Health & Wellness Journal HEALTH
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MEDICAL
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RESEARCH
February – March 2016
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BEAUTY
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Proud to Be
The Heart of the Matter By Rhonda Dallas February is recognized as American Heart Month. What does that mean to you? PAGE 10
PAGES 4-5
Tips for Being Active Following a Cancer Diagnosis
Bader F. Alamdar Is “The King of Skincare”
By Raheem J. Paxton, PhD Physical activity is defined as any type of movement produced by the muscles that burns calories. PAGE 14
PAGE 14 PAGE 9
Heart Healthy Among African-American Women By Tiffany Davis February is American Heart Month.
Tiffany Davis Hosts the Black Nurses Association of Greater Houston’s April 2016 Luncheon
Health & Wellness Journal Spotlight on Petria McKelvey and Precision Medical Billing
I tell them that the most important aspect is to be yourself and have confidence in yourself. PAGE 20
— Wilma Rudolph
February – March 2016 3
Journal Behind The
Publisher’s Message
MR. D-MARS
SR. PUBLISHER Keith J. Davis, Sr.
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Kevin Davis
VICE PRESIDENT Kim Floyd
ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES C.T. Foster Eric D. Goodwine Tiffany Black
“Proud to Be” is the theme for this issue of the d-mars.com Health Journal. There are many diseases that are impacting our community more than other communities. Are you taking care of your health? Are you setting the example of a healthy lifestyle for those around you? This is the time to get healthy. Health is of the utmost importance. Be an example for those in your family and your community. Help make for a healthier community. The cover story for this issue is on Bader F. Alamdar aka “The King of Skincare.” Are you taking care of your skin? Are you using products for your skin to make it the healthiest it can be? There are countless products on the shelf that claim to give skin the ultimate protection from the summer and winter months, but Alamdar’s skincare line is taking skin to a healthier level. His amazing skincare products made for men and women, are making the skin healthy. As always, thank you for your continued support of d-mars.com. When you support us, you are supporting more than just our company; you are supporting the communities in which we live and work. Working together, we can succeed in making positive things happen.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Dawn Paul
PHOTOGRAPHY
Contents
L.C. Poullard Grady Carter Tony Gaines
MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Andrea Hennekes
LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGNER Angel Rosa
DISTRIBUTION Booker T. Davis, Jr. Rockie Hayden
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ja’Kya Sheppard Dr. Ka-Ron Y. Wade Rhonda Dallas Raheem J. Paxton, PhD Sonia Boyd James Tiffany Davis d-mars.com News Provider
The King of Skincare................................................................................................................................................................................................4-5 The Blueprint to Achieving 2016 Fitness Goals.................................................................................................................................................. 6 Why Bad Science Isn’t Good for Anyone.............................................................................................................................................................. 6 The Black Nurses Association of Greater Houston.......................................................................................................................................... 8 The Heart of the Matter............................................................................................................................................................................................10 Know the Prescription for Finding Safe Online Pharmacies........................................................................................................................ 12 Tips for Being Active Following a Cancer Diagnosis....................................................................................................................................... 14 Petria McKelvey and Precision Medical Billing.................................................................................................................................................. 14 Community Collaborations: Create Pathways to Good Mental Health.....................................................................................................16 Are African-American Men at Risk for Oral Cancer?.........................................................................................................................................17 Are We Turning a Blind Eye to Blue Light?.........................................................................................................................................................18 Heart Healthy Among African-American Women.............................................................................................................................................20 Surgery and Anesthesia..........................................................................................................................................................................................20 The Road to Recovery...............................................................................................................................................................................................22 Learn from HIV............................................................................................................................................................................................................22 In the Health Community........................................................................................................................................................................................ 24
MR. D-MARS Tip of the Month “One important key to success is selfconfidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.” — Arthur Ashe
Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication
4 February – March 2016
The
TexanQ8 Company
Bader F. Alamdar aka “Mr. Kuwait”
Is Taking Your Skin to a Healthier Level By Dawn Paul
Associate Editor
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re you taking care of your skin? Are you using products for your skin to make it the healthiest it can be? Harsh weather conditions can take a toll on the skin, and no matter the skin type, skin needs to be taken care of. If you take care of your skin, it takes care of you. There are countless products on the shelf that claim to give skin the ultimate protection from the summer and winter months, but there is a skincare line that is taking skin to a healthier level. Bader F. Alamdar has been called “The King of Skincare” because of the amazing skincare products under his company, TexanQ8. His skincare line is made for men and women, taking skin to a healthier level with organic products and great attention to detail. Alamdar is proud of his roots in Kuwait, and though he knew that coming to America would be a great challenge, he was up to it. Alamdar says, “I’ve never been scared of a challenge. I came to America to help my daughter and to be successful in business. I want to make my family in Kuwait proud that I am making a positive contribution here in Houston, Texas.” Alamdar got into the skincare business because he saw a great need for products that would not cause break outs or create side effects. He was very strategic when going into this business and industry. He specifically wanted the products sold under the TexanQ8 brand that were made with high quality and organic ingredients like Shea butter, aloe vera, jojoba, and antioxidants. Being that skin is in the area of health, it was of the utmost importance to Alamdar to put the TexanQ8 name on a quality product that the consumers would greatly benefit from and could trust. However, before breaking into this industry and helping people have the healthy skin they
CONTINUED on page 5
Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication
February – March 2016 5
CONTINUED from page 4 deserve, Alamdar first knew he had to do his research on the different skin types and the importance of moisturizing. According to www.mayoclinic.org, moisturizers prevent and treat dry skin, but that’s not all they do. Moisturizers can protect sensitive skin, improve skin tone and texture, and mask imperfections. There are plenty of moisturizers available. It is good to know which moisturizer is best for you. On the most basic level, moisturizers hold water in the outermost layer of skin. They also act as a temporary barrier. Many moisturizers contain some combination of humectants, emollients, and other ingredients. The moisturizer that’s best for you depends on many factors, including your skin type, your age, and whether you have specific conditions, such as acne. Below are the following skin types: Normal skin. Normal skin is neither too dry nor too oily. To maintain this natural moisture balance, use a water-based moisturizer that has a light, nongreasy feel. These moisturizers often contain lightweight oils or silicone-derived ingredients, such as cyclomethicone. Dry skin. To restore moisture to dry skin, choose a heavier, oil-based moisturizer that contains ingredients that help keep your skin hydrated. For very dry and cracked skin, petrolatum-based products are preferable. They have more staying
“This skin care line was made for women and men to use. These products will give your skin special care, being that they are made with organic ingredients that are very beneficial for the skin. I am proud that this is a quality product. I am proud of this skincare line.”
