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MEET DR. SCOTT G. HARTMAN, MCMS PRESIDENT SOME CANCERS INCREASING IN PEOPLE UNDER 50 FOCUS ON 3 CAREERS IN HEALTHCARE READY TO ENTERTAIN THIS SUMMER? TIPS FOR SOLO HOSTS
RATES RISE AGAIN, NOW AFFECTING 1 IN 31 U.S. CHILDREN
What’s behind the seeming surge in mental illness?
There need to be at least 2.7 children per woman to reliably avoid long-term extinction, according to study
Billionaire and Tesla CEO Elon
Musk has made headlines with dire warnings that declining birth rates are an “existential crisis” for humanity.
The threat might be even more dire than Musk (the father of at least 14) says, a new study argues.
The number of new births needed to maintain human population levels is higher than previously thought, researchers report.
There need to be at least 2.7 children per woman to reliably avoid long-term extinction, according to findings published April 30 in the journal PLOS One.
That’s higher than previous estimates, which held that a fertility rate of 2.1 children per woman would maintain population levels, researchers say.
However, that figure didn’t account for random differences in how many children people have, as well as changes in death rates, sex ratios and the possibility that some adults never have children, researchers said.
“A fertility rate higher than the standard replacement level is necessary to ensure sustainability of our population,” lead researcher Diane Carmeliza Cuaresma, an assistant professor at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, said in a news release.
All G7 countries have fertility rates well below either level, researchers noted — Italy at 1.29, Japan at 1.30, Canada at 1.47, Germany at 1.53, the U.K. 1.57, the U.S. at 1.66 and France at 1.79.
South Korea has the lowest fertility rate, at 0.87, and Japan’s popu-
lation is projected to decline by 31% in every generation if the fertility rate stays below the replacement level, researchers added.
For the new study, researchers calculated population levels accounting for factors like the ratio of females giving birth, the number of women who don’t have children and death rates prior to reproduction.
Results also showed that if more girls are born than boys, that reduces the extinction risk among humans.
That finding jibes with a long-observed evolutionary phenomenon, that more girls than boys tend to be born under severe conditions like war, famine or plague.
Most developed countries don’t need to be immediately concerned about population levels, the study explained.
“Extinction is not an immediate issue owing to the large population size in these countries,” researchers wrote.
However, the results suggest that most family lines will vanish due to a lack of offspring.
“The present results have a profound implication from an individual perspective: The family lineages of almost all individuals are destined to go extinct, whereas very few exceptions may survive for many generations,” researchers wrote.
“Languages also face the risk of extinction, with at least 40% of more than 6,700 spoken languages in the world threatened to disappear within the next 100 years,” researchers added. “The extinction of a language results in the disappearance of a culture, art, music and oral traditions.”
By Chris Motola
For new president of Monroe County Medical Society, local doctors should increase advocacy work to improve public health outcomes
Q: What interested you about taking on the role of president of the Monroe County Medical Society?
A: I've been a practicing physician for quite a few years and have worked in quite a few cities. I've also worked a lot with underserved communities. Over time I saw a lot of negative health impacts from policy. In wanting to make change and do better for my patients I realized one thing physicians can do is get involved in the policy advocacy space. So I'd been involved in the American Academy of Physicians for a long time and more recently wanted to get involved at a very local level. As I got involved, I eventually got elected to the board and saw opportunities to move up in leadership.
Q: What kinds of policies did you notice were producing negative health outcomes?
A: Overall, I'd use the concept of the “social determinants of health.” At least 50% of what happens in healthcare is based on people's lifestyle and the environment they live in and a lot that isn't really under their control. Whether someone has high blood pressure or not, for example, can have a lot to do with the social environment they live in. A good example is smoking. It used to be ubiquitous in American society. As we've restricted smoking in buildings and had anti smoking campaigns it's really changed the narrative. Now we see far fewer people with smoking-related diseases. That's a very clear example. Another one would be the way pollution affects the environ-
ment and people's health. Or the way racism affects people's environment and health.
Q: To what degree can physicians treat these externalities?
A: There's only so much doctors can do. We certainly offer treatments to diseases, but we also really want to focus on prevention. So if we can help pass clean air and clean water policies that helps thousands of patients in our community. Even just better disclosure helps, like forcing tobacco companies to post the risks of smoking very clearly on their packaging. And also just expanding access to care through Medicare and Medicaid. That's a lot of what physicians do in the legal space. When we're meeting with congressional representatives, we encourage expansion and funding of services.
Q: How do you plan to hit the ground running?
A: We're working on our strategic planning initiative and how we promote ourselves. A lot of things have changed in organized medicine. A lot of doctors right now are employed by hospitals or systems. There aren't as many people in private practice. So some physicians may not think they need the medical society because they have the hospital they work for advocating for them. But we want them to understand that the work we do is very unique and powerful and provides a lot of value to physicians and patients. A lot of my work in the immediate term is going to be strategic planning, but improving public health is always my long-term goal. I'm a family doctor, but I also deliver babies. In New York we passed a Medicaid expansion that extends the window of post-partum care, so that was something of particular interest to me.
Q: How much does the policy cover?
A: The new part of it is extending postpartum coverage to a year. In New York a huge percentage of patients who are pregnant use Medicaid as their primary insurer. A lot of young people — those of pregnancy age — don't have health insurance. They may obtain Medicaid for their pregnancy but then they lose it. One third or more of maternal deaths occur postpartum, so having health insurance for that full year afterwards is very important. So it's a place where healthcare policy really matters.
Q: What are some of the risks that occur after pregnancy?
A: So there's the risk of blood clots, which is higher, especially a few weeks after delivery. It's a statistically common thing, but when it happens it can be deadly and devastating. It needs to be recognized and treated quickly. The other thing is high blood pressure. That can become urgent after pregnancy. And the other thing is postpartum depression. If it's not caught early, it gets harder to treat.
Q: Your predecessor as president of Monroe County Medical Society, Dr. Janine Fogarty, had mentioned the challenge of reaching physicians in hospitals and large practices and that it was one of the big projects she'd been working on. Has the hand-off on that issue gone smoothly?
A: I think so. We meet as a board and executive board monthly, so I've been in very close communication with Dr. Fogarty. I think we have a very shared vision around a lot of these things.
Q: I asked Dr. Fogarty this and I'm going to ask you as well. What's your elevator pitch to a physician you hope to convince to join the Monroe County Medical Society?
A: It would be that physicians have an importance in the longevity of our profession and in shaping public health. The Monroe County Medical Society is at the forefront of advocating for physicians as well as patients. We encourage all physicians in our area to be part of that collaboration.
Q: What do you hope to leave behind as a legacy of your term as president?
A: A completed strategic initiative and helping younger physicians see the value of the medical society, and re-engaging with student and resident physicians since we've lost a bit of that.
Name: Scott G. Hartman, M.D.
Position: President of the Monroe County Medical Society; primary care physician at North Ponds Family Medicine & Maternity, affiliated with URMC Hometown: Benton, Pennsylvania Education: Hahnemann University School of Medicine, Philadelphia Affiliations: University of Rochester Medical Center Organizations: Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine; American Academy of Family Physicians; Society of Teachers of Family Medicine
Career (select): Associate professor of family medicine and pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester; Women’s Preventive Services Initiative Task Force, American Congress of Obstetricians & Gynecologists; attending physician, Heartland Health Care for the Homeless, Chicago; attending physician, PrimeCare Community Health Center, Chicago; maternity care coordinator, Montefiore Medical Center and Department of Family and Social Medicine. Author of several scientific articles and book chapters. Family: Married (husband) Hobbies: Cooking, travel, hiking, outdoor sports
Next time you see your family physician or a hospital doctor, be extra kind and patient — they could be on the verge of burning out, a new study warns.
About 10% of internal medicine doctors in the U.S. report a high level of burnout, researchers reported May 5 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Further, doctors in the West are at significantly higher risk for burnout compared to those in other U.S. regions, researchers found.
“Understanding burnout in this population that provides general medical care is particularly relevant given the projected shortage of approximately 40,000 primary care physicians within the next decade,” concluded the research team led by physician Nathan Houchens, a clinical associate professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School.
For the new study, researchers surveyed 629 internal medicine docs found through a national database maintained by the American Medical Association. About half of the doctors provide primary care, and the other half work in hospitals.
Researchers found that around 10% of the doctors had the three signs of burnout — emotional exhaustion, a sense of detachment and a feeling that their efforts don’t make a difference.
Burnout risk was similar among doctors working at community medical centers, veterans affairs facilities and academic hospitals, results show.
Similarly, there were no significant differences in burnout risk between primary care or hospital doctors, or between doctors working in inpatient or outpatient settings, researchers found.
However, about 15% of doctors in the West suffered from burnout, significantly higher than those in the Northeast (9%), Midwest (9%) or South (7%), researchers found.
“Burnout remains prevalent among internal medicine physicians and does not seem to correlate to spe cific practice contexts,” researchers concluded. “Future research should explore systemic interventions that target common, important burnout drivers for internal medicine physicians.”
Stop missing life’s greatest moments Stop planning life around pain
Stop missing life’s greatest moments Stop planning life around pain
Stop missing life’s greatest moments Stop planning life around pain
Stop missing life’s greatest moments Stop planning life around pain
ack Pain should not mean fusion, screws, nd lengthy recoveries Regenerative dicine is changing how back pain is
Back Pain should not mean fusion, screws, and lengthy recoveries Regenerative Medicine is changing how back pain is solved
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Back Pain should not mean fusion, screws, and lengthy recoveries. Regenerative ng how back pain is solved
Back Pain should not mean fusion, screws, d l th eries Regenerative ow back pain is solved.
’s greatest moments. Stop around pain mean fusion, screws, e l d
Back Pain should not mean fusion, screws, and lengthy recoveries Regenerative Medicine is changing how back pain is solved. e your l T M O V E Stop missing life’s greatest mome planning life around pain. B k
By George W. Chapman
Advantage plan offered by commercial insurers. It is often the only Advantage plan in a market. Unlike traditional Medicare, you are limited to providers within your chosen Advantage plan. When the local hospital system can’t reach an agreement with an Advantage plan, (surprise, usually over reimbursement) you can be left holding the proverbial bag and must scramble to find another Advantage plan accepted by your physician–hospital or give up Advantage plans altogether and revert back to traditional Medicare with which virtually all docs and hospitals participate. Medicare Advantage plans have been paying out more in claims as their senior members age. If they can’t be paid more by CMS they resort to negotiating lower payments to providers. If no agreement is reached, the Advantage plan will exit the market.
This confusion is just another reason to seriously consider universal health.
The American Association of Medical Colleges predicts that, unless things change, the shortage of primary care docs will increase to 45,000 by 2034. A survey produced by MDLinx and administered by M3 Global research of practicing physicians revealed 42% are very concerned about the impact of the shortage on quality, 84% have already seen the quality of care compromised and 34% would not recommend pursuing a career in medicine. Ironically, medical school applications are at an all-time high.
