d-mars.com Health & Wellness 43

Health & Wellness Journal HEALTH

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January 2015

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Time for a Change

Can the Power of Positive Thinking Change Your Life?

By d-mars.com News Provider Apositive attitude is one of the most powerful assets you can have. Positive people find success, good health, happiness, wealth and rewarding relationships throughout their lives.

PAGE 6

A Change is Gonna Come

By Rhonda Dallas Sam Cooke sang the infamous song “A Change is Gonna Come” in 1963, not knowing that this song would be used in times and trials in our lives – individually and collectively – as a race and a nation.

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Pictured (l-r) are Dave Milich, Houston Health Plan CEO; Shelley Kennedy, Community Relations Director; and Carl McGowan, UnitedHealthcare’s Regional Marketing Director for Texas and Oklahoma.

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UnitedHealthcare Puts the People First: Local Efforts Aim to Increase Insured Individuals Time for Change

By Stephanie Allen-Gobert “For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: ‘If today was the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’

And whenever the answer has been ‘No’ for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.”

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page 10

Is there more to see in your Family Tree?

Join our e-mail list for the latest updates @ d-mars.com

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Why the Next Talk You Have with Your Daughter Should be about Breast Health

I believe that the greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you.”

– Joyce Meyer

January 2015 3

Journal Behind The

Publisher’s Message Keith J. Davis, Sr.

SR. PUBLISHER Keith J. Davis, Sr.

Is there something about your lifestyle that could use some improvement in the health department? Don’t hesitate, don’t second guess…just do it. If you don’t see the doctor regularly, don’t have health insurance or even life insurance, see someone about getting that right away. Being proactive is always better than being reactive. It can also save money and possibly your life.

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Kevin Davis

VICE PRESIDENT Kim Floyd

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Valerie Jones

ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla

Office Manager Johnny Ray Davis, Jr.

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES C.T. Foster Eric D. Goodwine Tiffany Black

Our cover story features UnitedHealthcare, a leader in the health insurance industry. The company is implementing new strategies and initiatives to increase the number of insured residents in Houston and Harris County. Use 2015 as a jumping off point to getting to the healthy life you desire. It’s Time for a Change!

As always again, thank you for your continued support of d-mars.com. When you support d-mars.com, 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.

Contents

PHOTOGRAPHY L.C. Poullard Grady Carter Tony Gaines

UnitedHealthcare Puts the People First: Local Efforts Aim to Increase Number of Insured Individuals..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................4

MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Andrea Hennekes

Can the Power of Positive Thinking Change Your Life?......................................................................................................................................................6

LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Time for a Change! Your Best in 2015...........................................................................................................................................................................................7

Angel Rosa

A Change is Gonna Come..................................................................................................................................................................................................................8

DISTRIBUTION

Is there more to see in your Family Tree? Find out if Glaucoma runs in your Family.........................................................................................10

Booker T. Davis, Jr. Rockie Hayden

Breakfast Dishes Worth Waking Up For...................................................................................................................................................................................12 Time for Change...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................14

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Valerie Jones d-mars.com News Provider Dr. Ka-Ron Y. Wade Rhonda Dallas National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP) Stephanie Allen-Gobert

Why the Next Talk You Have with Your Daughter Should be about Breast Health...............................................................................................16 Can Sharing Data Make the World a Better Place?..............................................................................................................................................................18

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4 January 2015

UnitedHealthcare Puts the People First:

Local Efforts Aim to Increase Number of Insured Individuals

By Valerie Jones Associate Editor

W

ith the passing of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) – signed into law in 2010 – it changed the world of health care in the United States for everyone – from the providers to the uninsured…even the insured of the nation. For many health insurance companies, that meant reinventing themselves to meet these expected changes. For UnitedHealthcare, it meant getting back to the basics – the people.

Hidden Behind Success

Hidden Behind Success In a Fortune Magazine article published in May 2013, UnitedHealth Group CEO Stephen J. Hemsley noted, “America wants more for less, more care for less money, and we’re in the best position to make that happen.”

