It is highly recommended that people have a primary care doctor who knows you and your family well. Here are 10 compelling reasons why its important for you and your family to have a primary care doctor (PCP).

Continuity of Care

When an entire family has an ongoing relationship with a primary care doctor, they get a better quality of care. They get to know you and your family over time, and, ultimately, know what is right and wrong for you because they are familiar with your lifestyle, your health, your family, and your medical history.

Health Education

You and your family will receive special attention from a primary care doctor. They are like medical life coaches and take the time to teach healthy lifestyle choices to help you and your family live the best possible lives.

Higher Level of Comfort

A primary care doctor is someone you can always feel comfortable voicing your concerns to and leave an appointment feeling as though you were really listened to. They will help you to become an informed and active member of your healthcare decision-making process.

Preventative Care

A primary care doctor understands preventative care. Like a dentist, they perform annual checkups to uncover any problems. The earlier health abnormalities are detected, the better chance you have at receiving treatments that could result in more favorable outcomes.

Health Management

They provide thorough health evaluations for the entire family from infants to the elderly. These evaluations include well-child visits for immunizations and sports physicals and wellness exams for men and women. These preventative exams can help detect high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart problems, thyroid issues, diabetes, a variety of cancers, and so much more.

Advocate

A primary care doctor is a reliable and trustworthy resource to help you navigate the complex healthcare system.

Referrals to Other Medical Specialists

An experienced and well-connected primary care doctor will provide qualified assistance in finding the right specialist when required by illness or injury.

Coordination of Care

If a specialist is required, a primary care doctor can coordinate information between other healthcare providers, making sure there is no duplication of testing to help reduce your medical costs.

Better Patient-Doctor Communication

They are your first-line of defense if something is not right. They will take your phone calls and answer any questions you might have about a pressing medical issue. They can assess the urgency of most medical problems and will direct you to the best place for that care.

Longevity

They look at the big picture of you and your familys health. Overall, having a primary care doctor will keep you as healthy as possible as you navigate through the many stages of life. Studies show people who regularly visit a PCP have longer, healthier lives.

In addition to all of those compelling reasons to have a PCP, Binghams PCPs are currently offering Tele-Health visits (online or over the phone) for those individuals that find it difficult to come into the office. In the past three months, weve had over 4,000 Tele-Health visits. And, in case you didnt know, Bingham offers a FREE transportation service that picks up patients from their home, gets them to their appointment, and gets them back home.

Need a Primary Care Physician?

Bingham Healthcare Family Medicine has a growing number of family medicine specialists located throughout eastern Idaho. To find a provider in Blackfoot, Idaho Falls, Shelley, or Pocatello, please visit BinghamMemorial.org/Family-Medicine or call (208) 785-4100.

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10 reasons to have a primary care physician - Post Register

Small called it "dangerous" to refer to stumbling over words on the campaign trail as signs of mental decline.

"I think it's very dangerous to over interpret mental slips, when you see it in an older person, and I think when we do that, it strikes me that it's a form of age discrimination -- what we call ageism," Small said. "We know that there are many factors that affect our mental acuity, people under stress, even giving speeches will increase mental slips of people who are distracted."

What we know about each candidate's health

As the race to the November presidential election goes on, incidences of word slips or fatigue are likely to continue, Small added.

"You're constantly on the road, it's hard to get enough sleep. We know lack of sleep will affect your mental acuity. We know that stress will affect mental acuity. It's difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle, to exercise regularly," Small said. "There's a lot of adversity on the campaign trail, and that tests a person's emotional stability."

So what do we know about each candidate's health? For now, there is more public information available around their physical than mental health.

Based on the medical records that have been released -- President Trump is on a statin to manage his cholesterol and is considered clinically obese.

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Biden and Trump: Why doctors say attacks on age can be 'dangerous' - STLtoday.com

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. A homeless encampment along Deckers Creek, which has roughly 31 residents, will be closed July 18, but the decision is not sitting well with many residents.

The camp has been a source of controversy in the Greenmont neighborhood, where its located, because many people think its residents disturb the peace and are not leading a healthy lifestyle while living there. In response, the City of Morgantown, in conjunction with Monongalia County officials and social service nonprofits, like the West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness, teamed up to form a task force with the goal of finding permanent and temporary housing solutions for the camps residents. So far, more than a dozen people have been relocated, Emily Muzzarelli, the interim city manager, said, and those who are left can take advantage of shelters like Bartlett House. However, that solution isnt ideal for some camp residents.

We have people that refuse to leave because they believe that this is their home, and we know that its going to be hard for us to leave because everybody needs a place to stay, Denita Benton said.

Benton said she has been a resident at the camp for about a month, and she wants to move, but is hesitant because she has health problems. In addition, she said she has a strong sense of camaraderie with other camp residents.

This is a sentiment that was shared by many of the people at the camp on Friday afternoon, one day before they have to vacate. Christopher McCoy, who has lived at the camp for about one-and-a-half months, explained why he does not want to move.

Because of friends, family. Its a place to live. Because we have nowhere else to go. I really dont want to move because this is home.

A woman, who only gave her first name as Tonya and said she had also been at the camp for about a month-and-a-half, echoed McCoys sentiment about not wanting to leave.

Friends and family, friends and family that Ive made. I came out of here for a reason. Everyone needs support. Everyone needs family.

Another thing that McCoy said that Tonya related to was the sense that there is nowhere else to go. While many former residents had been provided housing solutions, there are still many people at the camp and throughout the city who need a place, as well, so they should not be forced to move, Tonya said.

However, their point isnt entirely accurate, because as mentioned earlier, the Citys task force has provided options like Bartlett House.

We provide a variety of services. We have our emergency triage center downtown, which if people need a place to stay, theyre able to stay there, Keri DeMasi, chief executive officer and executive director of Bartlett Housing Solutions said. Theres also a case manager down there that will work with them for finding a housing plan so that they can get out of there quickly into housingpermanent housing placement.

But, Bartlett House is a place Tonya, McCoy and Benton said they refuse to stay. They cited secondhand accounts of discrimination based on race and gender, as well as generally unpleasant behavior from the staff.

But this is a narrative that DeMasi is strongly pushing back on, stating such unsubstantiated claims can be very detrimental to nonprofits like Bartlett Housing Solutions.

The only thing that Ive asked is to give us the opportunity to look into that allegation before they go out there because we dont recover from things like that, and I take those things very seriously, DeMasi said. I dont take my staff members voice as gospel any more than I take a clients word for gospel. I have a professional responsibility to look into every single complaint, allegation, grievance, whatever word you want to call it, thoroughly, and come to a decision, whether thats in our favor or against us, and I take that responsibility very seriously.

Only time will tell if the residents will refuse to leave the camp or not, and if those vehemently opposed to staying at Bartlett House will change their minds. Muzzarelli said one thing is for sure.

If people refuse to move, that is up to the property owner to take legal action to get individuals off the property, no different than anybody elses property, Muzzarelli said.

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Many residents of homeless camp in Morgantown say they dont want to leave - WBOY.com

Wrexham.com > News

Posted: Sat 18th Jul 2020

A heart attack and cardiac arrest survivor wants women to be aware of the signs which show their heart might be in trouble.

Tracy Healey is a fit and health 55 year old who eats well, doesnt smoke and generally leads a healthy lifestyle.

But earlier this year she suffered both a heart attack and a cardiac arrest after not recognising early warnings signs.

Tracy, who lives in Corwen, is now joining cardiac nurses at the North Wales Cardiac Centre to urge other women to keep an eye out for the telltale signs that their health could be in danger.

While both men and women can both experience the same common symptoms when experiencing a heart attack, early indications that youre unwell tend to be different for each gender.

Tracy said: I ignored the indigestion type pain that occurred in the night. It was only when the worsening discomfort started to move down one arm, and I awoke feeling very unwell with clammy skin and worsening pains around 4am that I decide to seek medical help and it was a good job I did.

Heart attack symptoms vary from person to person, and can include chest discomfort or tightness, pain that spreads to left or right arm, neck or jaw, back or stomach, unexplained sweating or shortness of breath.

