Sleep habits linked to fat gain in younger adults
Amy Norton, Reuters, Mar 1, 2010
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Younger adults who get either little sleep or a lot of it may see a greater expansion in their waistlines over time, a study published Monday suggests.
Researchers found that among black and Hispanic adults younger than 40, those who typically slept for five hours or less each night had a greater accumulation of belly fat over the next five years, versus those who averaged six or seven hours.
Those who logged eight hours or more in bed each night also showed a bigger fat gain -- but it was less substantial than that seen in "short sleepers."
The study, reported in the journal Sleep, does not prove that too little or too much sleep directly leads to excess fat gain. But the findings support and extend those of other studies linking sleep duration -- particularly a lack of sleep -- to weight gain and even to higher risks of diabetes and heart disease.
The study adds to past research in part because it focused on black and Hispanic Americans -- two understudied groups who are at increased risk of obesity and its related ills, said lead researcher Dr. Kristen G. Hairston, of Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
It also zeroed in on the relationship between sleep and gains in abdominal fat -- both the superficial fat layers just below the skin and the "visceral" fat that surrounds the abdominal organs. Deep abdominal fat is believed to be particularly important in the risks of health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, Hairston told Reuters Health.
The study included 332 African-American and 775 Hispanic-American men and women ages 18 to 81. At the outset, all reported on their sleep habits, diets, exercise levels and other lifestyle factors. The researchers used CT scans to measure participants' abdominal fat, at the start of the study and again five years later.
Among participants younger than 40, the study found, those who said they slept for five hours or less each night gained more belly fat than those who averaged six or seven hours of sleep.
On average, short sleepers showed a 32 percent gain in visceral fat, versus a 13 percent gain among those who slept six or seven hours per night, and a 22 percent increase among men and women who got at least eight hours of sleep each night.
A similar pattern was seen with superficial abdominal fat. Even when the researchers considered factors like calorie intake, exercise habits, education and smoking, sleep duration itself remained linked to abdominal-fat gain.
The findings, according to Hairston, support the belief that sleep habits affect weight, and health in general. "Sleep is an important part of your overall health -- not just in whether you're tired during the day," she said.
Individuals vary in their sleep needs, so there is no one set prescription. But "extremes of sleep," such as less than five hours per night, should raise concerns, according to Hairston. "And if you're concerned about your sleep," she said, "discuss it with your healthcare provider, just as you would discuss diet or exercise."
As for why sleep duration might affect abdominal-fat gain, there are several theories.
There may be indirect effects; people who get too little sleep may be too tired during the day to exercise, while those who spend a lot of time in bed may spend less time being active, relative to people who sleep fewer hours.
Research also suggests that sleep loss alters people's levels of appetite-regulating hormones -- which could, in theory, spur them to overeat.
Depression, which often affects people's sleep and has been linked to weight gain, could also be a factor, Hairston noted. She and her colleagues had no information on study participants' depression symptoms.
Showing posts with label Latino Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Latino Health. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Latinos not convinced of vaccines
Child vaccine safety concerns persist
Baltimore Sun, March 1, 2010
While the vast majority of parents believe vaccines protect their children from life-threatening illnesses, many continue to have concerns about the safety of childhood vaccines, according to a new national survey.
More than half -- 54 percent -- of the 1,552 parents surveyed said they have serious worries about adverse affects and overall vaccine safety, according to the findings, appearing today in the journal Pediatrics. And nearly 1 in 8 parents said they refused to have their child vaccinated against at least one recommended vaccine.
News of the 2009 survey comes just a month after the Lancet retracted a controversial article from a dozen years ago that first linked the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine to autism, sparking a global panic over the safety of routine childhood inoculations.
Nevertheless, more than 1 in 5 parents believe that some vaccines cause autism, the survey found. The study calls that figure "disturbingly high."
Well before the Lancet retraction, the evidence had been stacking up for years: study after study showed child vaccines are safe and effective ways at preventing a host of horrible diseases. So why so much fear among parents?
Many simply aren't getting the correct information, the paper states. Public health education campaigns are clearly falling short and more aggressive outreach is needed, said the study's authors, a team of University of Michigan researchers.
Of course, the survey is limited by it's small sample size. Still, it drives home a fascinating debate.
In addition, it had a few interesting demographic tidbits: Latino parents were more likely than whites or blacks to believe that vaccines cause autism. And black parents were more likely than whites or Latinos to have refused a pediatrician-recommended vaccine. Overall, women were more likely to have concerns about childhood vaccines than men.
Those findings should be taken into account when building effective public education programs, the author said.
Baltimore Sun, March 1, 2010
While the vast majority of parents believe vaccines protect their children from life-threatening illnesses, many continue to have concerns about the safety of childhood vaccines, according to a new national survey.
More than half -- 54 percent -- of the 1,552 parents surveyed said they have serious worries about adverse affects and overall vaccine safety, according to the findings, appearing today in the journal Pediatrics. And nearly 1 in 8 parents said they refused to have their child vaccinated against at least one recommended vaccine.
News of the 2009 survey comes just a month after the Lancet retracted a controversial article from a dozen years ago that first linked the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine to autism, sparking a global panic over the safety of routine childhood inoculations.
Nevertheless, more than 1 in 5 parents believe that some vaccines cause autism, the survey found. The study calls that figure "disturbingly high."
Well before the Lancet retraction, the evidence had been stacking up for years: study after study showed child vaccines are safe and effective ways at preventing a host of horrible diseases. So why so much fear among parents?
Many simply aren't getting the correct information, the paper states. Public health education campaigns are clearly falling short and more aggressive outreach is needed, said the study's authors, a team of University of Michigan researchers.
Of course, the survey is limited by it's small sample size. Still, it drives home a fascinating debate.
In addition, it had a few interesting demographic tidbits: Latino parents were more likely than whites or blacks to believe that vaccines cause autism. And black parents were more likely than whites or Latinos to have refused a pediatrician-recommended vaccine. Overall, women were more likely to have concerns about childhood vaccines than men.
Those findings should be taken into account when building effective public education programs, the author said.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
The basics of blood pressure
The basics of blood pressure
By Karen Ravn, L.A. Times, February 8, 2010
Blood circulating through your body moves with a certain force -- that's your blood pressure. This force can be affected by how strongly the heart is pumping and by the size of the vessels the blood is moving through. Blood moves through large arteries into smaller vessels called arterioles, which can expand and contract. When they expand, blood pressure goes down. When they contract, blood pressure goes up. (The body has some very good reasons and complicated systems for doing this.)
How is blood pressure measured? The pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) at two points: when the heart beats (systolic) and when the heart is between beats (diastolic). Usually blood pressure readings are stated with the systolic in front of (or over) the diastolic -- for example, 110/75 mm Hg. Systolic and diastolic pressure are both important, but after you reach 50, systolic becomes more important because it gives a measure of how flexible your blood vessels are -- or are not.
How high should your blood pressure be? Your systolic blood pressure should be less than 120, and your diastolic should be less than 80. If your systolic is 140 or higher, or your diastolic is 90 or higher, you have high blood pressure, also called hypertension. If your systolic is between 120 and 139 or your diastolic is between 80 and 89, you have prehypertension -- meaning you're at risk of developing high blood pressure, and your risk of bad outcomes is already elevated.
If you have diabetes or kidney disease or have had previous cardiovascular problems, such as a heart attack or stroke, 130/80 mm Hg is the threshold for high blood pressure.
Of course, your blood pressure fluctuates all day -- it goes down when you fall asleep at your desk, and it comes back up again (and then some) when your boss yells at you to wake up. The terms "high blood pressure" and "hypertension" refer to a condition in which your blood pressure is chronically higher than it should be.
It could happen that your systolic pressure is too high but your diastolic pressure isn't. That's called isolated systolic hypertension, and it's the most common kind of high blood pressure among older people. Though it used to be considered normal for that age group, doctors now know that treating it can reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks. But it's important to lower the systolic pressure without also lowering the diastolic pressure too much -- a too-low diastolic pressure can make the risk of strokes and heart attacks go back up.
How common is high blood pressure? Very. About one-third of all adults in America have high blood pressure. More than half of all those who are 60 or older have it. And among those age 55, more than 90% either have it already or will develop it at some point.
Is high blood pressure curable? Sometimes. For example, blood pressure may go up during pregnancy, then go down again after the baby is born, and it may go up if you take some cold medicines, then go down again if you stop. But in general, high blood pressure is not curable. Even if you treat your high blood pressure and bring it down below 120/80 mm Hg, you still have the condition and still need to treat it.
Is everyone equally likely to have high blood pressure? No. Some factors are beyond your control, including age (as your age goes up, your blood pressure tends to go up too), gender (men are more likely to have high blood pressure than women), race and ethnicity (African Americans are more likely to have high blood pressure than Caucasian or Hispanic Americans), salt-sensitivity (African Americans are also more likely to be salt-sensitive) and family history (if your parents or other close relatives have high blood pressure, you have a greater than average risk of developing it too).
But you have control over some other factors, such as how much you weigh, how much salt you consume, how much alcohol you consume, whether or not you smoke, how much exercise you get and how much stress you experience. (Of course, no one says controlling these things is easy.)
How do you know you have high blood pressure? Many people who have it -- more than 20% -- don't know. After all, blood pressure usually has no symptoms itself. But diagnosis is easy, and everyone, of every age, should be checked periodically. Because blood pressure can fluctuate depending on the situation -- for example, the stress of a doctor visit, which is so common it has a name: white coat hypertension -- one bad reading isn't necessarily conclusive. Doctors generally recommend several readings for making a diagnosis.
By Karen Ravn, L.A. Times, February 8, 2010
Blood circulating through your body moves with a certain force -- that's your blood pressure. This force can be affected by how strongly the heart is pumping and by the size of the vessels the blood is moving through. Blood moves through large arteries into smaller vessels called arterioles, which can expand and contract. When they expand, blood pressure goes down. When they contract, blood pressure goes up. (The body has some very good reasons and complicated systems for doing this.)
How is blood pressure measured? The pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) at two points: when the heart beats (systolic) and when the heart is between beats (diastolic). Usually blood pressure readings are stated with the systolic in front of (or over) the diastolic -- for example, 110/75 mm Hg. Systolic and diastolic pressure are both important, but after you reach 50, systolic becomes more important because it gives a measure of how flexible your blood vessels are -- or are not.
How high should your blood pressure be? Your systolic blood pressure should be less than 120, and your diastolic should be less than 80. If your systolic is 140 or higher, or your diastolic is 90 or higher, you have high blood pressure, also called hypertension. If your systolic is between 120 and 139 or your diastolic is between 80 and 89, you have prehypertension -- meaning you're at risk of developing high blood pressure, and your risk of bad outcomes is already elevated.
If you have diabetes or kidney disease or have had previous cardiovascular problems, such as a heart attack or stroke, 130/80 mm Hg is the threshold for high blood pressure.
Of course, your blood pressure fluctuates all day -- it goes down when you fall asleep at your desk, and it comes back up again (and then some) when your boss yells at you to wake up. The terms "high blood pressure" and "hypertension" refer to a condition in which your blood pressure is chronically higher than it should be.
It could happen that your systolic pressure is too high but your diastolic pressure isn't. That's called isolated systolic hypertension, and it's the most common kind of high blood pressure among older people. Though it used to be considered normal for that age group, doctors now know that treating it can reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks. But it's important to lower the systolic pressure without also lowering the diastolic pressure too much -- a too-low diastolic pressure can make the risk of strokes and heart attacks go back up.
How common is high blood pressure? Very. About one-third of all adults in America have high blood pressure. More than half of all those who are 60 or older have it. And among those age 55, more than 90% either have it already or will develop it at some point.
Is high blood pressure curable? Sometimes. For example, blood pressure may go up during pregnancy, then go down again after the baby is born, and it may go up if you take some cold medicines, then go down again if you stop. But in general, high blood pressure is not curable. Even if you treat your high blood pressure and bring it down below 120/80 mm Hg, you still have the condition and still need to treat it.
