Prevent high blood pressure!

May is National Blood Pressure Education Month. About 1 in 3 U.S. adults—an estimated 68 million—have high blood pressure, which increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, two of the leading causes of death in the United States. High blood pressure is called the "silent killer" because it often has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people don't realize they have it. That's why it's important to get your blood pressure checked regularly. Inform your readers that this “silent killer” can be stopped! They can take steps to prevent high blood pressure, or control it through treatment.

The Million HeartsTM initiative aims to prevent a million heart attacks and strokes, in part by making it easier for Americans to control their blood pressure. The initiative encourages the health care community and individuals to focus on the ABCS:

• Appropriate Aspirin therapy
• Blood pressure control
• Cholesterol management
• Smoking cessation (quit smoking)

Other behaviors that contribute to overall health are also encouraged:

• Exercise regularly.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Prevent or control diabetes.
• Limit your alcohol intake (fewer than two drinks per day for men, or one drink per day for women).

Related Links:

• Prevent high blood pressure
• Learn about high blood pressure
• High blood pressure risk factors

Do your readers know about the CDC’s National Asthma Control Program?

Asthma, a disease that affects the lungs, is one of the most common long-term diseases of children and adults. It causes repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and night time or early morning coughing. CDC’s National Asthma Control Program helps Americans living with asthma achieve better health and improved quality of life while reducing the overall hardship that asthma creates for families, employers, schools, the healthcare system, and communities.

CDC’s National Asthma Control Program is a resource for people living with asthma. The program:

• Collects information and follows trends related to asthma.
• Funds programs that work in communities and nationwide to assist people living with asthma.
• Studies the impact of asthma programs and treatment measures and applies this data to re-invest in strategies to help Americans living with asthma.

Related Links:

• Helping Americans with Asthma
• Asthma Interventions
• Tools for asthma control

Staying Safe on Prom Night

For many people, prom is one of the highlights of the high school experience. Whether you're going solo or with a date or group, trying new or different activities, or staying out late, being responsible is key for a safe and healthy prom night. Smart decisions may also help lower stress while planning and enjoying the big night.

Follow these tips for a safe and healthy prom to ensure everyone has a great time:

• Get in shape slowly and wisely. Eat healthy and be active.
• Protect yourself from the harmful effects of UV rays. Avoid indoor and outdoor tanning, and use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.
• Test all cosmetics and hair dyes before using them. Follow the directions and read any cautions and warnings on labels carefully.
• Be stylish and safe by wearing comfortable shoes and attire to prevent injury.
• Watch your budget. Have fun without spending a lot of money and causing unneeded stress.
• Say no to alcohol, smoking, drugs, and sex.
• Don't drink and drive, and don't get in a car with anyone who has been drinking.
• Call a parent, guardian, or someone you trust in case plans change or you need help.
• Many teens do not report teen dating violence because they are afraid to tell friends and family. Tell a family member or call 911 if you or someone you know is being abused. Call a parent, guardian, or someone you trust in case plans change or you need help.

Going to prom is an exciting event! Make sure your evening is fun, safe, and healthy!

Related Links:

• Prom Health and Safety Tips
• Prom Tips

Binge Drinking and Women’s Health: Alcohol Awareness Month

Be Aware of Sexual Assault

In the United States, 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men report that they have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and an opportune time to remind readers about this serious public health problem.

Sexual violence is any sexual activity where consent is not freely given. This includes completed or attempted sex acts that are against the victim’s will or involve a victim who is unable to consent. It also includes abusive sexual contact and noncontact sexual abuse (such as sexual harassment). Child sexual abuse is also considered sexual violence. This type of violence can be committed by a current or former intimate partner, a family member, a person in position of power or trust, a friend, an acquaintance, or a stranger.

Sexual violence impacts health in many ways and can lead to long-term health and emotional problems. Victims may experience chronic pain, headaches, and sexually transmitted diseases. They are often fearful or anxious, and may have problems trusting others. Anger and stress can lead to eating disorders, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.

