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!

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.

Help and hope highlight Juvenile Arthritis Month

All too many diseases, syndromes, disorders and other illnesses afflict people every day. These can range from debilitating to life threatening, and our concern is always heightened when the word “juvenile” is placed in front. Our hearts go out most to the youngest and most vulnerable among us whenever they suffer. And on the treatment side, juvenile ailments often prove the most difficult to manage due to challenges ranging from proper diagnosis to proper, effective methods of treatment.

Such is the case with Juvenile Arthritis, which affects 300,000 American children under the age of 18, according to the Arthritis Foundation. A particular challenge with diagnosing Juvenile Arthritis is that it is not a disease in and of itself. Instead, the term applies to a host of more than half a dozen conditions and sets of symptoms, each with its own causes and triggers. These include Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Juvenile Lupus and Fibromyalgia. Each is a complicated condition, and diagnosis and treatment can be time consuming and costly.

One of the biggest challenges is that the actual cause of arthritis in kids remains elusive. Many forms of juvenile arthritis are thought to stem from genetic factors that result in autoimmune or inflammatory conditions, but this is just the general trend in current thinking. What they all have in common though is they are painful, uncomfortable and, in many cases, crippling. The juxtaposition of these symptoms with the ages of its victims — kids who should be in the prime of health — is, needless to say, heartbreaking.

There is at this time no cure for Juvenile Arthritis. Treatment options, depending on the specific diagnosis, run the gamut from medications to physical therapy to dietary programs. More community awareness means more of us working to raise money for research. It also means that more of us are connecting with these kids, and their families, so they know they are not alone in this fight.
The good news is there are many ways to get involved, from donating to volunteering. Please learn about all the good you can do at Kids Get Arthritis Too, the Arthritis Foundation’s online home for Juvenile Arthritis awareness and support.

Simple safety tips to improve your fireworks experience

Sad but true: so much of what is fun in the world tends to come with an element of danger. Cliff-diving, bungee jumping, skiing down a black diamond, etc. But taken in the proper spirit of preparedness, none of these activities are dangerous in and of themselves, and all provide a healthy jolt of fun. Unfortunately, some people don’t educate themselves and take the simple precautions, and those are the videos you see on YouTube. So it is with extreme sports, so it is with fireworks.

Mom would tell us we could lose a finger, or an eye, playing with fireworks. And you know what? Mom was right. That is, she was right if we neglected a few simple safeguards. The National Council on Fireworks Safety has some great advice in this regard, and so do we! Here are some necessary tips every person needs to know before lighting the fuse:

Go with the good stuff. And the new stuff! Last year’s fireworks are this year’s bad idea. That stash of Roman candles you’ve got buried in the back of the garden shed — the one with the leaky roof — behind moldering potting soil and oily rags? Probably should have been used last year, and now should definitely be consigned to the nearest city dump.

Moisture does tricky things to gunpowder. It can increase flammability, oxidizing it, and also can mold the pouches containing the powder, which increases the likelihood of stray flak and blowback detonations. The cluster of hot bright lights that was supposed to shoot upwards now shoots backwards, where onlookers congregate. Also, improper storing of fireworks can play havoc with the wicks, which may have become frayed or are now shorter than optimal length. Fireworks occasions come along all too rarely throughout the year; it’s better to splurge on a new batch every time.

Get the best product. Do your shopping at a licensed store or stand. Fireworks are regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and come with packaging details, country of origin and detailed directions for the safest use. Don’t buy from a friend of a friend, or from the guy down the block, and no-go on anything wrapped in plain brown paper.

So now you’ve splurged on a huge assortment of sparklers, cones, Roman candles and various other exotic goodies. Just flick the Bic to the wick and watch the show, right? Well, not so fast. For the best and safest experience, a few ground rules must be observed:

No drinking on the job. Advanced analytics have shown that alcohol and explosives often make a poor match. Questionable decision-making, loss of inhibitions, blurred eyesight — these are not the thoughtful fireworks aficionado’s friends. So let the six-pack chill until the light show is over. Also make sure to follow the instructions, and stand well back at a prudent distance as the fuse is burning.

Kids stay back. Children should never handle or utilize fireworks without adult supervision. Most incidents of injury are the result of kids being left to their own devices and not following the guidelines for careful usage. Keeping kids out the ER is preventable, and it is up to the grownups to see that all precautions are taken.

Following just these few simple tips should insure a festive and fun-filled experience!

Happy Nursing Assistants Week!

As we celebrate Nursing Assistants Week, let’s think about how much time and talent these diligent professionals contribute to healthcare. Too often these professionals go unrecognized, despite their invaluable work, and at Scrubin we are adding our voices to make sure our indispensible nursing assistants get the recognition they deserve.

It can often be thankless work, and our nursing assistants play a vital role in caring for the elderly, the disabled and those under long-term and hospice care, as well as fulfilling some of the medical duties in correctional facilities. Their importance cannot be overstated.

Working under a nurse’s supervision, nursing assistants aid in helping the elderly and infirmed perform day-to-day tasks: eating, bathing and helping with dressing and hygiene, just to name a few. They take and record vitals. They assist in stretching and physical exercise, taking the patients for walks and helping them to remain active.

