World Health Day 2024: ‘My Health, My Right’

By Samantha Munro

WHO World Health Day 2024 graphic – My health, my right.”

From its inception at the First Health Assembly in 1948 and since taking effect in 1950, World Health Day has aimed to create awareness of a specific health theme to highlight a priority area of concern for the World Health Organization (WHO).

This year’s theme for World Health Day celebrated on April 7th is ‘My health, my right’, chosen to champion the right of everyone, everywhere to have access to quality health services, education, and information, as well as safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination.

Even though the WHO Council on the Economics of Health for All has found that at least 140 countries recognize health as a human right in their constitution. Around the world, the right to health of millions is increasingly coming under threat as countries are not passing and putting into practice laws to ensure their populations are entitled to access health services.

Thus, the celebration is marked by activities which extend beyond the day itself and serves as an opportunity to focus worldwide attention on these important aspects of global health.

Standing true to its mission, to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The American Red Cross relies on thousands of health professionals to bring our mission to life each day. Talented, practical and generous, these volunteers and bring relief to those impacted by, work in military hospitals, and collect lifesaving blood. They develop and teach courses ranging from disaster preparedness to addressing health equity through the social determinants of health. Red Cross health professional volunteers serve in direct care roles, management, supervisory, and governing roles throughout our organization.

As one can see, the need for health professional volunteers is constant in the fight to overcome the health challenges humanity faces. Are you a nurse, nursing/health student or other health professional? Join Us to Deliver the Red Cross Mission.

Focus on healthy eating habits with National Nutrition Month

By Jackie Faiman

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics graphic: Celebrate National Nutrition Month throughout March. #NationalNurtitionMonth

What we eat may be the greatest single determinant of our health and lifespan. Our nutritional choices, both good and bad, influence how we maintain mind and body and how we fight disease. Yet eating smart is often, in practice, quite tricky. What is a well-meaning but busy consumer to do?

Enter Eatright.org, the web site of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, an information resource on nutrition. Every year in March, the organization highlights healthy dietary practices with National Nutrition Month. This year’s theme, “Beyond the Table,” offers insights into the food production and distribution cycle. Topics range from navigating grocery stores and farmers’ markets to creating healthy food options on the go to decreasing food waste. The site provides tip sheets on subjects such as smart snacking and eating right on a budget.

National Nutrition Month is just a jumping off point. Maybe we want to improve our overall nutrition but are stumped on how to go about it. If so, a simple approach might be the best.

Start with one step. Tackle, say, the goal of eating more plants. How might this translate into daily habits? It might mean replacing a meat-based meal with one built on legumes. This might then prompt a search for appealing vegan recipes on the web, and, in turn, stocking up on shelf-stable pantry items (such as canned beans and whole grains) and robust vegetables (such as carrots, onions, potatoes, and cabbage.)

Or maybe we wish to waste less food and prepare it more efficiently. We might then break down our consumption cycle into meal planning, shopping, cooking, and storage. Simple strategies might include:

• Keeping a running shopping list and buying multiples of long-life items
• Preparing a large quantity of one dish and freezing some for future meals
• Avoiding single-use packaging
• Composting food waste

In other words, a dietary shift is a multi-prong process, and one we are more likely to adopt if the changes are doable and rewarding: delicious food, improved well-being, and streamlined preparation.

If initiating any change is overwhelming, it might be time to seek outside help. Registered dieticians provide nutritional education, menus, and other supports, and their fees are often covered or subsidized by health insurance plans. Eatright.org offers a list of dietary health practitioners at Nutrition Expert Search, and local physicians and hospitals are often able to make referrals.

This month, let us all start of the journey to smarter eating with one small step.

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month

By George Edwards

Prevent Blindness graphic – Glaucoma is irreversible. Early Diagnosis is important. Get your vision checked today and visit PreventBlindness.org/glaucoma.

Our sight is a critical aspect of our health, but we often overlook the importance of taking care of our eyes until it’s too late. Each year, the month of January is dedicated to raising awareness about an increasingly common and debilitating eye condition known as glaucoma.

Glaucoma causes damage the optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. It’s estimated that over 3 million Americans have the disease, and if left untreated it can cause progressive vision loss and even blindness. During National Glaucoma Month, health care professionals encourage the public to reflect about the importance of regular eye exams and preventative eye care measures.