— Bader F. Alamdar
power than creams do and are more effective at preventing water from evaporating from your skin. Oily skin. Oily skin is prone to acne and breakouts. Though oily, such skin still needs moisture, especially after using
skin care products that remove oils and dry out the skin. A light moisturizer can also help protect your skin after washing. Choose a water-based product that’s labeled noncomedogenic, which means it won’t clog pores.
Sensitive skin. Sensitive skin is susceptible to skin irritations, redness, itching or rashes. Look for a moisturizer that contains soothing ingredients, such as chamomile or aloe, and doesn’t contain potential allergens, such as fragrances or dyes. Also, avoid products containing acids, which can irritate sensitive skin. Mature skin. As you age, your skin tends to become drier because your oil-producing glands become less active. To keep your skin soft and well hydrated, choose an oil-based moisturizer that contains petrolatum as the base, along with antioxidants or alpha hydroxy acids to combat wrinkles. These ingredients help hold in moisture and prevent flaky, scaly skin. Alamdar knows that the skincare products offered under his line have the ingredients that will nourish and benefit the skin, especially in a state like Texas, and the constantly changing conditions in Kuwait. “Customer reviews in Kuwait have been good and motivating, considering the harsh conditions there,” Alamdar says.
The TheTexanQ8 TexanQ8Product ProductLine InLine Includes: cludes: • Platinum 7 Shave Cream • Nosam Shea Butter - Khaton Edition • Nosam Shea Butter - Erian Edition • Nosam Shea Butter-Natalia Edition • Nosam Shea Butter Mysterious 7 Edition
Bader F. Alamdar spoke with d-mars.com about his entering into this industry, TexanQ8, and the skincare line: earned 2 Honors degrees. After receiving my education, I worked in the legal department as a manager at Kuwait Linux, and I worked with the Ministry of Labor.
What brought you to America? In 2012, My daughter, Bashayer was born. Her name means “good news” in Arabic. She had liver failure. Kuwait sent us to the best medical center in the world in Texas, specifically, Memorial Hermann Hospital. She has had a successful liver transplant surgery, but for her light weight, she had a lot of side effects, and went through more surgeries, a little over 15 I can recall. Thanks to the great team at Memorial Hermann Hospital, she is doing a lot better. After one of the surgeries, my daughter’s Bader F. Alamdar, also a sculptor, with doctor noticed symptoms of depression on one of his works of art. me. He sat down and talked to me and told me to get busy doing a hobby or something Bader F. Alamdar spoke with productive to get me mind off of things. I d-mars.com about his entering went back to my sculpting hobby, but this into this industry, TexanQ8, and time under the supervision of professional the skincare line: artist, Michael Kirby, who I’ve learned so much from.
Talk a little about your background. I was born in 1975, in Kuwait. Sculpting clay was my hobby since childhood. I studied law at Kuwait University, where I
Talk about some of your accomplishments. Not only have I created the TexanQ8 company here in Houston, Texas, I have made
Alamdar says, “Despite the struggles, you can never quit. I have had my difficulties, dealing with my daughter’s illness and being away from my country and family. I stopped getting paid from my job, but that only motivates me to do even more.” Alamdar is motivated by the words of George Bernard Shaw when he said, “People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can’t find them, make them.” Alamdar, above everything else, wants to be a
several sculptures like Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the former president of United Arab Emirates, Alan Cohen, my daughter’s physician here in Houston, and Bashar ALJazzaf, a Kuwaiti popular performer. I love President George Bush. He is the hero of the independence of Kuwait in 1991, so I made a sculpture made of bronze for the previous ruler of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and called it The Prince of Hearts, as a gift to President Bush and the United States Armed Forces that helped Kuwait in Operation Desert Storm in 1991.
What made you want to enter into this industry with a skincare line? My reason for being in this industry is
Sculpture by Bader F. Alamdar. to have the types of products that help people have healthy skin without break outs or side effects, unlike some products on the market. This skincare line is something special for them.
What are your future goals for this skincare line?
Sculpture by Bader F. Alamdar called The Prince of Hearts, as a gift to President George H. W. Bush.
My goals for the future is to make products special for children and people with sensitive skin. I hope that I can donate part of my income towards children organ transplant and cancer centers in Texas… that’s my dream.
good representation for his country, and he wants to make his family proud. “The United States of America is a really beautiful country, with great people. This country motivates me to be productive,” Alamdar says. Alamdar is not only a businessman, but a member of the National Sculpture Society. He cares about the community, contributing to Support Our Troops and the Firefighters Support Foundation, Inc. Though Alamdar has had his struggles, he didn’t quit, and he is on a mission to help people get the healthy skin that they long for. For more information on the skincare line, please visit www.texanq8.com.
Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication
6 February – March 2016
The Blueprint to Achieving 2016 Fitness Goals Fitness Made Smart:
By Ja’ Kya Sheppard
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Contributing Writer
illions of Americans were excited about their new goals, dreams, and ambitions going into 2016. According to John Norcross, a researcher published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, over 50% of the American population create a New Year's resolution. Psychology professor, Peter Herman said that people make unrealistic resolutions that provide a "false hope syndrome." Last year's resolution identified that approximately 43% of Americans made fitness-based goals. Sadly, by the end of the year, only 8% of them would achieve their fitness goals before the next year begins. It is evident that we are great dreamers, but not good “doers.” However, there are few daily adjustments any individual can make to reach a big time goal that can adapt to any lifestyle, and that will give you results that last a lifetime.