One of the problems is there are not enough residency programs for all the medical school graduates. Medicare determines the number of residency slots per hospital and funds them. Another problem is most medical school grads are faced with tuition debt around $250,000. So the
Once practically eradicated, there have been measles outbreaks in six states (as of early May). Vaccine hesi tancy and fatigue from the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with misinformation and even disinformation have contributed to the outbreaks. Scientific studies show that even a slight uptick in MMR vaccine use can prevent millions of new infections. JAMA recommends the first dose at 12-15 months followed by a second at 4-6 years. If the current rate of vaccination was kept constant, measles could become an epidemic with 850,000 cases over 25 years. If the current rate of vaccination decreased by just 10%, the prediction model estimates 11 million cases of measles over the next 25 years. The expense, let alone the potential deaths, would be cataclysmic. Now, if there was just a 5% increase in the current MMR vaccination rate, the prediction model estimates there would be less than 6,000 cases over 25 years. That is what is called a “tipping point.” If 95% of kids are vaccinated, we reach herd immunity. If parents refuse to vaccinate their kids,
more lucrative specialties are more appealing than primary care specialties like family practice, pediatrics, internal medicine and OB-GYN. Most primary care docs work 50-60 hour weeks. Finally, third party reimbursements have not kept up with inflation so running a financially viable primary care practice is a challenge, to say the least. Without a comprehensive national system to address and correct the impediments to pursuing primary care, it is very likely the 45,000 shortage will happen. Some ideas to make primary care more attractive are: increase and fund the number of residency slots at hospitals but only for primary care; forgive medical school debt for all primary care docs (there is such a program but the physician must work three years in a federally designated manpower shortage area);
could insurance companies deny the expenses associated with treating the disease? Could insurance companies increase the premiums?
The DOJ has filed a complaint against Aetna, Elevance and Humana for allegedly paying insurance brokers or advisers millions to steer relatively healthy prospects to their plans and to steer relatively unhealthy patients to the competition. The needs of the individual patient be damned. So far, there has been no determination of liability. The services of an insurance broker or adviser are free. They are eventually paid by the insurance company selected by the client. These brokers have an ethical and fiduciary responsibility to recommend the coverage that best suits the client’s individual situation.
Former National Institutes of Health director Frank Collins, M.D, Ph.D. (note M.D. and Ph.D.) regrets when you mix politics and science, you get just politics. He observed this became baked in during the politically polarizing COVID-19 epidemic when conspiracy theories and med-
incorporate “lifestyle” medicine into the primary care purview and reimbursement which includes nutrition, diet, exercise, sleep and stress management for chronic diseases. Finally, every year more and more physicians, in all specialties, seek employment with one of the hundreds of hospital-based healthcare systems. The business headaches of medicine are killing private practice. An effective and accessible primary care base is absolutely essential to the clinical and financial success of a large healthcare system. Absent a national fix, it may be up to savvy healthcare systems to provide more lucrative compensation packages and better working conditions for primary care physicians if we are to at least mitigate the predicted shortage.
ical quackery took hold, but probably showed early signs during the Obama administration. Before that, Collins contends, both parties were in sync and relationships between NIH-CDC-CMS-FDA and Congress were cordial and professional. You could not tell what anyone’s party affiliation was as all were interested in defeating Alzheimer’s, cancer and various diseases impacting the nation’s wellbeing.
Research was considered to be not only necessary but vital. It must have been nice back in the day to let scientists do their thing. Hundreds of researchers have been fired by the current secretary of Health.
So what do you do when your phy sician or hospital no longer accepts your insurance? You are often taken by surprise with little notice. Now you have to find a new provider or switch insurance. This dilemma is happening with increasing frequency especially with Medicare Advantage plans. Fifty-four percent of 62 million Medicare eligibles are enrolled in an
You can thank the CFPB (Consum er Fraud Protection Bureau) for keeping medical debt from be ing considered by lenders when it comes to loans or credit cards. But with the fate of the CFPB is now in limbo, consumer advocates fear the rule could be rescinded. The bureau has kept about $49 billion in medical bills from the credit reports of some 15 million people. Despite political pressure to kill the rule, advocates remain cautiously optimistic because the rule has bipartisan support due to the pervasiveness of medical debt (which would not exist with national universal coverage).
As of this writing in early May, there is growing support in Congress not to slash Medicaid by $880 billion over the next 10 years. It would deny coverage for millions and place hospitals in financial jeopardy. But what is most infuriating is the belief that the Medicaid budget should be cut because of supposedly rampant waste, fraud and abuse. So throw the baby out with the wash? Fraud, waste and abuse are already sought, litigated and recovered by the HHS Office of Inspector General. There is an effective police force, so punishing medical providers and legitimate Medicaid recipients to reduce fraud is absurd. The OIG recovered more than $7 billion in 2024. It brought 1,548 criminal and civil enforcement actions including overpayments to providers, enrollees and outright criminals. So no need to slash the Medicaid budget. Increase the budget of the HHS OIG.
George W. Chapman is a retired healthcare business consultant who worked exclusively with physicians, hospitals and healthcare organizations. He used to operate GW Chapman Consulting based in Syracuse.
By Eva Briggs, MD
Iremember the first cell phone that I ever saw. It belonged to my nephew, an early adopter.
I recall it being roughly the size and shape of a concrete block.
It was a far cry from today’s powerful smart phones that easily fit into a pocket.
Medical technology, too, continues to evolve to become smaller yet more powerful.
I recently read about a tiny absorbable pacemaker that is roughly the size of a grain of rice! It measures 1.8 millimeters wide, 3.6 millimeters long and 1 millimeter thick.
Engineers at Northwestern University developed this technology. They set out to develop a device that could be used in newborn infants with congenital heart disease. These babies sometimes need a temporary pacemaker after heart surgery. Existing temporary pacemakers were just too big. This little pacemaker will also be able to be used for older children — or adults — who need a pacemaker temporarily while their heart recovers following surgery.
The pacemaker is soft, flexible and wireless. It can fit into the tip of a syringe, allowing it to be placed through a blood vessel to reach the heart. No surgery required.
tiny size [of the new pacemaker] means that doctors could potentially insert several pacemakers into a single patient. This would permit stimulation of different segments of the heart muscle to improve synchronization of the heart muscle contraction.
Current temporary pacemakers require the insertion of wires which are later removed. These wires go through the chest wall, potentially allowing infection. Sometimes scar tissue forms around the wires. The scar tissue can tear and bleed during the removal process.
The new device is made from bioabsorbable materials that are safely absorbed by the body in seven to 10 days. This is similar to absorbable sutures. This eliminates the risks and dangers of wires and their removal: infection, dislodgment, tissue damage, bleeding and blood clots.
A skin-mounted patch worn on the body communicates with the device telling it when to send an electrical signal to the heart muscle. When it detects an irregular or slow heartbeat it signals to the pacemaker that the heart needs an electrical pulse. The patch communicates via infrared light that safely passes through the body to the tiny pacemaker. The power for the pacemaker itself from comes from two different metals inside the device. They form a battery when in contact with bodily fluids.
The tiny size means that doctors could potentially insert several pacemakers into a single patient. This would permit stimulation of different segments of the heart muscle to
improve synchronization of the heart muscle contraction.
The technology used to develop the miniature pacemaker may have future applications to help heal nerve damage and broken bones, to treat wounds and block pain.
By Gwenn Voelckers
Iremember the first time I hosted a gathering on my own after my divorce. It was a holiday party, and — no surprise — most of my guests were married. I worried I would feel like the proverbial third wheel at my own event.
On top of that, I was afraid my house would be too crowded, my seating too sparce, and the idea of entertaining without someone at my side felt … well, overwhelming.
Who would replenish drinks and the cheese board while I greeted people at the door? What if I ran out of ice or the music stopped or someone spilled wine on the rug?
For too long, I avoided hosting altogether, telling myself I wasn’t the entertaining type. But deep down, I missed bringing friends together in my home like “old times.”
I missed my former life.
Like so many things we learn when adjusting to life alone, solo hosting takes a little courage, a little planning and a willingness to stretch. But the good news is, it gets easier. Actually, it gets to be pretty fun.
Take my friend Sarah. She had been divorced for about a year when she decided to throw her first party alone. Her best friend was turning 60, and instead of meeting at a restaurant, Sarah wanted to do something more personal. “Nothing big,” she said. “Just a few friends, maybe some cake.”
Well, it turned into much more than that.
At first, Sarah was nervous. She worried her condo wasn’t big enough or stylish enough. She was anxious about the food, the music and the fact that she didn’t have a partner to help introduce old friends to new friends.
But once she got going — selecting a fun “Oldies but Goodies” theme, making a playlist, even serving fondue à la 1960s — her energy shifted. And when the sun set? Her patio glowed with string lights while guests let loose to “September” by Earth, Wind, and Fire, including her sister who hadn’t danced in decades.
Sarah was radiant. “I forgot how much I love entertaining,” she told me.
So, if you’re thinking about gathering friends together this summer, I say go for it.
Start small. A potluck picnic is a perfect, low-pressure way to ease into solo hosting. And who doesn’t love a backyard get-together in warm weather with easy food and good company?
Here are 10 tips to help make your solo-hosting picnic smooth, relaxed, and enjoyable:
1. Enlist a Co-Host — Just because you’re hosting solo doesn’t mean you have to do everything alone. Invite a friend to be your co-host. He or she can help greet guests, find serving
utensils and provide moral support if you start to worry whether you made enough guacamole.
2. Choose a Simple Theme — Themes add structure and fun without being fussy. Think “Summer Fiesta,” “Backyard BBQ,” or “Garden Party.” A theme gives guests a jumping-off point when planning what to wear or bring and helps you narrow down decorations and music choices.
3. Create a Guest List and Online Invite — Evite or even a group email will do the trick. Keep it casual, upbeat and clear. Let people know it’s a potluck picnic, the start time, and whether kids are welcome. Be sure to include your theme (if you have one) and any special notes, like “BYO lawn chair.”
4. Coordinate the Potluck — A little planning goes a long way. In your invitation, assign a category (salad, main, side, dessert, drink) and ask guests to reply with what they’re bringing. You can then easily manage any duplications by email. Simple.
5. Set the Scene Without Stressing — You don’t need to turn your backyard into a magazine spread. A few folding tables, some string lights or battery-powered candles, and fresh flowers from Trader Joe’s can transform your space. Launch your playlist, toss a few blankets on the lawn, and call it a day.
6. Keep the Menu Self-Serve — Buffet-style is the way to go. Set up stations: one for food, one for drinks. Stock a cooler with water and nonalcoholic options. Keeps things casual and let guests help themselves.
7. Include Something to Do (Besides Eating) — A game or two can help break the ice and give people a reason to move around. Think lawn games like cornhole or bocce ball. Last summer, I set up a badminton net and went old-school with croquet. Have fun!
8. Be Present, Not Perfect — No one cares if the napkins match or if you forgot to light the citronella candle. Your guests are there to enjoy your company, not critique your tablecloth. Relax and enjoy the moment. A dropped drink or a late arrival keeps things interesting.
9. Leave the Cleanup for Tomorrow — Consider leaving the big cleanup until the next day. Do the basics (like getting food inside and covering anything perishable), then pour yourself a drink and bask in the glow of what you just pulled off.
10. Do It Again — Seriously. Once you realize how doable and fun it is, you’ll want to throw another party. Hosting solo doesn’t have to feel lonely or hard. It can feel liberating, empowering — even thrilling.
So, if you’re on the fence about your first solo hosting experience, wondering whether it’s worth it ... trust me, it is. Not just because you’ll have fun, but because you’ll remind yourself that your life, your home, and your friends are worth celebrating.
