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Women’s Health Week
May 12 - 18 National Women's Health Week is a weeklong health observance coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health. It brings together communities, businesses, government, health organizations, and other groups in an effort to promote women's health and its importance. It also empowers women to make their health a priority and encourages them to take the following five steps to improve their physical and mental health and lower their risks of certain diseases:
Why celebrate National Women's Health Week? We all have a role to play in women's health. Women often serve as caregivers for their families, putting the needs of their spouses, partners, children, and parents before their own. As a result, women's health and well-being becomes secondary. As a community, we have a responsibility to support the important women we know and do everything we can to help them take steps for longer, healthier, happier lives. When is National Women's Health Week? The 14th annual National Women's Health Week kicks off on Mother's Day, May 12, 2013, and is celebrated until May 18, 2013. National Women's Checkup Day is Monday, May 13, 2013. How is National Women's Health Week Celebrated? The nationwide observance is celebrated across America in families, communities, neighborhoods, towns, cities, counties, hospitals, health centers, businesses, schools, places of worship, recreation centers, and online. Anyone who wants to raise awareness about women's health can celebrate. Organizations large and small hold events, such as free screenings and health fairs, give out educational materials, issue proclamations, conduct media outreach, spread the word through social media, and more. National Women’s Checkup Day: May 13 2013 What is National Women's Checkup Day?National Women's Checkup Day is a nationwide effort, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health, to:
When is National Women's Checkup Day? The 11th annual National Women's Checkup Day will be Monday, May 13, 2013, during National Women's Health Week. Why is it important for women to participate in this effort? Regular checkups provide a number of benefits to women:
How can women participate in this important event? There are several ways for women to participate in National Women's Checkup Day:
To find events in your area visit http://womenshealth.gov/nwhw/events/ |
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Allergy Season May 6 - 10 Another mild/nonexistent winter has brought about a dreadfully early start to allergy season across the region. In a trend that is becoming more and more the norm, the mild winter temperatures and early season warming have brought changes in what allergists have traditionally defined as ‘peak allergy season.’ According to reports endorsed by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, climate change is causing spring to advance earlier and plants of all sorts to flower earlier in the season. This is resulting in heavy loads of pollen in the atmosphere and wreaking havoc on sufferers of allergies and asthma. To combat this trend, allergists have recommended people start their preventive medication regimens well before plants and trees begin to bloom, sometimes as early as February. Building up these medicines in your system is an important step to help minimize or even eliminate allergic reactions due to pollen and other allergens. If getting a jump start on a preventive medication regimen is not possible, however, allergists say that it’s never too late to start taking them, as they can still help to ease the symptoms. There are a few additional recommendations to reduce exposure to these environmental allergens that include:
For allergy sufferers, understanding the level of exposure is important in determining what steps to take to minimize symptoms. Each year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America conducts a report to identify the 100 most challenging places to live with allergies during the spring season. Washington DC landed at number 66 on the list this year. To check out the entire list, visit here. http://pollen.utulsa.edu/Changing-pollen.pdf |
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World Malaria Day: April 25 Apr 29 -May 3 Thursday April 25th was World Malaria Day. Each year, the event is held to increase awareness and highlight best practices to combat and prevent malaria. Yet, each year hundreds of thousands of people die from this disease, most of whom are children under the age of 5 years old. In 2010, malaria killed an estimated 655,000 people with 91% of those occurring in Africa. The theme of this year’s event was “Invest in the Future: Defeat Malaria.” While significant investments have been made in regions with endemic malaria, there is still much work to be done. While eradication of malaria is nearly impossible without the use of harmful pesticides such as DDT, national campaigns are in place to reduce the exposure to malaria in certain environments. Malaria control is carried out through the following recommended malaria treatment and prevention interventions including:
While the programs following these steps and recommendations have been effective in reducing the transmission and deaths due to malaria, by up to 50% in some countries, it’s still unacceptable. It’s unacceptable that 3.3 billion people are at risk of contracting malaria each day. It is unacceptable that year after year, 570,000 children die because of a mosquito bite. More needs to be done. More investments in prevention, more research in the production of a vaccine, more prophylaxis and treatments available to those who need it most at low to no cost, and most importantly, more discussion in the developed world. To learn more, follow click on the links below. http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/facts.html |
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Gardening for Health
Apr 22 - 26 As sunshine and warm weather approaches, we are reminded of the beauty and simplicity of the natural world and how we are intrinsically connected to it. Flowers and foliage, accompanied by the sounds of birds and insects, provide a calming sensation that’s hard to ignore. With the warmer weather comes the opportunities to enjoy being outside and doing activities you love. Recent research has suggested that one should expand their outdoor activity this summer to include gardening. Gardening provides a wide variety of health benefits that scientists and researchers are just beginning to understand. People who grow fruit and vegetable gardens are much more likely to increase and expand their daily intake of fruits and vegetables. Studies have consistently shown that gardeners are more likely to eat their produce than non-gardeners, simply due to accessibility. Most garden produce contain high levels of nutrients and antioxidants, which have been shown to protect against both degenerative brain disease and cancer. Moreover, gardening has been shown to improve symptoms of depression and other serious mental illnesses. Gardening therapy is a growing field, upon which patients are directed to build, plan, and harvest their very own gardens. Research has shown that the act of gardening helps to reduce stress and calm nerves. It has been shown to decrease the amount of cortisol in the body, a hormone that plays a role in stress response. In a study conducted in the Netherlands, recreational gardeners were randomly assigned to spend a half hour each day either gardening outside, or reading indoors. The study found that those working outside on their gardens had much lower levels of cortisol. A study conducted in Norway sought to assess the effects of growing vegetables and flowers for 6 hours per week in a cohort of patients diagnosed with depression, and bipolar II disorder. The study revealed that after three months, roughly half of the participants experienced a measurable improvement in their depression symptoms. Improvements in mood seemed to be apparent even three months after the program ended in patients who experienced the initial improvement, suggesting that gardening therapy may have been the catalyst for those patients to overcome their illnesses. Some research has even suggested that the act of getting our hands down in the dirt may play a role in regulating our immune systems and our moods. Research being conducted at the