Health & Wellness Expo 2009 January 24, 2009
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Showing You How To Get Fit
Health & Wellness Expo returns to Stonecrest on Jan. 31
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2009 Health & Wellness Expo at mall has lots to offer Expo goers stop by the DeKalb Medical booth at the Health& Wellness Expo last year. At the 2009 Expo, DeKalb Medical will offer free screenings for diabetes, hypertension and body mass index.
2346 Candler Road Decatur, GA 30032 404-284-1888 Fax: 404-284-5007 www.crossroadsnews.com editor@crossroadsnews.com
The Health and Wellness Expo Special Section is a publication of CrossRoadsNews Inc., East Metro Atlanta’s award-winning weekly newspaper. Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker Graphics Editor Curtis Parker Graphic Design Sharif Ffrench Reporters Corey M. Edwards McKenzie Jackson Jennifer Ffrench Parker
© 2009 CrossRoadsNews, Inc. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reprinted without written permission of the publisher.
The 2009 Health & Wellness Expo will be rolling into the Mall at Stonecrest on Jan. 31 with dozens of health care exhibitors offering information and free screenings to encourage adults and children to stay healthy. The expo, which is in its fourth year, will be on the lower level of the mall from noon to 5 p.m. More than 40 exhibitors including hospitals, health centers, physicians, dentists and other health care professionals, health insurers, training institutes and government agencies will discuss and offer resources on some of the health issues that plague our community. Jennifer Parker, editor and publisher of
CrossRoadsNews, which presents the annual event at the 1.3 million-square-foot Lithonia mall, says the Health & Wellness Expo is East Metro Atlanta’s largest gathering in celebration of health and wellness. “Since its launch in 2006, the Health & Wellness Expo has attracted between 7,500 and 10,000 people to the mall every January,” Parker said. “It is a great place for people to educate themselves about health issues and become motivated to take better care of themselves.” Parker said that CrossRoadsNews and the expo’s title sponsors, DeKalb Medical, Humana and the 100 Black Women of DeKalb-Decatur, and the dozens of health
care exhibitors are passionate about helping to empower with health information. “We are offering information that can help us make better decisions about staying healthy,” Parker said. Expo goers will have their pick of screenings for diabetes, hypertension, prostate cancer, HIV/AIDS and BMI. Doctors from DeKalb Medical will discuss fibroids, diabetes and strokes, and will take questions from the audience. Performances and demonstrations from the Main Stage in front of Sears will show fun ways for adults and children to stay active. For more information about the Expo, call 404-284-1888.
2009 Health & Wellness Expo Exhibitors and Grand Prize Entry Form Visit at least 20 of these exhibitors* at the Mall at Stonecrest and enter to win two roundtrip airfares to Jamaica, compliments of Air Jamaica. Drawing to be held at 5 p.m. You must be present to win.
5 100 Black Women 5 4th Congressional District 5 Blount Family Dental 5 Capstone Medical Group 5 Care Improvement Plus 5 Chick-fil-A Inside the Mall at Stonecrest 5 CrossRoadsNews, Inc. 5 DeKalb Community Service Board 5 DeKalb District Attorney's Office 5 DeKalb Medical 5 Full Body Loving Care Chiropractic
5 Georgia Center for Female Health 5 Georgia Families 5 Golden Glide Skating Rink 5 Grady Health System 5 Humana, Inc. 5 Legacy Obstetrics & Gynecology 5 Mednet Research 5 Omni Tech Institute 5 Optimal Health & Wellness Center 5 Peachstate Health Plan
5 Q Clinical Research 5 Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia 5 Radium Soft 5 Samson’s Health & Fitness Center 5 Select Comfort 5 Smiles At Stonecrest 5 Southeastern Primary Care Consortium, Inc. 5 STAND, Inc. 5 Steps to a Heathier DeKalb 5 SWH Apparel 5 The Spa at Stonecrest
Name _________________________________________________________________________________________ Address ______________________________________________________________________________________ Email _________________________________________________________________________________________ Home phone _______________________________________ Cell ______________________________________ * Eligible entries must have the numbers of at least 20 exhibitors, your complete name, address, e-mail address and telephone number. Employees and immediate family members of CrossRoadsNews, the Mall at Stonecrest and Air Jamaica are excluded from winning. Drawing will be at 5 p.m. at the Main Stage in front of Sears on the Mall Lower Level. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. You MUST be present to win.
