Exploring topics on nutrition, safety, legalities, retirement, and more!
With flu season at its peak in the months of December and February, it’s essential to initiate proactive measures for flu prevention and infection control. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hand hygiene is one of the most crucial steps in preventing sickness and stopping the spread of disease. The CDC goes on to note, “Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports an average of 35.0 million people worldwide with HIV, with about 2.1 million people newly infected in 2013. It’s imperative to stay educated on HIV/AIDS to help control and prevent disease transmission. Acquiring insight and carrying out safety measures empowers individuals in their personal health and wellbeing of others.
1. Get Tested. Several HIV testing options are available such as home kits, and blood exams which are more commonly done in healthcare facilities. For optimal results it's best to test for HIV through a blood sample, which can be done in most clinics and medical facilities. Please visit AIDS.gov for testing information and to find a local clinic in your area.
2. Ask Questions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shares commonly asked questions on HIV transmission and prevention. For instance, how safe are condoms in preventing the transmission of HIV? How can someone with HIV prevent the spread of disease when living with other people? Can male circumcision stop the transmission of HIV? The CDC addresses these questions and more. Visit the CDC to read more on HIV control and prevention.
Maintaining adequate blood glucose can be challenging for Diabetics, particularly during the holidays with so many delicious treats to choose from. Simply identify foods to avoid and those to enjoy and you're on your way to healthy eating! Get excited this holiday season for a variety of guiltless mouth-watering food choices!
1. Fatty Foods. Fried foods like chips, French fries, and doughnuts are loaded with calories and saturated fats (unhealthy fats). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends limiting fat intake, particularly saturated or trans fats found in fried foods, whole milk, cookies, pies, salad dressings, lard, stick margarine, and nondairy creamers.
Try This Instead: Baked goodies like sweet potato dishes, oven-roasted meats, and lemon-pepper fish are tasty alternatives. Go for the grill! Grilled meats like chicken and turkey breast have lower fat content than fried meats and burgers.
The American Lung Association notes lung cancer as the leading cancer killer among men and women. Cancer of the lung(s) is caused by abnormal cellular proliferation. The rapid growth of cancerous cells can form tumors and metastasize (spread) to other organs in the body. Treatment options vary depending on the stage of cancer and the individual’s health needs. Early screening and health promotion are imperative for lung cancer control and prevention. The Mayo Clinic also comments on risk factors leading to lung cancer stating, “The risk of lung cancer increases with the length of time and number of cigarettes you've smoked. If you quit smoking, even after smoking for many years, you can significantly reduce your chances of developing lung cancer.”
Domestic violence is often thought of as physical brutality, yet in definition it covers a broad range of abusive behaviors. Abuse affects individuals from all socioeconomic, racial, gender, and cultural backgrounds. Domestic Violence happens to people of all ages, ranging from children to the elderly population.
The United States Department of Justice defines domestic violence as follows:
We define domestic violence as a pattern to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.