Let’s be clear: UnitedHealthcare, an operating division of UnitedHealth Group, is a heavy hitter in the field of health care coverage – on the business side of things; the company is doing big numbers. As the nation’s largest insurer, it ranked number 14 on the Fortune 500 List for 2014 and delivers products and services to more than 70 million people across the globe.

However, for a company traditionally known for a “results are everything” approach, among company leaders, UnitedHealthcare was missing the mark in other areas – most notably, taking the tools, technology and information it offered to large and small employers and extending the scope directly to everyday consumers.

A change was necessary, and Hemsley’s overall vision – for UnitedHealth to be the leading force in reforming the broken health care system – meant the company had to make a transformation.

By the Numbers: By the Numbers: Minorities and Minorities and Harris County Health Insurance

This change was most crucial in the State of Texas.

According to the Center for American Progress Rankings, in Texas, 28 percent of the population (under age 65) is without health insurance, equal to more than one million individuals, which is amongst the highest in the country. Statistics from County Health Rankings & Roadmaps reveal that more than one million people in Harris County alone are uninsured.

But navigating the field of health insurance coverage can be daunting and downright confusing for many residents.

“Health insurance is very complex.

Our solution is to simplify and then normalize the process.”

– Carl McGowan, UnitedHealthcare regional marketing director for Texas and Oklahoma

LIMRA, a polling company, conducted a poll in 2014 asking more than 2,000 Americans a series of 10 true/false questions to gauge their understanding and basic knowledge of health insurance.

Nearly eight in 10 consumers failed the test – answering five or fewer questions correctly. Just one in 10 consumers correctly answered at least seven questions.

Couple that with the penalty on individuals without health insurance tripling this year, and there is a higher sense of anxiety among families.

This serves as a good representation of whom to target.

Carl McGowan, UnitedHealthcare’s regional marketing director for Texas and Oklahoma, is working specifically to change the uninsured rate.

“Health insurance is very complex.

Our solution is to simplify and then

normalize the process,” McGowan said.

“By simplifying, we are giving people the tools to understand the terminology of health care and the means to make better decisions about their personal care. Normalizing means relating health insurance to areas of life people are familiar with already, like car maintenance or financial planning. We’d like to see purchasing health insurance be as intuitive as getting auto insurance.”

For example, a comparison to automobile maintenance would show that people often take better care of their cars than they do their bodies. It’s routine to get an oil change or take your car to the mechanic if it’s not working properly, but individuals will neglect getting routine checkups with the doctor or visit a doctor if they are sick.

Even then, while individuals get estimates from multiple mechanics for their cars,

they often won’t do comparisons on costs for medical procedures, which can vary by 50 percent based solely on the provider.

As a consequence, African Americans are at a greater risk for heart disease and often disproportionately affected by certain medical conditions. Unfortunately, African Americans are often diagnosed with illnesses/diseases in a progressed state due in part to failure to seek medical attention sooner. Lack of health insurance is one reason for this.

Health insurance companies realize that they have to be more proactive when it comes to fostering a healthier minority population. Findings from a 2013 study by the Kaiser Foundation showed that nationally, African Americans are significantly more likely than Whites to be uninsured and uninsured rates for nonelderly African Americans are particularly high in the southern states. Texas is one of the top U.S. states for uninsured African Americans.

Reform Reinvention Reform and and Reinvention

With the “sweeping changes” that are reported to come from the Affordable Care Act, many health insurance companies are scrambling to adjust.

“The entire health care field is having to reinvent itself to some extent,” said McGowan. “There is no doubt that tomorrow’s health care system will be more efficient, provide better and more integrated care and cover more people, but it’s not a one-year fix. Health care reform in general is still in the early stages of a 10-year transformation.”

So what is UnitedHealthcare of Texas doing differently than they have in the past to change the system?

“Our mission is to make the health care system work better for everyone, and that means improving the way we interact with

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January 2015 5

The Road Ahead The Road Ahead

hospitals, with doctors and with consumers,” said McGowan. “We were previously content to stay behind the scenes and ‘just leave it to the doctors’ while we simply administered the benefits. But now we’ve moved to an information-sharing model, which is more effective and mutually beneficial in terms of keeping people healthier.”

