TOO YOUNG, TOO STRONG? Building a Better Nation by Improving the Health & Wellness of America’s Teens
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Stacy Brown, Sam P.K. Collins, Michelle Phipps-Evans, Eve Ferguson, Gale Horton Gay, Elton J. Hayes, Njunga Kabugi, Stacey Palmer, Dorothy Rowley, Barrington Salmon, Margaret Summers, Charles E. Sutton, James Wright
PHOTOGRAPHERS John E. De Freitas, Roy Lewis, Khalid Naji-Allah, Shevry Lassiter
The Time is Now! By 1983 Torcy Ross, despite being a toddler, had developed a sharp taste for freshly brewed, strong coffee. Her parents, who had both grown up taking casual sips of coffee from other relatives in their Warrenton, Virginia town, could hardly have known the dangers in turning the child onto caffeine. In what she describes as a progressive dependence on caffeinated beverages during her teen years, Ross eventually developed several chronic health conditions, including acid reflux disease, iron deficiency, and incontinence, as the result of consuming an average of 10 Red Eyes (coffee with an espresso shot) a day. “Caffeine kept me alert and functioning during high school and college. Everyone was drinking coffee or taking No-Doze to study late hours and get through exams. It worked, but it took it began to take its toll on my body in my early twenties. At 33, Ross is one of millions of Americans whose chronic health conditions began in overindulgence as a teen. Whether it’s overindulging in sweets, caffeine, or greasy foods, or engaging in reckless behaviors, teen habits can easily have lifetime consequences. The National Diabetes Education Program reported earlier this year that about 215,000 young people under 20 years of age have diabetes. While most of those making up that figure have Type 1 diabetes, as obesity rates in children continues to soar, Type 2 diabetes, a disease that used to be seen primarily in adults over age 45, is becoming more common in teens. Being sedentary – a lack of exercise, and poor eating habits are at the root of both diabetes and the excess weight associated with developing it. Unfortunately, as teens stretch the boundary of parental authority and assume responsibility for their own meals, activities, and schedules, many join the rat race of adults by going to bed later, eating more processed and fast foods, and engaging in social activities that require less physical activity. In Too Young, Too Strong? Building a Better Nation by Improving the Health of America’s Teens, the Informer encourages parents and teens to get serious about their health. F. Sia Turay examines finding a happy balance between online socializing and knowing when to disconnect from cyber-world, while Ronda Smith offers advice on navigating the stress of adolescence. Staff writer Stacy Brown tops off our edition with profiles of leading experts in the field of youth health. Read & Enjoy! Shantella Y. Sherman Editor, Special Editions
HS-2 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT | December 2013 | www.washingtoninformer.com
Still Dental Homes The can Save Lives One. Proper nutrition is important for good dental health.
A home is more than a building with walls and a roof…it’s a place you can trust to be safe, to be filled with people who care about you. AmeriHealth District of Columbia explains why it is important to have a Dental Home. The high-pitched drilling sound is what does it for most people. It is enough to make your jaws clench and lips tremble. That single sound embodies the deeply rooted fear that many people have of the dentist. For some, the noise triggers bad memories. For others, it creates an expectation of pain or worse, the unknown. We wonder: Why is it so loud? Why is the dentist smiling? Does he have to have that tray filled with sharp tools? And why is there gauze? Will there be blood? Relax.
The job of the dentist isn’t to torture you. It is to help you have a healthy mouth. It’s to preserve your teeth. It is to give you confidence when you smile and speak. That’s why finding the right primary dental provider and setting up a “Dental Home,” is key to having a great experience. Having a Dental Home means that your oral care is done by a licensed dentist in a place that is safe and pleasant. It means you will receive regular attention by a provider with whom you create a relationship. This provider will listen to you, guide you and make sure you get the best care. He or she will also be able to provide referrals to specialists.
A Dental Home is a place you can trust.
“Going to the dentist in 2013 is not like going in 1983,” says Larry Paul, DDS, a dental director for AmeriHealth. “It’s much gentler now. Dentists are more sensitive and interested in managing pain.” According to a 2007 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, almost 55% of children in the US have never been to the dental office. And only 34% of African-American children have been treated by a dentist. Those numbers need to be better. Lives depend on it. In 2007, 12-year-old Kyle (not his real name) couldn’t get to a dentist. The bacteria from his infected tooth had spread to his brain. Even with 2 operations and 6 weeks of hospital care, doctors were not able to save him. He died. And it all started with a toothache. It’s important that you work with your health insurance provider to set up a Dental Home. When you have a Home, your dentist will help you avoid emergencies. But you have to take the first step by making an appointment. AmeriHealth DC assigns a dental home to all our members and offers transportation to and from appointments. We also provide prescription drug coverage and personal support from nurses. We are with our members every step of the way. And we are committed to serving those who need it most because care is the heart of our work. HS
AmeriHealth District of Columbia (DC) now offers the benefits, services and commitment of Chartered Health Plan. AmeriHealth DC is moving forward with the best of Chartered to provide you with the same high-quality personal care and services, delivered by many of the same people you’ve known and depended on for generations. We’re still the one for: Transportation to and from appointments
Personal support from nurses
Prescription drug coverage
And more…
Vision care and dental care
High-touch community outreach
AmeriHealth DC. Still the one.