Only around half of the women who have heart attacks, experience the constrictive chest pain typically associated with a heart attack. Typically, women tend to more commonly experience heartburn-like discomfort, neck or back pain, or nausea.

Tracy said: I never thought that I would ever have a heart attack at 55, I am generally fit and healthy I dont smoke and had been out for a nice walk the day before the incident with my family.

I do have a family history of heart disease but I have never had any symptoms suggesting I had a heart problem until now. I did not have the classic symptoms of a heart attack that you see on TV, like a crushing type chest pain.

My symptoms were different to that, having a heart attack never crossed my mind. My pain felt like mild indigestion at first, I went to bed but did not sleep for long as the pain got worse and kept waking me up. I began to feel hot and It was only when I started to get an odd discomfort in my arms that I thought something was not right and Id better seek medical help. Im still shocked about the whole thing.

After struggling with the digestive pain she experienced for around four hours, Tracy visited Wrexham Maelor Hospital Emergency Department to seek help.

On arrival to hospital my chest discomfort got worse, I began to feel generally unwell and this is when my heart stopped beating and I had a cardiac arrest, she said.

Luckily I was in the emergency department at the time and the staff began CPR. I was then transferred by ambulance to the North Wales Cardiac Centre at Glan Clwyd where I was told that one of my coronary arteries, which is a blood vessel that feeds blood and oxygen to my heart muscle had blocked and was restricting blood flow.

Thankfully the team at the North Wales Cardiac Centre were quickly able to unblock the coronary artery by inserting a stent through my wrist, allowing blood to flow back to the heart muscle.

Anne-Marie Angel, Coronary Care Nurse at the North Wales Cardiac Centre, said: Heart attack symptoms vary from person to person. Common signs include chest discomfort that feels like pressure or tightness, pain that spreads to left or right arm, neck or jaw, back or stomach and some may feel sweaty or short of breath.

Women are more likely to get symptoms including back or neck pain, indigestion, heartburn or nausea. These symptoms are often easy to ignore and are passed off as something else.

We also know that women may be less likely to seek medical help or treatment despite all the warning signs and this unfortunately can dramatically reduce the chances of survival.

Luckily Tracy decided to seek medical help in time to receive rapid treatment, which is essential for a good recovery.

Tracy added: I am so very grateful to the staff at both Wrexham Maelor, Glan Clwyd Hospital and the North Wales cardiac centre, for the care I have received.

Everyone has been so reassuring, kind and supportive and I cant thank them enough.

If I could send one message out to the public of North Wales, it would be dont ignore your chest pain like I did, call 999 and get medical help as soon as you can, I almost left it too late.

Spotted something? Got a story? Send a Facebook Message | A direct message on Twitter | Email News@Wrexham.com

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Cardiac arrest survivor wants women to be aware of the signs which show their heart might be in trouble - Wrexham.com

Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) invites adults across Central Appalachia to participate in a webinar on preventative healthcare and how it saves lives.

Participants will learn what screenings and immunizations they should have at every age, how living a healthy lifestyle can change your health outcomes andthe importance of maintaining healthcare appointments during a pandemic.

Speakers Dr. Elizabeth Nelson and Dr. Paula Jones will discuss adult preventative screenings by age and gender, beginning at age 18; the importance of regular health check-ups; the importance of a healthy lifestyle; immunizations you should have; Covid safety precautions at hospitals and clinics and the ease of telemedicine.

Elizabeth Thompson Nelson, MD, FHM, practices at Beckley ARH Hospital in Beckley. Dr. Nelson is board certified in internal medicine, providing care for adults. She diagnoses and treats chronic illness, promotes health and disease prevention and is dedicated to excellence in patient care. Dr. Nelson completed her residency and internship in internal medicine at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC, and her doctor of medicine degree at the Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC.

Paula Jones, DO, practices at ARH Medical and Specialty Associates in Harold, Ky. Dr. Jones treats adults and children over 13 years of age, diagnosing and treating both acute and chronic illnesses. She provides routine health screenings and counseling on lifestyle changes in an effort to prevent illnesses before they develop. Dr. Jones completed her doctor of osteopathy from Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pikeville, Ky. and is a board-certified Osteopathic Family Physician.

Adults who would like to participate in this webinar can register for the event at the following link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vgycht7fQ_uZKOEgKIewTQ

We are making critical coverage of the coronavirus available for free. Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the latest news and information on this developing story.

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ARH webinar on preventative healthcare | Health | register-herald.com - Beckley Register-Herald

As many are getting accustomed to life in the new normal, the Covid-19 pandemic has clearly underlined the importance of good nutrition and a balanced diet among Malaysians.

This has led to a growing awareness that eating healthy is an integral part of good health.

To build a strong, healthy body, the basic building block of sustenance, which is what we eat daily, plays a most important role.

With this awareness is the realisation that constant consumption of processed food, fast foods or foods prepared with a lot of oil and sugar is not conducive to a healthy lifestyle convenient and delicious as these may be.

More people are now turning towards healthier food alternatives.

With more people turning towards healthier food alternatives, NATURECARE.LIFE, a homegrown company manufacturing plant-based wholefood supplements, has experienced a surge in demand for its products.

NATURECARE.LIFE was founded by plant-based diet advocate and nutritionist Chong Fat Eng.

Founded by plant-based diet advocate and nutritionist Chong Fat Eng, NATURECARE.LIFE is a company that firmly believes in evidence-based nutritional philosophies to create nature-inspired dietary solutions for a healthier society.

We take great pride in producing wholefood supplements that are 100% plant-based, free from any kind of preservative, artificial colouring, artificial flavouring or sweetening.

Our products are all backed by years of research and development, and they come in easy to consume freeze-dried powdered forms for added convenience, said Chong.

Chong, who battled his own health issues in the past, shared: For a long time, I was suffering multiple health problems that almost barred me from work, and my life pretty much revolved around prescribed medication and frequent visits to the doctor.

Embracing a plant-based diet was truly life-changing for me. I firmly believe that with a proper diet and a healthy lifestyle, the human body is capable of doing more than you can imagine.

Known previously for a predominantly offline and face-to-face business approach, the movement control order was a unique time for NATURECARE.LIFE as the brand ventured into the world of e-commerce, listing some of its best-selling products on their website, as well as Shopee and Lazada.

Jersey shared that some bestsellers were quickly sold out and required restocking.

Speaking of the companys overwhelming online sales during the MCO and RMCO, NATURECARE.LIFE business development director Jersey Chong shared that some bestsellers were quickly sold out and required restocking.

We were ecstatic when we saw the spike in orders after going live on our social media. Some new products sold out in less than 24 hours.Notably, two of our premier products, Ananas and Zerolait, are now being produced in limited quantities due to the seasonal availability of raw materials and our stringent quality control in the selection of produce for these two products, Jersey said.

NATURECARE.LIFEs bestselling products include:

Ananas: Pineapple chia blend priced at RM67.10 for 14 sachets each 20g

Berrynice: Mixed berry chia blend priced at RM81.10 for 14 sachets each 20g

Frunergy: Fruit blend of 16 kinds of fruit priced at RM94.40 for 30 sachets each 3,000mg

Plantpro: Plant-based protein blend priced at RM112.80 for 240g

Spirulina: Natural nutrient bomb priced at RM98.50 per bottle of 300 tablets

Halvia+: Premium organic whole chia seeds and soluble fibre priced at RM56.10 per box of 14 sachets

Zerolait (new): Nut-free, soy-free plant milk powder priced at RM128.00 for 14 sachets each 30g

Apart from the impressive sales and demand for its products, the brand has also been widely endorsed by many local personalities and celebrities.

We have been very fortunate to have prominent celebrities such as Neelofa, Nora Danish, Shila Amzah and Carrie Lee endorse and enjoy the benefits of our natural wholefood supplements.

We hope to continue promoting nutrition and wellness as a way of life among Malaysians, says Jersey.

