Floridians get affordable health care

Way to go Governor Charlie Crist! The Cover Florida program which begins in January provides affordable health care options to all Floridians regardless of pre-existing health care. The program is a collaborative effort of 25 health insurance companies and the state to assure that every individual who is without health care and desires or  needs it will have access that is affordable and will cover at least the basics. The plans will have a wide range of costs to the consumer but they won't be as expensive as COBRA plans can be. Anyone who's ever paid a for COBRA after being dismissed or voluntarily leaving an employer knows how expensive and unaffordable paying for COBRA can be. It's not universal health care so those who are against that should be happy.

One feature that I think is really good about the program is that it will allow for coverage of preventative services, which is something that many health insurance companies still seem to have a hard time understanding is needed if we are ever to improve the health of the population and reduce health care costs. 

Here's what I think: 

I say KUDO'S to the Governor of Florida! It's about time that an elected official took the health care crisis seriously enough to bring together all the major players in the health insurance game and come up with a product that benefits the residents of Florida instead of benefitting only the corporations. I hope that now residents of Florida will take the time to learn about this program and take advantage of it. Hopefully the governor's office will do what is necessary in marketing the program and getting the word out so that people know it exists and will enroll in the program that best suits them.  Once people are able to get preventive care (checkups and treatment) it may be that Florida will see a healthier resident population. Then the number of uninsured can decrease.

What do you think? Let me know. 

Women and heart attacks

Well ladies and gents, here is one gender gap that we wish didn't exist and according to researchers is still surprising to medical researchers. In a newspaper article for the Houston Chronicle, the report from the journal "Circulation" was cited. It discusses the journal article which is put out by the American Heart Association and reveals that women have two times more of a possibility of dying from heart attacks than men within the first 24 hours of being hospitalized after the attack. 

Why? There are several contributing factors:

• women don't get the  appropriate therapies and surgeries (including aspirin, angioplasty, beta blockers, reperfusion) (Ackerman, 2008).
• there exists among healthcare workers a mindset that heart disease is more of a man's issue rather than a woman's.
• women are not familiar with the symptoms of a heart attack, therefore they are more likely to dismiss them as indigestion, stress, etc.

This study was conducted using data from 420 hospitals between the years of 2001 and 2006. The reporter notes that many U.S. hospitals did not participate in the study, which in my opinion, is scary. 

Here's what I think;

It is time to step up the efforts for educating women. If women still don't know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack then more needs to be done by the American Heart Association, Public Health professionals, medical  professionals and wellness professionals. This is clearly a call to action for community groups, churches, schools, medical professionals and everyone who cares about the women in their lives to do all they can to get educated and informed on the issue and stop heart disease from taking any more lives than it has to. There is no reason why women should not be informed about heart disease or the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.  So let's get to it gang. If you need information here are a few resources: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease and The American Heart Association. Don't sit still on this people. Make up your mind in 2009 to get educated and educate others regarding heart disease and heart attacks.

What do you think? Let me know.

Yes We Can!

It's election day 2008! 

This is a very historical time in the United States. We have the first African-American president. The emphasis these past two weeks has been on early voting and today - to vote. Regardless of who you decided to vote for one thing is certain, if we are ever to make a change in this country we have to make our voices heard and the only way to do that is to vote. Voting for the person who embodies your vision, values and concerns is the essence of what it means to be an American and this year more than ever that point has been made over and over again. 

Congratulations to Barack Obama and his family and the Democrat party! 

In case you missed President Obama's acceptance speech: "yes we can"

The world is watching to see what happens in America and hopefully the results of this election will restore hope and bring change to our country that is so seriously needed at this time for so many. Let the healing begin.

Yes we did!

What are your thoughts on this election and the outcome?

Breast milk for Ice Cream?

This comes from a news story this week relating to an interesting request from PETA to Ben & Jerry's on the behalf of suffering cows, calves and humans. PETA sent a note to the ice cream founders requesting that it use human breast milk for ice cream instead of cow's milk which has been linked to several diseases and illnesses in children and adults including obesity and juvenile diabetes. They also referred to the milking process as "cruel" and implied that milk is a hazard to human health. The chief decision makers and farmers that are responsible for producing Ben & Jerry's ice cream including the founders of the ice cream company responded that the milk they use comes exclusively from cows in Vermont and is "among the safest in the world" (Time.com).  In the article reference was made to a PETA representative who commented that the idea of breast milk in ice cream might be a "bit of a stretch" and "somewhat absurd" even though breast milk is better for humans. However she continued to state that the idea of humans drinking animal milk too is "pretty absurd". 

