HealthyStart JUNE-JULY 2014 Vol. XVI
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Meet the New Oldest American At 116, Black South Arkansas woman named oldest American
CDC Encourages African-American Women to ‘Take Charge And Test’
Men's Health Month Goes Out with a Bang!
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healthbriefs Summer travel health tips Summer is here and for many in Wisconsin, that means getting out of town to escape the heat.
By Dustin Hinton, BIZTimes
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According to Airlines for America, air travel is expected to hit its highest level in six years this summer, with about 210 million passengers expected fly U.S. airlines between June 1 and Aug. 31. That includes nearly 30 million travelers on international flights.
- Health benefits of eggs Eggs for eye care
With travel comes planning, including what we want to wear, which attractions to visit and how long we'll be gone. But what people often neglect to consider when planning their vacation is their health. Unfortunately, mishaps can happen while in a different city, state or even country, and it is important to be prepared. Here are five tips to make sure your summer vacation goes off without a health-related hitch: 1.) Think ahead: If you have chronic health issues, make sure you get a checkup before you leave and let your physician know where you are planning to travel. Before you go, make sure you have enough medication to last the whole trip or plan where you can go to refill your prescription. The U.S. State Department recommends carrying a letter from your physician describing any medical condition and any prescription medications, including the label name of any prescribed drugs. And don't forget to pack your medication in your carry-on luggage.
Top benefits of eating eggs for health Eggs contains of cartenoid agents lutein and zeaxanthin which works effectively for the prevention of macular degeneration, by which our eyes will be safe and healthy. These agents also decreases the risk of cataracts formation. Supplies proteins
2.) Consider destination-specific health risks: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends you get any disease-specific vaccines, medications or medical advice for international travel at least four to six weeks in advance of your trip. Doing so allows any vaccines you may need to have time to take effect (and some vaccines require more than one dose). If you are visiting several countries or countries with a variety of health risks, or if you have a pre-existing health condition, you may need to see a clinician who specializes in travel medicine. To find a local care provider who can help you, visit http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/findclinic. 3.) Download health apps: Mobile health apps for smartphones and tablets are one of the fastest-growing segments of app development, giving people better access to
health care information when they're on the go. Mobile apps, such as UnitedHealthcare's Health4Me app, make it easier to contact a registered nurse, download your insurance ID card and locate nearby physicians or emergency rooms. 4.) Check your insurance coverage: If you are traveling overseas, check to see if your insurance is valid where you are going. Contact your health insurance company and check your benefit documents. Many do offer some coverage, but there may be limitations based on your location or the type of medical care received. You may want to consider getting supplemental traveler's medical coverage – policies that can cover a variety of services including emergency care, which
For building the muscles and to repair the tissues in the body proteins are required in large. Eating egg will offer good amount of proteins. Increases the calcium Boiled eggs contains of vitamin D that is required adequate for the healthy structure of bones and teeth. This vitamin increases the absorption levels of calcium and hence maximizes the calcium levels in the body. Daily egg The existence of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats in the eggs in the place of saturated fats prevent your heart diseases, strokes and blood clot problems eat an egg on every day with out neglect, reports a survey.
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5 Health Tips To Be More Productive At Work profitable Milwaukee Community Journal 3612 North Martin Luther King Drive Milwaukee WI. 53212 Patricia O'Flynn Pattillo Publisher Mikel Holt, Editor Editor, Coordinator and Marketing Sales www.communityjournal.net Administration Telephone (414)-265-5300 Jimmy Johnson Sales and Advertising 414-265-5300 Advertising Email: advertising@communityjournal.net Editorial Telephone (414) 265-6647Email: editorial@communityjournal.net Mike Mullis Webmaster Media Center Bright Boateng Producer and Designer
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ou know that your health is important, but did you know that improving your health also improves your performance at work. It’s true! When it comes to performance at work, good health isn’t just for athletes and construction workers. It’s important for us desk jockeys too. Plenty of studies demonstrate you’re at your most productive when you take a short break when performing long tasks. It gives your brain a chance to refresh and your body a chance to stretch out. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to take a 5 or 10minute break every hour of the day. Here are a couple of tips to keep you healthy and productive even when you’re tied to your desk for most of the day. 1. Drink Lemon Water Drink an eight-ounce glass of water with half a lemon squeezed into it. Why? When you drink lemon juice your liver breaks down waste more efficiently and helps alleviate bloating, gas, constipation and general body aches.
2. Drink More Water You’ve heard that you need to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day, but that isn’t true for everyone. Some of us need even more water to function at optimal levels. The Institute of Medicine says that most men need about three liters of water a day and most women need around 2.2 liters per day. Eight 8-ounce glasses of water is only 1.9 liters, so women should be drinking about nine glasses per day and men should be drinking about twelve glasses of water per day to maximize their hydration and performance.
3. Take Time To Stretch One of the reasons it’s a good idea to get away from your desk is to get your blood flowing again. If you can’t get away, you can still improve your circulation by stretching at your desk. The fresh blood and oxygen makes your brain function better and helps relieve neck and shoulder tension. ■ Start with your back straight and cross your right arm over your chest. You’re trying to reach a spot behind
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African Americans’ predisposition to diabetes
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by Stephen Boadus, AtlantaDailyworld
he month that just ended was National Safety Month. The theme was safety: But how can we make our communities safer when we don’t understand the dangers or where they arise from?
your left ear with your right hand. Bring your chin into your right shoulder and hold the pose for 30 seconds. Repeat this stretch on the other side. Doing this stretches the muscles in the back of your head and helps keep migraines and tension headaches at bay. ■ Stretch your neck and upper back by placing both of your hands on the back of your head and interlocking your fingers. Relax your neck and keep your back straight. Let the weight of your hands bring your head forward. Hold for 30 seconds.
In an age where equality is idealized, many have lost sight of the significance that differences play in health.
■ Place your right hand on your hip and raise your left arm towards the ceiling. Hold that pose and bend your upper body to the right. Hold for 30 seconds. Repeat on the other side of your body. This pose stretches your oblique muscles and helps open your rib cage, allowing air to circulate more efficiently.
Lisa Carey, a breast cancer specialist at the University of North Carolina reports, different races possess different biological ecosystems that require different amounts and different types of maintenance in order to stay healthy.
