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MARCH 2022 • ISSUE 193
KIDS’ HEALTH Special Issue
Children have been through an awful lot in the past two years: online classes; social isolation; constant stress from family finances, work and school changes; plenty of negative news media coverage; ever-shifting COVID-19 protocols; and fear of the virus itself. For kids and teens, it’s been hard to go back to the conventional way of doing things STORY ON P. 14.
UPSTATE MEDICAL VACCINOLOGIST Stephen J. Thomac, MD, played a key role in the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Now, he’s working to develop vaccines for heroin addiction, influenza, HIV, and more. P. 4
Q&A WITH BRIAN MCKEE CEO of House of the Good Shepherd talks about foster care provided by the nonprofit, which turns 150 this year P. 7
BARBARA PIERCE: LIVING IN THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES
Suicide Rates at Alarming Levels As of 2017, suicide rates in Herkimer, Madison, Oswego among the highest in New York state. Though more current rates are yet to be available, human service workers suspect that COVID-19 has only made the situation worse. What Madison County is doing to alleviate the pressure. P. 9
AEDs, CPR, and How You Can Save a Life By Lorna Fitzpatrick, MD
Y
ou’ve seen signs posted in public places that an AED is on the premises. AED stands for automated external defibrillator — or, more accurately, semi-automated since a human operator is needed. Did you know that the purpose of an AED is to stop the heart, rather than start it? More on that later. First, let’s clarify two common cardiac terms. A “heart attack” is a plumbing issue — an artery that brings blood to the heart is blocked. Victims are usually conscious, and while they need medical attention quickly, an AED is not needed because the heart is beating, and the victim is breathing. “Sudden cardiac arrest” is an electrical issue and occurs when the heart’s electrical system unexpectedly malfunctions. Without warning, the victim collapses and stops breathing. The heart is electrically active but beating chaotically and unable to pump blood to the brain and other organs. Medical attention is needed immediately, or the victim will die. The technical term for this is ventricular fibrillation (V-fib or VF). More than 300,000 Americans outside of hospitals die each year from sudden cardiac arrest, according to the American Heart Association. With V-fib, immediate CPR and ready access to an AED is the only hope while 911 is called. Sudden cardiac arrest may be reversed if CPR is immediately performed, and an AED is used within
minutes to shock the heart into stopping its chaotic rhythm. Once the heart is stopped, its own natural pacemaker may re-establish a life-sustaining pulse. AED trainers compare the administration of a heart-stopping shock to unplugging a home computer when it’s acting up, letting it sit for a minute, and then plugging it back in to reboot. Underwriting grants from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield have funded hands-only CPR training throughout the area and placed AEDs into service across the Mohawk Valley, including at the Stanley Theater, Adirondack Pop Warner Football, House
of the Good Shepherd, Utica College, Waverly Youth Council, and the City of Sherrill. These AEDs issue spoken commands to coach even an untrained layperson in their use, and also in the proper administration of CPR. If the device detects a shockable rhythm, it will provide voice instruction on how to deliver an electrical charge. If it doesn’t detect a shockable rhythm, it will not allow a shock to be administered. The absence of any cardiac electrical activity is commonly called a “flat line.” For those victims, CPR offers the only chance for survival until medical professionals arrive.
Now that you know more about CPR and AEDs, your homework is to become more than an untrained layperson. Go online to RedCross. org or Heart.org and find a CPR class near you. Physician Lorna Fitzpatrick is vice president for medical affairs and medical director at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.
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Page 2 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • March 2022
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Deadly Type of Stroke Increasing in Young and Middle-Aged
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ew cases of a debilitating and often deadly type of stroke that causes bleeding in the brain have been increasing in the U.S., growing at an even faster rate among younger to middle-aged adults than older ones, new research shows. The findings show an 11% increase over the past decade and a half in intracerebral hemorrhage strokes, referred to as ICH strokes. “From a public health perspective, these results are troubling and indicate risk factors are not being well managed in young adults in the U.S.,” said physician Karen Furie, chief of neurology at Rhode Island Hospital and chairwoman of the department of neurology at Brown University’s Warren Alpert Medical School in Providence. Furie was not involved in the research. “Earlier onset of this disease is very alarming and indicates we need to be more aggressive with primary prevention,” she said. ICH strokes occur when blood vessels in the brain rupture and bleed. They are the second most common type, accounting for 10%-15% of the estimated 795,000 strokes each year in the U.S. Globally in 2020, 18.9 million people had an intracerebral hemorrhage, according to the AHA’s most
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In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2022 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 Riverside Drive, Suite 251, Utica, NY 13502 Phone: 315-749-7070 • Email: IGHmohawkvalley@gmail.com Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto Contributing Writers: Barbara Pierce, Deb Dittner, Gwenn Voelckers, David Podos, Deborah Jeanne Sergeant, George W. Chapman, Anne Palumbo, Daniel Baldwin, Megan Plete Postol • Advertising: Amy Gagliano Layout & Design: Joey Sweener • Office Manager: Kate Honebein No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement — not to take the place of — the recommendations of your health provider.
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March 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 3
Meet
Your Doctor
By Chris Motola
Stephen J. Thomas, M.D.
Almost All Americans Are Now Within 1 Hour of Good Stroke Care
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ine in 10 Americans now live within an hour of lifesaving stroke care, researchers say. That’s up from about 80% a decade ago, due to an increase in hospitals with specialized staff, tools and resources, as well as expanded use of telestroke services that use the internet to link small and rural hospitals with stroke specialists in large facilities. “Investments in improving stroke systems of care have been successful, and we are seeing improved access to stroke expertise and improved health care for patients who are remote from centers of expertise, so it’s a message of hope,” said study lead author, physician Kori Zachrison, an associate professor of emergency medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston. The analysis of 2019 and 2020 national data showed that 91% of the U.S. population can reach an acute stroke ready hospital or center within an hour by ambulance. That rises to 96% if telestroke-capable emergency departments are included. “There is a narrow window of time for delivering disability-reducing stroke treatments,” Zachrison said in a meeting news release. “Improving poststroke outcomes for patients depends on a patient’s ability to access that care,” she said. “With increased implementation of telestroke, optimal stroke care has been made possible for an estimated 96% of the U.S. population, which is remarkable, considering the geographic span of our country.” The findings were presented at a conference of the American Stroke Association, held in New Orleans and virtually, Feb. 8-11.
Upstate Medical University vaccinologist who played key role in Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine now working to develop vaccines for heroin addiction, influenza, and new treatments for staph infections, HIV. He recently was honored by NYS Senate for his work Q: You recently were awarded the Liberty Medal from the NYS Senate for your work on the COVID-19 pandemic. Tell us a bit about your work. A: I’m the interim chair of the department of microbiology and immunology at Upstate and the director of the Institute of Global Health and Translational Science. Q: So you’ve been pretty busy lately. A: Yes. In the beginning, as early as January 2020, the university was incredibly busy planning for the arrival of COVID to Central New York, because we knew it had reached New York City and would soon be Upstate. Once we had established plans for how to best care for our patients and keep our staff safe, then the vaccine and treatment trials started and the Global Health group would end up playing key roles in testing the Pfizer vaccine and bringing experimental treatments to the hospital. Now we are responding to surges associated with different variants, continuing with vaccine trials, and trying to re-establish the portion of our research portfolio which was paused. Q: After two years, what do you consider the successes, missteps and surprises? It’s not necessarily over yet, but what would your postmortem be on this period? A: I think one of our collective successes was that the region was quick to acknowledge the problem was here, and that it was going to be a problem. Sometimes people have trouble doing this. I felt like there was pretty good alignment between the university and our regional and community leaders about what we had to do to try and reduce the effects of COVID. I think we did a good job at developing plans to reduce the spread of COVID, find infections, maintain our PPE supplies, and then execute those plans. The Global Health group did a great job testing the Pfizer vaccine and different experimental therapies. There is also Dr. Frank Middleton, his group, and the Quadrant Biosciences partnership, which invented an excellent and high throughput saliva-based COVID diagnostic test. This test was a game changer for SUNY and the system’s ability to bring students back to campus and the classroom.
