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Tuesday, 21 June 2016

Princess Health and June 21st, 2016 Tweets Only. Princessiccia

Princess Health and June 21st, 2016 Tweets Only. Princessiccia

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June 21st, 2016 Tweets Only

It's a "Tweets Only" tonight. Hitting the pillow!

I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget. I remained abstinent from refined sugar. I exceeded my daily water goal. And I actively participated in one on one and group support interactions. Good day! 

And good night!

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Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean

Monday, 20 June 2016

Princess Health and Kids Count report finds Ky. remains in the bottom 1/3 of states for children's well-being; is this a predictor of the state's future?. Princessiccia

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By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News

If Kentucky's future lies in the well-being of its children, there's reason to worry, because a recent report shows that Kentucky consistently remains in the bottom one-third of states for this measure.

The 2016 Kids Count report ranks Kentucky 35th in the overall well-being of its children, down from 34th last year. The state showed a significant improvement in its health ranking and a further drop in its teen birth rate, but otherwise didn't show much change from last year's report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and Kentucky Youth Advocates.

"The real issue is not a drop or increase of one position, but rather that Kentucky continues to be in the bottom one-third of all states," KYA Executive Director Terry Brooks said in a news release. "Are we really content with the idea that two-thirds of America's children are better off than Kentucky kids?"

The annual report offers a state-by-state assessment that measures 16 indicators to determine the overall well-being of children. The latest data are for 2014, and is compared with data from the last six or so years earlier. The report focuses on four major domains: economic security, education, health and family and community security.


Kentucky continues to rank highest in health, climbing to 16th from 24th in 2015, 28th in 2014 and 31st in 2013. Contributors included a continued drop in the number of children without health insurance (4 percent); a 15 percent decrease in child and teen mortality, fewer teens abusing alcohol or drugs (4 percent) and improvements in the percentage of low-birthweight babies (8.8 percent).

The state's greatest drop among the rankings was in economic security, going down to 37th from 32nd last year. Education (27th) saw a slight improvement from the past two years and the family and community (38th) rankings remained similar to the past three years.

The release notes that the state now ranks 10th for the percentage of children with health insurance.

"We are seeing better outcomes for kids in Kentucky, and expanded health coverage and access to quality care play a vital role in making that happen," Susan Zepeda, CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, said in the release. "Research shows that when parents have health coverage, their children are more likely to also be signed up for health insurance."

Another bright spot in the report is that the state's teen birth rate continues to drop. It declined 34 percent from 2008 to 2014. While Kentucky still has one of the nation's highest teen birth rates, it dropped to 35 births per 1,000 girls aged 15-19 in 2014, down from 39 per 1,000 in 2013 and 53 per 1,000 in 2008. The national average is 24 per 1,000, an all-time low.

Kentucky consistently ranks lowest in the "family and community" domain, with 35 percent of its children living in single-parent families; 12 percent living in families where the household head lacks a high school degree; and 16 percent living in high-poverty areas, which are neighborhoods where more than 30 percent of residents live in poverty.

"Kentucky will thrive when policies that support the whole family, caregiver and child, are implemented," Adrienne Bush, executive director of Hazard Perry County Community Ministries, said in the release.

And though the state's education ranking improved to 27th from 30th, not much has changed in these indicators since the foundation started doing this report. The bottom line is that more than half of fourth graders (60 percent) still can't read at a national proficiency level and that the majority of eighth graders (72 percent) still aren't proficient in math. (In 2007, these indicators were 67 percent and 73 percent respectively.)

"Student performance should alarm parents and business leaders and jolt Kentucky leaders into making fundamental education reform a policy priority to ensure college and career readiness," Brooks said.

In addition, more than half the state's three-and four-year-olds (58 percent) don't attend pre-school and 17 percent of its high school students don't graduate on time.

Perhaps the direst message from the report is about the state's economic well-being. One in four Kentucky children live in poverty (26 percent), a rate that has remained higher than it was pre-recession when it was 23 percent, says the release. Nationally, the child poverty rate is 22 percent.

"Growing up in poverty is one of the greatest threats to healthy child development," says the report. "Poverty can impede cognitive development and a child's ability to learn."

The report also says 35 percent of Kentucky's children live in homes with parents who don't have secure employment, which places the state in the bottom 10 states for this indicator. It also found that 28 percent live in households with a high housing-cost burden.

The release suggested "bipartisan solutions" to improve the well-being of Kentucky's children, including expanding oral health coverage; supporting school-based health centers; education reform that includes public charter schools, expanded child care assistance and family-focused tax reforms.
Princess Health and June 20th, 2016 The First Twenty Minutes. Princessiccia

Princess Health and June 20th, 2016 The First Twenty Minutes. Princessiccia

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June 20th, 2016 The First Twenty Minutes

I'm feeling a nice groove of late. I never realized just how much my daily activity falls into a routine, but it certainly does. In this groove, I typically reach 1,500 calories going into evening/dinner. But it goes beyond the calorie budget. The foundational support I need each day starts as soon as I open my eyes.