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2009 Health & Wellness Expo Program Jan. 31, 2009, Noon to 5 p.m.
Grand prize trip to Jamaica
Main Stage in front of Sears, Lower Level, The Mall at Stonecrest Noon
Exercise Demo Fitness Instructor Rae Rae Clark & The Top Notch Dance Krew
Greetings Rep. Hank Johnson, 4th Congressional District
12:30 p.m. Entertainment “East Lake Elementary Cardinals & Dance Team” 12:45 p.m. Presentation: “Fibroids & You” Dr. Al Scott, DeKalb Medical 1:15 p.m. Entertainment All 4 You Dance Training & Performing Arts Center 1:30 p.m. Fitness Demo The SilverSneakers, Humana Health Care 1:50 p.m. Presentation: “Pre-Diabetes: How to Tell If You Are At Risk” Dr. Andrea Miles, DeKalb Medical 2:30 p.m. Fitness Demo Zumba – Samson’s Health & Fitness Center 3: p.m.
Presentation HIV/AIDs – Why Knowing My Status Could Save My Life Terry Barlow, STAND Inc.
3:30 p.m. Fitness Demo The SilverSneakers, Humana Health Care 4 p.m.
Presentation : Strokes: Sign & Symptoms Dr. Timothy Milner, DeKalb Medical
4:30 p.m. Entertainment D’Lauren Dance Troupe, The Conservatory of Dance 4:45 p.m. L’Tanya Moore, Gospel Vocalist 5 p.m. Air Jamaica’s Michelle Henry, seen here picking last year Grand Prize winner, will be back with the 2009 Grand Prize of two round-trip airline tickets to Jamaica. Expo goers who visit at least 20 exhibitors can enter the Grand Prize drawing, which will be held at 5 p.m.
Grand Prize Drawing 2 Roundtrip Tickets to Jamaica, Compliments of Air Jamaica See you at the 2010 Health & Wellness Expo!
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Hypertension is called “the silent killer” because about a third of the people who have it don’t know they do.
Hidden medical conditions can be revealed through free screenings Early diagnosis of most health problems can usually lead to a good outcome, but alas, many African Americans don’t find out about their afflictions until it’s late and more difficult to treat. On Jan. 31, at the 2009 Health & Wellness Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest, sponsors and exhibitors will offer free health screenings for Body Mass Index (BMI), diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), HIV/AIDS and prostate cancer. DeKalb Medical Center, Grady Health System, Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia, STAND Inc. and Capstone Medical Center are among the sponsors and exhibitors who will be offering free screenings.
Body mass index Knowing your BMI is important because of the rising rate of obesity in the African-American community. It allows doctors to assess the risks that patients have for obesity-related problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, high cholesterol, cancer and heart problems. During a BMI screening, physicians measure the patient’s height in inches and weight in kilograms. Then, they divide the weight by height to get the BMI number. A BMI between 18.5-24.9 is considered normal; BMI between 25-29.9 is overweight and BMI 30 or above is obese.
Expo exhibitors will be offering screenings for high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV/ AIDS and prostate cancer at the 2009 Health & Wellness Expo.
blood drawn from a finger prick. The test assesses your blood sugar Free health screenings at the Health & Wellness Expo to determine if you have preExhibitor BMI Diabetes Hypertension HIV/AIDS PSA diabetes or diabetes. Capstone Medical Center 3 If the results register a glucose DeKalb Medical Center 3 3 3 level higher than 200 mg/dL and are accompanied by classic symptoms Grady Health System 3 3 3 of unexplained weight loss, fatigue Radiotherapy Clinics of Ga. 3 and increased thirst and urinaSTAND Inc. 3 tion, then the doctor will suspect diabetes mellitus and will request a fasting blood glucose level test to pressure is called “the silent killer” is taking one’s blood pressure. If confirm the diagnosis. because about a third of the people you have a blood pressure over 140/90, that is either a systolic who have it don’t know they do. Hypertension Diabetes High blood pressure is easy to (first number) of 140 or higher or Hypertension or high blood diagnose because all that is involved diastolic (second number) of 90 or Diabetes tests are taken from
more, or a combination of the two above the respective limit, then hypertension exists. It is however, a disease without symptoms, which means that the only way to detect it is to have your blood pressure measured by a nurse, physician or another knowledgeable person – including yourself. To screen for it, you must be in a relaxed state, preferably in a sitting position. Allow half an hour since your last cup of tea, exercise or stressful situation.