Q: What could have been improved? A: As far as what could have been improved, this is not so much a local comment as a national one: I think we could have done a better job communicating important health, science and medical information to the public. I think people were often confused about their individual risk of infection, the outcomes of infection and how to best avoid infection. Information about vaccination and wearing masks was also confusing at times. Communicating health information is a very specific skill and expertise, and most people in science and medicine don’t have it. When you’re not effective at communicating it creates information voids, and the voids get filled by misinformation, and people can make bad decisions as a result. Q: In terms of communication, how do you go about coordinating teams and information globally? A: My role as the coordinating principal investigator for the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine trial is not an operational position. Meaning, I’m not actually coordinating the different sites participating in the trial, this is accomplished by Pfizer and Pfizer’s partners. My role, in addition to leading the Upstate site, is to be an external reviewer of the data, which will be submitted to regulatory agencies for consideration of emergency use authorization or licensure. Coordinating principal investigators provide a fresh set of eyes and help to identify any potential
Page 4 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • March 2022
questions about the data or how to interpret the data. Q: Rochester tends to get the glory when it comes to research in Upstate New York, but there’s clearly important research being done in Syracuse. What do you think the state of research in Syracuse is like right now? Has it been rising in that regard? A: Yes, I think so. It’s one of the reasons I came here. Dr. Tim Endy was the infectious diseases chief at Upstate and recruited me here, as well as a number of other people. His vision was to build a robust clinical research program. Upstate has always had a number of very successful individuals, but we really wanted to build a research platform which could increase the number of research opportunities for everyone. This is what the Global Health group has been doing the last 10 years or so. We now have over 50 people in the Global Health group and have more than 10 active projects at any given time. We are working on developing COVID vaccines and drugs, conducting community-based trials following COVID survivors, developing tests for Lyme disease, developing vaccines for heroin addiction and influenza, exploring treatments for staph infections, testing new therapies for HIV, and advancing new educational opportunities for medical students and doctors in the US and abroad. Q: How accurate is Dr. Middleton’s saliva based COVID test compared to the nose swab I think almost all of us have had the pleasure of experiencing by now? A: As accurate, if not more. What is great about this test is not only can it detect even very small amounts of virus in saliva, but because of how it is collected, preserved, and tested, it is very convenient, stable, can be easily and safely shipped, is high throughput, and there are a number of different tests which can be performed on the sample. Q: Are you working on any additional research involving mRNA vaccines? Either for COVID-19 or other conditions? A: Yes, we’re executing an influenza vaccine trial with Pfizer. The technology is also being applied by numerous companies to other diseases such as HIV and Zika. One thing people don’t necessarily understand about mRNA is that it’s not a brandnew technology. It’s been around for about 30 years, has been in numerous human trials, but never had the opportunity which COVID provided to show that it could work. You’ll be hearing a lot more about mRNA.
Lifelines
Name: Stephen J. Thomas, M.D. Position: Director of the Institute for Global Health and Translational Science and interim chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at SUNY Upstate Medical University Hometown: Colonie, New York Education: Albany Medical College Affiliations: SUNY Upstate Medical University Current hospital privileges: Upstate University Hospital, Crouse Hospital, VA Medical Center Family: Wife (Erica); son (Charles), son (Cormac, deceased), daughter (MacLane); Hobbies: music (jazz); lake life (camp, swimming, boating); golf
Opening a New Door to Addiction Treatment Addiction affects all, regardless of background, race, ethnicity, gender, religion or socio-economic status. In recent years, communities across our nation — including Central New York — have experienced alarming increases in the number of people needing addiction treatment services. As the longest running treatment program in the region, Crouse Health’s Addiction Treatment Services remains committed to our mission to expand access to care and ensure delivery of high-quality addiction and mental health treatment in our community. We are proud of our new facility that matches the caliber of our staff and provides a nurturing, safe and uplifting environment that is already greatly enhancing our focus on holistic patient care: The Bill & Sandra Pomeroy Treatment Center at Crouse Health. If you, a loved one, friend or colleague is in need of treatment for substance use disorder, please contact us at 315-470-8304 or visit crouse.org/addiction. Bill & Sandra Pomeroy Treatment Center in Syracuse. The two-story, 42,000 square-foot facility at 2775 Erie Blvd., East, replaces the 100-year-old former location of Crouse’s outpatient treatment services at 410 South Crouse Avenue.
HAPPY
BABIES BORN IN ONEIDA
oneidahealth.org
March 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 5
Nonprofits Encouraged to Apply for Excellus BCBS Community Health Awards Deadline to apply for 50 awards is March 17
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onprofit organizations in Upstate New York can apply for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Community Health Awards that the company is offering to help fund health and wellness programs in Upstate New York. The application period closes Thursday, March 17. There will be up to 50 awards available with award funding up to $5,000 each. “As a nonprofit health plan, our mission is to provide access to affordable health care and continually work to improve the health and health care of residents in the communities we serve,” said Eve Van de Wal, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
regional president. “The company’s Community Health Awards are an opportunity to help support organizations in our community that share our mission of improving access to care and advancing specific health outcomes.” All nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organizations in Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s Utica region are invited to apply for an award. Funding is intended to support programs that improve individual and population health and reduce ethnic and racial disparities by impacting: • Economic Stability: Food availability and security and healthcare workforce development.
• Education Access and Quality: Early childhood education and development, enrollment in higher education, high school graduation, and language and literacy. • Social and Community Support: Caregiver, youth mentorship, and reintegration. • Healthcare Access and Quality: Access to health care, access to primary care, health literacy (health education), and healthcare provider pipeline programs. • Neighborhood and Built Environment: Neighborhood crime and violence (including domestic violence and bullying), availability and quality of housing, and access to
transportation. • Racial, Ethnic and Cultural Competency: Educational initiatives to address bias, and discrimination and racialized medicine. Funding requests can also support programs that focus on community needs and impact quality gap closures in behavioral health, women’s health, chronic condition management, preventive care, wellchild visits, osteoporosis and fall prevention. “This is just one way we are continuing to advance health equity, and foster our mission in its entirety, to help people lead healthier more secure lives by working together,” said physician Gina Cuyler, vice president of health equity and community investments at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. For additional information and the online application, go to www. excellusbcbs.com.
Healthcare in a Minute
By George W. Chapman
Physician Burnout at Worst Levels in Decades
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t no time in the past several decades has physician burnout and stress been worse. A recent survey of 13,000 physicians, published by Medscape 2022, revealed one in four (26%) physicians describes themselves as “unhappy” versus just one in 10 (9%) prior to the pandemic. The unhappiness percentage is much higher among hospital-based physicians. The two-year-old, and counting, pandemic has taken its toll on physician relationships at work and
Telehealth Extended In January 2020, at the beginning on the pandemic, Congress declared a public health epidemic, which directed more funding to physicians and hospitals. It was scheduled to expire January 2022. Thankfully, it has been extended through April 16, 2022. What this means, primarily for consumers, is the continuing financial, operational and philosophical support for telemedicine. The pandemic has significantly accelerated the use, acceptance and effectiveness of telemedicine which, prior to the pandemic, was largely underutilized primarily because of payment issues with Medicare and commercial insurers. The PHE authorized Medicare to pay physicians the same for virtual visits as in-person visits. Commercial payers followed suit. Telemedicine has increased or improved access to care for millions of senior, infirmed, disabled, incapacitated consumers as well as those living in rural and remote areas. As an example, United Health Group saw its telemedicine visits soar from 1.2 million in 2019 to a staggering 34 million in 2020. An HHS study found that telehealth
at home. Many physicians indicated they will either retire early or reduce hours, which will only exacerbate the looming physician shortage. The burnout is attributed to staffing shortages, longer and stress-packed hours, the spike in patient deaths and non-ompliant, demanding and outright ungrateful patients. Last December, six large Ohio healthcare systems, including the Cleveland Clinic, ran ads in local papers stating, simply, “HELP.” (See Help Wanted! below)
usage ran between 21% and 28% among various demographic subgroups. Understandably, the usage rate among the uninsured was only 9%. Somewhat surprisingly, the usage rate among technology-savvy 1824 year olds was only 18%. However, when they used telehealth, 73% of them used video. Income was a major determinant as 69% of households over $100,000 income incorporated telemedicine into their care.