University of Colorado in Boulder has been conducting animal studies on mice. Researchers are injecting mice with Mycobacterium vaccae, a microbe regularly found in soil, and they have found that M. vaccae play a role in the release and metabolism of serotonin in the brain. In theory, exposure to M. vaccae through digging in the dirt has a similar effect on regulating brain chemistry that SSRIs such as Zoloft or Prozac do. Gardening also has the added benefit of beautifying the landscape. The sensory relationship between humans and nature is beneficial to our health. Studies have shown that viewing scenes of nature have been shown to temporarily lower systolic blood pressure in 5 minutes or less. The effects of gardening on health are expansive. They promote healthy eating habits, provide a sense of calmness and serenity, and may play a role in preventing cognitive decline. The beauty of gardening is that it can be done virtually anywhere. While beginning a garden may initially take some time and investment, it won’t require much more than a small container and some patience to grow a small herb or vegetable garden, and the benefits will be more than worth it. http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/02/17/147050691/can-gardening-help-troubled-minds-heal |
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STI Awareness Month:
By the Numbers
Apr 15 - 19 April is Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Awareness month. Each April, health officials, together with doctors, and community-based organizations get together to highlight and address ways to prevent STIs in the United States. 20 million: The number of new cases of STIs that occur each year in the U.S. 110 million: The total number of cases of STIs in the U.S. at a given time. 16 billion: Amount, in dollars, it costs to treat STI cases each year in the U.S. 10 million: Number of individuals aged 15-24 years newly infected with STIs each year. Young people make up roughly 50% of all new infections each year, although they account for only 27% of the sexually experienced population. The Take Away Teens and young adults bear a heavier burden in terms of STI incidence than the rest of the population. Surveillance efforts suggest that young people account for 70% of new cases of gonorrhea 63% of new cases of Chlamydia, and 49% of new cases of HPV annually. If left untreated, these diseases can manifest into serious illness and cause lasting effects including infertility and cancer. Understanding the factors contributing to the burden of STIs among young people is paramount to addressing them. Doctors and health care workers need to be proactive in their surveillance efforts and conduct the testing necessary to screen for these diseases among the high risk cohorts of 15-24 year olds. Additionally, parents should be proactive in discussing sexuality with their teenagers in order to give them a better understanding of the risks associated with sexual activity. To learn more about what you can do, go here. |
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National Minority Health Month:
Access to Care
Apr 8 - 12 National Minority Health Month is an annual awareness campaign conducted each April. Throughout the month, the Office of Minority Health under the umbrella agency of Health and Human Services partner with other federal, state, and local agencies to promote awareness about health disparities that continue to affect racial and ethnic minorities in the United States. The 2013 theme is related to addressing changes made to reduce disparities written into the Affordable Care Act and is titled “Advance Health Equity Now: Uniting Our Communities to Bring Health Care Coverage to All.” It is a call to action to improve the health of our communities and increase access to healthcare for all regardless of race and ethnicity. Racial disparities in access to affordable, adequate healthcare are a result of many different factors including employment status and level of income, physical proximity to healthcare facilities, immigration status, and state laws and policies that mandate who may receive Medicaid and need-based assistance. The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) reported that 55% of nonelderly uninsured are people of color. Of those, 32% are Hispanic and 18% are Black. The problem is confounded by different eligibility requirements for Medicaid coverage within each state, with different cut-points in the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) affecting who may be covered. While virtually all states have significantly increased eligibility for children through the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Medicaid, they have not translated those expansions to adults. Adults account for nearly 8 in 10 of the uninsured across ethnic and racial minority groups. In response to this increasingly alarming gap in coverage for the 19-64 years cohort, the ACA has written provisions to readjust the FPL guidelines that would reduce the amount of uninsured through expanding coverage. Beginning in 2014, the ACA tends to fill the gaps in Medicaid coverage through extending eligibility to 138% of the FPL ($26,951 for a family of 3 in 2013). By extending the FPL guidelines, the large majority of uninsured would have incomes that would qualify them for coverage under the expansion. Issues have arisen over what the federal government can and cannot do in terms of dictating who the state is required to cover under its individual health plan. In a landmark court case in 2012 known as “National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius”, the Supreme Court decided the provision that required states to extend eligibility based on FPL expansions should be optional. This could leave millions of Americans without coverage based on what the states decide. If a state decides not to expand Medicaid, those currently at 100% of FPL would not gain a new coverage option. The implications of this decision could seriously undermine the effects of the ACA and its goal to expand coverage to most Americans across the country. People of color account for 39% of the nonelderly population and are more than twice as likely to be considered poor when compared to whites. ACA coverage expansions will provide an important opportunity to increase coverage rates across all people in need, but will disproportionately affect the coverage status of people of color. Without the Medicaid expansion, many disadvantaged people will continue to be uninsured and therefore be less likely to use the less expensive, preventive services such as cancer screenings or prenatal care which help to hold down the costs overall. Emergency room visits should no longer have to function as primary care clinics, but it is up to the states to decide. http://www.kff.org/minorityhealth/upload/8423.pdf |
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National Public Health Week: April 1 - 7 Apr 1 - 5 Each year during the first week of April, since 1995, the American Public Health Association celebrates National Public Health Week (NPHW). NPHW is a time to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight the issues that are important to your region. This year’s theme is “Public Health is ROI: Save Lives, Save money.” According to their website, “The 2013 NPHW theme was developed to highlight the value of prevention and the importance of well-supported public health systems in preventing disease, saving lives and curbing health care spending. This year, we hope you'll join us in championing the work of public health and its significant return on investment (ROI). “ As part of their mission, they provide materials and resources to spread the message and support about public health throughout the event. Below is an exercise material taken from the NPHW website.
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World TB Day- March 24, 2013 Mar 25 - 29 Each year, health organizations around the world recognize World TB Day. March 24 commemorates the date when Dr. Koch discovered Mycobacterium tuberculosis in his French lab in 1882. Agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) take the opportunity each year to highlight TB-related issues and solutions and to continually garner support for international control efforts. While many great strides have been made in terms of controlling the disease, TB still infects roughly one-third of the population worldwide.