Start small. Keep it light. Feel the joy.
This summer, let yourself be the host who says, “I can do this.” Because you can!
Gwenn Voelckers is a certified life coach (CLC), columnist, and author of “Alone and Content,” a collection of inspiring essays for those who live alone. She welcomes your comments, questions, and inquiries at gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com.
Previously, the CDC estimated 1 in 150 kids had autism. That rose to 1 in 44 by 2018, 1 in 36 in 2020, and now 1 in 31
Autism diagnoses are on the rise again, with about 1 in 31 U.S. children affected, according to a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The latest data, from 2022, shows a jump from the 2020 estimate of 1 in 36.
The report looked at health and school records for 8-year-olds in 14 states and Puerto Rico, the Associated Press said.
Rates were higher among boys, and also among children who are Asian/Pacific Islander, Black or
American Indian/Alaska Native, the CDC added.
Autism is a developmental condition linked to differences in the brain. Symptoms vary, but may include delays in learning and speech, trouble with social interactions and a strong need for a routine.
Until the 1990s, autism was considered rare. Back then, only children with severe symptoms were typically diagnosed. But it came to include a range of other mild conditions, known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), The Associated Press said.
Previously, the CDC estimated 1
in 150 kids had autism. That rose to 1 in 44 by 2018, 1 in 36 in 2020, and now 1 in 31.
Experts say the increase is due to better awareness and improved screening. There’s no blood or lab test for autism; doctors make the diagnosis by observing behavior.
Over the years, research has ruled out childhood vaccines as a cause. Other studies have explored genetics, as well as age of parents, maternal health and exposure to certain chemicals. Some researchers suspect a combination of factors could play a role.
Still, some people still continue to question the science. U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently announced plans for a major autism research effort.
He said it would involve hundreds of scientists worldwide and find the cause of autism by September.
Kennedy also claimed the program would help remove those causes. During a recent meeting at the White House, Kennedy and President Donald Trump both referenced the new 1-in-31 stat, The Associated Press said.
Kennedy’s announcement drew much criticism for his decision to hire physician David Geier to lead the research.
Like Kennedy, Geier has long pushed the idea that vaccines cause autism. In 2011, Maryland officials found that Geier practiced medicine without a license.
Drug overdose deaths decreased by 26.9 percent from 2023 to 2024, according to provisional data released in May from the National Center for Health Statistics.
According to the new data, drug overdose deaths in the United States decreased from an estimated 110,037 in 2023 to 80,391 in 2024.
Overdose deaths involving opioids decreased from an estimated 83,140 in 2023 to 54,743 in 2024. Overdose deaths involving cocaine and psychostimulants (like methamphetamine) decreased, too (from 30,833 to 22,174 and from 37,096 to 29,456 deaths, respectively). There was a sizable decrease seen in overdose deaths from fentanyl, from 76,282 deaths in
2023 to 48,422 deaths in 2024.
Almost all states saw decreases. Louisiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin and Washington, D.C., experienced declines of at least 35 percent. Meanwhile, South Dakota and Nevada saw slight increases in 2024 compared with 2023.
These provisional numbers are featured in an interactive web data visualization. The 2024 data are subject to change as more data are submitted to the National Vital Statistics System.
Experts say there are several possible factors driving the decline in overdose deaths, the Associated Press reported. The most likely reasons for the decrease include greater
availability of naloxone, improved access to addiction treatment, changes in how people use drugs and the growing positive impact of opioid lawsuit settlement money.
"Despite these overall improvements, overdose remains the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 44, underscoring the need for ongoing efforts to maintain this progress," the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement. "Through sustained funding to support prevention and surveillance activities like the Overdose Data to Action program, we will continue moving toward a future in which Americans no longer lose their lives to drug overdoses."
More young adults in the U.S. are being diagnosed with cancer, and researchers are trying to figure out why.
A new government report shows that rates of several types of cancer are going up in people under age 50, especially among women.
The study, led by scientists at the National Cancer Institute, looked at more than 2 million cancer cases in people ages 15 to 49 between 2010 and 2019.
Of the 33 types of cancer considered, 14 showed rising rates in at least one younger age group. About 63% of these early-onset cancers were found in women, The Associated Press reported.
“These kinds of patterns generally reflect something profound going
on,” Tim Rebbeck of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, said. “We need to fund research that will help us understand.”
The results were published May 8 in the journal Cancer Discovery.
The biggest increase was in breast cancer, which had about 4,800 more cases in 2019 than expected based on 2010 rates. Colon cancer had about 2,000 more cases, kidney cancer had 1,800 and uterine cancer had 1,200.
Most cancer death rates in the 15to 49-year-old age group did not rise. But researchers did see an increase in deaths from colon, uterine and testicular cancers, AP said.
Experts don't yet know exactly what's causing these trends. The databases studied didn't include in-
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plans to review and possibly remove prescription fluoride supplements for children from the market.
The FDA announced in May that it intends to conduct the review by Oct. 31. The agency has not yet said if it will ban the products or ask companies to stop selling them, CBS News reported.
Fluoride is a mineral that makes tooth enamel stronger and reduces cavities, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It helps prevent and repair damage caused by bacteria that create acids in the mouth, which can lead to tooth decay and even tooth loss.
Poor dental health has been linked to other health problems, including heart disease. Experts told CBS News that regular dental care and good oral hygiene are the best ways to prevent cavities.
However, the FDA said in its news release that ingesting fluoride may "alter the gut microbiome," adding that "other studies have suggested an association between fluoride and thyroid disorders, weight gain and possibly decreased IQ."
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. called the review of fluoride supplements "long overdue." He has previously raised concerns about fluoride's safety, saying it could cause health problems.
formation on lifestyle risks or access to care.
“Several of these cancer types are known to be associated with excess body weight and so one of the leading hypotheses is increasing rates of obesity,” said lead author Meredith Shiels of the National Cancer Institute.
Not all cancers are on the rise, however. Rates of more than a dozen cancer types actually dropped in people under 50. The biggest decreases were seen in lung and prostate cancer.
Experts say fewer people smoking likely helped lower lung cancer rates. And changes in testing guidelines may explain the drop in prostate cancer among younger men, AP reported.
Many dental experts disagree. Dentist Aaron Yancoskie, associate dean at Touro College of Dental Medicine in Westchester County said in an interview with CBS News last November that there is "excellent, solid data going back 75 years, showing that fluoride is both safe and it's extremely effective at decreasing dental decay, that is, cavities, by strengthening the enamel of our teeth."
The FDA's review follows Kennedy's recent call to end the addition of fluoride to public water systems. He praised Utah for being the first state to do so.
"It makes no sense to have it in our water supply. And I'm very, very proud of this state for being the first state to ban it. And I hope many more will come," Kennedy told reporters in Utah, CBS News said.
With the current physician shortage, it’s little wonder that PAs are often called “physician extenders,” along with nurse practitioners
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Sierra Johnson initially was on a pre med academic path and had worked in an emergency department. However, that was before she heard about the role of physician assistant.
Now an orthopedic physician assistant at Geneva Interlakes Orthopedic Surgery, she’s happy with her choice.
“I started engaging with physician assistants versus MDs and what their work-life balance was like,” Johnson said. “By comparison, PA seems like it’s a better work-life balance. They have better marriages and family lives than doctors. The premed requirements are very similar, so it was an easy transition.”
She also liked the notion that she did not have to specialize in a particular field in her studies, yet could transition to a different specialty later
if she wants to. That kind of flexibility appealed to her.
“I work in orthopedics, but if I woke up tomorrow and wanted to go into family medicine, emergency medicine or otolaryngology, I could do it without going back to school. As an MD, I couldn’t do that.”
The position’s on-the-job training helps PAs segue into a different specialty. PAs practice under a supervising physician. However, Johnson still feels she and other PAs have “a lot of autonomy. I can always run tough cases by my supervising physician,” she said.
Sometimes, it’s challenging feeling like someone’s overlooking one’s work as a PA. Johnson said that over time, PAs and their supervising physicians build a relationship based on trust and the autonomy increases.
“My supervising physician trusts
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Working as an ICU nurse helping “the sickest of the sick” for a few years revealed to Elizabeth Smith the importance of preventive care, she said.
Broadening her scope and education to become a family nurse practitioner allows her to do more for the patients at Finger Lakes Health at Seneca Family Health in Waterloo than she had done previously as a registered nurse in a hospital setting.
“I can provide access to care from newborn on up,” Smith said. “One of the big enjoyments is the preventative side of healthcare. If we have health problems like hyperlipidemia, diabetes and hypertension, let’s manage them so we don’t have you go in the hospital.”
Since she provides primary care
for general health and for chronic conditions across the age spectrum, she follows patients for longer than is typical in a hospital setting. She also likes that she can provide access to care in a more rural setting where access can be challenging.
Smith emphasized the broad range of what someone can do with an advanced degree: specializing in a type of patient or scope of care, educating the next generation of nurses and working in an institutional setting such as a hospital or long-term care facility.
“Right now, I’m pretty content taking care of patients in the family practice setting,” Smith said. “I do women’s health in my practice. I’m pretty happy providing care across the lifespan and watching kids
me as we’ve worked together for a while,” she said. “Over time, they back off and let you become your own provider.”
She cited as another challenge, “there are some discrepancies with pharmacies and other occupations in medicine that will almost look down on you as a PA or not understand fully what a PA does. We’re not a doctor but not a nurse. I’ve seen a shift in perspective, as things are getting better.”
Patients asking for “a real doctor” is still a challenge she occasionally faces, even though she can do nearly everything a physician in primary care can do, including treat and diagnose patients, prescribe medication — even narcotics — and read tests such as X-rays. Practicing independently is one of the few things PAs can’t do.
With the current physician shortage, it’s little wonder that PAs are often called “physician extenders,” along with nurse practitioners.
“PAs fill the void so patients can get in to see a provider,” Johnson said. “It gives people bigger access to care, especially in rural areas.”
Selma Mujezinovic, Rochester Regional Health’s vice president of advanced practice providers, also sees extenders as a means of helping
grow up.”
Selma Mujezinovic, Rochester Regional Health vice president of advanced practice providers, said that many people who end up working as a nurse practitioner start as RNs and then like Smith develop the desire to pursue a master’s and doctorate as a nurse practitioner.
“The root of nursing is caring,” Mujezinovic said. “We deliver nursing care in a medical model.”
Although the master’s degree is the minimum requirement, she added that the trend is to go for the doctorate degree.
“There are various ways to get into advanced practice,” Mujezinovic said. “The vast majority have chosen this as a first career. But it’s not impossible to choose it as a second career.”
Nurse practitioner training focuses on population health across the age span but can specialize in areas such as pulmonology through on-the-job training for many of the niches. They support the other providers in a team-based environment, including doctors in hospitals, doctor’s offices and clinics. In some fields such as dermatology, nurse
Salary
A physician assistant in the Rochester area makes an annual mean salary of $124,070, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
meet the healthcare provider crisis.
“Physician assistants are trained in a medical model,” Mujezinovic said. “They enter the educational programs straight out of high school, generally as a first career.”
At entry level, PAs have a master’s degree, similar to a nurse practitioner, although trained in a medical model rather than a nursing model.
