Healthy Start March-April 2015 by Milwaukee Community Journal

African American now the Oldest Person in the World

MARCH-APRIL 2015

Vol. XVIV

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4 Uncommon

and Fabulous

Whole Grains

Blacks More Likely to Die From COLON CANCER than Whites. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Why... CERVICAL CANCER

10 Healthy Diet Tips to Prevent Disease BloodCenter of Wisconsin

Encourages Organ Donation During Donate Life Month

HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY IS BOOMING BUT

DIVERSITY LAGS, NEW NAACP REPORT FINDS

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healthbriefs Cervical Cancer Prevention:

10 Healthy Diet Tips to Prevent Disease

he incidence of cervical cancer is increasing every year and it is estimated that 12,900 women in the United States would be diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2015, according to a study. Sexually transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV) is the most common cause of cervical cancer in women, reports Web MD.

4. Add IC3 rich foods . A compound called indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is capable of fighting cancer and is rich in cruciferous vegetables. Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale and Brussels sprouts are packed with IC3.

Though the cervical cancer is a debilitating and life threatening disease, preventive measure for the same is right at home. Here are the 10 healthy diet tips for cervical cancer prevention.

5. Add food with ellagic acid.

1. Add food rich in flavonoids. Flavonoids are known for their ability to provide protection to the body against cancer. Foods rich in flavonoids are apples, black beans, garlic, brussels, sprouts, onions, spinach, cranberries, broccoli, lima beans, cabbage, asparagus, soy and lettuce, according to Everyday Health. 2. Add food rich in folate. Folate helps in reducing cancer risk by fighting HPV in the body. Foods that are rich in folate are strawberries, avocados, lentils, chickpeas, orange juice, fortified

cereals and breads and Romaine lettuce. 3. Add food with low Glycemic Index (GI). Foods which don't contribute to the rise of blood sugar level in the body are called GI foods, notes HealWithFood.org. Food with high GI index increase the risk of tumor by stimulating the hormone like insulin and insulin-like growth factor. Legumes, non-starchy vegetables and fruits like berries have low glycemic index.

Food rich in ellagic acid activate detoxifying enzymes in the body and effectively eliminate cervical cancer. Red fruits and berries like raspberries and nuts, such as walnuts and pecans are good sources of ellagic acids. 6. Avoid excessive protein in your diet. When diet rich in protein is taken, the pancreatic enzymes are kept busy digesting them and are therefore given less time to fight cervical cancer. Pulses are rich sources of proteins and so it is good to avoid consuming them in excess.

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Giving Your Family a Healthy Head Start ealtime might just be the most challenging part of being a mom. Healthy kids require healthy foods. But how do you choose nutritious foods – and how do you get your kids to eat them?

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Editorial Telephone (414) 265-6647Email: editorial@communityjournal.net Mike Mullis Webmaster Media Center Bright Boateng Producer and Designer

rivation.

“Sleep deprivation has been linked to chronic diseases, such as cancer, hypertension and diabetes,” said Dr. Michael Gerardi, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians. “You may think it’s minor now, but you could be doing serious damage to your body by not resting it properly.” About 70 million people in the United States suffer from chronic sleep problems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Here are some statistics about how much sleep we need versus how much sleep we get. School-age children need at least 10 hours of sleep daily, according to the National Institutes of Health. Teenagers should be getting about 9-10 hours each night. On average, only 30 percent of high school students get at least 8 hours on an average school night. Adults need at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Nearly 30 percent of adults get an average only 6 hours of sleep per day. Sleep deprivation can be potentially dangerous for other people, especially if you’re driving a vehicle. The National Sleep Foundation reports that about 60 percent of adult drivers say that they’ve driven at some point in the past year while feeling drowsy — some have even nodded off while driving the car. Approximately 11 million drivers have almost had or did have an accident because they either fell asleep at the wheel or were too tired to drive. Oftentimes emergency physicians treat many of these accident victims who were lucky enough to survive.

Go to bed at the same time each night and wake at the same time each morning. Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed. Avoid large meals before bed. Avoid nicotine.

Mikel Holt, Editor Editor, Coordinator and Marketing Sales

Advertising Email: advertising@communityjournal.net

our lack of sleep not only is affecting your health, but also the health and safety of those around you. Daylight savings time doesn’t make it easier, so the nation’s emergency physicians are warning about the dangers of sleep dep-

Sleep hygiene is just as important as getting daily exercise or eating a proper diet. Experts advise people to set a routine and live by it.

Patricia O'Flynn Pattillo Publisher

Sales and Advertising Collen Newsomm Jimmy Johnson

Doctor's Orders

Additionally, if you share a home or a bedroom with a partner, your lack of sleep could also be affecting his or her sleep pattern.

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Go To Bed!

Lashell decided her daughter would start getting the right nutrition even before she was born. She’d heard that the Wisconsin WIC Program would be there for her before, during and after her pregnancy – to teach her how to make mealtimes healthier, and to provide help to buy nutritious foods. “I started with WIC when I was pregnant,” Lashell says. “They give you one-on-one coaching. I learned more and more. It was really helpful to me, especially when I was breastfeeding. I wanted to know what I’m supposed to eat and drink, and what I was not supposed to. Like, I didn’t know that when I was pregnant I shouldn’t eat things like hot dogs, fast food, or canned food because of the preservatives. They’re experts at knowing the right foods.” Baby Londyn is ten months old now, and WIC has been there for Lashell every nutritional step of the way. The monthly food vouchers, she says, help create a healthy family menu. “You get vouchers for things like bread, peanut butter, milk,

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Make sure your bed is comfortable. If you are waking regularly during the night, you might need to have a sleep study done or you may need to do something to make yourself more comfortable in bed. ACEP is the national medical specialty society representing emergency medicine. ACEP is committed to advancing emergency care through continuing education, research and public education. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ACEP has 53 chapters representing each state, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. A Government Services Chapter represents emergency physicians employed by military branches and other government agencies.

HealthyStart / MARCH - APRIL 2015 / Page 5

The Growing Burden of Diabetes

Pro-Inflammatory Diet Linked to Colorectal Cancer, Poor Metabolic Health First Science-Based Dietary Index of Inflammation Predicts: How Your Diet Links to Inflammation-Related Health Risks

cause chronic inflammation is linked to increased risk for many cancers and other disorders, scientists have developed a tool to evaluate an individual's diet for its potential to increase or decrease inflammation. In new research presented today at the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) Annual Research Conference, researchers presented results showing that diets high in fiber, spices, healthy fats and carotenoids all contribute to an anti-inflammatory effect that links to reduced risk of colorectal cancer.

on the inflammatory potential of the diet and what is known about how systemic inflammation plays a role in colorectal cancers," says Steck.

