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Bush Says No Funding For Hospitals Who Deny Pro-life Staff

LibertySugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:30:00 -0700

The Bush Administration wants any recipient of federal money given through the Department of Health and Human Services to sign a certification that they will not refuse to hire nurses or other healthcare providers who morally object to abortion or even certain forms of birth control, perhaps including the pill and emergency contraception like Plan B.

The plan would cover hospitals, clinics, researchers, medical schools, and state and local governments. The department's proposal said federal money must not "support morally coercive or discriminatory practices or policies in violation of federal law," which it says ensures that doctors, hospitals, and health plans cannot be forced to preform abortions. For more, including how it could impact rape victims, read more.

Some worry that the proposal defines abortion to include other forms of birth control. And the proposal does express concern over state laws that require hospitals to provide emergency contraception to rape victims.

Is refusing to hire healthcare professionals who won't perform legal procedures based on moral or religious grounds for discrimination or effective management? Either way perhaps the Bush Administration should narrow the objections permitted, so disadvantaged woman who rely on government health services have wide access to contraception.

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NYC Dept. of Health Wants You to Read Before You Eat

FitSugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 03:00:00 -0700

A new marketing campaign from the New York Department of Health has one message: “Read ’em before you eat ’em.” The Health Department is trying to help New Yorkers use the calorie posting rules to their advantage when it comes to making smart food decisions. The advertisements are being posted in 20 percent of the subway cars and I'd be interested to see if the ad campaign really has any effect on anyone. Though I do like that they picked food items that some folks consider healthy like a large apple bran muffin and the chicken burrito.

Do you think that seeing ads like these would stop you from ordering an item high in calories on a menu, or is it just another way for the government to try to control your eating habits?

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New York Warns: Don't Drink Yourself Fat

FitSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:00:06 -0700

New York City is taking a bold stand against empty calories with its Don't Drink Yourself Fat ad campaign. Recognizing that liquid calories can be a diet saboteur, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is advising residents to avoid soda and other sugary beverages.

The campaign implicitly acknowledges that diet soda isn't necessarily healthier - just lower in calories - by recommending water, seltzer, or lowfat milk. The ads are pretty unappetizing, but I appreciate the message. Click on the gallery below and tell me what you think.

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Bone Health Requires Some Specific Exercise

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:00:36 -0800

Turns out if you want to keep your bones healthy, you'd better start young and be specific about which exercise you choose. The New York Times reveals the findings of a new study which indicates that, contrary to popular belief, "any and all activity" may not benefit your bones.

In fact, as researchers investigate the effect of exercise on bone health, it has become increasingly clear that various kinds of exercise produces varying results on bone conditioning. Until recently, researchers believed that the impact of running, or any similar high-impact exercise, would transform the bone, "deforming" it just slightly. As a result of running, the bone would give slightly to the force of the physical activity, and the bone cells would stretch in response and adapt to the repeated exercise by adding cells and becoming denser. But this is not the case. In actuality, researchers have now found that the bone cells don't stretch; instead, when the bone bends, it "squeezes bone fluid" from one part of the bone "matrix" to another, and it's this extra fluid that causes the cells to add denser bone in response.

The key is that only certain types of exercise produce this kind of bone-bending, and the subsequent response to add dense bone-building. Says Alexander G. Robling, an assistant professor in the department of anatomy and cell biology at Indiana University School of Medicine, "large forces released in a relatively big burst” are crucial to building healthy bones, which is why activities like weight lifting won't help bone-bend or produce stronger, denser bones. But the exercises that will? Running, brisk walking at a fast pace, and surprisingly, repeated jumping.

With Teen Obesity, Inactivity Is Only Part of the Problem

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:32:46 -0800

I panic every time I see another "exercise doesn't work!" story - until I read between the lines and learn once again that exercise is a good thing. On the heels of its conversation-starting cover story on the exercise "myth," Time is tackling a new study of teen obesity that claims inactivity is only partly to blame for heavier kids.

Obesity rates in teenagers have triple between 1976 and 2004, with lack of exercise the suspected culprit. But a new report published in Obesity Reviews says that physical activity levels among teens have actually stayed fairly steady. So does that mean that exercise doesn't matter? Hardly, so read more.

Unfortunately, this latest study only looked at activity levels, not eating habits, and the participants were self-reporting on their own habits, which can lead to unreliable data. These figures merely suggest that the increase in teen obesity can't be explained away by teens' lack of exercise, according to Dr. Youfa Wang, the lead author of the study. Here's more:

So does this mean that exercise isn't important in controlling weight? As tempting as that conclusion might be, Wang and other health experts say that's not exactly what the new data show. . . . While exercise may not contribute directly to weight loss, it is critical for maintaining a healthy weight, since it helps calibrate the balance between energy taken in and energy burned off. "The data is too gross, and too general, to assume that [exercise doesn't count]," warns Dr. Janet Walberg Rankin, a professor in the department of human nutrition, foods, and exercise at Virginia Tech. "We need to have a dual approach to weight involving both activity and diet. I would hate for people to take away from this study that activity has nothing to do with weight."

Phew! Thanks, doc. I also hope that's not what people take away from this study. In fact, to me, it says the opposite. If teen obesity is going up because teens have increased their calorie intake without increasing their activity levels, then that seems to say pretty clearly that exercise does make a difference. Do you agree?