Is everyone equally likely to have high blood pressure? No. Some factors are beyond your control, including age (as your age goes up, your blood pressure tends to go up too), gender (men are more likely to have high blood pressure than women), race and ethnicity (African Americans are more likely to have high blood pressure than Caucasian or Hispanic Americans), salt-sensitivity (African Americans are also more likely to be salt-sensitive) and family history (if your parents or other close relatives have high blood pressure, you have a greater than average risk of developing it too).
But you have control over some other factors, such as how much you weigh, how much salt you consume, how much alcohol you consume, whether or not you smoke, how much exercise you get and how much stress you experience. (Of course, no one says controlling these things is easy.)
How do you know you have high blood pressure? Many people who have it -- more than 20% -- don't know. After all, blood pressure usually has no symptoms itself. But diagnosis is easy, and everyone, of every age, should be checked periodically. Because blood pressure can fluctuate depending on the situation -- for example, the stress of a doctor visit, which is so common it has a name: white coat hypertension -- one bad reading isn't necessarily conclusive. Doctors generally recommend several readings for making a diagnosis.
Latinos losing on healthcare reform
All Eyes on Healthcare Reform
Rob Kuznia -- HispanicBusiness Magazine
With one in three U.S. Hispanics lacking health insurance, it's little wonder recent nationwide surveys show that the Hispanic population considers healthcare reform to be the No. 1 issue of the day — surpassing even immigration reform and the economic downturn. Now, with a historic effort underway on Capitol Hill to merge two recently approved health bills — the House's in November and the Senate in late December — the implications for Hispanics are monumental.
Both bills seek to significantly boost the rate of insured Americans, currently at 83 percent. The Senate plan would expand that coverage rate to 94 percent; the House plan, 96 percent. Put another way, the bills would reduce the number of uninsured people in the United States – now standing around 46 million – by between 31 million and 36 million. "I think it's a phenomenal step forward," Dr. Elena Rios, president and CEO of the National Hispanic Medical Association, told HispanicBusiness Magazine. "It's really a big opportunity for this country to start decreasing the cost of healthcare."
But Hispanic advocates are far from sanguine. As lawmakers in Washington D.C. gear up for a grueling effort to reconcile the gargantuan bills, major concerns still loom for Hispanic groups. Their worries are numerous, but in general, Hispanic groups tend to be less enthusiastic about the Senate bill. Take the politically thorny issue of illegal immigration. Currently, the Senate bill prohibits illegal immigrants from purchasing — with their own money (and no government subsidies) — health plans on a proposed national insurance exchange. An insurance exchange is a large pool of people that contracts with insurers to lower risk and therefore reduce the premiums of the customers. More.
Rob Kuznia -- HispanicBusiness Magazine
With one in three U.S. Hispanics lacking health insurance, it's little wonder recent nationwide surveys show that the Hispanic population considers healthcare reform to be the No. 1 issue of the day — surpassing even immigration reform and the economic downturn. Now, with a historic effort underway on Capitol Hill to merge two recently approved health bills — the House's in November and the Senate in late December — the implications for Hispanics are monumental.
Both bills seek to significantly boost the rate of insured Americans, currently at 83 percent. The Senate plan would expand that coverage rate to 94 percent; the House plan, 96 percent. Put another way, the bills would reduce the number of uninsured people in the United States – now standing around 46 million – by between 31 million and 36 million. "I think it's a phenomenal step forward," Dr. Elena Rios, president and CEO of the National Hispanic Medical Association, told HispanicBusiness Magazine. "It's really a big opportunity for this country to start decreasing the cost of healthcare."
But Hispanic advocates are far from sanguine. As lawmakers in Washington D.C. gear up for a grueling effort to reconcile the gargantuan bills, major concerns still loom for Hispanic groups. Their worries are numerous, but in general, Hispanic groups tend to be less enthusiastic about the Senate bill. Take the politically thorny issue of illegal immigration. Currently, the Senate bill prohibits illegal immigrants from purchasing — with their own money (and no government subsidies) — health plans on a proposed national insurance exchange. An insurance exchange is a large pool of people that contracts with insurers to lower risk and therefore reduce the premiums of the customers. More.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Obesity among children tops out
Obesity Rates Hit Plateau in U.S., Data Suggest
By PAM BELLUCK, NY Times, January 13, 2010
Americans, at least as a group, may have reached their peak of obesity, according to data the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Wednesday.
The numbers indicate that obesity rates have remained constant for at least five years among men and for closer to 10 years among women and children — long enough for experts to say the percentage of very overweight people has leveled off.
But the percentages have topped out at very high numbers. Nearly 34 percent of adults are obese, more than double the percentage 30 years ago. The share of obese children tripled during that time, to 17 percent.
“Right now we’ve halted the progress of the obesity epidemic,” said Dr. William H. Dietz, director of the division of nutrition, physical activity and obesity at the disease control centers. “The data are really promising.
“That said, I don’t think we have in place the kind of policy or environmental changes needed to reverse this epidemic just yet.”
Dr. Dietz said the data probably reflected increased awareness of the obesity problem, especially among women, “who buy food, prepare it and see it, and they’re making changes for themselves that they’re also making for their kids.” He also cited a reduction in “less healthful foods” at school.
Some experts, though, were not optimistic that the leveling off was a result of improved eating and exercise habits.
“Until we see rates improving, not just staying the same, we can’t have any confidence that our lifestyle has improved,” said Dr. David Ludwig, director of the Optimal Weight for Life Program at Children’s Hospital Boston.
Dr. Ludwig said the plateau might just suggest that “we’ve reached a biological limit” to how obese people could get. When people eat more, he said, at first they gain weight; then a growing share of the calories go “into maintaining and moving around that excess tissue,” he continued, so that “a population doesn’t keep getting heavier and heavier indefinitely.”
Furthermore, Dr. Ludwig said, “it could be that most of the people who are genetically susceptible, or susceptible for psychological or behavioral reasons, have already become obese.”
The numbers, published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, are based on national surveys that record heights and weights of a representative sample of Americans. People are considered obese if their body mass index — a ratio of height to weight — is 30 or greater. Someone five and a half feet tall is obese at 186 pounds; a six-foot person is obese at 221 pounds.
Even though the data show an overall plateau for obesity rates, they indicate an increase from 1999 to 2008 in the heaviest boys, ages 6 to 19, primarily whites. Experts speculated that heavy children in environments of unhealthy food and physical inactivity might simply be shifting into the top weight categories because their situation had not improved.
African-American adults have the highest obesity rates — 37 percent among men and nearly 50 percent among women. For Hispanic women, the rate is 43 percent. Hispanic and black children have higher rates than non-Hispanic whites.
Federal health officials had set a goal a decade ago that no more than 15 percent of people would be obese in 2010.
“We aren’t near that, and we haven’t moved in that direction,” said Cynthia L. Ogden, an epidemiologist at the National Center for Health Statistics and an author of the reports.
In addition, 68 percent of adults and nearly one-third of children are considered at least overweight, with a body mass index of 25 or higher. For a 5-foot-8 person, that would be 164 pounds.
Dr. Dietz said he hoped the obesity data would follow what happened with smoking rates, which leveled off before declining. But he said obesity was difficult to address because while “tobacco is a single source, obesity is both physical activity and diet.”
Experts like Steven Gortmaker, a Harvard public health professor, said obesity would decline only with new policies, like penalties and incentives to promote healthier foods and exercise.
“If you look at the reversal of the smoking epidemic,” Dr. Gortmaker said, “substantial change didn’t really happen until there were bans on advertising and limits on consumption through things like taxation. We have to make some substantial changes.”
By PAM BELLUCK, NY Times, January 13, 2010
Americans, at least as a group, may have reached their peak of obesity, according to data the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Wednesday.
The numbers indicate that obesity rates have remained constant for at least five years among men and for closer to 10 years among women and children — long enough for experts to say the percentage of very overweight people has leveled off.
But the percentages have topped out at very high numbers. Nearly 34 percent of adults are obese, more than double the percentage 30 years ago. The share of obese children tripled during that time, to 17 percent.
“Right now we’ve halted the progress of the obesity epidemic,” said Dr. William H. Dietz, director of the division of nutrition, physical activity and obesity at the disease control centers. “The data are really promising.
“That said, I don’t think we have in place the kind of policy or environmental changes needed to reverse this epidemic just yet.”
Dr. Dietz said the data probably reflected increased awareness of the obesity problem, especially among women, “who buy food, prepare it and see it, and they’re making changes for themselves that they’re also making for their kids.” He also cited a reduction in “less healthful foods” at school.
Some experts, though, were not optimistic that the leveling off was a result of improved eating and exercise habits.
“Until we see rates improving, not just staying the same, we can’t have any confidence that our lifestyle has improved,” said Dr. David Ludwig, director of the Optimal Weight for Life Program at Children’s Hospital Boston.
Dr. Ludwig said the plateau might just suggest that “we’ve reached a biological limit” to how obese people could get. When people eat more, he said, at first they gain weight; then a growing share of the calories go “into maintaining and moving around that excess tissue,” he continued, so that “a population doesn’t keep getting heavier and heavier indefinitely.”
Furthermore, Dr. Ludwig said, “it could be that most of the people who are genetically susceptible, or susceptible for psychological or behavioral reasons, have already become obese.”
The numbers, published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, are based on national surveys that record heights and weights of a representative sample of Americans. People are considered obese if their body mass index — a ratio of height to weight — is 30 or greater. Someone five and a half feet tall is obese at 186 pounds; a six-foot person is obese at 221 pounds.
Even though the data show an overall plateau for obesity rates, they indicate an increase from 1999 to 2008 in the heaviest boys, ages 6 to 19, primarily whites. Experts speculated that heavy children in environments of unhealthy food and physical inactivity might simply be shifting into the top weight categories because their situation had not improved.
African-American adults have the highest obesity rates — 37 percent among men and nearly 50 percent among women. For Hispanic women, the rate is 43 percent. Hispanic and black children have higher rates than non-Hispanic whites.
Federal health officials had set a goal a decade ago that no more than 15 percent of people would be obese in 2010.
“We aren’t near that, and we haven’t moved in that direction,” said Cynthia L. Ogden, an epidemiologist at the National Center for Health Statistics and an author of the reports.
In addition, 68 percent of adults and nearly one-third of children are considered at least overweight, with a body mass index of 25 or higher. For a 5-foot-8 person, that would be 164 pounds.
Dr. Dietz said he hoped the obesity data would follow what happened with smoking rates, which leveled off before declining. But he said obesity was difficult to address because while “tobacco is a single source, obesity is both physical activity and diet.”
Experts like Steven Gortmaker, a Harvard public health professor, said obesity would decline only with new policies, like penalties and incentives to promote healthier foods and exercise.
“If you look at the reversal of the smoking epidemic,” Dr. Gortmaker said, “substantial change didn’t really happen until there were bans on advertising and limits on consumption through things like taxation. We have to make some substantial changes.”
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Older Hispanic women less likely to have children with Down syndrome
Down syndrome increases among U.S. children
Pediatrics Supersite
Older average maternal age may have contributed to a 31.1% increase in the number of babies born with Down syndrome from 1979 to 2003, researchers believe.
During this time period, the prevalence of Down syndrome at birth increased from 9.0% to 11.8% per 10,000 live births, data pooled from 10 U.S. regions indicated, with prevalence rates five times higher among babies born to mothers who were aged 35 or older compared with younger mothers (38.6 per 10,000 vs. 7.8 per 10,000).
Increased Down syndrome prevalence at birth coupled with an increased median age among individuals with the birth defect (25 years in 1983 vs. 49 in 1997), may have important implications for resource allocation as these children age, according to the researchers.
“Determination of whether health services are meeting the needs of an increasing number of aging individuals with Down syndrome to ensure a healthy life across the life span is likely to require more extensive data linkages of health databases on individuals with Down syndrome,” the researchers wrote. They added that development and maintenance of long-term longitudinal registries will be integral to these efforts.
After adjusting for age, race/ethnicity and gender the researchers determined the following:
- Although prevalence increased with time in each age group, it decreased with age within birth cohorts.
