March 2009 National Health Days
In partnership with our member charities, Community Health Charities offers National Health Day email updates to businesses throughout New England. This email is designed to promote and enhance the health and wellness of employees and their families.
To support any of the health charities we represent, be sure to look for Community Health Charities and our member charities this fall in your company's workplace giving campaign. If your company does not offer a workplace giving campaign and you would like to inquire on how to get one started, please feel free to contact us at 800-344-6071 or visit our website at www.chcofne.org.
In This Issue:
American Diabetes Alert Day - March 24th
Brain Injury Awareness Month
Hemophilia Awareness Month
Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week: March 2nd - 8th
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
National Kidney Month
World Tuberculosis (TB) Awareness Day: March 24th
American Diabetes Alert Day - March 24th
The 21st Annual American Diabetes Alert Day is a "wake-up" call to inform the public about the seriousness of diabetes. Did you know that one in five Americans is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes and that approximately 23.6 million children and adults have diabetes in the United States; nearly one-quarter of those do not know they have diabetes? The American Diabetes Association encourages people to take the Diabetes Risk Test which requires users to answer simple questions about weight, age, family history and other potential risk factors for diabetes. The Diabetes Risk Test shows users whether they are at low, moderate, or high risk for diabetes. If they are at high risk, they are encouraged to schedule an appointment with their healthcare practitioner. Diagnosis may come seven to ten years after the onset of the disease so early diagnosis is critical to successful treatment and delaying or preventing some of its complications such as heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, stroke, amputation and death. To find out more about diabetes go to www.diabetes or to take the Diabetes Risk Test go to: http://www.diabetes.org/risk-test.jsp?WTLPromo=alert_day08 Lunch & Learn topics related to diabetes are available. Please contact us for more information about Lunch & Learn and Community Health Charities' Health Matters at Work program.
Source: American Diabetes Association
Brain Injury Awareness Month
Everyone is at risk for sustaining a brain injury. Incidences involving brain injury are generally sudden, unexpected and life altering. It is not determined by gender, race, or age. In fact, the two age groups at highest risk for traumatic brain injury are those between infancy and the age of four and those between 15 and 19 years old.
Raising public awareness of the "silent epidemic" of brain injury will help decrease the alarming number of injuries sustained every year, increase the number of individuals practicing preventive behaviors while at work or play, and change the public's attitude toward individuals with brain injury. A focus of this year's awareness program is one of the most common brain injuries: concussions. A concussion is a brain injury caused by a bump or blow to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Even what seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious. As many as 3.8 million sports- and recreation-related concussions are estimated to occur in the United States each year. Visit www.biausa.org to learn more about the "Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports" program. This program provides coaches, parents and athletes involved in youth sports important information on preventing, recognizing, and responding to a concussion. Lunch & Learn topics related to brain injury are available. Please contact us for more information about Lunch & Learn and Community Health Charities' Health Matters at Work program.
Source: Brain Injury Association
Hemophilia Awareness Month
There are an estimated 1,000 persons with hemophilia in New England and 20,000 in the United States. Hemophilia is a genetic disorder which creates problems in the body's blood clotting system. As a result, stable clots do not form and prolonged bleeding occurs. Hemophilia can be mild, moderate or severe, depending on factor levels in the blood. Contrary to popular myth, persons with bleeding disorders will not bleed to death from a cut or minor injury. They suffer mostly from internal bleeding into joints and muscles. Hemophilia affects males most severely, but we know females can have hemophilia too. Hemophilia medicines, called factor concentrates, are among the most expensive medicines on the market. People with bleeding disorders face life-long physical, psychological, financial, and employment challenges. For patients with hemophilia and families, understanding the disease is only the beginning of coping with it. Hemophilia is a disease that requires constant education, where care changes with the age of the individual. What may complicate the life of a three year-old may not even affect an adult. For more information on hemophilia and bleeding disorders go to www.hemophilia.org and www.newenglandhemophilia.org.
Source: New England Hemophilia Association
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Week:
March 2nd - 8th
Get ready to "move it" during MS Awareness Week. Whether you volunteer, bike, walk, or advocate, every action shows your dedication to the MS movement and helps motivate the potentially millions of people who want and can do something about MS. Multiple sclerosis (or MS) is a chronic, unpredictable neurological disease that affects the central nervous system which is made up of the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. In the United States today, there are approximately 400,000 people with multiple sclerosis and 200 more people are diagnosed every week. Worldwide, MS is thought to affect more than 2.5 million people. While the disease is not contagious or directly inherited, factors have been identified which include gender, genetics, age, geography and ethnic background. No two people have exactly the same symptoms and each person's symptoms can change or fluctuate over time. Most of these symptoms can be managed very effectively with medication, rehabilitation and other management strategies. For more information on MS go to www.nationalmssociety.org.