Healthcare System Clogged The combination of higher acuity (and length of stay) of COVID-19 patients with system-wide staffing shortages has clogged or delayed hospital discharges to nursing homes, home care agencies and even hospices. On the front end, when a hospital can’t discharge patients on a timely basis, it backs up the emergency department. Consequently, waiting times increase, ambulances are stacked up in the parking lot and ED hallways are jammed with patients on gurneys waiting for a bed. On the back end, with nursing homes, home care agencies and hospices facing their own staffing shortages, their ability to safely accept a
discharge and relieve the pressure on hospitals is severely curtailed. According to a poll of 14,000 skilled nursing facilities by the American Healthcare Association, 58% are facing severe staffing shortages. SNFs have lost 234,000 employees or 15% of their workforce since the pandemic. At the same time, hospital discharges to SNFs, primarily due to COVID-19, have increased 32%. Discharges to home health care agencies have increased 42% and discharges to hospices have increased 15%. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, more than 200,000 SNF residents and employees died from COVID-19. Your patience, understanding and cooperation will go a long way with stressed out staff and your treatment.
mary care physicians and 43% cited need for specialists. Adding to the list of concerns were: patient safety, behavioral health and addiction, government mandates, access to services, patient satisfaction, physician and hospital relations, technology, population health management and reorganization. It will take more expertise and a lot more cash than your average hospital has to reimagine and reorganize how care is delivered. Unless there is some sort of leveling of the playing field, for profit corporations with plenty of expertise and cash (like CVS, Walmart, Amazon, etc.) will gradually dominate the industry within the next decade.
It Takes a Shark
President Biden has resurrected the Cancer Moonshot Campaign, which aims to reduce the cancer death rate by 50% in 25 years. While COVID-19 has claimed 800,000 lives the past two years, cancer continues to claim 1.2 million lives every year. Biden has directed more funding to the National Cancer Institute and the National Institutes for Health. Industry analysts estimate close to 10 million cancer screenings have been delayed during the pandemic. The Community Oncology Alliance has continually emphasized the fact that regular cancer screenings are inextricably linked to health disparities such as income, insurance, race, access to care and education. Two cancer screenings that have been proven to be both clinically and financially effective are mammography and colonoscopies.
While the ubiquitous drug lobby has ramped up its efforts to prevent congress from fairly negotiating prices (versus “setting” prices per their misleading ads), billionaire philanthropist Mark Cuban of TV’s “Shark Tank” has started his own on-line generic drug pharmacy called “Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company.” There are currently 100 generic drugs on his formulary. Several popular generic drugs are offered at around half the price of the competition. Unlike typical pharmaceutical industry practices, he has vowed to be totally transparent. In general, prices are based on the manufacturer’s price plus a flat 15% fee. He has eliminated the middle man. It will be on a cash-only basis to keep out predatory pharmacy benefit managers.
Help Wanted! For the first time, hospital CEOs cited staffing shortages as their No. 1 priority and concern. Perennial front runner finances fell to second place. Three-hundred ten hospital CEOs responded to the most recent survey conducted by the American College of Healthcare Executives. Ninety-four percent of them cited need for RNs, 85% cited need for therapists, 45% cited need for pri-
Page 6 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • March 2022
Cancer Prevention Campaign
George W. Chapman is a healthcare business consultant who works exclusively with physicians, hospitals and healthcare organizations. He operates GW Chapman Consulting based in Syracuse. Email him at gwc@gwchapmanconsulting.com.
was done in CNY. I was in government for 15 years in child welfare and juvenile justice. I also worked for Elmcrest Children’s Center in Syracuse, where I was the associate executive director. After that I spent about three years at Liberty Resources, a behavioral health organization, and then came here to the HGS as their chief executive officer. Q: The House of the Good Shepherd is celebrating 150 years of service this year. How did the HGS begin? A: Well it was actually the brain child of a group of Episcopalian women living in Utica who had gotten together and decided to develop a place for neglected, friendless and destitute children — that was in 1872. Of course, there were many people along the way who contributed to its success and longevity which brings us up to our present 150th anniversary. Like any organization in its infancy, it needed help both financially as well as non-financial help, which is critical. The Proctor family who had a deep and long history here in Utica was instrumental in supporting HGS with financial support.
Q A &
with Brian McKee
CEO of House of the Good Shepherd talks about foster care provided by the nonprofit, which turns 150 this year By David Podos
B
rian McKee is the CEO of the House of the Good Shepherd. HGS has a staff of 371 and a budget of $28 million. Funding primarily comes from local and state governments. They also receive direct private donations, as well as
money from several fundraising events. Q: Prior to your CEO position do you have any other experiences working for nonprofits? A: Yes. The majority of my work
White House Relaunches Cancer Moonshot Initiative
Q: Explain in a little more detail, who your clientele is and has that changed over the years? A: What is interesting is this, who we serve has not changed. The way we serve them has changed. So these are kids that are typically from poor families. The kids often go without so we shore up what is missing in the kids’ life. So back in the orphanage days, what was different about us that wasn’t necessarily true about all the other orphanages, we were always seen as a temporary shelter. It was a sanctuary for the children to come to for a moment in time whatever the situation was that brought them to us. So we know that if a kid spends, say four, five, six, years or more in an institutional setting that setting becomes their lives and those kids adapted to that way of living. In many ways, that was not a bad place to be considering the situation that many of them where in prior to coming to us. But what the kids really needed was a family environment, so we began a foster care program back in the 1950s and now the average length of time our kids spend on the HGS campus is usually less than eight months. In reality, there are still kids who need more intensive
P
resident Joe Biden announced in February that he is giving a new push to the cancer moonshot initiative that he first led during the Obama administration. In his announcement, Biden said the program would aim to boost prevention, screening and research with a target of reducing the cancer death rate by 50% over the next 25 years. Both Biden and his wife, Jill, have embraced the initiative ever since they lost their son, Beau, to brain cancer at the age of 46 in 2015. “For Joe and me, [Beau’s death] has stolen our joy,” Jill Biden said at a White House event detailing the relaunch. “It left us broken in our grief. But through that pain, we found purpose, strengthening our fortitude for this fight to end cancer as we know it.” The project will also urge Americans to resume cancer screenings, which have declined during the pandemic, and seek to create more equitable access to cancer care through
institutional care for longer periods of time and we do provide that level of care. But a foster care environment is so much better if they are not able to return to their biological family. Q: What are the main services that you provide? A: As mentioned, our foster care program helps children who are currently unable to live with their birth parents. Most children require short-term care while their families receive services and work toward reunification. A primary goal of our foster care program is to take the necessary steps to reunite children with their birth families whenever possible. Our therapeutic care consists of counseling, respite, case management, 24/7 on-call crisis response, psychiatric and psychological consultation. Along with physical health coordination and assessment and treatment planning and weekly home visits by our case planners. Q: Can you talk a bit about your fundraiser events? A: Sure. We have two major fundraising events. Our first one is a golf tournament that we put on at the Yahnundasis Golf Club located in New Hartford. That is held in June. Unfortunately due to the pandemic, we had to scratch the golf tournament for the past two years. But people [sponsors] donated anyways and we ended up raising approximate $110,000 for each of the two years. Once we backed out our expenses, we netted about $70,000 for each year. This year we are very excited because the event will be live. Our second major fundraiser is a wine and cheese event that is usually held in either September or October. This year it will be a gala to celebrate our 150th year anniversary. We don’t have one singular place where we hold it but rather we float each year to different venues, past hosts are the Fort Schuyler Club in Utica, Hotel Utica as well as the Yahnundasis Golf Club. People can go onto our website to receive more information on these fundraisers as well as other events we hold throughout the year.