We hope to continue promoting nutrition and wellness as a way of life among Malaysians through our range of healthy and delicious wholefood products, Jersey added.

For the latest updates on products and ongoing promotions, check out Nature Care Life Science (@naturecare.life) on Facebook/Instagram, visit https://naturecare.life, or Customer Service WhatsApp +60173306938.

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Flying off the shelves - The Star Online

Mariah Kravitz, Guest ColumnistAugust 20, 2020

In the spring, many students only went weeks between hearing about COVID-19 for the first time and being sent away from campus because of it. In compliance with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, students finished the semester remotely and lost out on socializing with their friends. The adjustment was hard on many students mental and physical health, and despite everyone returning to campus, the challenges to regaining a healthy lifestyle are still present.

In an effort to make the upcoming semester both successful and familiar, the University has put strict measures in place. Everyone must wear a mask and social distance whenever possible. Classes will be offered in three different styles depending on the number of students: face-to-face, online and hybrid. Every student, faculty member and staff member must test negative for COVID-19 upon arrival and update the school at least every three days through Healthcheck.

Luckily, there are additional ways to ensure youre maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

There are concerns therefore that, in the context of the pandemic, lack of access to regular sporting or exercise routines may result in challenges to the immune system, physical health, including by leading to the commencement of or exacerbating existing diseases that have their roots in a sedentary lifestyle, according to a recent article from the United Nations.

While the pandemic may keep you from training at the gym or going on a hike with a group of your friends, there are plenty of other safe ways to stay both physically active and socially distant.

Theres always a way to get exercise on campus. The Quad is a popular venue for runs or walks just remember to grab your mask.

According to the CDC, the stress surrounding the pandemic can lead to the development of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. While being home with your family or roommates may be comforting at first, being with the same group of people can provoke feelings of irritability and annoyance over time. One contributing factor to poor mental health is social media, where some people turn when stripped of the freedom to leave their homes.

It is possible to alter ones mindset while being stuck indoors by taking time for oneself and finding peace in the quiet.

A free online self-help module is available to students through their MyBama account. This includes Thrive Campus, a website that evaluates and connects students to an outside counselor or provider. Beginning the week of Aug. 31, the counseling center will also be holding virtual support groups throughout the upcoming semester.

The pandemic drastically impacted places of worship, unsettling routines and leaving some congregants with no way to worship corporately. While some places of worship pivoted to virtual services or limited seating, some spiritual people may miss the experience of attending a live service.

There are still a number of ways to stay spiritually connected during the quarantine.

There are several organizations available on campus that are tailored to every denomination. Find a list here.

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Coping with COVID-19 means staying healthy by staying in - The University of Alabama Crimson White

LEXINGTON, Ky. (UK Public Affairs) A lack of access to proper care can heavily impact a communitys health.

Recent studies have shed light on an areas socioeconomic status being one of the most impactful social determinants of health in both urban and rural communities throughout Kentucky.

Whether looking at the rural Appalachian regions of the Commonwealth, or the outskirts of a metropolitan city such as Lexington, its community members share a commonality; prevalent health-related disparities.

Lovoria Williams, Ph.D., associate professor in the University of KentuckyCollege of Nursing, has two recent interventional studies that highlight health disparities among minority and medically underserved populations in both Appalachia and predominately African American communities in Lexington.

Both COVID-19 & Impact on Church and Enhancing the Diabetes Prevention Program to Promote Weight Loss Among Non-Responders in a Community-Based Lifestyle Intervention seek recruitment through local churches due to their motivations to collaborate, a longing to build partnerships for a greater cause, and a passion to combat the health disparities their congregants may face.

We chose to partner with them because they are a cohesive group that we can approach, said Williams. Theyre all from different walks of life with various lived experiences and many churches have health as a part of their mission.

Both projects share a key role of influence. Williams explains that by training individuals within each of the sites that it will provide a chance to continue the interventions once the grant periods have concluded.

The enhanced diabetes prevention program is an extension from a previous study and will involve 20 African American churches and community sites throughout Central Kentucky. This program will deliver a healthy lifestyle intervention to 500 community members and will offer extra support to those who do not initially see results.

We want to focus on giving them this added attention in order to help them work through any barriers or challenges they may face toward changing their lifestyle, Williams said.

She attributes her urgency to improve the health of Kentuckians to the COVID-19 disparities and the information that she learned about the health inequities in Fayette County while she was serving as vice-chairof the Health Disparities Committee on Mayor Linda Gordons Commission for Racial Justice and Equality.

For the six-month COVID-19 related project, Williams hopes the data will result in obtaining information that can be used to inform officials about the unique barriers experienced by Appalachian and Black Kentuckians.

This information can be used to influence public health decisions regarding the allocation of resources from local healthcare departments, develop stronger communicative efforts to educate community members on available preventative practices, COVID-19 testing and vaccination updates.

If we know what the barriers in these communities are, then when we can head it off and move resources around to overcome them, she said.

Although active recruitment for the COVID-19 study has concluded, Williams encourages local churches and community sites to join the diabetes prevention intervention. More information about Williamsresearch can be found on theUK College of Nursingpage.

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UK researcher partners with churches on COVID, health disparities issues - ABC 36 News - WTVQ

SPECIAL SERIES: COVID-19 In Arizona: 6 Months In

Bridget Dowd/KJZZ

A Kaiser Family Foundation poll in July found that 53% of adults in the U.S. reported their mental health has been negatively impacted due to worry and stress over the coronavirus.

Because the pandemic has so drastically changed how many of us live our day-to-day lives, its also taken a toll on our mental health.

I actually have been dealing with clinical depression and anxiety for years before the pandemic, and it definitely made them worse," said Jae.

Shes asked us only to use her first name to protect her privacy. In early spring, Jae was your average Arizona college student attending classes, hanging out with friends and preparing for a summer internship.

Then came COVID-19 and suddenly everything changed. Her classes and internship moved online, and she started spending a lot more time indoors. She said while medication helps, she needs more than that to maintain a healthy mind.

My taking antidepressants is also accompanied by me living this healthy lifestyle that is now a little bit more difficult to live because of COVID-19, Jae said. Im not walking and biking to class every day.

Jae says the medication started to feel less like it was enhancing her good mood and more like it was just keeping her head above water. To make things worse, she ended up contracting COVID-19.

I had very overwhelming fatigue among a whole host of these other symptoms for two weeks, and I was really worried about what was going to happen to me because theres still so little that we really know about this virus, she said.

Jae hit a low point when she tried to take a short walk and it left her feeling completely exhausted.

I felt like I had done an intense cardio workout It was that bad, Jae said. That definitely weighed on my depression quite a bit and my anxiety as well. All I could think was how long is this going to last for me?

While the combination of depression and social isolation may have Jae feeling alone, recent mental health statistics show shes far from it.

A Kaiser Family Foundation poll in July found that 53% of adults in the U.S. reported their mental health has been negatively impacted due to worry and stress over the coronavirus.

During a press conference earlier this month, Gov. Doug Ducey highlighted other figures that show what he called a worrying trend.

According to the CDC, the percentage of adults reporting thoughts of suicide in the past 30 days rose to more than one in 10, an increase of more than double compared to two years earlier, Ducey said.

The Kaiser poll also found adults were having difficulty sleeping or eating, as well as reporting increases in alcohol consumption or substance use.

Arizona Psychiatric Society

Arizona Psychiatric Society President Dr. Don Fowls

Arizona Psychiatric Society President Dr. Don Fowls said hes seen a noticeable uptick in anxiety levels.

Some of thats related to being isolated and some of its just related to the unknown and whats going on with the virus, Fowls said. I mean were learning more each day, but still there are enough unknowns that people are anxious about it.

Fowls group has worked with the Crisis Response Network and other providers in the state to make psychiatric services more available to first responders and health care workers.

He said in some ways the virus has actually improved services for those who need it, as video and phone visits become more common.

You know when you think about it, you dont have to drive to and from, and you dont have to wait in a waiting room, Fowls said.

