National Public Health Week & World Health Day: Get plugged in!

Good health takes work, and a healthy community takes everyone pitching in to make it happen. That’s why National Public Health Week, April 2-8, is a big deal and deserving of our attention.

It’s pretty simple: The American Public Health Association wants to create the healthiest nation possible and do so by promoting the role of a strong public health system. This year’s theme, Healthiest Nation 2030, showcases the goal of making the United States the world’s healthiest nation in one generation.

In addition, toward advocating for access to insurance and healthcare, the APHA also encourages study into the underlying cause of poor health and disease risk. That means looking at hunger, low wages, a lack of nutritious food and other community issues that bar many people from having optimal health.

These are big problems, and they require big solutions. But they also require each of us to do something, in our own way, to help tackle access to healthcare and other basic needs that will make our overall society a better one. Want to plug in? Join Generation Public Health now.

And as a part of that, we also want to call attention to World Health Day on April 7, a day to celebrate all the hard work of the World Health Organization to help improve lives all around the planet. The first World Health Day was held in 1950, marking the WHO’s founding and drawing everyone’s attention to the importance of global health. Good health — it’s global!

National Autism Awareness Month a chance to learn about a complex condition

Autism is talked about more now than ever before, but how much do we know about this complex neuro behavioral condition? Thanks to World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, a part of  National Autism Awareness Month and World Autism Month, we have the chance every April to learn more.

Those with autism are often referred to as “being on the spectrum,” or as having autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, because the condition can affect someone to varying degrees. The most common indicators are impairments in social interaction, and language and communication skills. Sometimes rigid, repetitive behaviors also are present. For an example of an adult with ASD, you can watch ABC’s The Good Doctor.

The Autism Society began its awareness month nearly 25 years ago in an effort to promote awareness and inclusion, but also self-determination so that those with ASD can achieve the highest possible quality of life. That means we need to be aware of their needs and accept and appreciate their unique gifts which sometimes have trouble coming across due to communication challenges.

Here are a couple of ways we can pitch in, or if we have a family or friend on the spectrum, engage and support:

The Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon is a way to honor and assist the one in every 68 children in America who show an autism prevalence. A shirt pin, a magnet — there are lots of ways to show that you care, you understand, and you want to be a part of their solution. Click here to learn more.

Many families don’t go out to the movies because they have a member with ASD — and what’s a normal night out for most people is an unbearable sensory overload for that person. The Autism Society is working with AMC Theatres to bring Sensory Friendly Films each month, an opportunity to have the lights less dim, and the sound less loud.

Lastly, donate to the Autism Society. They have more than 100 nationwide affiliates, a national resource database, contact center and are working very day to raise awareness about autism and showcase the issues faced by individuals with ASD and their families.

National Cancer Prevention Month offers opportunities for education and awareness

Did you know that more than half of all cancers diagnosed in the United States might have been preventable? They are linked to smoking, obesity, lack of exercise and excessive exposure to the sun.

It doesn’t have to be this way, and it shouldn’t. That’s why National Cancer Prevention Month is so important. This is the time to stop smoking (or better yet, never start), take a look at diet and exercise and make changes where needed, and buy that sunscreen we keep saying we’ll apply when sitting poolside, or even doing yard work.

The American Cancer Society has all kinds of helpful information about cancer, and steps that can help reduce your risk.  One big thing you can do is see what tests you might need to look into, based on your age, gender and ethnicity. That includes colonoscopies, mammograms and other easy to schedule exams that will give you peace of mind, as well as hopefully catch any problems early.

Putting an end to cancer is still a ways away, but research is ongoing and comprehensive. If we do our part, we can cut down on the number of cancer cases in the meantime. For instance, the American Institute for Cancer Research estimates that one-third of the most common cancers in the United States could be prevented by eating healthier, exercising and keeping excess weight off. The AICR says that’s an estimated 374,000 cancer cases that would never happen.

That’s a number we can all get behind. So, for February, take one step toward preventing cancer. Maybe that’s just eating more fruits and vegetables, or maybe it’s finally using that gym membership you got during the holidays, or scheduling that long-overdue physical. Take the first step and be the change in your own life when it comes to stopping or preventing cancer.

Cardiac care is front and center during American Heart Month

A longer, healthier life is everyone’s goal, and there’s no better starting point for a personal wellness program than good heart care.

That’s been the core message of the American Heart Association (AHA), as well as its American Heart Month, an awareness effort that began back in February 1964. (Want to read the presidential proclamation? Here you go.) At that time, more than half the deaths in America were caused by cardiovascular disease, and heart disease and stroke remain the leading global cause of death — more than 17.3 million each year, according to the AHA.