The House of the Good Shepherd Administrative offices can be reached at 315-235-7780. Visit www.hgs-utica.com.
measures such as mobile screening. A “cancer cabinet” of officials from across the federal government will be created to coordinate efforts, and there will be a push to hasten emerging early detection methods such as liquid biopsies to find multiple cancers through blood tests, the White House said in a fact sheet detailing the plan. “All those we lost, all those we miss, we can end cancer as we know it,” Biden said at a White House gathering that included about 100 cancer researchers. “This is a presidential White House priority. Period.” The only thing the plan is missing is money. Biden called on Congress to fund the new program, but didn’t provide a specific proposal. In 2016, Congress provided $1.8 billion over seven years for the first cancer moonshot, and about $400 million, or two years of funding, remains, the Washington Post reported.
March 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 7
Live Alone & Thrive
By Gwenn Voelckers
Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone
‘Beware the Ides of March’ ... or Not!
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n William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar,” a soothsayer warns Caesar to “Beware the Ides of March.” That immortal phrase portends gloom and doom. It has also given the month of March, a rather wearisome month to begin with, a bad rap. Will this cold, rainy weather ever end? Will tender tree buds ever appear? Will we ever grill out again? If March is stretching out in front of you as a big, dreary void to fill, you are not alone. For many, a prolonged winter wonderland is not so wonderful when cabin fever sets in. Anxiety and restlessness can make unwelcome visits. You might feel yourself spiraling down, questioning the past and second-guessing your future dreams. And that’s when you could be tempted to grab for the TV remote, a pint of Ben and Jerry’s, and head for the couch — or worse — for bed. Sounds familiar? I can remember many nights after my divorce, coming home after work to an empty apartment with hours on my hands and a heavy heart. The prospect of a long, lonely evening or weekend ahead was almost unbearable. After far too many nights on the couch, way too much TV, I had finally had enough. Both wanting and needing to make better use of my “me time,” I made some intentional changes to reduce my stress and restore my energy. Today, I am thoroughly com-
fortable spending time by myself and have come to enjoy my own company. In fact, it’s not unusual for me to pass on an invitation to go out in favor of spending a nice quiet evening at home — relaxing or fully engaged in something I love to do. If you are challenged by time alone this time of year, consider getting back to basics this March by following the “Three Rs” below: Reading, ‘Riting, and ‘Rithmatic.
Reading When is the last time you read a good book? In our busy lives and with so many electronic options vying for our attention, reading can fall by the wayside. It’s such a shame. Reading for enjoyment and enlightenment can turn a lonely evening into a lovely evening for those who live alone. While I’m reluctant to credit the pandemic with anything positive, I did discover a silver lining: Sheltering in place kick-started a reading binge for me that has yet to subside. Reading “by ear” has become my preferred medium. I listen to audiobooks in my car, on my walks, while exercising, and when doing mundane tasks. Folding laundry comes to mind. Beyond the convenience of audiobooks, a good narrator can bring the text to life. When I listen to my books, I experience a more intimate and emotional connection to the
U.S. Kids Still Dying From Toppling TVs, Furniture
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ake sure your TV and furniture are anchored to the wall to protect little ones from potentially deadly tip-overs. Between 2018 and 2020, an average of 22,500 Americans a year required emergency department treatment for tip-over injuries, and nearly 44% were under 18, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Since 2000, there have been nearly 600 tip-over deaths involving furniture, TVs or appliances, and 81% of those victims were children 17 and
younger. “People either don’t know about the risks, or they think it can’t happen when an adult is nearby,” said CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric. According to the new CPSC report, 71% of all child deaths involved a TV; 62% of deaths in all age groups involved a TV; 55% of deaths involved people being crushed; and 66% of deaths resulted from head injuries. In 2015, CPSC launched a campaign called AnchorIt! to educate Americans about the dangers of tip-
characters and a deeper understanding of the story. Audiobooks have reinvigorated my love for reading. Whether you enjoy reading a book in your hands, on your laptop, or through your earbuds, I’m confident you will feel less alone. Don’t know where to start? Ask a friend for a book suggestion or make a selection from The New York Time’s best-seller list. My most recent favorite is “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig. Snuggle up in a comfy, well-lit place and let a good book introduce you to new people, new places, and new ideas as we transition from winter to spring.
‘Riting I have found that putting pen to paper often lends clarity to the issues I face as a single woman. When I put things down in words, I can better organize my thoughts and embrace life’s challenges with less apprehension and more objectivity. While I don’t keep a diary or journal, I am a tried-and-true list maker. Almost nothing gives me more satisfaction than checking things off my list — from paying bills to practicing meditation to returning emails. I’m also a believer in capturing on paper the pros and cons of bigger life decisions, such as ending a longterm relationship, moving across the country to be closer to loved ones or to buying a new versus a used car. These bigger, more profound decisions often trigger emotions and fears that can intrude on clear thinking. One helpful resource I have discovered is the “3-minute Positivity Journal” by bestselling author Kristen Butler. In her book, Kristen maintains that a daily habit of physically writing out our thoughts, feelings, intentions, reflections, goals and wins can change your life. Excepted from the book jacket: “Each entry is quick, yet powerful — overs. Between 2011 and 2020, there was a 55% decrease in tip-over injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms, largely due to fewer TV tip-overs. “We’re pleased to see the decrease in tip-over injuries over time,” Hoehn-Saric said in a commission news release. Protection is inexpensive and easy to install, he said. “Most anti-tip-over kits cost less than $20 and can be installed in fewer than 20 minutes,” Hoehn-Saric said. “We urge parents and caregivers to protect their children and families and make the time to secure heavy items in their homes.” The CPSC offers these suggestions: • Anchor TVs and furniture such as bookcases and dressers securely to the wall. • TVs should be on a sturdy, low base and placed back as far as possible, particularly if they can’t be anchored. • Don’t display
Page 8 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • March 2022
only three minutes in the morning and three minutes in the evening — to keep you on track with your mindset, health and goals.” I encourage you to check it out. March won’t be so bad after all!
‘Rithmatic Yes, arithmetic. Math is all about patterns and relationships. And relationships are key to our happiness as we get older. But don’t take my word for it. In the Harvard “Study of Adult Development,” one of the world’s longest studies of adult life and health, researchers uncovered a surprising finding: That our relationships and how happy we are in our relationships have a powerful influence on our health. This is according to Robert Waldinger, director of the study and professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. The study revealed that close relationships, more than money or fame, are what keep people happy throughout their lives. My readers have heard me say this many times: Mastering the art of living alone is not about mastering the art of isolation. It is about mastering the art of engagement and connection with yourself and with others. Our journey to contentment is one we make with companions. Relationships are what bring purpose and meaning to our lives. So, hug those dear to you and embrace the month of March — doldrums, slush, Ides and all! Gwenn Voelckers is the founder and facilitator of Alone and Content, empowerment workshops for women and author of “Alone and Content,” a collection of inspiring essays for those who live alone. For information about her workshops, to purchase her book, or invite her to speak, visit www. aloneandcontent.com or store items such as toys and remotes where kids may be tempted to climb to reach for them. • Store heavier items on lower shelves or in lower drawers. • When you buy a new TV, consider recycling your old one. If you move the older TV to another room, be sure it is anchored to the wall properly. • Keep TV and cable cords out of children’s reach. • Even when TVs and furniture are anchored, children should still be supervised by an adult.
New York: 18th Happiest State Despite an unfavorable suicide rate, New York fared much better in WalletHub’s “Happiest States in America” rankings. The list, which was published earlier this year and is based on WalletHub’s analysis of existing data from the Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and various other agencies, places the Empire State at No. 18 in the nation. New York scored 57.19 (out of 100) in a measurement of three categories — emotional and physical well being, work environment and community and environment.
