14 Oct 2011

In Iowa's Interest: Raising Awareness During October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month

By Rick Martin
by Senator Tom Harkin

If you notice an increased number of pink ribbons, pins or advertisements promoting Breast Cancer Awareness that is because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In honor of this important month, I would like to remind all Iowans that in addition to showing your support during October, also use this time to take action by getting information about this disease. Do not just notice the pink this year, but rather, talk to your doctor, mother, wife or daughters about prevention, and encourage them to get examined.

My passion for this issue comes from a very personal place: I lost two sisters to breast cancer. Unfortunately for my family, my sisters were diagnosed at a time when regular mammograms and improved treatment methods were not widely available. What gives me hope in combating this disease is that now many women have access to preventive services and medical opportunities. In fact, I was proud to champion historic opportunities in preventive care as part of the Affordable Care Act, the health reform law. That law calls for preventive health services with early detection, like mammograms, without co-pays or deductibles. And this is critical since it is recommended that middle-aged women get mammograms on a regular basis. Those who are younger, who are more susceptible or have a higher increase to breast cancer, should also be screened regularly.

Mammograms are also essential to combating the staggering statistics on breast cancer. According to a Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Study, 230,480 women will develop breast cancer this year alone. Early detection is key to spotting and treating cancer effectively and the new health reform law will ensure more women have the ability to get screenings that may save their lives. And the new law will hopefully transform the health system as we know it.

We must also remember that breast cancer is a disease that affects both sexes and their families and friends. Most Iowans have been affected in some way by cancer and know the trials, hardships, and pain it causes for the person and their families. This month, please encourage your loved ones to get the care and preventative services that can save their lives.

For more information on the Affordable Care Act please visit http://www.healthcare.gov/ or http://harkin.senate.gov/.

A PDF version of the column is available by clicking here.

11 Oct 2011

Families That Eat Together Stay Healthy Together, Says TOPS

By Kimberly Greene

MILWAUKEE, WI - With busy schedules full of work, sports, and other activities, it can be difficult to get the family together for a meal.  October is National Eat Better, Eat Together Month, an opportunity for families to start new traditions, make time for one another, and eat healthy.  TOPS Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), the nonprofit weight loss support organization, provides ideas to make time for family meals and reap the rewards.

Enjoy the benefits

According to Martha Marino, M.A., RD, CD, and Sue Butkus, Ph.D., RD, of Washington State University and The Nutrition Education Network of Washington, there are many benefits of eating together.

• Family dinners promote healthy eating habits and are an ideal opportunity for parents to teach their children about nutrition and demonstrate healthy practices.  Kids who regularly eat with their families tend to consume more fruits and vegetables rather than junk food.  Parents can also broaden their children's horizons and introduce new foods during family meals.

• Time together can open the lines of communication between parents and children and help form stronger, healthier relationships.  Family members have a chance to share details about their day, plan, learn about one another, and more.  Table talk also allows children to express ideas and learn new vocabulary from adults' conversations.

• Studies show that eating together can contribute to higher academic performance and improved well-being.  The stability of family meals and conversation are essential for kids as they develop and learn.

• Food dollars can go further with large, homemade meals, rather than fast food or individual dishes.  Cooking one meal and preparing food in advance also saves time in the kitchen.

Put it on the calendar

The calendar fills up quickly, especially as kids get older.  It's important to make family time a priority and set a schedule that will work for everyone.  If there is only one day that works for each person, make it a weekly habit and work up to two or three times each week, if you can.  Breakfast and lunch count as meals, so don't limit family time to dinner.

Prepare meals ahead

To avoid falling into the common excuse that everyone's schedule is too hectic, make meals ahead of time.  Weekends are a great opportunity to compile a shopping list, purchase groceries, and prepare weekday meals.  If you have extra time, cook double servings and put the extra food in the freezer, to be used as a backup for busy nights.