One such change is collaborating with hospitals moving to a model of valuebased, or accountable, care. Historically, the fee-for-service payment model could lead to unnecessary procedures with little correlation to efficiency. Now UnitedHealthcare rewards hospitals and medical providers for utilizing evidence-based medicine and proven treatment paths while taking patients’ wishes and preferences into account. As UnitedHealthcare collects more data, the company is able to identify patterns and trends, which gives doctors more insight to better serve and treat patients.

On the access side, the company is looking to increase the number of care providers needed to meet the population, particularly those in communities of color. A 2012 United Health Foundation’s Diverse Scholars Initiative Poll showed nearly half of minority scholars cite a desire to change people’s lives as the primary reason to pursue a health-related career. The poll also reveals that the majority of respondents feel there are not enough minority health professionals and nine in 10 are interested in serving communities with similar racial or ethnic backgrounds as themselves.

Another major change in 2014 was the issue of cost transparency. UnitedHealthcare was a key contributor in the Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI), which announced a free, secure, online transparency tool to give consumers access to the most timely and accurate information about the price and quality of health care services using data from multiple health insurance companies.

However, information transparency in health care will be give and take.

“Five to 10 years from now, the information you collect at home about everything from what you’re eating to your daily routine will be available to doctors,” McGowan said. “Whether it be your wearable technology, gym membership or Costco card, all this information will become integrated and interact in a way that can help people make better decisions about their health, which in turn will improve their quality of life and allow for greater financial stability.”

UnitedHealth is the nation’s largest insurer and ranked number 14 on the Fortune 500 List for 2014.

While health care coverage can be frustrating, UnitedHealthcare is actively working to increase the number of insured individuals in our community, particularly on the Federal Health Insurance Exchange (healthcare.gov). Although the company did not participate in Texas’ insurance exchange last year, it has entered the market very aggressively during the current enrollment period.

What differentiates UnitedHealthcare from other health insurance companies is the fact that UnitedHealthcare can cover the entire extended family, whether it’s the grandmother on Medicare, the cousin on Medicaid or the brother in the military.

“Every person in the family can be a part of UnitedHealthcare coverage.

That is something that is unique to us,” McGowan said. “We also provide information and tools like cost estimator and treatment path planning tools to help consumers better understand health coverage and make better decisions, which in turn keep them healthy and provide financial stability and protection.”

They are doing this through various methods, mixing programs that are more established and leverage the company’s national scale with local pilot programs and initiatives.

We have more than 1,500 employees in Houston across multiple business lines, and because health care touches everyone in some way, all the employees bring insight and ideas on how to better engage people, whether it be at the Tom Joyner Family Reunion, the Verizon ‘How Sweet the Sound’ Gospel Tour or the Greater Houston Black Chamber,” said McGowan. “Those types of programs are increasing because no one person has all the right answers, so we’re all trying to change and learn collaboratively. The goal is to gradually bring the health care cost down by getting people engaged in their own health – and getting them engaged early – which I think has been happening.”

UnitedHealth Group’s willingness to innovate is one reason Fortune Magazine named them the Most Admired company in Insurance and Managed Care for four consecutive years.

Preliminary results indicate the strategy is working. While final enrollment numbers won’t be available until after February 15, McGowan noted that UnitedHealthcare is encouraged by the consumer response to its public exchange products – both nationally and in Texas.

Recent industry statistics also look promising: a Gallup poll published January 7, 2015 showed that the uninsured rate among U.S. adults in the 4th quarter of 2014 averaged 12.9 percent, a significant drop from 17.1 percent a year ago. Since the Affordable Care Act went into effect one year ago, the uninsured rate has declined most among African Americans and lower-income Americans. The uninsured rate among African Americans dropped seven points over the past year.

UnitedHealthcare is determined to fulfill its vision of helping people live healthier lives and increasing the number of insured individuals in our community.

