Infographic: How sitting too long affects the body

Hello friends,

I have another infographic to share with you today: How sitting affects your body c/o mindbodygreen.There are two other infographics on my blog. One on the benefits of coconut oil and the other on the benefits of kale.

Did you know that sitting too long can increase your chances of blood clots and fluid retention in your legs. I definitely learned something new today.

What do you think?

Comment below!

Promoting Health Education in Haitian Classrooms

Hello friends,

www.liliashealthbook.blogspot.com

I know that many of my friends wanted to hear all about my trip to Haiti. In this blog post, I will attempt to describe my very first trip to the World’s First Black Republic.

I had an amazing opportunity (with the Haitian American Caucus) to give a presentation on the importance of Health Education to Haitian teachers along with my amazing mentor. Health education is not a focus in the school system in Haiti. However, there is such a great need to increase health education especially among school age children. 

From what we were told, school-age children suffer from many illnesses/diseases, some more serious than others. However, there are few resources to deal with them and unfortunately a lack of knowledge of how to do so. 

www.liliashealthbook.blogspot.com. Here the teachers are participating in an activity

We presented the information in a form of a ‘Developing a Culturally-Appropriate First Aid kit for Haitian teachers.’ 

Most first aid kits are standard: Medication; Bandages and tape; Tools.

Due to the difference in illnesses that school-age children live with in Haiti, as opposed to the U.S., we wanted to develop a first aid kit that was representative of this. In other words, the items that you can find in a standard first aid kit in the U.S. can be useful, but may not be sufficient in Haiti.

Now, it’s easy to do research and come up with what we think should be included in a first aid kit, but it was very important for us to go straight to the source. It would have been very inconsiderate and ill-conceived not to have included the teachers in the development of a first aid kit designed for their use. 

www.liliashealthbook.blogspot.com

We encouraged that they take into consideration traditional medication (sometimes referred to as bush medicine) that often used in Haitian culture to treat, heal, and cure illnesses. For example, there is a plethora of herbs and plants that is easily recognized and is known to work by Haitian to treat various illnesses. Most importantly, we encouraged them to include items that are easily available and used often by the Haitian people to care for those who have ill health.

The key to our presentation was to focus on prevention of those illnesses that school age children experience. We were mainly supported their health and wellness goals. 

We encouraged them to address any illnesses, pain or other basic needs of their students by getting to know their students and having the knowledge and skills to care for their students in times of ill health. Doing so will allow for better students and teachers. Inevitably, school teachers in Haiti often have to be school nurses as well; an added responsibility that requires them to be knowledgeable on the treatment and prevention of various illnesses and injuries frequently experience by their students.

www.liliashealthbook.blogspot.com

For this reason, they were very appreciative and responsive to our presentation. The presentation was very interactive, despite the language barrier at times. This presentation was a huge learning experience for me. It was a mutual exchange of information that benefited both myself and my mentor, Dr. Howard, as well as the teachers. I loved every moment of this presentation and I couldn’t have asked for a better time in Haiti with my profession. 

** There’s so much more that I could say, but I do not want to make this post any longer**

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Why do we need 'Men's Health Fairs' in the Caribbean?

Hello my beautiful friends,

I am very excited to bring this video to you. The video pretty much speaks for itself; therefore, I won't add too much writing.

The video that you are about to watch is a 'Men's health fair' put together in St. Lucia today to encourage men to participate in regular health screenings and check-ups.

Men on average are less likely to engage in regular health screenings. I know this is especially true in the Caribbean. 

While conducting interviews for my graduate thesis, one of the participants who is Jamaican, shares this, which is echoed throughout this video:

"I really don’t know and the thing with that is that back at home, they have this thing where men, you would almost never see a man at the hospital, unless it’s really severe. So, primary healthcare for men is deemed as something that women do; and unless you are really, really sick, you’re (i.e. men) not going to get your regular check-up. So, even though they have it (i.e. diabetes), I don’t even think they would know per se, but that’s all I can say."

So, yes I was delighted to see that programming is looking to encourage men to take more of an active role in their health. As a Public Health professional like me, this is so exciting!