But adults arent the only ones whose lives have been upended due to COVID-19. While many parents wrestle with their work lives and their childrens remote learning, kids are struggling, too.

Dr. Funda Bachini is a child and adolescent psychiatrist.

Oftentimes parents feel that if you dont bring things up to your child and they arent talking about it then theres not a problem and that just isnt true, Bachini said.

Luca Bachini

Dr. Funda Bachini is a child and adolescent psychiatrist.

She added that kids notice more than we might think.

Even my 3-year-old will ask to go to Target with me, and Ill say no baby, you cant, and shell say but Ill wear my mask,Bachini said.

She said by having honest conversations with their children, parents can build trust.

So for little kids, theres social stories and books about COVID and whats going on, Bachini said.

For older kids in the 7- to 12-year-old range, she said its especially important to validate their feelings, by saying things like: Hey I know that going back to school is going to look different right now. I have questions. You may have questions too. What are you thinking about?

But no matter what your age, there are some ways to self-soothe. Dr. Fowls said it may be as simple as doing more of the things you like to do that are still safe, like hiking or reading.

I wish there was one magic, silver bullet solution for everyone that would just work and away the anxiety or fears and depression, but were all a little different, Fowls said.

And he said, if you hit a rough patch, there is help out there.

National

Arizona Suicide and Crisis Hotlines By County:

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How The Pandemic Has Taken A Toll On The Mental Health Of Arizonans - KJZZ

Ben Thomas

Benjamin Ben Franklin Thomas (affectionately called Ben) is living what he calls a Happy Life. From an old farmhouse in Eagle, Wisconsin to the most recent 15 years at The Waterford at Columbia in Columbia, South Carolina Ben recalls and shares numerous military and loving life stories.

At age six, for his birthday he was gifted the privilege of milking his first cow. Such a thrill and a bummer, Ben said. In the early school years, he found he was socially outcasted after seeing that apparently town kids did not associate with farm kids. However, in a few years time he found that he enjoyed playing sports which seemed to even out the popularity field.

Ben remembers how the Great Depression hit dairy farmers particularly hard and, at one point, his family had no place to live. The bright side during this time for him was playing baseball with his brothers and he progressed to play on the American Legion team in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

Later, Ben recalls buying his first car, a 33 Chevy, which he used to transport passengers to and from the college he was attending to become a teacher.

Ben enjoys reminiscing about many more of his experiences such as meeting and marrying his late wife Dorothea E. McKee, the births of his four children (Benjamin F. Jr, Edwin Lee, Mae Ruth, and Elizabeth Ann), and receiving a telegram from the Federal Trade Commission in Washington, D.C., offering a civil service job in 1941. Ben developed an interest in Christian Science that strengthened his faith and knowledge in religious subjects.

Ben also cites his military service working with the maintenance crew B-17 bombers and his years spent in North Africa and Italy as being very influential. He went on to teach high school and later transitioned to a university setting as a professor, culminating in his appointment as the dean at Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Michigan.

When asked what advice he has for the younger generation to live a long life, Ben says, Keep a healthy lifestyle. Dont abuse your body and keep a positive attitude of gratitude. Develop a good spiritual faith.

A celebration is being planned for Bens 100th birthday Monday, August 24, at The Waterford at Columbia.

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Ben Thomas100 Years Young - Columbia Star

Drinking alcohol is a legal option that everyone over 21 faces. For some, it is a straightforward choice. It takes no effort to decide not to drink at all or to stop at one drink. For others, the decision to drink opens the door to uncontrolled drinking and leads to overindulgence. That is, to drink to the point that the alcohol has total control. So, if your spouse drinks too much, how do you get him or her to stop? What can you do to save your wife or husband from themselves?

You may not like this answer nothing, you cant. Your spouse has to want to stop drinking. No amount of nagging can force that decision. However, you can play an essential role in his or her healing process. These are some anchors that you can use to support his or her change and to promote a healthy lifestyle. As Sandy Swanson states, letting go is not giving up.

Anchor One Realize that you cannot make your spouse stop drinking. You have no control over anyone else. Your spouse has made a series of poor choices. Based on these decisions, his or her addiction has developed, probably over a long time. He or she is the only one that can take the first step in making a change. You should remember to DETACH dont even think about changing him or her.

Anchor Two You can set healthy boundaries. A boundary is a necessary and wholesome dividing line between two people. A defined boundary reflects that you are a separate person with your own physical and emotional needs. Understand that your spouse is in a battle that you cant fight for him or her. You can set boundaries. For example, drinking is not allowed in front of you or when the kids are present. You wont make excuses for him or her. You wont cover for him or her, such as calling into work to say he or she is sick. You wont buy him or her alcohol.

Listen to Melody Beattie. We can say what we need to say. We can gently, but assertively, speak our mind. We do not need to be judgmental, tactless, blaming, or cruel when we speak our truths.

Anchor Three This is a battle, and both you and your spouse need support. Find a Christian counselor that can help you and your spouse. Dont wait for your spouse to agree to begin counseling. You need your army behind you in facing your part of this battle. Finding a counselor starts the process.

An additional source of support in your battle is the local Celebrate Recovery meeting. Celebrate Recovery meetings help the person struggling with the addiction. Additionally, youll find the meetings also provide support to you and help you deal with your issues.

Anchor Four A phrase you hear in recovery is find a new playpen. Part of rebuilding your life alcohol-free is creating a new circle of friends. You can encourage new safe friendships for both you and your spouse. This anchor does contain an element you can accomplish; you can stop drinking. The plans for family holidays and celebrations can be changed to avoid alcohol. The locations for merriments can be chosen based on limited or no alcohol availability. If your brother or sister loves to drink at every party with your spouse, dont go! Family support can be crucial. Although, family members who are heavy drinkers can feel intimidated when a close family member or friend stops drinking. If this is the case, avoid situations where drinking is part of the plan.

Lastly, celebrate the recovery process. Plan reward dates and use the alone time to recommit to one another. The final action to take is to forgive past failures and focus on current successes.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking, and envying each other.

Galatians 5:22-26

Cheryl Gowin and Dennis Gowin. Call us with your feedback, comments, issues, or questions; our phone number is 434-808-2637.

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My Spouse Is An Alcoholic! Now What? - The Southside Messenger

By: Lifestyle Desk | New Delhi | Updated: August 10, 2020 1:20:17 pm There is an extensive focus placed on sourcing and the nutritional output of the food that they eat. (Photo: Getty)

The current health crisis has also led to an increase in stress levels. This has not only resulted in an irregular sleeping pattern, but has also led to bad food habits, which can have an affect on physical as well as mental health. The food we eat is the central-most contributing factor towards developing a strong and holistic immune system, says Rishi Sakhuja, CEO, FruitBox & Co.

However, he adds that despite our routines and food habits going for a toss, people are becoming progressively more concerned about the quality and nature of food products they consume daily. There is an extensive focus placed on sourcing and the nutritional output of the food they eat. While we cross-check and make conscious decisions, it is important to remember the basics since this is what which lays the foundation for a healthy routine, he adds.

Below, she suggests a few simple things to keep in mind if you are in the process of making a switch towards healthy eating, or at least planning to.

Keep up with home-cooked food

The pandemic has been instrumental in catalysing a planetary-wide change concerning physical health and wellbeing. These hard times have forced people to recognise the importance of eating right. There is nothing like a healthy home-cooked meal free from any preservatives and extra salts. Make sure you use fresh oil and ingredients to get the most out of your home-cooked food.

Dont forget your dose of vegetables and fruits

It is no surprise that a healthy diet contributes to a healthy body and mind. People across the world are adopting a nutrient-rich diet that consists of fresh fruits, green vegetables, etc. The pandemic has witnessed a steep decline in demand for junk, canned and processed foods as they are detrimental to ones well-being.

Its crucial to consume foods that are well-fortified with all the essential disease-fighting nutrients such as food rich in vitamin C and E which helps the body not only fight infection but also reduce the risk of other ailments.