Here's what I think: 

C'mon guys, breast milk instead of cows milk for ice cream? I understand the intention of PETA to protect the animals and advocate for the health of the population. I understand the need to reduce the rates of obesity and diabetes among our youth and in the population in general. I understand the argument that humans shouldn't be drinking milk from animals. I don't understand why PETA decided that breast milk was the best alternative. Who is the milk going to come from? How many mothers would it take to produce the amount of milk that would be needed for ice cream production? Have they even researched this to see if it is realistic? What about the nutritional composition of breast milk, would it change while undergoing the processing to make it into ice cream? I know that there are mothers that pump their milk for use in situations like going out to work, but what about freezing it and making a desert out of it? Anyone know anything about that? Anyone ever tried? This is a bizarre request guys. Try offering the public sensible alternatives like Rice Milk or Soy Milk or Tofu frozen treats instead of ice cream which will benefit their health by helping to lower cholesterol intake, decrease fat intake and subsequently aid in the fight against obesity. Try advising the public to eat sensible portion sizes of ice cream when they do eat and stop slathering it with tons of gooey sugar laden extras that make the ice cream even more hazardous to their health instead of the ice cream itself! 

What do you think? Post your comments, I'm interested........

Alabama's obesity tax

Well, this is pretty interesting, that the state of Alabama is going to require workers to pay an extra $25.00 for their healthcare premiums if they are obese and don't lose weight. This stipulation will go into effect in January of 2009. Those making the laws think of it as an incentive for engaging in activities that will help lose weight and regulate metabolic processes including blood pressure and cholesterol, such as physical activity and changing their diets. 

Alabama  has the ranking of being second in obesity according to the most recent information from the CDC. There is much controversy surrounding this decision. The state is giving the employees help in this situation, however, opponents voice concern that this may result in added economic hardship for those who are already strapped. 

Here's what I think: 

It's a bit extreme, but, it's an idea that should be considered. Many times people don't change behavior until something extreme happens and they feel threatened. This is a threat! When you hit people in the pocketbook it makes them think twice. But as long as the state is giving people assistance then let's see what happens. Americans spend a large amount of time in the workplace and obesity is a problem so it's logical that the employers of America take action  on this problem and it's about time. The state of Alabama is taking a big step with this initiaive. Maybe other's will follow suit.

What do you think?

Health care and religion

Health care treatment and discrimination. More specifically, health care and religion. Should doctors be allowed to refuse treatment based on religious convictions? The U.S. Supreme Court says they can't. According to the story in the San Francisco Chronicle (8/19/08), the justices handed down a decision that requires California physicians to provide the same treatment for lesbian and gay couples as they would heterosexual couples regardless of their religious beliefs. If they are not willing to do so they must find a colleague in that office that can provide the requested treatment. The lawyers for the doctors protest the decision on the basis that it violates their religious freedom, forcing them to choose their profession or their faith and  that they would have done the same with any unmarried couple, not just lesbians or gays.

Here's what I think:

Doctors are in the business to save lives. Even though there are times when it may seem otherwise, there are those who truly believe that everyone deserves quality treatment and services, whatever they may be. Some procedures are optional and some are required to save lives. While fertility treatments may not be optional for those who are unable to conceive they are not required to save lives so I think physicians should be allowed to exercise their personal convictions in situations like this. Making a referral to another provider would be the decent thing to do. Is it discrimination? No,  after all, if one looks at this another way, those individuals who cannot afford expensive life saving treatments are refused by doctors and insurance companies everyday. These physicians are living according to their moral code. 

What do you think?

Welcome to my blog!

Thanks for checking out my blog. 

Talking about wellness and health promotion are my passion and I want this to be a place where you will find and share your insights on new and unique ways to improve your wellness in every dimension (physical, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, environmental, interpersonal). 

What inspires you to be well and stay healthy? For me it's the ability to live without limitations and enjoy all that life has to offer. It's the energy that comes along with eating good, nutritious foods, being connected spiritually to God, having a great support system of friends and family, exercising regularly, learning new things and taking care of the environment. 

Just the thought of helping someone else live to their maximum capacity is exciting for me! 

Someone once said that you'll never know what you can be until you step outside yourself and attach yourself to something bigger than you ever dreamed you could be. So, I'm attaching myself to whatever is out there that is positive, exciting, inspirational and healthy. 

Join me in that effort and post positive thoughts and information about being well and how you've changed your behavior and how others can do the same.

Ruthy (The Wellness Doc)