The national breast cancer organization selected October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month to encourage women to be vigilant concerning early detection and treatment.
SEPTEMBER NATIONAL CHILDHOOD OBESITY AWARENESS MONTH
According to healthfinder.gov one in three children in the United States is overweight or obese. Childhood obesity puts kids at risk for health problems that were once seen only in adults, like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.
Complications of childhood obesity are:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Liver Disease
- Asthma
- High Cholesterol
- High Blood Pressure
- Emotional & Mental Health
- Sleep Apnea
- Feet Problems
AUGUST NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS MONTH
Vaccines give parents the safe, proven power to protect their children from over a dozen serious diseases before the age of 2. Diseases such as flu, measles and whooping cough (pertussis) can be life threatening to newborns and young babies. Women should receive the Tdap (tetanus, diptheria, pertussis) vaccine with each pregnancy between the 27-36 week time frame.
Children age 4 to 6 need boosters for DTaP (diptheria, tetanus, pertussis), chickenpox, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and polio. At 11 or 12 years of age preteens and teens need Tdap (tetanus, diptheria, pertussis), MenACWY (meningococcal conjugate vaccine) and HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccines. Yearly flu shots are recommended for children 6 months and older.
Young men and women who have not started or finished the HPV vaccine series can be vaccinated through 26 years of age. Meningococcal vaccine is recommended especially first-year students who will be living in residence halls.
Immunization helps prevent dangerous and sometimes deadly diseases. To stay protected against serious illnesses like the flu, measles and tuberculosis adults need to get their shots—-just like children do. All adults get the yearly flu vaccine and Tdap once if not received at adolescence to protect against pertussis (whooping cough) and a Td (tetanus) booster every 10 years. Other adult vaccines such as shingles (caused by the chicken pox virus varicella), pneumococcal, hepatitis and HPV depending on life style and health status.
Vaccines protect not only individuals but entire communities and that is the reason vaccines are such a vital part of the public health goal of preventing diseases.
JULY UV SAFETY MONTH
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun are the main cause of skin cancer and UV damage can cause wrinkles and blotchy skin.
Skin cancer is preventable and communities, health professionals and families can work together toward prevention. Wear sunscreen, hats, UV blocking sunglasses and learn the most dangerous times for UV exposure.
Skin cancer affects people of all ages, including older adults.
POST ROTATION THOUGHTS
Dr. Anna Lovett is a second year resident at the University of Virginia’s Medical School and following are some of her impressions and thoughts she gained while in rural Southwest Virginia.
Spending time working with family medicine physicians in Lebanon and Honaker, VA, through the GMEC Rural Rotation has provided a realistic and refreshing perspective on what it means to practice medicine through serving rural communities and patients in an environment based upon love for God and one another. From seeing coal miners or welders after small accidents that result from their occupational hazards to COPD patients with pneumonia who refuse hospitalization until the family is forced to call 911 to interesting rashes of all kinds on patients of all ages, there have been countless opportunities to expand my understanding of medicine and what it means to practice whole person care in a beautiful setting with down to earth patients with a variety of health care needs.
Thank you, again, for everything. This has been a wonderful and refreshing month! I am grateful I had the opportunity to come to SW VA and have been blessed in so many ways.
Thank you,
Anna
Anna Leigh Lovett, MD
UVA Family Medicine
JUNE IS NATIONAL SAFETY MONTH
A leading cause of disability is injury which is the number one cause of death for Americans between the ages of 1 and 44. Practicing safe behavior can prevent many injuries. Points of interest are:
- Prescription drug abuse
- Slips, trips and falls
- Awareness of surroundings
- Distracted driving
- Keeping safe in summer heat
- Proper use of seat belts
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES IN RURAL VIRGINIA
Behavioral Health in Rural Areas of Virginia – Ralph Northam’s article from the Richmond Times Dispatch