202-639-4030 This program is funded in part by the Government of the District of Columbia Department of Health Care Finance.
www.amerihealthdc.com
www.washingtoninformer.com | December 2013 | HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT HS-3
IMPACT
Asthma can be controlled by taking medicine as your doctor prescribes.
Partnership Program Empowers Parents of Children with Asthma AmeriHealth District of Columbia, Children’s National Medical Center and Breathe DC partner to fight childhood asthma through “IMPACT DC” (Improving Pediatric Asthma Care in the District of Columbia). Nothing is scarier for parents than seeing their children clutching their chests in a struggle to breathe. To hear them coughing early in the morning. And late at night. To watch their eyes widen in fright as they fight for air. It’s heartbreaking to see a child so scared. But a group of doctors and insurers have come together to help reduce the amount of times kids have to go through this by expanding the IMPACT DC program. One out of every 12 children in the district suffers from asthma. It is a common disease of the lungs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the district has one of the highest rates of kids with this illness. Many of the children who have severe attacks come from low-income neighborhoods. And there are few doctors who specialize in asthma based in these areas. So, it becomes a problem of access and education. These facts are part of the reason Stephen Teach, an emergency room (ER) doctor, founded IMPACT DC in 2001. Teaching families The heart of the IMPACT DC program is its asthma clinic. The clinic sees children who have
recently been in the hospital for asthma. The clinic also sees those who generally have trouble with their illness and miss a lot of school days. Asthma attacks usually increase during the fall and winter. They can also be triggered by cold air, flu season and allergens. But asthma can be controlled by taking medicine and avoiding these triggers. AmeriHealth District of Columbia (DC) has recently joined with IMPACT DC to further assist in the care of Medicaid patients. And Breathe DC, a nonprofit organization, will also lend its support by making home visits. The three groups aim to reduce the need for ER visits by teaching families how to control asthma. “We’ve had patients who have brought their children to ERs more than once because they couldn’t figure out why the child kept having asthma attacks,” says Mark Fracasso, M.D., medical director for AmeriHealth DC. As part of the program, educators ask parents if their home contains asthma triggers, such as mold, dust, mice or pet dander. “One child kept having attacks because his father kept a lawn-mower in their living room. They lived in a rough neighborhood,” Fracasso explains. “The father felt he had to do that to keep the mower from getting stolen. But he didn’t realize that it was causing his son’s sickness.” Most asthma-related visits to the ER are preventable. That’s why IMPACT DC invites parents to the clinic within 2 weeks of a trip to the ER with their children. They have a detailed meeting with doctors, nurses
Take your medication as your doctor tells you to, because everyday matters.
Wasted Prescriptions: A Tough Pill to Swallow Patients aren’t following doctors’ orders when it comes to medication. AmeriHealth District of Columbia explains how that behavior can make illnesses worse. Orange bottles and white pills. Maybe they’re two-color capsules. Maybe they are shaped like circles or ovals. They might have powder or pellets in them. Maybe your medication isn’t a pill at all. It could be a needle. In whatever form they are prescribed, we all know about prescription medicines and doctors’ orders to take them. Despite doctors’ instrucand educators. The goal is to explain what asthma means, what triggers it and what it does to the body. Children are shown how to properly use their medication, and are taught to notice when it is time to get more. IMPACT DC focusses on individual support. The visits are not rushed. A unique plan is developed for each family. With AmeriHealth DC’s help, patients are guided back to getting long-term care from their primary care providers. Care is also coordinated with school nurses and others who
tions, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states 20 percent to 30 percent of prescriptions are never filled. About 50 percent of people who do get their medicines stop taking them after 6 months. Are you in either of these groups? Not taking your medicine as prescribed is called “medication non-adherence.” Doing this can have a bad impact on your longterm health. It can make you sicker. It can even land you in the hospital. Whether you are asked to take 1 medicine or 11, it is understandable that you may not want to. Drugs can be expensive, and sometimes we just forget to take them. But we have to do better.
Following the doctor’s advice can save time, money and energy. One trip to an emergency room can take up a whole day or longer for you and your family. Plus, it can cost you in gas money and cause you stress. So, if you are missing your medicines for any reason, talk to your doctor. Tell him or her how you are feeling. Ask questions. If you can’t afford your medications or have trouble remembering to take them, ask for help. There might be programs that can help you with reminders and transportation. Take the time to do this today. Your life depends on it. HS
are involved with looking after the child. “It’s all about caring and compassion,” Dr. Fracasso notes. “That’s what we all want to give the patient.”
of medications. And they may need to be taken at different times. Asthma is not like a cold that comes and goes. It can be a challenge to keep up with it all, but there is help to control it. Breathing should be easy. Most of us do it about 20,000 times a day. We breathe without thinking. Whether short and shallow or long and deep, we inhale and we exhale. AmeriHealth DC is proud to partner with IMPACT DC and Breathe DC to make sure every breath counts. Our goal is help children get care, stay well and build healthier communities. HS
Creating awareness Despite many families having children that suffer with asthma, there are still a lot of parents who don’t know how to manage it. The condition is a chronic one that needs special attention. Kids may need to use inhalers. Or they may need to use sprays. There are many different types
HS-4 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT | December 2013 | www.washingtoninformer.com
Still The One. AmeriHealth District of Columbia (DC) now offers the benefits, services and commitment of Chartered Health Plan. AmeriHealth DC is moving forward with the best of Chartered to provide you with the same high-quality personal care and services, delivered by many of the same people you’ve known and depended on for generations. We’re still the one for: • Transportation to and from appointments • Prescription drug coverage • Vision care and dental care
• Personal support from nurses • High-touch community outreach • And more...
