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Wednesday, 16 March 2016

Princess Health and Public is invited to join discussion about food sustainability systems at UK April 7; will help shape UK's food-systems studies. Princessiccia

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The public is invited to a discussion about sustainable food systems at the 2016 Food Studies Symposium at the University of Kentucky April 7 to "share current learning, build collaborations, identify opportunities, stimulate research and envision an interdisciplinary foods program," a UK news release says.

The panel discussion, "Building a Campus-wide, Multi-stakeholder Initiative/Program on Sustainability and Food Systems Studies: Learning from Our Leaders in the Field," will be held from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 7 in the E. S. Good Barn, followed by a reception.

"Participants will help shape the future of food systems studies at the university," says the release.

Invited speakers include Peggy Barlett, faculty liaison to Emory University's Office of Sustainability Initiatives; Tom Kelly, founding executive director of the Sustainability Institute at the University of New Hampshire; and Jane Kolodinsky, former chair of the University Food System Initiative Steering Committee and chair of the Department of Community Development and Applied Economics at the University of Vermont.

The symposium is co-sponsored by the Sustainability Challenge Grant, The Food Connection at UK and the Tracy Farmer Institute for Sustainability and the Environment. Click here for more information.
Princess Health and Customers of exchanges such as Kynect are more likely to get prescriptions than other private health-insurance customers. Princessiccia

Princess Health and Customers of exchanges such as Kynect are more likely to get prescriptions than other private health-insurance customers. Princessiccia

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"People enrolled in health plans through the Affordable Care Act exchanges are ramping up their use of prescription medications more rapidly than those in employer or government-sponsored plans, according to a new report from Express Scripts, the largest prescription drug benefits company," Carolyn Y. Johnson reports for The Washington Post, which headlined the story "A new sign Obamacare is helping the people who really need it."

"In 2015, people in the exchanges increased their number of prescriptions filled by 8.6 percent, four times the rate of people who receive insurance through commercial plans outside of the exchanges," Johnson writes. However, "The overall amount spent was much lower per person -- $777.27 compared to $1060.75" for commercial plans.

"The rapid uptake of the prescription drug benefit suggests there was a significant unmet medical need for many people gaining insurance through the exchanges, some of whom could have preexisting conditions and may not have previously had access to medicines," Johnson reports. "Before 2014, insurance companies could refuse coverage or charge much higher premiums for people with pre-existing conditions."

Express Scripts handles about a third of the prescriptions paid for by plans sold through the exchanges, including Kynect in Kentucky.


Tuesday, 15 March 2016

Princess Health and March 15th, 2016 Some Changes. Princessiccia

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March 15th, 2016 Some Changes

If you were to go back into the archives, during weight loss mode--the turnaround from relapse/regain, you would have trouble finding a week where I didn't have at least five exercise sessions. Now, in maintenance mode, I've gradually dropped off my commitment instead of developing it further to meet my capabilities. I pride myself on having a very good measure of self-honesty--and honestly, this pattern runs parallel with the old "diet mentality" way of thinking. A perspective rooted in a temporary means to an end. Hit goal, embark on what's become a steady maintenance plan--then slowly drop the commitments along the way. Thank goodness I don't approach my daily disciplines with food in the same way. If I did, I'd be in big trouble.

But what if a slow commitment deterioration in one area influences other areas? It could happen!!  

This is unacceptable.

I do not settle for any lesser commitment with my food plan. I still eat the same way--only more in maintenance. When I wrote how maintenance mode would look very similar to weight loss mode, I wasn't just typing that on the page--when it comes to the fundamental elements of my plan-- I do it all the same, except for the extra 600 calories a day keeping me in a nice weight range--and most importantly, keeping me food sober. 

So what can I do about it? 

I'm making some changes. These changes started this morning. I'm starting very small and working my way up. The plan for me-- before coffee each morning, I must drink at least 1 cup of water and do a body weight strength training routine. It took me three minutes this morning. A cup of water and twenty push-ups. That's it. That's a start. The plan is to work up to 10-15 minutes and at least two cups of water, first thing--before coffee. The coffee is the reward.

Then, if I get in at least four good cardio workouts a week, great! And still--eventually working into other areas of weight training and cardio is the plan. I'd really like to return to spinning class soon--and the pool. I haven't done either in a year or more. Yeah, more, actually!!! Wow. Time flies, huh?

I was about to offer up an exercise accountability and support challenge to one of our Monday night support group members when she stopped me in my tracks during our Monday night session and issued the challenge to me, first! It was awesome!! Accountability and support works. I'm ready to commit to this plan. So is she. It's on.

By the way, there are four spots remaining in the upcoming teleconference support groups! At one point we thought Monday was full--it turns out there's one spot left for Monday nights and three spots remaining for Tuesday nights. Here's the information---simply click the image to enlarge:
To register for Monday, click this link:
http://lifecoachgerri.com/events/0321-accountability-support/

To register in the Tuesday night group, click here:
http://lifecoachgerri.com/events/0322-accountability-support/
 
I'm feeling great about today. I'm loving this exercise plan. And I'm looking forward to experiencing the benefits of this increased importance level. I envision good things.

Tomorrow morning is maintenance weigh-in day at the doctor's office. Then Thursday, I go for fasting blood work--a complete work up of all the important numbers. My follow up to the blood work will come next week. I'm looking forward to seeing how my numbers are getting along.

My Tweets Today:


































Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
Princess Health and A Free Issue of Examine.com Research Digest. Princessiccia

Princess Health and A Free Issue of Examine.com Research Digest. Princessiccia

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Examine.com is a website that provides unbiased information on supplements and nutrition.  They publish the Examine.com Research Digest (ERD), which reviews the latest studies in these areas.  I like ERD because it does a nice job of curating recent science, making it understandable and engaging for a broad audience, and explaining important background information.  They have no conflicts of interest because they don't sell anything except information.  I've been a scientific reviewer for ERD since the beginning.