■ Finally, stand up and place both hands in front of you and on your desk. Take a couple of steps backwards so you’re bent slightly forward at the waist with your arms are extended and face pointed at the floor. Hold for 30 seconds.
While many African Americans are aware of the health problems that plague their community, few understand the reason for such ailments and fewer still are equipped with information to prevent the onset of such conditions.
The illness is characterized by the body’s inability to either produce or utilize insulin to the extent that it achieves healthy blood sugar levels. According to the ADA, in 2012, it was the seventh most listed underlying cause of death on birth certificates. This does not include undiagnosed diabetics.
To Be More Productive At Work profitable (continued on page 2)
How can we prevent the onset of a disease we don’t yet fully understand?
In 2012, the American Diabetes Association (ADA), reported that 9.3 percent of the American population was diagnosed with diabetes. 13.2 percent of non-Hispanic Blacks were diagnosed with having diabetes, a 42 percent increase above the prevalence of diabetes in the general population.
5 Health Tips
4. Eat Protein
Jeremy Bandele Many lifestyle variables, such as high obesity rates, can account for part but not all of the higher prevalence of diabetes in the African American community. Studies have identified several genetic markers that could reasonably point to a higher predisposition to the disease. According to Dr. Cam Patterson, chief of cardiology and director of the McAllister Heart Institute at UNC, such markers, “suggest that carbohydrate metabolism should be different in the African-Americans in our population compared to Caucasians.”
Patterson proceeds to explain that African Americans disproportionately possess inhibited genes that signal glucose metabolism. In other words, African Americans are disproportionately predisposed to the disease when compared to other ethnicities. African Americans’ predisposition to the disease does not stop there. Studies show that dark pigmentation reacts with environmental factors leading to malnutrition in key nutrients responsible for glucose metabolism.
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AD HOLD OVER
Instead of snacking on chips or candy throughout the day, stick to snacks that are high in protein. Protein helps keep your blood sugar levels stable. Snacks high in carbohydrates cause your sugar levels to spike and eventually crash. The crash saps your energy and causes you to feel sluggish and tired. Replacing donuts and candy bars with high-protein snacks helps regulate your blood sugar and allows you to be at peak performance all day long. 5. Ditch Your Chair. Maybe. Sitting in a chair all day promotes poor posture. Poor posture restricts blood flow, nerve function and can lead to lower back, shoulder, and upper neck pain. You can try swapping your chair for an inflatable exercise ball or switch to a standing desk. Of course, you could always keep your chair, practice good sitting posture, and make sure to get up and move around for a bit every hour or two. Whatever you choose, make sure that you’re comfortable or your productivity will fall off.
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national news
Bush's Daughter Leads Global Health Group
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Fellows have diverse backgrounds. Architects in Rwanda designed better air flow systems at a health center to prevent the spread of tuberculosis, and now the plan is being implemented around the country, Bush said. In Malawi, supply chain experts were able to reduce instances of running out of prescription drugs in one district by 28 percent, she said, noting that mothers often walked miles only to find critically needed drugs out of stock even though they were available in the country.
arbara Bush was struck by what she saw when she arrived in Africa more than a decade ago as her father, then-President George W. Bush, unveiled a plan to combat AIDS: Hundreds of people were waiting in the streets for antiretroviral drugs that were readily available in the United States for years. "I think that enraged me," said Bush, a 32year-old New York resident. "That experience really is what opened me up to considering global health as a career path for myself."
Bush said she doesn't see herself running for political office, laughing as she called that idea "very, very unlikely." She noted there are different types of service and that her work as chief executive for the global health nonprofit suits her personality.
Bush, twin sister Jenna Bush Hager and four others went on to create Global Health Corps in 2008. The group places young professionals and recent college graduates in fellowships with health organizations in the United States and Africa for a year of service to improve health care access. The knowledge and medicine are available to prevent millions of deaths around the world, "and yet we aren't using it well enough to do so," Bush said. She spoke to The Associated Press on Friday as Global Health Corps planned to welcome its sixth class of fellows at Yale University for more than two weeks of training. Selected from a pool of nearly 5,000 applicants, the incoming class of 128 fellows — the largest
With the latest recruits, Global Health Corps has 450 fellows. They are rising up the ranks of organizations and government ministries, creating a network of leaders who can shape policy and create organizations to fill gaps in health care, Bush said. In this July 10, 2003 file photo, Barbara Bush, right, rides with her parents, U.S. President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush, as they tour the Mokolodi Nature Reserve outside Gaborone, Botswana. In interview with The Associated Press Friday, June 27, 2014, Barbara Bush said that ever — is from 22 countries. Bush said that after that experience in Africa in 2003, she became "obsessed" with global health, taking all the courses she could be-
Summer travel health tips (continued on page 12) might require air evacuation. 5.) Pack a travel health kit: In addition to any prescription medications, make sure to pack a first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic, pain reliever/anti-inflammatories, motion sickness medication and bug repellent.
Summer vacations should be about making great memories with your family and friends. In order to really enjoy your trip, err on the side of caution and make sure your health is protected before you leave. Dustin Hinton is president and chief executive officer of UnitedHealthcare of Wisconsin.
Top benefits of eating eggs for health (continued from page 2) Coline
Prevents breast cancer
The nutrient coline in the egg lowers the problems of nervous system and cardiovascular system, it also regulates the brain and helps for the better function.
To decrease the chance of getting breast cancer, it is needed to eat eggs in a regular manner. Make sure food is encompassed with the eggs to kick off many other problems too.
Good fats
Eggs for hair and nail health
The amount of good fats present in the eggs lowers the cholesterol related problems and doesn’t impact the lipid though they are consumed more in a day.
Eggs contains of sulphur and vitamin B12, which are the major compounds for the hair and nail health. If you have the problem with rapid hair fall due to insufficient amounts of sulphur try to eat eggs regularly.
Natural vitamin D The one food that contains of vitamin D are eggs, here the D vitamin indicates the natural vitamin.
--beautyhealthtips
fore graduating from Yale in 2004. She worked for Red Cross Children's Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, and interned for UNICEF in Botswana before helping to create Global Health Corps.
"I think that's what's exciting to us, the power of this network," she said. "I think we have big dreams for what they will do with their career."
--By JOHN CHRISTOFFERSEN -AP NEW HAVEN, Conn.
