The flu season still remains active and most people remain at higher risk for contracting  flu than Covid 19 the Coronavirus virus. 

It is recommended that a way to protect against both is  by:

• Washing your hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer 
• Cough into a tissue, discard immediately and wash your hands. If a tissue is not available cough into your elbow.
• Stay up to date on travel restrictions and on other protective measures set up by national organizations such as the CDC or your local government.
• If you develop any symptoms such as a fever of 101 or more,cough,shortness of breath and body aches  CALL your doctor for guidance.
• Stay away from others who are ill with cough and fever. 
• Stay home if you are sick.

Diabetes Risk in Teens

Risk of diabetes goes up if you have a family history,are overweight or over 45. However ,the number of teens  diagnosed with prediabetes and diabetes is growing. For this age group  being overweight is their number one risk factor.

There are some small changes that can be made now to delay or prevent diabetes in the future.

Some simple steps include:

• Getting the whole family involved
• Drinking water and limit sugar sweetened drinks especially soda
• Eating more fruits and vegetables this can include frozen and canned fruit in their own natural juices
• Eating healthy snack grapes, popcorn and pretzels some examples
• When eating out choose a salad instead of french fries
• Choose grilled or broiled food
• Order a kids meal
• Learn to fill half your plate with salad or vegetables

Limit your screen time and increase your activity by:

• Walking or riding your bike to school
• Playing a sport 
• Joining  your YMCA
• Walking around while your are texting or watching TV

Setting a small goal like walking to school and trying to  eat  1 healthy food each day  will lead to a healthy lifestyle in the future.

October is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month 

Incidence: In 2015, approximately 357,000 people experienced out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in the US.

Mortality: Approximately 70%-90% of individuals with OHCA die before reaching the hospital.

Morbidity: Those who survive cardiac arrest are likely to suffer from injury to the brain, nervous system, and psychological stress issues.

Economic Impact: The estimated burden to society of death from cardiac arrest is 2 million years of life lost for men and 1.3 million years for women.

Prevention is KEY !:

• Early Intervention by CPR and Defibrillation: Early, high-quality CPR, including compression only CPR, and use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) immediately following cardiac arrest can reduce morbidity and save lives.
• Clinical Prevention: For patients at high risk, implantable cardioverter defibrillators and pharmacologic therapies can prevent cardiac arrest.
• Other Early Interventions: depending on the cause of the cardiac arrest, other interventions such as cold therapy and administering antidote to toxin-related cardiac arrest can reduce mortality and long-term side effects.

 

What Is Public Health’s Role in Cardiac Arrest?

The public health community can implement strategies to prevent and control cardiac arrest.

1. Improved Surveillance to detect trends that direct effective cardiac programs.
2. Increasing public awareness of cardiac arrest, CPR, and AED.
3. Encouraging Public Access Defibrillation Policies that promote effective use of AEDS.

 

https://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/docs/cardiac-arrest-infographic.pdf

 

 

 

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

 

Regular physical activity is good for everyone's health, and people of all ages and body types can be physically active. National Physical Fitness and Sports Month is a great time to spread the word about the benefits of getting active.

Here are just a few benefits of physical activity:

• Children and adolescents – Physical activity can improve muscular fitness, bone health, and heart health.
• Adults – Physical activity can lower the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer.
• Older adults – Physical activity can lower the risk of falls and improve cognitive functioning (like learning and judgment skills).

 Communities, health professionals, and families can work together to create opportunities for everyone to get more physical activity.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FACTS

• Only one in three children are physically active every day.¹
• Less than 5% of adults participate in 30 minutes of physical activity each day: only one in three adults receive the recommended amount of physical activity each week.
• Only 35 – 44% of adults 75 years or older are physically active, and 28-34% of adults ages 65-74 are physically active.
• Children now spend more than seven and a half hours a day in front of a screen (e.g., TV, videogames, computer).⁷
• 0% of Americans, or 80.2 million people, aged six and older are physically inactive.
• Nearly one-third of high school students play video or computer games for 3 or more hours on an average school day.

 

Source:  https://www.fitness.gov/resource-center/facts-and-statistics/

The perfect gift this Valentine’s Day is the gift of heart health. Along with Valentine’s Day, February marks American Heart Month, a great time to commit to a healthy lifestyle and make small changes that can lead to a lifetime of heart health.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women.¹ While Americans of all backgrounds can be at risk for heart disease, African American men, especially those who live in the southeast region of the United States, are at the highest risk for heart disease.² Additionally, more than 40 percent of African Americans have high blood pressure, a leading cause of heart disease and stroke.³ That's why this February during American Heart Month, Million Hearts® is encouraging African American men to take charge of their health and start one new, heart-healthy behavior that can help reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke.

Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference

African American men can make a big difference in their heart health by taking these small steps during the month of February and beyond.