She believes that the science of medicine and innovation is what draws many to the career, along with the desire to help people.
“There’s passionate care delivered by PAs,” Mujezinovic said. “While they might not be interested in becoming a MD and going through that training, they can contribute to the wellness of their patients.
“They can impact patients’ wellness and healing. It’s a very rewarding job. They can educate their patients and families about how to improve health and aid in pain management. It has a lot of flexibility. They have a lot of flexibility for their hours and whether in person, hybrid or home. It’s a very enticing profession.”
It’s vital for those interested in becoming a PA to possess a heavy aptitude for science. Demonstrating a commitment to academics and volunteering in a healthcare program can also help prospective PAs enter the programs which Mujezinovic said can be as vigorous and competitive as medical schools.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean wage for a physician assistant in the Rochester area is $124,070.
practitioners can perform minor surgical procedures within that area of practice. They can also diagnose acute or chronic conditions, prescribe medication without a supervising physician and perform other therapeutic measures in that area.
Many small practices rely upon nurse practitioners for tasks such as physicals, managing chronic conditions, patient education and counseling, and monitoring medication effects.
“If we didn’t have them, we wouldn’t be able to meet the needs of as many patients,” Mujezinovic said. “There would be delays in care. We are able to reach the vast majority of patients with high quality, affordable care.”
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean wage for a nurse practitioner in the Rochester area is $126,000.
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Working as a speech-language pathologist is much more than helping young children overcome lisps and say the letter “r.”
Alyssa Kamide said that in her role as a speech-language pathologist with Finger Lakes Health, she may help patients assess and improve swallowing safety, assist stroke patients with aphasia and provide strategies for people with cognitive impairment that can improve executive function for better home safety.
“I happened upon the field while already in college,” Kamide recalled. “I was on track to become a chemical engineer. Once I experienced the introductory course, I fell in love with being in the medical field in a way that most people don’t. I found this outlet as a way to be in the medical field in a different role. There is a lot of opportunities for this work, from birth to death in many areas of expertise.”
She enjoys watching patients hope in the face of loss of function — and feel victorious as they regain function that they’d lost. Kamide also likes that each day is different, presenting new challenges in how to meet patients’ needs in unique ways that work for them.
“Every day is a surprise and it keeps me on my toes,” she said. “I meet all sorts of patients and customize their care based on them as an individual.”
Speech-language pathologists don’t work just at hospitals. Suzanne E. Johnston, speech-language pathologist and owner of Speech & Communication Services in Rochester, said that demand is high for “speech language pathologists in various sections of our community, such as in nursing homes, schools, early intervention programs and universities. There is a lot of demand and growth, especially as our population grows
Snoring can be a sign of Sleep Apnea. There are three types of apnea: obstructive, central and mixed; of the three, obstructive is the most common. People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during the night, maybe hundreds of times.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may suffer from a sleep disorder:
• Daytime fatigue
• Morning drowsiness
• Insomnia
• Gasping for breath in the middle of the night
• Snoring
Can lead to:
• High blood pressure
• Memory problems
• Impotence
• Cardiovascular disease
• Weight gain
• Headaches
• Depression
Oral Sleep Appliances can be used to treat sleep apnea and snoring. This is a customized oral device worn by patients during the night to maintain an open airway (reducing snoring and sleep apnea).
older.”
People who have experienced strokes, head injuries and other health-related problems often need speech language pathologists. In fact, half of Johnston’s caseload is adults.
“It’s a very flexible career; you can work with so many different populations in so many contexts,” Johnston added.
The career requires a master’s degree and professional board certification.
Johnston enjoys her private practice. Working as a speech-language pathologist “offers people hope,” Johnston said. “I have a little rock on my windowsill that’s carved into the word ‘hope’ and that is something I can help families and patients in terms of their recovery or at least in the management of their challenges. I think that’s a gift.”
She encourages anyone interested in speech-language pathology to consider whether they enjoy working with people, since much of the work is one-on-one and for extended periods of time. Providers and patients develop a more long-term relationship than primary care providers who may see a patient for 15 minutes once a year.
“It’s the kind of job where you’re always doing something different,” Johnston said. “I’ve appreciated the opportunity to have a private practice and have the freedom to do that.”
Salary
A speech language pathologist in the Rochester area makes an annual mean salary of $77,360, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Snoring can mean more than just a pesky nocturnal noise to the non-snorers in the house. It can indicate that the one “sawing logs” has sleep apnea, which can have serious health consequences.
“Snoring is ‘apnea light,’ a narrowing of the airways,” said Alice Hoagland, sleep specialist at Rochester Regional Health. “The tissues in your throat rattle around. There is some interesting literature saying that even individuals who snore in the absence of pathological sleep apnea can have cardiovascular concerns like hypertension and can have fractured sleep. They can have poorer subjective experience of their own sleep.”
Untreated sleep apnea can increase risk of high blood pressure; insulin resistance and eventual type 2 diabetes; heart disease and stroke; daytime fatigue; and mental health problems like mood disorders and cognitive impairment because of the lack of quality rest.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may help. Most insurance companies will not cover CPAP if the patient has not received a sleep study. The CPAP equipment can cost $600. Some also dislike the thought of sleeping with a breathing mask and equipment near their bed. But patients have other options. Hoagland said that lifestyle changes such as weight loss can make a difference.
“When people gain weight, one
of the first places to gain is the back of the tongue,” she said. “When the tongue gets fat, it collapses on the back of the airway and causes sleep apnea. Losing weight helps control sleep apnea and snoring.”
A shorter-term fix may be changing the sleeping position. Sleeping on the side helps prevent the jaw from unhinging and allowing the tongue to sag into the airways unlike sleeping on the back.
“We recommend people avoid alcohol before bed,” Hoagland said. “It’s a muscle relaxant and the last thing a snorer needs is more relaxed muscles in the back of the throat. That applies to all sedatives like muscle relaxants.”
Ensuring that nasal passages are
miss the next issue of In
clear and open can also help prevent mouth breathing that leads to snoring.
Dental appliances can help people with snoring and mild sleep apnea. Paul Sussman, dentist with Center for Cosmetic Dentistry in Rochester, said that it works by bringing the jaw forward.
“It allows air to flow through more freely and eliminates snoring,” he said.
To get a good fit, dentists take impressions of the teeth. The custom-made device fits completely inside like a dental mouth guard.
“A lot of people wear CPAPS and struggle with them,” he said. “It depends on the insurance company but if they can’t tolerate a CPAP, some will cover a dental appliance.”
Like with the CPAP equipment, the patient seeking a dental appliance must have a formal diagnosis of sleep apnea to have a chance at coverage for a dental appliance to prevent apnea. Healthcare providers and dentists can refer patients for a sleep study. Before undertaking a sleep study, patients should contact their health insurance provider to ensure coverage of the study and for any equipment or appliances that can help them with sleep apnea.
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• Strength training Why is it important?
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In Good Health Advertise to reach thousands and thousands of health-conscious readers
More than 1 in 3 parents say their child has struggled with cavities, stained teeth, gum problems or tooth pain in the past two years, a
The problems were often linked to poor hygiene habits, especially among kids who didn’t follow recommended brushing, flossing and rinsing routines, according to the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health.
“Maintaining oral health from a young age, including regular brushing and flossing, helps prevent tooth decay, gum disease and other issues that make it difficult for children to eat and speak clearly,” said poll co-director Sarah Clark.
“Over a third of parents in our poll reported their child does not regularly brush twice a day — the most basic level of oral hygiene,” she added in a news release.
The findings are based on a poll, conducted lasty year, of 1,801 parents with children between 4 and 17 years of age.
In all, 64% of parents said their child brushes twice a day, and 60% say brushing lasts for at least two minutes.
Other important oral health steps were followed even less often. In reporting which practices their child does all or most days:
• 35% said their child regularly brushes their tongue.
• 23% said their child flosses regularly.
• 22% said their child uses mouthwash.
• 15% said their child rinses with water after eating sugary foods or drinks.
“Regular oral health prevents plaque buildup and keeps gums healthy by preventing inflammation, bleeding, and infection,” Clark said in a news release.
“Teaching kids the importance of a comprehensive oral hygiene routine sets the foundation for lifelong oral health,” she added.
By Anne Palumbo
Idon’t eat a lot of meat
these days, but when I do, it’s usually chicken and if it’s chicken, it’s typically thighs. Plump, juicy, flavor-packed thighs that are more affordable and more forgiving when overcooked.
Why chicken over beef, especially now during grilling season when the prospect of a char-grilled burger still makes me salivate?
The more I learn about beef’s negative impact on the environment—much worse than chicken!— the less I’m inclined to eat it.
On top of that, chicken generally has fewer calories, less cholesterol and less fat than beef, especially saturated fat, the unhealthy fat that raises bad cholesterol.
Both chicken breast and thigh are excellent sources of protein, a powerhouse nutrient that plays a crucial role in building and repairing tissues, supporting the immune system and fueling metabolic processes.
What happens when we don’t get enough protein? Research shows that, over time, a protein deficit can make you lose muscle mass, slow your metabolism, and also lead to anemia, all of which makes you weak and tired.
Furthermore, people who are low in protein often find their injuries—from cuts to sprains to broken bones—are slower to heal. Same goes for colds, sore throats, and the flu: a lack of protein can weaken the immune system, contributing to longer recovery times when you do get sick.
On the fat and calorie front, chicken generally has fewer calories and less fat than beef, making it a better choice for weight management.
To compare: a 3-oz 80/20 hamburger patty has about 230 calories
and 15 grams of fat (with nearly 6 of that saturated fat) while the same amount of skinless chicken breast has only 120 calories and 1 gram of fat (with no saturated fat). Skinless chicken thighs have about 150 calories and 7 grams of fat (with 2.5 of that saturated fat). Chicken is also rich in many B vitamins, particularly niacin, as well as the trace mineral selenium. People who are mildly deficient in niacin, an essential vitamin that helps keep the nervous system, digestive system, and skin healthy, may experience skin rashes, diarrhea, and mental confusion or memory loss. An antioxidant superstar, selenium improves thyroid health, boosts the immune system, and helps prevent cognitive decline.
Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle columnist, food guru, and seasoned cook, who has perfected the art of preparing nutritious, calorie-conscious dishes. She is hungry for your questions and comments about SmartBites, so be in touch with Anne at avpalumbo@aol.com.
Since not all chicken is prepared the same, you should limit or avoid certain types that may be higher in unhealthy fats, carbs, salt and calories, such as fried and breaded chicken, rotisserie chicken, and heavily processed lunchmeat. Choosing poultry raised without antibiotics is an important way to help fight back against antibiotic resistance. Finally, no hormones are ever used in the production of any US chicken.
Serves 4, Seasoning adapted from Chef Kia Damon; crema adapted from loveandlemons.com
Lime crema ingredients:
1 cup whole milk Greek yogurt
or sour cream
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 small garlic clove
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon onion powder
½ cup fresh cilantro
Blackened chicken ingredients:
½ tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon paprika (regular or smoked)
½ tablespoon dried thyme
½ tablespoon dried oregano
½ tablespoon dried garlic powder
½ tablespoon dried onion powder
1 teaspoon mustard powder
¼ teaspoon ground cayenne (optional)
½ tablespoon vegetable oil
4-6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed
1. Remove chicken from refrigerator to allow it to come to room temperature.
2. Make the lime crema: In a food
Consuming too much cinnamon might affect how your body absorbs some medications, new research shows.