The biggest challenge health official’s face in the fight against eradicating TB is adherence to treatment. TB can only be treated through a strict drug regimen that needs to be followed for 6-9 months in total. If patients quit treatment early, they will relapse and become sick again. Additionally, improper or lax treatment may result in the bacillus microbes not killed during treatment gaining resistance to the drugs being used to treat the infection, resulting in multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB). To combat this, WHO has championed a program known as Directly Observed Treatment, Shortcourse or DOTS. The premise of DOTS is that healthcare workers be present for the entirety of treatment, to directly observe that medication therapies are being properly administered. If done correctly, DOTS has a 95% success rate, however issues arise when governmental cooperation, logistical coordination, geographic barriers and human error get in the way. WHO is continually refining and expanding the DOTS program. However, the slogan adopted by organizations promoting World TB Day as “Stop TB in My Lifetime” will only manifest with appropriate levels of funding, overarching persistence, and international cooperation and commitment to treat one of the deadliest preventable diseases in the world. http://www.stoptb.org/about/ |
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COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Mar 18 - 22 March begins colorectal cancer awareness month. Among cancers that develop in men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Every year about 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer and more than 50,000 people die from it. Research has found that the only way to reduce mortality due to colorectal cancer is to increase screening. The CDC states that if everyone who is 50 years or older were screened regularly, as many as 60% of deaths due to colorectal cancer could be avoided. It is important to get regular screenings for specific populations. Those at greatest risk include: ~50 years or older: about 9 out of 10 people diagnosed with colorectal cancer are at least 50 years old. ~African Americans: this segment of the population has the highest colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates of all ethnic groups in the United States. ~Men over 60 years: approximately 1.5% of all men over 60 years of age will develop a form of colon cancer sometime within the next 10 years. ~Family history: patients with a first-degree relative who have previously been diagnosed with colon cancer are at an increased risk of developing colon cancer. ~Crohn’s disease: approximately 1.2% of Crohn’s disease patients are diagnosed with a form of colon cancer. ~Ulcerative colitis: approximately 5% of ulcerative colitis patients develop colon cancer. Regular screening for colorectal cancer should begin soon after turning 50 until the age of 75. There are several screening options to choose from. Discuss with your doctor what is appropriate for you. Types and frequencies of colorectal screenings: ~Colonoscopy: every 10 years ~High-sensitivity fecal occult blood test (FOBT), stool test, or fecal immunochemical test (FIT): every year ~Sigmoidoscopy: every 5 years. |
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CRE FACT SHEET: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Mar 11 - 15
THE PROBLEM? CRE infections are gaining national attention due to the difficulty associated with treating the infection. Some versions of the bacteria have evolved to develop an enzyme that provides resistance to virtually all antibiotics used to treat the infections they cause. Carbepenem antibiotics are often considered “the last resort” antibiotics for treating infections, hence the name Cabepenem resistance. According to officials at the CDC, the most common form of CRE infections are caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae. Klebsella pneumoniae is a common cause of hospital-acquired pneumonia and can usually be effectively treated with antibiotics, unless there is resistance. Klebsiella pneumoniae developed an enzyme known as Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC), which breaks down carbepenem antibiotics rendering them ineffective against the microbe. The biggest issue other than patient safety within hospitals and healthcare settings is the ability of the resistance to spread to other types of bacteria within the Enterobacteriaceae family. According to the CDC, in 10 years, the percentage of Enterobacteriaceae resistant to antibiotics increased almost fourfold, to 4.2 percent in 2011 from 1.2 percent in 2001. CRE has been reported in 42 states in the U.S. Additionally; over 200 agencies have reported treating at least 1 case of CRE in the first half of 2012, suggesting health care facilities are having difficulty controlling the spread of these of infections. HOW IS CRE SPREAD? A person must be exposed to the bacteria to get CRE infections. CRE is commonly spread through person-to-person contact and through patient-to-patient via healthcare workers. CRE must enter either the respiratory tract or blood to cause illness. CRE cannot be spread through the air. WHO GETS INFECTED? CRE infections don’t usually occur in healthy people. The vast majority of infections occur in patients with long term hospitalizations and the critically ill. Patients exposed to ventilators, intravenous catheters, and open wounds from surgery or injury are at greatest risk. The infection is commonly transferred through infected medical devices. HOW TO STOP IT? Many people with CRE have what is called colonization, where the bug is detectable in or on the body but not currently causing infection. These patients are not treated with antibiotics but are placed in contact isolation in order to prevent the spread. Treatment options for patients with CRE infections are limited, although some options are available. Draining and rinsing therapies have been shown to slow rates of infections. NEXT STEPS? To prevent the spread of CRE among patients, healthcare personnel must adopt stringent infection control policies in their facilities. Proper hand washing and isolation/contact precautions must be strictly adhered to when providing care. Additionally, patients must follow proper disinfection techniques and cleaning procedures. Clinicians, in addition to adhering to the same standard of infection control techniques as health aides including the use of gloves and proper hand washing, need to administer antibiotic therapies more responsibly. Patients and the public can reduce transmission by adopting similar hand hygiene techniques and infection control procedures. Washing hands before you entering and leaving a patient’s room and before and after eating can help to reduce the spread of infections. Here is CDCs link to proper hand hygiene. A link to a video showing proper hand washing techniques for those who would prefer a demonstration can be found here: http://www.cdc.gov/cdctv/handstogether/ “CRE could be the beginning of the end of antibiotics for some bacteria…” http://www.cdc.gov/hai/organisms/cre/TrackingCRE.html#CREmap |
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The Rise in Use of Synthetic Marijuana
Mar 4 - 8 Kids often refer to it as K2 or Spice. It has also been sold as Bliss, Black Mamba, Bombay Blue, Blaze, Genie, Zohai, Yucatan Fire, Skunk and Moon Rocks. Whatever they’re calling, it is not safe for human consumption. Spice is a mixture of herbs and shredded plant material that is sprayed with synthetic chemicals which mimic the effects of tetrahydocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of marijuana. The products have been sold in head shops, gas stations, and via the internet for legal consumption. Although the packages are often marked as “incense” or “potpourri” and carry labels such as “not for human consumption”, officials suggest that is simply a mask for their intended purpose. The chemical components of synthetic marijuana are not properly regulated. They have not been approved for human consumption by the FDA and there is no oversight of the production process. The drug is most commonly used by teens and young adults. According to a recent study conducted by the University of Michigan, synthetic marijuana use among high schools seniors is second only to natural marijuana use, as outlined in the chart below. Officials suggest ease of access and the misconception that these products are natural and safe are attributing to their increase in use.