Affordable Care Act helps 76 million Americans with private coverage access free preventive services Women save nearly $500 million on oral contraception out-of-pocket costs
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ealth and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Burwell announced today that about 76 million Americans in private health insurance plans are newly eligible to receive expanded coverage for one or more recommended preventive health care services, such as a mammogram or flu shot, with cost sharing, because of the Affordable Care Act. The new data were released in a report from HHS today. Under the Affordable Care Act most health plans must cover a set of recommended preventive services like screening tests and immunizations at no out-of-pocket cost to consumers. This includes Marketplace private insurance plans. “Today’s findings are just one more indicator that the Affordable Care Act is delivering impact for millions of people nationwide,” said Secretary Burwell. “Seventy-six million is more than just a number. For millions of Americans, it means no longer having to put off a mammogram for an extra year. Or it means catching a problem early enough that it’s treatable.” Today’s data are broken down across states, age, race and ethnic group. For example, the report finds that approximately 30 million more women are now eligible to receive coverage for the recommended preventive services with no out-of-pocket costs. Altogether, a total of 48.5 million women are estimated to benefit from free preventive services. Covered preventive services for women include wellwoman visits, screening for gestational diabetes, domestic violence screening and counseling, and FDA-approved prescription contraception with no cost-sharing.
Recent evidence from the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics (IMS) shows that an additional 24.4 million prescriptions for oral contraceptives were dispensed with no co-pays in 2013 compared to 2012, translating to an estimated $483.3 million reduction in out-of-pocket spending by women. Of the 76 million Americans with expanded access to free preventive services:
418.6 million are children receiving expanded preventive services coverage for immunization vaccines for children from birth to age 18; vision screening; hearing screening for newborns; behavioral assessments; obesity screening; and height, weight, and body mass index measurements. 429.7 million are women receiving expanded preventive services coverage for cervical cancer screening, mammograms for women over 40, recommended immunizations, healthy diet counseling for women at higher risk for chronic disease and obesity screening and counseling; cholesterol and blood pressure screening; screening for HIV; depression screening; and tobacco-use screening; well-woman visits, screening for gestational dia(continued on page 12)
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Blocking Key Enzyme Minimizes
Stroke Injury
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drug that blocks the action of the enzyme Cdk5 could substantially reduce brain damage if administered shortly after a stroke, UT Southwestern Medical Center research suggests. The findings, reported in the June 11 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience, determined in rodent models that aberrant Cdk5 activity causes nerve cell death during stroke. “If you inhibit Cdk5, then the vast majority of brain tissue stays alive without oxygen for up to one hour,” said Dr. James Bibb, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology and Neurotherapeutics at UT Southwestern and senior author of the study. “This result tells us that Cdk5 is a central player in nerve cell death.” More importantly, development of a Cdk5 inhibitor as an acute neuroprotective therapy has the potential to reduce stroke injury.
“Cdk5 regulates communication between nerve cells and is essential for proper brain function. Therefore, blocking Cdk5 longterm may not be beneficial,” Dr. Bibb said. “Until now, the connection between Cdk5 and stroke injury was unknown, as was the potential benefit of acute Cdk5 inhibition as a therapy.” “If we could block Cdk5 in patients who have just suffered a stroke, we may be able to reduce the number of patients in our hospitals who become disabled or die from stroke. Doing so would have a major impact on health care,” Dr. Bibb said. While several pharmaceutical companies worked to develop Cdk5 inhibitors years ago, these efforts were largely abandoned since research indicated blocking Cdk5 long-term could have detrimental effects. At the time, many scientists thought aberrant Cdk5 activity played a major role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease and that Cdk5 inhibition might be beneficial as a treatment. Based on Dr. Bibb’s research and that of others, Cdk5 has both good and bad effects. When working normally, Cdk5 adds phosphates to other proteins that are important to healthy brain function. On the flip side, researchers have found that aberrant Cdk5 activity contributes to nerve cell death following brain injury and can lead to cancer.
In this study, researchers administered a Cdk5 inhibitor directly into dissected brain slices after adult rodents suffered a stroke, in addition to measuring the post-stroke effects in Cdk5 knockout mice. “We are not yet at a point where this new treatment can be given for stroke. Nevertheless, this research brings us a step closer to developing the right kinds of drugs,” Dr. Bibb said. “We first need to know what mechanisms underlie the disease before targeted treatments can be developed that will be effective. As no Cdk5 blocker exists that works in a pill form, the next step will be to develop a systemic drug that could be used to confirm the study’s results and lead to a clinical trial at later stages.” Currently, there is only one FDA-approved drug for acute treatment of stroke, the clotbusting drug tPA. Other treatment options include neurosurgical procedures to help minimize brain damage. Additional UT Southwestern scientists
from the Department of Psychiatry who contributed to this study were lead author and former postdoctoral researcher Dr. Douglas Meyer; postdoctoral researcher Dr. Melissa Torres-Altoro; Instructor Dr. Florian Plattner; and former postdoctoral researcher Dr. Janice Kansy. The work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health. Pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim provided the Cdk5-inhibiting compound indolinone used in the study. This work is just one of numerous cuttingedge stroke research studies taking place at UT Southwestern, where patients have access to the newest treatments and clinical trials due in part to the stroke center’s recent Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center certification. This designation is the highest level of certification for stroke care by The Joint Commission. UT Southwestern’s Robert D. Rogers Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center offers the most advanced treatment available from a multidisciplinary team of vascular neurologists, endovascular specialists, vascular surgeons, neuro-radiologists and neuro-intensivists who are on call 24 hours a day to treat stroke patients. Source: Southwestern Medical Center
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wisconsin news New Data Brief Reveals Characteristics of Uninsured Minority Men
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he U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' Office of Minority Health issued the following news release:
A new data brief released by the Office of Minority Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services during Men's Health Month examines the characteristics of uninsured adult males by race and ethnicity, using the most recent data from the 2012 American Community Survey. Findings from the survey, which include information on social and economic factors, such as poverty and education level, that influence insurance coverage, should be considered in developing strategies to increase insurance coverage and access to care for minority adult males. The survey findings provide additional information on the patterns of uninsurance among non-elderly males prior to the establishment of the Health Insurance Marketplace and the expansion of Medicaid eligibility under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Highlights of the survey findings include: Among uninsured adult males, ages 19-34, Latino and African American males exhibited the highest estimates of uninsurance. More than 70 percent of African American and White uninsured
Marketplace enrollment period, more than 8 million people were enrolled as part of the ACA. New data from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that as many as six in 10 people who purchased health insurance through the Marketplace were previously uninsured. Accordingly to recent Gallup data, the most dramatic drops in the insured rate were among African Americans, Latinos and low-income Americans. This type of data and knowledge adult males and nearly 60 percent of Asian and Latino uninsured adult males have a high school diploma. A high proportion of uninsured adult males across all racial and ethnic groups reported family incomes at or below 100 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). A high proportion of uninsured Latino adult males (81 percent) report having a full-time worker in the household. Uninsured African American males reported the highest proportion (60 percent) of family income at or below 100 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). A high percentage of uninsured adult Asian (28 percent) and Latino (24 percent) males also re-
side in a limited English proficient household. A lower percentage of uninsured Latino (6 percent) and Asian (5 percent) males experience disability (versus 12 percent of White and 11 percent of African American uninsured males). While data from the 2012 ACS survey shows disparities among uninsured males, through the Affordable Care Act, progress has been made in increasing access to affordable health care coverage: Over the course of the first Health Insurance
Most Wisconsin hospitals likely won't face penalty
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ost Wisconsin hospitals are unlikely to be penalized for high rates of patient infections, based on preliminary data released by the federal government and analyzed by Kaiser Health News.