Health Nominee Sebelius Has Bipartisan Pros and Cons

LibertySugar — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 10:30:31 -0800

When it comes to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius's ability to be bipartisan, the diagnosis is mixed. As a Democratic governor of red-state Kansas, President Obama's pick for health and human services secretary has worked with a Republican-led legislature. But when it comes to policy, many conservatives will fight her stances like a deadly virus.

National pro-life groups have already expressed opposition of Sebelius, a choice some say is worse than your run-of-the-mill pro-choice nominee. In April 2007, she held an event with a reported late-term abortion provider and his clinic's staff at the governor's residence. Thus, pro-life advocates view Sebelius as an abortion-rights radical.

Besides abortion, Republicans, at least in Kansas, don't seem to agree with her healthcare plans either. She has failed to convince lawmakers to raise taxes on tobacco for increased coverage. During her two terms as governor, the rate of uninsured Kansans have grown seven times as fast in the sate compared to the national average. Still, Sebelius's healthcare expertise is considered one of her greatest assets.

Do you think Kathleen will have a better time getting bipartisan support for reform than the candidate Obama passed over - Howard Dean?

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Health Benefits of Pears

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:00:13 -0700

Apples are in season in the Autumn, but pears are too. The soft, sweet, buttery flesh of the pear makes this Fall fruit one of my favorites. Plus there are so many varieties to choose from - Bartlett, Bosc, and Anjou - that they each seem like a different fruit. These juicy gems are pretty healthy for you, too.

Pears are high in fiber. One medium-sized pear contains six grams, so snacking on a pear can help you meet your daily requirement of 25 to 30 grams. They're a delicious way to keep you regular too, which can help prevent colon cancer. A diet high in fiber can also keep your cholesterol levels down, which is good news for your ticker. Getting your fill of fiber from fruit is also linked to a lower risk for breast cancer.
Pears contain a fair amount of vitamins A, C, K, B2, B3, and B6. For expecting or nursing moms, they also contain folate. Pears aren't too shabby in the mineral department either, containing calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, and manganese. Vitamin C and copper are antioxidant nutrients, so eating pears is good for your immune system, and may help prevent cancer.
Pears also contain boron, which our bodies need in order to retain calcium, so this fruit can also be linked to osteoporosis prevention.

For the other health benefits, read more.

The hydroxycinnamic acid found in pears is also associated with preventing stomach and lung cancer.
It's a hypo-allergenic fruit. That means those with food sensitivities can usually eat pears with no adverse effects.
Eating three or more servings of fruits a day, such as pears, may also lower your risk of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the primary cause of vision loss in older adults.
Quercetin is another antioxidant found in the skin of pears. It helps prevent cancer and artery damage that can lead to heart problems. A recent study at Cornell University found it may also protect against Alzheimer’s disease. So don't peel your pears!

Tell me, what's your favorite type of pear?

Cold Water Works Just as Well

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 03:47:13 -0700

Germs are everywhere. Swine flu, regular flu, our homes, the gym - there's no escaping the little buggers. One of the best ways to protect yourself is still the easiest: wash those hands! If you're like me, you probably believe that the hotter the water, the better. Not so, says a recent study.

Conducted by scientists with the Joint Bank Group/Fund Health Services Department, the study looked at the bacteria levels of participants after they washed their hands in different water temperatures. The results showed no difference in levels between participants who washed their hands in hot water versus those who washed in cold. The scientists went on to say that tepid water is a better choice for hand washing because it's gentler on the skin and it's better for the environment.

I think it'll take me a little while to adjust to this change - something about washing my hands in hot water just feels safer. When you do wash up, though, make sure you always use soap and lather up for at least 30 seconds.

Keep the Bullies at Bay With These Tips

babysugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:00:02 -0700

We all know children can be lil angels, but there are bullies that like to add mischief to the mix. At some point, almost every child comes face to face with a bully. When that moment arrives, it is helpful to know some tips on dealing with the situation. Even better, give your child the advantage by talking about it before he encounters Mr. Bossy.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, children should take these steps when confronted with a bully:

Tell an adult: parent, teacher, coach or neighbor.
Stay in a group - there's security in numbers.
If it is safe, stand up to the bully.
If receiving written communication from him, don't reply.
Join clubs or make other friends where confidence can be gained and safety can be found.

To see what you can do if your child is the bully, read more.

While bullies tend to seem confident and strong, they are often the opposite. Ask them why they tease other children - does it make them feel better about themselves to put others down? Have them put themselves in the other child's shoes and discuss their emotions.

For further tips and videos to demonstrate acts of bullying, visit Stop Bullying Now!

Is This Craigslist Ad Real?

TresSugar — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 03:00:00 -0700

Moving to San Francisco? Well, do I have the place and 'mate for you. It doesn't have any space, but rent's only $680. Now I totally believe this apartment exists . . . but this is either a joke or the most terrifyingly unself-aware person out there. I am almost tempted to go check it out.

Hello, I am seeking a nice room mate to share my 2 bedroom home.

You won't have to pay utilities or do any chores so it's perfect for a young person or a student.

But I cannot have anybody touching or moving my stuff because it would set off a chain reaction of emotions and feelings towards you and towards my things. Hoarding is not a mental illness, it is something environmentally responsible because I don't like to throw anything away. But the San Francisco Department of public health said my living conditions were unsafe and came in and forcibly removed my things I have been collecting for over 40 years. It traumatized me and I have been rebuilding my collection ever since.

Read the rest of the ad and vote on its validity after the jump