HIV/AIDS Test The non-invasive OraQuick Advance Rapid HIV Test is being offered by nonprofit STAND Inc. The test is done from a swab of the mucous membrane in the mouth. Results are available in 12 minutes. From a private physician, an HIV test costs $100. STAND is offering it free. Prostate-specific antigen A PSA test can identify abnormality within the prostate gland and help doctors identify the cancer early. It generally takes two to five minutes and is done from blood drawn from the arm. Results are available in four to six weeks. Without health insurance, a PSA test is $200. Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia is offering it free of charge during the expo to African-American men 40 years and older, and all men over 50.
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“Their growth is not related to what you eat, but they do run in certain families and may have an hereditary component.”
Causes, symptoms and treatment of uterine fibroids to be discussed By Jennifer Ffrench Parker
For many women, reaching the age of 35 means they join the sisterhood. Which one? The sisterhood of fibroid sufferers. On Jan. 31 at the 2009 Health & Wellness Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest, well-known South DeKalb gynecologist Dr. Al Scott will discuss uterine fibroids –the non-cancerous tumors that grow on or within the muscle tissue of the uterus – which plague one in four women over age 35. Scott says that fibroids are three times more prevalent in African-American women, and that most women don’t know they have them until symptoms such as abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain or pressure, unitary frequencies, bloating and increase in abdominal girth drive them to their doctor. “It’s nothing that you do to cause them,” he said. “Their growth is not related to what you eat, but they do run in certain families and may have an hereditary component.” Fibroids require treatment only if they are causing excessive bleeding or significant discomfort or bladder problems. Scott said symptoms only show up when fibroids grow in size. Because fibroid tumors are hormonally sensitive, Scott said, taking estrogen during menopause can cause them to enlarge and aggravate symptoms. Fibroids can range in size from that of a walnut to ones the size of a cantaloupe. Physicians typically measure uterine fibroids in terms of the size of the uterus during pregnancy. For example, a very large fibroid can cause the uterus to become the size of a six- or seven-month pregnancy (24-28 weeks). There can either be one dominant fibroid or a cluster of many small fibroid tumors.
Treatments available for women with fibroids
Dr. Al Scott will talk about uterine fibroids and ways to treat them at the 2009 Health & Wellness Expo.
Scott says he has seen them as large as 10 centimeters and that they can contribute to abdominal girth, but that you cannot look at the size of a woman’s stomach and know that she has fibroids. At 12:45 p.m., from the Main Stage in front of Sears on the mall’s lowel level, he will discuss some of the treatment options, which range from embolization to freezing, ultrasound and surgery.
Scott, whose DeKalb Women’s Specialists ob-gyn practice is based in the Stonecrest Professional Center on Mall Parkway, said the right treatment is a personal decision and will depend on whether a woman wants to retain her childbearing capabilities. “You might try one option and it works for a while or doesn’t work and you have to do another,” he said. “It’s what best fits your situation.”
The most common forms of fibroid treatments include: n Medical therapy: Women with fibroids and heavy menstrual periods are often prescribed hormonal medications, including oral contraceptive pills and progestational agents, to try to reduce bleeding and regulate the menstrual cycle. The medications will not cause fibroids to shrink nor will they cause them to grow at a faster rate. If bleeding doesn’t improve after three months, consult your doctor. n Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of uterine fibroids. The outpatient procedure blocks the blood supply to the uterine fibroids, causing them to shrink 50 to 75 percent. It reduces the major symptoms of uterine fibroids and is an alternative to a hysterectomy. n Myomectomy is an operation in which fibroids are removed from within the uterus, but fibroids can re-grow. Women nearing menopause are the least likely to have problems from fibroids again. The procedure results in a 4-inch horizontal scar near the “bikini” line and requires a two-night stay in the hospital and 4-6 weeks resting at home. n Hysterectomy is a major surgical procedure in which the uterus or womb is removed. After hysterectomy, menstrual bleeding stops, pelvic pressure is relieved, frequent urination improves and new fibroids cannot grow. Also, a woman can no longer become pregnant. Hysterectomy requires a three-day hospital stay and six weeks recovery at home.