The study — published in the June issue of the journal Food Chemistry: Molecular Sciences — looked at how cinnamon and its key ingredients affect the way the body processes drugs, The Washington Post reported.
While small amounts of cinnamon can offer health benefits,
researchers say using it too often or in high amounts may lead to drug interactions.
“We know there’s a potential for cinnamaldehyde to activate these receptors that can pose a risk for drug interactions,” lead researcher Bill Gurley, principal scientist at the University of Mississippi’s National Center for Natural Products Research, told The Post.
Researchers simulated digestion to study cinnamon oil and its key
compounds: cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic acid.
They found that both could activate the body’s xenobiotic receptors. These are sensors that help control how the body processes medications. Overuse of cinnamon could cause the body to clear some drugs too quickly, making them less effective, The Post reported.
The study didn’t say exactly how much cinnamon is too much, but researchers warned that concentrated
processor, place the yogurt, mayo, lime juice, garlic, salt, and onion powder. Process until creamy.
3. Add the cilantro and pulse until the sauce is smooth but green flecks are still visible. Season to taste. (Can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.)
4. Make the blackening seasoning: In a small bowl, combine all the dried seasonings.
Prepare the chicken: Pat dry, then rub thighs lightly with oil and coat all sides with blackening seasoning. Set aside while you prepare the grill.
5. Place thighs on grill and cook until the seasoning darkens. After 5 minutes, flip the chicken and cook for another 3 minutes.
6. When ready to serve, slice the chicken on a bias into ½-inch pieces or leave whole; serve alongside lime crema.
forms, like supplements, carry more risk. They advise patients to check with their doctor before using cinnamon supplements or other similar products.
Cinnamon has become more popular in recent years, especially among people with Type 2 diabetes. In fact, a 2024 report predicts the global cinnamon market will grow by $412.9 million between 2024 and 2028, partly because of its use in health and pharmaceutical products.
More studies are needed to fully understand how cinnamon may interact with medications.
“That’s what could happen, but we won’t know exactly what will happen until we do a clinical study,” Gurley said.
Executive director of St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center talks about the nonprofit’s mission, challenges and how it is determined to help those the uninsured and underinsured
By Mike Costanza
Q. In a few words, how does St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center serve the community?
A. We provide healthcare for the uninsured and underinsured, and seek to provide services in a wholistic, affirming way that supports the whole person in achieving their health goals. We work with folks where they’re at, and we approach all of our services from a very patient-focused perspective.
Q. What kinds of services does SJNC provide?
A. We try to have a one stop shop. Folks can come to us for primary care, for specialty care, for mental health services. We also have a bodyworks program that includes chiropractic massage therapy. We want to address all of their health needs, mental health needs, and also to address the social determinants of health, which are barriers that prevent folks from engaging in health care.
Q. Are some of your services more in demand than others?
A. Theres been more of a demand for specialty services, which is something that we’re able to provide due in large part to our volunteers and our collaborations, then just general management of primary care symptoms as well. The other thing that I would say is over the past five or 10 years is an increase in the number of immigrants who need access to services and are non-English speakers, so we’ve had to make a significant investment in our language access.
Q. Can you tell the readers a little more about the people SJNC serves?
A. The population of folks that we service is about 50 percent uninsured, but the other 50 percent is underinsured. It’s folks who have
insurance, who are working and have full-time employment but they may have high copays, or they may have other barriers that prevent them financially from engaging in care. In Monroe County, I estimate that there’s about 50,000 individuals that are either uninsured or underinsured, so one of our challenges is “How do we find and reach those 50,000 people?”
Q. How do you plan to treat those who can’t come to SJNC?
A. We recently purchased and retrofitted a Medical Outreach and Engagement vehicle, which functions as an “exam room on wheels”. This mobile unit will be a key method of reducing barriers to engagement in health care, and it will allow us to provide primary care in the community where folks live, work, worship, and play. It should be on the road by the fall.
Q. Does SJNC face other challenges?
A. We are being impacted by shortages heath care providers. We have a staff of 24 people, and we provide the foundation or the infrastructure for the organization, but in any given year we have about 400 volunteers who work for us. Many of them are doing things like helping us to clean the building, but a whole host of them are volunteer doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses who are actually seeing our patients. With the increased shortages of providers and nurses, getting volunteers to join us is that much more challenging, because we’re drawing from a population of folks that is already short.
more information on St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center or to support the nonprofit, go to: www.sjncenter.org.
is a gentle, effective hands-on method of lymphatic drainage that involves gently manipulating specific areas to help lymph move to an area with working lymph vessels.
• Helps Decrease Joint & Nerve Pain
• Improved Lymph Circulation Reduces Inflammation
• Support Recovery of Tissues after Injury or Surgery
• Deep Relaxation to Relieve Stress
Lymph Drainage Therapy • Biofield Tuning Cranio Sacral Therapy • Brain Therapy Carol McCoon, LMT, MS Ed. Levels I, II, III LDT Certification
Benefits singingwind00@hotmail.com • singingwindsoundtherapy.com Location: Wheeler HealthyU, 308 Bluff Dr., East Rochester. Contact Carol McCoon for an appointment. Call (585) 742-1969
you do good, you feel
an older adult manage day-to-day nances.
• Give a lift to someone who no longer drives.
• Give a caregiver a break.
• Make a friendly phone call.
• Lead fall prevention or healthy living workshops.
• And more!
• “Men should feel it’s OK to talk about feelings. Men stereotypically shy away from that because of cultural norms. Have someone to feel safe with and talk about things.
• “If that isn’t helpful, seek professional help if necessary, like talking with a therapist. If there’s an employee assistance program through work or a primary care provider, they can help.
• “Find things to do that line up with your purpose and passion, whether a hobby or volunteering and contributing something meaningful to the community.
• “It’s OK for men to go through periods of peaks and valleys of depression and anxiety or any sort of mental health challenges. It’s perceived as being weak, but reaching out for help takes strength and can be a support for mental health stability.”
Matthew Drury Licensed clinical social worker with Rochester Regional Health
• “A complete physical exam is the most efficient way to ensure one is up to date with preventive care measures.
• “Regular exercise needs to be made a priority or else other matters in life will quickly crowd it out. Ideally, one achieves 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week. Exercise naturally improves one’s mental health as well.
• “It is no secret trends of overweight and obesity continue to flourish in our society. The science to understand what is pushing this continues to evolve. No accomplishment is too small when it comes to working to break unhealthy eating habits or achieve weight loss.
• “Quitting smoking or vaping at any age offers huge dividends with health not to mention the financial savings as well. There are many supports available to assist in this journey. Quitting and then restarting is not failure but should be looked at more as a detour until the next time you are ready.
• “In simplest terms, it is recommended men consume no more than two drinks per occasion.
• “Underlying sexual behavior will determine relative risk for sexu-
ally transmitted infections. All men should be screened at least once for HIV and hepatitis C via a simple lab draw.
• “Hypertension is nicknamed the ‘silent killer,’ as so many individuals are hypertensive with no awareness. Having your blood pressure evaluated at least every couple of years as an adult is a wise choice.
• “One may develop high cholesterol as a result of genetics or diet. Get your cholesterol tested and understand where your level of risk for premature heart attack or stroke stands.
• “If one is overweight, you should consider testing for diabetes by age 40. Testing may be considered at an earlier age depending on overall risk factors including a family history.
• “The success story of vaccines in the overall progress of human health can be under-appreciated. Your primary care provider can counsel you how to be current with recommended vaccines.
• “Colon cancer screening now starts at age 45 and there are several options to choose from. If you have a smoking history, you may be eligible for lung cancer screening and abdominal aorta aneurysm screening.”
Physician Michael Foote UR Medicine Thompson Health’s Honeoye Family Practice
• “Do things you enjoy on a regular basis.
• “Don’t be too stubborn to make lifestyle changes that are good for health. Giving up bad habits is difficult. Be open to asking for help.
• “Spoil your loved ones. If you dedicate your life to caring for your loved ones, it’s healthy and beneficial. If you’re struggling with mood, try a new hobby. Ask a friend what he does and see if it’s something you’ll enjoy.
• “If the people in your world are worried about you, don’t dismiss their worries; get checked out. If it weren’t for wives, I wouldn’t see very many young men.”
Physician Michael Loeb
Family medicine for Rochester Regional Health
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Whether it’s a trait directly related to male gender or a tendency of how men care for their health, men’s health needs can be different from women’s. To safeguard and improve their physical and mental health, men and those who love them should heed these health tips from area experts:
• “There are a lot of social determinants of mental health — poverty, inequality, racism, sexism, discrimination, hopelessness and so on. Cultural progress in tackling these big challenges would improve mental health for almost everyone, including men. But these factors probably feel out of control to most people. But there are, of course, actions that individuals — including men — can take to improve their mental health: eat well, sleep well, exercise regularly, carve out time for recreation, cultivate supportive relationships, be a valuable, active member of your community.
• “Men especially need to get better at reaching out for help. Women are more commonly diagnosed with a variety of mental health challenges (major depression and most anxiety disorders, most notably). This is not because men don’t struggle; it’s because they’re less likely to acknowledge their struggles and to reach out for help. Toxic cultural norms regarding strength and masculinity are probably most to blame here. Men need to come around to the idea that reaching out for help is a sign or strength, not a sign of weakness.”
Ryan Thibodeau, Ph.D. Professor of psychology at St. John Fisher University, board member, NAMI Rochester and licensed clinical psychologist.
• “Prostate cancer is the most common diagnosed cancer for men over 50. One in nine men will face a prostate cancer diagnosis. If you catch prostate cancer early you can live a long and healthy life. If you ignore it, you may have a more difficult diagnosis and may require more aggressive forms of treatment. To minimize the risk and severity of a prostate cancer diagnosis, you should maintain your health by following these guidelines: eat a balanced diet; exercise regularly; get adequate sleep; manage your stress; quit smoking; limit alcohol consumption; and schedule an annual physical.
• “Your doctor can order a simple PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test to determine if you are at risk of developing prostate cancer. This blood test should be done starting at age 50 so you can track your health risk over time as you age. Men with a family history of male and female reproductive cancers should be tested earlier.
• “An elevated PSA count could
be a red flag to you and your doctor to determine your risk of developing prostate cancer. In addition, a digital rectal exam (DRE) is also recommended so the doctor can determine if there are any abnormalities with the prostate. Early detection is the key to a long and healthy life.”
Mark Richardson 10-year prostate cancer survivor and co-chapter leader of USTOO prostate cancer support group in Rochester.
Men's Health Month is observed annually during the month of June. It's a time dedicated to raising awareness about health issues that affect men and boys, and encouraging them to take proactive steps to improve their overall well-being.
Key objectives of Men's Health Month include:
• Raising Awareness: Highlighting preventable health problems and encouraging early detection and treatment of diseases among men and boys.
• Promoting Healthy Habits: Encouraging men to adopt healthier lifestyles through diet, exercise, and regular checkups.
• Encouraging Preventive Care: Emphasizing the importance of regular medical screenings and check-ups.
• Supporting Men's Mental Health: Addressing the stigma surrounding mental health issues and encouraging men to seek support when needed.