Suicide Rates at Alarming Levels Suicide rates in Herkimer, Madison, Oswego among the highest in New York state By Aaron Gifford
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SUICIDE RATES PER 100,000 PEOPLE
wo Central New York counties struggled with alarming suicide rates even before the pandemic State Avg.: 8.5 struck. According to the New York State Onondaga County 9.7 Department of Health, the latest reported suicide rate for Madison Oneida County 12.2 County was 14.1 deaths per 100,000 Madison County* 14.1 people, compared to the state average of 8.5 per 100,000. Oswego Oswego County 15.1 County’s was even higher, at 15.1 Herkimer County 15.6 per 100,000. Herkimer County’s rate came to 15.6 suicides per 100,00. Source: New York State Department of Health, 2017. These figures were for the year * Rate based on increments per 10,000 and correlated to real population of 70,000. ending 2017, the most recent year available. Madison County actually has less than 100,000 people, so the contributing factors to the local suicounties to form suicide prevention rate, based on increments per 10,000, cide rate for those younger than 18 coalitions and reach out to the most is correlated to the trend line based years old include sexual abuse (5% of vulnerable populations. And even on the population of 70,000. children under 18 have been victimthough more current suicide rates Both counties are economically ized), physical abuse (11%), divorce are not available yet, human service diverse, with more populated and workers in both counties have reason (the rate is 94 per 100,000) and foster middle-class communities closer to care (52.1% per 100,000). In addition, the Onondaga County suburbs, along to believe the events of COVID-19 the rate of complaints to Madison have only made their situations with small cities (Oneida, Fulton and County’s protective services office worse. Oswego) struggling farms and small was 324 per 100,000 people, com“People even without mental businesses as well as pockets of genillness are feeling this pressure,” said pared to the state rate of 248.7. These erational rural poverty. statistics are based on the year 2020 As for the other two Central New Tyler Ahart, project manager for and may not correlate directly to the Oswego County Suicide Prevention York counties, Onondaga was 9.7 per 2017 suicide rates, but officials be100,000 and Cayuga was 11.3 in 2017, Coalition. “We are still in this. There lieve all of these factors have always are just so many factors.” according to the New York State played a role in suicide rates. “We do know that the calls to the Health Department. For adults, notable factors are Nationwide, suicide was the 10th hotlines as well as to the Syracuse VA financial problems, social isolation, hospital grew exponentially during leading cause of death in 2017, with alcoholism and illegal drug use, to COVID,” said Maureen Campanie, 49,000 people taking their own lives executive director of BRIDGES, Mad- include opiates. that year. New York state, whose “I think that the key thing to ison County Council on Alcoholism suicide rate increased 28% from 1999 remember is that suicide is often an to 2016, was No. 6 on that list, behind and Substance Abuse, a key agency in local suicide prevention efforts. “It intersection of many different issues, California, Texas and Ohio. Comparwhether abuse, alcohol, job loss made sense to bring partners to the atively, rural areas across the United or a combination of so many other table.” States have experienced higher rates things,” Campanie said. According to the report pubof suicide than urban communities. According to the Madison lished by Madison County’s coalition, The disturbing statistic promotCounty report, 11.7% of adults in “Suicide in Madison County 2020,” ed human service agencies in both
that county report feeling distressed, depressed or mentally unstable an average of 14 days per month in 2020. And yet, only 14 adults out of 100,000 visited a hospital for mental health issues, compared to the state rate of 40.5 per 100,000. The report also said that Madison County’s suicide rate is two to three times higher for three specific age groups — those younger than 35, those between 45 and 54 and those 85 and older. It also noted that 47% of suicides involved a firearm, with asphyxia the second most common method at 37%, followed by self-poisoning at 12% and then blunt force trauma at 3%. In rural communities, there are fewer social networks, fewer job opportunities, and a strong sense of self-reliance where many people are reluctant to ask for help. The cost of health care for any types of service is an issue. Moreover, the stigma of having a mental health problem is an obstacle to obtaining professional help. Oswego County’s suicide rate increased by 36% from 2010 to 2015. About 17% of the total suicides in Oswego County between 2010 and 2016 were young adults between the ages of 18 and 27, though the coalition has identified vulnerable populations ranging from grade school children, to adults, to senior citizens. There’s an additional emphasis on reaching out to military veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community and folks who are not comfortable attending any meetings or awareness events in person, Ahart said. “We are working to reduce the stigma of mental health,” he said. “With that, we have to create the presence everywhere that there is support. That includes making people feel comfortable and supported in this virtual world.” Outdoor events to raise awareness about suicide took place in both counties earlier this fall. Both counties also have grief support groups for those who lost a loved one to suicide. Human services agencies are working with schools, churches and even various types of business to get the word out that help is available to anyone who may be thinking about taking their own life. “We’ve even reached out to income tax preparers who come into contact with people who have financial concerns,” Campanie said. “We want to empower others to offer support and help people get upstream from this.”
March 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 9
Fighting the Drug Epidemic: Are Safe Drug Injection Sites the Answer? As the nation’s first site opens, the debate continues By Barbara Pierce
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he first government-authorized supervised injection site opened in New York City in November. It’s the first such site in the U.S. and that’s significant. A supervised injection site is a place where people with a substance use disorder can inject illegal drugs under medical supervision. In addition to providing people with a safe, supervised location to use drugs, they provide other critical services — access to addiction treatment, information about drugs, medical, social and mental health services. Staff do not provide drugs, but are there to provide help should someone overdose. The costs of the current drug epidemic are enormous. In the U.S., more than 100,000 people died from fatal drug overdoses in a recent 12-month period, according to the CDC. The costs in human suffering, family disintegration, and loss production are staggering. An overdose does not have to be fatal. When drugs overwhelm the brain — slowing down and stopping vital functions like breathing — that can be reversed if someone is there and uses Naloxone. Naloxone can save someone’s life. But people who use illegal drugs often use in hidden, unsafe situations, alone. Help never arrives. This stark reality has prompted U.S. cities to consider something that’s never been sanctioned here — a supervised injection facility. Proponents say such sites save lives. And often they’re connected to recovery services where users can get
treatment when they are ready. This approach is known as harm reduction. It shifts the emphasis from stopping drug use completely to lessening the harms of drug use. Legal challenges have long delayed creation of safe drug sites in the U.S. “This is certainly a controversial subject,” said Cassandra Sheets, chief executive officer, Center for Family Life and Recovery in Utica. The center supports individuals struggling with addiction, mental health and behavioral issues. “In my opinion, I believe we need to embrace true harm reduction, not just part of it,” she added. “Addiction is a behavioral and biological disease. It’s important to offer opportunities for people to heal — sometimes that means they don’t go to full abstinence.” This is where harm reduction comes in to play. “Meeting people where they’re at and helping them from that place — as opposed to making them go to a new place that’s full of fear and failure. Addiction comes with a lot of trauma in one’s life. To unravel it has to be a process,” she added. “Harm reduction is a process. If you offer a person a place to safely inject and begin to build their trust, you’re able to work with them to get into treatment.” “Also, when you have safe injection sites you’re helping to lessen or eliminate other public health crisis events—such as passing around Hep A and possibly C, HIV and other infections that go with dirty needles that are shared on the street,” she said. For more than a decade in Van-
Daily Half-Hour Walk Can Greatly Boost Survival After Stroke
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fter a stroke, survivors can greatly increase their odds for many more years of life through activities as easy as a halfhour’s stroll each day, new research shows. The nearly five-year-long Canadian study found that stroke survi-
vors who walked or gardened at least three to four hours a week (about 30 minutes a day), cycled at least two to three hours per week, or got an equivalent amount of exercise had a 54% lower risk of death from any cause. The benefits were highest among