- Prevalence was significantly higher among boys compared with girls.
- Prevalence was significantly lower among non-Hispanic blacks and decreased more rapidly with age among Hispanics compared with non-Hispanic whites.
Decreasing trends in Down syndrome prevalence as Hispanic children age may be due to lower survival rates after birth, the researchers suggested.
“Because Hispanic immigrant women tend to have higher rates of fertility, late entry to prenatal care and lower levels of insurance coverage, it is important to conduct more research to elucidate the extent to which these factors might be associated with the observed trends in prevalence and survival in states with rapid Hispanic population growth,” the researchers wrote.
This large, population-based study is the first of its kind, accounting for 29% of all Down syndrome births in 2002 and encompassing data from birth defect registries from Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, North Carolina, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah.
Shin M. Pediatrics. 2009;124:1565-1571.
Pediatrics Supersite
Older average maternal age may have contributed to a 31.1% increase in the number of babies born with Down syndrome from 1979 to 2003, researchers believe.
During this time period, the prevalence of Down syndrome at birth increased from 9.0% to 11.8% per 10,000 live births, data pooled from 10 U.S. regions indicated, with prevalence rates five times higher among babies born to mothers who were aged 35 or older compared with younger mothers (38.6 per 10,000 vs. 7.8 per 10,000).
Increased Down syndrome prevalence at birth coupled with an increased median age among individuals with the birth defect (25 years in 1983 vs. 49 in 1997), may have important implications for resource allocation as these children age, according to the researchers.
“Determination of whether health services are meeting the needs of an increasing number of aging individuals with Down syndrome to ensure a healthy life across the life span is likely to require more extensive data linkages of health databases on individuals with Down syndrome,” the researchers wrote. They added that development and maintenance of long-term longitudinal registries will be integral to these efforts.
After adjusting for age, race/ethnicity and gender the researchers determined the following:
- Although prevalence increased with time in each age group, it decreased with age within birth cohorts.
- Prevalence was significantly higher among boys compared with girls.
- Prevalence was significantly lower among non-Hispanic blacks and decreased more rapidly with age among Hispanics compared with non-Hispanic whites.
Decreasing trends in Down syndrome prevalence as Hispanic children age may be due to lower survival rates after birth, the researchers suggested.
“Because Hispanic immigrant women tend to have higher rates of fertility, late entry to prenatal care and lower levels of insurance coverage, it is important to conduct more research to elucidate the extent to which these factors might be associated with the observed trends in prevalence and survival in states with rapid Hispanic population growth,” the researchers wrote.
This large, population-based study is the first of its kind, accounting for 29% of all Down syndrome births in 2002 and encompassing data from birth defect registries from Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, North Carolina, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah.
Shin M. Pediatrics. 2009;124:1565-1571.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Maintenance of the Latino male body
Non-scheduled Male Body Maintenance
If you are a middle aged man, you need to get your blood work done, prostate test, BMI and, oh yes, the invasive colon procedure
By Al Carlos Hernandez, LatinoLA, November 29, 2009
My wife's import sports car has a computer that tells her when to take it in for routine servicing. The computer reads out messages like, "You have X number of miles until servicing is required." Then a little wrench icon pops up when you start the car and it won't go away until you spend at least seven hundred bucks. More....
If you are a middle aged man, you need to get your blood work done, prostate test, BMI and, oh yes, the invasive colon procedure
By Al Carlos Hernandez, LatinoLA, November 29, 2009
My wife's import sports car has a computer that tells her when to take it in for routine servicing. The computer reads out messages like, "You have X number of miles until servicing is required." Then a little wrench icon pops up when you start the car and it won't go away until you spend at least seven hundred bucks. More....
Monday, November 23, 2009
California county touts large Latino swine flu deaths
REGION: Latinos account for more than half of county's swine flu deaths
By EDWARD SIFUENTES – NC TImes, November 21, 2009
Nearly half of the people who have died of swine flu in San Diego County were Latinos, county health officials said.
But it's not their ethnicity that is putting them at risk of contracting and dying from the swine flu, health officials say.
Other health and social factors may be to blame.
Although Latinos make up only a quarter of the county's 3 million residents, they account for 15 of the 33 deaths that were reported in the county as of Friday, according to the county's Health and Human Services Agency.
The disproportionate number of Latinos and other minorities with swine flu, also known as the H1N1 influenza, has been reported in other parts of the country, such as Texas and Boston, where health officials have released preliminary reports on the spread of the virus.
Health officials said it is a troubling revelation, but one that is hardly surprising because of the Latino community's high poverty rate, lack of access to health care and high incidence of certain chronic diseases, including diabetes.
"It is surprising, but it is not surprising, because they are the most likely to lack access to health care," said Dr. Britt Rios-Ellis, a professor of health science at Cal State Long Beach, who specializes in Latino health.
Of the other swine-flu-related deaths in the county, eight people were white, three were black, one was Asian and one was listed as "other."
The race or ethnicity of five people was not known, said Jose Alvarez, a spokesman for the county's Health and Human Services Agency.
Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county's Public Health Officer, said the H1N1-related deaths in the county are consistent with what health officials expected.
Most deaths have been young people with compromising health conditions.
In other words, Latinos make up most of the cases, not because of their ethnicity, but because of medical and social issues that are prevalent in the community, she said.
"As we all know, people of color have a large number of underlying medical problems," Wooten said.
Health officials say the swine flu is especially risky to women who are pregnant, and children and adults who have certain health problems, such as respiratory illnesses, heart conditions and diabetes.
Because of the limited quantity of the H1N1 vaccine, health officials have given priority to these individuals and to those whose households include infants younger than 6 months old.
Latinos made up more than half of the 95 swine-flu-related deaths in Texas as of Oct. 17, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services, but they are only 37 percent of the state's population.
Health officials in Boston and Texas also have noted a disproportionate number of Latinos among the people who have contracted the virus.
In Boston, a third of all H1N1-related cases were Latinos, who make up about 14 percent of the city's population, according to an analysis in August by the Boston Public Health Commission.
Of the 33 deaths in San Diego County, people between the ages of 25 and 64 make up the largest portion ---- 26 deaths, or nearly 80 percent.
Four people were under age 24, and only three were seniors over 65 years old, according to the county.
Most were female ---- 22 ---- and 11 were males.
Nearly all of those whose deaths were associated with swine flu had underlying medical conditions, according to the county.
Rios-Ellis, who is co-director of the National Council of La Raza's Center for Latino Community Health, an organization that advocates for Latino health policies, said the H1N1 flu provides a strong argument in favor of universal health coverage.
She said that another reason why Latinos are especially susceptible to swine flu and other illnesses is that they often work in low-paying jobs that don't provide health insurance or paid sick leave.
Missing work means losing wages and potentially losing their jobs, she said.
"Latinos tend to underutilize the health care system," she said. "It is a result of the fact that they don't have employer-(provided) sick days or health insurance."
Call staff writer Edward Sifuentes at 760-740-3511.
By EDWARD SIFUENTES – NC TImes, November 21, 2009
Nearly half of the people who have died of swine flu in San Diego County were Latinos, county health officials said.
But it's not their ethnicity that is putting them at risk of contracting and dying from the swine flu, health officials say.
Other health and social factors may be to blame.
Although Latinos make up only a quarter of the county's 3 million residents, they account for 15 of the 33 deaths that were reported in the county as of Friday, according to the county's Health and Human Services Agency.
The disproportionate number of Latinos and other minorities with swine flu, also known as the H1N1 influenza, has been reported in other parts of the country, such as Texas and Boston, where health officials have released preliminary reports on the spread of the virus.
Health officials said it is a troubling revelation, but one that is hardly surprising because of the Latino community's high poverty rate, lack of access to health care and high incidence of certain chronic diseases, including diabetes.
"It is surprising, but it is not surprising, because they are the most likely to lack access to health care," said Dr. Britt Rios-Ellis, a professor of health science at Cal State Long Beach, who specializes in Latino health.
Of the other swine-flu-related deaths in the county, eight people were white, three were black, one was Asian and one was listed as "other."
The race or ethnicity of five people was not known, said Jose Alvarez, a spokesman for the county's Health and Human Services Agency.
Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county's Public Health Officer, said the H1N1-related deaths in the county are consistent with what health officials expected.
Most deaths have been young people with compromising health conditions.
In other words, Latinos make up most of the cases, not because of their ethnicity, but because of medical and social issues that are prevalent in the community, she said.
"As we all know, people of color have a large number of underlying medical problems," Wooten said.
Health officials say the swine flu is especially risky to women who are pregnant, and children and adults who have certain health problems, such as respiratory illnesses, heart conditions and diabetes.
Because of the limited quantity of the H1N1 vaccine, health officials have given priority to these individuals and to those whose households include infants younger than 6 months old.
Latinos made up more than half of the 95 swine-flu-related deaths in Texas as of Oct. 17, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services, but they are only 37 percent of the state's population.
Health officials in Boston and Texas also have noted a disproportionate number of Latinos among the people who have contracted the virus.
In Boston, a third of all H1N1-related cases were Latinos, who make up about 14 percent of the city's population, according to an analysis in August by the Boston Public Health Commission.
Of the 33 deaths in San Diego County, people between the ages of 25 and 64 make up the largest portion ---- 26 deaths, or nearly 80 percent.
Four people were under age 24, and only three were seniors over 65 years old, according to the county.
Most were female ---- 22 ---- and 11 were males.
Nearly all of those whose deaths were associated with swine flu had underlying medical conditions, according to the county.
Rios-Ellis, who is co-director of the National Council of La Raza's Center for Latino Community Health, an organization that advocates for Latino health policies, said the H1N1 flu provides a strong argument in favor of universal health coverage.
She said that another reason why Latinos are especially susceptible to swine flu and other illnesses is that they often work in low-paying jobs that don't provide health insurance or paid sick leave.
Missing work means losing wages and potentially losing their jobs, she said.
"Latinos tend to underutilize the health care system," she said. "It is a result of the fact that they don't have employer-(provided) sick days or health insurance."
Call staff writer Edward Sifuentes at 760-740-3511.
Communicating health care policy with Hispanic media
Health Care Reform: Communicating Policy With Hispanic Media
The Latino Journal E-News, Vol. 2, Issue 5
NEW YORK, Nov. 20 -- The Association of Hispanic Healthcare Executives (www.AHHE.org) and the National Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on Health (www.NHCCH.com) have announced the launching of their social media campaign, which will partner Hispanic media, the country's leading Hispanic professional health associations and Hispanic consumers. The launching of the partnership coincides with the appointment of Mirian Zavala, RN, MS, Doctoral Candidate, as the chair of AHHE's Policy Committee. The social media campaign launch and Ms. Zavala will be introduced at a reception, "Health Care Reform: Communicating Policy with Hispanic Media," on Monday, November 23, 2009, 6:00-8:00pm, at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, 16th floor Sky lobby.
In attendance, and partnering with AHHE and the NHCCH on this initiative, will be the leading national Hispanic health association presidents, including George A. Zeppenfeldt-Cestero, President, Association of Hispanic Healthcare Executives; Suzanne Colin, PhD, President, the Association of Hispanic Mental Health Professionals; Miguel Hernandez, MD, President, the Dominican Medical Association; Norma Martinez Rogers, PhD, RN, FAAN, President, National Association of Hispanic Nurses; Samuel Arce, MD, President, Spanish American Medical Dental Society of NY, Inc., and Luis A. Vazquez, Chairman, National Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on Health. The Honorable Joel Rivera, Chairman of the Health Committee for the NYC Council and other elected officials, will give remarks during the event.
George A. Zeppenfeldt-Cestero, President of AHHE, will also be working closely with the national Hispanic professional membership associations to establish a Roundtable of Hispanic Health Association Presidents to insure a unified voice on health issues impacting our community and providing authoritative information to both the media and consumers.
According to Marcelo Rodriguez, President of Inlanet, a leading Hispanic Internet Marketing agency based in New York, "It is of utmost importance that a prominent Hispanic association such as AHHE starts an initiative targeting a community that is growing so fast on the internet - almost 23 million and counting - and by definition is social. AHHE will become a major Hispanic resource on the internet by establishing its presence online where Hispanics frequently turn to for authoritative health resources. AHHE's presence will be displayed on the main social networks, such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube."