• Promoting Family Engagement: Recognizing that men's health impacts families and encouraging loved ones to support men in their health journeys.
Men are much more likely than women to die early from the world's 20 leading health problems, a new global study shows
Sickness and death was higher in men than women in 2021 for 13 of the top 20 causes of injury and illness, including COVID-19, traffic injuries, heart problems, lung ailments and liver diseases, researchers reported May 1 in The Lancet Public Health.
“Our findings shine a light on the significant and unique health challenges faced by males,” co-lead investigator Vedavati Patwardhan, a research scientist with the University of California-San Diego, said in a news release.
“Among these challenges are conditions that lead to premature deaths, notably in the form of road injuries, cancers and heart disease,” Patwardhan continued. “We need national health plans and strategies to address the health needs of men throughout their lives, including interventions targeting behavioral risks such as alcohol use and smoking that typically begin at a young age.”
Women tend to live longer, but they endure higher levels of illness during their lifespan, researchers added.
Muscle and bone conditions, mental health problems and headaches are among the non-fatal diseas-
es that plague women, results show.
For the study, researchers analyzed data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, the largest and most comprehensive effort to track illness and death from disease around the world.
The effort focused on health differences between conditions that affect both men and women, excluding gender-specific illnesses like ovarian or prostate cancers.
Results showed that men experienced 45% more illness and death from COVID-19 than women, with the largest differences seen in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, researchers said.
“The timing is right for this study and call to action—not only because of where the evidence is now, but because COVID-19 has starkly reminded us that sex differences can profoundly impact health outcomes,” senior researcher Luisa Sorio Flor, an assistant professor with the Institute for Health Metrics (IHME) and Evaluation at the University of Washington in Seattle, said in a news release.
Heart disease had the next largest impact on male health compared to females, with men experiencing 45% more illness and death com-
pared to women.
Men experienced the greatest heart-related burden in Central Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, where they were 49% more likely to be sick or die from heart disease.
Conditions that affect men more than women tend to involve smaller increased risks at younger ages, but the gap widens as people grow older, researchers found.
The exception was road injuries, which disproportionately affected young males aged 10 to 24 around the world.
Low back pain was the biggest contributor to illness among women, with females suffering rates more than a third higher than men in 2021, researchers said. Women in high-income countries, Latin America and the Caribbean were particularly affected.
Unlike men, women tended to start early in life suffering from conditions that affect them more, and those conditions intensify with age.
“Large causes of health loss in women, particularly musculoskeletal disorders and mental health conditions, have not received the attention that they deserve,” co-lead researcher
Gabriela Gil, a research fellow with IHME, said in a news release. “It's clear that women's healthcare needs to extend well beyond areas that health systems and research funding have prioritized to date, such as sexual and reproductive concerns.”
These results dovetail with another study published May 1 in PLOS Medicine which found that men are more likely than women to die from high blood pressure, diabetes and HIV/AIDS, typically because they shrug off medical care.
The new study highlights “how females and males differ in many biological and social factors that fluctuate and, sometimes, accumulate over time, resulting in them experiencing health and disease differently at each stage of life and across world regions,” Flor said.
“The challenge now is to design, implement, and evaluate sex- and gender-informed ways of preventing and treating the major causes of morbidity and premature mortality from an early age and across diverse populations,” Flor concluded.
SOURCE: Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, news release, May 1, 2025
By Barbara Pierce
Erectile dysfunction is one of the most common but least discussed health concerns affecting men particularly as they age, said Christopher Emerson, physician assistant, Upstate Urology at Mohawk Valley Health System.
As many advances have occurred in both diagnosis and treatment of ED, we asked Emerson to update us about this common condition.
“ED is defined as the persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection firm enough for satisfactory sexual intercourse,” Emerson said. “It’s sometimes referred to as impotence, although that term is now less commonly used in medical practice. It can affect not only physical intimacy but also emotional well-being, relationships and overall quality of life. Thankfully, ED is highly treatable once properly understood and addressed.
“ED can occur occasionally, especial- ly during times
of stress or fatigue. But if it happens regularly, it may indicate an underlying health issue that requires medical attention.”
2.How common is ED?
ED becomes increasingly common with age. Studies show that approximately 50% to 70% of men over the age of 60 experience some degree of ED; 30% to 40% of men between ages 40 and 59; and about 5% of men younger than 40.
These numbers may be underestimates, as many men are reluctant to bring up the issue with their healthcare provider.
3.What are the main causes?
“ED can have a variety of causes, often categorized into physical, psychological or lifestyle-related,” he explained. For most men, erectile dysfunction is caused by physical problems, usually related to the blood supply of the penis.
First, there are vascular or heart, issues. Poor blood flow to the penis due to clogged arteries (atherosclerosis), high blood pressure or vascular disease is one of the most common
causes.
“Neurological conditions can also interfere with nerve signals that are necessary for an erection. These include disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease or spinal cord injuries,” he said.
Hormonal imbalances, such as low testosterone levels or thyroid dysfunction may contribute to ED. Elevated estrogen levels or side effects from hormone therapies may also play a role, he added.
Psychological factors, such as anxiety, depression, stress and relationship difficulties can interfere with sexual performance and desire.
Then there are lifestyle factors: smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol consumption and drug use all can increase the risk of ED, he said.
Age is a strong indirect risk factor in that it is associated with increased likelihood of the health issues, some of which are listed above.
How is ED diagnosed?
“Diagnosis starts with a detailed medical history and a physical examination. The healthcare provider may ask about: frequency and severity of ED symptoms, underlying health conditions, medications being taken and lifestyle habits,” said Emerson.
Laboratory tests may include blood sugar levels, to rule out diabetes, cholesterol and lipid panel, testosterone and other hormone levels. In some cases, additional testing such as a penile Doppler ultrasound or nocturnal erection monitoring may be recommended, he added.
ualized and depends on the underlying cause.”
Effective for many men is medication taken orally, like sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra). These medications increase blood flow to the penis. If low testosterone is found to be the cause, hormone replacement therapy may be considered.
Emerson added that there are mechanical devices that may be recommended, such as Vacuum Erection Devices that create an erection by drawing blood into the penis. Or constrictive rings can be used to maintain the erection once achieved.
There are medications that can be injected directly into the penis or placed into the urethra to stimulate blood flow.
Penile implants or surgically inserted devices may be an option for men who do not respond to other treatments.
“Counseling or therapy can be particularly helpful if psychological issues such as anxiety or depression are contributing to ED,” he said.
And lifestyle changes, such as improving one’s diet, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, managing stress and increasing physical activity can all help restore erectile function.
5.What treatment options are
“Erectile dysfunction is a common issue with a wide range of causes. But it’s also highly treatable,” he said. “Treatment is highly individ
This is the bottom line, he suggested: Men experiencing symptoms should feel empowered to speak openly with their healthcare provider. Addressing ED not only improves sexual health but can also lead to the diagnosis and treatment of other potentially serious medical conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes. “Men that bring their sex partners to appointments regarding erectile dysfunction have significantly better outcomes,” he added. “Don’t suffer in silence. Help is available and it often begins with just one conversa-
By Shaina Zazzaro
I’m excited to share an incredible community group that’s making a real impact right here in Rochester — Roc Girl Walks.
Founded by my friend Maggie Coleman in 2024, this grassroots movement started with a simple dream: to bring women together through walking, fun and friendship. And it worked.
With more than 4,500 followers and growing, Coleman’s vision has
most inspiring wellness communities.
Roc Girl Walks welcomes you with open arms. It’s a reminder that every woman deserves to take up space, feel, see and be heard.
Coleman, a proud Rochesterian with a passion for fitness and connection, created Roc Girl Walks as a judgment-free space where women of all backgrounds could show up as they are, move their bodies and feel supported.
What makes this group so special is that it isn’t driven by money or fame — it’s driven by heart.
Coleman organizes each walk because she truly cares about the health and happiness of her community, which is something I hold dear to my heart as well.
Their next three-mile walk is happening June 7 at 9 a.m. and trust me, you’ll want to be part of it. To stay in the loop on upcoming walks and events, follow them on Instagram at @rocgirlwalks.
Let’s support this amazing community and continue to walk forward — together.
The concept is beautifully simple — gather, walk, talk and build meaningful relationships one step at
The walks are inclusive, empowering and full of positive energy. Whether you’re a seasoned fitness enthusiast or just looking for
9.75” WIDE X 6.69” HIGH
Shaina Zazzaro is a devoted wife and mother of two, blending her roles with a passion for health and wellness. She is the owner and chief executive officer of local meal delivery service, Effortlessly Healthy. For more information, visit
At Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY, you are never just a diagnosis or a number. We see you...the whole person, with passions, hopes, dreams, histories, and loved ones who share in your journey. From diagnosis, to treatment, to survivorship – our personalized care focuses on truly understanding and planning for your unique needs. We provide genuinely compassionate support, collaborating with you, your family, and caregivers every step of the way.
Learn more about HOA today. We’ll see you and care for you – body, mind and spirit.
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
One in 20 of US adults and 1 in 5 Americans aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
It may seem the number is climbing higher than in previous decades. However, data from the New England Journal of Medicine indicates that the rate in 1990 is similar to current times. But is it really a matter of higher recognition rather than an increase in the rate of occurrence?
A rise in diagnoses also points to at least a small increase in openness about mental healthcare.
“Although the stigma of serious mental illness remains a huge problem, I think that people are now more comfortable candidly discussing mental health challenges in especially the mild to moderate range,” said Ryan Thibodeau, Ph.D., professor of psychology at St. John Fisher University, board member at National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) Rochester and licensed clinical psychologist. “Wider availability of mental
health services and professionals may encourage people to seek help for more moderate struggles that would not have been the focus of clinical attention a generation ago.
“Routine screening for mental health challenges — in primary care, for example — is likely an important factor. Every generation probably believes that it is living in unprecedented stressful times. But are we currently dealing with unique uncertainty in this country and around the globe? If we are, this seems bound to show up in an increasing prevalence of mental health challenges.”
Matthew Drury, licensed clinical social worker with Rochester Regional Health, believes that mental health has become “more normalized, so we’re starting to talk about it more than we were previously.”
During the pandemic, people began to give more attention to mental health problems. With work, travel and leisure activities halting, people had more time to look frankly at their mental health. Plus, people who already had mental health problems typically experienced an increase in
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Talking with friends and family can improve mental health. You can share your struggles, receive practical and emotional support and feel encouraged about your life. But you likely will need help from a professional mental health provider at some point in your life. Whether an acute or ongoing issue, connecting with a provider can make a big difference in improving your mental health. Finding a provider can seem daunting.
Matthew Drury, licensed clinical social worker with Rochester Regional Health, recommends speaking with your primary care provider. They know both you and your needs and also the resources in the area.
“They have internal referrals and can provide names and numbers,” he said.
Drury added that some workplaces provide an employee assistance program that can help workers find help. For those not working,
severity and some people experienced onset of problems — and that’s still trending.
“We’re also seeing factors from the covid pandemic continue, that sense of isolation and feeling trapped,” Drury said.
In addition to the short-term quarantine period, the lasting effects from the pandemic linger still. Drury listed employment changes, a lack of interest in social interactions and the convenience of delivery services as isolative factors which can contribute to mental health problems.
