Health and Wellness 39

Prescribing Adolescents Multiple Psychiatric Drugs Now the Norm, Particularly in BIPOC Communities

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior

TThe current trend of polypharmacy – the simultaneous use of multiple drugs by a single patient for one or more conditions – reflects racism and discrimination in the treatment of Black, Indigenous, and people of color children and teens, according to Dr. Carolyn Coker Ross, an intergenerational trauma expert and eating disorder treatment specialist. “It has been documented in adults that Black patients with mental illness are more likely to receive substance care and more likely to be diagnosed with psychotic disorders than with depression and anxiety,” Dr. Ross stated. “The lack of access and availability of therapeutic options to treat mental illness and the lack of understanding and acknowledgment that mental illness in teens and children may have their roots in trauma.

“Medication will not fix the brain changes caused by childhood trauma experiences and may not even fix the symptoms. Beyond this, medication use in children and teens is risky at best and dangerous at its worst.”

Dr. Ross’ comments are in response to a new report revealing that anxious and depressed teens are using multiple, powerful psychiatric drugs, many of which are untested in adolescents or for use in tandem.

In 2020, the journal Pediatrics reported that 40.7 percent of people ages 2 to 24 who were prescribed a drug for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder also were prescribed at least one other medication for depression, anxiety, or another mood or behavioral disorder. Further, researchers found more than 50 psychotropic medicines prescribed in such combinations. “These patterns should spark further inquiry about the appropriateness, efficacy, and safety of psychotherapeutic polypharmacy in children and young adults, particularly within subgroups where the use is high,” the authors concluded.

While the use of multiple psychotropic medications counts as concerning in such a young population, it is also not surprising given the lack of other treatment options, Dr. Ross told the Washington Informer.

“Beyond this, however, is a lack of understanding about the root cause of many of the psychiatric conditions being diagnosed and treated with medications,” Dr. Ross asserted.

She continued:

Sarah Marikos, the executive director of the ACE Resource Network (ARN).

“The issues on prescribing psychotropic medications for children, adolescents, and young people, and lack of access to behavioral health supports for youth who have an increasing need for mental health support is one of the biggest health challenges our country is facing right now,” Marikos wrote in an email.

“This is partly why the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory on youth mental health at the end of 2021. When diagnosing and treating depression, anxiety, and ADHD, as well as many more common health conditions, particularly among young people, it is important to have a traumainformed approach.”

Marikos continued:

“Giving children and young people, or anyone really, a psychiatric diagnosis with medication has serious, potentially helpful, and potentially harmful consequences. Diagnosis informs treatment. Therefore, if the diagnosis is not right, the treatment may not work, or worse, it could be hurtful.”

“Diagnoses can also impact how young people think and feel about themselves and perhaps define themselves. Doctors and behavioral health providers who understand trauma and seek to understand their patients’ history and experiences, may mean a shift in diagnosis and treatment.”

The New York Times noted a nationwide study published in 2006 examined records of visits to doctors’ offices by people younger than 20 and found a sharp rise in office visits involving the prescription of antipsychotic drugs — to 1.2 million in 2002 from 200,000 in 1993. In addition, the drugs were increasingly prescribed in combinations, particularly among low-income children.

The newspaper added that between 2004 and 2008, a national study of children enrolled in Medicaid found that 85 percent of patients on an antipsychotic drug were also prescribed a second

“While I believe physicians and psychiatrists are probably overprescribing these medications, I don’t believe they do so intentionally,” Tietz stated.

“Unfortunately, they are often left with little choice. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other forms of counseling have been shown to be an essential part of managing mental health conditions,” Tietz continued. “However, there are few professionals in the medical field today who practice adolescent psychiatry and can provide this benefit to our youth.

“This leaves prescribers with the task of trying to manage mental health concerns strictly with medication.

“I believe any physician would tell you that they want to help the patient to the best of their ability. Unfortunately, right now, physicians have few tools besides medication to do this.”

Get Immediate Help

People often don’t get the mental health services they need because they don’t know where to start. Talk to your primary care doctor or another health professional about mental health problems. Ask them to connect you with the right mental health services. If you do not have a health professional who is able to assist you, use these resources to find help for yourself, your friends, your family, or your students.

