5 Easy Tips to Kick Start an Urban Garden

  Considering Starting a small Garden again in my backyard.  Is it past time to start getting the ground ready or could I wait a few more weeks?  If you do not have space in your backyard, consider starting an Urban Garden.  All you need are the right tools and a little bit of space.  Click here to find out 5 Easy Tips to get started.

  http://www.care2.com/causes/five-ways-to-kick-start-your-own-urban-vegetable-garden.html

  

                                                        TOVA Community Health

                                         601 New Castle Ave.
                                       Wilmington, DE 19801

                                 www.tovacommunityhealth.org

                                      302-655-6187 ext. 500
                   
                                      All the best, Dr. Nina
                          

Can you provide tips for Gardening?

    Considering Starting a small Garden again in my backyard.  Is it time to start getting the ground ready or should I wait a few more weeks? 

                                                     
                                                        TOVA Community Health

                                               Dr. Anderson

                                 www.tovacommunityhealth.org

                                      302-429-5870 ext. 120

Examining my Family Tree for Sickle Cell

      Since I was born before the National Newborn Screening program started in the early 90s, none of my siblings were tested at birth for Sickle Cell Disease or Trait. During my school years, I asked my mom if she or my father carried the Sickle Cell Trait. She assured me that the trait did not run on her side of the family, but my father’s side was unknown. Not until my cousin shared with me that he carried the sickle cell trait did I start to re-examine my family tree. Hence, the Sickle Cell Trait runs on both sides of my family and the need for trait testing is greater than ever. About 1 in 12 African-Americans carry the Sickle Cell Trait. So, if you are at church or at a family function, most likely, your loved ones are trait carriers. Get Tested, it only takes a few minutes of your time. Information is Power.

All the best, Dr. Nina

  TOVA Community Health

Sickle Cell Specialty Treatment Center

601 New Castle Ave.

Wilmington, DE 19801

(302) 655-6187 ext. 500

contact@tovacommunityhealth.org

Sickle Cell Trait can affect Diabetes test results?

     Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) is a commonly utilized test to diagnose, treat and manage diabetes. When a blood work is ordered, clinicians observe the percentage of red blood cells that have glucose (sugar) attached to the blood over a two-three month period. According to the American Diabetes Association, a normal HbA1C reading should be below 7 percent. However, a new study has demonstrated that people who are Diabetic with Sickle Cell Trait exhibit lower HbA1C levels. Such variations could result in a delay of diagnosis, treatment, and management of Diabetes. Researchers found that the results from HbA1C tests displayed lower HbA1C levels in people with Sickle Cell Trait who were Diabetic. Also, people who live with Sickle Cell Disease have blood cells that survive a mere 10 to 20 days, while those without the sickle cell normally have blood cells that live longer- 90 to 120 days.

     Due to the difference in the HbA1C reading, it was thought that persons with Sickle Cell Trait also have red blood cells with a shorter life span. The study measured more than 4,600 people, each given a HbA1C test and another fasting blood sugar test. Data for the HbA1C test was skewed (falsely low) as 29 of percent people with Sickle Cell Trait were diagnosed with pre-diabetes versus 49 percent without the trait. This questions the reliability of the HbA1C test for diagnosing and monitoring people with Sickle Cell Trait as there may be other factors that alter the results, such as the shorter lifespan of sickle cells. The HbA1C test can skew HbA1C blood sugar levels, in turn, delay Diabetes diagnosis and treatment. In such case, other more reliable tests should also be used to compare and more accurately diagnose, treat and monitor Diabetics who also carry the Sickle Cell Trait. Do you know your Sickle Cell Trait status? Make an appointment with TOVA today (cdc.gov).

                                                                 Paris Davis,BA




                                        TOVA Community Health
                               Sickle Cell Specialty Treatment Center
                                            601 New Castle Ave
                                        Wilmington, DE 19801
                                      302-655-6187 ext. 500
                                  contact@tovacommunityhealth.org

Comprehensive Sickle Cell care in a Medical Home in partnership with John Hopkins

TOVA Community Health

Executive Director/Founder  Dr. Anderson

601 New Castle Avenue

Wilmington, DE 19801

(302) 655-6187 ext. 500

www.tovacommunityhealth.org

Harvard Study found Vitamin-D deficiency overdiagnosed in African-Americans

   Harvard University Researcher, Dr. Thadhani and his colleagues found that African Americans had significantly lower vitamin-D levels compared with white subjects in the study.

Photo taken from http://cdns.yournewswire.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/vitd1.jpg

    Despite having lower levels of vitamin d levels, Bone density levels and calcium levels were higher in African Americans compared with white individuals.   In a previous TovaCares blog, I also discuss that persons of darker skin complexion do not absorb vitamin D as well as persons of lighter skin complexion.  This may also attribute to the variation of vitamin D levels in African-Americans.  The findings suggest that treating African Americans for vitamin D deficiency solely based on vitamin D levels (250HD and D-binding protein levels) may not be warranted. 

   TOVA Healthy Tidbit, Remember to always discuss your concerns with a licensed Healthcare Provider. This can be easily done by writing or jotting down about three pertinent questions to discuss at your next appointment. 

  To Read more about this study,

click on the link Vitamin-D overdiagnosed in African-Americans

Tova Community Health

Dr. Anderson

Executive Director/Founder

Sickle Cell Specialty Treatment Center

601 New Castle Ave.

Wilmington, DE 19801

(302) 655-6187 ext. 500

www.tovacommuinityhealth.org

Delaware State University launches Sickle Cell Anemia Pilot Project (SCAPP) in partnership with the TOVA.

         SICKLE CELL ANEMIA PILOT PROJECT (SCAPP) launched at Delaware State University

The Department of Social Work, College of Education, Health and Public Policy, is pleased to announce a new Sickle Cell Anemia Pilot Project (SCAPP) at Delaware State University. The project will serve DSU students and members from African American and Latino communities in Kent and Sussex counties. It will provide: 1) direct care coordination services to individuals with sickle cell anemia, 2) outreach and education workshops, and 3) counseling and support services. SCAPP will partner with the DSU Health Center, DSU Counseling Center, and the DE Center for Health Promotion.

Join the Delaware State University Foundation by making to donation to the 

TOVA Fund.  You contribution is Tax Deductible.

DSU Thanks for All you Do,

Dr. Anderson

Executive Director/Founder of Tova Community Health

Sickle Cell Specialty Treatment Center