couver, physician Gabor Maté worked with patients challenged by drug addiction. “They are the sickest, the neediest and the most neglected of any population anywhere,” he said of his patients in his book In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts. “How powerful the addiction that not all the physical disease and pain and psychological torment can shake loose its lethal hold on their souls.” “People will jeopardize their lives for the sake of making the moment livable. Nothing sways them from the habit, not illness, not the sacrifice of Cassandra Sheets is CEO, Center for Family Life and love and relation- Recovery in Utica: “Harm reduction is a process. If you ships, not the loss of all earthy goods, not offer a person a place to safely inject and begin to build the fear of dying,” their trust, you’re able to work with them to get into treatment,” she says. he added. The research is unequivocal; most hardcore substance abusers suffered in other countries, U.S. cities trying to severe neglect and abuse early in life. open one face intense pushback. Almost all the women were sexually Federal and state governments assaulted in childhood, as were many have been legislating to reduce drug men, he reported. use for decades, but the policies aimed “We do not expect to cure anyone, at reaching a drug-free America have only to ameliorate the effects of drug been vastly ineffective. addiction and its attendant ailments,” On the state level, Gov. Kathy Hohe explained. chul wants to “explore the efficacy” of There is a growing consensus supervised injection sites and “how it among researchers that these facilities impacts our communities,” said her work. No one has ever died at any safe spokeswoman in a news conference. site around the world. In Vancouver, “If we’re going to end or lessen studies over the years have shown this crisis, we need to think outside of that one site reduced overdose deaths the box and align strategies with huby 35% and resulted in a 30% increase man behavior,” Sheets said. “Safe inin the number of people seeking treat- jection sites are not the answer 100%. ment for addiction. We need to openly talk about it and Though these facilities have radi- embrace it as an issue in our society; cally changed how addicts are treated stop being angry about it.” and have reduced opioid overdoses younger stroke survivors. Those younger than 75 who did at least that much physical activity had an 80% lower risk of death, according to the study published online Aug. 11 in the journal Neurology. “We should particularly emphasize [physical activity] to stroke survivors who are younger in age, as they may gain the greatest health benefits from walking just 30 minutes each day,” study author physician Raed Joundi, of the University of Calgary, said in a journal news release. One U.S. expert in stroke care said more needs to be done to help people who survive a stroke get active. “It is important that stroke neurologists enroll their patients in exercise programs, because encouraging exercise, physical activity may not be sufficient,” noted physician Andrew Rogove, who wasn’t involved in the new research. He directs stroke care at Northwell Health’s South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore, on Long Island. The new study included nearly 900 stroke survivors of an average age of 72, and more than 97,800 people, of the average age of 63, who had never had a stroke. All of the participants were followed for an
Page 10 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • March 2022
average of about 4.5 years. After accounting for other factors that could influence the risk of death (such as age and smoking), the researchers found that 25% of the stroke survivors and 6% of those who’d never had a stroke died from any cause during follow-up. Among the stroke survivors, 15% of the people who exercised at least the equivalent of three to four hours of walking each week died, compared to 33% of those who didn’t get at least that much exercise, Joundi’s group reported. The bottom line: “Our results suggest that getting a minimum amount of physical activity may reduce long-term mortality from any cause in stroke survivors,” Joundi said. “Our results are exciting, because just three to four hours a week of walking was associated with big reductions in mortality, and that may be attainable for many community members with prior stroke,” he said. “In addition, we found people achieved even greater benefit with walking six to seven hours per week. These results might have implications for guidelines for stroke survivors in the future.”
SmartBites By Anne Palumbo
The skinny on healthy eating
Prune’s Other Benefits May Surprise You
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hould we pity the poor prune? It’s shriveled, wrinkled and puckered. It’s best known for relieving constipation. It’s granny’s favorite fruit. It’s never in restaurants but always in nursing homes. And its sexy makeover — from dowdy prune to provocative dried plum — never gained enough traction to stick. But, no, we should not pity the humble prune. We should take a cue from granny and get to know this delicious dried fruit even better! Boasting an impressive array of nutrients — over 15 different vitamins and minerals — a prune’s health benefits go way beyond the bathroom. Ready for some surprises? Prunes are great for bones. Yes, bones! Current studies suggest that simply eating a serving of five prunes a day may help slow and prevent bone loss. While it’s not entirely clear why prunes promote bone health, this mighty dried fruit has many properties to consider: good amounts of vitamin K and potassium (both vital for strong bones), a wealth of antioxidants that may protect bones from cell damage, and the potential to increase certain hormones that are involved in bone formation. No wonder Granny’s doing the Rumba with Gramps into the wee hours! Another startling perk from this toothsome dried plum? Prunes benefit heart health. Their fiber helps lower cholesterol; their powerful antioxidants keep inflammation at bay; and their potassium helps lower blood pressure and ease tension in the walls of blood vessels. Indeed, a trifecta of nutrients to help keep our tickers tocking longer. Lastly, prunes are good for guts in more ways than one. While the insoluble fiber in prunes promotes regular bowel movements, the soluble fiber helps to moderate digestion and absorb nutrients from our food. What’s more, prunes contain sorbitol — an ingredient known to have a laxative effect — which can increase stool frequency. Feeling blocked-up and sluggish? Passing stools as hard as golf balls? You know what to reach for! An average serving of four prunes has 90 calories, 3 grams of fiber, and no fat, cholesterol or sodium. Final surprise? A recent study found that people who snacked on prunes felt less hungry and ate fewer calories overall than people who ate other foods.
Quinoa Salad with Chopped Prunes and Prune Vinaigrette
Adapted from californiaprunes.org Serves 4-6 For the salad: ¾ cup quinoa 1½ cups water ½ cup chopped red pepper ½ cup chopped yellow pepper ¼ cup parsley, finely chopped
5 prunes, zest from 1 lemon 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice ½ cup slivered almonds, toasted For the vinaigrette: 4 prunes ½ cup water 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon coarse black pepper 1-2 tablespoons water to thin, as needed Make the salad Rinse the quinoa (to remove bitterness) and drain well. Combine the rinsed quinoa and water in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then decrease the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook until the quinoa has absorbed all the water, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the pot from heat, cover, and let quinoa steam for 5 minutes. Transfer the quinoa to a medium bowl and fluff with a fork. Cut the peppers into small chunks, finely chop the parsley, and cut the prunes into quarters. Drizzle vinaigrette over fluffed quinoa and mix well. Add the peppers, parsley, prunes, lemon zest, lemon juice and slivered almonds and gently mix again. Adjust seasonings and serve.
Prioritize your family’s vaccinations Getting vaccinated helps protect you, your family, and your neighbors against serious illnesses, hospitalization—and even death. Staying up-to-date on immunizations is vital to everyone’s health, so don’t wait.
Ask your healthcare provider for information or call 1-800-BASSETT for an appointment. Bassett.org
Make the vinaigrette While quinoa is cooking, make the vinaigrette. Cut prunes in half and put in a small pan with ½ cup water. Bring to a boil and then decrease the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer. Simmer, uncovered, for around 10 minutes until the water is almost gone. Stir occasionally while prunes are cooking. Remove from heat and transfer to a small food processor. Add oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper and blend until fairly smooth. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons water to get a pourable thickness.
Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle colum-
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nist, food guru, and seasoned cook, who has perfected the art of preparing nutritious, calorie-conscious dishes. She is hungry for your questions and comments about SmartBites, so be in touch with Anne at avpalumbo@aol.com.
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March 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 11
Debra Iselo, cancer survivor program coordinator at Mohawk Valley Health System. “Nobody likes preparing for a colonoscopy or collecting a stool sample. But just think how much more preferable that is to having chemotherapy or surgery,” she says.