Nothing beats a balanced diet

The lockdown period has taught us a valuable experience which in turn has led to many becoming diet-conscious and appreciative of practising a good, well-balanced, and healthy lifestyle. A diet that includes all the necessary nutrients is the best possible choice for us today as it not only acts as a great source of natural energy for the body but also provides it essential vitamins, minerals, and fibre to help it steer clear of chronic diseases and infectious ailments.

Before the pandemic, we rarely found a moment to pause in between the busy work schedules, this led to stress eating or binge eating, Consuming an optimum mix of fresh fruits, salads, and green leafy vegetables also offers our body a much-needed peace of mind and serene wellbeing in todays fast-paced lives. he says.

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Beat the stress with these healthy eating habits - The Indian Express

New research shows there were 80,000 missed diagnoses of cancer in the U.S. between March and June.

According to IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science, cancer screenings decreased by 90 percent in April compared to Februarys numbers. The rate of colonoscopies dropped by 90 percent; Pap smears, 83 percent; prostate-specific (PSA) tests, 60 percent; and CT scans (which show lung tumors) were down 39 percent.

Mammograms were down 87 percent, which is a major concern for Dr. Jessica Trevio Jones, breast oncologist with Memorial Hermann Cancer Center and UTHealth. One in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, according the American Cancer Society.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Hes dying of cancer. She survived it. They had their wedding at Houston Methodist.

A mammogram is the best screening modality to catch cancer, Trevio Jones said. She believes breast cancer will be the one to flare the most post-COVID.

The reason why we can find and cure breast cancer is because we have success in catching it early, she said. Every woman not getting a mammogram, were falling behind. How many are we missing? So many.

Chealci Eddins had just turned 27 when she found a lump on her breast last summer. It took only four months for the small tumor to grow to 5.67 centimeters, which is roughly the size of a peach.

As a mother, teacher and coach, she had an active, healthy lifestyle before her breast cancer diagnosis on Jan. 8. She began chemotherapy treatments on Jan. 24.

With how aggressive my cancer was, I went into survival mode, said Eddins, who is now 28. I knew my grandmother and great-grandmother had breast cancer, so knowing this, I didnt allow myself to be blind. I looked things up and compared my options.

By her fourth cancer treatment, the coronavirus began spreading in the Houston area, and the rules changed about visitors. She said going through chemotherapy alone was an emotional drain.

Telemedicine appointments were another change that she had to get used to, she said. But she had no time to lose in adjusting.

For a person who hasnt been to a doctor as often, they may not be comfortable with talking to a doctor over the phone. A lot of women have this misconception that you can do it later, Eddins said. But this is something you cannot wait until later to do, especially with minority women, in particular, because breast cancer is so aggressive.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer affects non-Hispanic white people the most at 130.8 per 100,000, followed closely by non-Hispanic Black people at 126.7 people per 100,000.

However, Black women have the highest breast cancer death rate at 28.4 deaths per 100,000.

Fearing a cancer recurrence later in life, Eddins opted for a June double mastectomy after she finished chemotherapy. She said the decision was made for her 3-year-old daughter, Rylie Simpson.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Houstons Pink Phurree dragon boat raises breast cancer awareness

Because of COVID concerns, no friends or family could be with her at the hospital.

Having to get someone to drop me off in the Memorial Hermann parking garage at 5 a.m. and then see my surgeons and doctors to prepare for the surgery was a lot, Eddins said. More emotional and social support is needed right now. People feel so alone.

Dr. Charles E. Geyer, deputy director of Houston Methodist Cancer Center, said Houston hospitals have worked to try to minimize the exposure of cancer patients by restricting the number of people entering to those who need treatment.

In late March, some cancer-related surgeries were performed ahead of schedule or postponed depending on the severity. Those practices were brief, and specialists continued to serve their patients like they did pre-COVID but with extra safety precautions, Geyer said.

National Cancer Institute Director Dr. Ned Sharpless wrote in June that there will be 10,000 more breast and colorectal cancer deaths in the next decade that will be indirectly caused by the virus.

Fear of contracting the coronavirus in health care settings has dissuaded people from screening, diagnosis and treatment for non-COVID-19 diseases. The consequences for cancer outcomes, for example, could be substantial, Sharpless said. At many hospitals, so-called elective cancer treatments and surgeries have been de-prioritized to preserve clinical capacity for COVID-19 patients.

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During peak months, patients received less intense chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy or had their tumor removal delayed, Sharpless said, which will result in the pandemic causing delayed diagnosis and sub-optimal care for people with cancer.

When Trevio Jones heard the term non-essential surgeries, she said it made her think cancer was considered non-essential. None of her patients had delayed surgical procedures because of coronavirus concerns, she said.

Curing someone and saving their life is essential, Trevio Jones said. If youre a woman diagnosed with breast cancer, we try to gauge the right treatment for you in this crisis. Your cancer diagnosis is a crisis.

But a person cant get treated for cancer if they never a diagnosis because they skipped a regular screening. Geyer worries about the impact of delayed cancer screenings.

Screening has been beneficial, so if people are slower to move to treatment because of fears of catching coronavirus, we worry about what might happen in terms of cancers, Geyer said. When you detect it early, treatments are less challenging for patients.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Rare but not impossible: Male breast cancer remains low, but mortality rates are much higher than in women

Eddins caught her cancer early, in addition to finding out she has the BRCA1 mutated gene, also known as the breast cancer gene. She is now awaiting breast reconstructive surgery and radiation treatments.

But she is also preparing for a new school year as an educator after months in treatment.

The last moment I had with my ninth grade students last year was right before spring break. They made me posters and TikToks it was a joy, Eddins said. Im still Ms. Eddins, still 27 (now 28), and Im not about to let cancer age me at all.

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How many are we missing?: Research shows 80,000 missed cancer diagnoses this year - Houston Chronicle

WEST READING, Pennsylvania Tower Health reminds the public about the importance of continuing to see your primary care provider, even as the coronavirus remains in our community. Regular wellness, screening, and preventive visits with a primary care provider can help manage any ongoing health issues or detect new conditions. According to Albert Rabinovich, MD, Internal Medicine Tower Health Medical Group, regular interactions with a primary care provider are especially important for individuals with chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or congestive heart failure. Lack of proper care for a chronic health condition can worsen short-term symptoms and affect your health.

In addition to keeping up with regular primary care, I also encourage my patients to eat more fruits and vegetables and less processed food, says Dr. Rabinovich. Regular exercise is also important to strengthen the immune system and may help prevent you from getting sick or having complications from any kind of infection. To maintain a healthy lifestyle, I recommend that individuals practice 30 to 40 minutes of aerobic exercise three to four times a week. A properly working home blood pressure cuff is also a good idea, since high blood pressure often has silent symptoms and may go undetected.

While COVID-19 is still prevalent, all Tower Health physician practices are following recommended safety measures to maintain a clean and safe environment. All medical staff members and patients wear a face mask. The number of patients in the office at the same time is limited, and waiting room furniture has been positioned to encourage distancing. All patients are screened for COVID-19 symptoms before entering the office. We are not currently allowing walk-in patients.

Patients can also use virtual visits as an alternative to in-person appointments. These can include follow-up care, urgent care, or select appointments for new patients. Scheduled virtual visits are available with a Tower Health Medical Group Physician or Advanced Practice Provider (APP). On-demand care is available 24/7 with a Tower Health Urgent Care physician or APP through Virtual Care by TDH. These telephone or video visits are a very useful tool for physicians to assess patient conditions without bringing you to the office. It is particularly relevant to vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions who are at risk for more severe symptoms of COVID-19.

Maintaining a relationship with a primary care physician is key for protecting good health during the pandemic, along with wearing masks, practicing social distancing, avoiding crowded places, and proper hand hygiene. Following these simple steps can reduce the risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19 and any other viral or bacterial infection.

If you or a loved one has symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, extreme dizziness, or inability to walk, call 9-1-1 immediately for evaluation and treatment in an emergency department.