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“You don’t want to wait until you are sick to take a HIV test. You want to it take it when you are healthy.”
Nonprofit agency to provide free HIV/AIDS testing during Expo By Jennifer Ffrench Parker
In the war on HIV/AIDS, Standing to Achieve New Directions (STAND) Inc. is on the frontline. The 10-year-old nonprofit provides prevention services, support and education to metro Atlanta’s underserved communities and on Jan. 31, it will be offering free HIV/AIDS tests at the 2009 Health & Wellness Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest. Michael Banner, who directs STAND’s Prevention Services, said that people need to know their status so that they Michael Banner can begin lifesaving treatment and slow the spread of the disease. “The earlier you know, the better your chance of living a fulfilling life,” Banner said. “If it is detected late, your body is already damaged. Your body will react better to the treatment if you are diagnosed early. You don’t want to wait until you are sick to take a HIV test. You want to take it when you are healthy.” During the fourth annual Expo, which is presented by CrossRoadsNews and the Mall at Stonecrest, STAND will offer 100 free OraQuick Advance Rapid HIV Test at their booth located near Kohl’s during the noon to 5 p.m. expo.
The OraQuick Advance Rapid HIV Test is done from a swab of the mucous membrane in the mouth.
Banner said that if they run out, they will give vouchers for people to come to their office at 3423 Covington Drive in Decatur to get the free test. The office is open weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. The test, which costs up to $100 from private physicians, is quick and noninvasive. Banner said it’s
STAND supports HIV/AIDS education like this AIDS awareness program at MLK Jr. High School in December that was sponsored by the Rotary Club of South DeKalb.
done from a swab of the mucuous membrane in the mouth. Results are available in 20 minutes. The test looks for antibodies that indicate infection. If it is positive, a second swab is taken and sent to the lab for confirmation. Lab results are available in a week. He said they also offer the Clear View test, which is done from a
drop of blood taken from a finger prick. “It is very similar to a diabetes test,” he said. Results from the Clear View test are available in 12 minutes. Last year, Banner said STAND tested 3,000 individuals and 4 percent or 120 were HIV positive. “Sixty to 70 percent of the new
HIV cases were African-American men,” he said. Banner said that statewide, south DeKalb County has one of the highest rates of HIV infection. “There is a need for HIV prevention and conversation in DeKalb County,” he said. “That is the only way that we are going to slow the spread of the disease.”
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“In some cases, it may be due to a lack of healthcare access. However, in many cases it may simply be a case of waiting until it’s too late.”
During a stroke, quick response is surest way to minimize damage By Corey M. Edwards
African Americans in Georgia and other parts of the country are twice as likely as whites to die from stroke. That staggering statistic is even more sobering when you consider that half of all African-American women will die from a stroke, sometimes called a “brain attack,” which occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked or bursts. Without blood and the oxygen it carries, parts of the brain begin to die, forcing the portions of the body controlled by the damaged area to malfunction. Nationally, stroke is the third leading cause of death and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in adults. Every year, 780,000 new and recurrent strokes are reported in the United States. A stroke can happen very quickly and victims often don’t realize they are having one. A Gallup survey found that 97 percent of people over age 50 did not recognize the warning signs of a stroke. Everyone, especially those who are at increased risk for strokes, should learn these warning signs and know what to do if they occur. Recognizing the symptoms and getting treatment within 60 minutes can prevent disability. Health professionals say a stroke is a medical emergency and people must call 911 right away. Symptoms include numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg; blurred or double vision in one or both eyes; slurred or garbled speech; unsteadiness or dizziness and confusion. Dr. Timothy Milner, a DeKalb Medical vascular surgeon, says there’s no single reason why African Americans have an increased
Know the signs of stroke When stroke symptoms occur, quick action is vital but you must know the signs and act in time. Warning signs can begin from a few minutes to days before a stroke. If you think you or someone with you is having a stroke, call 911. Stroke warning signs and symptoms n Weakness in an arm, hand, or leg n Numbness on one side of the body n Sudden dimness or loss of vision, particularly in one eye n Sudden difficulty speaking n Inability to understand what someone is saying n Dizziness or loss of balance
Dr. Timothy Milner says that while African Americans suffer strokes at higher rates than whites, the ability to narrow the gap lies in paying attention to symptoms and getting help quickly.
