Healthy Communities: Improving Ourselves Inside and Out

Healthy Communities:

Improving Ourselves Inside and Out

Yesterday’s release of nationwide county health rankings prepared by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, paints a detailed picture of community health disparities and improvements. The annual rankings allow people to compare their county with others in the state on multiple health factors set against national benchmarks.  For communities experiencing poor health seeking to improve next year’s rankings, external progress may include: adding more farmer’s markets and urban grocery stores, providing greater and affordable access to health care, creating jobs in high unemployment areas or constructing safer sidewalks for pedestrians and bicyclists.  Such gains could certainly reposition these ailing communities on track to better health in the coming years. So what about health challenges that aren’t easily visible? Scientists at the University of Buffalo have been studying different situations that prompt overeating in children. Studies suggest overweight children who feel left out or ostracized are likely to eat more, contributing to or exacerbating chronic illnesses like Type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol. We  may have add the grocery store but still have a child who fills up on junk food to ease internal pain. First Lady Michelle Obama is addressing this through her “Let’s Move” campaign, yet it needs a community commitment and compassion toward each other to succeed, not one of apathy, indifference. Creating healthy communities will require solutions that heal us inside and out.  

Highlighted Clip for Thursday, March 31, 2011:

"Ostracized overweight kids eat more"

By Nanci Hellmich

When overweight children feel left out or ostracized, they tend to eat more and exercise less, new research shows.

Moving Beyond The Hype & Taking A Closer Look at DC Public School Reform

DC Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee, right, smiles during an announcement that she is resigning, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010, during a news conference in Washington. (AP)

Moving Beyond The Hype & Taking A Closer Look at DC Public School Reform

For a sycophantic examination on Rhee-style school reform, read The Bee Eater by Richard Whitmire.  In his homage to Michelle Rhee, the former controversial chancellor of D.C.’s public schools, Whitmire makes no bones about his appreciation for Rhee’s single-minded focus on teacher quality and arrogant carriage of authority. For Whitmire, the end justifies the means.  But exactly what improvements did the Rhee years produce? Questions have surfaced about the integrity of so-called gains in standardized test scores – the very data Rhee hung her hat on.

Whitmire’s glowing analysis of Rhee’s accomplishments falls short of ironclad.

Highlighted Clip for Wednesday, March 30, 2011:

"D.C. School Reform Under Suspicion After Allegations of Inflated Test Scores"

Washington, D.C.'s school district, which has garnered national attention in recent years for its education reform efforts, is under fire after two schools were accused of tampering with tests to give its students better grades.

Wal-mart: The People’s Self-Inflicted Weapon

Wal-mart: The People’s Self-Inflicted Weapon

Today the Supreme Court justices heard arguments in the largest gender discrimination lawsuit in our nation’s history against the big-box retailer, Wal-Mart. The Wal-Mart Stores vs. Betty Dukes class action suit involves more than 1.5 million women throughout the retailer’s 3,400 stores seeking back pay for practices of sex discrimination and unequal pay.  While Supreme Court justices will deliberate if such discrimination is valid and how to award billions of dollars to the women if vindicated, Wal-Mart continues to push its presence into urban markets like Washington, D.C.  With plans to open a store in each of the city’s four quadrants, DC residents hope to end what seems a common flawed practice with Wal-Mart: paying poverty-level wages, poor benefits and forcing closure of competing small businesses.  Respect DC, also known as “Living Wages, Healthy Communities” is a grassroots coalition telling Wal-Mart, to “Respect DC” by paying potential employees living wages (more than $11.75/hour which is below the Federal Poverty Level of $22,500 for a family of four) and good benefits.  Unfortunately, the very people who shop at Wal-Mart to save money, are contributing to a devastating event beyond the cash register. Wal-Mart has used their mass patronage as a weapon to crush those who can least afford injury. But for those familiar with the story of David and Goliath, we know giants can fall. Here's hoping!

Highlighted Clip for Tuesday, March 29, 2011:

"Justices question next step for massive Wal-Mart discrimination suit"

By Robert Barnes

Even Supreme Court justices who sharply questioned Wal-Mart’s pay and promotion policies regarding female employees expressed concern at Tuesday’s oral argument about how the largest gender discrimination class-action suit in history might proceed.

Also visit Respect DC to learn how DC is responding to Wal-Mart and learn how you can get involved!