Scores from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are based on a two-year period, from the beginning of 2012 to the end of 2013. The preliminary scores come from June 2012 to July 2013, which means final scores may be different in October. The penalties are a part of the federal health care overhaul law designed to improve patient safety and overall health outcomes. Hospitals at most serious risk of facing the penalty are located throughout the state including Milwaukee, Green Bay, Madison, Eau Claire, Kenosha, Wausau, Appleton, Racine and Rhinelander. There were 761 hospitals nationwide ranked. It's too soon to know how many hospitals in the state may end up being penalized until the final report comes out later this year, said Kelly Court, chief quality officer at the Wisconsin Hospital As-
Over the past several decades, our nation has made vast improvements in scientific knowledge, public health and health care. The health status of racial and ethnic minority men still lags behind the general population. Increasing in-
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Citizen Action of Wisconsin critical of Governor Walker's refusal to take extra Medicaid dollars MADISON, Wis. (WXPR) -- A report by the Democratic leaning Citizen Action of Wisconsin challenges Governor Scott Walker's refusal to accept federal Medicaid money for BadgerCare has resulted in higher health insurance costs here than elsewhere. During a media call with reporters last week, Citizen Action Director Robert Kraig said with increased transparency from Obamacare, they were able to gather data on what other states are paying versus here.Kraig says three conclusions came out of the data. "And what jumped out of that report is that taking the Medicaid money, having a robust rate review and having prior approval for insurance rates which a number of states have done, and another one which would require a Constitutional Amendment which is an elected insurance commissioner." The pro-Obamacare organization’s report finds that the average Wisconsin resident will pay over $250 more per year because of failure to accept the funds for BadgerCare, while having a robust system of reviewing insurance rates could have reduced rates as much as $747 a year for the average individual plan.
A report from the Walker Administration to legislators said Wisconsin's Medicaid program shows a $93-million dollar deficit. Walker and other Republicans say the money to pay from the federal government is not there to begin with. As you might expect, Democrats back the Citizen Action claims and Republicans do not.
Planned Parenthood closing clinic
The report shows 65 hospitals are subject to the penalties for high infection rates, complications and patient injuries. But of those 65, only 26 had scores bad enough to be at the most serious risk of losing 1 percent of their Medicare payments from October through September 2015.
about uninsured minority males can help inform targeted interventions and outreach efforts to improve enrollment opportunities for minority men in health insurance coverage, including the open enrollment periods for the Health Insurance Marketplace.
sociation. Court said Wednesday that the WHA is advising hospitals to be aware of the preliminary report but not overreact to its findings, given that it's preliminary. "There is a way for those numbers to go down," said Kim Sveum, spokeswoman for St. Mary's Janesville Hospital, one of the 26 with scores making it more likely they will be penalized. "The final report will contain two years' worth of data and is what will be used as the basis for penalties. We're confident once the expanded data set is used, our score will improve." For smaller hospitals such as St. Mary's Janesville, just one infection can have a large impact on the score, Sveum told the Janesville Gazette in a story (http://tiny.cc/u1k0hx ) published Wednesday. Information from: The Janesville Gazette, http://www.gazetteextra.com
Written by Wisconsin Gazette Thursday, 26 June 2014 20:15 Parkwood Lodge Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin will close its family planning health center in Fond du Lac on Sept. 25. The closing is the fifth resulting from the elimination of funding support by Gov. Scott Walker and the Republican-led Legislature. The closure will result in the loss of health care services for about 1,104 patients who relied on the clinic for lifesaving cancer screenings, breast exams, birth control, annual exams, pregnancy tests, STD testing and treatment, HIV screening and referrals.
Planned Parenthood will maintain health care services in 22 health centers across the state. Patients impacted by the new closure will be referred to Planned Parenthood health centers in Oshkosh and West Bend. “Continued patient care is our top priority,” said Teri Huyck, president and CEO of PPWI. “Health center staff are working with the affected patients to identify health care alternatives to minimize the impact of the closures.”
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At 116, Black South Arkansas woman named oldest American LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A south Arkansas woman celebrated her 116th birthday Friday with cake, a party and a new title — she’s now officially the oldest confirmed living American and second-oldest person in the world, the Gerontology Research Group said.
4. Susannah Mushatt Jones, who turns 115 on Sunday, United States 5. Bernice Madigan, 114, United States 6. Emma Morano-Martinuzzi, 114, Italy
Gertrude Weaver spent her birthday at home at Silver Oaks Health and Rehabilitation in Camden, about 100 miles southwest of Little Rock. This year’s festivities included the new award from the Gerontology Research Group, which analyzed U.S. Census records to determine that Weaver is the oldest living American, rather than 115-year-old Jeralean Talley, who was born in 1899.