stroke risk but that the ability to narrow the racial health gap lies in our hands. “A lot of it has to do with paying attention to medical symptoms and the availability of healthcare givers in the community,” said Milner, who will speak about stroke at the CrossRoadsNews 2009 Health and Wellness Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest on Jan. 31. “If people in the community become better educated about the health risks affecting them, they can help themselves and others avoid things like strokes.” Milner said that other vascular disorders that affect African-Americans disproportionately include peripheral artery disease, more commonly known as PAD. Many stroke and diabetes patients often
end up with PAD, a disease of blood vessels outside the heart and brain that is often associated with a narrowing of vessels that carry blood to the legs and pelvic area. Left untreated, PAD, which affects 8 million to 12 million Americans, can lead to gangrene and amputation. A 2008 study by researchers at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine found the amputation rate for African-American PAD patients was five times higher than the general population. Milner said the greatest tragedy is that the vast majority of these amputations could have easily been prevented. “In some cases, it may be due to a lack of healthcare access,” he said. “However, in
many cases it may simply be a case of waiting until it’s too late.” Milner said that ignorance and fear often keep people from seeking the appropriate medical attention. African Americans’ higher incidences of hypertension, obesity and smoking contribute to their increased risks for stroke and other vascular disease. One in three African Americans suffer from high blood pressure. During his 4 p.m. presentation from the Main Stage in front of Sears on the mall’s lower level, Milner said he will show how to reduce the risk of strokes and highlight the symptoms of strokes and PAD. “Both of these health disorders can have devastating consequences on your life,” Milner said, “and only slight modifications in your lifestyle can tremendously reduce your risk.”
By the Numbers
$65.5
700,000
The cost of stroke in 2008, in billions
The number of people suffer a new or recurrent stroke annually
60.8
40
The percent women who died from stroke in 2004
The number of seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke
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Lifestyle can impact risk of diabetes In Dr. Andrea Miles’ Stonecrest Medical Practice, diabetics account for 20 percent of her patients. All of them are type 2 diabetics – men and women who got diabetes because they were overweight, didn’t exercise regularly, had a family history of diabetes or had gestational diabetes durAndrea Miles ing pregnancy. For most of them, the outcome could have been different had they been to the doctor before the symptoms of diabetes showed up and had been able to change their lifestyles. Miles, a DeKalb Medical doctor who is board certified in internal medicine and pediatrics, said that if caught early, patients who have pre-diabetes have to power to prevent their diabetes. “It is something they can change,” she said. “They can make a difference by changing their lifestyle. People have to exercise regularly, eat healthy and come see their doctor early.” At the Jan. 31 Health & Wellness Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest, Miles will discuss pre-diabetes, the condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. She will speak at 1:50 p.m. from the Main Stage in front of Sears on the mall’s lower level. Type 2 diabetes, formerly called adultonset diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes. People can develop type 2 diabetes at any age – even during childhood. Miles said she has seen children as young as 11 years old with type 2 diabetes, which usually begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which fat, muscle, and liver cells do not use insulin properly. Being overweight and inactive increases the chances of developing type 2 diabetes.