The alarm clock sounds at 4:30am on a workday. I practice some meditation and prayer, start the coffee, complete two sets of ten push-ups and two sets of ten squats, then it's down with the two cups of water before I allow the first cup of coffee. This all happens in the first twenty minutes of my day.

And that, to me, is the foundation for the rest of my day's groove. Taking better care of my schedule--managing my time better, getting more rest--these are things that will continue to support and protect that very important twenty-minute period.

I've had plenty of days when I didn't get enough sleep--and I wake up late--and everything gets rushed. On those days, I'll do the absolute minimum--and on those days, not surprisingly, I find the most challenges.

I'm connecting the dots. I'm investigating my routines on a deeper level and this study is giving me some incredibly positive vibes as I proceed in this thing called maintenance mode. And really, it's just, my life.

I've maintained the integrity of my calorie budget, I've remained abstinent from refined sugar, I will meet my water goal today and I've been active in one on one and group support interactions. Today's been a really good day.

I'm planning a great dinner and a fantastic bedtime.

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Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean

Princess Health and Health Disclaimer. Princessiccia

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Dear Visitor,

This website was built for our ZUMBA-customers, and we share health related articles here, to help everyone make better choices.

All material on this website is provided for your information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this information; instead, readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being.

The information and opinions expressed here are believed to be accurate, based on the best judgement available to the authors. In addition, the information and opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of every Zumba instructor at Dance & Health. Dance & Health acknowledges occasional differences in opinion and welcomes the exchange of different viewpoints. 

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Princess Health and A Plea from a Traveling Blogger. Princessiccia

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             Princess Health and A Plea from a Traveling Blogger. Princessiccia


A thousand apologies - since the Society for Medical Decision Making meeting in London, we have been traveling in the UK, and I have been unable to find the time to post on the blog.  But in exchange we have caught up with good old friends, met lovely people, and seen fabulous sights and beautiful country.  I plan to return very soon, and then after much catching up, will then resume normal activity.

But a reminder - a comment on our latest post suggested that Health Care Renewal does good work, but requires more effort.

Yet, all our blog posts are written by volunteers who have day jobs or are retired.  At the moment, we have no real budget, no paid staff, no investigators, no researchers, no paid legal counsel, much less communications and public relations specialists.  If more effort is required, it may have to come from YOU, dear readers.  If you think that casting light on the issues we discuss is important, and taking action to improve health care dysfunction is more important, YOU also need to do something.

Of course, we would greatly appreciate contributions to FIRM -  the Foundation for Integrity and Responsibility in Medicine, the tiny non-profit organization which we formed to provide support to the blog and similar dissemination, education and advocacy efforts to address health care dysfunction.  FIRM is a US 501(c)3 non-profit and so contributions are deductible in the US to the extent provided by law.  You can send contributions to FIRM at 16 Cutler St, Suite 104, Warren, RI, 02885, USA.  Or email me (info at firmfound dot org) with questions.

If FIRM had real money, maybe we could develop a staff and do a lot more to shine light on the dark side.  However, what is really required is effort by more than one organization and a few volunteer bloggers.   Consider doing something yourself.  Write a guest blog post for us, start your own blog, write a letter to the editor, an op-ed, or a journal article.  Write your legislator.  Meet with your legislator's staff.  Organize a group of like minded people and do something organized.  If you are a health professional, try to do your work in a way that will address health care dysfunction.

Howwever, do not expect it to be easy.  There are many people personally enriching themselves through the current system.  They will do all they can to preserve the status quo.  They may command vast marketing, public relations, lobbying, and legal resources (all ultimately paid using other peoples' - often your - money) to maintain the status quo.

Saying something to combat the anechoic effect is hard.  Doing something is harder.  But if we don't do something, it will all get worse.

Sunday, 19 June 2016

Princess Health and June 19th, 2016 Something We Practice. Princessiccia

Princess Health and June 19th, 2016 Something We Practice. Princessiccia

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June 19th, 2016 Something We Practice

No alarm on my Father's Day morning was a perfect way to start a wonderful day.
photo IMG_7411_zpslcou7tpm.jpg
Amber treated me to a Father's Day lunch followed by a trip back to her house for gifts. We also watched a good documentary. My youngest daughter has been working so much lately, she wasn't able to make it over (she lives in another town), but she wished me a happy father's day, too. The love of my two daughters is the greatest. I'm blessed and immensely grateful.

I'm getting to bed a little later than I wanted. But much earlier than not too long ago. I'm truly improving!

I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, I remained abstinent from refined sugar, I tried something new in the kitchen, I engaged in a few support exchanges, I exceeded my daily water goal and I worked out on the elliptical at the gym.

