Diabetes Update

I am well aware that there has been an increase in Type II diabetes in the last several years.  Type II diabetes is when the cells do not use insulin efficiently and is most prevalent in later years, and typically tied to obesity.   I just read recently that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is concerned with the growing numbers of diabetes cases.  They claim that by the year 2050 cases of diabetes will grow to one in every three people. I wasn't aware of the severity of it until I read this article.   Currently, in the United States one in every 10 adults is diagnosed with Type II diabetes.  This is serious and more awareness needs to be placed on healthy diet and adequate exercise.

Collaboration

I just finished reading the article "Seven Steps to Building School to Industry Partnerships" from Edutopia.  The article supports networking and collaboration and discusses steps in how to build those partnerships between schools and other industries.  I think it is essential in any industry especially in light of these economic times to share resources as I believe it facilitates a more successful outcome regardless of the industry.  Some of the critical steps to building those partnerships according to the article are to find partners with the similar missions and passions, have good leaders and remember it takes time to build strong partnerships. 

Air pollution and health

A recent danish study supports that even low levels of air pollution could result in a higher risk for a condition called COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.  This is a disease of the lungs which makes it difficult for people to breathe.  The study which appeared in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine also stated that individuals who suffered from diabetes and asthma were at greater risk.  Eating fruit seems to be helpful in decreasing risk for the disease. 

Flu Shots

Just a reminder to folks to get their flu shots.  This year's vaccine has the H1N1 strain as well as two other seasonal strains.   Last year's season was pretty frightening with the H1N1 scare and the many deaths associated with that strain.  I just recently read that the CDC stated that a lot of the people that died last year from this strain were also infected with a bacteria that causes pneumonia.  Complications from those infections probably led to many of those deaths.  The following link provides CDC vaccine recommendations.
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/pneumo/default.htm

Binge Drinking

Binge drinking is not only evident on college campuses, but appears to be a huge problem in high schools.  Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that a quarter of high school students are experimenting with alcohol and are even binge drinking.  Binge drinking essentially means that the person is drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short time frame. 

Funding for HIV Awareness

Glad to hear that funding opportunities are increasing and becoming available to support more HIV testing and awareness initiatives.  The US Department of Health and Human Services (hhs.gov) stated last month that grants in the neighborhood of 30 million will boost resources for this important endeavor.  As an HIV test counselor, this is awesome news!!