Emergency Medical Services, 911

If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, available 24 hours a day.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

If you or someone you know is suicidal or in emotional distress, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Trained crisis workers are available to talk 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your confidential and toll-free call goes to the nearest crisis center in the Lifeline national network. These centers provide crisis counseling and mental health referrals.

Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org

Find Treatment with SAMHSA

SAMHSA’s Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator is a confidential and anonymous source of information for persons seeking treatment facilities in the United States or U.S. Territories for substance use/addiction and/or mental health problems.

Sources: MentalHealth.gov.

National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)

medication, with the highest rates among disabled youngsters and those in foster care.

“It’s a fact that our youth are experiencing more mental health concerns today than ever before,” offered Laura Tietz, a pediatric pharmacist.

She once worked at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital in Ohio.

“Both during and before the pandemic, BIPOC children and teenagers are exposed to more trauma and adverse events than any white children and teens.”

Given that depression and anxiety have increased in recent years among youth, and young ones who have experienced trauma or childhood adversity (or ACEs – adverse childhood experiences) are more likely to experience depression and anxiety and other health and learning challenges, this is a significant health and social justice conversation, added

As Black Americans Struggle To Get a Good Night Sleep, International Research Details the Benefits of Proper Rest

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Astaggering 90 percent of people fail to achieve a good night’s sleep, according to new international research presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2022.

The study found that suboptimal sleep was associated with a higher likelihood of heart disease and stroke.

The authors estimated that seven in ten of these cardiovascular conditions could be prevented if everyone was a good sleeper.

And while researchers homed in on the sleep behaviors of 7,200 people — comprised mostly of Europeans — Americans also aren’t sleeping.

Black Americans suffer worse from short sleep or sleep apnea.

Earlier this year, the JAMA Open Network indicated that the problem continues to worsen for African Americans.

JAMA researchers discovered that Black Americans get less sleep than white people, a deficit of 15 minutes a day in childhood that grows into almost an hour in adulthood.

Additionally, an Oxford study found that far more Black and Hispanic people than white people report routinely getting less than 6 hours of sleep, well short of the recommended 7 to 9 hours for adults.

“Sleep is a privilege,” Dayna Johnson, a sleep epidemiologist at Emory University, told Science.org. “If we can target sleep, we might be able to reduce the burden of all types of diseases among racial minorities.”

Science Direct found that more than a dozen studies have identified racial discrimination as a contributor to sleep disparities.

“Black people reported more discrimination and more severe insomnia symptoms than white people, and a statistical analysis determined discrimination accounted for 60% of their insomnia severity,” researchers wrote at Science Direct.

Researchers also discovered that environmental factors also cut into sleep. For example, multiple studies have found that Black, Hispanic, and other individuals of

color tend to reside in areas where they are exposed to approximately twice as much ambient light at night as white people.

“Exposure to artificial light from the street and commercial buildings has been found to suppress melatonin—a hormone that helps initiate sleep,” Researchers wrote. “That causes people to fall asleep later at night, resulting in poorer sleep overall.”

Science.org also found that Black, Hispanic, and Asian people in the United States are also exposed to disproportionately high levels of particulate air pollution.

The researchers reported that exposure to this type of pollution can cause inflammation of the nose and throat, and some evidence suggests chronic exposure can worsen sleep apnea and increase daytime sleepiness.

“And then there is night-time noise, which a 2017 study at hundreds of sites across the United States found is higher in neighborhoods with a higher proportion of Black residents,” they wrote.

The low prevalence of good sleepers “was expected given our busy, 24/7 lives,” said study author Dr. Aboubakari Nambiema of INSERM (the French National Institute of

Health and Medical Research), in Paris, France.

“The importance of sleep quality and quantity for heart health should be taught early in life when healthy behaviors become established. Minimizing night-time noise and stress at work can both help improve sleep.”

According to a news release from the ESC, previous studies on sleep and heart disease have generally focused on one sleep habit, such as sleep duration or sleep apnea, where breathing stops and starts while sleeping.

Researchers in France used a healthy sleep score combining five sleep habits. They investigated the association between the baseline sleep score, changes over time in the sleep score, and incident cardiovascular disease.