Create a Daily Plan: Napoleon Hill once said, “If you don’t plan, you plan to fail.” Each must set a realistic plan of action that you are committed to doing daily. This plan or to-do-list holds him or her accountable to their long-term goals by giving them short term goals to reach in daily increments. A person who was taking
responsibility for his or her outcome of success is less likely to be co-dependent on someone else to help them accomplish their goals and develop a strong sense of self-awareness in the process. Having a calendar or pocket planner where you can visually see the time and effort put into making a plan tends to make a person more eager to fulfill the task ahead. When planning, make sure real nutrition, stretching, and fitness are all incorporated in your list. Creating a fun and adventurous list will make 2016 unforgettable.
Eat to Lose: According to The Huffington Post, weight loss is 75 percent diet and 25 percent exercise. These percentages mean that if you mostly focus on nutrition, you are guaranteed to see results in the absences of working out. Nutrition
is undeniably the secret sauce to weight loss. A person needs to plan to visit the grocery store at least once a week. Preparing a different weekly grocery list with items found from new recipes could help spark an interest in prepping your meals for the week ahead. Make a conscious effort toward shopping the perimeter of the grocery store, and limit the selections of unhealthy snacks you get in the middle aisle. The healthier selections are the fruits, vegetables, and produce, which a person can locate on the outer aisles. Those items are the rich nutrients and are necessary to see the results. It’s important to stay open-minded about changing the face of the plate. Make sure you have a power-packed breakfast, a proteinpacked lunch, and a replenishing dinner. Control your portions, and look up healthy recipes that resemble the food selections you love.
With so much access to technology, we have the ability to work smarter and not harder as it relates to fitness. Some gadgets and watches will count your steps, mileages, and calories with one stroke of a button. Also, apps are coming out daily designed to model effective training programs and healthy meal choices that give you several options to choose from depending on a person’s daily calorie intake and personalized fitness goals. The App Store and the Android market have hundreds of free fitness and health related apps that could be beneficial to help in monitoring and reaching a fitness goal. Polar watches and Fitbit are the most popular watches on the market right now. For a cheaper alternative, set a daily calorie target goal you want to burn, and use a smart device to track your progress. Fitness is a long-term journey. The results that a person desires to seek can be possible if you plan, strategize, and execute your daily tasks.
References: -Williams, R. (2014). Why People Can’t Keep Their New Year’s Resolution. Retrieved from https://www. psychologytoday.com/blog/wiredsuccess/21412/why-people-cant-keeptheir-new-years-resolutions -Wexler, S. Z.(2014). Exercise vs. Diet: The Truth About Exercise. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost. com/2014/04/30/exercise-vs-diet-forweight-loss_n_5207271.html Ja’Kya Sheppard is a fitness professional emphatically known as "The Beast Coach." For tips and more information, please visit her on the web at www.jakyasheppard.com.
Why Bad Science Isn’t Good for Anyone By d-mars.com News Provider
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here is an old adage that the squeaking wheel gets the most oil. If you need proof that adage still rings true, consider where we are with food science research. Much of the time, the loudest are heard, regardless of qualifications, while the more informed and experienced are silenced. For instance, a particular celebrity used her visibility to help lead a movement of parents denying their children the proper vaccinations needed to keep them safe and healthy, resulting in a media frenzy. Scarily enough, a measles outbreak occurred at Disneyland last year, a disease that had effectively been eliminated because of vaccinations, but has seen a rising number of outbreaks in recent years. Similarly, a well-known food blog-
ger, along with her online following, petitioned that Subway remove azodicarbonamide from its bread. Azodicarbonamide, or the "yoga mat chemical" as was the misnomer in the media, has been scientifically proven safe in foods at the very low levels at which it's used. Regardless of the facts, thanks to the blogger's online footprint, an Internet search of the ingredient results in two takeaways: it's used in yoga mats and it might not be safe. So why don't popular headlines support the science? In traditional media, you can attribute part of it to the current dearth of publications with actual science writers. In social media, where there is almost no commitment to objectivity, the average food blogger has come to realize that when it comes to food, we like nothing more than a good scare. This ought to change, but you probably can't count on it. You need only look to carrageenan as a
prime example of flawed science accepted as gospel. Naturally derived from red seaweed, carrageenan is used to stabilize many of the foods and drinks we consume every day, such as dairy beverages and desserts. There have been numerous studies performed that meet every scientific standard, all of which prove carrageenan's safety. However, in today's fearful environment, flawed studies that connect carrageenan to inflammation and diabetes are cited by everyone from your favorite aunt to traditional media. In some of these studies, carrageenan was tested on faulty cells that had considerable defects, a fact that was confirmed by the company who provided those cells. This supplier notified all affected parties of the mistake, yet neither scientists nor peer-reviewed journals that published these studies have yet to make any public clarification regarding this fundamental research flaw. Instead, we'll continue to see these
studies cited as legitimate. And we'll continue to see studies cited that have experimented with the wrong material, or studies that inject carrageenan into the foot of an animal (rather than combining it with food), and other methodology sins. Bad science is not good for anyone. Those charged with informing us about the food sciences - either scientists themselves or the science media - are finding some audiences are now so skeptical of legitimate food science that they can only be filled with despair. The next time you see a new version of the food pyramid displayed, you might wonder why fear isn't identified prominently as part of the modern diet. To learn about the proven science behind our food not found in the headlines, read Myra Weiner's research paper in the peer-reviewed journal, Food and Chemical Toxicology. – BPT
Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication
February – March 2016  7
Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication
8 February – March 2016
d-mars.com Recognizes the
Black Nurses Association of Greater Houston for Black History Month By d-mars.com News Provider
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n 1970, Dr. Lauranne Sams, a black nurse, attended the American Nurses Association Convention. She observed that the organization did not address the needs of black nurses, or the health care needs of minorities. Therefore she envisioned the importance of an organization to meet those needs. Through her strong convictions and diligent work, encompassed by the help of other black nurses with the same vision, The National Black Nurses Association, Incorporated was organized in 1971.