The statistics are sobering:

• 220.8 people out of 100,000 die from cardiovascular disease

• one person dies of a heart attack, or has a stroke, every 40 seconds or about 2,200 deaths per day

• stroke accounts for one out of every 20 deaths in the United States

But enough of the bad news — heart disease is preventable. How? By making healthy choices, which can even be easy ones:

• Season food with spices instead of salt.

• Get in some physical activity every day, even if it’s just a short walk.

• Make sure you see your doctor for a regular, annual physical.

Want to get the word out? The AHA has lots of ways you can spread the news about heart health. There’s information for use in newsletters, and it’s never a bad idea to send out a tweet or post to social media about American Heart Month so more people become aware.

Heart disease is a killer, and we can help stop it. Be part of the solution for yourself, your friends and family, and your community. 

Healthcare doesn’t take a holiday: Avoiding seasonal workplace stress

When someone goes into a healthcare career, whether that’s doctor or nurse, PT or OT tech, or any of the many other options, they do it because they want to help people. They’re willing to give up a lot, but often don’t realize that being home for the holidays may be on the list of sacrifices.

People don’t get sick, or need surgery, on a schedule. It’s a 24/7 business, and that’s why the holidays can be challenging not just for patients and their families, but also those who provide the high-quality care those people need and deserve. Here are a few ways to integrate the holiday season into your workplace, so that you don’t miss out on all the fun, and also to create a cheerier atmosphere for the people you’re serving.

Plan ahead. Assume that you may be working at least some holiday hours, and so organize family gatherings around those dates. Many people will visit relatives, or have far-flung relations come to them, several days ahead so that they do get to enjoy their company. Bonus: Traveling earlier in December, or even after Jan. 1, can be cheaper and less frantic.

Blend your families. If you're able, invite family members to visit you at work. And be sure to create some kind of event for your coworkers, as in many cases they are as close as your “real” relatives. That might come in the form of a potluck, or a gift swap.

Be mindful of emotions. As hard as it might be for you to be separated from parents, spouses, children or significant others, it’s even tougher for patients. Many of them have developed health issues during their own family gatherings, and are upset and nervous. A calm, empathetic approach will help them feel better, and make you feel good as well.

Don’t neglect worship. Many special religious services are held during the holidays, and missing those is tough. Speak to the hospital’s chapel or pastoral staff, and see if they are planning any interdenominational offerings that you could attend before or after work, or even on a break.

Keep in mind that with so much else in life, acceptance is the answer. Holidays will always be a time of juggling responsibilities for healthcare workers, and a little advance legwork and flexibility means that they can be as enjoyable and meaningful as they are for people in other professions.

Don’t forget handwashing during the holidays — and year-round!

“Did you wash your hands?”

We heard it all the time as kids (and often fibbed), and if you work in healthcare it’s a near-constant reminder thanks to posters and other reminders. Of course, none of that is a bad thing — good hand hygiene goes a very long way toward avoiding illness, as well as passing infections along.

That’s why National Handwashing Awareness Week, which rolls around during the first full week of December every year, is a worthy event to celebrate. Thanks to cheerful mascot Henry the Hand, there are lots of great materials for kids to enjoy, as well as those for adults to remind everyone about handwashing.

OK, to the facts. Here are the Principles of Hand Hygiene endorsed by the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians:

•       Wash your hands when they are dirty and before eating;
•       Do not cough into your hands;
•       Do not sneeze into your hands;
•       Above all, do not put your hands into your eyes, ears, and mouth.

And why is this so important? Here comes the icky part. When we cough into the open air, or into our hands, some 3,000 droplets are forced out the body at around 50 miles per hour, according to InsideScience, a news site supported by the American Institute of Physics. Sneezing is even more impressive: 40,000 droplets blast out of us at 200 miles per hour.

The big deal here is that while some of these droplets are big enough to float to the floor or another surface, others are quite small. Those hang around and can be moved out further by air movement such as making a hospital bed, or opening a door.

Even if you shield your mouth and nose for coughing and sneezing with the vampire move, you’re still putting all those droplets out into the air. So, to break the chain of infection, wash those hands!

The Centers for Disease Control tells us that washing with soap and water is the best way to lower the number of microbes on the hands. No water? Use a hand sanitizers with at last 60% alcohol.

And of course, there’s a technique! If you’re using hand sanitizer, apply enough to remain on the hands for 20-30 seconds. For soap and water, the whole process should take 40 seconds to a minute.

When we’re in a hurry, it’s easy to let the little things slide. But if less than a minute can help improve our own health, not to mention that of everyone around us, it’s worth taking the time to slow down and keep those hands clean.