Researchers recruited men and women aged 50 to 75 years and free of cardiovascular disease to a preventive medical center between 2008 and 2011.

The average age was 59.7 years, and 62% were men.

Participants underwent a physical examination and completed questionnaires on lifestyle, personal and family medical history, and medical conditions.

According to the news release, researchers used questionnaires to collect information on five sleep habits at baseline and two follow-up visits. Each factor was given 1 point if optimal and 0 if not.

A healthy sleep score ranging from 0 to 5 was calculated, with 0 or 1 considered poor and 5 considered optimal.

Those with an optimal score reported sleeping 7 to 8 hours per night, never or rarely having insomnia, no frequent excessive daytime sleepiness, no sleep apnoea, and an early chronotype (being a morning person). The researchers checked for incident coronary heart disease and stroke every two years for a total of 10 years. At baseline, 10% of participants had an optimal sleep score, and 8% had a poor score.

“During a median follow-up of eight years, 274 participants developed

coronary heart disease or stroke,” according to the release.

The researchers analyzed the association between sleep scores and cardiovascular events after adjusting for age, sex, alcohol consumption, occupation, smoking, body mass index, physical activity, cholesterol level, diabetes, and family history of heart attack, stroke, or sudden cardiac death.

They found that the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke decreased by 22% for every 1-point rise in the sleep score at baseline. More specifically, compared to those with a score of 0 or 1, participants with a score of 5 had a 75% lower risk of heart disease or stroke.

The researchers estimated the proportion of cardiovascular events that could be prevented with healthier sleep.

They found that if all participants had an optimal sleep score, 72% of new cases of coronary heart disease and stroke might be avoided each year.

Over two follow-ups, almost half of the participants (48%) changed their sleep score: in 25%, it decreased, whereas, in 23%, it improved. When the researchers examined the association between the change in score and cardiovascular events, they found that a 1-point increment over time was associated with a 7% reduction in coronary heart disease or stroke risk.

“Our study illustrates the potential for sleeping well to preserve heart health and suggests that improving sleep is linked with lower risks of coronary heart disease and stroke,” Dr. Nambiema stated in the release.

“We also found that the vast majority of people have sleep difficulties. Given that cardiovascular disease is the top cause of death worldwide, greater awareness is needed on the importance of good sleep for maintaining a healthy heart.”

Source: National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)

Written by: Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Don’t Feel Overwhelmed Pick the Best Weight Loss Plan in 2023

By d-mars.com News Provider

It’s that time of year again when many Americans make the resolution to lose weight and start a healthier routine. This year, with the pandemic largely behind us, many Americans will once again focus on their health. In fact, 64% of Americans are motivated to lose weight because they know it has an impact on their immunity, according to a recent poll of 2,000 U.S. adults aged 30 and above. And 61% also now realize that a healthy diet and lifestyle can better protect their long-term health. So, what should you look for when it comes to a weight loss plan? Courtney McCormick, MPH, RDN, LDN, corporate dietitian at Nutrisystem, offers these tips to help you choose a program that’s right for you.

Keep it Simple : Let’s face it, in our crazy busy world, we must make hundreds of decisions a day, often at lightning speed. You shouldn’t have to worry about counting points or measuring food. Look for a plan that’s easy and convenient and does the work for you.

Focus on Protein: Protein is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle and a key to weight loss. Protein helps with satiety, so it’s important to include some in each meal and snack. Look for plans with high-protein options, like Nutrisystem’s new premium meals, which include up to 30 grams in each meal and keep you full for up to five hours.

Look for Value: As prices continue to rise at grocery stores nationwide, many people are struggling to find affordable options that can help them eat healthier and lose weight. However, those options do exist. Look for plans that are cost-effective and deliver most meals right to your door.

Don’t Give Up Your Favorite Meals: Look for a plan that lets

you eat your favorite foods. Losing weight doesn’t have to mean giving up the things you love. Weight loss plans like Nutrisystem offer comfort foods made healthier that are perfectly portioned so you can enjoy them without any guilt. Plus, the plan also offers dessert for those who have a sweet tooth.