Get the children involved

It's important to engage the kids and have them participate.  Give them the opportunity to provide input on what is served or assign tasks - setting the table, washing the produce, pouring beverages, and mixing ingredients.  Teenagers could even cook one of the meals.

Make it fun

Want to make meals more interesting?  There are many creative ideas that can keep family time exciting.

• Move it outdoors and have a picnic.

• Turn off the television, cell phones, and the computer and have a conversation.  Go around the table and talk about the highs and lows of everyone's day and ask each other questions.

• Plan a theme for different meals - fiesta, dinner and a movie, fondue party, build your own burger or pizza, "favorites meal" (making each family member's preferred dish), and more.

• Take turns planning the meals.  One night Mom or Dad can arrange dinner, and the kids can prepare breakfast another day.  This will get everyone involved with meal planning, and it will give family members an opportunity to be creative.

• Dress up the dinner table, making the occasion seem special.  Use candles, table clothes, fancy dishes, or props for a themed dinner.

TOPS Club Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is the original weight-loss support and wellness education organization.  Founded more than 63 years ago, TOPS is the only nonprofit, noncommercial weight-loss organization of its kind.  TOPS promotes successful weight management with a "Real People. Real Weight Loss." philosophy that combines support from others at weekly chapter meetings, healthy eating, regular exercise, and wellness information.  TOPS has about 170,000 members - male and female, age seven and older - in nearly 10,000 chapters throughout the United States and Canada.

Visitors are welcome to attend their first TOPS meeting free of charge.  Membership is affordable at just $26 per year, plus nominal chapter fees.  To find a local chapter, view www.tops.org or call (800) 932-8677.

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11 Oct 2011

Governor Quinn Announces Next Step in Implementation of Statewide Electronic Health Records

By Katelyn Tye

State Selects Vendor to Develop Electronic Information Exchange

CHICAGO - October 8, 2011. Governor Quinn announced today the selection of InterSystems Corporation as the vendor assisting the state in the next stage of development of Illinois' electronic health information system. After a competitive bidding process, the Illinois Office of Health Information Technology selected InterSystems to develop the technology infrastructure for the Illinois Health Information Exchange. The Exchange will connect physicians and hospitals electronically, enabling the secure exchange of patient health records statewide.

"Building our electronic health information exchange is a major step in transforming health care and helping patients," Governor Quinn said. "Statewide access to electronic records means that vital patient information will be instantly available to doctors and hospitals when it is needed most, improving health care delivery and saving lives."

The development of the Illinois Health Information Exchange is funded through a federal grant program established to allow states to assist health care providers and hospitals with the exchange of electronic health records. Illinois received $18.8 million over four years to develop this capacity, and the first phase of exchange services is expected to be available statewide in April 2012.

Like states across the nation, Illinois is actively participating in federally-funded programs to promote the widespread adoption and exchange of electronic health records.  Delays in sending paper records and the difficulty of storing, retrieving and transmitting paper documents are major contributors to inefficiency and unnecessary cost in health care. In addition to promoting better care, electronic health records also reduce the need for patients to fill out redundant forms and increase patient access to their own medical records.

"The secure exchange of patient information throughout the state is critical to improving health care and health outcomes in Illinois," Illinois Health Information Exchange Authority Board Chair Cheryl Whitaker, MD said. "With the move away from paper records to the electronic exchange of structured data, physicians will get a more comprehensive picture of a patient's health care history and needs, leading to better diagnoses and treatment."

"Financial incentives offered through Medicare and Medicaid are driving Illinois health care providers and hospitals to adopt electronic health record systems in unprecedented numbers," Laura Zaremba, Director of the Illinois Office of Health Information Technology said. "The Illinois Health Information Exchange will help them use those systems to increase care coordination and ensure that proper security measures are in place to protect patient privacy."

The selection of InterSystems Corporation is the result of a competitive bidding process that sought industry leaders in health information technology. The selection criteria included expertise in health information management, patient privacy and security, and competitive pricing.