The ultimate goal is to stop Sexual Violence before it begins. Efforts at many levels are needed to accomplish this. Some examples include:

• Engaging high school students in mentoring programs or other skill-based activities that address healthy sexuality and dating relationships.
• Helping parents identify and address violent attitudes and behaviors in their kids.
• Creating policies at work, at school, and in other places that address sexual harassment.
• Developing mass media (e.g., radio, TV, magazines, newspapers) messages that promote norms, or shared beliefs, about healthy sexual relationships.

For more examples, see Sexual Violence Prevention: Beginning the Dialogue (www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pub/SVPrevention.html).

Related Links:

• CDC’s Division of Violence Prevention
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center

National Infant Immunization Week

National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is an annual observance to promote the benefits of immunizations and to improve the health of children two years old or younger. NIIW is part of a broad global initiative with the World Health Organization to promote vaccination through education and communication activities. Since 1994, local and state health departments, national immunization partners, health care professionals, community leaders from across the United States, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have worked together through NIIW to highlight the positive impact of vaccination on the lives of infants and children, and to call attention to immunization achievements.

This year’s NIIW, set for April 21-28, 2012, will be held in conjunction with the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO) Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA). Hundreds of communities across the United States and throughout the Western Hemisphere are expected to participate in NIIW and VWA by planning community awareness, education, and media events to promote infant and child immunizations to parents, caregivers, and health care professionals.

Awareness and education events are being planned in conjunction with state and local health departments, PAHO, and the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission in sister cities sites along the U.S.-Mexican border. More than 40 countries throughout the Western Hemisphere are expected to work together on VWA to highlight the need for routine vaccinations for infants and children.
See what is already planned, NIIW Activites around the World, and add your event to this year’s listing, NIIW: 2012 Activity Form.

Related Links:

• NIIW (National Infant Immunization Week
• Immunize to Protect Your Child against Disease

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Share with your readers that March 10, 2012 is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day! This day serves to recognize the special risks HIV/AIDS poses for women and girls, and to raise awareness of the disease's increasing impact on them. In 2009, nearly a quarter of diagnoses of HIV infection in the United States were among women and girls aged 13 years and older. Women and girls of color—especially African American women and girls—bear a disproportionately heavy burden of HIV infection. In 2009, black women accounted for nearly 60 percent of all new HIV infections among women with an HIV infection rate 15 times higher than white women. Hispanic women are also disproportionately affected with an HIV infection rate more than four times as high as white women. 

The reason women of color are more severely burdened by HIV and AIDS is not directly related to race or ethnicity, but rather to some of the barriers faced by many in these communities across the country. The harsh reality is that even with similar levels of individual risk behaviors as women of other races, a range of factors place these women at greater risk for HIV (e.g. greater prevalence of HIV within communities, lack of access to healthcare, stigma, fear and misinformation).  To end this epidemic, we must confront the Social and environmental factors that continue to place these women and girls at greater risk of contracting HIV.

On March 8, and in conjunction with National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, CDC is launching a new HIV testing and awareness campaign for African American women called Take Charge. Take the Test. to help combat the particularly heavy burden of HIV in this population. This campaign reminds African American women that they have the power to take charge of their health, by learning their HIV status and protecting themselves against HIV. Take Charge. Take the Test will launch both nationally and in 10 metro areas where black women are hard hit by HIV. Thisis the latest campaign of Act Against AIDS, CDC’s umbrella campaign to fight complacency about HIV nationwide. For more information, visit www.hivtest.org/takecharge.

What can your readers do?

1. Get tested for HIV. To find a testing site center near you, text your ZIP Code to KNOW IT (566948).
2. Talk with your health care provider about your risks for HIV.
3. Get the facts about HIV/AIDS by visiting the Act Against AIDS web site including:
   1. The risk factors for acquiring HIV.
   2. How to avoid high-risk behaviors.
   3. How to practice safer methods to prevent HIV.
4. Talk about HIV prevention with family, friends, and colleagues.
5. Volunteer at a local organization that serves people living with HIV.
6. Attend an event near you.
7. Learn more about the impact of HIV/AIDS among women in the United States.
8. Stand up against stigma, racism, and other forms of discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS.
9. Donate time and money to HIV/AIDS organizations.