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6 January 2015

Can the Power of Positive Thinking Change Your Life?

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By d-mars.com News Provider positive attitude is one of the most powerful assets you can have.

Positive people find success, good health, happiness, wealth and rewarding relationships throughout their lives. This is not because they are already successful or because they are more confident, it is simply the attitude. The law of attraction is that positive thoughts lead to positive results. Your thoughts are much more powerful than just electric signals between synapses. They have the ability to define you and affect those around you. However, it’s not easy to summon this way of thinking on command. It may take years of patience and practice to change your overall mentality.

Learn from the example of others.

“Early leaders in the United States understood the true meaning of positive thinking,” said Stanley Murphy, department chair for the Graduate School of Business and Management at Argosy University, Nashville. “It is one aspect of the root of their success. Philip D. Armour, F.W. Woolworth, Thomas A. Edison, Marshall Field, Andrew Carnegie, Napoleon Hill and a host of other movers and shakers who participated in shaping our country in the early 20th century all understood these two powerful words: positive thinking.”

It is true that the most successful people throughout history have all recognized the power of positive thinking. Even Gandhi was a strong advocate of positive thinking.

He is reported to have said, “A man is but the product of his thoughts; what he thinks, he becomes.”

So what are some proven methods to developing mastery in positive thinking? Well for starters, believe that you can become a positive thinker.

“Invest and commit yourself to your own personal development,” Murphy suggested. “You must first believe in yourself. When you do, you will notice that others believe in you, too.

Examine how you are investing in yourself. Make note in your observation of yourself. See if your personal investments are constructive or destructive. If they are destructive, then try to eliminate them. If constructive, then perfect them.”

R. Brian Salinas, professor at Argosy University, San Francisco Bay Area, recommends interacting with people

who are on the same journey, whether they are ahead or behind.

“People project who they are and you will, too. You’ll start to pick up their traits and ways of approaching things,” Salinas said. “Read books that talk about handling the lessons and challenges that come up in life and that mirror those you want to overcome in yours. In a few years, you’ll find that your story of triumph over adversity

mirrors those you read about.”

Consider the physical aspects as well. Murphy suggests trying to incorporate the practice of daily meditation (a minimum of 20 minutes a day).

“Take care of your body and it will take care of you. Moderate exercise, balanced diet and adequate rest will keep you physically fit for your daily task,” he said.

Murphy also suggests people remain realistic. Everyone has down moments,

and that’s alright.

“Positive attitude is more than the sum of your feelings at any particular moment. If a loved one passes away or you are facing a challenge that feels overwhelming at the moment, it doesn’t mean that you’re not a positive person,” added Salinas. “Positive people have every right to feel sad. It’s even healthy to express those feelings from time-to-time. Just remember that those moments don’t define us.” – (BPT)

positive thoughts lead to positive results.

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January 2015 7

Time for a Change!

Your Best in 2015

Get Rid of Toothache or Sensitivity!

When you can’t smile, speak or chew properly, your moods, health and overall wellbeing suffer! Resolve to pick up the phone and get this taken care of, once and for all. Enjoy your favorite foods again. Plus, healthier eating helps you keep your weight in check. All this makes for a better New Year and a better New You!

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By Dr. Ka-Ron Y. Wade Contributing Writer

Transform Your Smile With Whiter Teeth!

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Get amazing results using our state-of-the-art whitening systems. Unlike over-the-counter products, our unique advanced whitening technology meets the highest standards for both safety and effectiveness. If you didn’t do it in 2014, this is the year for your teeth to shine!

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Look Younger!

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Overcome Your “Dental Fear”!

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For breakthrough dental technology, GIVE US A CALL TODAY! For more information, call 713.654.7756 or visit www.cosmeticdt.com

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8 January 2015

A Change is Gonna Come

many healthy meals as you can and get to bed earlier than you did yesterday.

Feel good about yourself.

Wake up every day charged and ready to be better than the day before. Stay away from negative people and people who cause you to second guess yourself and what you believe in.