Health Disparities Tax American Economy. According to researchers commissioned by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, the combined costs of health inequalities and premature death in the nation cost $1.24 trillion between 2003 and 2006. Patients from racial and ethnic minority communities, who bear a disproportionate share of our nation's health problems, spent nearly $230 billion in excess medical care costs. http://diverseeducation.com/artman/publish/article_13067.shtml
As one of the least likely demographic groups to have insurance, Hispanics might be expected to have high hopes for the current reform efforts. In the nearly two dozen congressional districts with a Hispanic majority, the number of people with health insurance is 16 percentage points below the national average, according to a NationalJournal.com analysis. Hispanics accounted for 15 percent of the nation's population in 2007, but 32 percent of the nation's uninsured.
Financial support for this event is provided by national partner, Aetna, and regional partners, NewYork Presbyterian, North Shore-LIJ, Healthfirst, Healthplex and event sponsors, Fidelis Care/New York, Atlantis Health Plan and Inlanet. Credentialed press may register for the event at www.AHHE.org.
P.O. Box 230832, Ansonia Station, New York, NY 10023 T. 212-877-1615 F. 212-877-2406
The Latino Journal E-News, Vol. 2, Issue 5
NEW YORK, Nov. 20 -- The Association of Hispanic Healthcare Executives (www.AHHE.org) and the National Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on Health (www.NHCCH.com) have announced the launching of their social media campaign, which will partner Hispanic media, the country's leading Hispanic professional health associations and Hispanic consumers. The launching of the partnership coincides with the appointment of Mirian Zavala, RN, MS, Doctoral Candidate, as the chair of AHHE's Policy Committee. The social media campaign launch and Ms. Zavala will be introduced at a reception, "Health Care Reform: Communicating Policy with Hispanic Media," on Monday, November 23, 2009, 6:00-8:00pm, at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, 16th floor Sky lobby.
In attendance, and partnering with AHHE and the NHCCH on this initiative, will be the leading national Hispanic health association presidents, including George A. Zeppenfeldt-Cestero, President, Association of Hispanic Healthcare Executives; Suzanne Colin, PhD, President, the Association of Hispanic Mental Health Professionals; Miguel Hernandez, MD, President, the Dominican Medical Association; Norma Martinez Rogers, PhD, RN, FAAN, President, National Association of Hispanic Nurses; Samuel Arce, MD, President, Spanish American Medical Dental Society of NY, Inc., and Luis A. Vazquez, Chairman, National Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on Health. The Honorable Joel Rivera, Chairman of the Health Committee for the NYC Council and other elected officials, will give remarks during the event.
George A. Zeppenfeldt-Cestero, President of AHHE, will also be working closely with the national Hispanic professional membership associations to establish a Roundtable of Hispanic Health Association Presidents to insure a unified voice on health issues impacting our community and providing authoritative information to both the media and consumers.
According to Marcelo Rodriguez, President of Inlanet, a leading Hispanic Internet Marketing agency based in New York, "It is of utmost importance that a prominent Hispanic association such as AHHE starts an initiative targeting a community that is growing so fast on the internet - almost 23 million and counting - and by definition is social. AHHE will become a major Hispanic resource on the internet by establishing its presence online where Hispanics frequently turn to for authoritative health resources. AHHE's presence will be displayed on the main social networks, such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube."
Health Disparities Tax American Economy. According to researchers commissioned by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, the combined costs of health inequalities and premature death in the nation cost $1.24 trillion between 2003 and 2006. Patients from racial and ethnic minority communities, who bear a disproportionate share of our nation's health problems, spent nearly $230 billion in excess medical care costs. http://diverseeducation.com/artman/publish/article_13067.shtml
As one of the least likely demographic groups to have insurance, Hispanics might be expected to have high hopes for the current reform efforts. In the nearly two dozen congressional districts with a Hispanic majority, the number of people with health insurance is 16 percentage points below the national average, according to a NationalJournal.com analysis. Hispanics accounted for 15 percent of the nation's population in 2007, but 32 percent of the nation's uninsured.
Financial support for this event is provided by national partner, Aetna, and regional partners, NewYork Presbyterian, North Shore-LIJ, Healthfirst, Healthplex and event sponsors, Fidelis Care/New York, Atlantis Health Plan and Inlanet. Credentialed press may register for the event at www.AHHE.org.
P.O. Box 230832, Ansonia Station, New York, NY 10023 T. 212-877-1615 F. 212-877-2406
Cancer campaign enrolls Hispanic support
AT&T ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT “PADRES CONTRA EL CáNCER”
The Latino Journal E-News, Vol. 2, Issue 5
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 18, 2009 — AT&T has announced that it will launch the fourth annual campaign to raise awareness of childhood cancer and collect donations to support PADRES Contra El Cáncer (PADRES), a nonprofit organization committed to improving the quality of life for Latino children who are battling the disease, beginning November 22. AT&T set a goal of raising $300,000 this year, which would mean a total donation of $1 million to PADRES since the campaign’s inception in 2007.
Throughout the six-week program, donations will be collected at more than 130 AT&T retail locations throughout the Greater Los Angeles area. AT&T is also offering a promotion throughout the duration of the campaign. When customers purchase an LG phone, AT&T will donate $20 to PADRES and the customer will receive a free LOUVER by Louis Verdad designer cap.
“AT&T has been a faithful partner in its commitment to PADRES, the Latino community and in its support of families coping with the devastating effects of childhood cancer,” said Eva Longoria Parker, actress and PADRES national spokeswoman. “We’re thrilled to launch this year’s campaign and eager to reach the $1 million mark. We hope that the community will come together to help us reach that goal.”
Cancer strikes approximately 1,500 children annually in California; nearly 50 percent of those affected are Latino. Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death among children under 15 years old and is second only to accidents in most age groups.[1]
“In times like this it’s more important than ever to support organizations such as PADRES that address vital community needs,” said Andy Shibley, vice president and general manager of AT&T’s Greater Los Angeles Area. “AT&T is pleased to hold the campaign again this year and applaud PADRES and its supporters for championing this cause, which has given hope to so many families."
During the 2008 campaign, AT&T donated $200,000 to PADRES to aid in the organization’s mission. To date, AT&T has donated approximately $700,000 to PADRES.
For more information about PADRES, visit www.IAmHOPE.org.
The Latino Journal E-News, Vol. 2, Issue 5
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 18, 2009 — AT&T has announced that it will launch the fourth annual campaign to raise awareness of childhood cancer and collect donations to support PADRES Contra El Cáncer (PADRES), a nonprofit organization committed to improving the quality of life for Latino children who are battling the disease, beginning November 22. AT&T set a goal of raising $300,000 this year, which would mean a total donation of $1 million to PADRES since the campaign’s inception in 2007.
Throughout the six-week program, donations will be collected at more than 130 AT&T retail locations throughout the Greater Los Angeles area. AT&T is also offering a promotion throughout the duration of the campaign. When customers purchase an LG phone, AT&T will donate $20 to PADRES and the customer will receive a free LOUVER by Louis Verdad designer cap.
“AT&T has been a faithful partner in its commitment to PADRES, the Latino community and in its support of families coping with the devastating effects of childhood cancer,” said Eva Longoria Parker, actress and PADRES national spokeswoman. “We’re thrilled to launch this year’s campaign and eager to reach the $1 million mark. We hope that the community will come together to help us reach that goal.”
Cancer strikes approximately 1,500 children annually in California; nearly 50 percent of those affected are Latino. Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death among children under 15 years old and is second only to accidents in most age groups.[1]
“In times like this it’s more important than ever to support organizations such as PADRES that address vital community needs,” said Andy Shibley, vice president and general manager of AT&T’s Greater Los Angeles Area. “AT&T is pleased to hold the campaign again this year and applaud PADRES and its supporters for championing this cause, which has given hope to so many families."
During the 2008 campaign, AT&T donated $200,000 to PADRES to aid in the organization’s mission. To date, AT&T has donated approximately $700,000 to PADRES.
For more information about PADRES, visit www.IAmHOPE.org.
Latinas could be at risk with new mammogram guidelines
Mammogram guidelines are flawed
Baltimore Sun.com, Opinions
I am a physician in practice. I have been reading the new mammogram guidelines from the so-called government panel of experts, and I have been exasperated at the plain old stupidity that marks these guidelines ("New mammogram guidelines fuel contradiction, confusion," Nov. 17). The American Cancer Society recently let it be known that doctors may have been over-treating a lot of early and small breast cancers, causing more harm than good in the process. Their contention is that many of these cancers will actually regress even without treatment and will not reduce the lifespan of afflicted individuals. But the American Cancer Society does not know as yet, and therefore has not clearly defined the characteristics of, the tumors that will regress versus those that will enlarge and spread. In the meantime these guidelines have emerged and caused a legitimate furor.
With regard to mammograms, doctors and patients have to be careful. This team of government experts has even left breast self examination in the dust, an unwise move. Also breast cancer is highly correlated with obesity and diabetes -- two, chronic and rampant conditions, even in premenopausal women, in this country and across the world. It is well known, in the medical community, that with the higher incidence of obesity and diabetes in Hispanic and African-American women, they are even more susceptible to breast cancer than their white counterparts.
African-American women die in greater numbers from breast cancer, being more likely to have the advanced stages of the disease at diagnosis, and having a greater rate of recurrence and spread. Considering the numerous publications about the racial disparities in medicine, now we are supposed to ignore the inherent increased risk in African-Americans and Hispanics for this disease and postpone getting mammograms in this subgroup until age 50 years?
A diet rich in vegetables and fruits and low in red meat, combined with regular exercise, is protective against breast cancer. Most poor and illiterate women who neither exercise nor eat a healthy diet are therefore at a higher risk than their affluent sisters. Then there are yet to be understood and unraveled environmental factors, like pesticides and plastics that may contribute to the incidence of all cancers.
It is very cynical that women above the age of 75 years, by this panel's restrictions, will probably be denied mammograms as unnecessary for that age group. Women of this age group fall prey to breast cancers all the time, and among the baby boomers, there will be many when they hit this age who will be at a higher risk because of previous hormone replacement therapy, promoted relentlessly in the past by the pharmaceutical industry and mainstream medicine. The more you think about it, the larger the risk pool grows and the more idiotic this panel seems.
We must improve our diagnostic tools to reduce radiation exposure and increase accuracy. We must avoid unnecessary invasive procedures that cause profound anxiety in patients. Agreed. But we must stop dithering. Not only women with genetic susceptibility or those with a family history of breast cancer, whether young or old, whether premenopausal or postmenopausal, a lot more women than this panel would admit, are at risk for all cancers and particularly for breast cancer.
What is staggering is the malpractice risk involved for doctors if they were to follow this expert panel's guidelines exactly as spelled out. If this declaration is one of the results of the Obama administration's endorsement of "comparative efficacy" studies, comparing many medical therapies and diagnostic tools for their cost effectiveness and usefulness, I dread to think of what else is in store for the already beleaguered physicians and patients in this country. I see "one size fits all " guidelines beckoning tantalizingly, a boon to the cost cutters and the care deniers of medicine.
Usha Nellore, Bel Air
Baltimore Sun.com, Opinions
I am a physician in practice. I have been reading the new mammogram guidelines from the so-called government panel of experts, and I have been exasperated at the plain old stupidity that marks these guidelines ("New mammogram guidelines fuel contradiction, confusion," Nov. 17). The American Cancer Society recently let it be known that doctors may have been over-treating a lot of early and small breast cancers, causing more harm than good in the process. Their contention is that many of these cancers will actually regress even without treatment and will not reduce the lifespan of afflicted individuals. But the American Cancer Society does not know as yet, and therefore has not clearly defined the characteristics of, the tumors that will regress versus those that will enlarge and spread. In the meantime these guidelines have emerged and caused a legitimate furor.