Miles said that when patients are diagnosed before diabetes symptoms – eating a lot and still losing weight, frequent urination, excessive thirst – show up, their doctors can monitor them and help them change their lifestyles. “We have had some successes,” she said. “The challenge is to keep them motivated after the first six months. The changes are something you have to do for the rest of your life.” Miles said that usually we don’t talk about what can be done to prevent diabetes. She will during her talk at the expo. At the end of it, she wants people to know that they can change their outcome. “If they don’t, they will have a higher risks for heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and early death,” she said. In DeKalb County, diabetes is the eighth leading cause of death for residents and African Americans are 1.7 times more likely than whites to die from the disease. Statewide, the disease afflicts 750,000 Georgians and nationally, it kills 182,000 Americans annually. Miles, who has practiced in Lithonia and Ellenwood for four years, said the growing epidemics of obesity and inactivity are contributing to the high incidence of diabetes. To combat the disease, she said doctors are now monitoring patients who have pre-diabetes if they have a fasting blood sugar of 100-126, are overweight, don’t exercise regularly and have a family history of diabetes. Across the country, there are 57 million Americans who have pre-diabetes and are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Miles said the good news is that prediabetics can reduce their risk of getting diabetes. “If they lose weight, exercise four to five times a week, and change their eating habits, they can turn it around,” she said. “They can delay or prevent their progress to diabetes.”
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“The people in the class are so great that it’s hard to miss a day.”
SilverSneakers program offers strategies to help seniors stay fit By Corey M. Edwards
If Jan Hooper didn’t have her SilverSneakers class at the Covington Athletic Club, she would hardly leave her house. “I tend to hibernate if I don’t have something to do,” said 67-yearold Hooper. “If I didn’t have SilverSneakers, I’d probably be in the house today instead of working out.” Instead Hooper tries never to miss any of the Monday, Wednesday and Friday classes. “The people in the class are so great that it’s hard to miss a day,” she said last week. At the 2009 Health & Wellness Expo on Jan. 31 at the Mall at Stonecrest, Hooper and some of her buddies from the close-knit group of senior citizens will show how exercising and staying fit certainly don’t have to end when you grow older. Besides, daily exercise will keep muscles and bones healthy and enable older people to keep their mobility much longer. The SilverSneaker’s demonstrations will take place at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. from the Main Stage in front of Sears on the mall’s lower level. SilverSneakers, a socially oriented fitness lifestyle program for older adults, was founded in 1992 by Mary Swanson as a way to bridge the gap between managed care programs and insurance companies. By forcing the two entities to take a more proactive approach to the well-being of the nation’s older generation, she opened the door to better health and greater independence for thousands of seniors like Hooper. SilverSneakers is one of the benefits offered by Humana-Medicare to its 4.5 million Medicare members nationwide. It is designed for members at all fitness levels, and they can take part in group exercise classes and work with trained advisers who help then develop a personal fitness plan. Hooper, who lives in Covington, said she found out about the program from a walking buddy twoand-a-half years ago. Since then, she has religiously attended the aerobic classes, which are customized for older adults who want to improve their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. The total body conditioning classes range from 45 to 60 minutes and are offered several times a week and are available from a number of health insurance companies. Brandon King, who manages the Humana SilverSneakers program in east metro Atlanta, says the classes help Humana’s members create a family bond that often leads to parties and social gather-
Photos by Corey M. Edwards / CrossRoadsNews
Seniors from the SilverSneakers class at Covington Athletic Club will demonstrate exercises to help improve mobility and keep bones and muscles healthy.
“We want our members to feel free to take whatever class or use whatever piece of equipment they want to achieve the goals they’re looking for.” Brandon King, program manager for Humana SilverSneakers
ings outside the club. “The classes give them a social hour outside of their homes and encourage them to meet new friends,” King said. “We’ve even had some members who’ve made love connections through SilverSneakers.” When participants aren’t in the aerobic room, they have full access to the club’s other conditioning classes as well as exercise equipment, pool, sauna and other available amenities. Nationwide, SilverSneakers
members have access to more than 2,900 participating fitness centers. Participating facilities have specially trained senior advisers to introduce SilverSneaker members to the equipment at each site and help them feel at home. King said accessibility is really the main focus of the program. “We want our members to feel free to take whatever class or use whatever piece of equipment they want to achieve the goals they’re looking for,” he said. The program also holds health education seminars and other events to promote healthy lifestyles for older adults. Members can also join the SilverSneakers online community and can share photos, discuss topics and get the latest health and wellness news. For more information on the SilverSneakers Fitness Program or to find a participating health plan, visit www.silversneakers.com or call 888-423-4632.
SilverSneakers classes are customized for older adults who want to improve their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance.
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“Usually when a man comes in for a doctor’s appointment because of a problem, he is cancerous and the cancer has spread beyond the prostate.”
