancer. Only part of that is right as the other is unknown from the sentence. Whatever the outcome, the result is concordant - the same. Both twins either have it or don't. If I said instead, "The twins were discordant for breast cancer." I would mean that one had it and one did not. This would lead us to think that genes were NOT involved. It is not whether they have the disease or not, but if both identical twins have the same disease status then they are concordant.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Last thing - what geneticists find in many instances is that the younger the age of onset of disease in one monozygotic twin the more likely it is to be concordant. In other words, both twins will get the disease and it is thus more often linked to genetics. If in identical twin girls, one gets a cancer at 13 say, the other twin is also likely to have it or get it soon. IF the twin gets the cancer in her 50s, there is much less of a chance that her sibling will get it - from her genes - it is more likely to be some environmental cause.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Ok lesson over :)</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:130%;">Check out the widget I added to the blog home page - under the text of the posts. It is from my favorite Go Slow Whoa initative from the NHLBI -</span>

Genetics Extra

From past posts you would know that though I believe in genetic predisposition to disease, I do NOT believe that is what people in general s...

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