The most common form of consumption is to smoke it in a pipe or joint, although some people have reported making a tea mixture. The drug typically takes effect in about 3-5 minutes, with the duration of the high lasting anywhere from 1-8 hours. Short-term effects include loss of control, lack of pain response, increased agitation, pale skin, seizures, vomiting, profuse sweating, spastic body movement, hallucinations. It has also been shown to cause elevated blood pressure, heart rate, palpitations, and in some cases heart attacks. Below is a chart from the American Poison Control Center showing synthetic marijuana exposure calls for 2011 and 2012.
Fortunately, officials and policy makers were quick to act regarding the availability of these substances. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, to date, at least 41 states have legislatively banned synthetic cannabis compounds. Additionally, the Drug Enforcement Agency exercised its emergency scheduling authority in March 2011 to temporarily categorize five synthetic cannabinoids as Schedule I controlled substances. Despite increased legislative and policing efforts, synthetic marijuana is still commonly used among teens and young adults. Continued proliferation and sale through the internet and overseas make it difficult to regulate and monitor. Parents, educators, and community stakeholders must take notice of this issue in order to discourage use and educate youth about these types of synthetic drugs. http://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/ondcp-fact-sheets/synthetic-drugs-k2-spice-bath-salts http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42066.pdf http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/spice-synthetic-marijuana |
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Eat Less Salt
Feb 25 - Mar 1 The average American consumes roughly 3,300 mg of sodium per day, not counting table salt added to food before consumption. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), current dietary guidelines suggest no more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day, and no more than 1,500 mg if you fall into certain population groups at greater risk including anyone over 51 years, African Americans, those who have diabetes, and/or those with chronic kidney disease. Roughly 50% of the population fall into the category of no more than 1,500 mg of sodium per day, although 99% of these folks still consume too much salt. High sodium intake is associated with increased risk of developing hypertension. When an individual ingests foods with high sodium content, it is dissolved in the blood as two separate ions, Na+ and Cl-. These ions change the osmotic pressure within the blood vessels causing an excess of water to be drawn into the blood to stabilize the pressure. The influx of water increases the volume of the blood, which causes the blood pressure to rise. Normally, our body excretes excess salt through the kidneys; however the constant bombardment of sodium being taken in through the average American diet causes chronically high blood pressure. Chronic hypertension is associated with increased risk of heart disease and stroke. According to a recent study published in the Journal of Hypertension, lowering American sodium intake by 40% over ten years could save 280,000 to 500,000 lives, which is substantial considering that together, stroke, heart disease and other vascular disorders are responsible for over 800,000 deaths each year in the United States. While lowering sodium intake is difficult, it is possible. Being more discerning with food choices is the first step towards a low sodium diet. The easiest way to do that is to screen the food you eat. Reading nutrition labels at the grocery store and choosing low sodium options is an easy way to cut sodium. The CDC recommends eating a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. Potassium rich foods such as bananas and avocados can help to balance blood pressure. Avoiding canned and processed foods, which have notoriously high sodium contents, is very important. A can of chicken noodle soup contains roughly 744 mg of sodium, which amounts to almost a third of daily sodium limit for unrestricted individuals. Being mindful of daily sodium intake is paramount to good health. As you age, it is important to understand your limits. A low sodium diet can be very beneficial in terms of heart health and overall well-being. To learn more about steps to take towards achieving a low sodium diet, click here. References http://www.cdc.gov/salt/what_you_can_do.htmhttp://longevity.about.com/od/abouthighbloodpressure/p/sodium.htm http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/food-sources-of-potassium.php http://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-salt-shockers http://todayhealth.today.com/_news/2013/02/11/16929491-eating-less-salt-daily-saves-more-lives-study-finds?lite |
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Springing into Fitness: Running in the Season of Renewal Feb 18 - 22 By Margie Shapiro, Potomac River Running, Inc. Spring is just around the corner! It’s time to start thinking about how the season of change and new beginnings affects fitness routines. Spring provides a wonderful time to revisit goals set in January or to set new ones, all the while enjoying the season’s natural motivation for change and growth. Running or walking outdoors in springtime, we enjoy the breathtaking scenery of flowers in bloom, rapidly-deepening shades of green grass, and animals and birds all around. Spring weather carries with it a host of pros and cons. The ever-increasing amount of daylight makes early morning runs or after-work jaunts much more feasible. As was the case during the winter, it is best to be safe by carrying a small light or wearing reflective clothing if you’re running at dawn or at dusk. The warmer weather may provide a welcome change and the chance to do more outdoor exercise than winter may have allowed. Continue to dress in layers for outdoor running and other exercise, as temperatures can swing more during the early spring as the sun’s warmth comes and goes with the daylight hours. Also, remember to attend to your body’s hydration needs: an increase in activity or warmer weather will highlight the need to drink more water both during exercise and during the day. Sometimes spring weather provides difficult conditions for outdoor exercise. Many people suffer from allergies during this time of year – be sure to seek your doctor’s advice about outdoor activity if you are prone to allergic reactions to pollen, grasses, etc. Even those highly allergic to springtime allergens often can find a way to enjoy the season outdoors with the proper treatments and precautions. If the “April showers” adage holds true this year, wet roads and trails can present mild hazards to the committed walker or runner who pounds out the miles rain or shine. If you are among the die-hard, you can make yourself more comfortable with a water-resistant outer layer and a pair of thinner socks (which will absorb less water on a very rainy run). Water resistant shoes are available, but most running shoes are so breathable that water dissipates easily from them. After a wet run, speed up the drying process for your shoes by stuffing them with newspaper (which will absorb any remaining moisture overnight). Do not put your shoes in the dryer or in front of a heat source – the extreme temperatures can warp them and harm the supportive materials of the midsole. If you are running on the trails, use caution in muddy or slippery areas, but enjoy the puddles! Like the flowers, race season goes into full bloom beginning in early spring. If you have kept to your New Year’s resolutions or have spent the winter working hard to maintain fitness, find a local road race to celebrate! Most weekends, opportunities abound to run anything from 5k to half marathon, and even longer or shorter in some cases. Check out www.prraces.com to find plenty of race options near you. Bring a friend or family member to enjoy a race morning in good company. http://www.potomacriverrunning.com/