Prostate cancer is ‘highly, highly curable’ when detected early By McKenzie Jackson
With prostate cancer touching the lives of a growing number of African-American families, the disease which disproportionately affects African-American men has put our community on the warpath. Women are now encouraging their husbands, significant others, brothers, uncles, grandfathers, cousins, male friends and neighbors to take the prostate-specific antigen test, or PSA, to help them diagnose the disease early and begin treatment. In the last year, the Teach Reach and Inform Men (TRIM) Initiative of Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia (RCOG) and the Morehouse School of Medicine have been offering free PSA tests to men at churches and malls throughout south DeKalb County. On Jan. 31, TRIM will be at the 2009 Health & Wellness Expo offering the test, which can cost up to $200 from a private physician, free of charge to African-American men 40 years and older, men with a family history of prostate cancer, and all men over the age of 50. Dr. James Benton, an RCOG radiologist, says prostate cancer doesn’t have to be a death sentence. “This cancer is highly, highly curable if presented early,” he said. Debbie Wright, RCOG’s community outreach coordinator, said screening is the best way to identify the presence of the disease, which usually doesn’t produce any notice- Debbie Wright able symptoms in its early stages. “Usually when a man comes in for a doctor’s appointment because of a problem, he is cancerous and the cancer has spread beyond the prostate,” she said. “By the time they are diagnosed they are so far along in their disease, their chance for a cure is lessened.” Nationally, almost 230,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer annually. African American men are 61 percent more likely than white men to develop the cancer and nearly 2.5 times more likely to die from the disease. The non-invasive PSA test that RCOG will offer at the expo is done from blood drawn from the arm. It generally takes two to five minutes and can identify abnormality with the prostate gland and help doctors identify the cancer early. Test results normally take four to six weeks. Treatment options that range from surgery, to radiation or freezing the prostate. Wright said the free screening is ideal for men who have no health insurance or are under insured.
Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Gospel radio deejay Reggie Gay was among men who got a PSA test from Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia at the 2008 Health & Wellness Expo.
Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews
RCOG and the Morehouse School of Medicine have been offering the PSA test free of charge to men who meet certain criteria.
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“When we allow God’s radiant love to shine on us, it makes the darkness of life disappear. It draws us nearer to Him.”
The Top Notch Dance Krew will demonstrate high-energy dance moves that can help keep you fit.
Dancers from Conservatory of Dance and Fine Arts and All 4 You Dance Training and Performing Arts Center will perform during the 2009 Expo.
Fitness instructor Rae Rae Clark will team up with dancers to present a warmup routine to kick off the Expo.
Stage performances provide entertainment, motivation during Expo Staying active and fit doesn’t have to be a chore and a number of performers will demonstrate fun ways to get moving during the 2009 Health & Wellness Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest. Performers at the Jan. 31 event include the East Lake Elementary Cardinals Cheer and Dance Teams, the Top Notch Dance Krew, All 4 You Dance Training & Performing Arts Center, Conservatory of Dance, the Samson Fitness Center’s Zumba Dancers and the Silver Sneakers from the Covington Athletic Club. The East Lake Elementary Cardinals Cheer and Dance Teams
of kindergartners, and first- and second-graders, and third-, fourthand fifth-graders will show that it is easy for kids to beat back obesity by cheering and dancing. The high-energy Top Notch Dance Krew, under the direction of Mickie Lewis, will demonstrate dance moves that will keep you fit. They will help fitness instructor Rae Rae Clark kick off the expo at noon. The group, which was formed in October 2008, is based at the Academy of the Arts in Stone Mountain. They have performed at a number of venues and community events including a Candlelight Vigil for
Domestic Violence, Step Up to Better Health, the North DeKalb Mall, the city of Conyers Christmas Tree Lighting and several parades. All 4 You Dance Training & Performing Arts Center and the Conservatory of Dance are no strangers to the CrossRoadsNews Expo stages. They have performed at Health and Wellness, Summer Camp and Adoption Expos. Their dancers perform ballet, hip-hop and other dance styles, which are all great ways for kids and adults to stay active and fit. The Zumba Dancers from Samson’s Fitness Center will show off a high-energy workout that mixes to-
gether Brazilian, Latin and African dancing for a full-body workout. For those people combating stress, music is always a great way to get relaxed. Fourteen-year-old hip-hop artist Braden “BJ” Johnson and gospel-recording artist and psalmist L’Tanya Moore will offer music for the teens and adults. BJ, who is a student at Cedar Grove Middle School, has been rapping and playing the drums since he was 10. Since kicking off his musical career at the Horse Park in Conyers in 2005, he has opened for major hip-hop acts like Soulja Boy and Juney Boomdata. Hip hop artist “BJ” Johnson has been performing since he was 10.