Seek Support: Achieving the goals you’ve set for yourself is so much easier when you have a support system. The best people to have on your team when you’re trying to lose excess weight are those who sit down at daily meals with you. Even better, your chances of reaching and maintaining your weight loss goal increase dramatically if another person in your household joins you on the journey. Look for plans that offer options for both you and your partner to get healthier together. Remember, your weight loss goals will be more than achievable this year if you follow the right plan for you. Look for a program designed to help you succeed. For more great information and other ideas to help fuel your success this year, visit leaf. nutrisystem.com.

Source: StatePoint Media

7 Tips for Finding a Medicare Plan That Works for You

By d-mars.com News Provider

Feeling overwhelmed by your Medicare options? There’s a good reason for that. With more than 3,000 Medicare Advantage plans, over 700 Part D Prescription Plans available and an array of carriers offering Medicare Supplement plans, there’s a lot to consider.

“Whether this is your first time enrolling in Medicare or you’ve been through the process before, it’s easy to get confused by the big picture, not to mention all the details,” says Ryan Kocher, Medicare growth officer at Cigna.

This Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP), Kocher is demystifying the enrollment process by sharing the same tips he offers to his own friends and family members:

1. Don’t wait. Understanding Medicare can protect your health and finances in the years to come. If you are transitioning from a commercial plan, work with an expert on your company’s insurance plan to avoid gaps in coverage as well as late penalties.

2. Nail down the basics. There are many different plan types. Here’s a breakdown:

• Original Medicare, offered through the U.S. government, includes all providers who agree to participate in the program.

• Medicare Supplement plans are plans offered by many private insurers that complement Original Medicare. For an additional premium, these plans cover costs such as copays and coinsurance not covered by Original Medicare. There are a number of standardized options available.

• Standalone Prescription Drug Plans, offered by private insurers for a monthly premium, provide drug coverage not covered by Original Medicare or Medicare Supplement.

• Medicare Advantage (MA) plans cover everything covered by Original Medicare, and most also include dental, vision, and hearing benefits. They often include prescription drug coverage, and other extras like over-the-counter drugs, transportation to doctor’s visits and pharmacies, and fitness plans. MA plans are often available at no extra cost.

3. Review your plan annually. During the AEP (October 15-December 7), it’s important to review your current Medicare plan, even if you like it. This is because plan details are subject to change every year. Review the Annual Notice of Changes, which is mailed to you by your insurer each September. This document spells out plan changes for the upcoming year.

4. Compare all the costs. Be sure to factor in all the associated costs of a given plan, not just the monthly premium. Out-of-pocket costs, such as co-pays and deductibles, should also be considered. Additionally, note the prices and rules around the prescription drugs you take.

5. Check network requirements. Before signing up for a particular plan, check to make sure that your favorite health care providers are in its network. While you may be able to go out of network for care, be prepared to pay more if you do.

6. Ask questions. Don’t settle on a plan until you understand it. If you have questions, reach out to your broker, insurer, physician, and even those friends and family members who have Medicare for help.

7. Use your plan. Now that you have a plan, make the most of its benefits. Schedule all the screenings, vaccines, and other preventive health measures recommended by your doctor. Early intervention can help detect conditions early when they can be more effectively treated.

For more information about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov, Cigna’s website at www. cignamedicare.com, or the state health insurance assistance program in your area.

“Don’t be daunted by the Medicare enrollment process. Being a careful shopper can ensure you find a plan that accommodates your wallet and your well-being,” says Kocher.

Source: StatePoint

Old Folks Saying

Do I look like Boo-Boo The Fool?

Avery common yet comical euphemism used by people of color details the “lies you tell” to your parent(s).

When someone makes a mistake or a bad decision that they are too embarrassed to address, they may opt out of telling the full story or embellish the details.

However, your intuition has already picked up on the fact that the lie was so bad that your intelligence has now been compromised. Afterall, it’s not like you don’t have an idea the person’s character you deal with in some consistent manner.

You end up looking at them with a face called, “Do I look like Boo-Boo the Fool” to you?

This alternative is sometimes a method used by parents to forego other forms of punishment over misconduct, or in this case – tall tales.

Let’s say you stay out late past the curfew you’ve been given. It’s now 2 a.m. and your parents instructed you to be in by 1 a.m. Not to mention, the grace they gave you due to the original curfew being at midnight. However, you are no Cinderella, so you lose track of time and the fairy godmother ain’t singing no “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo.”