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Smoking and Mental Illness Feb 11 - 15 Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in the United States. There are numerous health consequences associated with tobacco smoking ranging from cardiovascular disease to several types of cancer. Smoking is associated with 443,000 premature deaths annually in the United States. Despite the overall declines in the prevalence of adult cigarette use over the past few decades, prevalence remains high among certain subpopulations where treatment and cessation programs are not as readily available, including those with mental illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults (>18) diagnosed with any mental illness (AMI), described as an emotional, behavioral, or mental disorder, excluding developmental disorders and substance abuse, averaged 19.9% annually from 2009-2011. Among the population with AMI, CDC estimates that 36% of these people smoke cigarettes, compared to 21% of people who smoke without AMI. Additionally, CDC reports research indicates that “smoking prevalence among U.S. adults with mental illness or serious psychological distress ranges from 34.3% (phobias or fears) to 88% (schizophrenia).” The disparities among cigarette usage continue when broken down by income levels, where 48% of adults with AMI who fall below the national poverty line are cigarette smokers. Smoking can present a unique set of challenges and health concerns for those experiencing AMI. Nicotine has been shown to alter moods and activate the reward pathways in the brain. The influx of nicotine as a result of tobacco smoke inhalation results in excessive, short-lived bursts of dopamine release. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter associated with pleasant and happy feelings which are designed to reinforce behavior through the innate reward response. In people experiencing severe mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, or major depression, mood swings can be exacerbated by the short lived “highs” associated with smoking. This can result in a self-medicating process where individuals manage their moods through cigarette smoking, which in turn can result in an array of other health issues associated with tobacco smoking. In response to these findings, public health professionals and practitioners need to promote relevant treatment and cessation programs. Partnerships between mental health practitioners and organizations and tobacco control agencies at the local, state and national levels need to be established. Mental health clinical settings and treatment centers need to respond to through promoting and increasing screening and cessation programs for their patient populations. The high smoking prevalence among people experiencing mental illness requires a multifaceted approach in order to be successfully addressed. Public health officials need to respond in order to reduce the lost life expectancy and protect this uniquely vulnerable subpopulation. http://www.cdc.gov/features/vitalsigns/SmokingAndMentalIllness/ |
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Norovirus: What you Need to Know Feb 4 - 8 WHAT IS IT? HOW DO I CATCH IT? COMMON SYMPTOMS PREVENTION -Wash your hands: Thorough hand-washing for at least 20 seconds is vital to prevention, especially after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, and before-and-after preparing and eating food. The act of hand washing has been shown to reduce the amount of microbes via mechanical removal of the loosely adherent microorganisms. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers alone are not an adequate substitute for washing hands with soap and water. -Avoid contaminated food and water: Be mindful of who is preparing your food. Throw out any food that has been prepared by someone with diarrhea. Avoid eating raw shellfish and be sure to thoroughly wash produce before consumption. -Disinfection: Be sure to clean and disinfect soiled areas after getting sick. Not all disinfectants are effective against norovirus. The CDC recommends using a chlorine bleach based solution with a concentration of 1000-5000 ppm. Leave the cleaning solution on the soiled surface for at least 5-10 minutes if possible. A list of registered disinfectants is available here. -Wash laundry thoroughly: Viral contamination can occur via fomites, therefore it is important to disinfect soiled clothes. CDC recommends washing soiled items separately using the maximum cycle length followed by machine drying. -Stay home: If you are sick, avoid unnecessary contact with other people. You may be contagious up to three days after your symptoms end.
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Radon: The Silent Killer National Radon Action Month (Jan 1- 31) Jan 28 - Feb 1 Few people have heard of radon even though it is considered to be the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Radon-associated lung cancer deaths are estimated to exceed 21,000 per year, more than that of residential fires (2,800 deaths per year) and carbon monoxide poisoning (295 deaths per year), combined. Radon is a colorless, odorless gas. It occurs naturally from the radioactive decay of uranium and thorium found in the earth’s crust. Radon can be found in rocks, soil, and even ground water in some cases, and is commonly found in dangerously high levels throughout the United States, view the distribution map here. Due to the omnipresence of radon in the environment, one can never fully prevent exposure to radon and there are no inherently safe levels of exposure to radon. However, in the ambient air, radon levels are relatively low and effects are minimal or negligible. Inside buildings and structures with poor ventilation, such as basements and wells, are where radon levels can become dangerously high. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), if you detect levels of radon in your home between 2 and 4 pico Curies per liter of air (pci/L), health officials suggest action be taken to fix the problem. Cracks in the basement floor or the foundation of a home have been associated with high levels radon progeny. To learn more about testing your home for radon, click here. Radon is considered a Class A carcinogen, meaning it is known to cause cancer in humans. The link between radon exposure and lung cancer is demonstrated through the radioactive decay of radon progeny, which emit high energy alpha particles. Alpha particles are byproducts of radioactive decay, which when inhaled can cause severe damage to the chromosomes within the epithelial cells in the lung. This chromosomal damage can cause mutation and result in malignant growth. Protecting yourself from radon exposure is very important. The first step is understanding your level of risk. Radon test kits can be purchased to test the threshold levels in your home and office. Contrary to popular belief, DIY radon test kits can be purchased for as little as $10, and have been proven to accurately measure levels of radon if used correctly. If excessive levels of radon are found in the home, there are simple, effective, and relatively cheap ways to reduce exposure:
http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html#myths |
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Flu Vaccine Shortages: A Thing of the Past
Jan 21 - 25
The FDA approval marks a coming shift in the way we produce our flu vaccinations each year. Currently, flu vaccines are produced utilizing the egg-based technique. The egg-based technique uses millions of chicken eggs to supply enough doses of vaccine for the flu season each year. Specific types of chicken eggs are also needed to grow the virus, and the virus itself needs to be isolated from a patients’ blood and injected into the egg. Upon injection, the virus may or may not grow based on unpredictable conditions. Additionally, the egg-based vaccine is a very slow and unyielding process, taking about 6 months to complete and producing vaccines only effective against specific strains of flu virus. The new vaccine is created utilizing a novel technique where dead influenza viral DNA (known as hemaggultinin) is injected into an insect virus known as baculovirus. The baculovirus readily infects a type of caterpillar known as the army worm. The army worm cells are used as a growth medium for the influenza DNA after the modified baculovirus infects its cells. Through baculovirus’ replication, hemagglutinin proteins are produced and harvested for the flu vaccine, known as FluBok. Vaccines using this technique can be produced twice as quickly as the egg-based approach. The new approach to producing vaccines shows a lot of promise for the future of vaccinology. Utilizing gene-based technology, scientists are effectively shortening the steps of production by eliminating the whole-flu-virus growth step from the process. The absence of the whole-virus also has the added benefit of eliminating vaccine-based infections because there is no virus to cause illness. Most importantly however, this technique will ensure broader protection against a pandemic level threat due to the quicker production time and the shifting of the reliance on chickens and chicken eggs, which may be affected if the virus is avian-derived. While this new development in vaccine production is promising, it should be noted that it hasn’t been granted approval for the entire population. According to their website, FluBok is only approved for people aged 18-49. If you would like to know more about this new technique, click here. http://www.technologyreview.com/news/416471/caterpillar-flu-vaccine-delayed/ |