InterSystems Corporation is the vendor for several health information exchanges in the U.S., including the Rhode Island statewide health information exchange, the Healthcare Information Xchange of New York and the Brooklyn Health Information Exchange.  The company also provides the database and infrastructure for more than 100 health care software applications nationwide, and supplies database technology to U.S. Department of Defense and Department of Veterans' Affairs hospitals.

For more information, please visit www.hie.illinois.gov.

 

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11 Oct 2011

Public access to data on disciplined doctors

By Grassley Press

Grassley Questions Agency on Decision to Shut Down Public File on Disciplined Doctors

WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today asked the head of a federal agency to explain a decision to shut down public access to data on malpractice payouts, hospital discipline and regulatory sanctions against doctors and other health professionals.  The public data file did not include doctors' names, only data that would allow journalists and analysts to track trends in disciplinary actions.  The Health Research and Services Administration shut down the public file after a newspaper reporter used the publicly available information to track down the identity of a doctor who had a long record of malpractice cases against him but was never disciplined by the state.

"Shutting down public access to the data bank undermines the critical mission of identifying inefficiencies within our health care system - particularly at the expense of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries," Grassley wrote in his letter to the agency.  "More transparency serves the public interest. Generally speaking, except in cases of national security, the public's business ought to be public.  Providers receive billions of dollars in state and federal tax dollars to serve Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. Accountability requires tracking how the money is spent."

The text of Grassley's letter is available here.   More information on how journalists have used the public database to inform the public is available here.

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11 Oct 2011

Oct 13th. 2011: Meet Ms. Iowa American Coed: MONICA LACOVITCH who will speak on Depression and Suicide Awareness.

By Narveen Aryaputri
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Independent Scholars Evenings

Ms. Iowa American Coed:

Monica Lacovitch

will talk on

Depression and Suicide Awareness.

October 13th, 2011

At 7.00 p.m.

The Moline Commercial Club

1530 Fifth Avenue. Moline. Illinois.

Monica moved to Davenport from Lexington, Kentucky late September 2009 looking to start over and find a new job after the suggestion from an old college friend who lived in the area.

She currently promotes the platforms of Depression and Suicide Awareness and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in which she is the Quad Cities Honorary walk chair for this year's walk.

She personally has dealt with Depression and mental illness after losing her dad to Leukemia in December of 2004. Monica is now a full time legal secretary for Katz, Huntoon, & Fieweger, P.C. in Moline .

In her free time she works on pursuing the dream of becoming a commercial/print model and recently test 'shooted' with a scout/photographer from FORD Models NYC. Monica hopes something will become of this marvelous opportunity she was given. You can read more about Monica on her blog http://missky4life.blogspot.com/

Monica Lacovitch Ms. Iowa American Coed Will be competing for the national title of Ms. American Coed the week of Thanksgiving November 21-26th. National Miss American Coed Pageants encourage and reinforce the confidence and natural beauty that is within each girl. For more information on this pageant go to www.gocoed.com


light refreshments, wine and beverages are served.

The event is free and open to the public.

Doors open at 6.30

Independent Scholars' Evenings are sponsored by The Institute for Cultural and Healing Traditions, Ltd. a 501(c)3 at state and federal level since 1996.

11 Oct 2011

Spice Up Life with Good Health, Says TOPS

By Kimberly Greene
MILWAUKEE, WI - Spices and herbs can give a boost of flavor to any meal, but they also have health benefits.  With increasing interest in "functional food," herbs and spices have been receiving greater attention for their potential to decrease inflammation, reduce the risk of cancer, fight heart disease, and more.  TOPS Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), the nonprofit weight-loss support organization, along with the International Food Information Council (IFIC), explains how different spices can benefit people who are on their own wellness journey.