Today was great. When it's like this, everything is easier to navigate. Staying connected in support--even on great days, is critically important, because it makes it easier when things get tough. I found an excerpt from January 15th's blog post where it wasn't such a good day. I like some of the thoughts in this--so I decided to republish, in case you missed it the first time:

From January 15, 2016--

The Live-Tweet feed shows the food/water/exercise of my fundamental elements stream, but it doesn't show the most important parts of the fundamental elements. It doesn't show the short meditation or the prayer and it doesn't show the support call and support text messages that play an important role always, especially on a day like today.

My life stream was giving me its best today. And by best, I mean not so good sides. I was challenged with high stress in a few different areas. When the stress level goes up, I get emotional--add being tired to the mix, and it makes for a very unpleasant experience. Instability was at every turn today.

And I know food doesn't fix these things. It can't. That's not food's job. But those thoughts creep into my head just like always. I know it's critical when I start assessing the potential damage of an all out crash and burn. 

Isn't that interesting? Even though it's not a feeling, it's indeed a fact that crashing and burning, landing face first in a binge, wouldn't solve or make better one single thing...and further--even though I'm experienced enough along this road to know full well that not only is excess food incapable of helping me--only distracting me, it actually will do the opposite of help. And the depth of damage mentally and emotionally--not to mention bio-chemically, is potentially staggering. I still flirt with those thoughts. Maybe interesting isn't the word. More like scary or sobering. If you think this is a flare of over-dramatics, think about this...

My 164 pound regain started with a single binge. 

I've said it time and time again--and I will write it time and time again, none of us--not me, not you--not a single one of us is immune from relapse/regain. Not a single one of us ever has this "figured out." This isn't something "we got." 

It is only something we practice.

In this application, practice doesn't make perfect. I don't believe in perfect. I've often said, striving for perfection is the quickest detour to disappointment. It's a practice that elevates awareness each day. Our awareness can give us pause in critical situations. And in that pause we decide which way to turn.

I was looking the other way for a few. Yeah--I remember those streets of carelessness. And sometimes the most attractive thing isn't the food, it's the carelessness--it's the allure of "I don't care anymore." But I know I do care. And really, if you're caving to that allure, make darn sure you really don't care, or the mental and emotional consequences are super rough. I do care. A lot.

I turned in the right direction today. Thank God.

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Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean

Princess Health and Dangers of HIV and hepatitis from intravenous drug use reach far beyond addicts and families, threatening a wide swath of Ky.. Princessiccia

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The growing use of heroin and the abuse of prescription painkillers in Kentucky also mean that the state "is being ravaged by the diseases that follow in their wake: hepatitis and HIV. These dangers also reach far beyond addicts and their families, threatening a wide swath of the population," Laura Ungar reports for The Courier-Journal.

Kentucky has one-fourth of the 220 U.S. counties that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had judged to be at high risk for outbreaks of HIV and hepatitis C among intravenous drug users, Ungar notes in the second installment of a three-part series on heroin in Kentucky and adjoining states.
"Acute hepatitis B rose 114 percent in Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia from 2009 to 2013, even as incidence remained stable nationally, according to one study," she reports. "According to another study, the rate of new hepatitis C cases among people 30 and younger more than tripled from 2006 to 2012 in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. More recently, cases of acute hepatitis B and C in Kentucky reached 281 last year, up from 120 in 2003."

Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, told Ungar that hepatitis C has become the top cause of death from reportable infectious diseases in the U.S., and an HIV outbreak in Austin and Scott County, Indiana, �was a wake-up call� for the country. Ungar notes, "Addicts may also be spreading both diseases without knowing it. Up to three in four people with hepatitis C, and one in eight with HIV, don�t know they have it, experts say."

Dr. William Cooke, an Austin physician "who treats dozens of patients with HIV and hepatitis, said many communities are ill-equipped to handle the threat," Ungar writes. "All over the region and nation, he said, there�s too little substance abuse treatment, too little emphasis on the poverty that often accompanies addiction and too little compassion."

Kentucky has authorized needle exchanges where addicts can get clean syringes to avoid the threat of infection from contaminated needles. "Officials say needle exchanges are an important part of a comprehensive strategy to control disease," Ungar notes. "But critics argue these programs enable drug use, and many area residents reject the idea of using public money to fund them. So the prospect of more syringe exchanges in the region remains uncertain."

Ungar gives the basics of how the diseases spread: "HIV, which can be transmitted through semen and other bodily fluids in addition to blood, is mainly spread by having unprotected vaginal or anal sex with someone who has HIV, or sharing used needles, which can harbor live viruses for up to 42 days. But it also can be transmitted to health care workers by needle sticks, or from mother to child during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding, especially if the mom isn't taking medicine.

"Hepatitis B and C, which are caused by separate viruses, are easier to catch than HIV because there are higher levels of virus in the blood. Hepatitis B is more often contracted through sex or accidental needle sticks than hepatitis C, but both types are commonly spread by sharing tainted needles."
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