In 1978, Eunice Pointer had a similar conviction to Dr. Sams. She felt that Houston had black nurses who could become unified and pool their expertise and resources to help alleviate the disparity of health problems in the black community. As a result of her hard work and ingenuity, the Black Nurses Association of Greater Houston was organized under her leadership. In 1980, Mrs. Dora Hobbs Culberson designed the official logo for the Black Nurses Association of Greater
Houston (BNAGH). The chapter was chartered in 1982, Black Nurses Association of Greater Houston, Houston, Texas, as the 19th chapter, in Atlanta, GA at the National Conference. Additionally, the chapter was incorporated in 1982. The motto of the organization is “Community Health Promotion and Professional Development.” The mission of the Black Nurses Association of Greater Houston, Inc. is to
improve health and wellness among the black and other communities of the Greater Houston areas. This organization provides leadership to advance nursing practice and improve health care for all Americans, especially the unserved and underserved. Their aim is to be a beacon of service to all nurses who want to improve health care and reduce health disparities for AfricanAmericans at the local, state, and national levels.
Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication
February – March 2016  9
Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication
10 February – March 2016
The Heart of the Matter
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By Rhonda Dallas Contributing Writer
ebruary is recognized as American Heart Month. What does that mean to you? What are you doing to make sure you are taking the preventive steps to keep your heart healthy? The heart is a muscle that pumps the blood through the circulatory system by rhythmic contraction and dilation. In vertebrates, there may be up to four chambers (as in humans), with two atria and two ventricles. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer for all Americans, and the risk of getting heart disease is higher for African-Americans and Latinos. The good news is, African-Americans can improve their odds of preventing and beating heart disease by understanding the risks and taking simple steps to address them.
Some factors that can contribute to heart disease are: High Blood Pressure The prevalence of high blood pressure in African-Americans is the highest in the world. Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure increases your risk of heart disease and stroke, and it can cause permanent damage to the heart before you even notice any symptoms. This is why it is often referred to as the "silent killer." Not only is high blood pressure more severe in blacks than whites, but it also develops earlier in life. Research suggests African-Americans may carry a gene that makes them more salt sensitive, increasing the risk of high blood pressure. Your healthcare provider can help you find the right medication, and lifestyle changes can also have a big impact. “You can’t do anything about your family history, but you can control your blood pressure. If you know your blood pressure is high, keeping track of changes is important. Check it regularly, and notify your doctor of changes in case treatment needs to be adjusted, says Winston Gandy, M.D., a cardiologist and managing partner at Atlanta Cardiology Associates, LLC. Even if you don’t have high blood pressure, he recommends checking it every two years. He adds, “The No. 1 thing you can do is check your blood pressure regularly.” Obesity African-Americans are disproportionately affected by obesity. Among nonHispanic blacks age 20 and older, 63 percent of men and 77 percent of wom-
en are overweight or obese. Diabetes African-Americans are more likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic whites. Diabetes is treatable and preventable, but many people don’t recognize early warning signs. Or, they avoid seeking treatment out of fear of complications.
Our Check-List to Prevention • Get checked out at least once a year by your family care doctor and even a cardiologist if needed. • Work with your medical providers
and listen to the suggestions they make in regards to your health and your heart. • Hire a certified nutritional counselor and certified health and wellness life coach to assist you with your healthy living. • Exercise daily, whether it be walking or running. • Eat a diet low in sodium and fat grams. *Source used: www.heart.org
A certified health and wellness life coach can help you with a healthy lifestyle. Contact me at rhondadallascoaching@gmail.com for your coaching session. Get started today!
Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication
February – March 2016  11
Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication
12 February – March 2016
Know the Prescription for Finding Safe Online Pharmacies consumers.
By d-mars.com News Provider
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any Americans have trouble affording their medications. In fact, numerous recent news reports document the skyrocketing costs of prescriptions. Spending on medications was up 13 percent, totaling $374 billion last year alone, according to one report from the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics. The high cost of prescriptions means people have trouble affording all their treatments, and often make hard choices between paying the bills and taking their medications. Many people skip doses, split pills or cut back on their medications. In 2012, 50 million Americans did not fill a prescription due to cost, according to the Commonwealth Fund. Other people delay treatment or don’t adhere to their medication schedule, which causes further problems that can likely harm their health. With the high cost of drugs, consumers frequently turn to online pharmacies for their purchases of health maintenance medications (or prescriptions
Pharmacies with the CIPA-verified seal must: • Require a valid prescription from a patient’s U.S. doctor; • Obtain demographic and medical information from the patient and maintain a health profile with history to avoid adverse drug interactions;
taken daily to manage chronic health conditions like high blood pressure or cholesterol). In fact, 64 percent purchase from Canadian pharmacies online due to affordability, recent survey of American customers by the Canadian International Pharmacy Association (CIPA) found. Maintenance medications ordered from these pharmacies may cost up to 80 percent less than U.S. prices. However, not all websites selling medications online are legitimate, and consumers need to be able to identify the safe pharmacies. There are bad operators
on the Internet that engage in a variety of unsafe practices and may sell medications without requiring a prescription, won’t tell you who they are or where they are located, or sell substandard or counterfeit products. CIPA maintains a list of fraudulent websites that consumers can use before making a purchase. Another tip is to look for the CIPAverified seal on online pharmacy websites. These pharmacies have maintained a 100 percent perfect safety record since the seal was established in 2002 and have served more than 10 million U.S.
• Employ a licensed pharmacist on staff for patient consultation; • Provide the same quality controls and convenience as a U.S. mail-order pharmacy; • List the company’s address and phone number on the website; and • Maintain patient privacy and confidentiality. When shopping, consumers can look for the seal on the website and then click on the seal to reveal the verification code or check www.cipa.com/verify to ensure the online pharmacy is a legitimate provider. You can stay safe when shopping online for medications if you follow a prescription for finding safe online pharmacies. – BPT
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Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication
14 February – March 2016
Tips for Being Active Following a Cancer Diagnosis • Improved weight • Improved muscular strength • Improved mental and physical health
• Break up sitting with standing
In addition, engaging in recommended levels of activity can decrease your risk of cancer recurrence and improve your overall survival [2].
What should I do if I do not meet By Raheem J. Paxton, PhD recommendations for physical Contributing Writer activity? hysical activity is defined
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as any type of movement produced by the muscles that burns calories [1].