Why it’s Important to Talk About Colon Cancer Get screened; it is preventable and curable By Barbara Pierce
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o one likes to talk about it. We don’t even want think about it. But it’s something none of us can afford to ignore — there’s so much at stake. Let’s start with the good news: Colon cancer is preventable. And it’s highly curable if found early. Another piece of good news: The preparation for a colonoscopy — really the only unpleasant part of the procedure — has improved greatly in recent years. Here are some things important to know about this dreaded disease, shared by Debra Iselo, cancer survivor program coordinator at Mohawk Valley Health System. Colon cancer is referred to as colorectal cancer by health care professionals. It’s a disease in which cells in the colon or rectum grow out of control. The colon is the large intestine or large bowel. The rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anus. “It’s the third most common cancer in the world,” said Iselo. “In the U.S., one person in 24 will get colorectal cancer. It’s disturbing that a new study shows those born since 1990 are two to four times more likely to develop colorectal cancer than older adults.” As colorectal cancer rates for older adults have declined — because more people are getting
screened and changing their risk factors — rates in younger people have climbed. The world was stunned last summer when Chadwick Boseman, star of the hit movie “Black Panther,” died of colon cancer at 43. Former Yankee outfielder Darryl Strawberry, survived colon cancer at 36. Professional race car driver Scott Lagasse Jr. survived his diagnosis of colon cancer at 33. Because it’s considered a cancer only affecting older adults, many younger people, and even their doctors, brush off the symptoms. “This is becoming a younger person’s disease,” said Iselo. Some of the reasons younger people are getting colorectal cancer is, unfortunately, based on lifestyle, she added. To prevent colorectal cancer, eat healthy, drink little to no alcohol, exercise, don’t smoke. “Young people aren’t likely to focus on those things,” she said. To help lower your risk: • Get screened: Overall, the most effective way to reduce your risk is to get screened routinely, beginning at age 45, said Iselo. This is because almost all colorectal cancers begin as precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon or rectum. They may not cause any symptoms. Screening can find and remove these precancerous polyps before they turn into cancer. In this way, colorectal cancer is prevented. The most common screening test
50 Years On, Real Progress in War Against Cancer
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ince 1971, when the U.S. government made defeating cancer a goal and put major funding behind it, death rates for many cancers have plummeted, but some are increasing, according to a new American Cancer Society report. Death rates for all cancers combined have declined since passage of the National Cancer Act of 1971, according to the report. For example, in 2019, deaths from lung cancer were down 44% from the 1993 peak. But death rates were higher than in 1971 for cancers of the pancreas, esophagus and brain.
“We are making progress because of increased investment in cancer prevention, in early detection and also improved treatments, but there are still gaps in reducing [death rates],” said senior author, physician Ahmedin Jemal, a senior vice president at the American Cancer Society. ln addition to differences by types of cancer, deaths also differed by geographic region. Notably, cancer deaths in the southern United States were higher than in other parts of the country. Explaining the disparity, Jemal noted that many people in the South
is a colonoscopy, said Iselo. It’s the best test so the physician can visualize and remove polyps. During a colonoscopy, doctors examine your colon with a flexible scope that allows them to take biopsies and remove precancerous polyps. It’s an invasive procedure, but technologies are much improved and almost always conducted while you’re sedated. Most people don’t even recall the procedure. “Nobody likes preparing for a colonoscopy or collecting a stool sample,” Iselo said. “But, just think how much more preferable that is to having chemotherapy or surgery.” The preparation was the bad part, but newer products have significantly reduced this. “The majority of patients have said it’s become much easier, easier overall,” she said.” Health insurance covers most costs. Yes, it’s a hassle taking time off work; the preparation isn’t pleasant; you need a ride home; it’s embarrassing. But ask anyone with colorectal cancer whether these sound like good reasons to avoid screenings. There are other less-invasive types of screening, like stool testing, which looks for traces of blood and anything abnormal. If your stool test is positive, you’ll still need a colonoscopy. After your initial screening, get screened every five to 10 years, at the discretion of your health care pro-
fessional. If polyps were found, you may need to be screened more often. Colorectal cancer is a condition that, on one hand can be prevented with a screening colonoscopy, but on the other hand, is lethal if not caught early. “People tell me that they’re scared to get screened, but I think it’s scarier to have a tumor that the doctor can’t remove,” colorectal cancer survivor Robert said on cdc.gov. “If I hadn’t been screened, I wouldn’t have been able to see my son go off to college, or enjoy this next chapter of my life with my wife and family.” Eat a lot of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. There’s evidence that diet may play a significant role in preventing colorectal cancer. A diet high in fiber (whole grains, fruits, vegetables and nuts) and low in fat, nitrates, red meat and processed meats may help prevent colorectal cancer. • Drink little to no alcohol: It’s best not to drink. If you do, the American Society recommends no more than two drinks a day for men, one or women. • Don’t smoke. • Get regular exercise. •ª Take control of your weight. • Risk factors include: A close family member with the disease; being Black; a history of ovarian cancer or inflammatory bowel syndrome.
are poor and lack access to quality care. They also may have trouble finding doctors who take Medicaid, he added. One factor contributing to the declining death rates overall is smoking cessation, according to the report. In 1965, 42% of Americans smoked, compared to 14% in 2018. Declines in deaths from breast, cervical, colon and prostate cancers owe in part to screening and early detection. In particular, the report noted that colon cancer screening accounted for 50% of the decline in deaths from that cancer between 1975 and 2002. The report dovetails with the 50th anniversary of the National Cancer Act. With the funding it provides, the National Cancer Institute’s
budget increased 25-fold over the period, from $227 million in 1971 to $6 billion in 2019. Physician Anthony D’Amico, a professor of radiation oncology at Harvard Medical School in Boston, noted that the biggest strides have been made in cancers that doctors screen for, but advances in cancer treatment also play a role. “I think the advances in stomach, leukemia and ovarian cancer are more related to treatment advances, and not all of a decline in lung, breast, prostate and colorectal is just screening, some of it is treatment advances,” D’Amico said. Improvements in surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, precision medicine and combination therapies have helped improve survival, according to the report.
Page 12 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • March 2022
to some pregnant women between 1940 and 1971. • History of breast cancer or other breast diseases. • First pregnancy after 30, never breastfeeding or never having a fullterm pregnancy. • Taking certain birth control pills or some forms of hormone replacement therapy during menopause. •African American women have an increased risk. There’s no sure way to prevent breast cancer. However, you can lower your risk by changing these risk factors that are under your control: • Limit alcohol • Stop smoking • Lose weight if you are overweight • Get active • Avoid the use of hormones Whether you have risk factors or not, it’s important to get a mammogram. Screening can find the cancer before it causes symptoms (like a lump). When found early, it’s easier to treat.
Diagnosing breast cancer
Early Detection Helps Increase Breast Cancer Survival Rate The American Cancer Society can help find treatment By Barbara Pierce
B
reast cancer is the most common cancer in women. It is second to lung cancer as the leading cause of death for women, says the American Cancer Society online. One in eight women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer. For men, the lifetime risk is small, about one in 833. As women, we’re all at risk. To learn how to prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat it, here is helpful information from the American Cancer Society.
Preventing breast cancer There are two primary risk factors for breast cancer: being a woman
and aging. The disease is most common in women older than 50. Other risk factors which are out of a woman’s control: • Genetic mutations, particularly in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which increase odds of breast and ovarian cancer. • Family history of breast or ovarian cancer. If a relative has had breast cancer, the closer they are to you on your family tree, the higher your risk of developing the disease. • Reproductive history, starting menstrual periods before 12 or menopause after 55, which increases hormone exposure. • Dense breasts. • Previous radiation therapy in the chest area before age 30. • Taking DES (diethylstilbestrol), a miscarriage prevention drug given
The Balanced Body
By Deb Dittner
Lower Your Cancer Risk: Try Some Vegetable Soup!