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Influenza Season Updates Jan 14 - 18 The early uptick in the number of flu patients is due to the severity of the strains circulating this year. According to virologists, the A/Victoria H3N2 strain circulating is particularly virulent, causing the bulk of the sudden influx of illness. Additional strains of the A H1N1 and B-Yamagata lineage are also thought to be circulating. Health officials suggest that although we have seen a drastic rise in cases and hospitalizations due to influenza, we have not reached the peak of the flu season. Nationwide, recommendations are to get vaccinated if you haven’t done so already. According to Flu Near You, for people reporting both flu symptoms and vaccination status, 3 out of 4 who reported having flu-like symptoms did not receive this year’s vaccine. In addition to the unusually early rise in flu cases, there seems to be another virus circulating throughout the general public making matters worse. Norovirus, a particularly aggressive stomach bug responsible for hundreds of thousands of food-borne type illnesses each year may be responsible for a portion of those experiencing “flu-like” symptoms. It can easily spread from person to person via contaminated surfaces. The viral particles shed from feces and vomit, and are resistant to household chlorine products, making it difficult to eliminate the virus. The co-epidemic of Norovirus and influenza may be complicating surveillance efforts since Norovirus can have symptoms similar to the flu. Unlike influenza however, there is no vaccine for the stomach virus. Health officials advise people to take precautions for both the Norovirus and influenza. Prevention efforts include:
http://todayhealth.today.com/_news/2013/01/09/16432574-bad-flu-season-worsens-as-boston-declares-emergency?lite
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Winter for the Fitness-Minded: Woeful or Wonderful? Jan 7-11 By Margie Shapiro Potomac River Running Inc. Focusing on fitness requires discipline and motivation at any time of year, but particularly during the winter months. Seemingly endless holiday parties, bitterly cold weather, and limited daylight can wreak havoc even on an exercise addict’s routine. Running in particular may seem a greater challenge this time of year. We’ve come up with some simple tips for making healthy choices even during the toughest of times. DRESS RIGHT: It’s much easier to get out the door for a cold winter run when dressed properly. Runners or outdoor exercisers find great comfort in LAYERS, with synthetic moisture-wicking materials, especially closest to the skin. Start out a run with the flexibility to remove layers as needed. Also include a good set of gloves or mittens and a hat or ear warmer. You might choose some slightly thicker socks as well – avoid cotton! WEAR PROPER SHOES: Running shoes should be selected based on your foot shape and biomechanics, not color or appearance. Nothing beats a well-fitting pair of shoes when it comes to running comfort. OUTFIT YOURSELF WITH SAFETY FEATURES: If running in the early morning or at twilight, you’ll be much safer with some reflective gear or a small light. Running in the dark can be exhilarating as long as you’re safe! SET A GOAL: One of the best ways to stay motivated during the winter months is with an early-spring goal. Pick a road race (from 5k to marathon) for which to train, or set a weight-loss goal and give ample time to achieve it (it is realistic to lose about 1 pound per week). GO WITH A GROUP: Enlist the partnership of a friend to keep you accountable, or join a club or class to benefit from the company of others. Exercising alone can be enjoyable, but sometimes a group setting is even more fun, particularly if motivation is a problem. It can be safer too. CREATE HEALTHY PARTY HABITS: Since the body stores excess dietary carbohydrate as fat, knowing and choosing some low-carb options at parties will allow you to partake without overdoing it. You don’t have to go hungry; just seek out simple foods like raw vegetables, and lean protein sources, and limit the amount of breads, starches, and sweets you consume. Also, remember alcohol packs a major caloric punch: enter the party with a reasonable limit in mind if you plan to imbibe at all. ENJOY IT: Remember what a privilege it is to have a healthy body and healthy mind. When exercise feels like a drag, remind yourself how great you’ll feel afterward. You WILL! |
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Seasonal Affective Disorder Dec 24 - 28 After the excitement of the holiday subsides, the winter months continue looming. The air is cold and dry and the days are short. The winter months can bring about a type of seasonal depression, commonly known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The specific causes of SAD are unknown, although scientists believe a combination of factors, including genetic predisposition and age likely play a role. Additionally, as with other types of depression-associated mental conditions, chemical factors in the brain are thought to play a large role. Reductions in the amount of sunlight one receives during the winter months can affect the amount of serotonin being released in the brain. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter responsible for relaying signals between different areas of the brain, becomes less readily available which scientists believe plays a role in the development of depression. Additionally, seasonal readjustments can cause disruptions in melatonin, a hormone associated with sleep patterns can cause malfunctioning of an individual’s circadian rhythm (the biological clock). In general, SAD is more common among females than males, although males tend to experience more severe symptoms if diagnosed. According to research, living further from the equator tends to increase the risk of developing SAD. This is due to the fact that these areas experience longer periods of decreased sunlight during winter months, and increased sunlight during summer months, resulting in the seasonal disruptions discussed above. Additionally, the risk of SAD increases if an individual has a family history of mental illness or have personally experienced mental illness. Symptoms associated with SAD are most likely to include the following:
Treatment methods for SAD are dependent upon the severity individual illness. In general, common treatments o SAD include:
While is there are no known ways to prevent the development of SAD, there are steps one can take to reduce their risk. Managing time efficiently, such as not overworking and staying up late help to reduce stress. Being mindful of your sleep schedule is also very important. Scientists suggest getting 7 hours of sleep each night to ensure the body is well rested. Learn More: |
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Think of Your Telomeres this Holiday Season Dec 17 - 21
