Health and Wellness Issue 50 by d-mars.com

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HEALTH & WELLNESS JOURNAL

December 2023

Inspire, Inform & Educate

50th Edition

Reframing How To Think About Type 1 Diabetes 14

INSIDE

Bee Fit Foods

Texas Children’s Hospital Shuts Down Healthcare Centers Serving Low-Income Communities

Dr. Woodard at HRI Cultivates Leadership in Emerging Student Cadre

14 | December 2023 HEALTH

REFRAMING How to Think About Type 1 Diabetes

By Sanofi News Provider

pproximately one in 10 Americans (37.3 million people total) have some type of diabetes. While as many as 95% of these cases are classified as type 2 diabetes, the number of people living with type 1 diabetes is increasing over time. It’s for this reason it is critical to raise awareness for the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes, with the goal of ensuring that people of all ages understand the importance of early detection. To do so effectively, however, it’s important that we begin by expanding our collective understanding of type 1 diabetes, which is distinct from type 2 diabetes despite both being forms of “diabetes mellitus.” While type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder, with lifestyle factors playing a role in development, as well as genetic factors, type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that can arise from environmental or genetic factors. Just consider that if anyone in your family has type 1 diabetes, you’re up to 15 times more likely to be diagnosed. Additionally, although type 1 diabetes often develops in children, teens and young adults, it can affect anyone at any age. In fact, recent data show that over 50% of new cases of type 1 diabetes occur in adults. Type 1 diabetes also cannot be prevented or cured. But what’s perhaps most critical to know about type 1 diabetes isn’t just its prevalence, it’s the fact that it can be detected early through autoantibody screenings. Because type 1 diabetes develops in stages over time, there are blood tests that can detect type 1 diabetes before any noticeable symptoms arise, before insulin is required and potentially

before any life-threatening complications occur. One such example of this is a condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which is a serious complication that develops when you don’t have enough insulin to let blood sugar into your cells. As a result, your liver is forced to break down fat for fuel, producing dangerous levels of acids called ketones in your body that can lead to coma or even death. Unfortunately, for individuals who have undiagnosed type 1 diabetes, DKA is far too often how they find out they have diabetes - with as many as 40% of DKA cases stemming from those who are newly diagnosed. When it comes to type 1 diabetes, early screening may give you more time to prepare. The more you know, the more you can plan ahead. Take control of the future now by talking to your doctor about getting screened and participating in The 1 Pledge movement, which is being led by Sanofi. Take the pledge to get screened for type 1 diabetes at The1Pledge.com, where you can also find more educational information. Follow and use #ScreenForType1 to join the conversation on social media. It’s time that we change the story around type 1 diabetes. Not knowing is simply no longer an acceptable option. Get screened today. Sanofi does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment - information is provided for educational purposes only. Your doctor is the best source of health information. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about your health or treatment. Source: BrandPoint

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December 2023 | 15 HEALTH

Dr. Woodard at HRI Cultivates Leadership in Emerging Student Cadre approach involves understanding the needs of our “It’s crucial to consider sustainability from the outset. community partners, identifying challenges, and then When addressing a community need, our aim is to News Provider developing strategies for effective solutions.” establish a sustainable approach that ensures ongoing A group of University of Houston students The first HEALTH–RCMI Student Cadre was support, avoiding situations where benefits are prois actively working to address the needs of launched, featuring a cohort of creative and talent- vided and then withdrawn due to shifts in funding Houston’s marginalized communities. The ed UH students who began forging partnerships in or other priorities. We are committed to creating a lasting path to continually address the needs of the inaugural HEALTH-RCMI Student Cadre has com- Houston’s Third Ward. communities we are dedicated to serving.” mitted a year to engaging, serving, and uplifting the Third Ward community. Under the guidance of Dr. In 2022, the inaugural HEALTH–RCMI Student When it comes to assisting fellow early-stage invesLeChauncy Woodard, M.D., M.P.H., the director Cadre kicked off, with a group of innovative and tigators eager to embark on their careers, Woodard of the community engagement core at HEALTH- skilled UH students initiating collaborations in openly shares the insights that have shaped her distinguished career. RCMI, their community involvement approach em- Houston’s Third Ward. “When engaged in work that rephasizes active listening, cultural humility, volves around the community, my and long-term sustainability. most crucial piece of advice is to The foundation of their approach lies in acprioritize listening,” Woodard emtively listening to the community’s needs. The way I’ve encouraged the phasized. “Approach it with genThe objective is to develop solutions that uine curiosity—a willingness to students to approach their not only meet current community needs listen and honor the significant but also remain sustainable over the long work right from the start is efforts already underway in the term, avoiding the common pitfalls of to listen attentively to the community. It’s about collaborating projects that falter when priorities shift to further the existing priorities that or funding becomes uncertain. needs expressed by our comhold importance in the community.” “Instead of students proposing, ‘We have munity partners this idea to assist the community; let’s go Woodard explained. out and execute this project,’ we encourage them to actively listen to the community they are serving,” she explained. “Our By d-mars.com