“We’re still seeing the ripple effects from the pandemic,” he added. “If someone wanted to, they’d never have to leave their house with delivery, working remote and telehealth. It’s more normalized to go solo.”
Limiting social interactions isn’t good for mental health.
The rate of mental health issues doesn’t surprise Michael Loeb, family medicine physician for Rochester Regional Health.
“I’d have guessed one in four,” he said. “I wish it were just increased awareness, but the world has be-
Drury recommended seeking community-based mental health clinics through Rochester Regional Health. Some therapists work on a sliding scale fee basis.
During a primary care provider visit such as an annual physical or well-child visit, patients often receive screening for mental health issues, which can spark a conversation on the topic. Sometimes patients ask about mental health during a primary care visit, said physician Michael Loeb, family medicine for Rochester Regional Health.
Searching online can help patients who want to set up regular therapy sessions.
“One of the biggest recommendations is Psychology Today,” Loeb said. “They have a pretty good ‘Find a Therapist’ page where you can find a therapist in your area. It has some options.”
In addition to searching by location, you can search by gender, issue, religious background and more.
Loeb recommends calling your insurance company to see which therapists are within your network. Out-of-network providers will cost more or could even be entirely out of pocket and those expenses will add up quickly as these issues tend to take time to resolve.
Loeb also mentioned the Mental Health Association of Rochester, as this organization maintains a list of
come a lot more stressful and a lot less accepting in the last year or two. There’s a lot more judgment and less room to just roll and accept.”
He added that people in historically marginalized populations have expressed to him concerns about acceptance and their future. However, in addition to troubling headlines, general selfishness in the population is generating more angst.
“The world is less ‘we’ and more ‘I/me’ and people want to protect their little piece,” Loeb said.
Instead of comparing himself with others — which can cause anxiety — Loeb tries to focus on gratitude. Instead of ruminating on global stressors, Loeb thinks about what he can control to keep his life going well.
It’s also helpful to regularly engage in self-care, reach out to friends or professionals for help as needed and stay connected to the community. Find fulfillment in helping others, as this helps turn the focus outward. Let go of past mistakes and give yourself grace for things that you cannot change.
member counselors and services.
Ryan Thibodeau, PhD., professor of psychology at St. John Fisher University, board member at National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) Rochester and licensed clinical psychologist, encourages people seeking mental health providers through their primary care provider or through internet resources such as those available at NAMI Rochester (https://namiroc.org/resources/ community-resources/).
The site offers helpful articles about mental illness, along with a list of crisis lines and providers who can provide scheduled sessions for mental health.
“NAMI National has a really good treatment locator tool, as well,” Thibodeau added.
That is at https://helplinefaqs. nami.org/article/255-i-need-to-seea-psychiatrist-therapist-how-can-ifind-one.
Other resources for finding help include www.betterhelp.com and the department of health (Monroe County, https://www.monroecounty. gov/health; Ontario County https:// www.ontariocountyny.gov/101/ Public-Health; and Wayne County, https://www.wcphny.com).
Therapists understand that you need time to determine if you’re a good fit with that therapist. It’s OK to speak with a few different therapists until you find one that feels right.
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
“A close friend once told me that I was a people person and should use that ability as a social worker,” Megan Bunce recalls.
That advice, shared more than 15 years ago, led Bunce to a career that has improved hundreds of children’s lives. Bunce, a licensed social worker at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, works with some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
She began her role in the foster care program in 2023. Each year, this team provides case management to more than 1,000 children. More than that, though, the program provides stability, hope and a chance for a healthier future in a system that includes over 25,000 boys and girls in New York state.
Excellus BCBS may be best known for offering health plan options, but the nonprofit prides itself in its wide-ranging work around access and quality care. That includes children in foster care.
“I remember helping a little girl who had been struggling with her vision for years,” Bunce recalls. “Together with her foster care case manager, we identified a provider, got the coverage approved and lined up the appointment where she was prescribed glasses. This may seem simple to some, but it’s often these types of things people take for granted that make a significant difference in a child’s life.”
The foster care team ensures medications are being used properly, vaccines are completed, and well-child visits are scheduled. Staff members also address any other gaps in care that may arise.
While the work is rewarding, it can often be difficult, according to Lindsay Rachow, a licensed mental health counselor and manager of the foster care program. “As you can imagine, these young members’ stories can be challenging to read,”
she says. “It takes a special person to serve in this role. Bunce’s ability to connect with people is what makes her work so impactful.”
Bunce appreciates that her work is seen and felt. “Never have I looked back and regretted the decision to move forward with this career,” she says.
JeanMarie Armellino, a social worker from the Children’s Home of Wyoming Conference, understands the complexity of these children’s needs. “Our continuous communication with the [Excellus BCBS] foster care team empowers us to respond swiftly to the children’s needs while fostering a more integrated approach to care,” she says.
The partnership with local foster care programs began in 2013, when Excellus BCBS launched an initiative to ensure children in foster care receive necessary services and support.
“Too often, the challenges faced by those aging out of the foster care system can lead to housing instability, unemployment and substance use,” Rachow says. “The need for comprehensive support throughout their life is critical.”
For example, when the Excellus BCBS foster care team receives a notification that a member in its care has had an emergency department or inpatient hospital visit, staff members take immediate action. They seek to understand the reason for the visit, providing education on urgent care versus emergency visits and ensuring that safety planning, medication changes and follow-up care are in place.
“Teamwork allows us to become a trusted resource for families, filling gaps in care and providing support during critical transitions,” Bunce explains.
Children in foster care are twice as likely as other children to have learning disabilities, three times more likely to have ADD or ADHD and seven times more likely to suffer from depression, according to the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA). These alarming statistics underline the necessity of the services that Excellus BCBS provides.
“Youth in the foster care system often face unique social determinants of health challenges,” Bunce says. “It’s common for them to have higher rates of mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, as well as chronic health issues like obesity to asthma. They’re at a greater risk for a myriad of health problems compared to their peers. Our work is vital.”
Both Bunce and Rachow say their support extends beyond case management. They offer training to foster parents, encouraging them to attend the children’s advisory committee meetings held twice a year, covering topics like substance use and selfcare for caregivers. They also ensure that children’s wishes are considered when making decisions about their medical needs, working closely with caseworkers to respect each child’s voice.
in our society.
“The work we are doing serves as a powerful reminder that when we come together to support one another, we can create lasting change and brighter futures for those who need it most,” Bunce says. “I have found meaning in being the person families could rely on. When they look back, they can say, ‘Bunce was there for our family’ — those are the moments I will never forget.”
To hear Megan Bunce’s story, go to www.youtube.com/ watch?v=TE2vUYBUPbw
To learn more about the foster care program at Excellus BCBS, visit excellusbcbs.com.
“From my room to the food to the excellent doctors and techs…they took what could have been an unpleasant experience and made it great.”
That’s just one of the comments we’ve received from a patient who has had postsurgical rehab at St. Ann’s. We’re proud to offer first-class care that gets you healthy and home as soon as possible.
Preplan your stay. Call (585)697-6565 or visit stannscommunity.com.
1500 Portland Ave. Rochester, NY 14621
By Becky Carney
What is the leading cause of injury for adults aged 65 and older?
A. Car accidents
B. Risky dance moves C. Falls
The answer, according to the Centers for Disease Control, is falls.
CDC data shows that 1 in 4 older adults report falling each year. Of those, 37% had an injury that required medical treatment or restricted their activity.
If you're like most people, medical treatment and restricted activity are two things you try to avoid. That means taking precautions to prevent falls and, if you do fall, taking the right steps so you can resume your daily activities.
That's where physical therapists come in.
Physical therapists are healthcare professionals specially trained in treating injuries to the body that limit a person's ability to move or function in daily life. If you fracture your hip in a fall, for example, the physical therapist can provide treatment to help you heal and get the hip working properly again. We work to restore movement by reducing pain, building strength, increasing range of motion and improving balance, gait and mobility.
Why does our risk of falling increase as we get older?
First, physical changes as we age mean our muscles become weaker, our balance declines and our reaction speed decreases.
In addition, environmental factors play a greater role: slippery floor surfaces, poor lighting, tripping hazards (like shoes or throw rugs), and improper footwear can all contribute to the risk of falling.
The physical therapist provides a treatment plan to counter all of those issues, both the physical and the environmental. This can include targeted exercises to build strength and endurance, improve balance and coordination, and return you to
the level of activity you're used to. It can also include the prescription of assistive devices such as grab bars, walkers, canes and reaching devices to assist with everyday life. While these may at first seem inconvenient, with proper training and continued use, they can be invaluable in maintaining your independence and quality of life, allowing you to remain in your own home longer.
Perhaps the most important factor in reducing the risk of falling is a simple one: keep moving!
People who are afraid of falling may choose to limit their activity. But a sedentary lifestyle causes your body to become weaker, which actually increases your risk of falling and suffering an injury.
Of course, this doesn't mean trying to run a marathon. But staying active, even in small doses, will keep your body strong and working smoothly. Your physical therapist can help you set reasonable goals and find exercises that are right for you.
At St. Ann's Community at Cherry Ridge, we recently opened a new outpatient therapy service that brings expert care right to our residents' homes. I'm proud to be leading the team bringing this “concierge-style” service to our elders in independent and assisted living.
Whether or not such a service is available to you, be sure to talk to your primary medical provider if you've fallen or are experiencing symptoms that could lead to a fall. Your provider can prescribe physical therapy and refer you to a skilled professional who can help you stay strong, safe, and independent.
Becky Carney is therapy manager at St. Ann’s Community at Cherry Ridge. She holds a doctorate degree in physical therapy. She can be reached at rcarney@mystanns.com.
By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior,
What all does Medicare cover when it comes to vision care? I currently have good vision insurance through my employer but will lose it when I retire.
Almost 65
Dear Almost,
Many soon-to-be retirees are a bit blurry with what Medicare does and doesn’t cover when it comes to vision care.
The good news is that Medicare covers most medical issues like cataract surgery, treatment of eye diseases and medical emergencies.
Unfortunately, routine care like eye exams and eyeglasses are usually the beneficiary’s responsibility.
Here’s a breakdown of what is and isn’t covered.
Eye exams and treatments: Medicare does not cover routine eye exams that test for eyeglasses or contact lenses, but they do cover yearly medical eye exams if you have diabetes or are at high risk for glaucoma. They will also pay for exams to test and treat medical eye diseases if you’re having vision problems that indicate a serious eye problem like macular degeneration, dry eye syndrome, glaucoma, eye infections or if you get something in your eye.
Eye surgeries: Medicare will cover most eye surgeries that help repair the eye function, including cataract surgery to remove cataracts and insert standard intraocular lenses to replace your own. Medicare will not, however, pick up the extra cost if you choose a premium multifocal lens that restores full range of vision, thereby reducing your need for glasses after cataract surgery. The extra cost for a premium lens can run $1,500 to $4,000 per eye.
Eye surgeries that are usually not covered by Medicare include refractive (LASIK) surgery and cosmetic eye surgery that are not considered medically necessary.
Eyeglasses and contact lenses: Medicare will not pay for eyeglasses or contact lenses, with one exception: If you have had a conventional intraocular lens inserted during cataract surgery, Medicare will pay for eyeglasses or contact lenses following the operation.