Because there are no early symptoms, it is recommended that adults over the age of 40 schedule an eye exam with an optometrist or ophthalmologist, who can then recommend how often to have your eyes tested. Individuals with medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, those with a family history of glaucoma, and people of African, Asian, or Hispanic descent may need to have their eyes examined more frequently.

All of this may sound a little frightening because there is no cure for glaucoma, but the good news is there are preventive steps you can take to help ensure a lifetime of good eye health.

These include:

• Exercise regularly: Engaging in moderate physical activities, such as walking or swimming, can improve blood flow and decrease pressure inside your eyes. Be mindful to consult a health care provider before starting any new exercise regimen.
• Eat a nutritious diet: Foods rich in antioxidants, such as leafy green vegetables, fruits, and fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, have been shown to benefit eye health.
• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption: Smoking and heavy drinking can significantly increase your risk of developing glaucoma. Quitting smoking and drinking only in moderation is crucial to preserving your vision.
• Wear sunglasses: Ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage the eyes. Invest in a good pair of sunglasses that provide Ultraviolet protection and wear them when you are outdoors.
• Know Your Family History: Studies have shown glaucoma has a genetic component, so It is important to know your family’s eye health history before meeting with your doctor.
• Follow Medication Instructions: If you have been diagnosed with glaucoma, your doctor may prescribe you eye drops or oral medication. It’s essential to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully regarding medication to slow down the progression of the disease.

It is never too early to take steps to protect your eyes. By spreading awareness and encouraging regular eye exams, we can detect glaucoma in its early stages and prevent additional vision loss. Schedule an eye exam and join the fight against glaucoma this January.

‘Movember’ shines a light on men’s mental health

By Haley Heisley

Movember graphic: The Iconic Mo

“Movember” is a a new term I was taught, but definitely not a new concept. 

 Mental Health is huge in today’s generation, and I wish more attention was brought to it sooner! Mental health is affected by so much, including an individual’s career, community, trauma, health, education, family role, income, and environment to name a few. We all know the importance of mental health, but “Movember” focuses on the sometimes-overlooked mental health of men.

Many men hold the idea in mind that they should not show emotion, they should “toughen up,” and to shed a tear would make them too vulnerable. However, the stigma should be destroyed because to repress such feelings only makes them build up, which is more detrimental in the long run. To break this stigma, it is important to approach it from not only an emotional aspect, but also a biological one. When something is proven through the chemistry of our bodies, it may make us feel better to know there isn’t “something wrong with us,” but actually a normal biological process occurrence. Low levels of testosterone are correlated with depression, stress and mood swings in men. 

 When looking at statistics, in the United States, over 6 million men suffer from depression each year even though it often goes undiagnosed. On top of that, 3,020,000 men have a panic disorder, agoraphobia, or any other phobias. When taking a look at eating disorders, an estimated 10% of males experience anorexia or bulimia and an estimated 35% have a binge-eating disorder. When taking a look at suicide rates, often proceeded by depression, the highest rates in the United States are found in Caucasian men over the age of 85 years old and more than 4 times as many men as women die by suicide. All of this stands proven, including how men are less likely to have received mental health treatment than woman in the past year.

 The Movember movement is important in order to raise awareness to this silent crisis and help men let go of the thoughts that with a mental illness they would be treated differently, not taken seriously, or labeled by their illness. It also provides everyone with the resources they can utilize if they feel as if their mental health needs attention. The sooner one begins treatment, the more effective it is. To get the treatment you need and push aside any fears is the most powerful way each individual can help break this stigma, and show the world they are strong to speak up. 

Men’s Mental Health Resources

• Movember.com
• Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988
• Crisis Text Line: 741741
• Mayo Clinic
• National Institute of Mental Health
• Mental Health America

Health Literacy Month: Building Awareness Through Action

By Kyra Cummings

Health Literacy Month graphic: Everybody needs health literacy!

Promoted by the Institute for Healthcare Advancement, October is acknowledged as Health Literacy Month. Healthy People 2030 defines health literacy as “Personal health literacy” and “Organizational health literacy.” Personal health literacy refers to individuals and their ability to comprehend and use information and services to make decisions for their health and others. Conversely, “Organizational health literacy relates to organizations and their ability to help everyone discover and comprehend information to make decisions about their health and others.