Basil

Basil can give a fresh flavor to any pizza or pesto, but this spice is more than just a seasoning.  Basil has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help prevent swelling and alleviate pain caused by arthritis.  It also contains the flavonoids orientin and vicenin that can shield a person's cells from radiation and other damage.  Have a cut or scrape?  Basil has strong antibacterial capabilities and can help prevent infections.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon has a subtle heat that is perfect for baked treats and warm beverages.  Significant attention is being directed toward its potential in diabetes management.  Research suggests that cinnamon may lower blood glucose levels, increase insulin sensitivity, and improve lipid profiles.  Also, the sweet aroma of cinnamon has been shown to boost brain function.

Parsley

Parsley adds flavor and color to meals and is a source of vitamins A, C, and K.  It also has antioxidants and can aid heart and optimal health.

Mint

Found in tea, ice cream, toothpaste, and more, mint is a versatile flavor.  Containing vitamins A and C, mint has antioxidants and can help decrease the risk of cancer.  It can soothe an upset stomach, relieve heartburn, loosen congestion, and help calm.  Let's not forget that mint can also keep a person's breath fresh!

Cilantro

Cilantro is delicious in salsa, guacamole, and salads and has numerous health benefits.  It contains anti-inflammatory properties, is a good source of iron, magnesium, and manganese, and can control blood sugar and cholesterol.  Research shows that it also can help battle salmonella bacteria.

Garlic

Garlic has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral capabilities.  It also can lower cholesterol and the risk of cancer and contains vitamins B6 and C, which fight heart disease.

Red and Chili Pepper

An increase in body temperature or heart rate upon ingestion of a pepper is believed to increase metabolism.  Red peppers contain capsaicin, which accelerates energy expenditure and increases lipid oxidation.  Studies also suggest that consuming capsaicin decreases fat intake.  Chili peppers can fight inflammation and help relieve pain.

Ginger

Ginger provides gastrointestinal and nausea relief.  Recent studies also suggest that ginger may play a role in preventing inflammation, which could be useful in alleviating pain caused by arthritis.  Ginger plays a potential role in cancer prevention with its antioxidant properties.  Its immunity boosting capabilities is another advantage.

Turmeric (Curcumin)

Turmeric, a popular spice contained in curry powder, contains curcumin.  Curcumin gives turmeric its yellow pigment and may reduce the risk of cancer, osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis, and Alzheimer's disease.  It also has antioxidant properties.

TOPS Club Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), the original, nonprofit weight-loss support and wellness education organization, was established more than 63 years ago to champion weight-loss support and success.  Founded and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, TOPS promotes successful, affordable weight management with a philosophy that combines healthy eating, regular exercise, wellness information, and support from others at weekly chapter meetings. TOPS has about 170,000 members in nearly 10,000 chapters throughout the United States and Canada.

Visitors are welcome to attend their first TOPS meeting free of charge. To find a local chapter, view www.tops.org or call (800) 932-8677.

###

10 Oct 2011

MULTIMEDIA: Ames Resident Testifies before Congressional Veterans Panel

By Jeff Giertz

Michael Boone describes work on adaptive sports before Veterans Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity

 

Washington, DC - Michael Boone, the Director of Adaptive Sports Iowa and an Ames resident, today testified before the US House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity about promoting sports opportunities among disabled veterans.  Rep. Bruce Braley is the top ranking Democrat on the subcommittee.

 

"The work Mike Boone is doing is invaluable to disabled veterans," Braley said.  "Adaptive sports not only give disabled veterans a chance to exercise physically, they also help heal the mind and soul.  Expanding the availability of adaptive sports like those championed by Mike Boone will make their benefits available to more veterans across the country."

The committee hearing examined a grant program that funds community-based efforts to assist wounded warriors and veterans through adaptive sport programs.  It reviewed the partnership between the United States Paralympics and the Department of Veterans affairs to promote adaptive sports.

 

YouTube video of the hearing can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-PH8BtixPc

720p high-definition video can be downloaded here: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/21501138/braley.va.committee.10.05.11.mp4

(Note: the video includes Boone's opening statement; it also includes a question and answer exchange between Braley and Boone.)

More information about Adaptive Sports Iowa can be found at: http://iowasportsfoundation.org/Sports/AdaptiveSportsIowa.aspx

# # #
04 Oct 2011

National Living Organ Donor Initiative

By David Rapoport
Did you know...?
  • 19 people die every day waiting for an organ transplant in the United States. Many are from your station's coverage area.
  • There are millions of people in the U.S. who need an organ transplant, but only 100,000 are registered on the government's current deceased organ donor list because there are too few deceased donor organs.
  • MatchingDonors.com has become the world's largest and most successful nonprofit organization promoting and registering living organ donation.
Currently, patients waiting for an organ donation are placed on a national waiting list through the government. A computer system matches patients to donor organs according to objective criteria such as blood and tissue type, immune status, medical urgency and time spent on the waiting list -the average time to receive a deceased organ is 7 to 9 years on this list. This ranking system determines which patients are offered available organs. This process is extremely important in anyone's organ search, but now MatchingDonors.com and the offers a way to enhance the search with a more active approach- the average time a person receives a living organ from MatchingDonors.com is less than 6 months.
Organ failure is rampant in all segments, races and ages across the U.S.  We will be running this campaign from October 4, 2011 until December 1, 2011.  In December we will contact you with updated PSAs. Also, below are the scripts for the PSAs; if you wish feel free to create your own PSA script as you see fit.
If you need more information about the PSA or our organization please feel free to call me at the telephone number below. If by chance this e-mail was sent to the wrong person to air PSAs could you please forward it to the correct person?  If you going to air the PSAs could you please send me an e-mail so we can recognize your station on MatchingDonors.com?
Thank you in advance for your support. Your efforts will directly help us in saving the lives of the millions of Americans who need organ transplants right now and in the future.  Thank you for your support.
03 Oct 2011

Governor Quinn Announces $24 Million Federal Grant to Create Healthier Communities

By Katelyn Tye

Affordable Care Act Funding Will Help Promote Healthy Living,
Control Health Care Spending in Communities across Illinois

CHICAGO - September 29, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded Illinois a $24 million grant to support public health efforts to reduce chronic diseases, promote healthier lifestyles, reduce health disparities and control health care spending. The award, $4.8 million per year over five years, was made through a highly competitive national application process for Community Transformation Grants, an initiative of the Affordable Care Act.

"Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes, are leading causes of death, disability and rising health care costs," Governor Quinn said. "This grant is the result of federal health care reform, and will support our initiatives to help Illinois' citizens lead healthier lives. A healthier population will also help our businesses and boost our economic growth by controlling the cost of medical care and health insurance."

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) was one of only 35 grantees to receive funds to implement proven methods to improve health and wellness. The CDC received 213 eligible applications for Community Transformation Grants (CTG), and awarded a total of 61 grants.

The CTGs focus on three priority areas: tobacco-free living; active living and healthy eating; and quality clinical and other preventive services, specifically prevention and control of high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The grants will support planning and implementation of state and community projects proven to reduce chronic diseases.

The IDPH and its state and community partners will implement "We Choose Health," a statewide initiative to reduce chronic diseases. This partnership includes several state agencies, local organizations, health providers, schools, businesses and other community groups.  Strategies will be targeted toward serving residents in rural counties and racial and ethnic minority groups in urban areas to reduce health disparities.

At the state level, efforts will include increased enforcement of the Illinois Smoke Free Act, promoting breastfeeding and training health workers. At the community level, efforts will be directed to consumers, health care providers, businesses and educational institutions. Programs will focus on reducing exposure to second-hand smoke and discouraging access to tobacco; increasing screening and treatment for tobacco-related illness, hypertension and high cholesterol; improving nutrition; and increasing physical activity.

This grant will dovetail with Illinois' State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP), a prevention-focused, comprehensive approach to improving the health of Illinois residents. In July, the Governor appointed the SHIP Implementation Coordination Council, which will also work collaboratively with the Governor's Healthcare Reform Implementation Council to promote statewide improvements in public health.

To learn more about Community Transformation Grants, visit www.cdc.gov/communitytransformation.

###
03 Oct 2011

SCOTT COUNTY KIDS FUNDS $210,000 IN PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENTS

By Marcy Mendenhall

NITIATIVE PROMOTES SAFETY, OUTDOOR EDUCATION AT CHILD CARES/PRESCHOOLS

Initiatives at 11 Scott County child care centers and preschools, funded with more than $200,000 in funds from Scott County Kids, have created safer and environmentally educational spaces for hundreds of young children.

The awards, which ranged from $2,996 to $40,000 each, were contracted to child cares and preschools throughout the county last fall. Work is now complete.

"These funds provide these quality centers an opportunity to make their outdoor spaces safer, while inviting and encouraging children into learning more about the environment around them," said Marcy Mendenhall, executive director of Scott County Kids.

One of Scott County Kids' goals is to provide environments that enable children to be physically healthy, intellectually curious, emotionally sound and socially competent. This initiative's goal was to increase the quality of outdoor play environments at state-licensed child care centers and preschools.

Through the application process, a child care nurse consultant (also funded by Scott County Kids) offered guidance to help centers determine the best courses of action that would provide a good experience for children and improve quality, Mendenhall said.

At Our Savior Lutheran Preschool in Bettendorf, the $26,723 project involved the installation of a climber tunnel and a sand and water table, as well as an expansion of the playground space. It also paid for learning tools such as musical instruments and arts and crafts items. Volunteers helped with additional funding and elbow grease.

Lisa Piotter, the director of the preschool, said the new equipment will help ensure that Our Savior will be able to maintain its high state ranking.

With the equipment and work provided with the funding, a few of the centers are exploring Nature Explore Classroom status from the Arbor Day Foundation, including Calvary Preschool in Walcott. The initiative recognizes schools and other organizations that make a commitment to providing outdoor classrooms and comprehensive programming to help children use the natural world as an integral part of learning.

Calvary partners with its church to provide an outdoor play space in a garden area, and have a commitment to showing that the preschool "cares and appreciates the beautiful setting we have been given."

"Besides getting necessary fresh air and sunshine, the children will also benefit from exploring nature and watching seeds grow and mature," Calvary said in its application, specifically mentioning "opportunities to dig for worms, roll in freshly mowed grass and smell flowers that just opened."

For licensed centers interested in learning about the potential for funding in the fiscal year beginning July 1, contact Diane Martens at Scott County Kids at (563) 326-8221 or diane.martens@scottcountyiowa.com.

Funding awarded by Scott County Kids

Calvary Preschool, Walcott, $4,653 for mini-bricks, a storage bench, rain gauge, interlocking blocks superset, glockenspiel and aqua blocks

Children's Garden Preschool, Davenport, $15,044 for a custom play structure, fall zone materials, fencing

Scott County Family Y - Bettendorf, $2,996 for supplemental learning tools, including musical instruments

Skip-A-Long, Davenport, $15,752 for outside play structures

Head Start at Fillmore, Davenport, $9,235 for safety requirements, including a fence, fall zone, removal of an unsafe play structure

Our Savior Lutheran Preschool, Bettendorf, $26,723 for outside play structures, including a climber tunnel, sand and water table, and supplemental learning tools, including musical instruments, arts and crafts items

St. Alphonsus Early Childhood Education Center, Davenport, $16,595 for outside play structures, including a playhouse and bridge

Head Start - North Scott, Eldridge, $18,026 for outdoor play structures, including a playhouse and safety requirements, including fall zone turf

Scott County Family Y - Palmer, Davenport, $40,000 for supplemental learning tools, including an art easel and musical instruments, and outside play structures including an activity center and playhouse

Positive Parenting at Trinity, Davenport, $40,000 for supplemental learning tools, including musical instruments and building bricks, and outside play structures, including a balance beam

Scott County Family Y - Downtown Learning Center, Davenport, $21,929 for outside play structures, including a playhouse and bridge, and supplemental learning tools, including musical instruments and an activity center

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