What do you think? I would love to hear what you think?

Take Care,

Slavery, Segregation, Racism at the root of race-based health disparities in the U.S.

SLAVERY, SEGREGATION, RACISM  at the root of race-based HEALTH-DISPARITIES in the U.S.

The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story 

- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

I wrote a blog post on race-based health disparities entailing how blacks and other non-white groups continue to suffer disproportionately from almost every disease and illness imaginable. This blog post will shed light on how history, mainly the institution of slavery has contributed to race-based health disparities visible within the black community today. 

This is a sensitive topic, but as a Black woman (Afro-Caribbean) and upcoming professional in the health field, I wanted to provide sound research to dispel some myths that state black people do not care about their health, or that these disparities are solely a result of personal health behaviors, because that is just FALSE.

It is simply FALSE to say that people of color don’t care about their health. Do we really think that people prefer sickness as opposed to being happy and healthy?! No. Therefore, to direct assault on an entire group of people, is to ignore the institution of slavery and other acts of oppression, colonization, and exclusion that have been supported by governments here in the U.S. and around the world.

I think it is important to state that American politics, laws, policies and programs did not exist to serve the interests of everyone, especially that of Black folk. Slavery created a power dynamic that resulted in Black individuals experiencing high levels of oppression and exclusion that’s has a direct impact on socioeconomic status, health, and overall well-being.

To engage in debates and discussions on race based health disparities, we must get at the root cause of the issue and we must acknowledge and highlight slavery, because health disparities did not happen overnight. Disparities in health and health care have existed for centuries. Black people in the U.S. and in the diaspora have experienced poorer health than other groups from the very beginning of slavery. I think it’s important to put health disparities in this historical context that many researchers and academia seem to never mention.

The end of slavery was followed by the Reconstruction Era and the “Jim Crow’ period. During this period, laws limited and prohibited Black people from living. They could not exercise their voting rights and were reduced to substandard education, employment, and healthcare. Segregation in health care played a significant role in the health status of American Blacks. Black hospitals and nurse training schools existed in the 1920s, because black people experienced pervasive racism and discrimination in white hospitals at the time. In the early part of the C.20^th, medical schools for Black doctors were created, because most existing medical schools would not admit Black students.

In 1932, 399 Black men thought they were being treated for syphilis, only to realize that 40 years later, that they part of an immoral experiment by the United States Public Health Service to examine how syphilis run its course if left untreated. They were never told that they were infected with syphilis, nor were they ever treated for it. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the men were told they were being treated for "bad blood," a local term used to describe several illnesses, including syphilis, anemia and fatigue. The men were intentionally not treated and were refused medication to cure this disease even when a cure was found for it. As a result, they infected their wives and wives then infected their children upon birth. In 1947, when the story was leaked to the media, the Public Health Service were forced to stop, but by that time dozens of the men had died, and many wives and children had been infected. The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment is a prime example as to why Blacks are distrustful of health professionals and institutions. 

So, please let’s not pretend that health status of Black people in this country is the fault of their own, because it is NOT. The systems put in place during and after slavery has created opportunities where Black individuals are disproportionately affected by illness and diseases in comparison to other racial groups, especially their White counterparts. The reasons for race-based health disparities have been documented by many researchers in the U.S., and they all stem from the institution of slavery, Jim Crow, segregation, discrimination, and racism.  It is necessary to examine and bring into context the root causes of those disparities that we see so clearly today. Unfortunately, these health disparities will continue to threaten and hamper efforts to improve the nation’s health if they are not addressed.

These are my thoughts.

Sources:

http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~epihc/currentissue/fall2002/williams-johnson.php

Mwachofi, A., & WaMwachofi, N. (2010). Modeling health inequities research in context and the minority researcher’s role. Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice, 3(3), 21-42.

 http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2002/jul/tuskegee/

http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Volume82003/No1Jan2003/RaceandHealth.html

Zinn, H. (1980). A people’s history of the United States covering the period 1945-60. New York: Harper & Row publishers, 1980.

