June 27 is National HIV Test Day - Do You Know Your Status?

This weekend I watched a fascinating movie - Cover a murder mystery filmed in my home town of Philadelphia. It's a mystery with an HIV/AIDS twist and features the main character - a married woman- waiting at a clinic for her HIV test.

The CDC estimates that as many as 25% of the people infected with HIV/AIDS in the US don't know their status. The National Association of People Living with AIDS (NAPWA) started National HIV Testing Day 13 years ago as a way to promote early diagnosis and treatment - and of course prevent the spread to other unsuspecting people. The NAPWA site makes it easy to search for a testing center by your zip code.

You can get tested with complete anonymity at any of these clinics. Or if you want to get involved in any of the public events happening this week in to bring awareness to this issue, there are many opportunities.

Actress and activist Sheryl Lee Ralph and state Senator Vincent Hughes will be hosting a press event to encourage couples to get tested with their “TEST TOGETHER” campaign on Friday, June 27, 2008 to honor National HIV Testing Day at 11 AM at Love Park at 16th and JFK Boulevard in Philadelphia. Look for events like this one in your city and get tested this week. Know your status!

Labels: AIDS, Bill Duke, Cover, down low, HIV, HIV status

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June is National Scleroderma Awareness Week - Foundation Calls for More Research

Scleroderma is a poorly understood chronic debilitating illness leading to hardening of the skin and connective tissue. 14 million people around the world, most of them women, are afflicted with this disease.

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease and researchers suspect hormones like estrogen play a role in its development. It's a disease with no known cause and no known cure - a medical mystery. That's why more research is needed. Here are some stories of women with this mysterious ailment.

Find out about Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma sponsored walks to raise money for research at the Scleroderma Foundation.

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Get Active! Get Outdoors for National Great Outdoors Month

Americans (yes, norteamericanos y sudamericanos) have always been passionate about our outdoor spaces, loving expansive views and wide open places. June is a time to celebrate the great outdoors by participating in a wide range of recreational activities. Outdoor recreation has ballooned into a $250 billion industry in the US. It was great to see a group of young boys packing up their gear into a big trailer today as I walked the dog. I asked if they were going camping.

"We are going to the desert to ride motorcross until Sunday." They looked happy, healthy, confident and fit - much better than sitting at home playing computer games and watching TV for a week. My daughter is going off to horse back riding camp with the Girl Scouts next week. She has to leave her cell phone and computer behind. Give your kids the gift of the love of nature and the physical world. Help fight obesity in children and build self esteem and a sense of well being and connectedness to something greater than themselves by getting them out of doors - even if it's just taking a walk with you and bird watching.

Thank you jakesmome's for use of photo.

Labels: family, fitness, kids, outdoor recreation, self esteem

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June 2008 is National Safety Month - Be Careful Out There

Someone is killed every 4 minutes in the US due to accidental injuries and death, according to the National Safety Council. We can save thousands of lives and billions of dollars by reducing threats to our health and safety in the workplace, at play and at home.

The focus for this week is on what is called The Overdose Epidemic. Abuse of drugs, particularly prescription painkillers, is driving this trend. Never take medication prescribed for someone else and always take medications as prescribed.

Other safety concerns are motor vehicle accidents (MVA). California's new law requiring hands-free cell phone use for drivers over 18 years of age goes into effect July 1, 2008. Drivers under age 18 are forbidden to use cell phones while driving.

Flooding in the Iowa compels us all to be prepared for emergencies. The American Red Cross asks us all to do 4 things:

• Build a kit
• Make a plan
• Get trained in CPR/First Aid
• Donate blood

Make Safety your priority for June - have a safe summer!

Labels: emergency preparedness, kids safety

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It's National Men's Health Week - June 9 to 15th, 2008

Men's Health is celebrated each year in the week leading up to Father's Day. Men's Health is a family affair because everyone is affected by it. You may have noticed that Safeway cashiers are asking if you want to donate $1 to prostate health. Other events to raise awareness about Prostate Health are Wear Blue Day, and health fairs featuring health screenings such as blood pressure, cholesterol, PSA (prostate specific antigen), and body fat.

Encourage the men in your life to make a doctor's appointment this week for preventive health screenings and a physical examination. Boys and men may need help perceiving health care providers as partners in wellness for them.

Senator Mike Crapo has introduced bills to establish an Office of Men's Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Men die, on an average, 6 years younger than women. Men suffer higher mortality rates for the top causes of death, including accidents, injuries, suicides and homicides. The Office of Men's Health will improve men's health awareness, prevention, and research efforts. An Office of Men's Health,much like the Office of Women's Health, will promote preventative health behaviors share information and findings to improve the lives and health of men.

Show your support!

Labels: cancer prevention, health screening, Mens health

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World Environment Day June 5 2008

The United Nations observes World Environment Day today. Everyday we realize the importance of the environment to our personal health and survival. The slogan for 2008 is Kick the Habit! Toward a Low Carbon Economy. Climate change is described as the defining issue of our era, and in the past month alone we have witnessed devastating cyclone in Myanmar, earthquake in China followed by torrential rains and aftershocks, the worst tornado season on record in North America.

The UN urges us to reduce our carbon footprint. Figure out ways to go low carbon or no carbon in your spending and living habits. Use public transportation and energy efficient appliances and electronics. Convert to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) have evolved rapidly in the past decade. They now last between six and 15 years and reduce electricity use by a minimum of 75 per cent compared to a standard incandescent bulb. I rarely have to replace a light bulb since I made the switch. Network with people in your company and community to figure out more ways to be green.

The loss of biodiversity due to climate change is a tragic loss of natural assets for curing diseases. The more we do to protect the environment, the more we do to protect ourselves.

Labels: carbon footprint, climate change, environment

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