With regard to mammograms, doctors and patients have to be careful. This team of government experts has even left breast self examination in the dust, an unwise move. Also breast cancer is highly correlated with obesity and diabetes -- two, chronic and rampant conditions, even in premenopausal women, in this country and across the world. It is well known, in the medical community, that with the higher incidence of obesity and diabetes in Hispanic and African-American women, they are even more susceptible to breast cancer than their white counterparts.
African-American women die in greater numbers from breast cancer, being more likely to have the advanced stages of the disease at diagnosis, and having a greater rate of recurrence and spread. Considering the numerous publications about the racial disparities in medicine, now we are supposed to ignore the inherent increased risk in African-Americans and Hispanics for this disease and postpone getting mammograms in this subgroup until age 50 years?
A diet rich in vegetables and fruits and low in red meat, combined with regular exercise, is protective against breast cancer. Most poor and illiterate women who neither exercise nor eat a healthy diet are therefore at a higher risk than their affluent sisters. Then there are yet to be understood and unraveled environmental factors, like pesticides and plastics that may contribute to the incidence of all cancers.
It is very cynical that women above the age of 75 years, by this panel's restrictions, will probably be denied mammograms as unnecessary for that age group. Women of this age group fall prey to breast cancers all the time, and among the baby boomers, there will be many when they hit this age who will be at a higher risk because of previous hormone replacement therapy, promoted relentlessly in the past by the pharmaceutical industry and mainstream medicine. The more you think about it, the larger the risk pool grows and the more idiotic this panel seems.
We must improve our diagnostic tools to reduce radiation exposure and increase accuracy. We must avoid unnecessary invasive procedures that cause profound anxiety in patients. Agreed. But we must stop dithering. Not only women with genetic susceptibility or those with a family history of breast cancer, whether young or old, whether premenopausal or postmenopausal, a lot more women than this panel would admit, are at risk for all cancers and particularly for breast cancer.
What is staggering is the malpractice risk involved for doctors if they were to follow this expert panel's guidelines exactly as spelled out. If this declaration is one of the results of the Obama administration's endorsement of "comparative efficacy" studies, comparing many medical therapies and diagnostic tools for their cost effectiveness and usefulness, I dread to think of what else is in store for the already beleaguered physicians and patients in this country. I see "one size fits all " guidelines beckoning tantalizingly, a boon to the cost cutters and the care deniers of medicine.
Usha Nellore, Bel Air
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Latinos with alzheimer's, dementia still undertreated
Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia Are Still Poorly Understood, Undertreated in Latino Communities
The Latino Journal E-News, Vol. 2, Issue 4
Miami, FL—As National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month kicks off, a leading physician expert on care giving warns that Latinos face gaps in understanding of the disease and barriers to adequate care.
“The significant cost and psychological stress of Alzheimer’s and dementia are difficult burdens for all families,” said Zoë A Lewis, M.D., “but Hispanics, in particular, face unique treatment and care giving challenges that require attention and action.”
Numerous reports show Hispanics may be at the greater risk for Alzheimer’s, while others show they are the least prepared to confront the changing dynamics in care giving. “This was a powerful call to action,” states Zoë A Lewis, M.D. Her organization, Hope through Knowledge, offers community service efforts for aging and end-of-life care. Her new Spanish book , “Espero Que Sepan: La Guía Holística para la Enfermedad de Alzheimer”, ISBN # 978-1602643765 (soft cover), Virtualbookworm Publishing (2009) $18.95, was released last month and will be on sale at the Miami International Book Fair at the South Florida Writers Association Booth, Section D November 13-15th, 2009.
As producer and host of Hospice Radio Blogtalkradio, the November 16th radio program will be dedicated to Alzheimer’s, hosting two renowned authors on Alzheimer’s disease care giving. She will focus on topics covered in the bestsellers, Elder Rage, and Communicating with Alzheimer’s.
Reni Rizzo, Community Education Coordinator from the Alzheimer's Association Southeast Florida Chapter, commented on Dr. Lewis’s efforts and her recent education activism at a community-based presentation in Homestead, Florida.
“Dr. Lewis recognized the fact that older Latinos with dementia overwhelmingly remain living in the community longer, albeit with higher levels of physical and cognitive impairment compared with their non-Latino counterparts in the area. She makes it clear from her work as an internist and hospice doctor, that she understands the needs folks face from diagnosis to terminal care. Latino caregivers care for family members with more complex health, social, and long-term-care needs than are found in mainstream families. The costs for end-of-life care when there are deficits in knowledge are going to be high. We are lucky when she turns out for one of our community events with books in hand, now thankfully in Spanish.”
Dr. Lewis is a Diplomat of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, internist, hospice and palliative care physician, consultant, author, speaker, Alzheimer’s disease education activist, radio show producer and host and Miami, Florida resident. She has been working with Alzheimer’s patients and their families for over fifteen years. Dr. Zoë Ann Lewis was a faculty speaker at the 2009 National Council on Aging, Aging in America conference presenting on dementia and hospice care. Her work was recognized by the NHPCO 2006 guide, ‘Caring for Persons with Alzheimer’s and other Dementias Guidelines for Hospice Providers’. She is a former Harvard Medical School Clinical Instructor of Medicine among other accomplishments. Her dedicated website,www.zoealewis.com, promotes education using the principle ‘hope through knowledge’.
Her first book, “I Hope They Know: The Essential Handbook on Alzheimer’s Disease and Care”, reached number two in online sales in its category on Amazon.com, and received favorable reviews from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, Gerontological Nursing, Latin and North American Alzheimer's experts and peers in the fields of music and art therapy. The National Alzheimer’s Association Greenfield Library carries each book.
For more information: www.zoealewis.com/presskit
The Latino Journal E-News, Vol. 2, Issue 4
Miami, FL—As National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month kicks off, a leading physician expert on care giving warns that Latinos face gaps in understanding of the disease and barriers to adequate care.
“The significant cost and psychological stress of Alzheimer’s and dementia are difficult burdens for all families,” said Zoë A Lewis, M.D., “but Hispanics, in particular, face unique treatment and care giving challenges that require attention and action.”
Numerous reports show Hispanics may be at the greater risk for Alzheimer’s, while others show they are the least prepared to confront the changing dynamics in care giving. “This was a powerful call to action,” states Zoë A Lewis, M.D. Her organization, Hope through Knowledge, offers community service efforts for aging and end-of-life care. Her new Spanish book , “Espero Que Sepan: La Guía Holística para la Enfermedad de Alzheimer”, ISBN # 978-1602643765 (soft cover), Virtualbookworm Publishing (2009) $18.95, was released last month and will be on sale at the Miami International Book Fair at the South Florida Writers Association Booth, Section D November 13-15th, 2009.
As producer and host of Hospice Radio Blogtalkradio, the November 16th radio program will be dedicated to Alzheimer’s, hosting two renowned authors on Alzheimer’s disease care giving. She will focus on topics covered in the bestsellers, Elder Rage, and Communicating with Alzheimer’s.
Reni Rizzo, Community Education Coordinator from the Alzheimer's Association Southeast Florida Chapter, commented on Dr. Lewis’s efforts and her recent education activism at a community-based presentation in Homestead, Florida.
“Dr. Lewis recognized the fact that older Latinos with dementia overwhelmingly remain living in the community longer, albeit with higher levels of physical and cognitive impairment compared with their non-Latino counterparts in the area. She makes it clear from her work as an internist and hospice doctor, that she understands the needs folks face from diagnosis to terminal care. Latino caregivers care for family members with more complex health, social, and long-term-care needs than are found in mainstream families. The costs for end-of-life care when there are deficits in knowledge are going to be high. We are lucky when she turns out for one of our community events with books in hand, now thankfully in Spanish.”
Dr. Lewis is a Diplomat of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, internist, hospice and palliative care physician, consultant, author, speaker, Alzheimer’s disease education activist, radio show producer and host and Miami, Florida resident. She has been working with Alzheimer’s patients and their families for over fifteen years. Dr. Zoë Ann Lewis was a faculty speaker at the 2009 National Council on Aging, Aging in America conference presenting on dementia and hospice care. Her work was recognized by the NHPCO 2006 guide, ‘Caring for Persons with Alzheimer’s and other Dementias Guidelines for Hospice Providers’. She is a former Harvard Medical School Clinical Instructor of Medicine among other accomplishments. Her dedicated website,www.zoealewis.com, promotes education using the principle ‘hope through knowledge’.
Her first book, “I Hope They Know: The Essential Handbook on Alzheimer’s Disease and Care”, reached number two in online sales in its category on Amazon.com, and received favorable reviews from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, Gerontological Nursing, Latin and North American Alzheimer's experts and peers in the fields of music and art therapy. The National Alzheimer’s Association Greenfield Library carries each book.
For more information: www.zoealewis.com/presskit
Hispanic patients kept from life saving transplants
Physician Bias Might Keep Life-saving Transplants From Black And Hispanic Patients
ScienceDaily, Nov. 9, 2009
Physician bias might be the reason why African Americans are not receiving kidney/pancreas transplants at the same rate as similar patients in other racial groups. Dr. Keith Melancon, director of kidney and pancreas transplantation at Georgetown University Hospital and associate professor of surgery at Georgetown University Medical Center, and colleagues explore this phenomenon in the November issue of the American Journal of Transplantation.
Medicare coverage for people needing a simultaneous kidney/pancreas transplant has increased in the past decade. In July 1999 Medicare made the changes as a conscious effort by the government intended to address racial and economic disparities that existed. But increased Medicare dollars have not translated into more access for African Americans or Hispanics.
"Our research raised the possibility of racial bias on the part of physicians who might incorrectly assume that African Americans are type 2 diabetics when in fact, they would metabolically meet the criteria for type 1 diabetes," said Dr. Melancon. "Since this is a transplant that is most often performed in type 1 diabetics, their doctors might not even raise the possibility with their black patients. Also, health care providers might incorrectly predict worse outcomes for black patients, despite research that shows they do about as well as other racial groups."
Dr. Melancon's group took a look at the national transplant list before and after the Medicare changes in July 1999. Of the patients already listed for transplant, African Americans were 27% less likely to be recommended for a kidney pancreas transplant than Caucasians. Hispanics were 25% less likely to be recommended. After the Medicare changes African Americans were 28% less likely to be recommended for kidney/pancreas transplant and Hispanics were 31% less likely to be recommended.
"So, the situation for African Americans and Hispanics actually got worse instead of better," said Dr. Melancon.
The benefits of a kidney pancreas transplant are the list is much shorter; 2200 compared with over 80,000 for a kidney alone, according to the United Network of Organ Sharing. Patient survival and kidney graft survival are better in kidney pancreas transplants.
"I don't think the medical community has been aggressive enough about kidney/pancreas transplant, especially in African Americans who are assumed to have type 2 diabetes. When a person has type 2 diabetes and they are obese, the benefit of a kidney/pancreas transplant is often outweighed by the risks of surgery which are higher in an obese person. So they are not offered the transplant. There is also a population of people with diabetes who are sort of between type 1 and type 2. This procedure would work for them too. But I think the medical community is, in some cases, making assumptions about the African American and Hispanic population that they are not making with other racial groups."
A kidney/pancreas transplant is the only current, reliable way to give diabetics normal glucose and insulin levels 24 hours a day. It's not technically a cure, but it does eliminate the medical problems associated with diabetes.
Adapted from materials provided by Georgetown University Medical Center, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.
ScienceDaily, Nov. 9, 2009
Physician bias might be the reason why African Americans are not receiving kidney/pancreas transplants at the same rate as similar patients in other racial groups. Dr. Keith Melancon, director of kidney and pancreas transplantation at Georgetown University Hospital and associate professor of surgery at Georgetown University Medical Center, and colleagues explore this phenomenon in the November issue of the American Journal of Transplantation.
Medicare coverage for people needing a simultaneous kidney/pancreas transplant has increased in the past decade. In July 1999 Medicare made the changes as a conscious effort by the government intended to address racial and economic disparities that existed. But increased Medicare dollars have not translated into more access for African Americans or Hispanics.