'Dying' to be first place: obesity in the Caribbean

Obesity in the Caribbean has taken all new heights. According to a recent report by the World Bank, obesity along with other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease and cancer are threatening the increase in life expectancy in the Caribbean. Even though people are living longer than ever before, they are doing so with chronic diseases.

Research shows that there is a gender disparity of obesity in the Caribbean, where women are disproportionately more obese than men.

According to the World Bank, in the OECS (Organization of Eastern Caribbean States), Dominica is said to have the highest obesity prevalence in both men and women compared to other countries in the OECS. Data from the World Bank also indicates that unfortunately about 60% of women in St. Lucia will be obese by 2015.

According to the World Bank, the increase in the prevalence of obesity and other NCDs in the Caribbean is caused by globalization and urbanization, which has contributed to an increase in fast food consumption and less consumption of traditional, home-grown foods: fruits & vegetables. Therefore, to reverse the rates of obesity we need to consume more of our traditional home-grown foods and rely less on fast foods for nutrition. However, this is easier said than done. One of the most difficult things to do is to change someone's health behavior. The World Bank suggests establishing public policies that will improve the quality of life in the Caribbean.

What do you think should be done to decrease obesity rates in the Caribbean?

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Thank you for taking the time to read :o)

People of the Caribbean: Living longer BUT with chronic diseases

www.virginislandsnewsonline.com

Jamaicans and other citizens of the Eastern Caribbean are living longer than ever before, which is always good news. All six Organization of Eastern Caribbean State (OECS) countries experienced an increase in life expectancy at birth between 1990 and 2011, with a high of 76 in Dominica and St. Lucia.
However, this increase in life expectancy presents an unhealthy problem, because quality of life in the Eastern Caribbean is rapidly decreasing. New research from the World Bank informs that Jamaicans and other counties of the OECS are facing a health crisis with the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). These diseases include heart disease, obesity and diabetes. NCDs are disproportionately affecting poor families; thereby, increasing rates of poverty when a large part of their income has to go to health care.

In fact, the annual cost for treating an individual with diabetes ranges from US$322 to US$769 in the OECS. This amount is more than double in the currency of these countries, which presents another burden. In fact, data from ST. Lucia show that individuals living with a non-communicable disease spend 36% of their total household expenditure annually for health care. Poorer households spend 48% of their per capita expenditure, while wealthier households spend less than 20% on health care. The problem that is presented here is a widening gap between the rich and poor.

Worldwide there is an increase in non-communicable diseases, but the region with the largest increase are in low and middle income countries, which is representative of many countries of the Caribbean.


Chronic diseases in the Caribbean from World Bank on Vimeo.

These are the facts: Now what? How can we as a people, ensure that non-communicable diseases are NOT threatening this increase in life expectancy?  

 For more information on NCDs in the Caribbean visit http://www.healthycaribbean.org/

**For more blog post, please Follow| Comment | Use reaction buttons|**

Thanks for taking the time to read, comment, and follow,

World AIDS DAY (Video)

December 1st is WORLD AIDS DAY



Source: UNAIDS.org

If you are overweight, obese, a smoker, then you pay more in Health insurance premiums

An article, released today by the New York Times, shows that workers considered to be overweight, obese, a smoker then you pay more in Health insurance premiums. There is an increased demand by employers for their employees to pay more for in health insurance premiums if they are smokers or are obese. The same goes for those who have high cholesterol. Other employers are offering financial incentives to their employees by encouraging them to enroll in wellness programs. Companies including, Home Depot, PepsiCo, Safeway, Lowe's, and General Mills defend their decision on high premiums for “less healthy” employees by stating that this approach will get workers to take more responsibility for their health & well-being.

Currently, Wal-Mart stores (the nation's largest employer) sought higher payments for their smokers- an amount, reaching $2,000 more than for non-smokers. The only way that their employees can avoid this surcharge if this receive documentation from their doctors stating that it would be medically inadvisable or impossible to quit smoking.

www.nytimes.com:erome Allen, who works for Wal-Mart, gave up smoking when he learned he paid $40 more a month for health insurance, in Fort Worth, Texas, Wednesday.

What do I think about this?

As much as I am a huge supporter for wellness programs, I am NOT a supporter for discriminating,because this is exactly what companies are doing when they seek to have 'unhealthy' workers pay more in health insurance premiums. Companies who choose to go on the route of higher premiums for the 'unhealthy' and discounts for 'healthy' are making the assumption that health status is a lifestyle choice and that all health status is as a result of personal behavior. Is that true?

I think not! I do agree that personal behavior is included in the equation on health status, but there is so much more to our health status as a people. Research has shown that the conditions in which we live, work, and play tend to induce unhealthy behaviors such as:

• being exposed to high levels of stress each day, which can cause reliance on unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking and alcohol as a means to reduce stress

• easy and quick access to fast food and limited access to fresh foods

• limited to no recreational facilities in neighborhoods/communities

• higher prices for healthy food, especially fruits and vegetables, particularly when compared to fast food and junk food.

Our health status is not a result of merely personal behaviors. Our employment conditions, the neighborhoods in which we live, our race, stress, and our health care are all part of the equation. So, discriminating against those considered 'unhealthy' by punishing them to pay more money for health insurance is simply unfair. The only good thing that may result out of this whole thing is providing an incentive to those whose actions are only a result of personal behavior and encouraging those already considered healthy to keep engaging in health promoting ways.

What do you think? Is it fair or unfair to change higher health insurance premiums for those considered unhealthy?

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The Unsettling Truth about Diabetes

Hello Lovely people,

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month!

www.stylemagazine.com

And let me tell you the number are NOT looking good. Diabetes is when the body has a very difficult time regulating its blood glucose or blood sugar. There are two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2

Type 1 diabetes is is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. In this case, the body does not produce insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use glucose for energy. This is the less common form of the disease.

On the other hand, type 2 diabetes is highly prevalent in our communities. If this is the case, the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells of the body ignore the insulin produced by the body. The statistics on diabetes in the U.S. is alarming to say the least:

Total prevalence of diabetes

Total: 25.8 million children and adults in the United States—8.3% of the population—have diabetes.

Diagnosed: 18.8 million people

Undiagnosed: 7.0 million people

Prediabetes: 79 million people*

* In contrast to the 2007 National Diabetes Fact Sheet, which used fasting glucose data to estimate undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes, the 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet uses both fasting glucose and A1C levels to derive estimates for undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes. These tests were chosen because they are most frequently used in clinical practice.
 

New Cases: 1.9 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed in people aged 20 years and older in 2010.

In an article released today by the International Diabetes Federation, at least 1 in 10 adults could have diabetes by 2030! Crazy. The information that was startling for me was that 'according to the World Health Organization, there are about 346 million people worldwide with diabetes, with more than 80 percent of deaths occurring in 'developing' countries.'

My Questions:

1. Why is diabetes growing rampant in 'developing' countries, countries who plagued more so by infectious diseases (communicable) diseases? Many (not all) of those 'developing' countries are geographically located in Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa.
   
   
2. What shift is going on in those countries to cause more than 80 percent of deaths occurring in 'developing' countries?!! Is it simply behavior and lifestyle of the people who live there or is it bigger? Are there structural, social and economic inequalities causing such a divide not only between countries but within countries? What's going on?

Any thoughts or feedback?

www.diabetes.org

Sources:

http://data.worldbank.org/about/country-classifications/country-and-lending-groups

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/diabetes-statistics/

http://old.news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111114/ap_on_he_me/eu_med_diabetes_numbers

http://www.healthycaribbean.org/

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Stay happy & healthy,

Affordable Health Care for All people

MLK said it best when he said, "Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane"

 Access to heath care should be considered a human right for all people. It is sad that often times, we as a people, have to sacrifice our health care due to lack of medical insurance or paying other bills. The health disparity gap in this country is ridiculous to say the least. Still we have not figured out how to increase the health and well-being in some communities.

Health care is everybody's business. Think about it, how ignorant is an argument, which argues for health care for 'me' and not for 'us.' Example, I'm not affected by disease X, why should I care!" Infectious diseases as you know are infectious (no surprise there) and does not discriminate. Therefore, anyone who comes into contact with the flu virus or HIV or TB, whatever the disease, will have an increased chance of  contracting said infectious disease. In the movie, For Colored Girls by Tyler Perry, the Janet Jackson character refused to donate money to support HIV+ women. It was only when she tested positive for the disease that she thought it useful to donate.

Source

We as a people need to support health care for all -- We need to support affordable, quality, and equal access to health care for everyone.

In my opinion, we as a people, as a country need to take more responsibility of our health. More and more of us are dying from and developing illnesses that are highly preventable, such as stroke and certain forms of heart disease. The health and well-being of a person not only affects the individual, but their families, friends, communities, and lastly their country. Our choices today affect later choices in the future; it's just a fact. I'm not perfect, but I live and make choices with my family in mind. Do you?

The Truth about Breast Cancer

October is National Breast Cancer Month and this post is dedicated to increasing your awareness of this disease and educating yourselves on the risk. The more we know and the more we are informed, the more we can make better decisions about our health and our bodies. So please spread the word, talk about breast cancer and take active measures to prevent this disease. Encourage your aunts, cousins, sisters, moms, grandmothers, etc who are over 50 to get a mammogram. (Don't forget that men get breast cancer as well). Most importantly, take active steps to ensure that they do get regular breast screenings by joining them to their doctor's appointment. Be supportive.

 Statistics from the United States show:

• 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime.

• 39,840 women were expected to die from breast cancer in 2010. This is despite a decrease in breast cancer deaths since 1990.

• the most commonly diagnosed cancer among U.S. Women is breast cancer. 
  
  
• About 20-30% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of breast cancer, which means that 70-80% of some women who develop breast cancer, do not have a family history.
  
• The most significant risk factor for developing breast cancer is being a women and age (growing older).

 Source:Komenforthecure

• Women of color, especially African Americans are disproportionately affected by breast cancer. They are more likely to develop this disease and more likely to die from it.

 Good News:

Over the recent years, there has been decreases in breast cancer deaths, as result of treatment advances, earlier detection through screening, and increased awareness. In fact, in 2010, there were more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. 

  What should you be doing?

• If you are over 50, don't forget to take your yearly mammogram screening. If its time to take one, let the month of October be the month that encourages you to do so.
  
  
• If you're in your 20s or 30s and do not have known breast cancer risk factors, a clinical breast exam by a health professional should be part of your regular health exam once every three years. 
  
  
• If you detect any changes in your breasts, you must contact your health care provider immediately.
• Monthly self breast exams are also important to detect any changes with your breasts. 
  
  
• For those of us who are younger than 50, make sure that you are performing self-breast exams. 
  
  
• Most importantly, take the time to think of other cancers and diseases that are just as deadly to you and others around you and look up the facts about them. Be proactive!

***And remember that screenings and tests won't prevent breast cancer or other forms of cancer from developing, but if it is found in its early stages, the chances of overcoming it can be high.

Sources:

http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/understand_bc/statistics.jsp

http://www.womenshealth.gov/minority-health/african-americans/breast-cancer.cfm

Stay informed,

UN Summit on NCDs

How does a government change behaviors to promote more healthier ones? Well, according to NYC mayor, Mr. Bloomberg, the government should engage in policy to change the environment in which we live? Do you agree?

Changing the environment in which we live is one way to promote health and decrease illness. NYC is progressive in health policy. For instance, the New York Smoke Free Air Act bans smoking all city parks and beaches. Doing so decreases one's chances of being exposed to second hand smoke (I personally couldn't be happier). Also, there are restrictions on trans fats in all city restaurants and food places.

Mayor Bloomberg was asked to speak at the summit due to his efforts in working to reduce NCDs and their causes thus far. After a summer working with the NYC Department of Health, I have seen first hand, the many projects that the his Health department has been working on to decrease cancers, obesity, asthma etc. By having the mayor speak at the Summit, the UN is hoping that his health projects could be transferred to other countries of the world.  

Is it possible to use the same tactics by the NYC mayor to other countries, such as countries labeled as 'developing' where their people are suffering the most from the devastating effects of NCDs? You tell me?

For more of what the Mayor discussed at the UN Summit, click here.

Don't forget to Follow, Comment and use the Reaction Buttons.

Photo credit: NYC Dept. of Heath & Mental Hygiene.

Stay informed!

Food Nostalgia

I wrote this piece yesterday evening while revisiting my goals. If you can relate to this, please feel free to say so in the comment section. 

As a child, I rarely ate fast food. Nor did I go out to eat. (Rarely is an understatement...). In fact, eating out at a restaurant was not part of my culture growing up. Now that I'm older, I realize how fortunate I was to have grown up in an environment, where I knew where most of my food came from (which was mostly grown by my mother, grandmother & generations before them). I have been truly blessed with healthy foods while growing up. Part of me wonders that if individuals had the same upbringing would NCDs & health disparities be this prevalent? (Just a thought)

I ate an abundance of guavas, cherries, bananas, mangoes, pineapple, coconut, golden apples, grapefruits, oranges & cashews. I enjoyed plantains, yams, potatoes, cassava bread, breadfruit, fresh fruit etc. This abundance I took for granted, until I immigrated to the U.S. for schooling...

'You never miss the water, 'til the well runs dry' right!

A recent visit to my homeland was met with a host of fast food restaurants....WHAT? Where did these come from & why are they all of a sudden so popular? These are the questions that I ask. What happened to my bake and saltfish? AND why do individuals (mostly young people) have this need for Domino's pizza.

This can't be healthy & I'm very certain this increase in the number of fast food restaurants is contributing to the high incidence and prevalence of diabetes, cardiovascular disease on this small developing country.

Don't forget to visit:
www.healthycaribbean.org and their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/getthemessage.

Discussing NCDs in the Caribbean

www.caricomnewsnetwork.com

While visiting one of my favorite sites(www.caricomnewsnetwork.com) to stay up to date with what's going on in the Caribbean, I came across this article, titled: 'Caribbean-Regional Journalists discussing non-communicable diseases.' Clearly, this article quickly caught my attention so I had to share. The aim of this workshop was to:

“enhance the understanding of the need for interaction between the media and health professionals in order to disseminate reliable health information in a timely manner as well as to form partnerships in order to tackle the growing burden of NCDs,”

Highlights from the article: (My thoughts)

1. I am pleased that this 2 day workshop on NCDs was targeted towards the media (journalists). The targeted audience were not health officials or individuals in the medical field. Everyone should be included in the discussion of NCDs, because it will take a diverse team of individuals, groups & organizations to make change in this critical area. 
2. The article highlighted the worsening health conditions in the Caribbean region due to NCDs as a results of globalization. 

“The Caribbean is the region of the Americas that is worst affected by this epidemic of non-communicable diseases. Already, at least 25% of Caribbean adults are obese, 25%t are hypertensive and the prevalence of diabetes is more than 10% in at least four of our countries.”

“Like the rest of the world, we are facing cultural changes along with the epidemiological conditions which favour a worsening chronic disease scenario. As our societies become more urbanized and our populations become older, physical activity levels continue to decline,’ she said baling “ a significant shift away from traditional home prepared meals”.

I can definitely attest to the cultural changes that is now happening in the Caribbean. Instead of traditional home cooked meals, more & more people are eating out. I was very surprised to see that there had been an increase in fast food joints back home in such a short period of time.

The full article can be found here.

Everyone should know this: Symptoms of a stroke

She was unaware that she was experiencing a stroke, despite the fact that her symptoms were quite noticeable to others. Her face was numb, her speech was slurred, and her mouth drooled uncontrollably. She was confused and scared, but decided to wait the next morning, as it was late in the evening, to seek medical care. That night she tried to go to sleep, hoping that at the first sign of light, relief would come. Unfortunately, relief did not come. Her symptoms had progressed. She had experienced a gradual deterioration of the brain, which had manifested in her inability to walk or speak. Paralysis had set in on the left side of the brain to a 72-year old, St. Lucian grandmother.

source:TopNews.in

A stroke is the cutting off vital blood flow and oxygen to the brain, causing brain cells to die. This happen s when a blood vessel in or around the brain is either blocked by a blood clot or ruptures. Strokes or cerebrovascular disease falls within one of the larger non-communicable diseases, cardiovascular disease. Stroke is not unique to my family or that other families in St. Lucia. It is a global disease that claims thousands of lives ever year.

In a 2002 report by the St. Lucian government, strokes was the third health threat to St. Lucians, after heart disease-- An island at the time with a population of about 150,000. In the United States, stroke is the third leading cause of death. Over 143,579 people die each year from strokes in the U.S. (http://www.strokecenter.org/patients/stats.htm).

Due to the high potential for the occurrence of stroke, it is extremely important to know the typical symptoms of a stoke, so that medical professionals can intervene and reverse its effects. The most widely recognized test that can help save a life of a person is referred to as F.A.S.T. (The Stroke Association, 2009)

Facial weakness- Can the person smile? Has the mouth or an eye dropped?
Arm weakness- Can the person raise both arms?
Speech Problems- Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
Time to call for emergent help or 911

Time is everything when someone is experiencing a stroke. Everyone should be able to understand the symptoms or warning signs of a stroke. You could save a life.

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Don't forget to visit the Healthy Caribbean Coalition at: www.healthycaribbean.org
Facebook page, www.facebook.com/getthemessage.

Do you currently live in the Caribbean?

 Hello friends,

Non-communicable Chronic Disease are collectively the largest killers of all humans today. Chances are if you are reading this, you or someone you know will be affected by one. Here's how you can help. The Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) provides a collaborative approach to combat NCDs in the Caribbean Region. Collectively, NCDs include:

Diabetes

Cancers

Cardiovascular diseases 

Chronic respiratory diseases 

These NCDs all share the same risk factors: physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol. 

HOW CAN YOU HELP to put NCDs at the forefront of health discussions with the United Nations and heads of Government.

Directly from the Healthy Caribbean Coalition:

The Get the Message campaign is a mobile phone text based advocacy campaign in support of the United Nations Summit on Chronic Diseases. Digicel and LIME mobile subscribers in the Caribbean can help by sending a FREE TEXT message of support for this Summit. 

To learn more about this campaign, please visit: http://www.healthycaribbean.org/

Please provide your support.

How to get Coupons for fresh fruits & vegetables

Hello guys,

NYC Dept. of Health & Mental Hygiene

My internship with the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene requires that I work (with a team of course) to increase the consumption of fresh fruits & vegetables in low-income communities throughout the 5 boroughs in NYC.

The Health Bucks Program (as it is called) provides $2 coupons (Health Bucks) for every $5 that Food Stamp holders or SNAP holders spend. These $2 Health Bucks coupons can ONLY be spent on fresh fruits and vegetables at local Farmers' Markets...NOT flowers, NOT bread, NOT cookies NOT drinks....Just Fresh Fruits and Vegetables at a Farmers' Market.

Personally, I love this program and what it aims to do: to reduce the number of chronically & unhealthy communities; thereby, closing the health disparity gap.

Spread the news, refer a friend tell someone whom you know has food stamps. The coupons are a great  incentive!! Think about it: you get MORE purchasing power... More money to eat healthier.

Now if you  DO NOT have food stamps and you would like to know how you can be eligible to get HEALTH BUCKS, just comment on this blog :o) If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Spread the word!

Fitnesss Classes for Free...YES FREE

 Hello guys

Source

For those of you who are NYC residents, there are dozens of fitness classes for free, which are brought to you by Shape up NYC across the 5 boroughs. Here is a description of this free program from the site:

Shape Up NYC offers free fitness classes every week at dozens of locations across the five boroughs. Shape Up NYC classes are taught by expert fitness instructors who know how to make fitness fun. Class offerings are varied and include aerobics, yoga, pilates and zumba. Shape Up NYC is a FREE program. You do not need to be a member of a recreation center in order to attend a class.

Use this link to find out what's going on in your borough!
This is a excellent program for those of us who are looking to participate in physical activity. You can try out certain classes such as pilates and realize that this isn't for you without paying a penny or try out zumba and fall in love, for FREE.

If you participate in this excellent program, let me know what you liked/disliked about it.

Hope this helps,
Take care.

Why are beauty products targeted towards women of color TOXIC?

 I received the book, Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry by Stacy Malkan, from a friend of mine as a present. A few days ago, I read the book in its entirety and was disturbed by some of the information revealed in this book. So, I thought that I should share. :o) Of course, this book is one-sided, in the sense that it geared towards highlighting some the unhealthy and sickening ingredients (literally), which make up some of the cosmetic products that we love and swear by. However, one-sided or not the truth needs to be REVEALED. 

Malkan states, “Of all the products in Skin Deep, those that change the shape and color of hair, such as relaxers, perms & dyes- along with nail products and skin lighteners- have the most toxic ingredients” (p.69). As we all know, all these products are highly targeted towards people of African decent, especially in the United States. For example, Malkan mentions conditioners that are marketed towards African Americans or black women, which contain Placenta. Placenta supposedly makes the hair stronger and more manageable, but at a cost. Placenta containing products contain estrogenic hormones that are linked to breast cancer. 

 

African Americans have a greater rate of invasive breast cancer than white women. Even more shockingly, Malkan (2009) states that, African Americans under 40 years of age are more likely to die of breast cancer than white women and are more likely to die of this disease at any age. WHAT A DISPARITY!

Now unto the topic of Skin Lighteners!

In addition, skin whitening products are HIGHLY targeted towards Asians (Malkan, 2009). Much of this skin whitening agents hydroquinone, which works as a skin lightener by decreasing/preventing the production of melanin in skin. Hydroquinone also helps to fade acne scars and dark spots. However, hydroquinone is a carcinogen (cancer-causing). Therefore, it is very toxic to the skin, brain, immune system and reproductive system. Surprisingly, hydroquinone is banned in the European Union, but it is allowed in the United States, which begs the question: Why is it that Europe is taking precaution, but the United States isn't?

 A Great Tip: Please visit www.cosmeticdatabase.com or www.ewg.org/skindeep/

On this website you can type the shampoos,conditioners, hair sprays, lotions, nail polish or any other cosmetic or beauty product in the search box. Upon which, the website will determine the toxicity level of your product. The website will also give you any information to any none cancer(s) associated with your product, any warnings etc. I highly recommend this site.We should know the ingredients that are in our products. 

Cosmetic companies are concerned about selling products to make money. If we want to be smart consumers, I think we should pay very close attention to the ingredient list in these products. If you are looking for a book to read, I highly recommend this book.

I hope this post was helpful!

Lilia

Scary & 'Deadly' Cigarette Warning Labels Revealed

source:www.fda.gov/cigarettewarnings

In a bold move by the Food & Drug Administration, cigarette makers will now have to show graphic, negative health effects of smoking on advertisements and cigarette packs.

The new warning labels are a result of the Family Smoking Prevention & Tobacco Control Act signed by President Barack Obama in 2009.

Starting in September 2012, cigarette buyer will be presented with new warning labels that depict the negative health effects of tobacco use. These depictions include rotting teeth, diseased lungs, and a corpse among other graphic images. The new law will vividly represent 9 new smoking warning labels to increase the public's awareness of the negative effects of smoking.

source:www.fda.gov/cigarettewarnings

 By law, at least half of the cigarette packages must be covered with the warning label, including the back & front of the packages. The Act also requires that the warning labels be included in cigarette advertisements and must occupy at least 20% of the ads.

source:www.fda.gov/cigarettewarnings

The warning labels will include facts such as:

• Cigarettes are addictive

• Tobacco smoke can harm your children

• Cigarettes cause fatal lung disease

• Smoking during pregnancy can harm your baby

source:www.fda.gov/cigarettewarnings

• Quitting smoking NOW greatly reduces serious risk to your health.

Although, I am not a fan of using fear tactics to bring about desired change, these images may help to decrease tobacco use in the United States.

Please tell me what you think. Do you think that the presence of these graphic images will deter new tobacco users and help existing smokers to quit?

 More information can be found here.