For more information on this day, theme, and events please visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health, which is leading activities for this observance.

Related Links:

• National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: CDC Feature
• Office of Women’s Health

World Tuberculosis Day 2012: “Stop TB in my lifetime”

Each year, we recognize World TB Day on March 24, often with a variety of activities leading up to the official day. This annual event commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacillus that causes tuberculosis (TB). TB is one of the world’s deadliest diseases: One third of the world’s population is infected with TB, in 2010, nearly 9 million people around the world became sick with TB, and, there were around 1.45 million TB-related deaths worldwide. TB is a leading killer of people who are HIV infected.
World TB Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about TB-related problems and solutions, and to support worldwide TB-control efforts.  CDC and our partners are committed to a world free of TB. In their lifetimes, today's children should expect to see a world where no one gets sick with TB. In their lifetimes, women and men should expect to see a world where no one dies from TB. All of us can have different hopes, such as for faster treatment; a quick, cheap, low-tech test that is accessible to all; or an effective vaccine.
Share with your readers how they can become a partner in the Fight Against TB:  

• Find out more about TB services in your area.
• Reach out to your community and educate them about TB.

Because many people are not aware of the impact of TB, local coalitions in many states and countries are convening educational and awareness activities related to World TB Day. Encourage your readers to learn more and get involved.

Related links:

• World TB Day 2012
• Basic TB Facts
• Division of TB Elimination

Winnable Battles towards "Health Protection…Health Equity"

To keep pace with emerging public health challenges and to address the leading causes of death and disability, CDC initiated an effort to achieve measurable impact quickly in a few targeted areas. CDC's Winnable Battles are public health priorities with large-scale impact on health and with known, effective strategies to address them.
The current Winnable Battles have been chosen based on the magnitude of the health problems and our ability to make significant progress in improving outcomes. By identifying priority strategies and clear targets and by working closely with our public health partners, we can make significant progress in reducing health disparities and the overall health burden from these diseases and conditions.

Encourage your readers to learn more about CDC's goals for the Winnable Battles initiative, what CDC is doing, and what they can do to support.
Winnable Battle Areas:

• Food Safety
• Global Immunization
• Healthcare-associated Infections
• HIV in the U.S.
• Lymphatic Filariasis in the Americas
• Motor Vehicle Injuries
• Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity
• Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Syphilis Globally
• Teen Pregnancy
• Tobacco

Related links:

• Winnable Battles Overview
• Winnable Resources
• Healthy People 2020

Keep Your Heart Healthy in February

The term "heart disease" refers to several types of heart conditions. The most common type in the United States is coronary artery disease, which can cause heart attack, angina, heart failure, and arrhythmias.

The major signs and symptoms of a heart attack are—

• Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back.
• Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint.
• Chest pain or discomfort.
• Pain or discomfort in arms or shoulder.
• Shortness of breath.

If you think that you or someone you know is having a heart attack, you should call 9–1–1 immediately.

If the blood supply to the heart muscle is cut off, a heart attack can result. Cells in the heart muscle do not receive enough oxygen and begin to die. The more time that passes without treatment to restore blood flow, the greater the damage to the heart. Having high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol, smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke, physical inactivity, family history, and having had a previous heart attack, stroke, or diabetes can increase a person's chances of having a heart attack. You can also take steps to reduce your risks for heart attack; learn the ABCS at Million Hearts.

It is important to recognize the signs of a heart attack and to act immediately by calling 9–1–1. A person's chances of surviving a heart attack are increased if emergency treatment is given to the victim as soon as possible.

Related Links:

• Heart Disease
• American Heart Association
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
• National Library of Medicine's Medline Plus

Time to Brush Your Teeth

Tooth decay (cavities) is one of the most common chronic diseases of children in the United States. Untreated tooth decay causes pain and infections that may lead to problems―such as with eating, speaking, playing, and learning. The good news is that tooth decay is preventable. The combination of fluorides and dental sealants has the potential to nearly eliminate tooth decay in children.