Recommendations:
Cancer survivors are encouraged to engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per week [2]. Moderate activity examples include bicycling, brisk walking, moderate housework, washing a car, and light farm work. Vigorous activity examples include jogging, tennis, heavy, or rapid shoveling, aerobic dance, heavy farm work.
Importance of being active: Studies have shown that being active is associated with a number of benefits for cancer survivors including: • Improved cardiovascular fitness
Some activity is better than none Consider increasing light-intensity physical activity [3]. Light activity examples include dancing slowly, housework, golf, stretching, and causal walking. Recommendation: no evidencebased recommendations have been established.
Health Hazards of Prolonged Sitting Recently, studies have indicated that sitting for long periods is associated with the development of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, certain cancers, and contribute to premature death. Importantly, even when you are meeting physical activity guidelines, prolonged sitting can be harmful. In fact, it may
counter the benefits of being active [4]. Prolonged sitting is also associated with these outcomes: • Weight gain • Increased cholesterol levels • Bone loss • Decreased muscular strength Breaking up prolonged periods of sitting can help to reduce the adverse consequences. Studies indicate that you should stand up and move around for 1 minute every 30 minutes spent sitting [5]. Strategies to stay active • Plan your workouts • Set workout goals • Make exercise enjoyable • Find a workout partner • Minimize time spent sitting • Keep workout reminders • Reduce TV time
Health & Wellness Journal Spotlight on Petria McKelvey and Precision Medical Billing By d-mars.com News Provider
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ast year, the 2015 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report reflected a 322% growth in businesses owned by black women since 1997. Precision Medical Billing (PMB) is proud to be a contributor to that growth. PMB is proud to be a beacon of progress, excellence, and fortune in our communities, and they’re proud to serve as an example of empowerment to our children. PMB was founded in 1995 by Petria McKelvey, who still serves as the company’s CEO today, at a time before such a great surge in black women-owned businesses. Prior to starting PMB, Petria launched a successful career in medical billing with one of the nation’s largest home healthcare agencies. In 1994, when she left work to have her first child, she began to envision a career shift: going into business for herself. “The reason I founded PMB initially
was the feeling I got by helping clients retrieve revenue they would have otherwise forgone simply because they didn’t have the time to properly bill or collect it,” Petria says. “Taking that burden off of my clients, or teaching them how to do it on their own, helps put their hardearned money back in their pocket. And that’s something I take enormous pride in accomplishing.” Now, over 20 years after the business opened its doors, PMB employs about a dozen full-time employees and contracts others on a project basis. Even with today’s rapid entrepreneurial growth among minorities, fewer than 5% of black women-owned businesses employs more than one person. PMB is proud to be one of few thriving and growing minority-owned businesses that also of-
fers employment opportunities to others in the industry. PMB is proud to be the national expert in home healthcare billing. When PMB is used as an outsourced billing and collections service, their providers are poised to save 50% in total costs between lost revenue collected by PMB and benefits they would have paid to an in-house staff. Each year in the U.S., medical practices leave $125 billion on the table due to poor billing practices. PMB is proud to be responsible for helping them get that money back in their pockets and back into their practices. When PMB helps return their clients profit they had been previously losing, what they are really doing is freeing them from time and resource-consuming paperwork and bureaucracy, so they
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Atlanta, GA; 2008. 2. Rock CL, Doyle C, DemarkWahnefried W, Meyerhardt J, Courneya KS, Schwartz AL, Bandera EV, Hamilton KK, Grant B, McCullough M, Byers T, Gansler T. Nutrition and physical activity guidelines for cancer survivors. CA: a cancer journal for clinicians. Jul-Aug 2012;62(4):243-274. 3. Loprinzi PD, Lee H, Cardinal BJ. Evidence to support including lifestyle light-intensity recommendations in physical activity guidelines for older adults. Am J Health Promot. May-Jun 2015;29(5):277-284. 4. Owen N, Healy GN, Matthews CE, Dunstan DW. Too much sitting: the population health science of sedentary behavior. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. Jul 2010;38(3):105-113. 5. Larsen RN, Kingwell BA, Sethi P, Cerin E, Owen N, Dunstan DW. Breaking up prolonged sitting reduces resting blood pressure in overweight/ obese adults. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. Sep 2014;24(9):976-982. Raheem J. Paxton, PhD is an Assistant Professor at UNT Health Science Center – School of Public Health and Institute of Healthy Aging can, as the PMB slogan reads, “Get Back to What Matters.” As an owner, Petria is proud to be a nationally acclaimed billing educator and trainer, and she is active in the entrepreneurial community. Petria is an active member of Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and is also a proud supporter of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC), and one of only 100 organizations invited to be a part of Home Care 100, an elite leadership organization dedicated to advancing excellence among leading U.S. healthcare providers. She speaks nationally about the intricacies of medical billing and revenue cycle management to audiences nationwide every year. She is also heavily sought after to speak privately to billing groups and holds trainings and seminars to strengthen billing departments around the country.
About Precision Medical Billing Precision Medical Billing is a Houston billing company dedicated to helping physicians, home health agencies and hospice groups navigate the complex world of medical billing and claims. In the 20 years since the company was founded in the now-president’s home office, PMB has grown and flourished into a national leader in medical billing. They take pride in handling the training, paperwork and other important details their clients need, so they can get back to what matters — the patients in their care. Learn more about PMB at preci sionmedicalbilling.com.