In addition to many cancers, chronic inflammation appears to play a key role in the development of metabolic syndrome and its related diseases. Today's research builds on an inflammatory index of food and food components developed by University of South Carolina (USC) researchers. "We know inflammation is important in carcinogenesis because experimental data support this mechanism and the use of anti-inflammatory drugs is protective," says Susan E. Steck, PhD, MPH, RD, University of South Carolina Associate Professor and coauthor of the new studies. "Now we're starting to see that diet influences inflammation and that the inflammatory potential of the diet is associated with colorectal cancer." The dietary inflammatory index includes 45 foods, nutrients and phytochemicals. It was first developed five years ago using a global literature review of studies investigating the role of foods on one or more of six inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP). At that time, the index based its inflammatory ranking on almost 1,000 studies. Last year researchers updated and strength-

Another study published last month by the USC team found that a group of police officers eating the most pro-inflammatory diet were more likely to have risk factors associated with risk of heart disease and poor metabolic health compared to those consuming an antiinflammatory diet. ened the inflammatory index by including 1,943 studies published through December 2010. Saturated fat and trans fat rank among the top nutrients on the pro-inflammatory list; fiber, carotenoids, turmeric, ginger and flavonoids at the bottom. The recent study scored the inflammatory potential of 34,703 women's diets who were part of the Iowa Women's Health Study. Women were ages 55 to 69 and cancer free when they reported their dietary intake. By the end of 2010, 1,636 of the women were diagnosed with colorectal cancers, including 1,329 colon and 325 rectal cancers. Women who consumed the most pro-inflammatory diets were at 20 percent increased

risk of colorectal cancer compared with women who consumed more anti-inflammatory diets, the study concluded. This was after researchers adjusted for key risk factors, including BMI, smoking and diabetes. Green leafy vegetables, fish, fruit, nuts and whole grains were among the top foods more commonly consumed among the anti-inflammatory diet group. Food groups that were similar between the pro- and anti-inflammatory groups include refined grains, high-fat dairy, and chocolate. The study was published in Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention. "This confirms other work we have conducted

Currently, the team is developing the index as a tool for health professionals and then for consumers, says Steck. "The index takes into account the whole diet," says Steck. "For example, if someone regularly consumes red meat but also a lot of fruits and vegetables, they might balance each other out in terms of pro- and anti-inflammatory factors." "Now, we know that consuming more fruits and vegetables, which are high in flavonoids and carotenoids, and moving toward a more plant-based diet will improve your dietary inflammatory index score and translate into anti-inflammatory effects."

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national news O

Statement by the President on the Fifth Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act n the five-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, one thing couldn’t be clearer: This law is working, and in many ways, it’s working even better than anticipated.

thirds. Health care costs that have long been the biggest factor driving our projected longterm up deficits up are now the single biggest factor driving those deficits down.

After five years of the Affordable Care Act, more than 16 million uninsured Americans have gained the security of health insurance – an achievement that has cut the ranks of the uninsured by nearly one third. These aren’t just numbers. Because of this law, there are parents who can finally afford to take their kids to the doctor. There are families who no longer risk losing their home or savings just because someone gets sick. There are young people free to pursue their dreams and start their own business without worrying about losing access to healthcare. There are Americans who, without this law, would not be alive today.

The Affordable Care Act has been the subject of more scrutiny, more rumor, more attempts to dismantle and undermine it than just about any law in recent history. But five years later, it is succeeding – in fact, it’s working better than even many of its supporters expected. It’s time to embrace reality. Instead of trying yet again to repeal the Affordable Care Act and allowing special interests to write their own rules, we should work together President Barack Obama signs the health care bill on March 23, 2010, in the East Room of to keep improving our healthcare system for everybody. Inthe White House in Washington. When Obama signed the Affordable Care Act five years stead of kicking millions off ago, he visualized a time when the political hyperbole would be silenced and ordinary peotheir insurance and doubling ple would see that the health care law improved their lives. J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE AP the number of uninsured Americans, as the House Repreventive care, including contraceptive some still insist it’s a threat. But a growing publican budget would do, we should work services, with no additional out-of-pocket body of evidence – actual facts – shows that together to make sure every American has a costs. And the law has helped improve the the Affordable Care Act is good for our chance to get covered. quality of health care: it’s a major reason we economy. In stark contrast to predictions saw 50,000 fewer preventable patient that this law would cause premiums to skyFive years ago, we declared that in America, deaths in hospitals over the last three years rocket, last year the growth in health care quality, affordable health care is not a priviof data. premium costs for businesses matched its lege, it is a right. And I’ll never stop worklowest level on record. If premiums had ing to protect that right for those who The cynics said this law would kill jobs and kept growing over the last four years at the already have it, and extend it to those who cripple our economy. Despite the fact that rate they had in the last decade, the average don’t, so that all of us can experience the our businesses have created nearly 12 milfamily premium would be $1,800 higher blessings of life, liberty, and the pursuit of lion new jobs since this law was passed, than it is today. That’s $1,800 that stays in happiness in this country we love. your pocket or doesn’t come out of your paycheck. And in part because health care --The White House prices have grown at their slowest rate in Office of the Press Secretary nearly 50 years since this law was passed, we’ve been able to cut our deficits by two-

For Americans who already had insurance before this law was passed, the Affordable Care Act has meant new savings and new protections. Today, tens of millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions are no longer at risk of being denied coverage. Women no longer have to worry about being charged more just for being women. Millions of young people have been able to stay on their parents’ plan until they turn 26. More than 9 million seniors and people with disabilities have saved an average of $1,600 per person on their prescription medicine, over $15 billion in all since the Affordable Care Act became law. More than 70 million Americans have gained access to

Slow Ebola response cost thousands of lives: MSF DAKAR, (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - The slow international response to the West Africa Ebola outbreak created an avoidable tragedy that cost thousands of lives, a leading medical charity said on the one year anniversary of the first confirmed case.

"The Ebola outbreak has often been described as a perfect storm: a cross-border epidemic in countries with weak public health systems that had never seen Ebola before," Christopher Stokes, MSF's general director, said in the report. "Yet this is too convenient an explanation. For the Ebola outbreak to spiral this far out of control required many institutions to fail. And they did, with tragic and avoidable consequences."

In a scathing report titled "Pushed to the limit and beyond", MSF said its warnings in June that the epidemic President Ellen Sirlief confers with officials coordinating the was out of control and that it could EBOLA relief (FILE) not respond on its The world's worst Ebola epidemic has own were dismissed as alarmist. killed over 10,200 people in the three most affected countries of Guinea, Liberia Guinea and Sierra Leone downplayed the and Sierra Leone since March 2014 when epidemic and accused MSF of spreading it was first confirmed in the forest region fear and panic. In June, the Sierra Leone of Guinea. government told the WHO to report only lab-confirmed deaths -- falsely reducing Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), which the death toll, the report said. first raised the alarm over Ebola, said in a report that everyone from national govKenema hospital in the southeast, where ernments to the World Health Organizasome of the first cases were reported in tion (WHO) had created bottlenecks that Sierra Leone, also withheld crucial epiprevented the epidemic being quickly (continued on page 10) snuffed out.