As soon as you get in, the light comes on, and BAM! Your mom and/or dad have caught you. Not to mention, it’s only so many exits in a home so the back door or the window are usually dead giveaways.

Then, you see them and the first thing you’re thinking may be, “See, what had happened was….” By then, the excuse will not be believed because your guardians know exactly who you are and what you’re capable of.

While the question alone is rhetorical, opt for a more realistic response such as,

“I was wrong for not abiding by the time you gave me. However, don’t put yourself through pain punishing me. Save it for a rainy day. And last I checked, it’s dry outside.”

Now if it is indeed raining, a quick prayer may suffice.

Did you know...

By Rep. Maxine Waters Contributing Writer

NANCY WILSON

American Jazz Singer

February 20, 1937 - December 13, 2018

Nancy began singing in church at the age of four in her hometown of Chillicothe, Ohio. For more than five decades, she captivated audiences across the globe with her soul-stirring performances that would send chills down your spine; her more than 70 critically acclaimed albums, many of which I own; and her chart-topping hits such as “Guess Who I Saw Today,” “Save Your Love for Me,” and “Face It Girl, It’s Over,” which are considered classics by generations of musicians and fans around the world.

Wilson is also a pioneer and trailblazer for women and entertainers of color. She hosted the National Public Radio program “Jazz Profiles” for nearly a decade, won an Emmy for her starring role in NBC’s “The Nancy Wilson Show,” and served as one of the first African American spokeswomen for major national brands, including Campbell’s Soup.

Due to her brilliant talent, poise, and grace, Nancy was the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions including three Grammy Awards, an NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Urban League’s Whitney Young Jr. Award. She also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and was recognized by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. In 2004, Wilson also received the coveted National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Jazz Masters Fellowships Award, which is the highest honor granted to jazz musicians by the U.S. government.

Source: NNPA

American Cancer Society Urges the Black Community to Pay Close Attention to Prostate Health

By d-mars.com News Provider

Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer diagnosed and the second leading cause of cancer death among Americans with prostates. This year alone, more than a quarter million people in the U.S. will receive the diagnosis. With approximately 1 in 6 Black men expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime compared to 1 in 8 White men, the Black community is disproportionately impacted due to long-standing health inequalities.

To address this issue and save lives, the American Cancer Society recommends Black people born with a prostate speak with their doctor and make an informed decision about screening. There are usually no symptoms until the disease is advanced. Screening can catch cancer early and make it easier to find effective treatment options.

“Health inequalities within the Black community have been well documented,” said Tawana Thomas Johnson, senior vice president, and chief diversity officer at the American Cancer Society. “Reasons for these inequalities are complex but likely rooted in the structural racism that contributes to poverty, under-resourced communities, and the lack of access to high-quality health care. All these factors lead to Black people having a higher cancer burden due to greater obstacles to cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and survival.”

While death rates from prostate cancer have dropped by more than 50% since the early 1990s, Black people still have the highest death rate for prostate cancer of any racial or ethnic group in the U.S., dying from this type of cancer at a rate double to white people. Studies also show Black people diagnosed with advanced-stage

prostate cancer are significantly less likely to receive any treatment compared with white people, even when they have similar health insurance.

“We urge the Black community to work with us to address these alarming statistics,” said Dr. Arif Kamal, the chief patient officer at the American Cancer Society. “Talk to a doctor about screening and available screening options, and if diagnosed, use us as a resource to learn more about the research and resources available for the best cancer outcomes.”

Talk to a doctor about prostate cancer screening if you are:

● • 40 or older and have more than one close family member who had prostate cancer

● • 45 or older and Black or have a close family member who was diagnosed with prostate cancer before they turned 65

● • 50 or older and have no family history of prostate cancer

From 1991 to 2019, there has been a 32% decline in cancer mortality due to early detection, research, advocacy, and patient support. The American Cancer Society offers multiple resources to support patients and improve cancer outcomes. This includes a 24/7 cancer helpline, free transportation to treatment, free lodging if treatment is needed away from home, online patient and caregiver peer support communities and information on current research.

Learn more at cancer.org/partneringforlife

Source: National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)