AmeriHealth DC. Still the one.
This program is funded in part by the Government of the District of Columbia Department of Health Care Finance.
202-639-4030
www.amerihealthdc.com
www.washingtoninformer.com | December 2013 | HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT HS-5
TEENS,
Recipe
BY THE NUMBERS
Winter Squash Risotto Sweet winter squash and earthy shiitake mushrooms are delicious in this creamy risotto. In keeping with the healthy adolescent theme, this risotto promises a healthy, quick and easy alternative for vegetarians and vegans (substitute the cheese for tofu) holiday meals.
93
the percentage of teens ages 12-17 who go online
69
the percentage of teens have their own computer
73 201
the percentage of teens on a social networks the average number of Facebook friends teens reported having.
Winter Squash Risotto Recipe Makes: 4 servings, about 1 1/2 cups each Active Time: 1 hour Total Time: 1 hour Ingredients 5 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth, or vegetable broth 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 3 medium shallots, thinly sliced 3 cups chopped peeled butternut, hubbard, red kuri or kabocha squash (1/2-inch pieces) 2 cups shiitake mushroom caps, thinly sliced 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 1/8 teaspoon crumbled saffron threads, (optional) 1 cup arborio rice 1/2 cup dry white wine, or dry vermouth 1/2 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese Preparation Place broth in a medium saucepan; bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat so the broth remains steaming, but is not simmering.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in squash and mushrooms; cook, stirring often, until the mushrooms give off their liquid, about 5 minutes. Add thyme, salt, pepper and saffron (if using); cook for 30 seconds. Add rice; stir until translucent, about 1 minute. Add wine (or vermouth) and cook, stirring, until almost absorbed by the rice, about 1 minute. Stir in 1/2 cup of the hot broth; reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring constantly, until the liquid has been absorbed. Continue adding the broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring after each addition until all the liquid has been absorbed, until the rice is tender and creamy, 30 to 40 minutes total. (You may have some broth left.) Remove from the heat and stir in cheese. Nutrition Per serving: 372 calories; 11 g fat ( 3 g sat , 6 g mono ); 15 mg cholesterol; 54 g carbohydrates; 14 g protein; 6 g fiber; 632 mg sodium; 790 mg potassium. Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (380% daily value), Vitamin C (65% dv), Potassium (21% dv), Calcium (20% dv). Carbohydrate Servings: 3 Exchanges: 2 1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 2 fat
$208.7
Billion the total amount U.S. teens spent on products in 2012.
81
the percentage of girls that said their number one source for the latest trends was either their peers or friends.
HS-6 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT | December 2013 | www.washingtoninformer.com
gaming at a certain time? Should her cell phone be charged in your room at night so texts don’t wake her up? Work on that plan together. “It seems like you’d like to make these decisions on your own. I want to make sure you’re safe. How can we give you some freedom and me some peace of mind?” Brainstorm with her how she can show you that
she is ready for more responsibility– and agree on how you will handle it if something happens that demonstrates that she isn’t ready for it yet. “Have you ever seen someone post something that backfired? Will you tell me about that? How do you think she should have handled it?” Talking about topics like this with relation to other people can help make it easier
for teens to ask questions and share information. “When you post online, remember that everyone can see it— even the person you’re dating, and your teachers, and grandma.” Talk about the fact that, once they’re up, it’s hard to take images down. Encourage them to use the “do I want grandma to see this?” test before posting online. HS
The Disconnect of Adolescent Cyber Relationships F. Sia Turay Special to the Informer Increasingly teens and young adults are turning to the internet to socialize, for entertainment, and for information. Inasmuch as the web provides quick and easy access to data, many warn against the increased reliance on resources removed from actual people. The physical, emotional, and psychological changes that occur in adolescence prompt youths to have serious questions about their bodies, relationships, and health that are often personal, sensitive, or embarrassing. Lalita K. Suzuki, at the Children’s Digital Medical Center at the University of California, found that adolescents are often reluctant to consult physicians, peers, and others for personal health questions due to concerns about confidentiality. “Health information on the Internet is a promising resource due to its accessibility, interactivity, and anonymity,” Suzuki said, who suggests parents have serious dialogue with teens 13-19 about the limits of online resources. Why talk about Internet use with your teen? Teens are separating from their parents, figuring out who they are, and asserting their individuality. In the media realm, as in other realms, this is when they move from identifying as members of a group (“We all watch The Simpsons”) to striking out on their own (“I created my own blog about baseball”). The increasing freedom and privacy is exciting and opens new possibilities for both learning and harm. What is the parents’ role? Even though they look like adults and demand to be treated as adults, teens aren’t yet adults. Their brains are still developing the ability to understand the effects of their actions and to connect the present to the future. That’s why they still need a caring adult’s help to make choices and
manage their behavior. Your role is to support your teen’s growing independence in ways that are both affirming and protective. To support involvement in other activities, work with them on balancing all the things that are important to them. Help them to prioritize and manage their time, making sure that a healthy amount of sleep, a family meal, and academic and family obligations come first. Slowly increase your teen’s freedom to decide how to use the Internet. She will push for it. Remember to move slowly, though—she needs to practice using the Internet in safe, healthful ways before she’s proven herself ready to be by herself in that realm, just as she does when learning to drive a car. Keep the channels of communication open. Ask questions that your teen can answer. Sometimes, that will mean asking questions about other teens, or about things you’ve both seen in the media (“I keep hearing about sexting—what do you know about that? Can you tell me about it?”). Appeal to her mastery and expertise. Emphasize that the Web is not private by keeping computers in public spaces. Your teen will want to go online in private. Let her show that she can monitor his time and activities online, and slowly give her more privacy as she proves herself. What to say? When talking with teens, listen as much as possible. They have ideas of what they’d like and how it could work. Support them in trying things, and offer support when what they try doesn’t work. Be there to help guide them through that process. “I know you have a lot of things you want to do. What ideas do you have for how you can fit everything in? If you can’t fit everything, what’s most important to you?” Work together to determine what kind of support she wants from you. Would it be helpful for you to set a timer so she stops