"Our research raised the possibility of racial bias on the part of physicians who might incorrectly assume that African Americans are type 2 diabetics when in fact, they would metabolically meet the criteria for type 1 diabetes," said Dr. Melancon. "Since this is a transplant that is most often performed in type 1 diabetics, their doctors might not even raise the possibility with their black patients. Also, health care providers might incorrectly predict worse outcomes for black patients, despite research that shows they do about as well as other racial groups."
Dr. Melancon's group took a look at the national transplant list before and after the Medicare changes in July 1999. Of the patients already listed for transplant, African Americans were 27% less likely to be recommended for a kidney pancreas transplant than Caucasians. Hispanics were 25% less likely to be recommended. After the Medicare changes African Americans were 28% less likely to be recommended for kidney/pancreas transplant and Hispanics were 31% less likely to be recommended.
"So, the situation for African Americans and Hispanics actually got worse instead of better," said Dr. Melancon.
The benefits of a kidney pancreas transplant are the list is much shorter; 2200 compared with over 80,000 for a kidney alone, according to the United Network of Organ Sharing. Patient survival and kidney graft survival are better in kidney pancreas transplants.
"I don't think the medical community has been aggressive enough about kidney/pancreas transplant, especially in African Americans who are assumed to have type 2 diabetes. When a person has type 2 diabetes and they are obese, the benefit of a kidney/pancreas transplant is often outweighed by the risks of surgery which are higher in an obese person. So they are not offered the transplant. There is also a population of people with diabetes who are sort of between type 1 and type 2. This procedure would work for them too. But I think the medical community is, in some cases, making assumptions about the African American and Hispanic population that they are not making with other racial groups."
A kidney/pancreas transplant is the only current, reliable way to give diabetics normal glucose and insulin levels 24 hours a day. It's not technically a cure, but it does eliminate the medical problems associated with diabetes.
Adapted from materials provided by Georgetown University Medical Center, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.
Latinos target of American Heart Association campaign
The American Heart Association Launches Go Red Por Tu Corazon at the Latin GRAMMY Awards
The Latino Journal E-News, Vol. 2, Issue 4
The American Heart Association unveiled its Go Red Por Tu Corazon heart health awareness initiative at the 10th Annual Latin GRAMMY® Awards to educate Hispanic women about their threat of heart disease and to empower them to make life-saving choices for themselves and their families.
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of Hispanic women and, according to the American Heart Association, Hispanic women are likely to develop heart disease ten years earlier than Caucasian women.
"Go Red Por Tu Corazon is designed to tap into cultural traditions as a means to a healthier lifestyle, and provide Hispanic women and their families with the tools and resources needed to enjoy good heart health," said Luz Marina Prieto, M.D., assistant professor of clinical medicine for the division of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism for the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami. "Our goal is to encourage Hispanic women to protect their hearts so they can be there for the ones they love."
To put heart disease center stage, the American Heart Association has collaborated with one of the biggest Latin cultural events of the year, the Latin GRAMMY® Awards. Go Red Por Tu Corazon kicked off with the support of attending artists and 2008 Nuestra Belleza Latina winner, Melissa Marty, who will be reporting live from the "green" carpet and asking stars, guests and viewers to make a pledge for better heart health in the Latino community.
"After losing my grandmother to heart disease, I knew I had to make heart-healthy changes in my own lifestyle and encourage my parents and brothers to do the same," said Melissa Marty, 2008 Nuestra Belleza Latina winner and Go Red Por Tu Corazon supporter. "I'm proud to be able to share my experience and inspire other Latinas to do the same and improve their heart health."
To provide life-saving education beyond the awards show, a series of video segments featuring Melissa Marty, Latin GRAMMY® attending artists, and fashion expert Martin Llorens will be available throughout the month on Univision.com, Keyword: Go Red Corazon.
In launching Go Red Por Tu Corazon, the American Heart Association has strengthened its commitment to preventing heart disease amongst Latina women. By focusing on family and cultural traditions, Go Red Por Tu Corazon hopes to promote a healthy lifestyle within the Hispanic community.
Since its inception in 2004, Go Red For Women has helped raise awareness of the No. 1 killer of women and inspired millions to make heart-healthy changes. Powered by American Heart Association research, Go Red For Women provides women with the tools and resources to beat this largely preventable disease.
For free heart-health tips and recipes from the American Heart Association and to learn more about Go Red Por Tu Corazon, please call 1-888-474-VIVE.
The Latino Journal E-News, Vol. 2, Issue 4
The American Heart Association unveiled its Go Red Por Tu Corazon heart health awareness initiative at the 10th Annual Latin GRAMMY® Awards to educate Hispanic women about their threat of heart disease and to empower them to make life-saving choices for themselves and their families.
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of Hispanic women and, according to the American Heart Association, Hispanic women are likely to develop heart disease ten years earlier than Caucasian women.
"Go Red Por Tu Corazon is designed to tap into cultural traditions as a means to a healthier lifestyle, and provide Hispanic women and their families with the tools and resources needed to enjoy good heart health," said Luz Marina Prieto, M.D., assistant professor of clinical medicine for the division of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism for the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami. "Our goal is to encourage Hispanic women to protect their hearts so they can be there for the ones they love."
To put heart disease center stage, the American Heart Association has collaborated with one of the biggest Latin cultural events of the year, the Latin GRAMMY® Awards. Go Red Por Tu Corazon kicked off with the support of attending artists and 2008 Nuestra Belleza Latina winner, Melissa Marty, who will be reporting live from the "green" carpet and asking stars, guests and viewers to make a pledge for better heart health in the Latino community.
"After losing my grandmother to heart disease, I knew I had to make heart-healthy changes in my own lifestyle and encourage my parents and brothers to do the same," said Melissa Marty, 2008 Nuestra Belleza Latina winner and Go Red Por Tu Corazon supporter. "I'm proud to be able to share my experience and inspire other Latinas to do the same and improve their heart health."
To provide life-saving education beyond the awards show, a series of video segments featuring Melissa Marty, Latin GRAMMY® attending artists, and fashion expert Martin Llorens will be available throughout the month on Univision.com, Keyword: Go Red Corazon.
In launching Go Red Por Tu Corazon, the American Heart Association has strengthened its commitment to preventing heart disease amongst Latina women. By focusing on family and cultural traditions, Go Red Por Tu Corazon hopes to promote a healthy lifestyle within the Hispanic community.
Since its inception in 2004, Go Red For Women has helped raise awareness of the No. 1 killer of women and inspired millions to make heart-healthy changes. Powered by American Heart Association research, Go Red For Women provides women with the tools and resources to beat this largely preventable disease.
For free heart-health tips and recipes from the American Heart Association and to learn more about Go Red Por Tu Corazon, please call 1-888-474-VIVE.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Breast cancer book for Hispanic women
Vail Valley cancer book translated into Spanish
“Cancer de Mama 101” is due Nov. 10 in Vail Valley
Vail Daily
VAIL, Colorado — The Vail Breast Cancer Awareness Group is publishing “Cancer de Mama 101” to serve the growing Hispanic community in Eagle County.
The English version of the book, “Breast Cancer 101: A Basic Introduction” has already been published. It was written by Sherry Goldman, director of the High Risk Program at the Revlon/UCLA Breast Center, and Brenda Himelfarb, breast cancer survivor and co-founder of the Breast Cancer Awareness Group.
Eagle County residents Rocio Garcia-Aguirre and Brenda Chavez, who work for the Eagle County School District, have translated the book into Spanish. The book was underwritten by The Futernick Family Fund of Miami,.
The authors describe the book as “an intimate, quick-reading manual with basic information that cuts through all the medical jargon and gets to the heart of what everyone wants and needs to know about breast cancer.”
“I am thrilled that the book is now available in Spanish for our Hispanic community,” said Patti Weinstein, co-founder of the Breast Cancer Awareness Group. “Not only will it raise breast cancer awareness, but I really feel it has the potential to reach out beyond our community.”
The book has been endorsed by Dr. Susan Love, noted breast cancer surgeon and founder of the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, as well as breast cancer survivor and television producer, Linda Ellerbee, among others.
“We can't put a price on the invaluable information that we learned while translating 'Cancer de Mama,'” Chavez and Garcia-Aguirre, said. “We are so excited to be part of this project because we know it's for people who can really use this information.”
“Cancer de Mama 101,” due Nov. 10, will be available at the Shaw Regional Cancer Center's library as well as other medical facilities in Eagle County. It will be available for purchase at Roxy in Vail and Beaver Creek, or you may call 970-479-8595 to order a copy.
“Cancer de Mama 101” is due Nov. 10 in Vail Valley
Vail Daily
VAIL, Colorado — The Vail Breast Cancer Awareness Group is publishing “Cancer de Mama 101” to serve the growing Hispanic community in Eagle County.
The English version of the book, “Breast Cancer 101: A Basic Introduction” has already been published. It was written by Sherry Goldman, director of the High Risk Program at the Revlon/UCLA Breast Center, and Brenda Himelfarb, breast cancer survivor and co-founder of the Breast Cancer Awareness Group.
Eagle County residents Rocio Garcia-Aguirre and Brenda Chavez, who work for the Eagle County School District, have translated the book into Spanish. The book was underwritten by The Futernick Family Fund of Miami,.
The authors describe the book as “an intimate, quick-reading manual with basic information that cuts through all the medical jargon and gets to the heart of what everyone wants and needs to know about breast cancer.”
“I am thrilled that the book is now available in Spanish for our Hispanic community,” said Patti Weinstein, co-founder of the Breast Cancer Awareness Group. “Not only will it raise breast cancer awareness, but I really feel it has the potential to reach out beyond our community.”
The book has been endorsed by Dr. Susan Love, noted breast cancer surgeon and founder of the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, as well as breast cancer survivor and television producer, Linda Ellerbee, among others.
“We can't put a price on the invaluable information that we learned while translating 'Cancer de Mama,'” Chavez and Garcia-Aguirre, said. “We are so excited to be part of this project because we know it's for people who can really use this information.”
“Cancer de Mama 101,” due Nov. 10, will be available at the Shaw Regional Cancer Center's library as well as other medical facilities in Eagle County. It will be available for purchase at Roxy in Vail and Beaver Creek, or you may call 970-479-8595 to order a copy.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Latino obesity and uphill battle
An uphill battle to combat Latino childhood obesity
By Debra Alban, CNN, October 21, 2009
(CNN) -- When she was about 8, Frida Sepulveda developed dark folds of skin around her neck. It's a well-known warning sign of type 2 diabetes.
Frida's mother, Blanca Sepulveda, who has watched other family members struggle with diabetes and obesity, was "devastated" to see her daughter experience similar health problems.
Now at age 11, Frida is about 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs around 180 pounds, her mother said. Despite a high body weight for her age and height, Frida does not seem to have additional symptoms of diabetes -- or any other major health concerns -- but her parents are trying to reverse the weight problem Frida has had since infancy.
The San Diego, California, family is among a disproportionately high number of Latino-American families with overweight and obese children. According to the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health, 16.6 percent of Latino high school students were obese and 18.1 percent were overweight. The corresponding national averages for high school students were 13.3 percent obese and 15.8 percent overweight.
It's an epidemic that shocked and saddened Lorena Garcia, a chef who appears on Univision and Telemundo.
"I travel all over the country to the major Hispanic festivals and I realized that 90 to 95 percent of the kids that I saw at the festivals were overweight," said Garcia, who established the Big Chef Little Chef program to teach Latino youth healthy cooking and eating habits. Video Watch Garcia interact with her fans »
The problem is caused by a wide range of cultural, social, economic, environmental and possibly genetic factors. Experts agree it is an uphill battle to solve.
"You can't just try to change someone's behavior necessarily without trying to change their environment," said Dr. Michael Goran, director of the University of Southern California's Childhood Obesity Research Center. How can childhood obesity be reduced?
Blanca Sepulveda, 38, believes her own upbringing in Mexico before coming to the United States in junior high school ultimately contributed to her daughter's weight problem.
"The way I was raised ... you don't [leave] the dinner table until you're done with all your food. That's instilled in you," Sepulveda said.