Negativity can cause you to lower your standards for yourself which, ultimately, can cause you to eat poorly and feel bad.

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By Rhonda Dallas Contributing Writer

am Cooke sang the infamous song “A Change is Gonna Come” in 1963, not knowing that this song would be used in times and trials in our lives – individually and collectively – as a race and a nation. I think it’s a great way to revolutionize how we see and feel about the shape we are in. This year could really be the year that you look in the mirror for the last time and say, “I am gonna do it and fizzle out.” It really is time for a healthy change and here are some positive and stress free ways to help you.

Don’t get too far ahead of yourself. What I mean is don’t say today, ‘I am going to walk for an hour, eat right and get plenty of rest for the entire day.’ Start out with baby steps. Maybe walk 15 minutes, eat as

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As Nike says, “Just Do It.” Don’t procrastinate, don’t make a big announcement, don’t get fearful, just get out there and do it. Whenever we waver, we run the risk of changing our thoughts and our walk, which can be detrimental to our health change.

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See yourself as you will be.

Visualize and dream on how you are going to look, act and feel.

Write down a healthy vision for your life and begin the steps to get it accomplished. A vision can perish swiftly and let’s not allow that to happen.

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For more tips and information on having your very own personal health and wellness coach, email info@ rhondajdallas.com.

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January 2015  9

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10 January 2015

Is there more to see in your Family Tree?

Find out if Glaucoma runs in your Family

By National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP)

I

t may be easy to see that beauty is deeply rooted in your family tree. But some things that are passed down from generation to generation are not as easily seen—like glaucoma, an eye disease that runs in families and often has no warning signs.

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damages the eye’s optic nerve, which carries visual signals to the brain. It can lead to vision loss or blindness if left untreated. Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of this disease. Quite often, by the time people are diagnosed with glaucoma they have already begun to notice changes in their side or peripheral vision. It’s important not to wait until you notice vision problems to see your eye care professional.

“Studies show that at least half of all persons with glaucoma don’t know they have this potentially blinding eye disease,” said National Eye Institute

(NEI) director Dr. Paul Sieving. “The good news is that glaucoma can be detected in its early stages through a comprehensive dilated eye exam.”

People with a family history of glaucoma, African Americans age 40 and older and everyone age 60 and older are at higher risk and should get a comprehensive dilated eye exam every 1 to 2 years.

A comprehensive dilated eye exam is a procedure in which an eye care professional places drops in your eyes to dilate (or widen) the pupil to examine the back of your eyes and your optic nerve for signs of disease. This exam may help save your sight because when glaucoma is detected early, it can be controlled through medications or surgery.

Keep the vision of your beautiful family in your future. To learn more about glaucoma, visit www.nei.nih. gov/glaucoma or call NEI at 301–496– 5248. A low-cost exam may be available to you through Medicare. For more information, call 1–800–MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov.

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January 2015  11

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12 January 2015

Breakfast Dishes Worth Waking Up For All Photos and Recipes Courtesy of southernliving.com Breakfast Enchiladas This dish can be made ahead of time which adds to the ease of this breakfast casserole recipe. Prepare the recipe, without baking, and refrigerate overnight. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes; bake as directed. *Tip: Make the Cheese Sauce before scrambling the eggs so the sauce will be ready to add at the proper time.

Ingredients 1 (1-pound) package hot ground pork saus age 2 tablespoons butter or margarine 4 green onions, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 14 large eggs, beaten 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper Cheese Sauce 8 (8-inch) flour tortillas 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeños Toppings: halved grape tomatoes, sliced gree n onions, chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions 1. Cook sausage in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, stirring until sausage crumbles and is no longer pink. Remove from pan; drain well, pressing between paper towels.

2. Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add green onions and cilantro, and sauté 1 minute. Add eggs, salt, and pepper, and cook, without stirring, until eggs begin to set on bottom. Draw a spatula across bottom of pan to form large curds. Continue to cook until eggs are thickened but still moist; do not stir constantly. Remove from heat, and gently fold in 1 1/2 cups Cheese Sauce and sausage.