Prince George’s County, M A RYL A N D
THE PLACE to locate your Bio-Pharma business. Prince George’s County is home to key bio-science assets and regulatory agencies: • USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center • FDA facilities • USDA/APHIS • University of Maryland – College Park It is centrally located in Maryland’s bio-science innovation corridor, along I-95 and Rt. 1. Prince George’s County’s institutions are in the forefront of innovation in bio-engineering, ag-bio and food safety – improving human health. A new, $600 million regional, teaching hospital is on the horizon.
It just got better – we now have a $50 Million incentive fund!
Visit us at: www.pgcedc.com
www.washingtoninformer.com | December 2013 | HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT HS-7
UNITY has always been HERE! Unity Health Care has always been here... As a major part of our nation’s landscape. In your communities, in your neighborhoods
Unity Health Care has always been here... Evolving with the times and bringing nationally recognized innovation in health care technology with community tailored programs and services
Unity Health Care has always been here... Bringing new state-of-the-art health centers that provide quality and convenient medical care
Unity Health Care has always been here... As a leader in primary health care with nationally recognized doctors and connections into some of our city’s top specialties and hospitals
Unity Health Care has always been here... Join the Unity Health Care family and be a part of the health care system that has always been here for you
Because at Unity, we Treat You WELL! To schedule an appointment please call 202-469-4699 or visit us on our website at www.unityhealthcare.org Unity is an employer of choice. Visit our career center for employment opportunities. HS-8 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT | December 2013 | www.washingtoninformer.com
Providence Hospital Merges with Unity Health Care By Stacy M. Brown WI Contributing Writer
While Providence Hospital in Northeast has the distinction of being the District’s longest and continuously operated medical institution, Unity Health Care enjoys a well-documented history of doing more to help those with less. Today, the two health care providers have merged, creating a partnership officials said will better serve Washington, D.C., area residents, in part, because the corporations have made a public declaration of mutual commitment that will allow them to expand upon their ability to provide quality, affordable and convenient health care to the community. “About 28 years ago when we were founded, we were the health care for the homeless,” said Vincent A. Keane, president and CEO at Unity Health Care, Inc., in Southeast. “Health care in the District wasn’t as good then as it is now, and this arrangement allows us to improve quality,” Keane said. Elements of the partnership had already been in place since the passage of the Affordable Care Act three years ago, said Amy Freeman, CEO of Providence Hospital. “The real goal here is to provide better outcomes for residents of Washington, D.C., at lower costs,” said Freeman, who since 2010, has served as president and CEO of Providence, where she began a career in nursing more than 30 years ago. Freeman’s responsibilities includes overseeing operations at Providence, a 408-bed community teaching hospi
tal; Carroll Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Northeast, Perry Family Health Center in Northwest; and the Ft. Lincoln Family Medicine Center in Colmar Manor, Md. Additionally, Freeman oversees the hospital’s Center for Life prenatal and obstetrical care program, the Seton House Behavioral Health, and the management of Congress Heights and Model Cities Senior Wellness Centers. Keane, who assumed the top post at Unity in 1990, previously served as a Catholic priest who dedicated himself to helping homeless Washingtonians receive health care. A past recipient of the prestigious National Association of Community Health Centers John Gilbert Award for championing community health care, Keane has helped to increase services for the homeless, raised the profile of non-profit clinics, and many credit him with turning around the fate of federally qualified health centers in the city. “The Providence-Unity partnership will transform the way health care is provided to the city’s residents by leveraging the power and reputation of two historic Washington health care providers to deliver convenient specialty health services of the highest quality,” Freeman. Since Providence and Unity each serve those in what are considered vulnerable and underserved communities, Keane said there remains a challenge in convincing many local individuals to seek care. “Yes, it’s going to take a long time, but we have to
identify certain measures by which we’ll hold ourselves accountable and make it easier for those in the various communities to come in,” Keane said. The brand new partnership should also help because of the long and effective history the entities share, Freeman said. Since Unity’s inception, Providence and Unity have collaborated on grant development, physician resident training, and providing OB/ GYN, breast care services and hospitalizations to the community, she said. Now that the partnership has become official, there will be an “All-is-Welcome” medical home that upholds both organizations’ common mission and core values to serve the community and provide high quality services regardless of a person’s ability to pay, Keane said. “Also, if someone needs care, they will not just work with one doctor, it will be a team concept,” he said. Unity Health Care counts as the leading source for primary care in the District’s atrisk areas, medical officials said. The organization served more than 100,000 patients at 29 sites last year and, with the partnership, it’s expected that patients will be able to enjoy more access to specialists from Providence Hospital at Unity clinics throughout Washington. Further, the specialty fields offered by both care facilities have expanded to include cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, general surgery, hematology, oncology, ophthalmology, or-
Vincent A. Keane, president and CEO at Unity Health Care, Inc.