• Schedule a visit with your doctor to talk about heart health. It's important to schedule regular check-ups even if you think you are not sick. Partner with your doctor and health care team to set goals[275 KB]for improving your heart health, and don't be afraid to ask questions[178 KB] and trust their advice.
• Add exercise to your daily routine. Start off the month by walking 15 minutes, 3 times each week. By mid-month, increase your time to 30 minutes, 3 times each week.
• Increase healthy eating. Cook heart-healthy mealsat home at least 3 times each week and make your favorite recipe lower sodium. For example, swap out salt for fresh or dried herbs and spices.
• Take steps to quit smoking. If you currently smoke, quitting can cut your risk for heart disease and stroke. Learn more at CDC's Smoking and Tobacco Use website.
• Take medication as prescribed.Talk with your doctor about the importance of high blood pressure and cholesterol medications[1.6 MB]. If you're having trouble taking your medicines on time or if you're having side effects, ask your doctor for help.

https://www.cdc.gov/features/heartmonth/

January is Cervical Health Awareness Month

Cervical cancer was once one of the most common causes of cancer death for American women. But over the last 30 years, the cervical cancer death rate has gone down by more than 50%. The main reason for this change is the increased use of screening tests. Screening can find changes in the cervix before cancer develops. It can also find cervical cancer early – when it’s small, has not spread, and is easiest to cure. Another way to help prevent cervical cancer in the future is to have children vaccinated against human papilloma virus (HPV), which causes most cases of cervical cancer. (HPV is linked to a lot of other kinds of cancer, too.)

The American Cancer Society is actively fighting cervical cancer on many fronts. We are helping women get tested for cervical cancer, helping them understand their diagnosis, and helping them get the treatments they need. The American Cancer Society also funds new research to help prevent, find, and treat cervical cancer.

Cancer starts when cells in the body begin to grow out of control. Cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancer, and can spread to other areas of the body.  Cervical cancer starts in the cells lining the cervix -- the lower part of the uterus (womb).

Risk factors for Cervical Cancer risk include:

Human papilloma virus  (HPV) infection

Smoking

Having a weakened immune system

Chlamydia infection

A diet low in fruits and vegetables

Being overweight

Long-term use of oral contraceptives (birth control pills)

Intrauterine device (IUD) use

Having multiple full-term pregnancies

Being younger than 17 at your first full-term pregnancy

Economic status

Diethylstilbestrol (DES)

Having a family history of cervical cancer

 

Go TODAY to your gynecologist and get screened !!

 

Source: http://www.cancer.org/latest-news/special-coverage/cervical-health-awareness-month.html

One in 3 children in the United States are overweight or obese. Childhood obesity puts kids at risk for health problems that were once seen only in adults, like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

The good news? Childhood obesity can be prevented. Communities, health professionals, and families can work together to create opportunities for kids to eat healthier and get more active.

Make a difference for kids: spread the word about strategies for preventing childhood obesity and encourage communities, organizations, families, and individuals to get involved.

How can National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month make a difference?

We can all use this month to raise awareness about the obesity epidemic and show people how they can take steps toward a solution.

Here are just a few ideas:

• Encourage families to make small changes, like keeping fresh fruit within reach or going on a family walk after dinner.
• Motivate teachers and administrators to make schools healthier. Help them provide healthy food options and daily physical activities for students.
• Ask doctors and nurses to be leaders in their communities by supporting programs to prevent childhood obesity.

How can I help spread the word?

We’ve made it easier for you to make a difference. This toolkit is full of ideas to help you take action today. For example:

• Add information about obesity prevention to your newsletter.
• Tweet about National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.
• Host a community event where families can be active while learning about local health resources.
• Become a partner of We Can!, a national movement to help children ages 8 to 13 stay at a healthy weight.

 

https://healthfinder.gov/NHO/SeptemberToolkit.aspx

 

Alcohol and Your Health

Drinking too much can harm your health. Excessive alcohol use led to approximately 88,000 deaths and 2.5 million years of potential life lost (YPLL) each year in the United States from 2006 – 2010, shortening the lives of those who died by an average of 30 years. Further, excessive drinking was responsible for 1 in 10 deaths among working-age adults aged 20-64 years. The economic costs of excessive alcohol consumption in 2010 were estimated at $249 billion, or $2.05 a drink.

What is a "drink"?

In the United States, a standard drink contains 0.6 ounces (14.0 grams or 1.2 tablespoons) of pure alcohol. Generally, this amount of pure alcohol is found in

• 12-ounces of beer (5% alcohol content).
• 8-ounces of malt liquor (7% alcohol content).
• 5-ounces of wine (12% alcohol content).
• 5-ounces of 80-proof (40% alcohol content) distilled spirits or liquor (e.g., gin, rum, vodka, whiskey).

What is excessive drinking?

Excessive drinking includes binge drinking, heavy drinking, and any drinking by pregnant women or people younger than age 21.