Back in Mexico, she said, the food was healthier and fresher, and she didn't drink soda. But she still applied that mentality to her own children, who were born and raised in the United States, where sugar-laden and fattening foods are widely available.
The Sepulveda family's story is similar to that of other immigrants who are healthier than their American-born children: Those born outside the United States are less likely to be obese than native-born children, said Luisa Franzini, Ph.D., of the University of Texas School of Public Health.
Despite the trends, more study is necessary to determine whether American acculturation is entirely to blame for poor diets among Latinos, an expert says.
Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, a nutrition and public health professor with the University of Connecticut, wrote in the June 2009 issue of Journal of the American Diabetic Association that adaptation to U.S. society may explain, to some degree, "deterioration of dietary quality" and the risks of diabetes and other chronic diseases. However, he wrote, it's still not completely clear.
Healthy food harder to come by
Economic factors play a major role for many Latinos in their weight struggles.
Angelica Delgado is trying to overcome the obstacle with the Healthy Latino Families initiative, a culturally tailored nutrition and exercise program in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As the Community Research Supervisor for the United Community Center, Delgado is trying to get healthy school lunches in the Bruce-Guadalupe Community School, with which she's working on Healthy Latino Families.
About 80 percent of Bruce Guadalupe's student body, which is 97 percent Latino, come from low-income households and therefore are eligible for reduced-price or free lunch.
Without money coming in to support the lunch program, it's difficult to fund better quality food and equipment to ensure that it's freshly cooked, Delgado said. For now, she hopes the fun, bilingual setting of Healthy Latino Families will teach children to make smart food choices.
The lack of availability of inexpensive, fresh, healthy food is a common for low-income populations in general, Franzini said.
Research suggests that more affluent neighborhoods have a higher availability of healthy food, she said, adding that the cost of healthy food is lower in more advantaged communities.
The community factor
Exercise also poses tricky problems for Latino children struggling with weight, as many live in disadvantaged areas may make it tough for them to play outside or walk to school.
From a physical point of view -- in terms of sidewalks and litter -- those areas tend to be in worse shape than an average neighborhood, Franzini said. But her research also suggests that the social component of a neighborhood affects children's physical activity levels.
"It's not sufficient to just clean up the neighborhood -- pick up the trash and build sidewalks," said Franzini, whose study on the impact of neighborhoods' social characteristics was published earlier this year in the American Journal of Public Health. "It also needs to be a neighborhood where people feel safe and they feel that they can go out and walk and run and exercise and do whatever they want to do."
To that end, Franzini's research indicates that those Latinos living in tight-knit communities often get more exercise than those in more mixed neighborhoods.
"Having a neighborhood which is more connected, where people feel safe -- I think it's all a matter of feeling empowered in a way. And so those who feel that they have this stronger neighborhood from a social point of view, they are also more likely to be physically active," Franzini said.
Finding solutions
Researchers and community advocates are attempting to combat the Latino youth obesity problem. But the multitude of factors makes the issue a moving target and results of interventions are mixed.
For example, about a year after a previous phase of Healthy Latino Families in Milwaukee wrapped up, children reportedly ate better and watched less television per day. Delgado said they are awaiting results from the current program, but she has seen some success already.
USC's Goran worked with Latino teenagers over 16 weeks to improve their diets, promoting fiber-rich tortillas and altering recipes of aqua fresca so it would have less sugar. But at the end of the four months, he saw "no significant improvement in the outcomes."
"We have to do those studies over longer time periods than we have previously done to kind of give these things a chance to work and kick in," Goran said. "We're ... taking it one step at a time."
advertisement
And Frida's mom, Blanca Sepulveda, said she is focusing on modifying her own behavior to help her entire family.
"It's a retraining of the mind," Sepulveda said. "It gets hard because you have to be an example."
By Debra Alban, CNN, October 21, 2009
(CNN) -- When she was about 8, Frida Sepulveda developed dark folds of skin around her neck. It's a well-known warning sign of type 2 diabetes.
Frida's mother, Blanca Sepulveda, who has watched other family members struggle with diabetes and obesity, was "devastated" to see her daughter experience similar health problems.
Now at age 11, Frida is about 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs around 180 pounds, her mother said. Despite a high body weight for her age and height, Frida does not seem to have additional symptoms of diabetes -- or any other major health concerns -- but her parents are trying to reverse the weight problem Frida has had since infancy.
The San Diego, California, family is among a disproportionately high number of Latino-American families with overweight and obese children. According to the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health, 16.6 percent of Latino high school students were obese and 18.1 percent were overweight. The corresponding national averages for high school students were 13.3 percent obese and 15.8 percent overweight.
It's an epidemic that shocked and saddened Lorena Garcia, a chef who appears on Univision and Telemundo.
"I travel all over the country to the major Hispanic festivals and I realized that 90 to 95 percent of the kids that I saw at the festivals were overweight," said Garcia, who established the Big Chef Little Chef program to teach Latino youth healthy cooking and eating habits. Video Watch Garcia interact with her fans »
The problem is caused by a wide range of cultural, social, economic, environmental and possibly genetic factors. Experts agree it is an uphill battle to solve.
"You can't just try to change someone's behavior necessarily without trying to change their environment," said Dr. Michael Goran, director of the University of Southern California's Childhood Obesity Research Center. How can childhood obesity be reduced?
Blanca Sepulveda, 38, believes her own upbringing in Mexico before coming to the United States in junior high school ultimately contributed to her daughter's weight problem.
"The way I was raised ... you don't [leave] the dinner table until you're done with all your food. That's instilled in you," Sepulveda said.
Back in Mexico, she said, the food was healthier and fresher, and she didn't drink soda. But she still applied that mentality to her own children, who were born and raised in the United States, where sugar-laden and fattening foods are widely available.
The Sepulveda family's story is similar to that of other immigrants who are healthier than their American-born children: Those born outside the United States are less likely to be obese than native-born children, said Luisa Franzini, Ph.D., of the University of Texas School of Public Health.
Despite the trends, more study is necessary to determine whether American acculturation is entirely to blame for poor diets among Latinos, an expert says.
Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, a nutrition and public health professor with the University of Connecticut, wrote in the June 2009 issue of Journal of the American Diabetic Association that adaptation to U.S. society may explain, to some degree, "deterioration of dietary quality" and the risks of diabetes and other chronic diseases. However, he wrote, it's still not completely clear.
Healthy food harder to come by
Economic factors play a major role for many Latinos in their weight struggles.
Angelica Delgado is trying to overcome the obstacle with the Healthy Latino Families initiative, a culturally tailored nutrition and exercise program in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As the Community Research Supervisor for the United Community Center, Delgado is trying to get healthy school lunches in the Bruce-Guadalupe Community School, with which she's working on Healthy Latino Families.
About 80 percent of Bruce Guadalupe's student body, which is 97 percent Latino, come from low-income households and therefore are eligible for reduced-price or free lunch.
Without money coming in to support the lunch program, it's difficult to fund better quality food and equipment to ensure that it's freshly cooked, Delgado said. For now, she hopes the fun, bilingual setting of Healthy Latino Families will teach children to make smart food choices.
The lack of availability of inexpensive, fresh, healthy food is a common for low-income populations in general, Franzini said.
Research suggests that more affluent neighborhoods have a higher availability of healthy food, she said, adding that the cost of healthy food is lower in more advantaged communities.
The community factor
Exercise also poses tricky problems for Latino children struggling with weight, as many live in disadvantaged areas may make it tough for them to play outside or walk to school.
From a physical point of view -- in terms of sidewalks and litter -- those areas tend to be in worse shape than an average neighborhood, Franzini said. But her research also suggests that the social component of a neighborhood affects children's physical activity levels.
"It's not sufficient to just clean up the neighborhood -- pick up the trash and build sidewalks," said Franzini, whose study on the impact of neighborhoods' social characteristics was published earlier this year in the American Journal of Public Health. "It also needs to be a neighborhood where people feel safe and they feel that they can go out and walk and run and exercise and do whatever they want to do."
To that end, Franzini's research indicates that those Latinos living in tight-knit communities often get more exercise than those in more mixed neighborhoods.
"Having a neighborhood which is more connected, where people feel safe -- I think it's all a matter of feeling empowered in a way. And so those who feel that they have this stronger neighborhood from a social point of view, they are also more likely to be physically active," Franzini said.
Finding solutions
Researchers and community advocates are attempting to combat the Latino youth obesity problem. But the multitude of factors makes the issue a moving target and results of interventions are mixed.
For example, about a year after a previous phase of Healthy Latino Families in Milwaukee wrapped up, children reportedly ate better and watched less television per day. Delgado said they are awaiting results from the current program, but she has seen some success already.
USC's Goran worked with Latino teenagers over 16 weeks to improve their diets, promoting fiber-rich tortillas and altering recipes of aqua fresca so it would have less sugar. But at the end of the four months, he saw "no significant improvement in the outcomes."
"We have to do those studies over longer time periods than we have previously done to kind of give these things a chance to work and kick in," Goran said. "We're ... taking it one step at a time."
advertisement
And Frida's mom, Blanca Sepulveda, said she is focusing on modifying her own behavior to help her entire family.
"It's a retraining of the mind," Sepulveda said. "It gets hard because you have to be an example."
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Med school enrollment edges up; 11th year in a row
Med school enrollment edges up; 11th year in a row
Associated Press
WASHINGTON — U.S. medical school enrollment is up for the 11th consecutive year as colleges seek to meet a growing demand for physicians.
First-year enrollment climbed 2 percent over 2008, and now totals nearly 18,400 students. The number of applicants remained mostly stable at around 42,000. Four new medical schools opened their doors this year; several others expanded class size.
That's according to an Association of American Medical Colleges report released Tuesday.
The number of black and Asian enrollees climbed slightly while Hispanic first-year students remained mostly unchanged. Whites still make up about 70 percent of first-year students.
The group's president says residency training slots need to increase to accommodate more medical school students.
Associated Press
WASHINGTON — U.S. medical school enrollment is up for the 11th consecutive year as colleges seek to meet a growing demand for physicians.
First-year enrollment climbed 2 percent over 2008, and now totals nearly 18,400 students. The number of applicants remained mostly stable at around 42,000. Four new medical schools opened their doors this year; several others expanded class size.
That's according to an Association of American Medical Colleges report released Tuesday.
The number of black and Asian enrollees climbed slightly while Hispanic first-year students remained mostly unchanged. Whites still make up about 70 percent of first-year students.
The group's president says residency training slots need to increase to accommodate more medical school students.
Leaders of the New York City Latino Community Come Together to Support Operation Smile at a Premier VIP Benefit
Leaders of the New York City Latino Community Come Together to Support Operation Smile at a Premier VIP Benefit
The Latino Journal E-News, Vol. 2, Issue 2
Hispanic business leaders, musicians, celebrities and the philanthropically-minded elite have joined together to support Operation Smile, a worldwide children’s medical charity, by hosting the 1st Annual Latino Smile Benefit. This exclusive charity event will be held on October 28th from 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm at M2 Ultra Lounge in New York City. The evening will include special performances by Latin Grammy Award winner Frankie Negrón, Premio Lo Nuestro Award Winner Magic Juan, Bachata musician Toby Love, musician Oro Solido, comedian Ruperto Vanderpool, as well as a surprise artist. Darlene Rodriguez, co-anchor of Today New York, Lulu & Lala of The Luis Jimenez Show, and Gloria B. of 93.1 FM Amor Radio will host the evening ceremonies.
The 1st Annual Latino Smile Benefit is chaired by James Cotto and committee members include Belinda Aquine, Vanessa Cabezas, Roberto Castillo, Danny Estrada, Alex Fredericks, Joana Gonzalez, Michelle Huerfano, Vanessa Laguna, Felipe Lopez, Natalie Manuel, Ken Marinelli, JR Morales, Elis Pacheco, Jean Pierre, Anel Pla, John “Gungie” Rivera, Steven Rodas, and Ines Rosales.
The goal of this event to raise awareness and funds for Operation Smile to help transform the lives of children in Latin America suffering from cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities.