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The Importance of Maintaining Primary Care Visits During the COVID-19 Pandemic - bctv.org

By Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN, LDN and Marissa Schwam BSmail@floridanewsline.com

Wanting to obtain a healthy lifestyle has become quite popular over the last decades; however, there is a lot of misleading information that people have been utilizing in order to obtain their goal of becoming healthier. There are countless fad diets that promise quick fixes, rapid weight loss, and even detoxification. The truth is, obtaining a healthy lifestyle doesnt mean you need to restrict food groups or starve yourself to lose weight. Its all about how you build your plate. Every plate we make is a building block for a healthier lifestyle, so it is important that we include all food groups as a part of our meals and snacks. Here are some easy steps to help you build your plate and obtain the goal of a healthier you.

1. Aim to make half of your plate full of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are full of nutrients that support healthy functioning of your brain, cells, skin, and everything in between. Try to include all different colors such as orange, red, purple, white and green.

2. Dont forget whole grains. Try to make at least half of your grains whole. Whole grains are a great source of B vitamins and natural fiber, which helps reduce cholesterol and helps keep you regular. Try some ancient whole grains including barley, bulgur, quinoa, sorghum, or wild rice.

3. Protein should take up the last quarter of your plate. Choosing lean or plant proteins will help you reduce your intake of saturated fat, which has been shown to increase your risk for heart disease and strokes. Lean or plant proteins include chicken, turkey, nuts, beans, tofu, and even some cuts of beef such as flank or strip steak.

4. Switch it up by trying to add in some new foods to your regular routine. Keep mealtime fun by picking out foods you or your family have never tried before like chia seeds, lentils, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, or edamame.

5. Dont ignore your cravings. If you have a sweet tooth, you can always satisfy this craving in a healthy way. You can always do fresh fruit parfait with whipped topping, yogurt or some mini white chocolate morsels. If you like hot desserts, then you can try baking apples or peaches.

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Nutrition Check: Want to feel great? It's all in the plate! - Florida NewsLine

MEADVILLE, Pa. (PRWEB) August 04, 2020

My God, Its Cancer: My epic journey with a late-stage terminal cancer, sustained by outrageous faith for healing through grace: a strong testimony of Gods powerful healing grace in the life of a man who constantly faces the darkness and the loss of hope. My God, Its Cancer: My epic journey with a late-stage terminal cancer, sustained by outrageous faith for healing through grace is the creation of published author Courtney A. Mullings, a former telecommunications consultant and devout Christian. He is traveling on an intense hope-filled, faith-based journey as he copes with the effects of his cancer.

Mullings shares, Life is not fair! Imagine going steadfastly through life, enjoying a healthy lifestyle, playing by the rules and obeying the Word of God, only to be blindsided by a terminal cancer diagnosis in the prime of your life.

In My God, Its Cancer, Courtney Mullings shares the inspiring story of the medical, emotional and spiritual struggles encountered on his journey with what science defines as an incurable cancer. His exceptional life moments with the disease are encapsulated and documented to reveal episodes of struggles with guilt and unworthiness, and how he coped with the multiple failures and setbacks through his faith.

Travel with him to experience how he continuously sought God as his refuge and remained fervently faithful that he would receive complete healing through Gods grace. Courtneys faith gave him indomitable strength. Learn how his outrageous faith reinforces the concept of transcendental hope beyond what can be seen or reasoned through our natural senses, but as he has experienced from God.

By telling his story, he hopes to inspire, motivate and reach the many people who want to believe there is hope for their individual situations, but may be challenged by the realities of current circumstances. His story will help you to appreciate that life will inevitably present daunting challenges, but you have a choice in how you respond. God provides us with unlimited solutions through grace to address all of lifes challenges. What level of faith are you willing to invest in God for your best outcome?

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Courtney A. Mullingss new book is a profound and personal life story designed to share and inspire people with hope in the events of challenges. Here, the author aims to encourage the readers to appreciate the goodness and blessedness of life amidst the struggles.

View a synopsis of My God, Its Cancer: My epic journey with a late-stage terminal cancer, sustained by outrageous faith for healing through grace on YouTube.

Consumers can purchase My God, Its Cancer: My epic journey with a late-stage terminal cancer, sustained by outrageous faith for healing through grace at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about My God, Its Cancer: My epic journey with a late-stage terminal cancer, sustained by outrageous faith for healing through grace, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.

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Courtney A. Mullings's newly released My God, It's Cancer brings an inspiring journey of seeking God along the struggles of dealing with cancer - PR...

Working in emergency medical services, or EMS, and cybersecurity aren't as different as one might think, according to Rich Mogull, CEO at Securosis, a security consulting and research firm located in Phoenix, and CISO at DisruptOps, a cloud security automation management firm based in Kansas City, Mo., especially when it comes to mental health and dealing with stress.

Mogull has been a paramedic for 30 years and in the cybersecurity field for 20. When he began as a paramedic in the early 1990s, the assumption was that anyone entering the field would burn out within seven years, and mental health wellness education was uncommon.

Cybersecurity stress and mental health conversations have become more frequent recently, and Mogull said the security industry can learn a lot from EMS. Mogull is presenting on the topic at Black Hat 2020.

Editor's note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

What are some of the concepts to help deal with cybersecurity stress and burnout?

Rich Mogull: One of the big trends is the concept of resiliency versus antifragility. A lot of people say you've got to be resilient, compartmentalize, close it off. [The idea is] resiliency is all about how many hits you can take.

Antifragility is a different concept: Absorb the hit, and learn from it. With resiliency, you don't necessarily have to change. You can just take the pain. With antifragility, you absorb it and pull lessons [from it].

For example, I sleep fine at night, but a big chunk of that is, when I see something that triggers something in me, [I wonder:] Why did that trigger me? What can I learn? Do I need to step out of the situation? Do I need to go clear my head mentally?

I've had to do that in security probably more than I've done it in medicine.

What recommendations would you give for organizations setting up the processes to identify and avoid burnout?

Mogull: There are three measures on the Maslach Burnout Inventory. There is exhaustion -- the more exhaustion, the more it is an indicator of burnout. Next is cynicism -- not skepticism, but a cynical, negative outlook on things. The third is perceived self-efficiency, which is: Am I making a difference?

Those are the things that, as an organization, you can actually look at. You can even use burnoutindex.org, where you can actually take a quiz. If you think you have systemic burnout, you can bring people into your organization to measure it and to help determine the root cause.

What's the best way for CISOs and security professionals to learn how to deal with mental health?

Mogull: There are well-known things you can do to protect yourself, starting with healthy lifestyle choices. That's a huge factor. It's OK to have a drink. It's not OK to be overdrinking every night. Take time off, and take vacations. Try to avoid rotating shifts too much because shifting your sleep schedule can have a big impact on health.

Make sure you context shift -- work is at work, home is at home. Some of the people who get burned out are the really aggressive or obsessive researchers that spend all their time working on security and don't have outside diversions to help them clear their heads.

Find a peer group that is positive and not toxic. This is something we're not great at all the time, and in security, there are really toxic elements of our culture. So, pick and choose which part of the community you invest your time and energy in.

How can organizations avoid toxic cultures?

Mogull: One of the best things organizations can do is to foster 'just culture.'

Just culture is the opposite of blame culture. In security, we are terrible at this. We like to blame people. If there's a security flaw, you screwed up, or you blame the users.

Just culture considers: What's the systemic issue here? Our users are smart, and our employees are smart, so why are they making this decision? Ask why this mistake happened? Sometimes, it is that somebody was reckless, or somebody violated policies. But, even then, you want to question: Why did they violate that policy? Lots of times, it's the system.

An example from security is shadow IT. I hate that term. Most think it means 'our users are doing things they shouldn't be doing, so we have to lock it down.' My definition [of shadow IT] is: things my employees need to get their job done that we're not giving them.

They're doing it because they have a job to do, and they did not feel they could do that in the authorized way, so they went someplace else. In just culture, we try to find out why they went someplace else, and we solve that part of the problem.

How can individuals separate work from home now that so many are working from home?