Healthcare Industry is Booming But Diversity Lags, New NAACP Report Finds Baltimore, MD - The NAACP released findings from its Opportunity & Diversity Report Card: Healthcare Industry. Details in the report highlight that while the industry is experiencing rapid growth there are key areas where the healthcare industry can improve diversity, in particular positions of leadership and contracting with minority owned businesses. “The Opportunity & Diversity Report Card: The Healthcare Industry is the third in a series of NAACP economic report cards on corporate diversity and inclusion,” states Roslyn M. Brock, Chairman, NAACP Board of Directors. “With the healthcare industry being one of the fastest growing sectors in the country, it is important for us to highlight opportunities in this industry and where we can strengthen people of color’s full participation.” The NAACP’s Report Card graded the six largest healthcare systems (Dignity Health, Tenet Healthcare, Ascension Health, Hospital Corporation of America, Catholic Health Initiative, and Community Health Systems).

The highest score was a B and the lowest score was an F. “Economic inequality will persist as long as equal opportunity for people of color in the United States remains an unrealized goal,” states NAACP President and CEO Cornell Williams Brooks. “The healthcare industry, however, can be a leader in reversing the tide. The healthcare industry will add nearly five million jobs with living wages and wealth generating opportunities over the next decade. The NAACP is excited to partner with the leading healthcare systems in connecting more communities of color to these opportunities and moving our nation towards achieving economic parity.” The report card, which is based on 2012 data, reveals top management positions remain firmly dominated by white employees, despite the establishment of diversity and inclusion programs and a significant increase in minority college graduates entering the

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HealthyStart / MARCH - APRIL 2015 / Page 5

The Growing Burden of Diabetes

Pro-Inflammatory Diet Linked to Colorectal Cancer, Poor Metabolic Health First Science-Based Dietary Index of Inflammation Predicts: How Your Diet Links to Inflammation-Related Health Risks

on the inflammatory potential of the diet and what is known about how systemic inflammation plays a role in colorectal cancers," says Steck.

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wisconsin news Judge Rules Wisconsin Abortion Restriction Unconstitutional

federal judge on struck down a Wisconsin law requiring doctors performing abortions to get hospital admitting privileges, ruling that any benefits to women's health from the requirement are "substantially outweighed" by restricting women's access to abortion.

UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation grants help families pay for children’s medical expenses not covered, or not fully covered, by a commercial health insurance plan. Families can apply for grants at www.UHCCF.org MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (March 12, 2015) – The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) is seeking grant applications from families in need of financial assistance to help pay for their child’s health care treatments, services or equipment not covered, or not fully covered, by their commercial health insurance plan.

By Daniel Bice and Cary Spivak of the Journal Sentinel U.S. District Judge William Conley, who earlier had put the law on hold, ruled that the 2013 law is unconstitutional. He issued a permanent injunction blocking its enforcement. Planned Parenthood and Affiliated Medical Services had sued the state, arguing the requirement will force AMS's Milwaukee clinic to close because its doctors can't get admitting privileges. The groups argued that would amount to restricting access to abortions in Wisconsin. State attorneys contended the mandate would ensure continuity of care for women hospitalized with abortion complications. In his ruling, Conley wrote that the "marginal benefit to women's health" by requiring hospital admitting privileges "is substantially outweighed by the burden this requirement will have on women's health outcomes due to restricted access to abortions in Wisconsin." "While the court agrees with the State that sometimes it is necessary to reduce access to insure safety, this is decidedly not one of those instances," Conley wrote. "In particular, the State has failed to meet its burden of demonstrating through credible evidence a link between the admitting privileges requirement and a legitimate health inter-

est."In a statement, Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union noted that only four health centers provide abortions in Wisconsin. If the law took effect, the groups said, the largest of those centers would be forced to close immediately, and the remaining three "will not be able to absorb the unmet need." "Politicians, not doctors, crafted this law for the sole purpose of shutting down women's health care centers and preventing women from getting safe, legal abortions," ACLU deputy legal director Louise Melling said in the statement. "We all want to protect patient safety — this law doesn't do that, as the court recognized," said Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin CEO Teri Huyck. "Politicians passed this law in order to make it extremely difficult for women in Wisconsin to get safe and legal abortions, plain and simple." Laurel Patrick, a spokeswoman for Republican Gov. Scott Walker, said the governor's office would work with the attorney general to appeal the ruling. "We believe the law will ultimately be upheld," She said in an email.

Attorney General Brad Schimel did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

Fourteen states require doctors performing abortions to either have hospital admitting privileges or some sort of alternative agreement, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights. Five other states have passed such restrictions but courts have put them temporarily on hold. --MADISON, Wis. AP

graphic pressure." Two of Wisconsin's neighboring states and the nation as a whole had already returned to prerecession levels. Iowa emerged from negative numbers in June 2013, while Minnesota did in August 2013. The country surpassed the December 2007 jobs total last April.

The state reported 2,891,900 non-farm jobs in February according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics preliminary estimates. That's 13,900 more jobs than in December 2007, which is considered the start of the Great Recession.

In forecasting growth in the rate

of recovery, it cited "improved consumer sentiment and consumer spending and a continuation of the steady housing recovery sustained by demo-

New children’s book to raise funds To help raise funds for its child medical grant program, UHCCF has published a new children’s book, “Oliver & Hope’s Superhero Saturday” – the third book in the Oliver & Hope series. Imagination takes flight in the third

In his ruling, Conley noted that the "sudden adoption" of the permitting requirements, without giving enough time for compliance, "compels a finding that its purpose was to impose a substantial obstacle on women's right to abortions in Wisconsin."

A spokeswoman for Wisconsin

After seven years, Wisconsin is out of the red for job growth for the first time since the start of the recession.

Qualifying families can receive up to $5,000 per grant with a lifetime maximum of $10,000 per child to help pay for medical services and equipment such as physical, occupational and speech therapy, counseling serv-

Matt Peterson.

Conley said at the hearing on the lawsuit that he was worried the law was too rigid. He noted that the law required providers to get privileges within three days of its enactment. Walker signed the law on July 5, 2013, and it required providers to have privileges in place by July 8.

Wisconsin jobs total finally surpasses pre-recession levels

The return to pre-recession levels came a bit earlier than predicted. Last fall, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue projected the state would match its 2008 peak level of 2.9 million jobs by the middle of 2015.