“Celebrating the first annual Operation Smile benefit is an extremely exciting opportunity for Latinos,” noted host committee chairman, James Cotto. “When my daughter Lucy was born she was diagnosed with a cleft palate condition. With the guidance and support of Dr. Bill Magee, the founder of Operation Smile, we were able make Lucy smile. I was also fortunate to attend an Operation Smile mission, which was one of the best experiences of my life.”
Clinique, the renowned skin care and cosmetic company, will provide exclusive gift bags for the anticipated 600 event guests.
For more information on tickets and attending the event please visit www.operationsmile.org/2009latinobenefit
The Latino Journal E-News, Vol. 2, Issue 2
Hispanic business leaders, musicians, celebrities and the philanthropically-minded elite have joined together to support Operation Smile, a worldwide children’s medical charity, by hosting the 1st Annual Latino Smile Benefit. This exclusive charity event will be held on October 28th from 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm at M2 Ultra Lounge in New York City. The evening will include special performances by Latin Grammy Award winner Frankie Negrón, Premio Lo Nuestro Award Winner Magic Juan, Bachata musician Toby Love, musician Oro Solido, comedian Ruperto Vanderpool, as well as a surprise artist. Darlene Rodriguez, co-anchor of Today New York, Lulu & Lala of The Luis Jimenez Show, and Gloria B. of 93.1 FM Amor Radio will host the evening ceremonies.
The 1st Annual Latino Smile Benefit is chaired by James Cotto and committee members include Belinda Aquine, Vanessa Cabezas, Roberto Castillo, Danny Estrada, Alex Fredericks, Joana Gonzalez, Michelle Huerfano, Vanessa Laguna, Felipe Lopez, Natalie Manuel, Ken Marinelli, JR Morales, Elis Pacheco, Jean Pierre, Anel Pla, John “Gungie” Rivera, Steven Rodas, and Ines Rosales.
The goal of this event to raise awareness and funds for Operation Smile to help transform the lives of children in Latin America suffering from cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities.
“Celebrating the first annual Operation Smile benefit is an extremely exciting opportunity for Latinos,” noted host committee chairman, James Cotto. “When my daughter Lucy was born she was diagnosed with a cleft palate condition. With the guidance and support of Dr. Bill Magee, the founder of Operation Smile, we were able make Lucy smile. I was also fortunate to attend an Operation Smile mission, which was one of the best experiences of my life.”
Clinique, the renowned skin care and cosmetic company, will provide exclusive gift bags for the anticipated 600 event guests.
For more information on tickets and attending the event please visit www.operationsmile.org/2009latinobenefit
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Latino aids awareness focus of collaborative campaign
Univision and Kaiser Foundation Mark National Latino AIDS Awareness Day With New Campaign Featuring People Living With HIV/AIDS
PRESS RELEASE
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Univision Communications Inc. and the Kaiser Family Foundation today unveiled the second phase of "SOY. . ." (I AM. . .), the groundbreaking Spanish-language media campaign featuring the personal stories of a diverse group of Latinos living with HIV and their loved ones. The new campaign materials will debut on the Univision Network, the Telefutura Network and Galavision in conjunction with National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) on October 15th and continue throughout 2010.
"SOY. . ." features 14 Latinos in the U.S. and Latin America living with HIV/AIDS who share both a passion for life and a desire to end the spread of the disease. They are musicians, academics, businessmen and housewives - everyday people who share their experiences living with HIV. Shot in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Mexico City, San Salvador, Lima, and Buenos Aires, the documentary-style public service ads (PSAs) aim to create a personal connection to HIV/AIDS among the audience and engender the feeling that HIV/AIDS could affect "people like me and those I care about."
In the first wave of the campaign, which debuts today, audiences will meet Yolanda, a devoted mother who works in a Los Angeles health clinic; Joann, a minister and church choir director from Chicago; Alejandro, a 20-year old Argentine musician; Dania, a vibrant Cuban-American poet and dancer from Miami; and, Enrique, a passionate community activist from New York City. The campaign spots will air in the United States on Univision, TeleFutura, and
Galavision networks and television and radio stations, and across more than 12 countries in Latin America as part of the Latin American Media AIDS Initiative.
Developed by Univision and the Kaiser Family Foundation, "SOY. . ." includes 28 original public service ads (PSAs) for television and radio and Spanish-language HIV/AIDS information and resources available online through a dedicated website (www.univision.com keyword: SIDA) and via a toll-free Spanish-language hotline (1-866-TU-SALUD). The campaign was developed as part of ¡Enterate de VIH y SIDA! (Get the Facts about HIV and AIDS!), a long-standing public information partnership established in 2001 between Univision and the Kaiser Family Foundation to provide culturally relevant Spanish-language information and resources about HIV/AIDS and sexual health. The latest series of campaign spots were conceptualized by Kaiser and Univision, and produced by ONYX.la and WeArePacheco, winners of 7 Lions Awards at the 2009 Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival.
"Univision has a long history of addressing issues that are important to our audience and the response to HIV and AIDS within our community is an urgent issue," said Ivelisse Estrada, Senior Vice President for Corporate and Community Relations at Univision Communications. "Our work to provide information about HIV and link our audience to AIDS-related resources has made a critical difference in breaking the silence about this disease and getting people tested."
"Latinos in the United States are disproportionately impacted by HIV and AIDS, and stigma remains a key challenge to addressing the problem within the community," said Tina Hoff, Vice President and Director of Entertainment Media Partnerships at the Kaiser Family Foundation. "By sharing their stories, the individuals profiled in this campaign are connecting very personally with audiences in the U.S. and across Latin America, helping to break the silence and fight the stigma surrounding this disease."
The campaign launch coincides with Hispanic Heritage Month and National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) - a national collective movement and public health marketing effort aimed at educating and mobilizing Hispanic/Latino communities to increase their knowledge on the impact of HIV/AIDS and health related safe practices. "SOY. . ." is the official campaign of NLAAD, and Univision and Kaiser are working with the Latino Commission on AIDS and the National Association of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) to distribute HIV/AIDS information resources and "SOY. . ." programming materials to community organizations, health agencies and local clinics and across the country.
"The 'SOY. . .' campaign provides an unprecedented opportunity to tell the story of HIV/AIDS in our communities in a way that's real and compelling. The campaign reinforces that each of us is equal in the face of AIDS - ending this epidemic requires both personal responsibility and community action," said Guillermo Chacon, interim Executive Director, Latino Commission on AIDS. "Univision and Kaiser are real leaders in the Latino response to AIDS, linking
Univision's audience to critical resources and fighting the stigmas and stereotypes that persist within our families and communities."
All campaign materials can be viewed at www.univision.com (keyword: SIDA) or on the campaign's YouTube page: www.youtube.com/soycampaign.
PRESS RELEASE
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Univision Communications Inc. and the Kaiser Family Foundation today unveiled the second phase of "SOY. . ." (I AM. . .), the groundbreaking Spanish-language media campaign featuring the personal stories of a diverse group of Latinos living with HIV and their loved ones. The new campaign materials will debut on the Univision Network, the Telefutura Network and Galavision in conjunction with National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) on October 15th and continue throughout 2010.
"SOY. . ." features 14 Latinos in the U.S. and Latin America living with HIV/AIDS who share both a passion for life and a desire to end the spread of the disease. They are musicians, academics, businessmen and housewives - everyday people who share their experiences living with HIV. Shot in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Mexico City, San Salvador, Lima, and Buenos Aires, the documentary-style public service ads (PSAs) aim to create a personal connection to HIV/AIDS among the audience and engender the feeling that HIV/AIDS could affect "people like me and those I care about."
In the first wave of the campaign, which debuts today, audiences will meet Yolanda, a devoted mother who works in a Los Angeles health clinic; Joann, a minister and church choir director from Chicago; Alejandro, a 20-year old Argentine musician; Dania, a vibrant Cuban-American poet and dancer from Miami; and, Enrique, a passionate community activist from New York City. The campaign spots will air in the United States on Univision, TeleFutura, and
Galavision networks and television and radio stations, and across more than 12 countries in Latin America as part of the Latin American Media AIDS Initiative.
Developed by Univision and the Kaiser Family Foundation, "SOY. . ." includes 28 original public service ads (PSAs) for television and radio and Spanish-language HIV/AIDS information and resources available online through a dedicated website (www.univision.com keyword: SIDA) and via a toll-free Spanish-language hotline (1-866-TU-SALUD). The campaign was developed as part of ¡Enterate de VIH y SIDA! (Get the Facts about HIV and AIDS!), a long-standing public information partnership established in 2001 between Univision and the Kaiser Family Foundation to provide culturally relevant Spanish-language information and resources about HIV/AIDS and sexual health. The latest series of campaign spots were conceptualized by Kaiser and Univision, and produced by ONYX.la and WeArePacheco, winners of 7 Lions Awards at the 2009 Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival.
"Univision has a long history of addressing issues that are important to our audience and the response to HIV and AIDS within our community is an urgent issue," said Ivelisse Estrada, Senior Vice President for Corporate and Community Relations at Univision Communications. "Our work to provide information about HIV and link our audience to AIDS-related resources has made a critical difference in breaking the silence about this disease and getting people tested."
"Latinos in the United States are disproportionately impacted by HIV and AIDS, and stigma remains a key challenge to addressing the problem within the community," said Tina Hoff, Vice President and Director of Entertainment Media Partnerships at the Kaiser Family Foundation. "By sharing their stories, the individuals profiled in this campaign are connecting very personally with audiences in the U.S. and across Latin America, helping to break the silence and fight the stigma surrounding this disease."
The campaign launch coincides with Hispanic Heritage Month and National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) - a national collective movement and public health marketing effort aimed at educating and mobilizing Hispanic/Latino communities to increase their knowledge on the impact of HIV/AIDS and health related safe practices. "SOY. . ." is the official campaign of NLAAD, and Univision and Kaiser are working with the Latino Commission on AIDS and the National Association of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) to distribute HIV/AIDS information resources and "SOY. . ." programming materials to community organizations, health agencies and local clinics and across the country.
"The 'SOY. . .' campaign provides an unprecedented opportunity to tell the story of HIV/AIDS in our communities in a way that's real and compelling. The campaign reinforces that each of us is equal in the face of AIDS - ending this epidemic requires both personal responsibility and community action," said Guillermo Chacon, interim Executive Director, Latino Commission on AIDS. "Univision and Kaiser are real leaders in the Latino response to AIDS, linking
Univision's audience to critical resources and fighting the stigmas and stereotypes that persist within our families and communities."
All campaign materials can be viewed at www.univision.com (keyword: SIDA) or on the campaign's YouTube page: www.youtube.com/soycampaign.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Latinos taught about blood thinners
Latinos taught about blood thinners through video
The Latino Journal E-News Weekly, Vol. 2, Issue 1
Last month, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality released a free bilingual DVD entitled, “Staying Active and Healthy with Blood Thinners,” to promote the importance of taking blood thinners. There are 2 million Americans that begin blood thinner therapy each year to prevent blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. Now, through a specially produced DVD, clinicians hope to educate patients who are prescribed anticoagulants or who are already taking the drugs and to meet Joint Commission patient safety education requirements for high-alert medications, such as anticoagulants.
AHRQ has created a specific website where individuals can see the video through their computer or mobile phone with Internet access. The online video and other information about anticoagulant therapy can be found at: www.ahrq.gov/consumer/btpills.htm
The Latino Journal E-News Weekly, Vol. 2, Issue 1
Last month, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality released a free bilingual DVD entitled, “Staying Active and Healthy with Blood Thinners,” to promote the importance of taking blood thinners. There are 2 million Americans that begin blood thinner therapy each year to prevent blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. Now, through a specially produced DVD, clinicians hope to educate patients who are prescribed anticoagulants or who are already taking the drugs and to meet Joint Commission patient safety education requirements for high-alert medications, such as anticoagulants.
AHRQ has created a specific website where individuals can see the video through their computer or mobile phone with Internet access. The online video and other information about anticoagulant therapy can be found at: www.ahrq.gov/consumer/btpills.htm
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