3. Spoon about 1/3 cup egg mixture down the center of each flour tortilla; roll up. Place, seam side down, in a lightly greased 13- x- 9-inch baking dish. Pour remaining Cheese Sauce evenly over tortillas; sprinkle evenly with Monterey Jack cheese.

4. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until sauce is bubbly.

Serve with desired toppings. *Note: Prepare half the cheese sauce recipe if you prefer a lighter breakfast.

Sausage-Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole Combine frozen hash brown potatoes with sausage, eggs, and cheese for a hearty breakfast or brunch casserole.

Ingredients 1 pound mild ground pork sausage 1 pound hot ground pork sausage 1 (30-ounce) package frozen hash browns 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 6 large eggs 2 cups milk

Instructions 1. Cook sausages in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring until sausage crumbles and is no longer pink. Drain well.

2. Prepare hash browns according to package directions, using 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper.

3. Stir together hash browns, sausage and cheese. Pour into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish.

4. Whisk together eggs, milk and remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Pour evenly over potato mixture.

5. Bake at 350° for 35 to 40 minutes.

Praline-Pecan French Toast The Twist: A short-order breakfast special gets an easy hands-off finish in the oven. One online reviewer claims that this Praline-Pecan French Toast recipe is, “sinfully delicious.”

Ingredients 1 (16-oz.) French bread loaf 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 1/3 cup butter, melted 2 tablespoons maple syrup 3/4 cup chopped pecans 4 large eggs, lightly beaten 1 cup 2% reduced-fat milk 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions 1. Cut 10 (1-inch-thick) slices of bread. Reserve remaining bread for another use.

2. Stir together brown sugar and next 2 ingredients; pour into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with chopped pecans.

3. Whisk together eggs and next 4 ingredients. Arrange bread slices over pecans; pour egg mixture over bread. Cover and chill 8 hours.

4. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake bread 35 to 37 minutes or until golden brown.

Serve immediately.

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January 2015  13

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14 January 2015

Time for Change

By Stephanie Allen-Gobert Contributing Writer

“For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: ‘If today was the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’ And whenever the answer has been ‘No’ for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.”

T

his is a quote from Steve Jobs – an entrepreneur, marketer and inventor.

He co-founded and was the chairman and CEO of Apple Inc. Through Apple and his other inventions, Jobs is widely recognized as the pioneer of the personal computer revolution and for his influential career in the computer and consumer electronics field (www. wikipedia.com). His numerous accomplishments and accolades before his passing in October 2011 will forever be remembered.

Jobs, like so many other greats, realized that change is good and beneficial.

A new year is upon us, another 365 days to make changes that can change the world and ourselves for the better. We all start off the year with New Year resolutions and commitments, but have we really sat down to analyze which changes

will be for our betterment and growth?

Like so many, I have made resolutions, but this year I want to do as Steve Jobs said, look in the mirror every morning and ask myself, “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?”

The first thing I want to do is make a change in my diet and implement more exercise into my routine. A benefit of moderate exercise is it combats health conditions and diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes – which lowers your risk for cardiovascular disease, improves your overall mood, boost energy levels and builds self-esteem. Exercise is fun and can be done alone or with family and friends, which can help with family communication and sharing quality time with each other (www.mayoclinic. com). Having a strong family history of cardiovascular disease, I am at a higher “bracket” for cardiovascular risks and complications. This positive change will benefit my whole life and family and be the “Yes” I will see and feel when I look in my mirror.

I also plan to look in the mirror and make sure I change and help my family and community change awareness for mental illness. This includes all mental illness and the signs and symptoms that family members may display that I/we

can be on the lookout for, including depression and suicidal thoughts. Studies show the suicide rate for Black Americans of all ages is 5.25 per 100,000, about half the overall U.S. rate of 10.75 per 100,000. Young males (ages 20-24) have the highest rate of suicide in the black population at 18.18 per 100,000. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for Black Americans between the ages of 15 and 24. (www.sprc.org).