Medical Grants Available for Children in Wisconsin

Here's a look at the nonfarm job growth, including both public- and private-sector jobs, since the recession started: --By Todd D. Milewski

ices, surgeries, prescriptions, wheelchairs, orthotics, eyeglasses and hearing aids. To be eligible for a grant, children must be 16 years of age or younger. Families must meet economic guidelines, reside in the United States and have a commercial health insurance plan. Grants are available for medical expenses families have incurred 60 days prior to the date of application as well as for ongoing and future medical needs. Parents or legal guardians may apply for grants at www.UHCCF.org, and there is no application deadline. Last year, UHCCF awarded more than 2,000 medical grants worth an estimated $5.4 million, to children and their families across the United States for treatments associated with medical conditions such as cancer, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, hearing loss, autism, cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, ADHD and cerebral palsy. Since 2007, UHCCF has awarded more than 8,600 medical grants, totaling more than $26 million, to children and their families across the United States. In the past three years, 100 Wisconsin families received grants. “Thousands of children struggle every day for something many of us take for granted – our health. That reality is the driving force behind UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation’s mission to help families in need access medical care that will improve their child’s health. Our medical grants have already helped thousands of children in need, and we are looking to help thousands’ more children in the future,” said UHCCF President

book of the award-winning Oliver & Hope™ series as Oliver™ the bear, Hope™ the butterfly and Millie™ the barn owl join their friend Charlotte the fox on a superhero adventure. When these lovable characters put on their hero capes, they have fun pretending to save a pirate ship, rescue a hot air balloon and face an evil mud monster. But when they discover their friend Chewie™ the English bulldog really needs their help, the friends must work together to become real heroes. The 32-page book, geared toward children ages 3-8, delivers a fun story and engaging images that enable readers to imagine how they might become a hero like the characters. The heartwarming story also teaches subtle lessons about the power of friendship, resiliency and imagination. “Oliver & Hope’s Superhero Saturday” is the highly anticipated followup to the first two award-winning books in the series: “Oliver & Hope’s Amusing Adventure” and “Oliver & Hope’s Adventure Under the Stars.” Each book in the series is written by Meg Cadts and beautifully hand-illustrated and painted by Samantha Fitch. Meg Cadts is the pen name for the UHCCF team of writers and contributors. All three books of the Oliver & Hope series are available through uhccf.org/shop for $16.95 each. Proceeds from the books and plush toys from the series help fund UHCCF grants that help families pay for children’s medical expenses not covered, or not fully covered, by their parents’ commercial health insurance plan.

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HealthyStart / MARCH - APRIL 2015 / Page 7

Health Care & Wellness Briefs

Extra hour of sleep boosts women's sex drive

t's known that a lack of sleep can leave people feeling restless and lethargic, subsequently having a detrimental effect on a person's libido. According to a new study, however, just an extra hour of sleep each night can increase a woman's likelihood of having sex by 14 per cent.

Each participant was also asked to rate their sleep quality. It was found that each additional hour of sleep per night increased the likelihood of a woman having sex with a partner by 14 per cent. What's more, vaginal arousal was also improved among women who slept for longer on average.

A team of researchers set out to investigate the relationship between nightly sleep and sexual response and activity in women. They wanted to test the hypothesis that poor sleep quality and duration has a negative effect on sexual functioning.

The authors concluded that a good night's sleep is crucial for maintaining healthy sexual functioning.

For the study, they recruited 171 healthy women, half of whom reported having at least one sexual partner at the beginning of the investigation. The participants were asked questions surrounding sexual activity every day for two weeks. These included: 'Did you masturbate within the past 24 hours?'; 'Did you have sex (oral, anal, hand, vaginal, etc.) with another person within the past 24 hours?'; 'How many hours of sleep did you get last night?'; and 'How long did it take you to fall asleep last night?'

'These findings suggest that acute sleep disturbance may contribute to sexual complaints and reduced sexual activity,' they said. 'Future research may benefit from taking a more comprehensive approach to examining sleep parameters by using both subjective and objective measures. 'Additionally, the relationship between insomnia and sexual dysfunction may prove to be an overlooked and important area of interest for clinical research. Clinicians may consider assessing patients' sleep habits and insomnia symptoms as potential factors influencing sexual difficulties.' --netdoctor

Healthcare Industry is Booming But Diversity Lags, New NAACP (continued from page 4) workforce over the past 20 years. The report also found poor performance in the area of contracting minority owned businesses. Information submitted by healthcare systems during the survey period revealed that three of the six systems did not track supplier diversity spends and the remaining three indicated that they struggle with diversification in their supplier purchasing. Major other findings of the report include: For the foreseeable future, the healthcare industry in the United States is expected to be a significant source of well paid jobs, including a number of occupations which do not require a college degree. Diversification of upper management remains a challenge, despite the long history of diversity in areas related to patient care. Areas of the healthcare workforce which are diverse are under pressure to reduce costs through automation, closing off a critical pathway to skilled and leadership employment for diverse candidates. The monitoring of procurement diversity is lacking or rudimentary at best, and reflects a blind spot that is more pronounced in the healthcare industry than any other the NAACP has surveyed to date. “During this period of high unemployment and declining wealth, which is even more pronounced for African Americans and other people of color, Americans need living wage jobs

with long-term career tracks,” states Dedrick Asante - Muhammad, NAACP Senior Director of Economic Department. “People of color are projected to be the majority of the nation’s population by 2043. Ensuring economic fairness and equal opportunity for people of color is imperative to strengthening our businesses and our global economy in the future.” The NAACP’s Report Card graded the six largest healthcare systems (Dignity Health, Tenet Healthcare, Ascension Health, Hospital Corporation of America, Catholic Health Initiative, and Community Health Systems) on two main criteria: 1) workforce and job advancement; and 2) contracting and procurement. Dignity received an overall B grade—the highest ratings out of all the systems while Community Healthcare Systems received an F grade for its failure to participate in the survey.

Somna Therapeutics’ acid OK’d by FDA reflux device

sources to any remaining employees impacted by this transaction.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved for marketing the REZA BAND UES Assist Device, which was developed by Germantown-based Somna Therapeutics LLC.

Markham, Ontario-based Extendicare Inc. notified state officials in February of its intent to close the headquarters of its Milwaukee-based Extendicare Health Services subsidiary. The closure is a result of Extendicare’s board of directors’ decision to sell substantially all of the company’s U.S. business to a group of investors led by Formation Capital LLC, a Georgia-based, healthcare-focused private investment firm, for $870 million.