Mogull: If your office is just a corner in your house, that's OK. Turn the monitor off; turn the computer off; shut the lid; and don't check your email. I've checked my emails off hours, too, but if I'm feeling like I'm starting to get burnt out, which has happened, I checked it less and focus on doing other things. Instead, play video games using a different computer than your work computer, or go for walks or hikes. Clear your head.

This is something the workplace can support. If your manager is hitting you at all hours, that's not right. You could have rules -- no contact outside official office hours for the geographic region or time zone of employees, unless it's a true emergency, for example.

Find a corner of your house, and designate that's where work is, not where the rest of the house is. We're doing this with our kids for school. We bought cheap $50 desks from Amazon, and we stuck them in corners of the house, and that's where the kids do their homework. It's right next to where they play, but they know the difference between the two.

Finally, turn on the Do Not Disturb [function on your phone]. You have to set those barriers.

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How CISOs can deal with cybersecurity stress and burnout - TechTarget

MHIF Establishes the Nolan Family Center for Cardiovascular Health to drive its commitment to changing the trajectory of heart disease

MINNEAPOLIS Aug. 3, 2020 The Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation (MHIF), an internationally renowned cardiovascular research organization, announced today a $5 million charitable donation from the Stuart Nolan family to support cardiovascular disease prevention research and education that aims to change the trajectory of heart disease for future generations. In honor of the gift matching the largest donation ever made to the foundation MHIF is establishing the Nolan Family Center for Cardiovascular Health.

My personal connection to cardiovascular research started with the care and treatment I received more than 30 years ago at the Minneapolis Heart Institute, which continues to allow me to live a full life, said Stuart Nolan, a long-time supporter of MHIF. My children have reached the age at which I had my first heart attack, raising the importance of understanding genetic and other risk factors that affect their heart health and underscore the importance of this work to my family. I have great faith in Dr. Miedema and his team of dedicated MHIF researchers who have shown a sincere commitment to furthering research to define the prevention and management of cardiovascular risks that affect many families.

At a time when wellness and overall health is as important as ever, this gift will accelerate progress and innovation in research and education around how to prevent cardiovascular disease, which continues to be the number one cause of death for people around the world. This research will also address some of the challenges around health disparities by further defining and understanding risk factors, as well as identifying the best care pathways for addressing care in racial and ethnic minorities where heart disease outcomes are significantly worse than other populations.

Our commitment to impactful, cardiovascular disease prevention research isnt new, but this inspiring gift from the Nolan family will propel our efforts to change the paradigm from heart disease to optimal health, said Michael Miedema, MD, MPH, director of the Nolan Family Center for Cardiovascular Health at MHIF and director of cardiovascular prevention at the Minneapolis Heart Institute. The ultimate goals of cardiovascular prevention research are to identify the optimal methods to accurately assess cardiovascular risk, as well as determine the best interventions to stop the evolution to heart disease. The research is all about determining who to treat and how to treat them, which gives our patients the best chance to avoid the tragic heart attack or the unwanted bypass surgery.

Mr. Nolan formerly served as MHIFs chairman of the board and is the current chairman of Minneapolis-based StuartCo, a residential property management company that he founded in 1970. He has received recognition for his ongoing commitment to giving back to the community.

Dr. Miedemas leadership in the field of cardiovascular disease prevention includes serving on the executive review committee for the 2018 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) Cholesterol Guidelines and serving as a member of the 2019 ACC/AHA Committee for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease. He also serves as an associate editor for the prevention section of ACC.org.

Over its 38-year history, MHIF has led groundbreaking research and education across a wide spectrum of prevention-related topics, including coronary artery calcium testing, blood pressure, cholesterol and statin use, nutrition and lifestyle behaviors, risk factors and screening for specific populations, premature heart disease and genetic disorders. New cutting-edge research planned for the Nolan Family Center for Cardiovascular Health will focus on risk prediction and optimal prevention therapies, including:

We are grateful to the Nolan family for a gift that drives the MHIF vision of creating a world without heart and vascular disease, said Kristine Fortman, PhD, MHIF CEO. This significant gift will accelerate our impact in preventive cardiovascular research, including supporting the infrastructure for the research, staff and fellows to lead an accelerated pace of clinical studies.

The Nolan family is creating a legacy in partnership with a respected research team, whose passion for discovery will advance our mission of achieving long and healthy lives for all without the burden of cardiovascular disease, said Scott Sharkey, MD, president and chief medical officer at MHIF. At this moment in our history, an unprecedented pandemic has emphasized the importance of a healthy lifestyle; we are thankful to be able to drive this important research that will benefit our patients and their families now and for generations to come.

About Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation

The Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation (MHIF) strives to create a world without heart and vascular disease. To achieve this bold vision, it is dedicated to improving the cardiovascular health of individuals and communities through innovative research and education.

Scientific Innovation and Research MHIF is a recognized leader across all specialties of heart and vascular research. Each year, MHIF leads more than 200 research studies with more than 2,200 patients and publishes more than 200 articles to share learnings from research. MHIF research has improved the standard of care for patients around the world, including through the development of protocols like Level One, which continues to significantly improve outcomes and survival for heart attack patients.

Education and Outreach MHIF provides more than 10,000 hours of education each year putting its research into practice to improve outcomes among health care providers. This commitment extends to patients and caregivers through a number of community health and education events to raise awareness of heart care and research, engaging individuals in their own health.

The Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundations work is funded by generous donors and sponsors and engages in cutting-edge research initiatives with its physician partners from the Minneapolis Heart Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital and at 38 community sites across Minnesota and western Wisconsin. For more information, please visit mplsheart.org.

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Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation Receives $5 Million Charitable Gift to Accelerate Progress in World-Class Cardiovascular Prevention Research...

Salman Khan, Alia Bhatt and Karan Johar have fallen far behind. In the past few months, one of the most commonly searched phrases on Google happens to be, how to boost immunity. It seems everyone is out to build thatelusive immunity during these Covid times. Scientific jargon like T-cells andcytokines are casually bandied about whileevery uncle (and aunt) on WhatsApp is a newly-minted expert on homemade immune boosters. So, what gives?

Simply put, your individual immunity levels decide your response to the novel coronavirus infection, just like any other infection.

Immunity is dynamic

Dr Subramanian Swaminathan, Senior Consultant (Infectious Disease) at Gleneagles Global Health City, threw some light on what immunity exactly is. It is a dynamic thing and there are noquantifiable measures to say this is what immunity is. All of us have some amount of innate immunity. But, because Covid-19 is a new infection, we dont seem to have enough. The only way to deal with this is to either get infected or get a vaccine in order to build immunity. Immunity has many different levels and is an entire system in the body. For example, the skin is as much part of the immune system as is the stomach. Immunity, to asignificant extent, is genetic, but it is also a result of our interaction withthe environment and other factors like vaccination.

Dr Sachin Kumar, Senior Consultant and Head, Department of Pulmonology, Sakra World Hospital, described immunity as the naturalised frontline defence mechanism against any illness, especially viral infections.

Immunity helps the body fight through receptors that identify unpleasant viruses. Medicine takes care of a part of the illness, but your immunity is the backbone in this fight.

Do concoctions and pills work?

Covid-19 has opened our eyes to the need for immunity. However, are we doing the right thing by stuffing ourselves with health foods, guzzling herbal concoctions using spices from our kitchen racksand perhaps doing some yoga? Says Dr Isacc Abbas, well-known nutritionist and health expert, Rebirth Fitness Centre, Mumbai:Our immune system cannot be boosted overnight like social media messages would have us believe. The body needs balanced nourishment to fight infections, but many believe they can boost their immunity in a few days, just by consuming superfoods or kitchen spices. The most common mistake people make is to pop multi-vitamins or mineral supplements. But, there is no evidence that multi-vitamins boost immunity. In fact, when taken in excess, some of these have been found to alter some components of the immune function.Only sustained efforts over a period of time work, Dr Isacc said.