7. Antonia Gerena Rivera, 114, United States 8. Ethel Lang, 114, England 9. Nabi Tajima, 113, Japan 10. Blanche Cobb, 113, United States --By Jill Bleed, AP newpittsburghcourieronline.com
The research group, which consults with the Guinness Book of World Records, found that the 1900 Census listed Weaver as 2 years old — putting her birthday in 1898, said Robert Young, the research group’s database administrator and senior consultant for Guinness. That makes Weaver the second-oldest person in the world behind 116-year-old Misao Okawa of Japan and the 11th oldest person of all time, he said. “Normally, 116 would be old enough to be the world’s oldest person,” Young said. “There’s kind of heavy competition at the moment.” Weaver was born in southwest Arkansas near the border with Texas, and was married in 1915. She and her husband had four children, all of whom have died except for a 93-yearold son. Along with Census records, the Gerontology Research Group used Weaver’s 1915 marriage certificate, which listed her age as 17, to confirm her birth year, Young said. Although no birth record exists for Weaver, she celebrates her birthday each year on July 4 and did the same this year. At her 115th birthday party last year, Weaver was “waving and just eating it all up,” said Vicki Vaughan, the marketing and admissions director at Silver Oaks. “Most people want to know, ‘Well, can she talk?’” Vaughan said. “Her health is starting to decline a little bit this year — I can tell a
Gertrude Weaver, right, talks with her son Joe Weaver, Thursday, July 3, 2014 at Silver Oaks Health and Rehabilitation Center in Camden, Ark., a day before her 116th birthday. The Gerontology Research Group says Weaver is the oldest person in the United States and second-oldest person in the world. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston) difference from last year, but she still is up and gets out of the room and comes to all of her meals, comes to activities. She’ll laugh and smile and clap.”
List of world’s oldest people with confirmed ages
Weaver first stayed at the Camden nursing home at the age of 104 after she suffered a broken hip, Vaughan said. But Weaver recovered after rehabilitation and moved back home with her granddaughter, before returning to the nursing home at the age of 109.
The Gerontology Research Group has confirmed the ages of more than 70 living supercentenarians — or those who are 110 and older. Nearly all are women, and most are located in North America, Europe and Japan, where proof-of-age records are more readily available.
Weaver cited three factors for her longevity: “Trusting in the Lord, hard work and loving everybody.”
Here are the 10 oldest people in the world whose ages have been validated by the group:
“You have to follow God. Don’t follow anyone else,” she told the Camden News this week. “Be obedient and follow the laws and don’t worry about anything. I’ve followed him for many, many years and I ain’t tired.”
1. Misao Okawa, 116, Japan 2. Gertrude Weaver, 116, United States 3. Jeralean Talley, 115, United States
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men’s health
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Men's Health Month Goes Out with a Bang MD, MPH, assistant professor of medicine at George Washington University. "As a physician, I am reminded to ensure that my male patients are informed of their health and seeking their best mental and physical well-being, which means they are empowered to take ownership of their own health, lead active lifestyles, and have meaningful positive relationships with those around them."
s June comes to a close, Men's Health Network (MHN) reflects back on Men's Health Month (MHM) and the 20th anniversary of the Congressional passage of National Men's Health Week (NMHW). Highlights of the month included a special White House briefing recognizing the importance of men's health, the launch of the Men's Health Online Resource Center, and a formal meeting of the Dialogue on Men's Health. On June 25, the "Men's Health Month and My Brother's Keeper" briefing was held to a packed auditorium at the White House. The briefing addressed such critical men's health issues as cardiovascular disease and mental health, and was streamed live on the White House website. Featured speakers included Broderick Johnson, Assistant to the President, White House Cabinet Secretary and Dr. George Askew, Chief Medical Officer, Administration for Children & Families, HHS. "We were very excited to see the White House plan and host a briefing on the importance of men's health during Men's Health Month," said Brandon Leonard, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Men's Health Network. "We are encouraged to find agencies and the executive branch en-
Additionally, MHN launched the Men's Health Resource Center which is designed to be the go-to location for those looking for practical, accessible information on men's health. The website features information about male health including resources on cancers, cardiovascular disease, parenting, and sexual and mental health concerns among many others.
Highlights from Men's Health Month, celebrated each June. gaged in the health and wellbeing of men and boys." "Men's health is a very quiet epidemic in the United States that has not been recognized as well as in other countries," said Dr Ramon Antonio Perez, FACS, DAB, a Men's Health Network's board of advisors member. "This epidemic does not only affect men, it affects the whole family." This important awareness period was built around the four pillars of Awareness-
Prevention-Education-Family, and has encouraged the development of thousands of health awareness activities throughout the month of June, both in the USA and around the globe. Corporations, hospital systems, clinics, the faith-based community, the public sector, and others use the month of June to highlight their services and reach out to men and their families. "Men's Health Month is an opportunity to celebrate all the men and boys that are important in our lives," said David K. Popiel
"It always helps to do research when you suspect you have a health issue," said Dr. Salvatore Giorgianni, science advisor to MHN. "The Resource Center contains scientifically accurate material and will function as a trusted friend, providing relevant information to help men, as well as their families and partners, learn about prevention and make informed decisions about their health care needs." At the close of the month, the Dialogue on Men's Health, featuring key thought leaders within the health community, met to (continued on page 10)
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women & children Blood test for breast cancer comes step closer
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simple blood test which could help predict a woman’s chance of developing breast cancer is in development, after new research uncovered a genetic “early marker” of risk, scientists have said. The genetic signature, which can be picked up by a blood test, was encountered in stored blood samples of women who went on to develop breast cancer. Experts said that the findings were “promising”, and could mean that one day women would be able to know early on if they are at a higher risk of breast cancer, allowing them make lifestyle changes, sign up for more regular screening, take drugs to cut their risk, or consider preventative surgery. The discovery was made by researchers at University College London. Initially, a genetic signature was discovered in the blood of women who had an inherited predisposition for breast cancer, because of mutations to the BRCA1 gene. These inherited mutations are the cause of around 10 per cent of breast cancers. However, scientists were then “surprised” to discover that the same genetic marker was present in the blood of women who did not have the mutation, but did go on to develop breast cancer. Professor Martin Widschwendter, head of UCL’s Department of Women’s Cancer, said that the gene signature was able “predict breast cancer risk several years before diagnosis”. “The data is encouraging since it shows the potential of a blood-based epigenetic test to identify breast cancer risk in women without known predisposing genetic mutations,” he said. The blood samples analysed in the new study, which is published in the journal Genome Medicnie today, were collected several years before the development of breast cancer, and taken from two large cohorts of women. It is still unclear whether the genetic marker, produced by a process of change to the gene
called methylation, is just an indicator of breast cancer risk, or is actually involved with the progression of the cancer itself. Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in the UK, with new cases in around 48,000 women every year. It kills more than 11,000 women annually. Prevention is seen
as crucial, and any future blood test could be a hugely useful tool to identify women most at risk. Dr Matthew Lam, senior research officer at the leading charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer, which has launched its own major research project into the causes of breast cancer, said the discovery of a new genetic signature could allow for more accurate assessment of breast cancer risk. “These results are definitely promising and we’re excited to learn how further research could build on these findings,” he said. “This could mean that in the future a woman may be able to have a simple blood test to look for this DNA signature, and therefore know if she is at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. If she does have this signature, she could then work with her doctor to explore the options available to help her take control of her own risk. These could include lifestyle changes, tailored breast screening, risk-reducing drugs or surgery.” However, Dr Kat Arney, science communication manager at Cancer Research UK, cautioned that while the findings were “intriguing”, more research would be needed to understand how the gene changes affected breast cancer risk, before the findings could be turned into a new screening test.