The REZA BAND is a non-medicated, non-surgical medical device that applies slight external pressure to the neck to help reduce symptoms of laryngopharyngeal reflux by preventing regurgitation of stomach contents through the esophageal sphincter. It was developed based on two decades of scientific and clinical research conducted by a leading gastroenterologist at the Wauwatosa-based Medical College of Wisconsin. The band is worn just below the Adam’s apple to press on the cricoid cartilage area. It aims to reduce symptoms including chronic throat irritation and cough, hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing and postnasal drip that can be caused by acid reflux.. Racine DaVita dialysis clinic breaks ground A groundbreaking ceremonywas held recently for a new DaVita dialysis clinic at 3113 Washington Ave. in Racine that is expected to open in the fall. The 10,573-square-foot clinic will replace a 20-plus-year-old clinic located in a multi-tenant building at 818 6th St. in Racine. The existing clinic was outdated and had reached capacity, according to Luke Peters, pre-development manager of PCI | HealthDev, the Dallas-based developer of the project. MJM Group, based in Raleigh, N.C., is the construction manager, and DeLeers Construction Inc. of De Pere is the general contractor. Extendicare closing; some employees offered jobs Following the recent news that Milwaukee-based Extendicare Health Services will close on April 30, Extendicare’s president and chief executive officer said local offers of employment have been extended to approximately 190 of the 287 affected employees. “We have made every effort to work with the various management companies involved in this transaction,” said Tim Lukenda, president and CEO. “Extendicare will work closely with the Department of Workforce Development in providing re-

BreatheReady Wellness Center opens in Menomonee Falls A new health center specializing in the use of dry salt aerosol therapy opened recently in Menomonee Falls. Called the BreatheReady Wellness Center, it is located at N56 W14108 Silver Spring Drive. Dry salt therapy is used to help people with a wide range of respiratory and skin conditions improve wellness and live better by minimizing symptoms and related effects. Available services include: adult respiratory care, adult skin care, employer wellness programs, kids lung and skin care, pranayama yoga lung therapy and sports performance. With five private therapy rooms staffed by a team of therapy associates, the BreatheReady Center is equipped to administer more than 200 private respiratory therapy sessions per week, nearly 150 skin care therapy sessions per week and more than 400 sessions in the multi-use room, dedicated to healing events for groups. Integrated Health Network forms agreement with Humana Brookfield-based Integrated Health Network of Wisconsin formed a three-year accountable care agreement with Humana Inc. effective Jan. 1 with the intent of improving wellness and driving more coordinated care for Medicare Advantage members in Wisconsin. Humana’s Medicare Advantage members now have access to IHN’s broad range of facilities and physicians in Wisconsin. IHN’s clinically integrated network currently includes 42 hospitals, 500 clinics and more than 5,000 physicians spanning northern, central, western and eastern Wisconsin. IHN’s current members are Agnesian HealthCare, Columbia St. Mary’s, Froedtert Health, the Medical College of Wisconsin, Hospital Sisters Health System, Ministry Health Care and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare.

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men’s health HEALTH & FITNESS

How Eating Organic Can Protect Your Sperm Health

long with smoking, stress, and obesity, another factor might be affecting the quality of your semen: Pesticide residue in your produce. According to a new study from Harvard’s School of Public Health, men who eat fruits and vegetables that contain higher levels of pesticide just might be linked with a lower sperm count — and fewer sperm cells that appear normal in shape or size — than those eating produce that’s chemical-free. Research already shows that workers exposed to pesticides on the job are associated with lower sperm production, but the new study is the first to link any residue we actually put into our mouths as consumers and it’s potential effects on fertility. It adds to a growing body of evidence that suggests eating healthy could help protect your potency: Another study found men with diets packed with saturated fat had a lower sperm count compared to those who consume less, while men who load up on healthy fat like omega-3 fatty acids found in fish had stronger sperm. But lower semen quality isn’t just about fertility — researchers have also found that it can be a solid marker of overall good health and a long life too. RELATED: The Sperm Health Regimen For the current study, the researchers analyzed semen samples from 155 men registered at a fertility clinic, and asked them what sorts of fruits and vegetables they ate. Using data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, they divided the produce into those tending to have high pesti-

shape and size (sperm morphology is one factor that might be checked during a fertility analysis). But before stressing too much about your last produce purchase, study author Jorge Chavarro says it’s important to remember this is still a new finding, and thus has its limitations. "This is the first time that pesticide residues in food have been linked to an adverse reproductive health outcome in men and it will be necessary for other studies to replicate our findings before the dust settles on this question." He adds that a lower semen quality doesn’t always translate to reduced fertility — so more research on that will have to continue as well.

cide residue (like strawberries, apples, pears, spinach) and moderate or low (like peas, grapefruit, onions). Men who ate produce with high levels had about a 49 percent lower total sperm count than those eating food with fewer residues. These men also had about a 32 percent lower proportion of "morphologically normal" sperm — which just means they had fewer sperm that looked normal in

Still, you can take precautions to eat clean while more research is underway. "For men who would rather be safe than sorry, what our findings suggest is that consuming fruits and vegetables known to have no or few pesticide residues may be the way to go," says Chavarro. "This includes buying organic produce if the wallet allows and choosing produce known to have low pesticide levels in the US food supply such as the Clean Fifteen list advocated by the Environmental Working Group." The list, and others, is available online – Jillian Rose Lim mensjournal

HealthyStart / MARCH - APRIL 2015 / Page 9

women & children

Women smokers may How does have same risk for breastfeeding affect deadly aneurysm as men women's sex lives?

recent study.

omen who smoke cigarettes are just as likely as men to develop potentially fatal aneurysms in the main artery leading from the heart, according to a

Guidelines already recommend screening men over age 65 who have ever smoked for abdominal aortic aneurysm, a life-threatening condition, but it may

and Gokani noted in an email that as the population ages, the problem is likely to become more common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 10,000 people in the U.S. die each year from AAA. Jahangir and colleagues write in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health that it’s the 16th leading cause of death for seniors. The study team analyzed data from a long term study of people in the U.S. South. They focused on a total of 18,792 participants who were over 65 and had Medicare coverage. Participants answered questionnaires including information about demographics, tobacco use and personal and family health histories. The researchers compared this information with Medicare records to determine that 281 people had suffered aneurysms during the study period.

be time to give women the same advice, the authors say. “Smoking is a major risk factor for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and the risk appears to be as strong among women,” said lead author Dr. Eiman Jahangir, a senior lecturer with the University of Queensland School of Medicine-Ochsner Clinical School program in New Orleans. AAA occurs when a person’s aorta, the biggest blood vessel in the body, swells to a larger size. The aorta runs from the heart through the abdomen delivering blood to much of the body. Symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm may include a pulsing feeling, swelling or pain in the stomach area. While the condition can be treated with surgery, “the risk is that they can continue to grow and burst, which is usually fatal,” said Dr. Vimal Gokani, a clinical research fellow at the British Heart Foundation in London who was not involved in the study. Most cases of aneurysm occur in people over 65

Men were twice as likely as women to have aneurysms and whites were 2.5 times more likely than blacks to experience the condition. Smoking was the strongest risk factor, however, with former smokers – both men and women - facing almost twice the risk of never smokers, and current smokers facing an overall risk five and a half times that of never smokers. The difference smoking made was especially pronounced among women, with former smokers having three and a half times the risk of women who had never smoked and current smokers having nine times the risk of women who had never smoked. The researchers note that this is problematic, as aneurysms are more often severe when they happen to women. Having high blood pressure or a history of heart surgery also increased the risk of aneurysm, while being overweight was linked to a lowered risk. Gokani

(continued on page 11)

uring the first weeks after a woman has given birth, sex is often the last thing on her mind, but according to a new study, mothers who breastfeed can show signs of a higher sex drive.

to their new baby than to their partner, leading to a decrease in relationship satisfaction and a clear transition from 'mating efforts' to 'parenting efforts'.