• Binge drinking, the most common form of excessive drinking, is defined as consuming
  • For women, 4 or more drinks during a single occasion.
  • For men, 5 or more drinks during a single occasion.
• Heavy drinking is defined as consuming
  • For women, 8 or more drinks per week.
  • For men, 15 or more drinks per week.

Most people who drink excessively are not alcoholics or alcohol dependent.

What is moderate drinking?

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans defines moderate drinking as no more than 1 drink per day for women and no more than 2 drinks per day for men.⁴ However, there are some persons who should not drink any alcohol, including those who are:

• Pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
• Taking prescription or over-the-counter medications that may cause harmful reactions when mixed with alcohol.
• Younger than age 21.
• Recovering from alcoholism or are unable to control the amount they drink.
• Suffering from a medical condition that may be worsened by alcohol.
• Driving, planning to drive, or participating in other activities requiring skill, coordination, and alertness.

In addition, no one should start drinking or drink more based on potential health benefits. By adhering to the Dietary Guidelines, you can reduce the risk of harm to yourself or others.

Short-Term Health Risks

Excessive alcohol use has immediate effects that increase the risk of many harmful health conditions. These are most often the result of binge drinking and include the following:

• Injuries, such as motor vehicle crashes, falls, drownings, and burns.
• Violence, including homicide, suicide, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence.
• Alcohol poisoning, a medical emergency that results from high blood alcohol levels.
• Risky sexual behaviors, including unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners. These behaviors can result in unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
• Miscarriage and stillbirth or fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs)among pregnant women.

Long-Term Health Risks

Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems including:

• High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems.
• Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, and colon.
• Learning and memory problems, including dementia and poor school performance.
• Mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.
• Social problems, including lost productivity, family problems, and unemployment.
• Alcohol dependence, or alcoholism.

By not drinking too much, you can reduce the risk of these short- and long-term health risks.

 

Source: CDC http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm

 

February is Heart Month

This American Heart Month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Million Hearts^®–a national effort to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes in the United States by 2017–are encouraging Americans to know their blood pressure, and if it's high, to make control their goal.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke. In fact, more than 67 million Americans have high blood pressure.¹ People with high blood pressure are 4 times more likely to die from a stroke and 3 times more likely to die from heart disease, compared to those with normal blood pressure.²

High blood pressure often shows no signs or symptoms, which is why having your blood pressure checked regularly is important. It's easy to get your blood pressure checked. You can get screened at your doctor's office and drugstores or even check it yourself at home, using a home blood pressure monitor.

Make Control Your Goal

If you know you have high blood pressure, take these steps to help get it under control:

 

Ask your doctor what your blood pressure should be. Set a goal to lower your pressure with your doctor and talk about how you can reach your goal. Work with your health care team to make sure you meet that goal. Track your blood pressure over time. 

Take your blood pressure medicine as directed. Set a timer on your phone to remember to take your medicine at the same time each day. If you are having trouble taking your medicines on time or paying for your medicines, or if you are having side effects, ask your doctor for help.

Quit smoking—and if you don't smoke, don't start. You can find tips and resources at CDC's Smoking and Tobacco website.

Reduce sodium intake. Most Americans consume too much sodium, which can raise blood pressure. Read about ways to reduce your sodium and visit the Million Hearts^® Healthy Eating & Lifestyle Resource Center for heart-healthy, lower-sodium recipes, meal plans, and helpful articles.

 

For more information about high blood pressure is available at CDC's High Blood Pressure website.

 

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/features/heartmonth/

November is American Diabetes Month and this year’s theme is “Eat Well, America”. 

 

Diabetes Facts:

 

Prevalence:

• Diabetes affects nearly 30 million children and adults in the U.S. today- nearly 10 percent of the population.
• Another 86 million Americans have pre-diabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
• Recent estimates project that as many as 1 in 3 American adults will have diabetes by 2050 unless we take steps to Stop Diabetes.
• Every 19 seconds someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with diabetes.
• African – Americans and Hispanics are almost twice as likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic whites.  

The Toll on Health:

• Diabetes nearly doubles the risk for heart attack and for death from heart disease.
• Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease.
• Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among working - age adults.
• Roughly 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of nerve damage that could results in pain in the hands or feet, and slowed digestion. 

Cost of Diabetes:

• The American Diabetes Association estimates that the total national cost of diagnosed diabetes in the U.S. is $245 billion.
• Direct medical costs reach $176 billion and the average medical expenditure among people with diabetes is more than two times higher than those without the disease.
• Indirect medical costs amount to $69 billion (disability, work loss, premature mortality).
• 1 in 10 health care dollars is spent treating diabetes and its complications.
• 1 in 5 health care dollars is spent caring for people with diabetes.

What Can You DO:

• Develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• Check with your doctor about your specific health plan.
• If you have diabetes work closely with your doctor to maintain your health.

 

 

Source: www.diabetes.org