Proper stress management is also vital in terms of the health span, which is described as the healthy years of an individual’s life span in which a person is not experiencing disability or sickness. It is well known that stress impacts human health. What scientists are beginning to understand however, is why that stress-health association exists. Molecular biologists have linked chronic stress to telomere length. Telomeres are protective regions at the end chromosomes that contain repetitive nucleotide sequences (think of the plastic shoelace cap that keeps the threads of the lace from unraveling). Telomeres are known to shorten throughout the lifespan of human, and are an indicator of age. When telomeres become too short, the chromosomes don’t function properly, this in turn disrupts cellular replication and function. Telomere length is also affected by environmental conditions. This is where stress comes into play. Individuals who manage stress in healthy ways tend to eat better, get more adequate sleep, and exercise more often than those who don’t manage stress properly. Stress manifested over long periods of time creates a toxic environment within the body, which result can result in cellular dysfunction. Cells that function improperly in the body are destroyed through apoptosis and new cells are generated to replace them. Every time cellular replication occurs, telomeres become shorter. Telomere length, in general, cannot be replenished. So as previously stated, in individuals experiences chronic stress, the higher rate of telomere shortening increases the likelihood of early aging and cellular dysfunction, which gives way to disease. There are a variety of ways to reduce stress related damage to your body. Some of the simplest measures you can take to reduce your stress level are included below. All require minimal effort and lifestyle changes.
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/stress/relaxation.htm
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Preventing Weight Gain during the Holiday Season Dec 10 - 14 2012 Learn More: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11206847 |
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World AIDS Day: Where We Are TodayDec 3 - 7 2012 December 1, 2012 marked the 24th anniversary of World AIDS Day, an initiative put forth by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1988 until 2004. Since then, the World AIDS Day campaign has grown into its own entity and is considered to be one of the most recognizable health observances throughout the world. This speaks to the breadth and scope of the disease it intends cure. Thirty-one years after the first cases of HIV/AIDS were clinically documented in 1981, the virus is still considered to be one of the most serious and life-threatening health challenges facing much of the world. The theme for 2012 is Working Together for an AIDS Free Generation, where the United Nations has set goals to reduce HIV transmission by half by 2015. Today there are currently 33.4 million people living with HIV/AIDS. It is estimated that the virus is responsible for killing roughly 30 million people since the first cases were reported in 1981. The virus is considered a global pandemic, although it disproportionately affects those living in low-to-middle income countries, which account for 97% of the HIV seropositive population. Nowhere is this problem more pronounced than sub-Saharan Africa, where in several nations experience prevalence rates above 10% of the total population. To put this into perspective, consider that the United Nations (UN) classifies an epidemic-level threshold rate as greater than or equal to 1% of the population. In the United States, we still experience a huge disparity in terms of affected populations. As a group, MSM (men who have sex with men) bear the brunt of the risk, making up 61% of all new infections in the U.S. White MSM accounted for the largest number of annual novel infection rates for any group. Disparities in risk of infection can be applied by ethnic makeup as well. African Americans and Hispanics are disproportionately impacted by the virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 16 black men and 1 in 32 black women will be diagnosed with HIV in their lifetimes. Additionally, Latinos accounted for 20% of all news cases of HIV in 2009, but only represented roughly 16% of the U.S. population. Washington, D.C. has been particularly impacted by HIV. DC has the highest HIV prevalence rate of any state in the U.S. At 2.7% of the population in the district living with HIV, it is on par with the rates of some developing nations and easily exceeds the epidemic threshold set forth by the UN. A total of 14,465 people in the district were living with HIV in 2010, 89% of which were linked to care, thereby reducing their risk of transmission. According to health officials though, DC is a microcosm of what is happening throughout the nation in terms of viral management. The epidemic can be partly attributed to the geographic makeup of the district; characterized by a small area with overlapping sexual networks that fuel transmission, which when combined with disparities in access to quality healthcare, poverty, and drug use result in the burden of disease DC residents presently face. The news is not all bad however. WHO estimates that in general, rates of infection are declining worldwide. Efforts to promote awareness and increase access to anti-retroviral treatments (ART) have begun to make a measurable impact, with an estimated 4 million people worldwide receiving treatment in 2008. In the U.S, the CDC claims that while the overall prevalence of HIV in the U.S has increased in recent years, the rates of new infections have remained relatively stable. In the district, the budget for HIV/AIDs for FY 2012 was a reflection of the significance of the issue, with $75.6 million dedicated to prevention, testing, treatment and care. Learn More: |
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Movember: Men's Health InitiativesNov 1 - 30 2012 It’s no secret that women live longer than men (in the United States the male to female life expectancy is 76.2 and 81.3, respectively). While there are biological implications that suggest men may never reach equality in terms of life expectancy, there are things that can be done to lessen that gap. |
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Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month: What We KnowNov 1 - 30 2012 Dementia is a major health concern among the elderly. Dementia is defined as a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. This condition of clinical dementia was first described in 1907 by Alois Alzheimer, and ever since, the incidence of the disease has increased exponentially. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is considered one of the most common forms of dementia among the elderly, affecting approximately 5.4 million people in the United States. Healthcare associated costs of AD management are thought to exceed $200 billion annually. The number of Alzheimer’s disease patients is expected to rise considerably in the near future due in part to the expected increase in the number of individuals 65 years or older. It has been estimated that the total incidence of AD will quadruple by the year 2050, which could prove to be unmanageable for the healthcare industry. Age: According to the Alzheimer’s Association , age is the most important risk factor for AD. Most individuals who develop the first signs of signs of Alzheimer-associated dementia are well over 65 years. Additionally, the risk of developing AD doubles every 5 years after the age of 65, with the approximate risk increasing to nearly 50% at age 85 and above. Family History: Those with a relative who has developed AD are at greater risk than the general population. The pathological mechanisms are not fully understood. However research suggests environmental factors, genetics, or the interaction of both factors may play a role. Genetics:
Scientists have established a genetic risk profile for AD pathogenesis, although these genes are responsible for only a fraction of the cases. The genetic markers used to determine AD development can be broken down into two distinct categories based on the clinical definition of the disease. Early Onset Alzheimer’s disease AD is a genetically heterogeneous disease, where the phenotypic presentation of illness may be caused by any one of a multiple number of alleles or non-allele mutations. In terms of EOAD, mutations of the amyloid beta precursor protein (APP), presenilin 1(PS1), and presenilin 2 (PS2) have been implicated in the development of the disease. All three genes are considered deterministic, meaning there is a causal pathway between presence of a specific gene mutation and AD.