Doctors from the University of Colorado set out to explore why some women who breastfeed spend more time getting intimate with their partner while breastfeeding than they did before giving birth. The researchers questioned 260 females aged between 18 and 35 from the Philippines, of whom 155 were breastfeeding their child. They were asked about their sex lives, menstrual cycles and their relationship satisfaction levels. Previous studies have shown that in the first six weeks after giving birth, women are more likely to devote time

However, this latest investigation revealed that women who were breastfeeding and had resumed their periods following pregnancy were significantly more sexually active than other new mums, with some even taking part in more bedroom activity than before they fell pregnant.

(continued on page 11)

Page 10 / MARCH - APRIL 2015 / HealthyStart

Health & Longevity:

115-Year-Old Inkster Woman Now Listed As World’s Oldest Person

115-year-old Detroit-area woman is listed as the world’s oldest living person following the death of a 116-year-old Arkansas woman.

Blacks More Likely to Die From Colon Cancer than Whites. Here’s Why.

Jeralean Talley of Inkster is atop a list maintained by Los Angelesbased Gerontology Research Group, which tracks the world’s longest-living people. Gertrude Weaver, who was the oldest documented person for a few days, died Monday. Talley was born May 23, 1899 in Montrose, Georgia and moved to Michigan in 1935. When asked for her key to longevity, she echoed previous answers on the topic. “It’s coming from above,” she said. “That’s the best advice I can give you. It’s not in my hands or your hands.” Talley said people should “treat the other fellow like you want to be treated. You don’t tell a lie on me so I won’t tell a lie on you.” Michael Kinloch, 56, of Wayne County’s Canton Township, is a GM engineer and longtime family friend of Talley’s through their church. He said Talley’s mental state is “is very sharp.” “It’s unfortunate that other people passed away, but this has certainly elevated her. She’s feeling no pain.

Jeralean Talley (Family Photo) She just can’t get around like she used to,” Kinloch said.

that she’s “part of an extraordinary generation.”

Talley, whose husband died in 1988, is cared for by a 77-year-old daughter who lives with her. Five generations of her family live in the metro Detroit area, including a great-greatgrandson.

Kinloch said he’s looking forward to taking Talley, despite her advanced age, on their annual fishing trip. “We go to a trout pond in Dexter,” a community about 40 miles west of Detroit, Kinloch said. “She really likes that.”

In 2013, her 114th birthday drew the attention of President Barack Obama, who said in a personal note

--CBS Radio Inc. INKSTER (WWJ/AP)

Cervical Cancer Prevention:

10 Healthy Diet Tipsto Prevent Disease (continued from page 2) 7. Take foods rich in Vitamin C and E. Foods rich in vitamin C and E are good sources of antioxidants that are capable of boosting the immune system. All citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C and fruits like honeydew and kiwi are good sources of both vitamins.

8. Consume a diet rich in Vitamin A. Carotenoids, a source of vitamin A, are useful in fighting cervical cancer. Carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and winter squash are rich sources of vitamin A. 9. Limit foods rich in animal fat. Arachidonic acid present in the animal fat is observed to enhance can-

cer growth and also help cancer spread to other parts of the body. 10. Add foods containing zinc. When foods rich in zinc are taken, superoxide dismutase enzyme is produced, which helps prevent cervical cancer by destroying harmful free radicals. --latinoshealth

Slow Ebola response cost thousands of lives: MSF (continued on page 4) demiological data preventing MSF from identifying affected villages and responding, the report said. "The Ministry of Health and the partners of Kenema hospital refused to share data or lists of contacts with us, so we were working in the dark while cases kept coming in," MSF's emergency coordinator in Sierra Leone, Anja Wolz, said in the report. Liberia was transparent and asked for help almost on a daily basis. MSF, which reported this to the WHO in June, said the outbreak could have been halted if immediate action was taken, but these warnings were again ignored. "INDESCRIBABLE HORROR" When MSF first declared there was an unprecedented Ebola out-

break at the end of March, the WHO rejected the assessment. It finally declared a public health emergency on Aug. 8, prompting a belated international response. MSF branded the response a "global coalition for inaction" and said by the end of August, it had to turn away patients in Liberia leaving many to die in their homes or on the streets. "We had to make horrendous decisions about who we could let into the center," said MSF coordinator Rosa Crestani, who worked at the organization's Ebola center in Monrovia, which could only be opened for 30 minutes a day because of the demand for beds. "We could only offer very basic palliative care and there were so many patients and so few staff that the staff had on average only one minute per patient. It was an

indescribable horror." The number of Ebola cases dropped dramatically over the new year in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. The presidents of all three countries announced a target to reach zero Ebola by midApril. However, Guinea recently reported a doubling of cases in a month, Sierra Leone has a whole neighborhood under quarantine and Liberia announced on Friday its first new case 16 days after its last Ebola patient was released. The Ebola outbreak is not over until there are zero cases in the region for 42 days. (Reporting by Misha Hussain, Editing by Emma Batha)

cancer.

frican-American patients are less likely than whites to survive colon

Now, researchers have found that the disparity has less to do with race than with the quality of care. “Our study findings turn the way we think about health disparities on its head,” said lead author Kim Rhoads, MD, MPH, assistant professor of colon and rectal surgery at Stanford and a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Harold Amos Scholar. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, shows that when patients from underrepresented groups receive colon cancer treatment within an integrated health system— one where the patient’s insurance, outpatient health services, and hospital-based care are all accessed through a single organization—they are more likely to survive. “This proves that rather than simply asking ourselves what’s wrong with the patient—Are they poor? Uninsured?—we need to ask ourselves whether we are providing the right quality of care,” said Rhoads. Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, but blacks die at significantly higher rates than whites. After evaluating more

than 30,000 patients diagnosed and treated for colon cancer, Rhoads and her co-authors discovered that all patients, including those from underrepresented populations, had a better chance of survival when they were treated in integrated settings. In other words, quality of care was a bigger factor than race. “We were surprised to discover that racial disparities in colon cancer survival were eliminated when patients were treated in integrated settings, but we were most excited to find that delivering evidence-based care could eliminate racial differences in all settings,” said Rhoads. “This means that fixing colon cancer disparities is in our hands. We can improve outcomes for everyone and erase racial differences in colon cancer survival if we increase access to coordinated care and improve adherence to treatment guidelines.” The Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Program, a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), works to increase the number of faculty from historically disadvantaged backgrounds who can achieve senior rank in academic medicine or dentistry, and who will encourage and foster the development of succeeding classes of such physicians and dentists. For more information, visit www.amfdp.org.