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Community Collaborations:
Create Pathways to Good Mental Health By Sonia Boyd James
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Contributing Writer
ccording to the Act for Youth Center of Excellence, collaboration is the process that makes it possible to reach a goal that cannot be achieved by one person or agency alone. This implies a need for negotiation and agreement about the goal and strategies. Partners work together by sharing expertise, resources, and responsibility for achieving the goal. Collaboration is not an easy process. Success or failure is determined by the interaction of three dynamic forces: • Time: It takes time and effort to develop a working partnership. Sometimes it might be faster to complete a task without relying on partners to participate and contribute, but in the long run, collaboration will result in better, longer-lasting outcomes. • Turf: Collaboration works only when all partners both contribute to and benefit from the effort. When partners perceive an imbalance, imagined or real, tied to the benefits of the collaboration, the process of working
together might stall, or the partner who feels disadvantaged might leave the collaborative. • Trust: Effective collaborations require trust among partners. Trust in others enables partners to share benefits and resources and to take on challenges. Let’s examine what people consider when you say that someone has a mental health issue. Now be honest with yourself; your first thought is, Oh they are crazy. We have been conditioned to believe that anytime anyone is struggling to find their way, they are crazy. The other popular thought is, Oh my, they must not have any faith or not be praying diligently enough for these circumstances to subside. Well, it is time to re-examine these mindsets. Have you ever considered that the individual may simply need to get some things off of their chest in a safe, confidential, and judgment free environment? The adage, “It takes a village,” could not be more prevalent in our current social climate. There must be a concerted effort to address the physical, social, and mental wellbeing of our communities to stabilize a future for success. It is a new year, and resolutions have been made to be whole by eating more organic foods, enrolling in a yoga class, and to become more socially conscious through volunteering and philanthropic giving. “Talk Therapy” is a method utilized at Psych On Site and Urgent Psych Care that encompasses a therapeutic approach to wholeness and mental stability. The same effort that’s exhausted to be fit and keep a current social media profile should be just as important in the quest for maintaining your mental health. Each of us possess a quality to pay it forward, and the team at Psych On Site and Urgent Psych Care embrace this trait. Our plan of action involves taking our time to explore the mental
health landscape in the Houston area. This journey has led to some amazing and beneficial collaborations. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Greater Houston has been a powerful resource of information for us. Angelina Brown-Hudson, NAMI of Greater Houston’s Director of Education, categorizes Urgent Psych Care as an alternative to the emergency room. We echo her sentiments of removing the shame, blame, and guilt associated with mental health issues. The Urgent Psych Care model is designed to provide a comfortable, unintimidating space to free your mind and share what is bothering you. Urgent Psych Care has opened its doors to provide NAMI of Greater Houston a space to educate families about their loved one’s mental health condition. We all need a way to unburden ourselves. Talk Therapy can equip you to handle life’s challenges and offers a sedge way to a more appealing and peaceful existence. Due to our consistent presence and community involvement, Psych On Site and Urgent Psych Care have been approved to be community partners with the City of Houston and Area B Kashmere Garden Multi-Service Center. The root cause of this partnership is to provide Talk Therapy to the residents of this area. Kashmere Garden is rich in tradition, and we applaud the City of Houston Program Manager, Shiny John, for recognizing the need for Talk Therapy. Her compassion and diligence is contagious. The vetting process began in mid-June, and the vote was passed in late November. We are entrusted to make a difference in the lives of so many residents that walk through the doors of Kashmere Garden MSC. The Kashmere Garden MSC has a wealth of well-organized programs and services that benefit adults, children, and adolescents. Psych On Site and Urgent Psych Care are honored to work
amongst such dedicated directors, managers, and social workers, brainstorming to execute innovative ideas to broaden the knowledge and importance of addressing mental health. Psych On Site and Urgent Psych Care have joined forces with a notable community agency, ProUnitas. ProUnitas facilitates the effective entry, coordinating an implementation of Houston’s existing educational, health, and social services for underserved communities. Adeeb Barqawi, President/CEO says, “As a systemsbased organization, ProUnitas exists to maximize the reach of valuable and essential services to underserved communities. We are excited about the addition of our newest partner, Psych On Site, providing Talk Therapy services to children at Kashmere High School and Key Middle School. This partnership means that children who previously were difficult to reach due to school instability will now have access to an essential service in a much more sustainable way.” I completely agree with Adeeb, and I believe that as a community, we can tackle the stigma and mystery of mental health. Do you know anyone that is burdened and frustrated with their workplace, experiencing grief, divorce, college anxiety, family dilemmas, accidents, and injuries, amongst other challenges? Let’s utilize our resources and knowledge to get people on the pathway to good mental health today.
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Are African-American Men at Risk for Oral Cancer?
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patch in your mouth, lip, or throat • A white or red patch in your mouth • A feeling that something is caught in your throat • Difficulty chewing or swallowing • Difficulty moving your jaw or tongue • Numbness in your tongue or other areas of your mouth • Swelling of your jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable • Pain in one ear without hearing loss • Be on the lookout for any changes in your mouth, especially if you smoke or drink.
Dr. Ka-Ron Y. Wade Contributing Writer
es, African-American men are one of the groups at high risk for oral cancer— but many don’t know it. Most cases of oral cancer are linked to cigarette smoking, heavy alcohol use, or the use of both tobacco and alcohol together. In fact, using tobacco plus alcohol poses a much greater risk than using either substance alone. Certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) may also play a part in oral cancer. It’s not just smokeless tobacco (“dip” and “chew”). Using tobacco of any kind, including cigarettes, puts you at risk for oral cancer. The risk of oral cancer increases with age. Most oral cancers occur after age 40.
What should you do if you have symptoms?
What are the symptoms of oral cancer? Possible Signs & Symptoms • A sore, irritation, lump, or thick
See a doctor or dentist if any symptoms last more than two weeks. Most often, symptoms (like those listed in the previous section) do not mean cancer. An infection or another problem can cause the same symptoms. But it’s important to get them checked out—because if you do have cancer, it can be treated more successfully if it’s caught early. Ask for an
oral cancer exam. It’s quick, painless, and it could save your life. About Oral Cancer The term oral cancer includes cancers of the mouth and the pharynx (FAIR-inks), part of the throat. The Oral Cancer Exam An oral cancer examination can detect early signs of cancer. The exam is painless and takes only a few minutes. During the exam, your doctor or dentist will check your face, neck, lips, entire mouth, and the back of your throat for possible signs of cancer. For more information, please visit the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial at www.nidcr.nih.gov/ oralhealth.
Schedule your oral exam today! For breakthrough dental technology, please call us at 832-304-2447, or visit us on the web at www.cosmeticdental texas.com.