Source: National Multiple Sclerosis Association
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Despite progress, colon cancer remains the third leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States. The diagnosis of colorectal cancer in high-profile individuals, including Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and baseball players Darryl Strawberry and Eric Davis, has significantly helped raise awareness of the disease. Unlike some other cancers, colorectal cancer is highly preventable and can be detected through early screening. Precancerous polyps, from which colon cancers often develop, can be identified and removed before they become cancerous. Still, people are often reluctant to talk about it. The American Cancer Society's colorectal cancer screening guidelines recommend both men and women, at average risk should have one of these five screening options beginning at age 50: yearly stool blood test (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT), or flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or yearly stool blood test plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or double contrast barium enema every 5 years, or colonoscopy every 10 years. People at increased or high risk should talk to their healthcare practitioner about appropriate screening and schedule these tests accordingly. For more information about colon cancer, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or go to www.cancer.org. Lunch & Learn topics related to colorectal cancer are available. Please contact us for more information about Lunch & Learn and Community Health Charities' Health Matters at Work program.
Source: American Cancer Society
National Kidney Month
Chronic kidney disease is a silent killer because most people feel fine until it's advanced. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of kidney disease, you're at risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD). The need for education on chronic kidney disease becomes more pressing every year. A recent study found that 26 million American adults have CKD and that before being tested and diagnosed, the vast majority were unaware they had CKD. National Kidney Month is a perfect time for health-conscious adults to learn more about CKD and the benefits of early detection. The National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) is designed to raise awareness about kidney disease among high risk individuals and provide free testing and educational information to prevent or delay kidney disease and its complications. For more information about kidney disease go to www.kidney.org. Lunch & Learn topics related to kidney disease are available. Please contact us for more information about Lunch & Learn and Community Health Charities' Health Matters at Work program.
Source: National Kidney Foundation
World Tuberculosis (TB) Awareness Day: March 24th
This annual event commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of M. tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes TB. World TB Day provides an opportunity to communicate problems, solutions and efforts to control TB worldwide. Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that usually attacks the lungs, but can attack almost any part of the body. Tuberculosis is spread from person to person through the air. High risk groups for getting TB are:
Source: American Lung Association
To support any of the health charities we represent, be sure to look for Community Health Charities and our member charities this fall in your company's workplace giving campaign. If your company does not offer a workplace giving campaign and you would like to inquire on how to get one started, please feel free to contact us at 800-344-6071 or visit our website at www.chcofne.org.
In This Issue:
American Diabetes Alert Day - March 24th
Brain Injury Awareness Month
Hemophilia Awareness Month
Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week: March 2nd - 8th
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
National Kidney Month
World Tuberculosis (TB) Awareness Day: March 24th
American Diabetes Alert Day - March 24th
The 21st Annual American Diabetes Alert Day is a "wake-up" call to inform the public about the seriousness of diabetes. Did you know that one in five Americans is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes and that approximately 23.6 million children and adults have diabetes in the United States; nearly one-quarter of those do not know they have diabetes? The American Diabetes Association encourages people to take the Diabetes Risk Test which requires users to answer simple questions about weight, age, family history and other potential risk factors for diabetes. The Diabetes Risk Test shows users whether they are at low, moderate, or high risk for diabetes. If they are at high risk, they are encouraged to schedule an appointment with their healthcare practitioner. Diagnosis may come seven to ten years after the onset of the disease so early diagnosis is critical to successful treatment and delaying or preventing some of its complications such as heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, stroke, amputation and death. To find out more about diabetes go to www.diabetes or to take the Diabetes Risk Test go to: http://www.diabetes.org/risk-test.jsp?WTLPromo=alert_day08 Lunch & Learn topics related to diabetes are available. Please contact us for more information about Lunch & Learn and Community Health Charities' Health Matters at Work program.
Source: American Diabetes Association
Brain Injury Awareness Month
Everyone is at risk for sustaining a brain injury. Incidences involving brain injury are generally sudden, unexpected and life altering. It is not determined by gender, race, or age. In fact, the two age groups at highest risk for traumatic brain injury are those between infancy and the age of four and those between 15 and 19 years old.
Raising public awareness of the "silent epidemic" of brain injury will help decrease the alarming number of injuries sustained every year, increase the number of individuals practicing preventive behaviors while at work or play, and change the public's attitude toward individuals with brain injury. A focus of this year's awareness program is one of the most common brain injuries: concussions. A concussion is a brain injury caused by a bump or blow to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Even what seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious. As many as 3.8 million sports- and recreation-related concussions are estimated to occur in the United States each year. Visit www.biausa.org to learn more about the "Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports" program. This program provides coaches, parents and athletes involved in youth sports important information on preventing, recognizing, and responding to a concussion. Lunch & Learn topics related to brain injury are available. Please contact us for more information about Lunch & Learn and Community Health Charities' Health Matters at Work program.