In 2014, we lost Karyn Washington – a beautiful African American woman, writer, blogger and the founder of the website “For Brown Girls” – to suicide. She inspired so many, but in the end, she was suffering silently. Other great African American celebrities, such as Don Cornelius and Lee Thompson Young, suffered with mental illness and felt suicide was the only way. It’s time for a change. I want to look in the mirror and know I have discussed with my son and daughter that life happens and we all get sad, but if it ever gets too overwhelming, I am here. Mental illness can no longer be something to be afraid of as a man, woman or individual. We must talk about treatments, signs and symptoms, bullying, medications and the effects of untreated mental health is-

sues on our bodies and mind. I also will make the change to educate my community and friends on mental health issues.

There are so many things I’m sure all of us want to change for the better. We have to take the small steps, which will lead to bigger steps. Our community needs all the change we have to offer. Positive change in any capacity or form can move mountains.

If we look in the mirror and get “No” too many days in a row, then we have to know it’s time to make a change and a change for the better.

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January 2015  15

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16 January 2015

Why the Next Talk You Have with Your Daughter Should be about Breast Health By d-mars.com News Provider

W

hile breast cancer awareness has greatly increased over the last two decades, a recent national survey found that women and families are not talking enough about breast health. Eightyseven percent of women said they could talk to their daughters about anything, but less than half said they have actually talked with their daughters about breast cancer. A person’s most influential health role models come from within the family, so it’s important that families – mothers, daughters, sisters and aunts – start talking to each other more about breast health.

Simply being aware is not enough. According to the Ford Warriors in Pink breast cancer awareness and education program and the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, breast health conversations among families – particularly between mothers and daughters – can help loved ones understand their risk for the disease, learn preventive steps, ensure timely screening for early detection and ultimately save lives.

For many women, the obvious next questions are: How do I bring up this subject with my daughters?

What’s the right age to talk to them? What do I say?

Talking about your family’s health history isn’t easy for anyone. Discussing human anatomy – particularly a woman’s breasts – can be an awkward conversation for mothers and young daughters, according to Dr. Susan Love. For others, cultural stigma prevents them from speaking openly about their diagnosis.

When 51-year-old Marisol Rodriquez was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, she felt embarrassed to talk about it – even with her then-teenage daughter, Ariel.

Marisol says her “proud Peruvian” heritage created a barrier to communication, resulting in her being very private during treatment. It wasn’t until she joined a breast cancer survivors’ dragon boat racing team three years later that she became more comfortable talking about her experience and sharing this with her daughter.

Only 50 percent of mothers who have had a family member diagnosed with breast cancer have talked to their daughters about breast health, according to the survey commissioned by Ford Warriors in Pink. “Families need to become more comfortable talking about this with each other if people are going to continue to make strides in the battle against this disease,” said Love.

Now in its 20th year in the fight against breast cancer, Ford Warriors in Pink is encouraging families everywhere to talk about breast health and reminding women to encourage their daughters, no matter what age, to get to know their breasts; not because they might have cancer – but because breasts are an important part of their overall health and well-being. Having these important conversations are not about alarming people; it’s about empowering them. And recognizing every conversation will be different is important, especially when considering your daughter’s age and stage of life. By starting these conversations earlier, families can set the foundation and open the line of communication for later in life.

Today, Marisol embraces her role as a mother and survivor by advocating for important health conversations as a Model of Courage for Ford Warriors in Pink.

Here are some conversationstarting tips that she follows from Dr. Love: • Recognize the conversation will need to be adapted depending on your daughter’s age and stage in life: Approaching breast health as part of the larger picture of overall health and wellness can make it an easier conversation starter, particularly for adolescent daughters.

• Emphasize the function – not just the form – of breasts: By teaching the importance of the breast as an organ, mothers can help young daughters understand why and how to take care of their body as a whole.

• Choose a casual setting: Sitting down at the dinner table may seem overly formal or intimidating. Instead, try starting a conversation in the car or somewhere a little more intimate. Research shows both mothers and daughters feel that the car is a comfortable place for important health conversations – the audience may be captive, but there will be less pressure to stay on one topic once the ride

ends or the scenery changes.