4 Foods that Prevent Colon Cancer (continued on page 3) tion of potential pathogens. Yogurt also accelerates your bowel movement, and those that are fortified with extra fiber are especially notable for promoting fast waste elimination. Yogurt is also the best source for easily absorbable calcium and vitamin D. Deficiency of these two nutrients can elevate your risk of colon cancer. The byproducts of yogurt digestion increase your colon acidity and create an inhibitory shield against polyps and tumor formation. 4. Tuna

Having enough selenium in your diet is critical to detoxification of your system and minimizing your risk of cell mutation. Tuna contains tremendous amount of selenium. A 3-ounce tuna fillet gives you nearly 60% RDI of selenium. Eating tuna also supplies you with significant amounts of essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These good fats are not only important for your heart health, they are also important to cancer prevention. --http://www.fitday.com/

HealthyStart / MARCH - APRIL 2015 / Page 11

Computerized Treatment Study for Adults with OCD or Trichotillomania

e are currently conducting a computerbased treatment study for adults (ages 18-60)

at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Do you suffer from unwanted, uncontrollable, or repeated thoughts/behaviors? • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) • Compulsive hair pulling (Trichotillomania or Trich) Participants will receive treatment and compensation. Please contact us at ADL@UWM.EDU or 414-4164249 OCD is a quite severe anxiety disorder that involves unwanted mental intrusions of distressing, senseless, and inappropriate thoughts (= obsessions), and compulsive and ritualistic acts intended to reduce anxiety (=

compulsions).

the body)?

Trich (trichotillomania) is a related severe behavioral disorder that involves compulsive hair pulling that typically results in a noticeable loss of hair.

Contact us now to learn more about our study. This may be a good opportunity for adults (aged 18 or older) who have been struggling with OCD or Trich. The main study procedures will be conducted at UWM Psychology Clinic, Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Both OCD and Trich are characterized by the marked difficulty in inhibiting or stopping unwanted thoughts or behaviors. Research has shown that this impaired control ability is an important feature of both OCD and Trich. Our research program is currently testing a computerbased treatment program that is designed to improve this control ability related to OCD and Trich, with the sponsor of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Do you struggle with symptoms of OCD (e.g., compulsive hand washing, checking, ordering, arranging, very disturbing and senseless thoughts or images in mind, etc.) or Trich (compulsive hair pulling from any parts of

Interested individuals/families are strongly encouraged to contact our project coordinator, Greg Berlin by email (adl@uwm.edu) or call him at 414-416-4249. Participants in this study will be provided compensation. Contact us now! Principal Investigator Hanjoo Lee, Ph.D. Director, Anxiety Disorders Laboratory University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee https://sites.google.com/site/uwmanxiety/events

Medical Grants Available for Children in Wisconsin (continued from page 6) More information about the Oliver & Hope books, including free audio recordings of the books as well as fun activities and downloads, can be found at Oliver & Hope’s Clubhouse at UHCCF.org. About UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation

The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides medical grants to help children gain access to health-related services not covered, or not fully covered, by their parents’ commercial health insurance plan. Families can receive up to $5,000 annually per child ($10,000 lifetime maximum per child), and do not need to have insurance through UnitedHealthcare to be eligible.

UHCCF was founded in 1999. Since 2007, UHCCF has awarded more than 8,600 grants valued at over $26 million to children and their families across the United States. UHCCF’s funding is provided by contributions from individuals, corporations and UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) employees. To apply for a grant, donate or learn more, please visit www.UHCCF.org.

How does breastfeeding affect women's sex lives? (continued from page 9) The study authors offered several potential explanations for this increase, including the possibility that women were having more sex in a bid to maintain their relationship with their partner to make sure they could raise their child in a stable environment something the doctors working on the study believe may be an almost primal instinct.

In contrast, women who reported their relationship satisfaction levels to be lower and life with their partner to be more stressful were likely to devote a greater amount of attention to their baby than to their other half during the first few weeks after delivery. Lead author of the study Michelle Escasa-Dorne explained: 'Even though

a breastfeeding woman may not be sexually proactive, she may respond favourably when her partner initiates sexual activity. 'Maintaining the relationship may be important if one's current partner is beneficial to the partnership and to the tasks of parenting.'ADNFCR-554ID-801782511-ADNFCR

Women smokers may have same risk for deadly aneurysm as men (continued from page 9) screening ultrasound for AAA.” noted that having a family history of aneurysm and high cholesterol can also increase a person’s risk. Currently, men between the ages of 65 and 75 who have ever smoked are advised to have a one-time screening ultrasound to check for aneurysm, according to Jahangir. He said that women are not currently included in these recommendations and “more studies need to be done to see if women would also benefit from

Both Jahangir and Gokani said that quitting smoking will likely reduce the risk of aneurysm. “Smoking cessation is very difficult, but so important,” Gokani said. He cited recent research showing that when smoking rates in a country are lowered, the rates of aneurysm go down as well. Jahangir advises men ages 65-75 who have ever smoked to get an ab-

dominal ultrasound and advises women to talk to their doctors about whether a screening is recommended. If an aneurysm is found, Gokani recommends that people should stop smoking and “seek medical advice to ensure that their blood pressure is under control, that their cholesterol levels are normal.” SOURCE: bmj.co/1DFb6zT Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, online January 6, 2015.

Study: Undocumented Immigrants Relying on ‘Luck’ to Stay Healthy

By Viji Sundaram New America Media

ndocumented immigrants’ ability to stay healthy might come down to a matter of luck. That’s one of the findings that emerged from a study released this week by The Greenlining Institute, a national research and advocacy organization. Prohibitive costs, language barriers, fear of outing themselves as undocumented and a perceived lack of cultural competency among health care providers were among the reasons undocumented immigrants gave for not seeking timely medical care when they fell sick. Those who managed to stay healthy said it was purely because of luck, a remark that should make Americans cringe, given that the United States has one of the most advanced health care systems in the world, asserted Anthony Galace, a fellow at Greenlining and the report’s author. “This notion of luck just shows how unjust and unethical the system is,” Galace said. “I believe that as a state we can all be healthy, and the only way we can be healthy is if we are all given easy access to health care.” For the study, Galace interviewed 13 undocumented immigrants from difference ethnicities – four Mexican, two Salvadoran, two Korean, one Vietnamese, one Chinese, one Nigerian and two Filipino – all between 18 and 52 years, living in California and from low-income backgrounds. Some interviewees said that they resorted to such home remedies as lemon and honey and over-the-counter medications when they got sick. One woman said she once endured stomach pains for as long as she could and went to the ER only when the pain became “unbearable.” Doctors were able to save her life even though she had checked in with significant internal bleeding. Another study participant said that on more than one occasion, doctors turned his sister away because they couldn’t understand her or her parents “and it was hard for me to translate.” Youngsters Galace spoke to said that having student health insurance “made a significant difference in their lives.” Some, on the threshold of graduation, said they were concerned about