Examine.com is celebrating its fifth anniversary today.  To celebrate, they offered to put together a custom issue of ERD using five of my favorite articles.  I chose articles I thought my audience would enjoy.  You can download your free copy here (PDF).

If you like it and decide you want to sign up for ERD, there is a link in the PDF, or you can visit this page.  They're having a sale today, so if you're thinking about joining, today is a good choice.  If you purchase through the links I provided, you'll be supporting Whole Health Source at no extra cost to yourself.

If you already have ERD, let me know how you like it in the comments.

Princess Health and 85 percent of Kentucky adults want schools to be tobacco-free, but only 28 percent of the state's school districts are. Princessiccia

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An overwhelming majority of Kentucky adults, 85 percent, want schools to be tobacco-free, according to the latest Kentucky Health Issues Poll.

But only 28 percent of the state's school districts have "protected students, staff members, teachers and guests from secondhand smoke by enacting 100 percent tobacco-free school policies," says a press release from Interact for Health, which co-sponsored the poll with the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. A list of the districts is at www.tobaccofreeschoolsky.org.

"Kentucky ranks 50th, the worst state in the nation, in the percentage of secondary school campuses that prohibit tobacco use in all locations at all times," the release says. "Nationally, 65 percent of schools have such a policy." In Kentucky, such policies are set by local boards of education.

The state's tobacco heritage remains strong. In 2015, 23 percent of Kentucky middle-school students reported trying cigarettes, and 28 percent of high school students said they used cigarettes, cigars, or smokeless tobacco.

The poll found large majorities of smokers, former smokers and non-smokers in favor of tobacco-free campus policies, and support was strong across party lines. The greatest opposition was found among the poor, African Americans, people who haven't gone to college and those who said their general health was fair or poor.

Susan Zepeda, president and CEO of the foundation, said in its news release, "A 100 percent tobacco-free campus policy reduces a young person's exposure to second-hand smoke and allows adults to model tobacco-free lifestyles. Notably, Kentucky smokers understand this important issue. Eighty percent of current smokers favor tobacco-free school policies in their communities."

The Kentucky Health Issues Poll was conducted Sept. 17 through Oct. 7 by the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati. The sample of 1,608 adults has an error margin of plus or minus 2.4 percentage points.

Princess Health and Kentucky ranks fourth nationally in painkiller prescriptions; CDC proposal would limit prescription strength and amount. Princessiccia

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Kentucky has the nation's fourth highest rate of painkiller prescriptions, at about 130 prescriptions for every 100 people, Christine Vestal reports for Stateline. The high rate of painkiller prescriptions is being blamed on a rising rate of overdose deaths, leading health and government officials in many states to call for a limit on the number and strength of painkiller pills prescribed by doctors. (Stateline graphic)
"The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is close to taking the unprecedented step of issuing national guidelines to curb liberal opioid prescribing practices widely blamed as the cause of the epidemic," Vestal writes. "CDC�s draft proposal urges primary care doctors to try drug-free methods to relieve chronic pain, such as exercise, weight loss and physical therapy, as well as non-opioid pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, before resorting to powerful opioid pills. If opioids are needed, the guidelines recommend starting with the smallest effective dose of immediate-release opioids, avoiding more dangerous time-release formulations except when needed." (Stateline graphic)
"Democratic and Republican governors unanimously support the CDC initiative and have pledged to promote the voluntary physician guidelines in their states," Vestal writes. "But the American Medical Association and pain organizations backed by drugmakers are complaining the initiative could make it difficult for chronic pain sufferers to get the pills they need."

Last week the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that five Kentucky clinics�in Richmond, Louisville, Burkesville, Mount Sterling and Whitesburg�would receive $1.8 million to fight addiction to heroin and painkillers, Curtis Tate reports for McClatchy Newspapers. "According to the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy, 1,087 Kentucky residents died of overdoses in 2014, including 204 in Jefferson County and 112 in Fayette County. HHS estimates that overdose deaths from prescription pain medications quadrupled from 1999 to 2013 and that deaths related to heroin increased 39 percent from 2012 to 2013."

Princess Health and Rice Leach, battling cancer and headed for hospice, gets Public Health Hero Award that Fayette health board will name for him. Princessiccia

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Rice Leach
Dr. Rice Leach, a state and national leader in public health for decades, was honored March 14 with the Public Health Hero Award from the Lexington-Fayette County Board of Health, for which he is commissioner -- but is unable to work because he is battling cancer at home.

�When your peers recognize you, there�s nothing like it,� Leach told a crowd at the health department via Skype. �And when your peers you love recognize you, it�s got to be the best.� The board plans to rename the award for Leach, whose outspoken nature has endeared him to public-health officials not as disposed to strong public statements.

The award is usually given in April, during part of National Public Health Awareness Week. "It was presented Monday because of Leach�s medical condition," Karla Ward reports for the Lexington Herald-Leader. "Leach, 75, sent an email to the health department�s staff two weeks ago, updating them about his lymphoma and telling them he would not be back to work. He said palliative care and hospice would be 'not too far in the future'."
Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/counties/fayette-county/article66083207.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/counties/fayette-county/article66083207.html#storylink=cpy

Ward writes, "Leach�s five-year tenure as Lexington�s health commissioner was preceded by decades of work in the public health field that included a stint as chief of staff to the U.S. surgeon general, and international work in Guatemala, Bolivia and Panama. He was Kentucky commissioner of public health from 1992 to 2004; from 2004 to 2010 he was medical director and executive director of the health department�s primary care center."
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