• Use family get-togethers to more broadly explore your family’s health history and risk for breast cancer, highlighting its importance as a disease and as a conversation among loved ones.

Ford Warriors in Pink and Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation are just a few of the organizations that not only raise breast cancer awareness, but promote important preventive conversations about breast health. As part of its efforts to drive more breast health conversations, Ford Warriors in Pink is honoring its Models of Courage, who like Marisol, have embraced breast health as a family affair. Though there’s no cure yet for breast cancer, a simple conversation could lead to a timely screening that can save a life. And more, these conversations can help equip the next generation of women to feel more comfortable making breast health and breast cancer an everyday conversation and help continue to fuel the fight against breast cancer. – (BPT)

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Can Sharing Data Make the World a Better Place?

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By d-mars.com News Provider

ures for disease, increased food production and higher graduation rates are most likely not the first outcomes you associate with big data. Worrisome incidents of data being stolen from major retailers and other businesses that have recently made the news may be more familiar. Those stories bring an important point to light and it’s vital that consumers and companies take protecting private data very seriously. But that same personal data – whether it’s about your health, finances or shopping history – can help organizations create incredible innovations that have the ability to improve the lives of every person on the planet. So why does data collection seem so scary?

what it can help create. As a result, many companies are building systems today that allow confident use and analysis of personal data, while still providing the transparency and accountability needed to eliminate misuse. There’s still work to be done, but we’re headed in the right direction.

When Consumers are Willing to Share When asked if they would be open to sharing their data if it would be used to benefit society, 45 percent of device owners agreed they would. However, once a specific purpose was identified, some owners had a change

of heart: 57 percent of device owners would share health data from fitness applications to aid in medical research as long as sensitive personal information was excluded, and 59 percent of device owners who are parents would share their child’s educational data to help improve graduation rates or local school systems – if personal information were redacted, according to the survey.

When people know the specifics of what big data can do, how it is being used and that it is being protected properly, they are far more willing to share their data.

Big data and analytics can give society the power to change the world as we know it, making room for bigger and better things. (BPT)

The Root of Distrust is in Misunderstanding While consumers are certainly leery of the information that is being collected about them, much of that distrust comes from a lack of understanding. Consumers are unsure of what data is being collected, by whom and for what purpose.

According to a survey conducted online in September by Harris Poll on behalf of Intel among over 2,000 U.S. adults, 65 percent of people who own a smart phone, tablet or personal computer have no idea who has access to the data from their devices or how that data is used. Just like any new experience, not knowing what lies around the corner can be the scariest part.

More than four out of five device owners have concerns about what businesses or organizations have access to their data and how they are using that data. But if they knew, would they be as concerned? Most businesses and organizations anonymize data to protect consumers’ privacy before the data is ever used. Their goal is not to exploit the consumer or the individual; it is to gain a better understanding of the sample that can then be used for research that leads to new inventions and innovations such as the cure for a disease or ways to ease traffic congestion.

Positive Ways Data Can Be Used Big data can do some seriously remarkable things.

Organizations, researchers and scientists rely on information to facilitate smarter farming practices that use less water and feed more people, build smarter and more connected cities and even discover the cure for devastating diseases. For example, Intel has paired up with the Michael J. Fox Foundation to improve Parkinson’s disease monitoring and treatment. The partnership uses information collected from wearable technologies that monitor symptoms to detect patterns in participant data. Once information about symptoms is collected, researchers can analyze the data to measure the progression of the disease objectively and aggregate anonymous data from all of the patients in the trial to gain a new understanding of the disease for better treatments and eventually, possibly a cure. This same data analysis platform could also help doctors and scientists more effectively treat other illnesses, such as HIV or cancer.

There are many great opportunities that come with responsible data use, but in order to encourage innovation, people and businesses must take an active role in protecting privacy. Fortunately, there is plenty of technology that can ensure proper use, and businesses are beginning to understand the power of privacy and

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