Wills News

Vol #1 Healthy Living 1 November 2013

ll people have some capability

an even greater need for health professionals to develop additional skills in the understanding and use of consumer health information. The increase in online health information and services challenges users with limited literacy skills or limited experience using the Internet. For many of these users, the Internet is stressful and overwhelmingeven inaccessible. Much of this stress can be reduced through the application of evidencebased best practices in user-centered design. In addition, despite increased access to technology, other forms of communication are essential to ensuring that everyone, including non-Web users, is able to obtain, process, and understand health information to make good health decisions. These include

to manage their health and the health of those they care for. However, with the increasing difficulty of health information and health care settings, most

people need additional information, skills, and supportive relationships to meet their health needs. Disparities in access to health information, services, and technology can result in lower usage rates of preventive services, less knowledge of chronic disease management, higher rates of hospitalization, and poorer reported health status. Both public and private institutions are increasingly using the Internet and other technologies to streamline the delivery of health information and services. This results in

printed materials, media campaigns, community outreach, and interpersonal

communication.

top of education and awareness, the Minister said that adopting a healthier ducation and awareness are the lifestyle can also prevent further spread keys to eradicating diabetes, of the disease. There is good evidence according to Community and that a large proportion of cases of Cultural Affairs Minister Wayne diabetes and its complications can be Scott. Proclaiming November as prevented by a healthy diet, regular Diabetes Awareness Month yesterday, physical activity, maintaining a normal the body weight and avoiding tobacco, he Minister said: The prevalence of diabetes in our community has grave consequences and affects so many lives and families. From the very young to our seniors, Bermuda has not been spared from the escalation of this illness. We can, however, help the Bermuda Diabetes Association in raising awareness of diabetes as public health problem in our country. This month we have opportunity to get involved in lifesaving efforts to prevent diabetes. On said. The Minister encouraged all residents to become advocates for improving the overall health of our community. Use this month to learn more about diabetes, become knowledgeable about the symptoms of the disease and then get on board with making some healthier lifestyle changes. We can, like the World Health Organization mission, minimize the complications of this disease and maximize the quality of our lives.

he Center for Disease Control puts out a report every few years called "The State of Health and Aging in America". It offers a picture of the

healthy life: 1. Get screened. "Mammography is the best available method to detect breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stage," according to the CDC. Women ages 50 to 74 should undergo mammograms once every two years. Similarly, colorectal cancer screening tests can find polyps in your colon before they turn into cancer, and while they can be safely removed. Older adults should get a fecal occult blood test on a regular basis. You should also get a colonoscopy at least once every ten years, beginning at age 50, on the recommendation of your doctor. 2. Get vaccinated. Flu and pneumonia comprise the seventh leading cause of death among older Americans. We should all get the pneumonia vaccine at least once, and the flu vaccine every year in the fall. 3. Be physically

country's progress in "improving the health and well-being of older adults, promoting prevention... and reducing behaviors that contribute to premature death and disability." The CDC published a report in 2004, another in 2007 and the latest one in 2013. It should come as no surprise to any of us that the leading causes of death for older Americans are heart disease, cancer, stroke, lower respiratory disease, Alzheimer's and diabetes. As an outgrowth of the report, the CDC further provides a guide for older Americans to help us prevent disease and improve our overall health. Here are the six steps the CDC recommends for living a long and

active. Everyone not just seniors should participate in both moderateintensity aerobic activities as well as muscle strengthening exercise on a regular basis. Aerobic activities are those that increase your heart rate, and include recreation like brisk walking, light jogging, bicycle riding, swimming or playing softball or tennis. The CDC recommends sweating our way through aerobics for at least 2 1/2 hours a week. We also should be engaged in at least some moderate strength training, such as lifting weights, resistance exercises, sit-ups, push-ups, digging in the garden or practicing yoga. The important thing is to pick an activity you like and one that fits into your lifestyle. 4. Eat fruits and vegetables daily. According to the CDC, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is linked to a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. The recommended "dose" for people over the

age of 65? Five or more servings of fruits and vegetables every day.5. Quit smoking. Even after all the stopsmoking efforts of the last 50 years, tobacco is still the single largest preventable cause of disease, disability and death in the United States. The CDC offers a stop-smoking toolkit on its smoking and tobacco use page. 6. Take medication for high blood pressure. The CDC points out that over 60 million Americans have high blood pressure, yet fewer than half of them have it under control. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of illness and death among older
adults. We all need to take the initiative to get our blood pressure checked by our health care provider, take our medications as prescribed and make the necessary lifestyle changes such as eating a lowsodium diet, quitting smoking and getting proper exercise.