Surely, our kitchen recipes passed down from generations are not harmful and have, in fact, aided in speedy recovery from the coronaviruses that cause the common cold, cough and flu? A bite of ginger or garlic every morning cannot boost your immunity instantly. Healthy lifestyle strategies give a goodboost to your immunity, but over time. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, along with low carb-high proteinfoods is good. Many people overdo the healthy eating part thinking the more the nutrition they pack into their day, the better their immunity. Actually, a person must eat according to her nutritional needs. I would recommend buying any fruit/veggies/greens that you can afford.Avoiding locally-available nutrition is counter-productive to immunity, said Dr Isacc.

Doctors are of the opinion that there is no harm in taking Vitamin C and D, along with zinc, but these cannot stave off an infection. Kitchen spices cause no harm and if they help improve your general well-being, you can consume it, but kashaya or kadha is not the only way to protect yourself. When in the middle of a pandemic, following safety protocols is most important, said Dr Swaminathan.

Is there a shortcut?

To cut a long story short,good immunitycan only be achieved through leading a healthy lifestyle, doing regular exercises, ensuring good sleep and eating a well-balanced diet. The healthier your intake, the better equipped your body is to fight an infection.

Proteins help to strengthen antibodies, which is why those with poor immunity are advised high-yield proteins. Vitamin C and minerals like zinc are important. Keep an eye on yoursugar and oil intake and avoid smoking and drinking, if you desire good immunity, Dr Sachin explained. People above 65 are finding it difficult to cope because of co-morbidities and decreased antibody generation due to ageing, which compromises ones immunity, headded.

What about Ayurvedic remedies?

This brings us to another interesting question of whether our own ancient nature and plant-based science Ayurveda could provide any answers.

The Ministry of AYUSH gives an interesting take on immunity stating that Ayurveda, being the science of life, propagates the gifts of nature in maintaininga healthy life. Ayurvedas extensive knowledge, based on preventive care, derives from the concepts of Dinacharya (daily regimes) and Ritucharya (seasonal regimes). Dr Sachin said, India has a wealth of informationon alternative methods of treatment, including Ayurveda and yoga. But, findings should be backed by robust scientific data, which is where the difficulty comes in. That said, there is no harm in taking preventive measures.

How to tell if your immunity is good or bad?

Dr Sheela Chakravarthy, Director-Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, said, the tricky part is that one cannot really tell if ones immunity is good or bad. Unlike popular perception, mild infection is not always indicative of good immunity. Medical researchers around the world are exploring the effects of diet, exercise, age, psychological stress and other factors on the immune responseand the jury is still out, so to speak.

The body continually generates immune cells, but it is not yet known how many are needed for optimum immunity. Researchers and scientists have also found that a probable cause of lesser immunity as we age is the decreased production of T-cells that fight infections.

Dr Swaminathanopined thatwhile it is true the elderlyare more susceptible to infections andare at a higher risk, statistics concerning this group should not be extrapolated to individuals.

One of my patients, an 85-year-old man with hypertension, walked out healthy after his brush with Covid-19. And we have heard of many such cases now. So, we have to be careful with statistics. As with previous infections, hopes have been pinned on vaccines. Dr Sachin, meanwhile, said that immunity levels against a virus generallyimprove over three or four months, but one cannot be sure that the same immunity will be good for the next viral infection.

Viruses change all the time in character, making it difficult to say if one vaccine will make us immune. The silver lining is that if the virus is killing someone, it is also dying. This is what happened in H1N1. Today, it is increasingly a case of survival of the fittest, he added.

Dr Swaminathan added: What we know now is just the tip of the iceberg.However, an interesting aspect that has emerged is the use of convalescent plasma. People who have recovered have donated plasma with their high levels of antibodies and this has led to positive results in many cases. This is one area where immunity helps both donor and recipient and we need to explore this further.

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Fighting the good fight - Deccan Herald

Source: Roy Morgan Single Source Australia, April 2019 March 2020. Base: Australians 14+.

A clear majority of Australians were feeling well and in good health when the COVID-19 pandemic came to Australias shores and this positive outlook has held the country in good stead dealing with the once-in-a-century restrictive measures weve all endured says Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine:

Over three-quarters of Australians (77%) reported they feel well and in good health in March as Australians dealt with unprecedented restrictions imposed to flatten the curve of COVID-19 infections. Although there is little difference across the age groups it is worthwhile noting that Baby Boomers (80%) are more likely to report feeling well and in good health, while the youngest, Generation Z (75%), are a good 5% points behind their grandparents.

Roy Morgan tracks a wide array of attitudes to health amongst Australians and key differences can be drawn between people of different ages, incomes, socio-economic level, family make-up, media consumption and almost any demographic you can imagine derived from detailed in-depth interviews with around 50,000 Australians each year collected as part of the Roy Morgan Single Source survey.

The prevalence of popular cooking shows such as Masterchef and My Kitchen Rules shows the premium Australians place on their dietary intake and 71% of Australians reported that health food is not necessary if you eat properly barely changed from the 69% two decades ago in 2000.

Over two-thirds of Australians (67%) reported they try to get enough calcium in their diet and well over half (57%) said they are eating less red meat these days up from 50% a decade ago in 2010.

Interestingly, a growing proportion of Australians (62%) reported they would like to be able to lose weight up from 59% in 2000, but a steadily declining proportion said a low fat diet is a way of life for me now at only 24%, down from 37% at the turn of the century. This is clearly the largest change for any of the attitudes measured during the last twenty years and suggests high-fat keto diets such as the Atkins diet are having an impact on Australian health attitudes.

A concern for those who believe remaining active is a key to a healthy lifestyle is the steady decline in people who said they love to do as many sports as possible now at only 21%, down 1% from a year ago and down 7% from only five years ago in 2015.

Over a third of Australians (36%) said they favour natural medicines and health products, but this is down from 41% in 2015.

Several attitudes tracked by Roy Morgan really dig into how Australians look after their diets and 46% of people reported they try to buy additive free food up from 40% in 2000. This is the biggest increase for any of the attitudes tracked over the last two decades.

Nearly half of Australians (44%) said they are concerned about my sugar intake and just under a third, 30%, were concerned about my cholesterol level but this is down from 38% a decade ago.

Almost a quarter of people (24%) reported they always think of the number of calories in the food Im eating, just over a fifth (22%) try to avoid carbs in their diet and one-in-ten said the food I eat is all, or almost all, gluten free.

These are some of the findings from the Roy Morgan Health and Wellbeing Study the most comprehensive and long-running study of Australians health as well as attitudes and behaviours that relate to fitness, exercise, food, smoking, drinking, and a wide range of health and medical conditions including mental health problems. This research has been monitoring the health and wellbeing of Australians for 20 years and is part of the Roy Morgan Single Source survey, Australias most comprehensive consumer survey, derived from in-depth interviews with around 50,000 Australians each year.

Australians like to consider themselves health, wealthy and wise and the latest data suggests a growing number are taking a deeper interest in their own wellbeing says Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine:

Australians are also keenly aware of looking after their health by watching what they eat. Two-thirds of Australians (67%) try to get enough calcium in their diet and almost as many, 57%, say they are eating less red meat these days an increase of 7% points in the last decade.

One result that may surprise is that in 2020 under a quarter of Australians (24%) said a low fat diet is a way of life for me down substantially over the last two decades from 37% in 2000. The prevalence of new diet fads in recent years such as keto diets like the Atkins diet which emphasise a high fat, high protein and low-carb mixture of foods is changing the way people look at their foods.

In line with new ways of thinking nearly half of all Australians (44%) say theyre concerned about their sugar intake, up slightly on a year ago. This concern is most prevalent amongst Millennials (48%) who have grown up surrounded by advertising for sugary drinks and fast food outlets which are seemingly ubiquitious across the land.

The rising concern about dietary sugar intake has become a rallying call for many who suggest Governments should introduce extra taxation on high sugar content drinks to deter consumers in a similar manner to the taxation introduced successfully to reduce smoking in Australia.

% of Australians who agreed with the following statements

Source: Roy Morgan Single Source Australia, April 2019 March 2020. Base: Australians 14+.

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The vast majority of Australians (77%) 'feel well and in good health' - Roy Morgan Research