Learn more: |
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Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan Oct 29 - Nov 2 2012 Preparing for an emergency in advance is essential for ensuring the safety of you and your loved ones. The CDC recommends 3 important steps you should take when planning for an emergency including:
Go-Bag Essentials
Developing A Plan It is important to sit down with your family and develop a plan in response to an emergency. Your family may be separated at the wake of a disaster and you should discuss how to contact one another, where to meet (designation of a safe place), and how to get to the designated place. Additionally, you should designate a back up meeting place in order to account for the different disaster situations. Inquiries about emergency plans where your family spends time (work, school) is also recommended. For more information visit http://www.ready.gov/ Be Informed Due to the unpredictable nature associated with disaster preparedness and emergency response, it is important that you familiarize yourself with your community’s emergency action plans, warning signals, evacuation routes, and locations of emergency shelters. Information for the DMV region can be found at the following websites DC: http://doh.dc.gov/service/emergency-preparedness-and-response-doh |
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Seasonal InfluenzaOct 15 - 19 Fact Sheet Flu season has officially started, and with it comes the increased risk of infection. There are steps you can take to reduce your chances of contracting the virus, which is responsible for an estimated 40,000 deaths per year. Recent studies suggest that seasonal flu is responsible for 200,000 hospitalizations and medical associated costs exceeding $10 billion annually in the US. Flu Vaccination
Additional Prevention Tips
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Organic Food Oct 8 - 12, 2012 The recent Stanford University report has resulted in many different reactions circulating in the news. The report compares organically farmed foods versus conventionally farmed foods. There has been a lot of reaction to this relatively straightforward review, which was published on September 4th. The study, which was conducted by researchers at the Stanford University Health Policy Institute, collected 240 peer-reviewed studies comparing organically and conventionally grown food or studies comparing populations consuming these foods, spanning over four decades. Through combination of the independent data produced by these 240 studies in a technique known as meta-analysis, the authors were able to make several conclusions regarding organic versus conventional foods in terms of nutritional content, pesticide levels, bacterial contamination, and anti-biotic resistance. The results were similar to what you might expect; organic foods contain lower levels of pesticides (up to 30%), and have lower rates of resistant strains of bacteria than conventionally produced foods. Levels of nutrients were not significantly different, with the exception of phosphorous, which was found at significantly higher rates in organically produced foods, although the health benefits are negligible. Additionally, the researchers reported that comparisons of harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella, E. coli and Campylobacter, were quite common regardless of production methods. Despite the favorable evidence in terms of pesticide load and antibiotic-resistant bacteria being higher among conventional foods, some advocacy groups are upset with the results and calling for a retraction of the paper. They claim that the researchers failed to examine additional factors including GMOs and levels of mercury. Opponents of the study also claim that the author’s methods, which lump together all produce, diminish the favorable results of individual produce grown organically may have. The idea that organic fruits and vegetables contain more nutrients is a misconception among the general public. People in the supermarkets see organic labels and often think it’s automatically better for them, and they should have no problem paying up to 50% more for these products. This, however, is not the case, as revealed in this recent and countless other studies. There are several things to take into consideration before buying organic including;
Some produce tend to have inherently lower levels of pesticides that others. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) puts out a list of commonly purchased produce least likely to contain pesticide residues known as the Clean 15. Additionally, the EWG puts out a similar list containing produce most likely to contain high levels of pesticides known as the Dirty Dozen. Selecting what produce you buy organic based on these lists, which rank pesticide contamination for 45 fruits and vegetables based on an analysis of more than 60,700 samples taken from 2000 to 2010 by the USDA and the FDA, will help to reduce your exposure to pesticide residue and save you money in the process.
A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases points out that the parasite responsible for one of the leading causes of death and hospitalizations among foodborne illnesses, Toxoplasmosis gondii, is more commonly found in organic free-range pork and poultry, than conventionally raised pork and poultry. Additionally, T. gondii was found to be prevalent in lamb, sheep, and game meats such as venison. Authors note, however, that the risk of illness can be greatly reduced through proper handling and preparing of these meats. Cooking meat to an internal temperature of 150-165°F and proper hand washing will help to reduce exposure to oocysts responsible for Toxoplasmosis. For more information, click here.
The general rule of thumb here is that locally grown produce are less likely to be highly contaminated with pesticides and other chemicals needed to preserve and protect their freshness through transport.
Seasonal fruits and vegetables are more likely to produced in your area and therefore less likely to contain chemical contamination. |
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