Whatever happens in our community, we’re here, ready to serve. Providing Level I trauma care at Ben Taub Hospital for people experiencing the worst day of their lives.

afford healthy food. Offering the gold standard in nursing at our Magnet®-recognized Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital. Treating everyone with respect, compassion and gratitude for giving us the opportunity to care for them, work with them, know them. You may not know our name. And that’s okay. YOU’LL KNOW US BY THE WORK WE DO.

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16 | December 2023

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December 2023 | 17

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18 | December 2023 HEALTH

Photo Credit: Lone Star College

Texas Children’s Hospital SHUTS DOWN Healthcare Centers Serving Low-Income Communities and low-income patients, aims to bridge the gap created by the closure. However, concerns persist about the added burden on vulnerable families, potentially requiring longer travel times or increased commitment to access essential services.

Texas Children’s Hospital is set to close two healthcare centers in Houston, affecting low-income families. The Centers for Children and Women in the Greenspoint area and southwest Houston will shut down in the coming months, with the Greenspoint location closing on Dec. 1 and the “For those of us fortunate to own a car, the process of southwest location on June 30, 2024. hopping in, driving to any destination, parking, and affording parking fees is relatively straightforward. However, a significant portion of the population depends on family, friends, or public transportation for their mobility,” expressed Chen.

By d-mars.com News Provider

wo medical facilities catering primarily to low-income families in Texas Children’s Hospital are set to close soon, raising concerns about healthcare accessibility for vulnerable patients. The decision has left parents like Olivia Ojeda uncertain about the future logistics of scheduling and commuting to her children’s doctor appointments. Visiting the Center for Children and Women in the Greenspoint area for the last time, Ojeda expressed her disappointment, emphasizing the convenience of “Our concern is that numerous families having comprehensive services like pregnancy care, dentistry, and eye care in one location. “Our is that numerous families may face mayconcern face challenges in obtaining imchallenges in obtaining immediate access to essential mediate to monitoring essential services. services. Weaccess are closely the situation, ready outreach efforts ifthe necessary, to help We to areinitiate closely monitoring situation, bridge the gaps in care for those in need.”

ready to initiate outreach efforts if necessary, to help bridge the gaps in care for those in need.”

Texas Children’s Hospital confirmed the closure of both centers, originally established in 2013, exclusively for its Health Plan members. The Greenspoint location is scheduled to close on December 1, while the southwest Houston facility will operate until June 30, 2024. The closures raise concerns about the potential impact on underserved populations, prompting organizations like the HOPE Clinic to prepare for increased demand. HOPE Clinic, with multiple locations serving uninsured, under-insured,

Per reports, a representative from Texas Children’s Hospital elucidated the rationale behind the closures, citing a “significant drop in utilization over the last decade.” The hospital expressed a commitment to adapt to the evolving landscape of Houston, aiming to enhance access to care for all families. While a new plan is in the works to amplify healthcare access, specific details remain undisclosed. The hospital assures that no patients will lose care or coverage during this transitional phase, emphasizing that nearly all affected families have been seamlessly connected with alternative providers. Regarding the staff at the closing locations, a spokesperson affirmed that all employees have been extended the opportunity to continue their roles within the Texas Children’s system.

These centers exclusively serve patients covered by the Texas Children’s Health Plan, available to Medicaid or CHIP recipients, providing services like pregnancy care, dentistry, optometry, and behavioral health. The hospital stated the closure is part of a plan to create a new care model, promising expanded access and improved quality, with more details to follow. The statement did not specify the impact on patients, physicians, or staff, nor the opportunity for transfers within the hospital system. Despite closures, Texas Children’s Health Plan members will maintain coverage, needing to find alternative doctors. A limited number of patients from the Greenspoint location can transfer to the southwest center until June 30.

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