Metro Celebrates Birthday With Needed Repairs & Respect For Those Who Make System Work

Metro Celebrates Birthday With Needed Repairs & Respect For Those Who Make System Work

Metro turns 35 tomorrow. Sadly, the system has not aged gracefully because operations funding has not kept pace with steady growth in ridership. In recent times, the region’s public rail system has experienced horrific safety lapses, most notably the fatal Red Line crash on June 22, 2009. Most recently, frozen escalators at Metrorail stations are status quo. These troubling issues rivet public attention – as they should.  But despite the system’s infrastructure woes, Metrorail operators, station managers and maintenance crews go to work each day to keep the aging system moving. They – the workers – deserve our thank-you and best birthday wishes.

Highlighted Clip for Monday, March 28, 2011:

"Metrorail turns 35 on Tuesday"

Birthday celebrated with repairs, not cake. Thirty-five years ago Tuesday, the Metrorail system opened its train doors to its first fare-paying customers.

OMG! Oxford English Dictionary Accepts Online Lingo as Valid Words

OMG! Oxford English Dictionary Accepts Online Lingo as Valid Words

We all use them:  OMG (Oh My God), LOL (Laugh Out Loud), TMI (Too Much Information). These quick, acronyms along with smiley faces (“emoticons”) are used to convey an immediate  emotion or thought. Though quick, sometimes you wish the person would have shared more about why  your statement was so funny instead of “LOL.” Announced today, the Oxford English Dictionary has now accepted this instant and text messaging lingo as actual words. What? Are we reducing our standards by which we communicate? Our busy lives have now reduced us to speaking in acronyms, leaving the human interpersonal communication experience less satisfying. How can we expect the next generation to communicate? Please respond with your recommendations ASAP.

Another recognizable phrase embraced by the Oxford English Dictionary: “Muffin top.” We all know what that is.

Highlighted Clip for Friday, March 25, 2011:

"The Oxford-English Dictionary Adds '♥' and 'LOL' as Words"

The Oxford-English Dictionary just added 45,436 new phrases as words, and among them is the first symbol to ever grace the volume, '♥.'

Why Your Zip Code Matters When It Comes to Your Health

Why Your Zip Code Matters

When It Comes to Your Health

When it comes to health, your zip code may be more important than your genetic code says the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in a report released a year ago in April.  Beyond Health Care: New Directions to a Healthier America reports that poor Americans are more than three times as likely as Americans with upper middle-class incomes to suffer physical limitations from a chronic illness. And middle-income people can expect to live shorter lives than higher income people, even if they are insured. Where you live and how you live intersect.

As America marks the first anniversary of health reform, foes of the Affordable Care Act are determined to stop the ACA in its tracks before 2014, when a number of provisions are poised to roll out. Given the intersection between zip code and health, ending progress would be dangerous for the majority of Americans.

Highlighted Clip for Thursday, March 24, 2011:

"Beyond Health Care: New Directions to a Healthier America"

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Commission to Build a Healthier America issued 10 cross-cutting recommendations for improving the nation’s health. According to the Commission, how long and how well Americans live depend more on where we live, learn, work and play than on medical care, which accounts for only an estimated 10 to 15 percent of preventable early deaths.

Health Care One Year Later: Keep Moving Forward

Health Care One Year Later: Keep Moving Forward

One year ago, President Obama signed the much needed Affordable Care Act (ACA), health care bill into law—a feat long talked about and attempted by others. So where do we go from here? Republicans threaten to repeal the bill, but in place of what? We need to build upon what we have to deliver affordable health care  to families and the uninsured who need it most. The idea of repealing this plan will only delay relief to those persons. We cannot stop the train to address the squabbles of a select few. Yes, the law requires further understanding and education but the worst action we can take is a step backward. Keep moving forward.

Highlighted Clip for Wednesday, March 23, 2011:

"The health care stalemate"

By Rachel Weiner

One full year after President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act (aka the health care bill) into law, public opinion on it has been remarkably unaffected by the massive amounts of spin put out by both sides over the last 365 days.

Two Young Super Stars Driving Social Change

Two Young Super Stars Driving Social Change

Happy Birthday to the White House kitchen garden and Twitter!  The two March prodigies turned two and five, respectively, this week with lots to show for their young years. The garden has influenced the nation’s eating habits. Twitter has transformed the way the world communicates.

First Lady Michelle Obama planted the White House vegetable garden in the spring of 2009 with the help of local elementary school children.  Yielding a constant supply of fresh produce, the garden is a centerpiece of the First Lady’s campaign to end childhood obesity. Obama’s message, one supposes, is that gardening is good for the heart, soul and mind. There’s nothing quite more rewarding than planting a seed, nurturing its growth, and harvesting the fruits of your labor.

