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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Wednesday, November 7, 2012
MEDICAL INSIGHT
Report sheds doubt about common flu vaccine wisdom By RONI CARYN RABIN The New York Times
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www.smilefairbanks.com
Richard C. Brown, Jr., M.D. Boys and Girls Home of Alaska, Inc. 3101 Lathrop Street Fairbanks, AK 99701 (907) 459-4700 www.boysandgirlshomeofalaska.com
Hints for a Happier Holiday Season Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Happy Hanukkah! Joyous Kwanzaa! Angliq Alussistuaq! No matter what the greeting, this is the time of year that most cultures choose to celebrate religious beliefs, close friendships and family traditions. Unfortunately, the Holiday Season can be one of joyous times, or one of the most stressful times of the year. It can be a period of considerable emotional upheaval. Here are a few tips that just might be helpful as you enter this Holiday Season. 1. Plan ahead. Whether the plans be travel, large family gatherings, or maintaining long-held family traditions, your best ally is to plan “ahead of time.” Decide early what are your intentions and the steps you need to get it done. There is nothing more frustrating than “rushing” to find that last minute food product; “not finding” that special gift item; or “having your family members’ seating” scattered throughout an airplane.” 2. Make “decorating” a family project. When creating your personal Holiday Wonderland, inclusion of the whole household creates a special hominess that all the members enjoy. Creating “new ideas” or re-establishing “decorating traditions” will provide “years of memories” for each member of the household. 3. Establish and hold to financial limits. Gift giving and holiday party planning is always something everyone looks forward to. Gifts are tokens of “Love and Acknowledgment” and parties are ways of sharing your joy. The pressure of “cost” and “presentation” can often place strain on one’s finances; say nothing of the “emotional toll” on your self-esteem. 4. Look for the “celebration.” Celebrate “family traditions” and “triumphs” which have made the past year special. Many times when families or groups get together, the focus can turn to “loss and/or upsets.” See the holidays as a time of appreciation rather than regret. Look forward NOT backward. 5. Share with Others. Nothing can be more rewarding than knowing that you have “made someone else’s life” brighter. Financial donations, volunteering at the local shelter, baking “holiday treats” for friends and colleagues, or just shoveling that elderly neighbor’s walk can uplift your holiday spirit. Whatever your holiday plans should be, give yourself time for rest and recuperation. This is an emotion filled time of the year. If you find yourself having difficulties, there are various ways you may receive help; from local religious leaders to professional counselors or physicians. Make this your best holiday yet!
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Our thanks to Dr. Richard Brown for contributing this column. The article is intended to be strictly informational.
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rorism and public health prea “a pro-vaccine guy,” Osterparedness adviser to Tommy holm said. Thompson, the former health “I say, ‘Use this vaccine,’” It’s flu-shot season, and and human services secrehe said. “The safety profile is public health officials are tary, he served on the interim actually quite good. But we urging everyone older than management team during a have oversold it. Use it — but 6 months of age to get one. transition period at the CDC just know it’s not going to Many businesses provide onin 2002. work nearly as well as everysite flu shots, and some hospi“I’m an insider,” Osterholm one says.” tals have told staff members said. “Until we started this While researching the that they have to wear masks project, I was one of the peoreport released last month, if they do not get the vaccine. ple out there heavily promotOsterholm said, the authors By 2020, U.S. health leaders ing influenza vaccine use. It discovered a recurring error in want 80 percent of the popula- was only with this study that I influenza vaccine studies that tion to get yearly shots. looked and said, ‘What are we led to an exaggeration of the For vaccine manufacturers, doing?’” it’s a bonanza: Influenza shots He still considers himself Please see FLU, Page 30 — given every year, unlike many other vaccines — are a multibillion-dollar global business. But how good are they? Last month, in a step tantamount to heresy in the public health world, scientists at the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota released a report saying that influenza vaccinations provide only modest protection for healthy young and middle-age adults, and little if any protection for those 65 and older, who are most likely to succumb to the illness or its James R Miears D.D.S., P.C. complications. Moreover, the report’s authors concluded, federal vaccination recommendations, which have expanded Ronald M Teel D.D.S., P.C. in recent years, are based on inadequate evidence and poorly executed studies. 1919 Lathrop St. STE: 211 “We have overpromoted Fairbanks, Alaska 99701 and overhyped this vaccine,” said Michael T. Osterholm, Excellence in Dentistry. director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, as well as its Center of Excellence for Influenza Phone: (907) 452-1866 Research and Surveillance. “It does not protect as promoted. Fax: (907) 456-1267 It’s all a sales job: It’s all public relations.” Osterholm, who says he Good Oral Health is a key is concerned that confidence contributor to great overall health. in current vaccines deters research into identifying more effective agents, comes from Schedule your comprehensive dental the world of public health and the Centers for Disease Conexam today! trol and Prevention. A bioter-
Submitted by Contributing Community Author