--independent.co.uk
Easy tips to help women to focus on their own health
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s the caretaker of the family, sometimes Mom is so busy watching over her spouse and children, she forgets to take care of herself. This is the perfect time of year for women to focus on their own health, especially as schedules slow down for the summer months. Taking a moment to pause and think about ways to improve her overall health is the best way to make certain a woman has the strength and energy to also care for her family, says Kim Raver, mother and actress on FOX's hit show, "24." Plus, concentrating on health can help women achieve a beautiful look, looking her best at all times of the year. Raver has the following three tips to help women improve their overall health: 1. Schedule those doctor appointments. During the busy school year, it's easy to forget about visiting the dermatologist, general practitioner, gynecologist, dentist and eye doctor. Even if you don't have a medical concern, scheduling a general checkup
might discover a health issue that doesn't have any symptoms. 2. Keep your skin looking healthy with sunscreen. The sun's rays can cause early signs of aging and even melanoma. Give your skin the protection it needs while still enjoying the outdoors by using a sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 15. Be sure to apply the sunscreen frequently if you're planning to be outside for an extended period of time. And if you want to look tanned, consider using a tanning lotion or
(continued on page 12)
Page 10 / JUNE-JULY 2014 / HealthyStart
CDC Encourages African-American Women to ‘Take Charge And Test’
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n honor of National HIV Testing Day (NHTD), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released an expanded suite of materials for Take Charge. Take the Test ™. This national HIV testing campaign is for African-American women between the ages of 18-34 to encourage them to get tested for HIV and reduce their risk of HIV infection.
Share pictures on Instagram. Tag pictures from HIV testing and related community events with the campaign hashtag, ™ #TakeChargeAndTest Spread awareness on Pinterest. Repin Take Charge. Take the Test. ™ images to your boards. Search Pinterest for #TakeChargeAndTest.
Despite an encouraging decrease in new HIV infections among black women (21% between 2008 and 2010), if the current trend continues, 1 in 32 black women will be infected with HIV in their lifetimes. The new campaign materials highlight family, love and relationships as reasons to get tested, and present empowered black women who are proactive managers of their sexual health. National HIV Testing Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about how African-American women can protect themselves and their partners from HIV by getting tested, using condoms, and checking with their health care provider about medicines that prevent and treat HIV. Getting tested for HIV is easier than ever. You can ask your doctor for a test, or you can check the HIV Testing Site & Care Services Locator, call 1-800-CDC-INFO, or text your ZIP code to “KNOW IT” (566948) for a nearby testing site. Health insurance usually covers the test, and some sites offer free testing, or you can also use one of the FDAapproved home testing kits. CDC has a multi-channel approach to distribute campaign messages that relies on
our partnerships, mobilization of communities, and myriad digital and social media tactics. Some items, such as Web banners, may be downloaded from the campaign Web site. We hope you will support the campaign and help us extend the reach of these important campaign messages. Here’s what you can do: Share this blog with your network. Download and distribute campaign materials. Show your support for the campaign by downloading digital banner ads from our campaign Web site to add to your organization’s Web site and social media channels. Request printed posters, cards and brochures from CDC to distribute at community events and to provide to local venues in your city by sending an e-mail request to ActAgainstAIDS@cdc.gov.
Incorporate Take Charge. Take the Test. ™ materials into community events and educational presentations. Help us underscore the importance of getting tested for HIV, seeking treatment if needed, and the adoption of healthier behaviors that can reduce HIV risk. Support the campaign on Social Media Channels. Help us promote the campaign on Facebook. Like the Act Against AIDS Facebook page to stay abreast of the latest Act Against AIDS news, and share and/or respond to our posts Example Facebook post: CDC expands Take Charge. Take the Test., an HIV testing campaign for black women! #TakeChargeAndTest Join the conversation on Twitter. Follow our @TalkHIV account. Use the campaign hashtag #TakeChargeAndTest for related conversations Example tweet: CDC encourages black women to #TakeChargeAndTest.
National Toothbrush Day:
Tips for a healthy smile By News 2 Staff
3. It may be tempting for teething tots, but don’t let young children chew on the toothbrush head. It drastically shortens the life of the bristles.
To learn more about Take Charge. Take the Test. ™, please visit the campaign’s Web site. Check out CDC’s other testing campaigns on the Act Against AIDS Web site. For inquiries about Take Charge. Take the Test. ™, email ActAgainstAIDS@cdc.gov. - See more at: http://blog.aids.gov/2014/06/cdc-encourages-african-american-women-totakechargeandtest-for-nhtd.html#sthash.bf vOcWYO.dpuf
Men's Health Month Goes Out with a Bang (continued from page 8)
- MHN's #ShowUsYourBlue campaign resulted in hundreds of people participating by posting photos on social media or showing their support through a digital Blue Ribbon. (http://twibbon.com/support/mens-health-awareness)
National Toothbrush Day is June 26 and serves as a reminder of how important a little brush is to a person’s health. Here are five important tips for using your toothbrush and maintaining good brushing habits:
2. Select soft bristles over hard ones unless otherwise instructed by your dentist. Soft bristles are more pliable and can get between teeth easier. Hard bristles can make brushing painful and may also wear away gums and tooth enamel.
Knowledge is power in the fight against HIV. Help us share the knowledge in all communities; together, we can end this epidemic.
downloaded by hospital systems and shared with thousands of health care professionals. (http://www.menshealthnetwork.org/library/mens-healthprogress-1994-2014.pdf)
Did you know that tooth decay is the most common childhood disease? Cavities are almost 100 percent preventable when children have access to prevention, education and treatment services, yet one-third of children ages 6 to 8 have untreated cavities in a permanent tooth.
1. If you were still wearing a heavy coat the last time you replaced your toothbrush, you’re definitely overdue for a new one. Toothbrushes need to be replaced when they get frayed and worn, which is typically every three months. Vigorous brushers will probably need to replace their toothbrush more frequently.
Create a short PSA! Create a 6-second PSA on Vine, or a 15-second PSA on Instagram to promote HIV testing among black women! Videos can be taped and uploaded directly from your phone. Tag videos with #TakeChargeAndTest
4. To maximize the effectiveness of brushing, pick up your toothbrush right after a meal. It helps remove the food debris that bacteria feed on. Use a small dot of fluoridated toothpaste and you’re giving your teeth a dose of fluoride right when they need it most. 5. Bedtime brushing equals better sleep. Repeating a relaxing bedtime routine (including brushing your teeth, of course) eventually gets your body programmed to start winding down for sleep. Always rinse off your toothbrush after you've used it and let it dry before using it again. And, don't share your toothbrush with others; you don't want to exchange mouth bacteria. Remember, a regular check up with
your dentist is as important as an annual physical. If you are afraid of the dentist and only make an appointment when you are in pain, think of this – regular preventive care is not painful and it will help prevent painful visits in the future. Good oral health is very important to your overall good health. About DentaQuest? DentaQuest is a leading U.S. oral health enterprise, providing cost-effective dental benefit management for groups, individuals, Medicaid, CHIP, Medicare Advantage, and healthcare marketplaces. Through our emphasis on prevention, DentaQuest is creating an environment of better oral health for more than 21 million members across the United States. DentaQuest is a part-
- The Men's Health Month Twitter chat focused on the importance of taking control of your health and prevention and drew over 7 million impressions from 1200 tweets over the hour. - MHN executed a successful coast-to-coast Get Old Radio Media Tour with Dr. Jack Watters and Dr. David Gremillion. The interviews leveraged Men's Health Month and highlighted key improvements in men's health and closing the gap with women's longevity, as well as resources to age well and live life to the fullest. - Key thought leaders in public health such as Bill Corr (Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services), Dr. George Askew (Chief Medical Officer, Administration for Children and Families at HHS), Dr. Howard K. Koh, (Assistant Secretary for Health, HHS),
and Dr. Kara Odom Walker (Deputy Chief Science Officer in the Office of the Chief Science Officer at the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, contributed articles to the popular Talking About Men's Health blog. - Proclamations from governors and mayors were issued establishing Men's Health Week in their jurisdictions. These can be found at: http://www.menshealthmonth.org/week/proclamation.html About Men's Health Network Men's Health Network (MHN) is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to reach men, boys, and their families where they live, work, play, and pray with health prevention messages and tools, screening programs, educational materials, advocacy opportunities, and patient navigation. MHN is the promoter of Men's Health Month and Men's Health Week in June. Men can learn more about their health through MHN's new online resource center, www.menshealthresourcecenter.com. Learn more about MHN at www.menshealthnetwork.org and follow us on Twitter @MensHlthNetwork and Facebook at www.facebook.com/menshealthnetwork.
JUNE-JULY 2014 / HealthyStart / Page 11
United for a Purpose:
Local Milwaukee HIV Organizations
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n observance of the 2014 National HIV Testing Day on Friday, June 27th, Milwaukee Health Services Inc. (MHSI) Early Intervention Program (EIP) is hosting a collaborative HIV testing event with the Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin, UMOS and Diverse and Resilient from 10AM to 4PM at Martin Luther King Heritage Health Center located at 2555 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
■ Join Forces on June 27th for National HIV Testing Day ■ Free HIV Testing – Take the Test, Take Control
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the City of Milwaukee accounted for 44% of Wisconsin’s HIV diagnoses in 2013 but only 10% of Wisconsin’s population. That same report showed that at the end of 2013, the following seven zip codes accounted for more than 50% of prevalent HIV cases: 53204, 53208, 53215, 53212, 53209, 53206 and 53202 but 32% of the City’s population. It is estimated that another 600 Milwaukee residents are not aware of their HIV infection.[2] “The primary objective of the event is to provide access to health care services, community resources, and education that will empower and enrich the lives of the community we serve. This will in turn impact the awareness of
drugstores in June Walgreen Co. and Rite Aid Corp. said pharmacy revenue from their established stores climbed more than 11 percent at Walgreen and 5 percent at Rite Aid last month. By The Associated Press • Published: July 6, 2014 Advertisement
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages everyone to know their status. Of the more than 1.1 million people living with HIV in the U.S., an estimated one in six do not know that they are infected and only one and four has their virus under control with treatment.[1]
Pharmacy sales boost major
A jump in pharmacy revenue fueled June sales
HIV,” says Ericka M. Sinclair, Program Director of the Early Intervention Program at Milwaukee Health Services, Inc. Everyone is welcome to attend. Patients will have access to a range of services that would include HIV and STI testing, health education and insurance benefit assistance. There will be snacks, door prizes and incentives for those who attend.
The mission of MHSI is to provide accessible, quality, primary and related health care services to Milwaukee residents, with the continuing emphasis on medically-underserved families and individuals. MHSI operates the Martin Luther King, Jr. Heritage Health Center at 2555 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Drive and Isaac Coggs Heritage Health Center at 8200 W. Silver Spring Drive.
To learn more about the 2014 National HIV Testing Day Event or how to get involved contact Ms. Ericka Sinclair at 414-267-4352 or Email: esinclair@mhsi.org.
[1] CDC. HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report, Vol. 18, No. 5; October 2013. Data are estimates and do not include U.S. dependent area.
The Early Intervention Program at Milwaukee Health Services, Inc. is funded by Health Resources Services Administration’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.