Health literacy is pertinent to personal health outcomes. Those with personal low literacy are more likely to have frequent visits to the emergency room, misuse medication, have medical errors, or have weak preventative care for their children. Furthermore, low health literacy can lead to misunderstandings, medical errors, and poor health decisions, while high health literacy empowers individuals to take charge of their health. Health literacy not only affects individuals, but it also affects the healthcare system as a whole. Because low health literacy leads to frequent visits to the emergency room, doctor’s offices, etc., this leads to avoidable healthcare spending.

Health literacy overlaps as a health equity issue and social determinant of health. This leads to increased health disparities among vulnerable and marginalized populations. According to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy, groups who are more likely to have below basic health literacy skills include uninsured individuals, Medicaid or Medicare recipients, those living under the poverty line, people who are 65 and older, and people who are Hispanic or Black.

At times, health literacy can be hard to recognize. It is important to promote and elevate health literacy competency. Improve your cultural competence, use plain language avoid jargon, and make sure written materials are tailored to the audience needed to understand them. Additionally, promote Health Literacy Month this October by spreading awareness and resources.

Do you want to improve your personal health literacy? Donate blood with the American Red Cross! When an individual comes to donate blood with the Red Cross, they get a mini-physical and additional information on their current health status. Schedule an appointment to give by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Want to learn more? Check out these resources from the Institute for Healthcare Advancement:

• Health Literacy Month
• What is Health Literacy
• Health Literacy 101

Blood type: What it is and why it matters

By Nathan Fligelman

Red Cross graphic: Based on your blood type & patient needs, there is a “right” type donation for you. Learn more at RedCrossBlood.org.

Have you ever thought about what blood is and why it’s so important? We all know we can’t live without it. Blood is a fluid in our bodies that has several important jobs. Blood transports oxygen and nutrients to our cells and also helps get rid of waste. Blood is made up of different components: plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. If you are ever in need of a transfusion, it’s important you get the blood type that’s right for you. There are eight primary types of blood, though there can be variations. I have type AB-,which is considered rare. Less than one percent of people in the United States have it. The other seven most common types are A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, O+ and O-.

So how is blood type determined? It all comes down to genetics. What type of blood your parents have contributes to what type you have. In people, blood type can be determined by the presence of specific antigens on the surface of a person’s blood cells. There are two types of antigens: A and B. The AB blood type results from both A and B antigens being present on a person’s blood cells. If someone has red blood cells that don’t inherit either antigen, that’s represented by the letter O.

Bags of donated O- blood at an American Red Cross donation center.

There are two main blood groups: ABO and Rhesus (Rh). The ABO group provides the letter of the blood type. The Rh group determines the sign, plus or minus, of the blood type. Rh is a protein that can be found on the surface of blood cells. If this protein is detected, the person is said to be Rh+. If it’s not detected, the person is Rh-.

When designating a blood type, the Rh does not have to be included; only the positive and negative signs need to be conveyed, along with the antigen-designated letters.

There is no substitute for blood. It can’t be artificially produced. That’s why donors are so critical. It’s a known fact that blood transfusions help save lives. The transfusion of blood from a donor to a patient in need can provide the recipient with a multitude of benefits depending upon their circumstance and condition. But a transfusion can only be completed if the donor has a compatible blood type with the recipient.

Red Cross graphic: Type O- can be transfused to people of all blood types: A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB-, O+ and O-.

Blood types are compatible if the donor’s blood antigens do not have corresponding antibodies in the recipient’s blood. For example, if the donor’s blood is type A, the recipient can not have anti-A antibodies. Type O+ is the most common blood type, and more than 80% of individuals can receive O+ blood.

Type O- is labeled as the “universal donor,” as it can be provided to any other blood type. Only 7% of people in the U.S. have type O-. Type AB+ is labeled as the “universal recipient,” as it can receive any other blood type. The same principles that apply to the transfusion of red blood cells also apply to the process of donating platelets and plasma. The universal plasma type is AB.

The Red Cross maintains 40% of the nation’s blood supply, and the demand for blood is great. You don’t need to know your blood type to donate, but you will learn your type as part of the donation process. If you are interested in donating blood, you can learn more online at RedCrossBlood.org.

Red Cross graphic: Share your good health.