Amy Freeman, CEO of Providence Hospital. thopedic medicine, podiatry, psychiatry, rheumatology, thoracic medicine, and vascular medicine. Additionally, Freeman said, primary care services such as internal, pediatrics, family practice, OB/GYN medicine, dental care, senior citizen care and substance abuse counseling will continue to be available. The partnership allows both organizations to maintain their core set of institutional values, keep their autonomy and respect their legal, ethical and religious requirements
while working together to better serve the city’s residents in a thoughtful and sensitive way, officials said. “One of the components that we will have is the sharing of patient information where appropriate,” Freeman said. “Oftentimes the lack of coordination and the duplication of services cause more problems. So, now if a patient is seen at one of Vincent Keane’s clinics one day, and he ends up in our hospital, we’ll be able to see his medical records and better gauge how to proceed.” HS
www.washingtoninformer.com | December 2013 | HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT HS-9
Dr Keisha Robinson – Khalid Naji Allan photo
Dr. Keisha Robinson at Home in Southeast By Stacy M. Brown WI Contributing Writer As a child growing up in Congress Heights, Keisha Robinson wasn’t oblivious to the decay that punctuated the Ward 8 neighborhood, located south of Anacostia. Today, as an adult, Robinson, a doctor and regional director of medical education for Unity Health Care, Inc., in Southeast, remains conscious of the needs of those in one of the District’s poorest and most underserved communities. “I actually spent the majority of my adolescent years in Ward 8. I was informed by my grandmother at a young age, that I was going to be a physician,” said Robinson, 39, who earned a Doctor of Osteopathy degree from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine after graduating from Hampton University in Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts degree in biological sciences. “I used my grandmother as one of the main reasons I entered the medical field. She was a diabetic, she suffered a stroke, a heart attack and she was an amputee,” Robinson said. “Having a close relative go through that helped to shape what I wanted to do with my life, which is to help prevent some of those complications that were
preventable.” Robinson said she felt the need to return to Southeast after seeking osteopathic residencies that didn’t exist in the District as late as 2001. “So, I completed my residency at Georgetown University and they aligned me with Unity Health Care, which was a treat, the icing on the cake for me,” she said. “I’ve been with Unity for 9 ½ years and it has been very rewarding.” Since 2004, Robinson has practiced a full spectrum of family medicine, including obstetrics at Unity Health Care, a federally qualified health center network that serves a diverse population of underserved, uninsured and working residents in Washington. A Unity spokesperson said that, as a servant of the community and an advocate for the underserved, Robinson has been the medical director for two of the organization’s health centers since 2009 and she’s also served as the associate vice president of medical support. “As I learned more about medicine, I knew I wanted continuity and I wanted the relationship with my patients’ complete family,” Robinson said. Recently, Robinson took on the role of regional director of medical education at Unity’s new Parkside campus in Northeast,
“I used my grandmother as one of the main reasons I entered the medical field. She was a diabetic, she suffered a stroke, a heart attack and she was an amputee,” Robinson said. “Having a close relative go through that helped to shape what I wanted to do with my life, which is to help prevent some of those complications that were preventable.”
where she oversees the A.T. Stills University School of Osteopathic Medicine and Unity Health Care medical students. In her new role, Robinson said she hopes to continue mentoring family medicine residents in hopes of exposing physicians in training to the “true essence of community medicine.” Founded in Mesa, Ariz., the A.T. Stills University School of Osteopathic Medicine developed a partnership in 2007 with the National Association of Community Health Centers in Bethesda, Md. The collaboration allowed 11 different community health centers to become medical school campuses. The first graduating
Dr Robinson sees patients in the Unity Health Centers as well as teaches medical students.
class emerged in 2011. At A.T. Stills, first year medical students complete 90 percent didactic and 10 percent clinical requirements at the Arizona campus. Upon completion of their first year, the students move to their assigned community health center campus where they complete the remainder of their medical school education. In August, Unity Health Care became the latest medical school campus, welcoming 10 students at the new Parkside Health Center. “The ultimate vision in building this partnership is to promote the development of future homegrown physicians,” Robinson said.