Gospel artist to close out health event Gospel recording artist L'Tanya Moore will help bring the curtains down in fine style to end the 2009 Health and Wellness Expo on Jan. 31. Moore, who is Saint Philip AME's award-winning psalmist, will perform at 4:45 p.m. from the Main Stage in front of Sears on the mall’s lower level. People who attended the Jan. 5 inauguration of DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis will remember her stirring rendition of the national anthem. Moore, who is the daughter of Saint Philip’s Pastor George Moore, is the church’s music and activities director. She is the director of the McDonald's Stellar Awards youth choir and a sought after choir directors, praise and worship leaders, and workshop practitioner in Vocal Pedagogy and Music Ministry Development. Her CD “Radiant,” an eclectic mix of spiritual songs, was released in spring 2006, the same year she was nominated for Best New Artist and Best Female Vocalist in the Atlanta Gospel Choice Awards. She said that even though “sometimes it’s difficult to deal with the uncertainties of life, we will make it and become all that God has called us to be.” “When we allow God’s radiant love to shine on us, it makes the darkness of life disappear,” she said. “It draws us nearer to Him. His love is bright enough to burn away the trials of life so we can dance through Saint Philip AME music and activities director L’Tanya Moore will close out the 2009 Health Wellness Expo. the ashes in victory.”
January 24, 2009
Health & Wellness
CrossRoadsNews
Zumba blends Brazilian, African and Latin dance moves to generate a high-energy cardio workout that burns lots of calories.
Dance routine melts pounds away Zumba, the high-energy workout that mixes Brazilian, Latin and African dancing, is coming to the Jan. 31, 2009 Health & Wellness Expo at the Mall at Stoncrest. Dancers from the Samson’s Health and Fitness Center in Lithonia will demonstrate the calorieburning moves from the Main Stage in front of Macy’s at 2 p.m. Ayana Roberts, the center’s fitness director, calls it a great cardio workout. “It involves a lot of dance movements and has an easy choreography for any one of any fitness level to pick up on,” she said, “It will get you moving.” Ever since fitness instructor Alberto Perez introduced it in a 1980’s aerobics class, Zumba, which is Spanish slang word for ‘buzz like a bee’ or ‘move fast,’ has found favor among adults looking for a fun way to stay active. After a 2002 workout DVD showcased the calorie-burning swiveling and shaking, Zumba’s popularity spread like wildfire. Roberts said their Zumba class has a staple at the fitness center, which is located on the campus of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia. “We wanted to have a unique aerobics class that would not only attract the typical aerobics participant, but also something that our new members would like to participate in as well,” she said. “If they don’t like the typical aerobics schedule like step or spin class, it still provides the same great cardiovascular results.” Along with its Zumba class, which is held Mondays at 8 a.m., Samson’s Fitness Center offers classes in body scope, hip-hop dance, stretch and flow and the popular core and spinning class. The five-year-old center also has a sauna, four basketball courts, bicycles and treadmills, free weights and other workout equipment. “Quite a few of our participants just do free weights, but our
Dancers from Samson’s Fitness Center in Lithonia will demonstrate Zumba on the Main Stage in front of Sears.
aerobics programs have a strong following,” Roberts said. As a full-body workout, Roberts aid Zumba is a great cardiovascular exercise. “It is shown to reduce your risk of health disease, reduce your risk of hypertension, high blood pressure,” she said. “It gives you more energy throughout the day. Zumba makes you use your full body so that you are able to get a great work out in.” The Samson’s Health and Fitness Center is at 6400 Woodrow Road in Lithonia. For more information, call 678-824-1099.
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CrossRoadsNews
January 24, 2009