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Are We Turning a Blind Eye to Blue Light? By d-mars.com News Provider
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t’s everywhere — inside as well as outside your home. As digital device usage increases, you’re exposed to more and more of it without realizing how it may affect your vision in the future. We’re talking about blue light. In its natural form, your body uses blue light from the sun to regulate your natural sleep and wake cycles. This natural light also helps boost alertness, heighten reaction times and elevate moods. However, we use our eyes much differently than prior generations because we now use a number of artificial sources of blue light including digital screens, electronic devices and LED lighting. The evolution in digital screen technology has advanced dramatically over the years, and many of today’s electronic devices use LED back-light technology to help enhance screen brightness and clarity. These LEDs emit very strong blue light waves. Because of the widespread use and increasing popularity of these devices, we are now exposed to more sources of blue light for longer periods of time. Studies suggest 60 percent of people spend more than six hours a day in front of a digital device. The flickering of this artificial blue light creates a glare that can reduce visual contrast, affecting sharpness and clarity.
That in turn could contribute to eyestrain, headaches, physical and mental fatigue due to increasing amounts of time sitting in front of a computer screen or other electronic device. Studies show this high-energy, blue-violet light has been found to cause significant damage to retinal cells, and is a risk
factor for the onset of age-related macular degeneration, a deterioration of the part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision. Our eyes’ natural filters do not provide sufficient protection against blue light rays from the sun, let alone the blue light emanating from these devices, or from
blue light emitted from fluorescent-light tubes. Mother Nature arms us with “internal sunglasses” made up of macular pigment. This pigment, which is comprised of zeaxanthin (zee-uh-zan-thin) and lutein at a ratio of 2:1, is found in the center of the macula (fovea). This pigment absorbs harmful blue light that can affect eye health. These “sunglasses” protect the rods and cones needed for central as well as peripheral vision. However, if this macular pigment isn’t at optimal density, it will allow more blue light to damage these rods and cones, negatively affecting not just what you see, but how you see. Zeaxanthin and lutein aren’t produced by the body, they must be ingested in order to ensure optimal macular pigment density. Zeaxanthin can be found in foods like corn, wolf berries and peppers. Lutein is found in foods like spinach and kale. Since the average American diet is scarce in zeaxanthin, supplementing this antioxidant is key. Vitamins for macular health, like those made by EyePromise, can be of big benefit. Vision becomes even more precious as we age, since the loss of independence a very real threat to aging Americans. Reduce your risk of harmful effects of blue light to your vision by increasing the density of your “internal sunglasses.” – BPT
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Heart Healthy Among African-American Women Reference: Excerpted and adapted from “When Risk Factors Unite,” appearing in the Stroke Connection Magazine January/ February 2005 (Science update May 2008) .
By Tiffany Davis
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Contributing Writer
ebruary is American Heart Month. When most people hear of heart disease, they consider it a “man’s disease.” However, the truth is heart disease is the No. 1 killer of of women in the United States. It is often called the “silent killer,” because it often has no symptoms or presents pain that is barely noticeable. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease and is the leading cause of heart attacks. The most commonly recognized symptom is persistent chest pain, pressure or other discomfort, called angina. This pain results when the heart is getting too little blood or oxygen. It can be felt under the breastbone and tends to accompany exercise or extreme emotional stress. Women, however, are more likely than men to experinece a different type of chest pain which is sharp and temporary.
Why is this information important for African-American women? African-American women suffer a greater risk twice as high as those among white women. Some of the factors that contribute to this unfortunate statistic include higher rates of being overweight, elevated cholesterol levels, high blood pressure
and limited awareness of our elevated risks. In additon to having high heart disease rates, African-American women die from heart disease more often than all other Americans.
What can African-American women do to decrease the risk? The development of cardio vascu-
lar disease begins at an early age, and so can the foundation for a healthy heart. There has to be a commitment to ensureing that African-American women receive the necessary information and skills in order to reduce their personal risk for heart disease. Learn the risk factors and make some of the following changes: • Stop smoking. • Eat well-balanced meals that are low in fat and cholesterol. • Include several daily servings of fruits and vegetables. • Use supplemental vitamins if needed. • Engage in at least 30 minutes of a moderate-intensity activity. • Know your numbers. Have your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked regularly. • Decrease your levels of stress. You can’t do it all and remember that God is in control. Phillippians 4:6-7 reads, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” “Impacting the healthcare industry” www.e-pictc.com
Surgery and Anesthesia: Making It Safer at Any Age By d-mars.com News Provider
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health.
nesthesia today is safer than ever. But try telling that to a nervous parent of a 5-year-old about to have surgery, or to a patient in his 70s in poor
Talking to your surgeon and physician anesthesiologist before surgery is an important step in making sure your experience is as safe and comfortable as possible — regardless of your age. But for children and older adults, that conversation is especially important. Dr. Daniel J. Cole, president of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, has tips for patients of all ages during Physician Anesthesiologists Week, which runs Jan. 31 - Feb. 6. “Most people don’t know that before their surgery they can and should talk with their physician anesthesiologist about their concerns and about their health and health habits,” Dr. Cole says. “This is especially true for parents of young children who may be worried about how anesthesia could affect the child, and for older adults who might be taking medications that can increase the risk of complications.”
surgery, it’s natural to be worried about the child’s safety, as well as his or her physical and emotional comfort. Physician anesthesiologists are concerned about this as well, and work to continue to make anesthesia as safe as possible. They are partnering with pediatricians, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other specialists and organizations in a program called SmartTots with the goal of continuously studying and improving the safety and effectiveness of anesthesia for children. The good news is that the latest research is reassuring regarding adverse effects of anesthetics on the developing brain.