HS-10 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT | December 2013 | www.washingtoninformer.com
For patients, being treated by a physician who hails from their own neighborhood, it often proves comforting and it helps to develop a strong sense of community and trust, officials said. “My patients have been with me for nine years and it’s very important to patients when they realize that you are homegrown,” Robinson said. “I remember when a few of my patients first realized that I was from Southeast. They were shocked, impressed and some of them said they were inspired. They take a step back when they hear that you’re from their neighborhood.” HS
Colorblind Care: Improving Health Literacy Among Minority Populations
(BPT) - Achieving consistent quality of care regardless of a person’s race or ethnicity remains a critical goal for anyone with a stake in America’s health care system for improving health literacy - the ability to use and understand health information. “In the United States, life expectancy and other health status measures vary dramatically depending on factors such as race, gender, educational attainment, and ZIP code,” according to an August 2013 report in Health Affairs. Here are some sobering statistics: * Asian-American adults have much higher rates of stomach and liver cancer than non-Hispanic whites; * African Americans are 40 percent more likely to have high blood pressure than non-Hispanic whites; and * Hispanics have higher rates of asthma compared with other populations. One of the solutions to eliminating these disparities is more effective communication about health care and health care treatment options, according to Tom Paul, chief consumer officer, United Healthcare. It is all the
more important given the nearly 16 million minority individuals expected to enter the health care system as a result of the Affordable Care Act. More than 77 million adults in the United States experience what is known as “low health literacy,” which - especially among minorities - often leads to more frequent medical errors and avoidable hospitalizations, longer hospital stays, and over-- and under-utilization of medical procedures, according to Paul. For example, 65 percent of Spanish-speaking adults in the United States experience some limitation understanding and using health communications, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This is an issue, however, that affects all racial and ethnic groups. A University of Connecticut School of Business study estimates the cost of low health literacy to the U.S. economy in the range of $106 billion to $238 billion annually. There are many things health care companies can do to help mitigate these disparities and close the great communication divide. For example, culturally sensitive health resources and wellness tools, such as UnitedHealthcare’s Generations of Wellness - created to help African-American communities
live healthier - offer lifestyle and wellness tips that can help improve health outcomes. UnitedHealth Group’s Just Plain Clear English-Spanish Glossary provides easier-to-understand, Spanish-translated definitions of some 2,200 insurance, dental, medical and legal terms. Also, encouraging young minority students to pursue careers in health care to increase the number of multicultural health
care professionals is vital. For example, United Health Foundation recently awarded $2 million in scholarships to 175 students to help increase diversity in the health care workforce. A number of universities and medical schools offer cultural competency training work to improve disparities in the health care fields. The National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Minority Health also offer a range of cultural competency tools. Addressing health disparities is a two-way street, one that will entail new, tailored tools and educational services that boost health literacy, greater cultural competence among health care professionals and diverse communities taking a more active role in their own health.HS
www.washingtoninformer.com | December 2013 | HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT HS-11
Dr. Karen Khadijah Davis-Foulks
Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter depression) Greetings in love and kindness I am Dr. Karen Khadijah Davis-Foulks and I specialize in quantum health and healing as a Conscious Self Healthcare Educator and Nutri Energentics Systems (NES) Certified Provider in the non secular science of medicine. I assist you with creating your conscious self healthcare prescription plan ©. I personally invite you to call me for a 15 minute free conversation. Community what if almost everything you have been told about healthcare was the truth twisted with a lie? What if you could shift your state of consciousness to direct a flow of pure health in your human body and never experience a disease? What if growing old doesn’t mean that you get sick as you age but that you get better as you age? What if seasonal affective disorder and all other name diseases, illnesses and mental disorders was a state of consciousness that you could shift the reality of with just one thought? What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter depression)? The terms ‘winter depression’ and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) describe a form of depression that occurs in the winter months. This happens only if you create a state
of consciousness for it. Whatever you give thought to, then you must experience it; so if you think you have winter depression or any other disease names, then you have stamped disease in your consciousness so now you must experience it. What you experience in life is the Mental Equivalent of what’s in consciousness. Life is Consciousness! Instead of creating an experience of depression and sadness during the winter months know that the winter is a good time to reassess (be still), to regenerate (eat well) and rebuild (cultivate a mind state of wellness) after all SAD and winter depression could just be a part of what is known as Medical Hexing. Could this also be known as the Nocebo Effect when negative thoughts harm your state of well being? Health is choice! Are you ready to choose it? In his book, “Biology of Belief ”, author Dr. Bruce Lipton implies from his research that genes and DNA do not control our biology; that instead DNA is controlled by signals from outside the cell, including the energetic messages coming from our positive and negative thoughts. The field of Epigenetics study shows us how our perceptions of things affect our health. It is very important that our community know and learn this new information.