Launched on March 21, 2006, Twitter has revolutionized the way people around the world communicate. Creator Jack Dorsey equipped everyday people with a powerful tool to make the globe a better place. 

Highlighted Clips for Tuesday, March 22, 2011:

"The White House Kitchen Garden turns two"

By: Nikki Schwab and Katy Adams

While the first family has been traveling abroad, the little veggie garden in their backyard turned two years old over the weekend.

 

"Twitter turns five: Celebrating the service that changed the way we communicate"

By: Melissa Bell

Five years ago, a message was sent out across the Internet: Sent by Twitter co-creator Jack Dorsey, it ushered in a program that has revolutionized the way news is delivered and credited for spurring on social unrest in the world. Will that tweet go down in history along with Alexander Graham Bell’s “Mr. Watson, come here. I want to see you”?

Exercise: Spring Into It!

Exercise: Spring Into It!

Amidst our world's current chaotic news events, it was refreshing to learn today that spring has officially begun. Spring seems to invigorate ideas, gives us more energy and new goals. A common goal shared among many is, "When the weather warms up, I'm going to exercise more." Now that winter is supposedly loosening its grip, you have no excuse. Exercise (even in small doses) improves overall brain energy, health, sleep and more. Once you start, it's easier to implement a routine. So push away from your desk or television and let change begin!

Highlighted Clip for Monday, March 21, 2011:

"Ever Wondered why exercise is good for you?"

By: Howard Bennett

Have you ever been watching TV or sitting in front of the computer when your mom or dad asks you to stop what you’re doing and get some exercise? I don’t know what you do when that happens, but most parents hear the following words more than they’d like to: “Aw, come on, Dad. I’ve had a long day at school, and my brain needs to relax.”



House Cuts Funds for NPR—Again!

House Cuts Funds for NPR—Again!

For the second time the House has moved to defund NPR; a rider was attached to a short-term spending bill passed last month by the House but rejected by the Senate. This time around, the House Republicans rushed the measure to the floor before its upcoming one-week recess; it passed 228 to 192.  Even if the bill makes it to the Senate floor, it is almost certain to fail there.  Democrats control the Senate, where members of both parties have expressed skepticism about cutting off NPR because it remains popular among many of their constituents.   Is this cost savings or simply politically driven?

Highlighted Clip for Friday, March 18, 2011:

"House Votes to End Money for NPR, and Senate Passes Spending Bill"

By JENNIFER STEINHAUER

The House voted Thursday to cut off financing for National Public Radio, with Democrats and Republican fiercely divided over both the content of the bill and how it was brought to the floor.

Are Americans Prepared for Disasters?

Are Americans Prepared for Disasters?



Not only are there serious gaps  in the nation’s readiness to protect Americans from public health disasters, experts  are saying that most “Americans themselves are not prepared to handle emergencies.”  In fact, family emergency preparedness, the first line of defense against threats to public health are woefully lacking according to a recent survey from the American Medical Association.  The startling finding—only 10 percent of households are prepared for emergencies.  And it’s not just a matter of having the physical items in place, most Americans are not mentally tuned into emergency preparedness. 

Highlighted Clip for Thursday, March 17, 2011:

"Disaster Preparedness: Could the U.S. Hold Water?"

Unlike desperate countries like Haiti, many experts agree that so far Japan, a developed country, has fared well overall in disaster preparedness, which is measured by the country's immediate response following an earthquake and tsunami.

Greater Value on Teaching Equals Better Schools, Brighter Future for America

Greater Value on Teaching Equals Better Schools, Brighter Future for America

The uneven appreciation for teachers in America is astonishing. For many years, we have heard countless calls for education reform at many levels, but those calls have either fallen on deaf ears or have been met with feeble attempts to improve. Now, another report has been released, urging the US to raise its status of the teaching profession so that more qualified candidates from the top tiers of their graduating classes will want to become a teacher.  It may seem like a no-brainer in top-scoring countries like Korea, Singapore and Finland who view their teachers as “nation builders”, but in America, teaching has gotten a “bad rap” for being an easy job with field trips and summers off. Hence, teachers are underpaid and receive little support from their leadership. Some of our leaders seem to have ignored the damage it is doing to our children, but if we want to be able to compete with other nations across the globe, we must place a higher value on this issue, which is so critical to America’s security. 

Highlighted Clip for Wednesday, March 16, 2011:

"U.S. Is Urged to Raise Teachers’ Status"

To improve its public schools, the United States should raise the status of the teaching profession by recruiting more qualified candidates, training them better and paying them more, according to a new report on comparative educational systems.