Dr. Cole offers these tips. For adults: Whatever your age, make sure the physician anesthesiologist knows everything about your health and lifestyle. Talk about: • Chronic conditions such as allergies, asthma, sleep apnea or diabetes. • Medications you take, including over-the-counter medications and nutritional supplements. • Your smoking history and alcohol consumption. • Your options for controlling pain during recovery. All these factors could influence how anesthesia affects you and how well you recover from your surgery. For older adults: People who are older are more likely to have medical conditions or take medications that could make surgery and recovery more difficult. Older adults also are more at risk for developing post-operative delirium, a type of confusion that can be unpleasant for the patient and alarming for the family. Be sure to: • Tell the physician anesthesiologist if you’ve experienced this type of delirium
Parents should: in the past. • Ask for a recovery room with a window so you’ll know if it’s day or night. • Have a loved one stay with you during your recovery. • Have familiar and comforting reminders of home with you: family photos, a calendar or a special keepsake. These can all help you feel less disoriented. • If you wear glasses or a hearing aid, have them handy so you can use them as soon as it’s OK to do so. For parents: If your child is having
• Be calm and comforting. Your confidence will be soothing to your child. • Don’t overpromise. There’s no denying that being in the hospital and having surgery are scary concepts for a child. Tell your child the hospital will be different from home and he or she may feel sick or have some pain, but that the doctors and nurses will be there to help. • Talk to the physician anesthesiologist about possible alternatives to general anesthesia. To learn more, visit asahq.org/ WhenSecondsCount. – BPT
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The Road to Recovery:
What You Need to Know About Addiction By d-mars.com News Provider
who may have nothing in common but their addiction.
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rug and alcohol addiction can destroy careers, tear apart families and ruin lives. With 43,982 total drug-induced deaths each year, addiction continues to be a problem in the United States. “Experiencing or watching a loved one battle an addiction is heartbreaking,” says JJ Bush, Executive Director of Behavior Rehabilitation Services. “But there is always hope. Years of research in the field has provided insight into the most effective treatment options. The treatments for addiction recovery are now more effective than ever.”
It’s common to be addicted to more than one substance. While you might assume every addicted person has a favorite drug and sticks to it, cases of polysubstance abuse — when a person uses multiple classes of substances — are not uncommon. Some examples of this include “speedballing,” a known practice which combines the effects of heroin and cocaine and the mixing of alcohol with stimulants. Many addicts in recovery rationalize using another substance with the thought that it isn’t their “drug of choice,” leading them to fall back into addiction process. Cases like this are often more difficult to treat, but a professional rehabilitation program can offer effective recovery results.
If you or someone in your life is struggling with addiction, here are some facts you need to know:
Untreated addiction can lead to death.
Prescription drug addiction is no different than illicit drug addiction.
that specialize in prescription drug addiction as people who abuse these drugs often require treatment.
When you think of drug addiction, prescription drugs are probably not the first substance that comes to mind. This is because many believe getting high on legal drugs holds a lesser stigma than using illegal street drugs, but prescription drugs can be just as dangerous. For example, painkillers and anti-anxiety medication can be safe and effective when used as prescribed, but they are no safer than illicit drugs. Many addiction recovery centers offer programs
Anyone can recover from addiction, just like anyone can become addicted. An addicted person might believe he or she can get off drugs without help and achieve a permanent drug free status, but the CDC cites these as common myths. “If patterns of addiction occur for many years, it’s not easy to break the habitual cycle,” says Bush. “Breaking an addiction is an extremely
difficult process. Everyone who faces this challenge needs to know it is possible to get help and recover. But prying the grip of alcohol and drugs away from a life requires inpatient treatment.”
Addiction can occur anywhere, in any demographic. Addiction affects people everywhere without discrimination. Race, ethnicity and gender don’t have any say when it comes to who becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol. Addiction groups, meetings and recovery centers host people from various walks of life, some
In 2013, drug overdose was the leading cause of injury death in the United States, CDC data reports. When addiction to drugs or alcohol becomes a pervasive problem — affecting relationships, employment, physical and emotional health — the addicted person needs to get help before it’s too late. Assistance from a professional inpatient treatment program becomes the solution to gaining lasting recovery. If you or anyone in your life is struggling with addiction, take the first step towards recovery. For more information, visit behavioralrehabilitationservices. com or call (866) 413-3785. – BPT
Learn from HIV: The Importance of Finding and Sharing HIV Information and HIV-Related Resources Online By d-mars.com News Provider
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or many of us, the search for information and advice starts online. Finding content has never been easier, from sports trivia to family recipes, and 41 percent of all internet users search for and share posts from others. But the benefits of social sharing extend beyond receiving “likes” on adorable pictures of your pet. According to the Pew Research Center, one in three adults have gone online to find information about a medical condition. Using social networks can have a positive impact on wellbeing, in particular for certain health conditions such as HIV, where seeking support and insights from others can be a critical
part of managing the disease. “Having HIV can be an isolating experience and receiving a diagnosis is both life-changing and overwhelming for many people,” says Maria Mejia, a powerful advocate for HIV education, treatment, testing and prevention, with a strong presence in traditional and social media. “In the HIV community, every person has a unique HIV experience and story, and by sharing amongst ourselves we can learn so much and really help one another. The community as a whole needs to continue to join together and ensure we are receiving and sharing the wisdom we all possess.” With 72 percent of people living with HIV reporting actively searching for HIV-related information online, Mejia isn’t alone in this belief. She, along with
fellow HIV community members Guy Anthony and Josh Robbins have built extensive social media followings, and each shares updates with their followers via blogs, videos and social media posts — in turn learning from the experiences of others who reach out online. “People living with HIV need to realize they aren’t on their own, and the experiences they have in day to day life can resonate with other people with the condition,” says Robbins, HIV/AIDS activist and the founder of imstilljosh. com. “Through sharing, we can try to break down some of the barriers people feel and hopefully combat some of the confusion, fear and stigma people with HIV so frequently face.” Anthony, Mejia and Robbins are encouraging everyone in the HIV commu-
nity to take control of their disease and share their experiences, no matter where they are in the HIV journey. “You can post anything — record yourself talking about your diagnosis or write a poem. It can be as simple as sharing a photo of yourself demonstrating that there’s more to you than your HIV status,” says Anthony, who has established himself as a well-known HIV/ AIDS blogger and vlogger. Mejia agrees: “It doesn’t need to be complicated, you can share your HIV story in any way you want — that’s the beauty of online and social media.” To learn more and share your experience, visit www.sharehivwisdom.com and join the conversation with #LearnFromHIV. – BPT
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In the Health Community…
To View More Photos, Visit Our Website www.d-mars.com and Click on ‘Photo Gallery.’
National Association of Health Services Executives
The American Red Cross of Greater Houston
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