The Art of Shift Moving from Disease Care to Conscious Self Healthcare I offer workshops called Conscious Self Health Care M.O.V.E.S. (Mental Observation View Is Essential for Success) for adults and the Conscious Chess M.O.V.E.S program for the youth. It is important for us to know
that the mind is nonphysical and cannot be sick. That the physical brain just like any other organ in the body could be suffering from cellular malfunctions and not a disease. Here is something that you can do right now to shift energy. Say “I am Healthy” by the power that lives and breathes in me I am Healthy. Thoughts are
HS-12 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT | December 2013 | www.washingtoninformer.com
tools – they will enable you to transform and remove any energy blockages in your body, restore balance and enhance energy flow. Every thought, every breath, every action you take affects the vibration and frequency of your energetic being. Learn more at www.4celllife.com or contact Dr. K on 202.248.7749.HS
Stress-Less Navigating the Teen Years Stressfree (Or How Not to Freak Out)
By Ronda Smith Special to the Informer Stress is a normal part of life that often begins to impact our lives as young adults. While some stress is most often associated with major life upheavals such as deaths in the family, for teenagers, the pressures of fitting in, managing home and school life, and coping with their changing bodies, often become overwhelming. Long-term stressful situations can produce a lasting, low-level stress that is particularly difficult for teens to navigate. The nervous system senses continued pressure and may remain slightly elevated and continue to produce extra stress hormones over an extended period. This can wear out the body’s reserves, leave a person feeling depleted or overwhelmed, weaken the body’s immune system, and cause other problems. Carl E. Pickhardt, a Texas-based psychologist who authored The Connected Father, The Future of Your Only Child, and Stop Screaming, writes that parents should take note of their teens’ behaviors to determine if they
are managing stress well or overwhelmed by it. “I suggest to parents that they treat “stress education” as importantly as they do financial education, employment education, relationship education, substance use education, and the sex education they are responsible for providing their adolescents. Young people who leave home without this education have a lot to learn from hard experience,” Pickhardt said. According to a recent survey, 43 percent of 13- to 14-year-olds say they feel stressed every single day; by ages 15 to 17, the number rises to 59 percent. The dayto-day pressures experienced by teens, such as the pressure to fit in and to be successful, can lead to stress. Jobs and family economics can also prove stressful for teens, as nearly two-thirds of them say they are “somewhat” or “very concerned” about their personal finances. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) represents over 8,500 child and adolescent psychiatrists who are physicians. They offer the following techniques for decreasing teen stress:
Exercise and eat regularly Avoid excess caffeine intake which can increase feelings of anxiety and agitation Avoid illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco Learn relaxation exercises (abdominal breathing and muscle relaxation techniques) Develop assertiveness training skills. For example, state feelings in polite firm and not overly aggressive or passive ways: (“I feel angry when you yell at me” “Please stop yelling.”) Rehearse and practice situations which cause stress. One example is taking a speech class if
talking in front of a class makes you anxious Learn practical coping skills. For example, break a large task into smaller, more attainable tasks Decrease negative self-talk: challenge negative thoughts about yourself with alternative neutral or positive thoughts. “My life will never get better” can be transformed into “I may feel hopeless now, but my life will probably get better if I work at it and get some help” Learn to feel good about doing a competent or “good enough” job rather than demanding per-
fection from yourself and others Take a break from stressful situations. Activities like listening to music, talking to a friend, drawing, writing, or spending time with a pet can reduce stress Build a network of friends who help you cope in a positive way By using these and other techniques, teenagers can begin to manage stress. If a teen talks about or shows signs of being overly stressed, a consultation with a child and adolescent psychiatrist or qualified mental health professional may be helpful. HS
www.washingtoninformer.com | December 2013 | HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT HS-13
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(BPT) - Who doesn’t love the smell of a warm kitchen during the holidays? They’re designed around food and bringing family, old friends and new friends together. However, holidays can also be a detriment to your healthy lifestyle and cause you to lose your focus through the end of the year. But they don’t have to. “Think of fall as the perfect time to reassess the state of your health and prep for the challenges of the holiday season,” says Alicia Rodriguez, corporate registered dietician at Life Time - The Health Way of Life Company. “When it comes to nutrition and avoiding weight gain, my motto is, keep it simple and easy.”
Tips to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain Here are some tips to help you do the same. Bulk up your plate with protein and vegetables The side dishes at most holiday meals are often as good as the turkey or ham, but stuffing and mashed potatoes aren’t the best way to fill your plate. One way to avoid-weight gain is to build your plate with protein. This should be easy since holiday dinners revolve around meat. Second, fill your plate with side dishes that include vegetables. You may have a little spot left on your plate - use this space for your “indulgence.” When you look at your plate, the goal is that the majority is still providing you with good nutrients and reduced carbohydrates. Use the “fork” trick Many of us go back for seconds, and even third helpings at holiday meals. This year, focus
on asking yourself if you’re enjoying your food. To help you answer this question, use the fork trick. Once you take a bite of food, place your fork down on the plate and let it go. Chew your food, swallow and then pick it up again. The key to this trick is letting go of the fork. This will remind you to slow down, enjoy your food and converse with friends and family. Avoid the clean plate club Growing up, many of us were always told “You can’t leave the table until you finish everything on your plate” and inevitably, we spent many nights sitting alone at the dinner table. These days, Rodriguez advises her clients to eat until they are full and, if their plate is not clean, it’s OK. Fo-
dessert, share a small slice with a loved one or new friend. If you are hosting, designate one family member to bring dessert to limit the endless selection of pies and reduce the urge to over indulge.
