Newsletter

Monday, August 10, 2015

National Health Center Week provides the chance to show our support


National Health Center Week has been going strong 30-plus years now, and this year it runs from Aug. 9-15. Here’s the perfect opportunity to learn more about the valuable work done by these organizations, and how you can lend a hand in your community!

Health centers are a various and diverse group of organizations, ranging from Community clinics to Public Housing Health Centers and health outreach programs for the homeless. What they all have in common is a tireless initiative to provide basic, high-quality health care to the most vulnerable people.

Health centers provide care and services to more than 23 million people a year. These folks are, by and large, impoverished, uninsured and/or live in areas without sufficient doctors or hospitals. Health centers provide indispensable services, and they also are part of the community fabric. Almost every day, and for long hours, they are offering prenatal care, flu shots, immunizations, emergency care, treatment programs for victims of HIV/AIDS, recovery meetings for alcoholics and addicts, and so much more. These centers are also responsible for research and public education, and their staff also advocate locally, regionally and nationally, bringing awareness to the plight of the poor and underserved in our communities.

Since passage of the Affordable Care Act, federal funding for health centers has increased, and the numbers of uninsured in many communities have dropped. This is good news. However, health centers are still very much subject to constricted budgets, and there are still plenty of people falling through the healthcare cracks, and so centers need all the support we can give.

There are a variety of outreach programs going on in August at shelters around the country. Find out what is being done at your local health center, your homeless shelter and your public schools to raise money and awareness.

Sponsorship can be a great area for promotion and funding of public health centers. These partnership opportunities between the private and non-profit sectors promote the broadest possible outreach as well as providing diverse pools for fundraising. Do you have a health center you think deserves contributions from local or national businesses? Or would you like to see your company donate its brand and name to community health initiatives? Get in touch with your local center — they will be thrilled to hear from you!

Thursday, August 6, 2015

National Breastfeeding Month has arrived!


If you didn’t know there was a month commemorating breastfeeding awareness, likely you are not alone. It’s something that most new mothers do, and most everyone is aware of it, right? For the most part, yes, but knowing about the health aspects of breastfeeding is different than just knowing it exists — especially for new and expectant mothers. And so, we have an awareness month! (There’s even an awareness week!)

From educating moms on the health benefits of the nipple vs. the bottle, to helpful hints on how develop the practice (latch on already, kid!), there is a bevy of info to inform and delight out there. (And if you want to get super technical, the Centers for Disease Control has a lot of great info about milk storage, vaccines and more.) So, let’s take a look:


More mothers than ever are now educated about the many benefits of breastfeeding. They are legion: first off, it is the best delivery system by far for your baby to get the vital nutrients it needs. Mothers’ milk is packed with vitamins, immunoglobulin, and antibodies that bolster the infant immune system. This is why the American Pediatric Associationrecommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of the child’s life.


Studies show that breastfed babies are less prone to colds and ear infection and sometimes even less likely to develop allergies. Breastfeeding also seems to protect against certain childhood cancers. Nature is a complex mechanism, and for all the advances in pediatric medicine and nutrition, nothing has as yet beaten breastfeeding for overall development of a healthy child.


But what about Mom’s health? Here too, breastfeeding is the way to go. Postpartum depression is a very real thing, and most mothers are susceptible to bouts of anxiety and worry. Breastfeeding releases the oxytocin, which stimulates relaxation and nurturing. Furthermore, studies show that women who breastfeed for up to a year are less apt to develop breast and ovarian cancer.


Beyond even all this, there is the undeniable bonding between mother and child. The emotional and stabilizing effects of this cannot be quantified. The baby feels secure and cared for, the mother feels linked with her child in a very real and tangible way.


OK, so breastfeeding is natural, right? Doesn’t mean it’s a snap. There are lots of challenges involved, from the baby stubbornly refusing to latch on, to certain downsides of regular breastfeeding — chafed nipples, sore breasts, etc. There is help for that, a number of tips both scientific and homeopathic to practice the practice in ease and comfort.


Of course it should be noted that not all my moms can breastfeed. Some have lactation levels that are too low to make it a viable option, and in some cases the baby just refuses to take to it. That’s OK: mothering is more than breastfeeding. Just educate yourself on the best alternatives available to make sure your child is getting the proper nutrients and emotional support.