going without health insurance once again. As one student put it: “If I (get) sick after my student health insurance expires, I would have no way to pay for it.” Many of the younger interviewees said the struggle their families went through living without health insurance has led them to consider health care professions. They said it has also inspired them to campaign for such bills as SB 4, the Health For All bill sponsored by Sen. Lara Ricardo, D-Bell Gardens, that would provide access to health insurance for everyone, including undocumented immigrants who are left out of the 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA). Nearly 7 million of the nation’s 11 million undocumented people who were barred from the ACA lived in California at the time of its passage. But thanks to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program -- President Obama’s 2012 initiative that temporarily suspended the deportation of young people residing unlawfully in the United States who were brought to the country as children – around 125,000 of them became immediately eligible for the state-funded health insurance program for low-income people, Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid). Even so, some 1.5 million undocumented people in the state continue to be uninsured. Even if the courts overturn a challenge to Obama’s 2014 executive action to expand DACA, as well as provide parents of lawful permanent residents and citizens employment authorization for three years under a program called Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA), the majority of the 5 million or so who will benefit won’t have access to health insurance. But those living in California will have a shot at getting health insurance through Lara’s bill. The bill would give all Californians access to state-funded Medi-Cal and set up a marketplace similar to Covered California where they could purchase insurance, but without the benefit of federal subsidies. Lawmakers are currently finalizing the language of the bill and a funding mechanism for its implementation. It is expected to be ready for public comment in about two weeks. --BERKELEY, Calif.

Page 12 / MARCH - APRIL 2015 / HealthyStart

BloodCenter of Wisconsin Encourages Organ Donation During Donate Life Month

More than 560 African Americans await life-saving transplants in Wisconsin

or twins Monique and Martinique Coleman of Milwaukee, their mother’s massive stroke in January 2009 was the darkest moment they can remember. But in it they found a bright, comforting light of hope that has consoled them since — their mother’s life-saving gifts of organs and tissue. During April, National Donate Life Month, BloodCenter of Wisconsin is honoring donors and donor families like the Colemans for their generosity. We also encourage community members to indicate their willingness to be organ, tissue, marrow and eye donors through state and national registries found at www.bcw.edu/sharinglife.

Saving African American lives

Monique and Martinique

Approximately 2,500 Wisconsinites are awaiting organ transplants, including more than 560 African Americans. Due to higher incidences of diabetes, high blood pressure and other diseases, African Americans accounted for 30% of the patients nationally awaiting transplants in 2014, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Organ Procurement and Transportation Network. However, only 13.3% of organ donors were African American during the same year, according to the report. African Americans are encouraged to become donors to help other African Americans in need of transplants. When in need of organs, tissue, marrow or blood, patients have the best chance of success when their donor is of the same racial and ethnic group. One donor impacts many After Monique and Martinique’s mother, Geraldine suffered a massive stroke resulting in irreversible brain injury, organ

transplant counselors explained the donation process and how it helps save lives. As the sisters discussed donating their mom’s organs and tissue, their response became obvious. “Helping others was always a big part of mom’s life, at church and everywhere,” Martinique recalled. “As we thought about it, we knew what mom would say. If something saves lives, do it. That was a very healing moment for us.” Today Martinique and Monique take pride that at least 50 people have benefited from organ and tissue donations their mother made possible. As a tribute to their mother, the sisters are con-

Condordia University Wisconsin Annoincing A New Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) For Its Nursing Program MEQUON, Wis. – Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW) is preparing to launch a new Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) for its nursing program through its Office of Continuing and Distance Education.

According to CUW, the MOOC is designed to help registered nurses without an advanced degree get additional training, specifically writing skills, essential within their field. “We are hoping that this MOOC, focusing on the foundations for professional writing, will give students the refresher they need to boost their confidence and skills to be successful in graduate school,” said Dr. Sharon Chappy, dean of CUW School of Nursing. In addition, the course is designed to help nurses continue to grow, develop, and add an actual credential that will boost their career and demonstrate new competencies, according to Dr. Chappy. Students can also earn a ‘digital badge’ which can placed on their resumes, LinkedIn profiles, etc. Students can enroll in

the course at any time for free and it can be completed in as little as three to five hours. For more information on this MOOC and to register, visit www.writingforhealthcare.com. Founded in 1881, Concordia University Wisconsin’s main campus is located on 200 acres of beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline at 12800 N. Lake Shore Drive, Mequon. The University and its 10 educational centers and classroom locations are home to 8,161 undergraduate and graduate, traditional, as well as nontraditional students from 46 states and 28 foreign countries. The University offers more than 70 undergraduate majors, 14 master’s degree programs, and doctoral degrees in Physical Therapy, Pharmacy, and Nursing Practice. The University also offers a variety of adult learning opportunities. The University is affiliated with The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and is a member of the Concordia University System, a nationwide network of colleges and universities. For more information on Concordia University Wisconsin, contact the University at (262) 243-4300 or visit their Web site at www.cuw.edu.

tinuing their mission of encouraging organ donors. Both now volunteer with BloodCenter of Wisconsin’s Wisconsin Donor Network and Wisconsin Tissue Bank, spreading the word about the lifesaving gifts within all of us.

· Register to become an organ, tissue and eye donor; · Join the Be The Match marrow donation registry; · Donate blood regularly through BloodCenter of Wisconsin; · Honor donors and donor families who have saved lives and improved the quality of life for others.

Giving a second chance at life

About BloodCenter of Wisconsin

As home to the Wisconsin Donor Network and the Wisconsin Tissue Bank, BloodCenter Coleman of Wisconsin is dedicated to saving and extending the lives of patients while caring for donor families. In 2014, BloodCenter facilitated nearly 200 life-saving organ transplants. You can make difference by:

For more information and to join the registries, visit www.bcw.edu/sharinglife.

BloodCenter of Wisconsin is a not-forprofit organization that specializes in blood services, organ, tissue and marrow donation, diagnostic testing, medical services and leading-edge research. BloodCenter of Wisconsin is the only provider of blood to hospitals in 29 Wisconsin counties as well as providing support to hospitals and patients across the country. BloodCenter of Wisconsin advances patient care by delivering life-saving solutions grounded in unparalleled medical and scientific expertise. For more information, visit www.bcw.edu. --Milwaukee, Wis.