cus on one plate of food, slow down and be careful not to overeat. Overfeeding is never really a healthy thing to do. Share your dessert with a loved one After a satisfying meal, it is hard to avoid the sweet smells of pumpkin -or warm apple pie. If you choose not to skip
Make like a turkey and trot out the door Start your holiday with a new tradition this year and gather the family to do something active. Take a walk to a local park, put together a family friendly flag football game, rake the leaves up in the yard (and jump into them) or encourage the family to sign up for a run/walk event such as the Life Time Turkey Day 5K or Commitment Day 2014. Holidays are a time to be thankful for family, friends and everything in between. Savor the moment, really take time to taste your food, get out and have some fun, and avoid the-holiday weight gain. HS
Questions about the new health insurance options? Need help understanding the Affordable Care Act? We can help! Whitman-Walker Health can help you enroll in DC Health Link, the new online health insurance marketplace! And we can help you decide which insurance option is the best for you! Whether you become our patient or not, Whitman-Walker Health is here to help you get the best health care options available. Call 202.745.6151 to speak with our Navigators. Jatnna Gomez Navigator
202.745.7000 | whitman-walker.org | #yourhomefor
Katie Nicol Public Benefits Manager
PRIMARY HEALTH CARE • PHARMACY • DENTAL CARE • BEHAVIORAL HEALTH • NUTRITION SERVICES • LEGAL SERVICES HS-14 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT | December 2013 | www.washingtoninformer.com
BOOKS YOU: The Owner’s Manual for Teens: A Guide to a Healthy Body and Happy Life By Michael F. Roizen, Mehmet Oz A few years ago, we wrote YOU: The Owner’s Manual, which taught people about the inner workings of their bodies—and how to keep them running strong. But you know what? There’s a big difference between an adult’s body and your body, between adults’ health mysteries and your health mysteries, between their questions and your questions. So, teens, this book is for YOU. We’ll talk to you about the biological changes that are happening in your brain and your body. We’ll show you how to get more energy, improve your grades, protect your skin, salvage more sleep, get fit, eat well, maximize your relationships, make decisions about sex, and so much more. In fact, in these pages, we answer hundreds of your most pressing health-related questions. And you know what else? We are going to treat you like adults in one
RECOMMENDED BOOKS ON ADOLESCENT HEALTH & WELLNESS
very important way: We’re not going to preach. We’re going to give you straight-up information that you can use to make smart choices about how to live the good life— and enjoy every second of it. Starting right now.
The Teen Years Explained: A Guide to Healthy Adolescent Development By Clea McNeely, Jayne Blanchard We idealize childhood and demonize adolescence, often viewing the typical teenager as a bundle of problems. Yet according to a new book, The Teen Years Explained: A Guide to Healthy Adolescent Development, by Clea McNeely, MPH and Jayne Blanchard, adolescence can be a time of opportunity, not turmoil. By understanding the developmental stages and changes of adolescence, both teens and adults can get the most out of this second decade of life. In plain English, this guide incorporates the latest scientific findings about physical, emotion-
al, cognitive, identity formation, sexual and spiritual development with tips and strategies on how to use this information in real-life situations involving teens. Whether you have five minutes or five hours, you will find something useful in this book. This practical and colorful guide to healthy adolescent development is an essential resource for parents, teens, and all people who work with young people.
Hot Stones & Funny Bones: Teens Helping Teens Cope with Stress & Anger By Brian Luke Seaward More than seventy-five teens from across the country were interviewed on a range of topics and issues: parents, friends, sports, clothes, school violence and peer pressure. With the passion and frustration expressed by teens in their narratives, as well as in their artwork and poetry, this book is a unique combination of original teen contributions and effective stress- and T:9.5” anger-management
techniques from a mental-health professional. Most important, it was designed expressly for teens. Hot Stones and Funny Bones is divided in three sections. “Telling It Like It Is” highlights problems and issues that nearly every teen faces in the middle- and high-school years, expressed in their own voices. The second section, “The Best Way to Cope with Stress”, offers a host of coping skills and relaxation techniques for teens to utilize, ranging from ways to boost self-esteem and effective anger-management skills, to meditation and creative expression. The third section, “Final Comments From Teens”, reveals opinions, lessons learned and advice to parents and teenagers about the struggles and triumphs of teen years. In addition, every chapter includes “Thoughts, Reflections and Action Plans”, where teens can process what they’ve learned, using the information to make healthy behavioral changes. HS
The joy of .com Gather around the best in black entertainment.
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This holiday, XFINITY® presents the premier black entertainment website. Now, you can catch up on industry buzz, get access to behind-the-scenes footage, and watch movies and shows instantly, all in one place. Visit celebrateblacktv.com Soul Food available at xfinity.com/tv. Soul Food © 1997 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved. © 2013 Comcast. All rights reserved. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply.
www.washingtoninformer.com | December 2013 | HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT HS-15
Moving Forward. We’re AmeriHealth District of Columbia (DC), the new name in Medicaid services here in DC. We’re combining Chartered’s best with our 30-year history of serving Medicaid communities across the nation to deliver the best in Medicaid managed care for DC. We’re experienced, credible and committed to partnering with providers, community and business leaders to help build a healthier DC. We’re AmeriHealth DC and we’re moving forward.
Thank you for welcoming us to the community.
This program is funded in part by the Government of the District of Columbia Department of Health Care Finance.
202-639-4030 www.amerihealthdc.com HS-16 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT | December 2013 | www.washingtoninformer.com