Although original Medicare’s vision coverage is limited to medical issues, there are ways you can save on routine care.
Here are several to check into.
Medicare Advantage plans: Many of
these plans, which are alternatives to original Medicare and sold through private insurance companies, cover routine eye exams and eyeglasses, but coverage is limited so be sure you understand the specifics.
While I don’t recommend enroll ing in an Advantage plan just to get vision coverage, it is an option you should know about. To locate Advan tage plans in your area that provide vision coverage, go to Medicare.gov/ plan-compare or call 800-633-4227.
Purchase vision insurance: get routine eye exams and purchase new eyeglasses annually, a vision insurance plan may be worth the costs. These policies typically range between $5 and $30 per month. Most plans will also have copays or de ductibles you’ll be responsible for.
Check veterans’ benefits: a veteran and qualify for VA health care benefits, you may be able to get some or all of your routine vision care through VA. Go to VA.gov/ health-care/about-va-health-bene fits/vision-care to learn more.
Find cheaper shopping options: Many retailers provide discounts –between 10 and 50 percent – on eye exams and eyeglasses if you belong to a membership group like AARP or AAA.
You can also save by shopping at discount retailers like Costco Optical, Sam’s Club Optical or Target Optical, which are all recommended by Con sumer Reports. Or consider buying your glasses online at retailers like ZenniOptical.com, EyeBuyDirect. com or GlassesUSA.com which offer big savings.
To purchase glasses online, you’ll need a valid prescription from an eye doctor (no more than a year old), plus your pupillary distance number, which is the distance, measured in millimeters, between the centers of your pupils in each eye.
Look for assistance
There are also health centers and local clinics that provide free or discounted vision exams and eyeglasses to those in need. To find them put a call into your local Lions Club (see Directory.LionsClubs.org) for referrals.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
As the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease tops more than 7 million for the first time, nearly 4 in 5 Americans would want to know if they had Alzheimer’s disease before it impacted their lives.
They also want treatment, even if it comes with risks, as long as it slows the progression of the disease.
These are among the insights uncovered in the 2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures Report released by the Alzheimer’s Association in April.
The 2025 Facts and Figures report provides an in-depth look at the latest national and state-by-state statistics on Alzheimer’s prevalence, mortality, dementia care workforce, costs of care and impact on caregivers.
The new report shows preva-
lence, disease-related deaths and cost of caring for those living with Alzheimer’s are rising across the country.
Among the findings:
• 7.2 million people aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease.
• Total annual costs of caring for people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias (excluding unpaid care) is projected to be $384 billion in 2025.
• Additionally, nearly 12 million family members and friends provide 19.2 billion hours of unpaid care, valued at an additional $413 billion.
• Deaths due to Alzheimer’s disease more than doubled between 2000 and 2022.
Americans want to know early if they have Alzheimer’s
An accompanying special report, American Perspectives on Early
Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease in the Era of Treatment, highlights a national survey of more than 1,700 U.S. adults, aged 45 and older, examining awareness and attitudes of early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, tests used to help diagnose Alzheimer’s and treatments that can slow progression of the disease.
Among the findings revealed in the new survey: Americans want to know early if they have Alzheimer’s disease and want access to testing.
• Nearly 4 in 5 Americans (79%) would want to know if they had Alzheimer’s disease before having symptoms or before symptoms interfere with daily activities.
• More than 9 in 10 Americans would definitely or probably want a simple test (e.g. blood-based biomarker test) if it was available. The number one reason for wanting a simple test is to allow for earlier treatment and care.
If diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, most Americans would want medication to slow its progression and would highly value information about the disease and treatment.
• More than 9 in 10 Americans (92%) would probably or definitely want to take a medication that could slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease following an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
• Nearly three in five Americans (58%) said they would accept a moderate or high level of risk with taking an anti-amyloid medication to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Nearly 1 in 4 Americans (22%) are willing to accept high risk.
Full text of the 2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, including the accompanying special report, American Perspectives on Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease in the Era of Treatment, can be viewed at alz.org/facts.
More than 8 million Americans are prescribed blood thinners to treat or prevent blood clots — but many worry about bleeding risks
Starting a new medication — especially a blood thinner — can sound daunting. Are you feeling overwhelmed by this new medication and what you need to know?
Or have you been on a blood thinner for a long time and feeling like you need a knowledge refresh?
You aren't alone. In the United States, more than 8 million people are prescribed blood thinners.
Shane Christensen, a family medicine physician, explains, "Blood thinners are used for the treatment of blood clots or the prevention of blood clots and their detrimental effects, such as strokes and pulmonary embolisms that can lead to death."
They are most commonly used for the treatment of a deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in a vein) and pulmonary embolisms (blood clot in the lungs).
"A deep vein thrombosis [DVT] most commonly occurs in the leg. We prescribe blood thinners to limit the damage and improve the recovery," Christensen explains. Some other situations that may require a blood thinner are after surgery when mobility may be limited, after the placement of an artificial heart valve,
or for those who have chronic atrial fibrillation.
"Choosing which medication to prescribe depends upon the patient's situation, comorbidities, preference, cost and convenience for the patient," Christensen says. In an outpatient setting the most common blood thinners are Warfarin, Xarelto and Eliquis.
Christensen explains that Warfarin is a customizable medication, which means the dose is adjusted to the patient. This requires patients to have regular monitoring through a blood test called an INR. Warfarin does have a higher risk of bleeding or bruising and is more sensitive to vitamin K in the diet because vitamin K increases clotting. Foods with the highest amounts of vitamin K include leafy greens like kale, spinach, collards or turnip greens.
Eliquis and Xarelto are a fixed dose and do not require blood monitoring, which many people find more convenient, but they can potentially be more expensive. Your health care provider can discuss with you which medication is best for you based on your diagnosis and situation.
Warfarin is one of most common blood thinners in the market, along with Xarelto and Eliquis.
Blood thinners increase the risk of bleeding both externally and internally. Christensen explains, "The benefit of these medications is to prevent clots from forming, but you are more susceptible to bleeding and bruising. The most dangerous situation while on a blood thinner is a subdural hematoma from falling and hitting your head. If you are over anticoagulated — which is more likely to happen while on Warfarin — you can be at risk of having abdominal, intestinal or urinary tract bleeding." You may notice that you bleed longer after getting cut because your blood takes longer to clot.
There are some signs of a subdural hematoma to watch for:
• Severe headaches or headaches that worsen
• Confusion
• Nausea or vomiting
• Seizures
• Altered speech
• Altered levels of consciousness or drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Loss of movement in certain areas of the body
• Signs of internal bleeding may include:
• Blood in your stools or black stools
• Red or brown urine
• Coughing up blood
It is crucial to seek medical attention if you experience these symptoms because internal bleeding can be a life-threatening condition.
Stick to a Schedule
When taking a blood thinner, it is crucial that you are educated and prepared to adhere to your medication treatment plan.
Christensen emphasizes the importance of sticking to your medication schedule.
"Since it is a critical treatment it is important to take them as directed. Try not to forget or skip a dose. You also don't want to accidentally overdose. If there are memory problems that may cause you to take an extra dose or forget a dose, use a memory aide, a pill box or use assistance. Take your medications as directed. If you are unable to, come up with ways you can."
the
Members of UR Medicine
Thompson Health’s nursing leadership teams presented awards to several health system associates during the 2025 celebration of National Nurses Week.
At the May 8 awards ceremony, Casen Lange, BSN, RN, of Lyons was named Thompson Hospital’s Nurse of the Year as well as a Nurse of Distinction. Jacqueline Pollotta, LPN, of Farmington was named the Overall Nurse of Distinction for the M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center.
The following were also honored during the ceremony:
• Hospital Nurses of Distinction Holly Bailey of Bloomfield; Samantha Clingerman of Canandaigua; Sandy Irving of Canandaigua; and Mary Kathryn Riesenberger of Naples.
• Hospital Nurse of Distinction in the Preceptor/Mentor category –Caitlin Bonanni of Shortsville.
• Hospital Nurse of Distinction in the Rising Star category –Nichelle Camp of Newark.
• Hospital Patient Care Tech of Distinction – Alexandra Piasta of Livonia.
• Hospital Advance Practice Provider of Distinction – Jamie Pica of Fairport.
• Hospital Provider of Distinction – physician Richard Mandanas of Farmington.
• Hospital Department of Distinction – Security.
• Long-Term Care (LTC) Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) of the Year – Jo Mandigo of Bloomfield.
• LTC Nurse of Distinction for Commitment – Wendy Lackey of Canandaigua.
• LTC Nurse of Distinction for Action – Jennifer Decoursey of Canandaigua.
• LTC Nurse of Distinction for Respect – Kristalee VanValkenburg of Canandaigua.
• LTC Nurse of Distinction for Excellence – Caitlin Perkins of Henrietta.
• LTC Nurse of Distinction for Service – Sue Shively of Canandaigua.
• LTC Nurse of Distinction in the Preceptor/Mentor category –Stephanie Gallo of Naples.
• LTC Nurse of Distinction in the Rising Star category – Amy Logan of Bloomfield.
• LTC CNA of Distinction for Commitment – Lisa Race of Penn Yan.
• LTC CNA of Distinction for Action – Emily Thompson of Canandaigua.
• LTC CNA of Distinction for Respect – Desiree Lee of Phelps.
• LTC CNA of Distinction for Excellence – Sue Raner of Naples.
• LTC CNA of Distinction for Service – Ayla Roessler of Canandaigua.
Hundreds of children and families across Rochester are riding safer this spring thanks to a collaboration between Rochester Regional Health’s Golisano Restorative Neurology and Rehabilitation Center and the city of Rochester. Together, the partners collected and distributed over 240 helmets at a community event held in May at the Jackson R-Center on North Clinton Avenue. Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, the RRH Golisano Rehab team expand-
ed its helmet drive throughout March and April in honor of Brain Injury Awareness Month, more than doubling the number of helmets donated during last year’s inaugural helmet drive.
“These helmets are more than gear— they’re protection, empowerment and a statement that this community puts children’s health and safety first,” said physician Sean Silverman, medical director of Golisano Restorative Neurology & Rehabilitation. “We’re thrilled to see how this initiative is growing
The Thompson Health Guild is hosting its annual Fashion Show on Sunday, June 8, at Finger Lakes Community College, 3325 Marvin Sands Drive.
and how it directly supports our mission of preventing brain injuries.”
This year’s effort was powered by generous support from returning and new partners: Rochester Accessible Adventures, Endless Highways, Sit Proud, Hanger Clinic, Cellino Law, Tim’s Trim, Tennis Club of Rochester, Eli Fish, Dave McCarthy Ice Rink, Total Sports Experience, Rochester Black Nurses Association, Mirror Mirror Hair Studio, Rochester Sports Garden, Breaking Free Skatepark, and Hornit Helmets.
Eastview Mall is the presenting sponsor for the event. Doors open at 10 a.m. with a bottomless mimosa bar, auction items, shopping and a lunch buffet. Models will hit the runway at noon.
The cost is $50 per person and options for table reservations are available. Proceeds will benefit the guild’s scholarships for area high school seniors who are entering healthcare-related fields of study.
For tickets, visit www. ThompsonHealth.com/Fashion. For more information, email ThompsonGuildFashionShow@gmail.com
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