Here are some things you can do to ensure good oral health for your child:

• Protect your child’s teeth with fluoride.
  • Begin using a fluoride toothpaste when your child is 2 years old. If your child is younger than 6 years old, put only a pea-sized amount on their toothbrush. Supervise your child’s tooth brushing, encouraging the child to spit out toothpaste rather than swallow it. Additional information is available online: http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/publications/factsheets/brushup.htm.
  • If your drinking water is not fluoridated, talk to a dentist or physician about the best way to protect your child’s teeth.
• Talk to your child’s dentist about dental sealants. They protect the chewing surfaces of the back teeth from decay.
• Encourage your children to eat regular nutritious meals, avoid frequent between-meal snacking, and limit sugar-sweetened beverages.
• If you are pregnant, get prenatal care and eat a healthy diet. The diet should include folic acid to prevent birth defects of the brain and spinal cord and possibly cleft lip/palate.

Related Links

• Oral Health for Children
• Oral Health and Pregnancy
• Oral Health and Learning
• The Community Guide/Oral Health

Healthy Valentine's Day

Plan Your Valentine's Day with healthy choices in mind. Whether you plan to celebrate on your own or with someone special, have a safe and healthy Valentine’s Day. Take steps to be a healthy valentine. Challenge yourself to be active, healthy, and smoke free. Use these tips to give the gift of health to yourself and loved ones on Valentine’s Day and all year long.

• Treat yourself and loved ones to a heart-healthy meal that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables and foods low in saturated fat and salt.
• Plan an event that encourages physical activity, and healthy eating.
• Give yourself or your loved ones a favorite healthy alternative to candy.
• If you smoke, quit smoking. It's a perfect gift for yourself and others.
• February is American Heart Month. Help raise awareness about heart disease prevention. Encourage yourself and others to learn about how to lower heart disease risk and take action!
• Learn the most common symptoms of a heart attack. Call 9-1-1 immediately if these symptoms arise.
• Send a health-e-card to show someone you care about them and their health.
• If you prefer a traditional card, include a note that encourages your family and friends to take steps for a healthy life.

Related Links

• Here's to a Healthy Valentine's Day
• Valentine's Day Tips

You Just Had a Baby! (Parenting Tips for Newborns)

The early years of a child’s life are very important for his or her health and development. Healthy development means that children of all abilities, including those with special health care needs, are able to grow up where their social, emotional and educational needs are met. Having a safe and loving home and spending time with family―playing, singing, reading, and talking―are very important. Proper nutrition, exercise, and rest also can make a big difference.

Here are some tips you, as a parent, can do to help your baby during this time:

• Talk to your baby. She will find your voice calming.
• Answer when your baby makes sounds by repeating the sounds and adding words. This will help him learn to use language.
• Read to your baby. This will help her develop and understand language and sounds.
• Sing to your baby and play music. This will help your baby develop a love for music and will help his brain development.
• Praise your baby and give her lots of loving attention.
• Spend time cuddling and holding your baby. This will help him feel cared for and secure.
• Play with your baby when she’s alert and relaxed. Watch your baby closely for signs of being tired or fussy so that she can take a break from playing.
• Distract your baby with toys and move him to safe areas when he starts moving and touching things that he shouldn’t touch.
• Take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. Parenting can be hard work! It is easier to enjoy your new baby and be a positive, loving parent when you are feeling good yourself.

Related Links

• CDC’s "Learn the Signs. Act Early." Campaign
• CDC’s Parent Information
• Child Development

National Folic Acid Awareness Week January 8th-14th: What should you know about folic acid?

Folic acid is a B vitamin that is used by the body to make new cells. Everyone needs folic acid! If a woman has enough folic acid in her body before and during pregnancy, it can help prevent major birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine. CDC urges women to take 400 mcg of folic acid every day, starting at least one month before getting pregnant, to help prevent major birth defects. There are two easy ways to be sure to get enough folic acid each day:

1. Take a vitamin that has folic acid in it every day.
   Most multivitamins sold in the United States have the amount of folic acid women need each day. Women can also choose to take a small pill (supplement) that has only folic acid in it each day. Multivitamins and folic acid pills can be found at most local pharmacy, grocery, or discount stores. Check the label to be sure it contains 100% of the daily value (DV) of folic acid, which is 400 micrograms (mcg).
2. Eat a bowl of breakfast cereal that has 100% of the daily value of folic acid every day.
   Not every cereal has this amount. Check the label on the side of the box, and look for one that has “100%” next to folic acid.