[1] Wisconsin Department of Health Services HIV/AIDS Surveillance Annual Review, 2013: Addendum City of Milwaukee, April 2014.
stores rose 7.5 percent in June, while Rite Aid’s climbed about 4 percent. Slower growth from the retail area outside the pharmacy tempered the
growth for two of the nation’s largest drugstore chains, and they may start adding gains from the health care overhaul later this year. Walgreen Co. and Rite Aid Corp. said Thursday pharmacy revenue from their established stores climbed more than 11 percent at Walgreen and 5 percent at Rite Aid last month. Walgreen runs the nation’s largest drugstore chain with 8,215 stores. Rite Aid ranks third with 4,754. The company in the middle, CVS Caremark Corp., doesn’t report monthly results.
pharmacy gains. Last month included one extra Monday and one less Saturday than June 2013, and Walgreen cited that as a factor behind its growth.
Overall, Walgreen’s revenue from established
African Americans’ predisposition to diabetes (continued on page 3) (continued on page 12)
Melanin, the naturally produced chemical most responsible for pigmentation in human skin, hair and eyes is responsible for providing protection against the absorption of harmful UVA and UVB rays. The academic journal “J Pharmacol Pharmacother,” article “Vitamin D: The ‘Sunshine’ Vitamin,” by Rathish Nair and Arun Maseeh, professes that melanin in addition to blocking the rays damaging effects also prevents the absorption of sunlight, from which the skin produces Vitamin D which is largely responsible for the production of insulin. Dr. Gyongyver Soos of the Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary, has detailed that the phenomenon accounts for diabetes diagnosis being more popular in the winter than in the summer.
One can conclude that African Americans require a higher amount than lighter skinned ethnicities of Vitamin D supplementation to counteract the Vitamin D production inhibiting effects of high melanin content. This would in part allow for the better functioning of insulin producing glands, and thereby decrease the likelihood of developing diabetes. Jeremy Bamidele is a former faculty member at Rancho Santiago Community College in California and currently lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he is completing Graduate School at the University of Pennsylvania. He has been published in the New Pittsburgh Courier, Exodus News, and ThyBlackMan.com. He can be reached at
Page 12 / JUNE-JULY 2014 / HealthyStart
There May Be Such a Thing as Too Much Exercise
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s there a limit to the benefits of exercise? Two studies suggest that, for certain people, keeping to a moderate physical activity regimen may be best for heart health.
hours a week when they were younger were 19 percent more likely to have developed a heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation by age 60 than those who exercised for less than an hour a week.
By Health Editor One study found that a schedule of intense workouts actually boosted the risk of death from heart attack or stroke in older people with pre-existing heart disease, while the other found that young men who did a lot of endurance exercise were at higher risk for heart rhythm problems later in life.
That risk increased to 49 percent among those who did more than five hours of exercise at age 30 but did less than an hour a week by the time they were 60. Participants who cycled or walked briskly for an hour or more a day at age 60 were 13 percent less likely to develop atrial fibrillation.
However, one expert unconnected to the studies stressed that, on the whole, exercise is good medicine.
The studies were published online May 14 in the journal Heart.
“Folks with heart disease should continue to engage in some form of daily physical activity,” urged Barbara George, director of The Center for Cardiovascular Lifestyle Medicine at Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y. But she said moderation is key. “You shouldn’t feel you have to become a marathon runner to reap the benefits,” George said. The first study was led by Dr. Ute Mons of the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg, Germany, and included more than 1,000 people. Most of the participants were in their 60s, had stable heart disease and were tracked for 10 years. About 40 percent exercised two to four times a week, 30 percent worked out more often, and 30 percent exercised less often. Compared to those who got regular exercise, the most inactive people were about twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke, and were about four times more likely to die of heart disease and all causes, the researchers said. However, Mons’ team also found that those who did the most strenuous daily exercise
Another expert said the findings shouldn’t alter standard recommendations.
were more than twice as likely to die of a heart attack compared to those who exercised more moderately. The second study was led by Dr. Nikola Drca of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, and included more than 44,000 Swedish men, aged 45 to 79. All of the men were asked about their physical activity levels at ages 15, 30, 50 and during the previous year. Their heart health was then tracked for an average of 12 years. Those who had done intensive exercise for more than five
Easy tips to help women to focus on their own health (continued from page 9) spray instead. Raver recommends keeping the sunscreen in your makeup bag or drawer as a reminder to apply it every morning before applying makeup. 3. Use products that address health and beauty. Smiling has been found to help lower the heart rate and can reduce the body's reaction in stressful situations, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of
Kansas. A healthy mouth is an important part of a healthy body. Adding these three simple steps to your routine this summer won't be a big disruption to your already busy mom schedule. Plus, they can help you improve your healthy lifestyle so you can handle the stress and hectic happenings of the upcoming school year with a smile on your face. Courtesy of Brand Point.
Affordable Care Act helps 76 million Americans (continued from page 3) pression screening; and tobacco-use screening; well-woman visits, screening for gestational diabetes, domestic violence screening and counseling, and FDA-approved contraception with no cost sharing.
428.1 million are men receiving expanded preventive services coverage for recommended immunizations such as flu shots, colorectal cancer screening for adults over 50, healthy diet counseling for those at higher risk for chronic disease, obesity screening and counseling, cholesterol and blood pressure screening, screening for HIV, depression screening, and tobacco-use screening. To read today’s report visit: http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/re-
“It is not standard practice to recommend strenuous activity to individuals with coronary heart disease,” said Dr. Nieca Goldberg, director of the Tisch Center for Women’s Health at NYU Langone Medical Center, New York City. “This study, although interesting, does not change current recommendations for moderate physical activity in coronary patients.” For her part, George said it’s clear that a
moderate exercise program can provide real benefit for everyone. “A large body of scientific research has consistently shown that a sedentary lifestyle is one of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease, and that becoming more physically active can decrease your risk by as much as 50 percent,” she said. Current American Heart Association guidelines advise 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise most days a week or 20 minutes of vigorous activity three days a week, George added. And in a journal editorial, a team led by Dr. Lluis Mont of the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Spain, agreed with the two U.S. experts. “The benefits of exercise are definitely not to be questioned; on the contrary, they should be reinforced,” the team wrote. But studies like the two published in Heart are fine-tuning recommendations for exercise, to “maximize benefits obtained by regular exercise while preventing undesirable effects — just like all other drugs and therapies,” the editorialists said. More information The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute offers a guide to physical activity. --HealthDay News