In so doing, Nursing assistants not only help to insure and safeguard the overall health of the patient, they also make an important contribution to the patient’s dignity and quality of life as well. Nursing assistants help these vulnerable folks help themselves, and in doing so serve as voices of encouragement and hope in fraught circumstances. Ask anyone who has been hospitalized, as well as his or her family, and they will testify as to the necessary work performed by nursing assistants.

Changes in healthcare have meant a tough time for many nursing assistants. In the past several years, staffing shortages and budget cutbacks have meant that much of the aforementioned patient care has fallen on fewer and fewer of these professionals. That’s why this week is so important, not to only celebrate the work done by our nursing assistants but also to showcase this viable and valuable career. As more and more Baby Boomers age, nursing assistants are going to be needed in the future more than ever before.

Let’s all make this Nursing Assistants Week a good one by honoring these committed professionals and thanking them for their hard work.

June Is Men’s Health Month

A quick question for the guys: What’s your PSA? Don’t know? You’re not alone. June is Men’s Health Month, however, so there’s no better time to stop and take stock of your overall health and well-being. You may even learn a few things along the way.

For instance, PSA means “prostate-specific antigen,” and it’s a protein made by the prostate and found in the blood. High levels are an early indicator of prostate cancer, and getting it checked is as simple as visiting your doctor for a routine physical.

In fact, a yearly physical exam is a simple, yet vital, means to insuring good health. But men tend to procrastinate on getting them, always pushing them off for another day. No one can afford to wait. Call your doctor, set the appointment, get the tests run, and bask in the sweet relief a clean bill of health can bring!

A firm focus on prevention is perhaps the most important long-term course for good health than anything else. A focus on nutrition, diet and exercise is important, as well as regular checkups and physicals. At Scrubin we’re big believers in being proactive, so we would like to highlight some easy ways to get into a healthier lifestyle. Help us make Men’s Health Month the first step in a long campaign for healthier lifestyles for America’s menfolk!

• Nutrition is an increasingly vital concern for all of us, and this is particularly true of men, who are so vulnerable to heart disease, gastrointestinal issues and strokes. It’s easy: more fruits and vegetables, more fish and lean meats, less fast food and sugary sodas.

• Exercise is a part of any truly healthy lifestyle. American men are working harder than ever, but in jobs that by and large do not benefit them physically, either in the area of cardiovascular health or for long-term muscular performance and flexibility. One doesn’t have to be a gym rat but no man can afford to ignore sensible, moderate exercise. It is key to both quality of life and longevity. Try for an hour a day, even if it’s just taking a good, long walk.

June brings not only National Men’s Health Month, but June 7^th is National Cancer Survivors Day. The statistics are overwhelming: the way to beat cancer, any form of cancer, is to detect it early. Therefore, Scrubin would like to highlight the necessity of prostate screenings for men.

This is a form of cancer that is highly treatable – if caught early! And yet more than 30,000 men a year die of this disease. This is one cancer that doesn’t have to claim another victim if we are all educated and willing to fight it. Get checked, have the men in your life get checked, and wear the blue ribbon in support of the fight against prostate cancer!

www.scrubin.com 

Happy Nurse's Week

Nurses are celebrated annually from May 6th through May 12th, National RN Day kicks off Nurse’s Week on the 6^th and Florence Nightingale’s birthday closes out the week on May 12^th.  National Nurses Week gives us the opportunity to recognize the nurses that take care of us and show our appreciation to them.

"National Nurse Week" was first observed in 1954, based on a bill introduced in Congress by Rep. Frances Payne Bolton of Ohio, an advocate for nursing and public health. But it was not until 1974 that the White House and President Nixon proclaimed that National Nurses Week be celebrated.  We are so glad that President Nixon helped declare a week to recognize all of your hard work.

If it weren't for nurses, who would be there in the middle of the night to check our vitals and be sure that we are okay?  Thank you for your patience, dedication, commitment, passion, and nurture.  Whether you are a trauma nurse, cardiac nurse, CNA, LPN, or RN or in nursing school; YOU are greatly appreciated.

Join us daily on Facebook for giveaways, enter to win and drop a line for your favorite nurse!

For more Nation Nurses Week History, click here.

Autism Awareness Month Highlights Challenges & Opportunities

April is full of things that are easy to see: trees budding out, flowers blooming and other welcome weather changes. But it’s also Autism Awareness Month, when we shine the light on something that’s not too easy to see, or treat. Autism is a disorder many of us know all too well, and it is rare to find anyone whose life has not bee touched in some way by this affliction, whether in close family or distant acquaintance.

The truly insidious nature of the disorder is that it attacks children, young children, generally manifesting as early as three years old. And the even more disheartening fact is that autism is on the rise — 1 in every 68 births in America is an autistic child, including one in every 42 boys. While medical science and developmental psychology have made great strides in identifying the sufferers, that does mean we are any closer to prevention. We at Scrubin want to change that, and we know you do, too.

Since the 1970s, April has served as National Autism Awareness Month. Efforts include outreach to local communities and health organizations, promoting awareness and educating the general public. This year is no different, and so we wanted to share how we’re plugging in, and how you can be a part of the change as well.

Check out our Autism Awareness scrub tops and wear them to work to show your support!

To find out how else you can help, please visit www.autism-society.org. There is a lot of work to do, and the fight against Autism needs all hands on deck.