Source: Brain Injury Association
Hemophilia Awareness Month
There are an estimated 1,000 persons with hemophilia in New England and 20,000 in the United States. Hemophilia is a genetic disorder which creates problems in the body's blood clotting system. As a result, stable clots do not form and prolonged bleeding occurs. Hemophilia can be mild, moderate or severe, depending on factor levels in the blood. Contrary to popular myth, persons with bleeding disorders will not bleed to death from a cut or minor injury. They suffer mostly from internal bleeding into joints and muscles. Hemophilia affects males most severely, but we know females can have hemophilia too. Hemophilia medicines, called factor concentrates, are among the most expensive medicines on the market. People with bleeding disorders face life-long physical, psychological, financial, and employment challenges. For patients with hemophilia and families, understanding the disease is only the beginning of coping with it. Hemophilia is a disease that requires constant education, where care changes with the age of the individual. What may complicate the life of a three year-old may not even affect an adult. For more information on hemophilia and bleeding disorders go to www.hemophilia.org and www.newenglandhemophilia.org.
Source: New England Hemophilia Association
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Week:
March 2nd - 8th
Get ready to "move it" during MS Awareness Week. Whether you volunteer, bike, walk, or advocate, every action shows your dedication to the MS movement and helps motivate the potentially millions of people who want and can do something about MS. Multiple sclerosis (or MS) is a chronic, unpredictable neurological disease that affects the central nervous system which is made up of the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. In the United States today, there are approximately 400,000 people with multiple sclerosis and 200 more people are diagnosed every week. Worldwide, MS is thought to affect more than 2.5 million people. While the disease is not contagious or directly inherited, factors have been identified which include gender, genetics, age, geography and ethnic background. No two people have exactly the same symptoms and each person's symptoms can change or fluctuate over time. Most of these symptoms can be managed very effectively with medication, rehabilitation and other management strategies. For more information on MS go to www.nationalmssociety.org.
Source: National Multiple Sclerosis Association
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Despite progress, colon cancer remains the third leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States. The diagnosis of colorectal cancer in high-profile individuals, including Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and baseball players Darryl Strawberry and Eric Davis, has significantly helped raise awareness of the disease. Unlike some other cancers, colorectal cancer is highly preventable and can be detected through early screening. Precancerous polyps, from which colon cancers often develop, can be identified and removed before they become cancerous. Still, people are often reluctant to talk about it. The American Cancer Society's colorectal cancer screening guidelines recommend both men and women, at average risk should have one of these five screening options beginning at age 50: yearly stool blood test (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT), or flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or yearly stool blood test plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or double contrast barium enema every 5 years, or colonoscopy every 10 years. People at increased or high risk should talk to their healthcare practitioner about appropriate screening and schedule these tests accordingly. For more information about colon cancer, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or go to www.cancer.org. Lunch & Learn topics related to colorectal cancer are available. Please contact us for more information about Lunch & Learn and Community Health Charities' Health Matters at Work program.
Source: American Cancer Society
National Kidney Month
Chronic kidney disease is a silent killer because most people feel fine until it's advanced. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of kidney disease, you're at risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD). The need for education on chronic kidney disease becomes more pressing every year. A recent study found that 26 million American adults have CKD and that before being tested and diagnosed, the vast majority were unaware they had CKD. National Kidney Month is a perfect time for health-conscious adults to learn more about CKD and the benefits of early detection. The National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) is designed to raise awareness about kidney disease among high risk individuals and provide free testing and educational information to prevent or delay kidney disease and its complications. For more information about kidney disease go to www.kidney.org. Lunch & Learn topics related to kidney disease are available. Please contact us for more information about Lunch & Learn and Community Health Charities' Health Matters at Work program.
Source: National Kidney Foundation
World Tuberculosis (TB) Awareness Day: March 24th
This annual event commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of M. tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes TB. World TB Day provides an opportunity to communicate problems, solutions and efforts to control TB worldwide. Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that usually attacks the lungs, but can attack almost any part of the body. Tuberculosis is spread from person to person through the air. High risk groups for getting TB are:
- people with HIV infection
- those in close contact with individuals known to be infected with TB
- people with medical conditions that make the body less able to protect itself from disease
- foreign-born people from countries with high TB rates
- those who work in, or are residents of, long-term care facilities (nursing homes, prisons, some hospitals)
- healthcare workers and others
Source: American Lung Association