Related Links:

• Facts about Folic Acid
• Healthy Pregnancy
• Planning for Pregnancy
• National Council on Folic Acid

Did you know January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month? Here are some eye health tips to share with your readers!

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can damage the eye's optic nerve and result in vision loss and blindness. Glaucoma occurs when the normal fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises. However, recent findings now show that glaucoma can occur with normal eye pressure. With early detection and timely treatment, you can often protect your eyes against serious vision loss. Your eyes are an important part of your health. You can do many things to keep them healthy and make sure you’re seeing your best. Please share the following simple guidelines with your readers for maintaining healthy eyes well into their golden years:

• Have a comprehensive dilated eye exam. You might think your vision is fine or that your eyes are healthy, but visiting your eye care professional for a comprehensive dilated eye exam is the only way to really be sure. Regular eye exams are important for good eye health as well as overall health. A comprehensive dilated eye exam is a painless procedure in which an eye care professional examines the eyes to look for common vision problems and eye diseases, many of which have no early warning signs.
•  Know your family’s eye health history. Talk to your family members about their eye health history. It’s important to know if anyone has been diagnosed with an eye disease or condition, since many are hereditary.
• Eat right to protect your sight. You’ve heard that carrots are good for your eyes. But eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables—particularly dark leafy greens, such as spinach, kale, or collard greens—is important for keeping your eyes healthy, too.
• Quit smoking or never start.
•  Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing diabetes and other systemic conditions, which can lead to vision loss, such as diabetic eye disease or glaucoma (Diabetic eye disease refers to various eye problems that may occur as a complication of diabetes, including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataract. These conditions can lead to vision loss and blindness).
•  Wear protective eyewear. Wear protective eyewear when playing sports or doing activities around the home.
• Give your eyes a rest. If you spend a lot of time at the computer or focusing on any one thing, you sometimes forget to blink and your eyes can get fatigued. Try the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look away about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds. This short exercise can help reduce eyestrain.
• Practice workplace eye safety. Employers are required to provide a safe work environment. When protective eyewear is required as a part of your job, make a habit of wearing the appropriate type at all times, and encourage your coworkers to do the same.

Related Links:

• Glaucoma
• CDC’s Eye Health Tips
• Vision Health Initiative (VHI)
• Prevent Blindness America

Understanding your health shouldn’t be a puzzle: Why you should ask for plain language in healthcare

Let’s face it: managing your health can be complicated. Every day, we face situations that involve life-changing decisions about our health. Research shows that today's health information is hard to understand and use to make good decisions. But health information and services don’t have to be so complicated. It helps to be a savvy consumer. How can you get the most from health information and services?

First, know the law. As of this year, federal government agencies must use plain language when they communicate with the public about critical benefits and services. If you find federal government health information that isn’t in plain language, you can contact that agency and ask them to make it clear.

Second, clear communication is part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, i.e. "health reform," the most significant change to health policy in decades. Soon, health insurance companies will be required to tell you about coverage and benefits in plain language. You may also find “patient navigators,” people who can help you find your way through the maze of healthcare. 

Third, when you go to the doctor, clinic or hospital, ask them to use plain language when they talk to you and ask for plain language patient information. You can take a list of questions and ask for clear answers and explanations.

Why is health literacy important?

• Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday health information that is routinely available in our healthcare facilities, retail outlets, media and communities.
• Without clear information and an understanding of the information's importance, people are more likely to skip necessary medical tests, end up in the emergency room more often, and have a harder time managing chronic diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure.

 Inform your readers on becoming more health literate and visit the CDC website for training resources, materials and more for your state. 

Related Links:

• Learn About Health Literacy
• Get Training
• Health Literacy Activities by State
• Science Says: Findings You Can Use
• National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy
• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality