Free EKG and Heart Screenings for Delaware Students

Sudden Cardiac Arrest is a the #1 Killer of Student Athletes. A simple EKG Screening along with a Family History Screening can reduce a young athletes risk of SCA. New Castle County is offering FREE EKG and Heart Screenings for Delaware Students on Saturday, April 12th from 10am-2pm at A.I. duPont High School. Let's "Get Your Heart in the Game"

Doing Jail Time and Mentally Ill

There was a blog posted on Think Progress entitled, There are 10 Times More Mentally Ill Behind Bars Than Being Treated in State Hospitals, that came to my attention. In the TovaCares-Healthy Tidbits Newsletter, Fall 2013, I talked about Portugual’s Decriminalization of Drug Abuse Offenses. What is interesting is that Portugal has treats Drug Abuse as a Public Health Issue and not a Criminal Justice matter. Under Portugal law, people who have been found guilty of possession are first offered mental health services and not jail time. After 5 years of this new mandate, drug use declined and the number of people seeking treatment for drug addiction more than doubled. In the U.S., there are over 300,000 severely mentally ill people in jail cells without the medical expertise to properly treat their disease. The question becomes whether Drug Abuse should be treated as a Mental Health Disorder and/or a Public Health Issue versus a Criminal Justice issue. An aside, “Most of the prisoners who suffer from mental health issues are grappling with mood and psychotic disorders, like severe depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.” States would argue that jailing mentally ill patients is cheaper than funding state psychiatric hospitals. But a study by North Carolina State and the University of South Florida found, “ensuring access to affordable outpatient mental health treatment, like medication and counseling, helps keep mentally ill people out of jail and lower state governments’ overall expenses.” Prospectively, the cost savings are long-term not short-term. In the U.S., 300,000 severely mentally ill individuals are in prisons and jails that are neither equipped nor staffed to handle such problems. Let alone, the number of severely mentally ill who are in solitary confinement and locked down 24 hours a day. Where do we go from here?

Mindful Meditation

Have you thought about Mindful Meditation? Meditation is a state of thoughtful self-awareness in the mind & body in which the body is in a profound state of peace & calmness. I actually took a Meditation class because my sister Rachel meditates every morning before she goes to work. She’s a Middle School Language Teacher! Anyone who is a teacher knows that middle-school is a challenging age group to teach. But, Rachel always appears in a clam state of mind. Initially, I had some reservations about taking the class but was willing to try anything to help me learn to relax. Unwillingly, I learned the ‘basics’ of this practice from a wonderful Yoga & Meditation instructor. Meditation taught me how to re-channel my nervous energy & put me in a more relaxed state of mind. Leaving the class left me refreshed but in order to maintain this sense of calmness during everyday challenges requires work and practice. Russell Simmons, the entertainment mongul is a Buddhist & practices Trancendental Meditation. According to Global Grind, meditation allows the “thinking mind to effortlessly settle down and experience the transcendent-the field of silence within.” Health benefits of meditation increase with regular practice such as: infertility, pain, blood pressure, immunity and ect. Why not try Meditation and make it apart of your overall mind, body, and spiritual wellness?

Buyer Beware: E-Cigarettes

E-Cigarettes is a new product being found in stores all across this state and country that has gained popularity especially among people under 18. Perusing the store, the bright-colored packages are visible with a variety of sweet flavored vapors that brings many consumer over to look at this new product. E-Cigarettes are an electric cigarette that uses nicotine vapor liquid instead of tobacco products. The News Journal featured the headline, E-Cigarettes Could Be Banned which talked about state legislation that aims to ban the purchase of e-cigarettes in Delaware. The Department of Health and Social Services and the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) reports that the percentage of U.S. middle and high school use of e-cigarettes doubled between 2011 and 2012 and there was a 4.7 increase in the state of Delaware. While there are those who do not think that e-cigarettes are necessarily dangerous, most people feel banning minors from using these products will reduce the risk of smoking in the long-term. Many research studies show the harmful risks that tobacco products and health benefits of quitting such as, reducing risk of heart and lung disease and cancer (National Cancer Institute). According to the Delaware Division of Public Health chief, Dr. Rattay, “smoking is the leading cause of death in Delaware” and preventing addiction to this harmful substance is foremost. Overall, there are limited studies looking at the long-term risks of e-cigarettes which contain harmful chemicals: diethylene glycol (a toxic ingredient found in antifreeze), toxins and carcinogens (cancer causing agents). On the national level, health agencies and organizations are pushing for the FDA & the Division of Alcohol & Tobacco Enforcement to test and regulate e-cigarettes. Overall, there is great concern therefore, the unknown risks from an addictive substance requires the Buyer to Beware. Do you think E-Cigarettes are Bad?

Picture@alajazeera.com

Celebrating Delaware Legends during Black History Month

      Delawareans who improved the quality of lives for the Poor and Underserved during Black History Month, There are so many local legends in Delaware who have contributed to the field of science to improve the lives of people with medical conditions. Two people who come to mind are Charles Whitten and Henrietta Johnson (the founder of the Henrietta Johnson Medical Center). Taken from Henrietta Johnson's website, The Biography of Mrs. Henrietta Johnson 1914-1997 Henrietta Johnson -(1914-1997) was born on July 24,1914 in Baltimore, MD. She was the mother of 3 children, 11 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. She spent 20 years as a nurse and also volunteered at the YMCA, Layton Home for the Aged and Delaware Adolescent Program. Mrs. Johnson made political history in Delaware by becoming the first Black woman elected to the Delaware General Assembly House of Representatives. She served four 2-year terms representing the people of the 3rd district. During her years in the General Assembly, she sponsored legislation for financial support to senior citizen centers, community based social services, increased welfare benefits and general obligation bonds for school renovations. In 1980, Mrs. Johnson was honored for her years as a tireless representative of the people by having a multi-purpose facility named in her honor..... Henrietta Johnson Medical Center http://www.hjmc.org/history. Dr. Charles F. Whitten was born on February 2, 1922 in Wilmington, Delaware. He attended the Howard High School and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1942. Dr. Whitten grew up on the Wilmington’s East Side and lived next door to the legendary jazz trumpeter Clifford Brown. He went on to finish his medical degree at the prestigious Mehary Medical College in 1945 and completed a residency program in pediatrics and a one-year fellowship in pediatric hematology. Dr. Whitten's major area of interest was research in sickle cell anemia. With the help of many concerned citizens, he organized to form the National Association for Sickle Cell Disease and the Sickle Cell Detection and Information Center in 1971. The National Association for Sickle Cell Disease which is now known as the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) head quarters are in Baltimore, Maryland. Currently, SCDAA has over 50 member organizations and affiliates thanks to the steadfast leadership of Dr. Whitten. He continued to serve on the board for over two decades until his health started to decline in his 80s. Dr. Whitten was also the first African-American to serve as the chief of pediatrics and head a department at Detroit Receiving Hospital. Dr. Whitten passed away on August 14, 2008 at the age of 86 (Healthy Tidbits). Check out the Sickle Cell Disease Association of American’s website: www.scdaa.org Kudos, to Dr. Kimech at Delaware State University for his work with Gene Alteration Therapy Research to cure Sickle Cell Anemia

Delaware Information Sessions for the Affordable Healthcare Act

Delawareans who want to receive health insurance coverage in 2014 must enroll in a health insurance plan by March 31, 2014. Some people may be unable to complete the application on-line and may benefit from Informational Sessions to ask questions and possibly make an appointment with a local designed Marketplace Guide Organization by calling (800) 318-2596. A bonus, if you want to schedule an appointment during any of these events call (302) 678-2205. Benefits and Protections for the Middle Class: The Affordable Care Act includes numerous provisions to keep health care costs low, promote prevention, and hold insurance companies accountable. If you’re one of the 250 million Americans who already have health care – whether through private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid – the Affordable Care Act is already making your coverage more secure (www.whitehouse.gov) •Insurance companies no longer have unchecked power to cancel your policy, deny your child coverage due to a pre-existing condition, or charge women more than men. •Over 86 million Americans have gained from coverage of preventive care free of charge, like mammograms for women and wellness visits for seniors. •Nearly 13 million Americans will receive a rebate this summer because their insurance company spent too much of their premium dollars on administrative costs or CEO bonuses. •The law has already helped 5.3 million seniors and people with disabilities save an average of over $600 on prescription drugs in the “donut hole” in Medicare coverage. •The law’s provisions to strengthen and protect Medicare by fighting fraud will continue. •The law has helped 6.6 million young adults who have been able to stay on their parents’ plans until the age of 26, including 3.1 million young people who are newly insured.

You must enroll by February 15th if you want to receive health insurance coverage starting March 1st. If you are unable to attend any of these informational sessions you can visit, www.ChooseDE.com

Colorado opens up the floodgates-Marijuana is Legalized

On January 4, 2014, Colorado opens Marijuana Dispensaries for sale of recreational marijuana. “In 2012, Colorado voters approved the sale of recreational marijuana, as did voters in Washington state. But Colorado is the first to have the pot shops up and running under regulations recently established by state and local governments. Colorado voters' approval in effect amended the state's constitution to allow for the retail sale of recreational pot. The state already allowed medical marijuana. In November, Portland, Maine, followed Washington and Colorado's lead and legalized recreational use of the drug, while the Michigan cities of Lansing, Jackson and Ferndale resoundingly voted to let people older than 21 possess an ounce of marijuana on private property.” Reported by CNN News. The sales of legalized and state regulated marijuana are expected to bring in over $65 million in tax revenues to the state of Colorado. The long lines of people waiting to purchase 1/8th an ounce of high-quality marijuana shows no signs of slowing down. Governor Markell approved the sale “Medical Marijuana” for specific medical conditions like, PTSD, Hepatitis, Cancer, ALS, Alzheimer's disease ect., but the dispensaries have not yet opened. Sickle Cell Disease Anemia which is a debilitating blood disorder which causes painful crisis due to the body's inability to carry oxygen and nutrients to the body was not listed as an approved medical condition. "Approved for treatment of debilitating medical conditions in Delaware, defined as cancer, HIV/AIDS, decompensated cirrhosis, ALS, Alzheimer's disease, post-traumatic stress disorder; or a medical condition that produces wasting syndrome, severe debilitating pain that has not responded to other treatments for more than three months or for which other treatments produced serious side effects, severe nausea, seizures, or severe and persistent muscle spasms." ProCon.org-Medical Marijuana Smoking Cigarette- containing Tobacco or Marijuana-containing Cannabis both contain cancer causing agents (carcinogens) and other matter that increase an inflammatory response in the body. "It's not just a benign recreational drug that we don't have to worry about," said Dr. Paula Riggs, head of the Division of Substance Dependence at the University of Colorado-Denver medical campus. Others say, legalizing marijuana may lead to greater illegal use by youth, and possibly more traffic accidents and addiction problems. Clearly, more research studies need to explore these potential public health risks (short-term & long-term) and benefits from recreational and/or medical use. Whether or not Delaware and other states will decriminalize the use of marijuana is yet to be seen.