Posts Tagged ‘Prevention’

Jessica
Gordon

Spectrum Celebrates Men's Health Week

Friday, June 18th, 2010

mhwAs a rising college senior studying Public Health with a concentration in Women's Health, I find myself researching a wide range of women's health issues:  sex education, HPV, cervical cancer, breast cancer, pregnancy, menopause, birth control and much more. In fact, I could probably discuss the HPV vaccine controversies in my sleep! I believe that educating women about their health is a form of women's empowerment.  So, when I set out to write my first blog post as an intern for Spectrum, I assumed it would be about one of the women's health issues described above; however, this post is in honor of the opposite sex - men.

This week is Men's Health Week. As a public health advocate, I appreciate that men take a vested interest in monitoring their health. National Men's Health Week was created to advocate and educate people about early detection and treatment of diseases that affect men and boys.  Those supporting Men's Health Week sport the color blue to spread the knowledge about this important  week to health care providers, policy makers, the media and individuals like myself.  Much like National Women's Health Week, it isn't just a "woman's" issue or "men's" issue - health issues of men and women affect everyone. 

If there's anything that a public health student knows, it's that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."  So, as we approach Father's Day this weekend, I encourage you to wear blue and speak out about men's health issues not only this week, but during the remainder of the year. 

You can find more information about National Men's Health Week here.

Posted in Disease Awareness
By JessicaGordon | 1 Comment »

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mcover
Michael
Cover

In a Pandemic, Early Intervention Can Save Lives

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

As we learn more about the evolving situation with regard the H1N1 strain of influenza circulating around the world, it is useful to look to our past experiences with pandemic influenza to learn and apply any lessons that can help mitigate sickness and death.

Let's call this a tale of two cities...in the 1918 Spanish Influenza epidemic, a minimum of 50 million people around the world died from the flu or from secondary infection. But not all localities experienced the same death rate, largely due to the public health guidance that was followed in that specific area. In the US, St. Louis and Philadelphia had vastly different outcomes, despite the fact that the same strain of influenza infected their communities.

In 1918, there were no influenza vaccines or antivirals and limited international travel. The public health responses were limited to isolating the ill, quarantining houses, closing schools, canceling worship services, restricting the size of funerals and weddings, closing saloons and theaters, restricting door-to-door sales, discouraging the use of public transportation, staggering the hours of business and factory operations, imposing curfews and, in some places, recommending the use of face masks in public.

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Posted in Disease Awareness, Public Health
By Michael Cover | No Comments »

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CGHaupt
Courtney
Gray Haupt

Chronic Disease by the Numbers

Monday, May 18th, 2009

The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) just released its 2009 Almanac of Chronic Disease, which profiles the economic impact of the ever-growing chronic disease epidemic.

I couldn't make it to PFCD's event yesterday at the National Press Club, so I downloaded a copy of the report to read - and immediately shared it with everyone I work with on prevention and public health issues.  The Almanac is chocked full of excellent data on how policy action now to combat chronic disease will not only improve the nation's health but will also make health care more affordable and help boost long-term growth in the economy.

Check out some of the Almanac's numbers:

  • During 2007, the U.S. spent an estimated $1.7 trillion treating patients with one or more chronic conditions - the equivalent of 34 million annual salaries of $50,000.
  • Without change, the U.S. will experience a more than 50% growth in cases of cancer, mental disorders and diabetes and more than 40% growth in heart disease.
  • An obese 70-year-old will spend approximately 20% more on health care over their lifetime - nearly $40,000 - than a peer of normal weight.

To feel the full impact of this last point, you've got to check out the Obesity Map.  A pretty powerful visual on the evolution of the obesity crisis in the US.

Percent of U.S. Adults Who Are Obese

But let me sign-off with at least one encouraging statistic:

  • Spending just $10 per person per year on chronic disease prevention programs would save the U.S. more than $16 billion within 5 years.

 The positive take-home message here is that disease management and prevention strategies work, and a small output now will have a tremendous impact in the future.  Ten bucks each for prevention?  That's a number we should all be talking about.

Courtney Gray Haupt, Senior Director, Public Affairs and Health Policy

Posted in Disease Awareness, Health Policy, New Media, Technology
By CGHaupt | No Comments »

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