U
p until 2019, the cancer rate was declining. More than one million people are diagnosed with cancer yearly causing this to be the second-leading cause of death in the US. One out of three women and one out of two men can expect to develop cancer during their lifetimes. Statistics are not fully compiled from the past two years but in speaking with fellow health care providers and other resources, an increase in cancer has been noted. Lowering your risk of developing cancer is achievable by maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Choosing to eat whole nutrient-dense foods is a great way to be-
Finding breast cancer early and getting state-of-the-art treatment are the most important strategies in preventing death from breast cancer. Breast cancer that’s found early is easier to treat successfully. Since mammograms started to be promoted, in the 1980s, the overall mortality rate from breast cancer is down by 40%. Mammograms are low-dose X-rays of the breast. They can find breast changes that could be cancer years before symptoms develop. Women who have regular mammograms are more likely to have breast cancer found early and less likely to need aggressive treatment like surgery and chemotherapy, and are more likely to be cured. Screening guidelines for women at average risk: Women between 40-44 should start screening with a mammogram every year; women 45-54 should get mammograms every year; women older than 55 can switch to a mammogram every other year. Screening should continue as long as you are in good health and expected to live at least 10 more years.
Screening guidelines for women who are at high risk: Get a breast MRI and a mammogram every year, starting at age 30. All women should be familiar with how their breasts normally look and feel; report any changes to a health care provider right away. Since 2015, breast self-exams haven’t been recommended; there was no evidence that they increased early breast cancer detection. Most insurances cover mammograms at no cost to you. If you don’t have insurance, New York State Cancer Services offers free screening services for those eligible. If you’re diagnosed with breast cancer, yes, it’s scary. However, your cancer care team will be there to support you and discuss treatment options with you. Think carefully about each option; weigh the benefits against the possible risks and side effects. Treatment plans are based on the type of breast cancer, its stage, any special situations and your overall health and personal preferences. Some treatments are local, meaning they treat the tumor without affecting the rest of the body. Most women with breast cancer will have surgery to remove the tumor. Depending on the type of breast cancer and how advanced it is, you might need other types of treatment as well, either before or after surgery or sometimes both. Drugs used to treat breast cancer can reach cancer cells almost anywhere in the body. They can be given by mouth or put directly into the bloodstream. It’s important to discuss all your treatment options with your doctors, including goals and possible side effects, to help make the decision that best fits your needs. It’s also important to ask any questions you have. It’s often a good idea to seek a second opinion. This can give you more information and help you feel confident about the treatment plan you choose. The American Cancer Society Reach to Recovery program connects people facing breast cancer with volunteers who are breast cancer survivors. For more information, see www. cancer.org/breastcancer
gin. Incorporating anti-inflammatory foods such as dark green leafy vegetables, low-glycemic fruits, nuts and seeds need to become your friends. Reduce to eliminate processed white food-like products especially sugar (as this feeds cancer), hormone-laden dairy and animal products. A plant-based diet (preferably organic), needs to make up the main portion of your daily meals. Juicing provides nutrients and hydration and can be considered medicinal. Stay away from store bought processed juices as these are high in sugar. Smoothies (especially green smoothies) are an easy way to get three servings of vegetables and one serving of fruit into your day.
One powerhouse for your nutrition is in adding mushrooms into your diet to provide beneficial nutrients including fiber, selenium, vitamins (ascorbic acid, vitamins B and D, niacin, thiamin and riboflavin) and antioxidants. Mushrooms contain antiviral, antitumor, and antimicrobial properties, protect the liver and cardiovascular system and boost the immune system. Mushroom varieties to include are shiitake, white button, cremini, maitake and portobello to name a few. Eating just two mushrooms daily can possibly lower your risk of cancer by 45%. But remember, mushrooms alone won’t do it. You need to incorporate this into your mostly plant-based diet. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the US, but it is one of the most preventable. Those people at greater risk are older than 50, a positive family history, Type 2 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease (including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease), smokers, increased
weight and consuming processed foods and red meats. Prevention is of most importance and starts with eating a high fiber, colorful diet to provide optimal support for gut health. Winter months and cold weather cause your body to search for warm, hearty meals. Vegetable soup is a hearty food that provides much healthy nutrition. Deborah Dittner is a family nurse practitioner and health consultant. Her mission is to transform as many individuals as possible through nutrition and lifestyle changes. For more information, check out her website at www.debdittner.com or contact her at 518-596-8565.
March 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 13
Between You & Me
By Barbara Pierce
Living in These Uncertain Times
“T
tiger is more than we need to rememhere’s so much uncertainty,” ber where the blueberries are.” said Bear. The uncertainty we’re going “What should we do?” through now isn’t a tiger to run asked Rabbit. “I know what to do! I’ll make tea,” from. It goes on, day after day — our brains produce loads of stress Rabbit continued. chemicals. And that’s bad—stress “How does that help?” asked hormones contribute to high blood Bear. pressure, obesity and so much more. “It won’t, not really. Only for a moment. But in that moment, we can Also, we’re going through a lot of catch our breath.” changes. Change, whether it’s good Writer Tara Shannon’s Facebook or bad, makes us uncomfortable. The posting reflects how so many of us majority of us don’t do well with feel these days. “There’s so much un- change. As the pandemic demoncertainty” might be the catchphrase. strated, life can change quickly and From COVID-19, climate change, sounpredictably. One day things are cial and political unrest, inflation, to fine, the next day, they’re not. job insecurity, losses — all contribute We need to take a moment to to a sense of uncertainty. catch our breath, as Rabbit suggested. Our brains don’t like uncertainty. It’s also important to realize that Uncertainty is feeling unsure about no matter how helpless and hopeless you feel, there are steps you can take what will happen, facing several difto better deal with these feelings: ferent scenarios — we have to work Accept the unknown: The best at figuring out how to prepare for all way to handle uncertainty is to try to the different outcomes. Uncertainty get comfortable with it. You can’t fix causes us to worry, to be anxious. In short, there’s very little we can it, so just accept it, handle it. And you do have to handle it, bebe certain about, and that feeds a lot cause things don’t seem to be getting of fear and anxiety. any better soon. Fear is an intense response to a “The only certainty is change,” danger that is present, while anxiety said Cochran. “To fight it is unprois a response to a perceived threat ductive. If there’s a big windstorm, about things that might possibly happen. trees that bend and flex survive. “We’re wired to worry,” said The trees that don’t bend, crack, fall psychotherapist Margaret Cochran down and die. We’re the same.” Accepting it doesn’t mean you online. “It’s a survival mechanism; our brains haven’t evolved much and approve of it. It just means you’re making an effort to let go of your we still need to remember where the
Set Your Kids Up for Success in Caring for Their Teeth By Barbara Pierce
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or many parents, getting our kids to brush their teeth is a battle not unlike getting them to eat their broccoli or go to bed on time. We know that establishing good habits in taking care of their teeth is important. But is there an easier way to do it, to set our kids up for success when it comes to their teeth? Here are some tips that you might find helpful from the Mohawk Valley Health System website: Your baby is born with 20 teeth below the gums, and they usually start coming through between 6 months and a year. Most children have their full set of teeth by 3 years old. Baby teeth are very important
to your child — helping them chew, speak and smile. They also hold space in the jaws for permanent teeth that are growing under the gums. When a baby tooth is lost too early, the permanent teeth can drift into the empty space and make it difficult for adult teeth to find room when they come in. This can make teeth crooked or crowded. As their teeth come in, some babies may become fussy, sleepless and irritable, lose their appetite or drool more than usual. Diarrhea, rashes and a fever are not caused by teething. Cleaning Your Child’s Teeth: Begin cleaning your baby’s mouth during the first few days after birth by wiping the gums with a clean, moist gauze pad or washcloth after eating. As soon as teeth appear, decay can occur. Start brushing the teeth as soon as they begin to appear. Use a small amount of toothpaste—like a grain of rice. Brush teeth twice a day with a childsized toothbrush, Make sure you’re setting a good example, that your child sees you enjoying brushing your teeth. Until you’re comfortable that your child
worries about all the possible outcomes. You already accept a lot of uncertainty daily. Each time you cross a street, get in a car or eat restaurant food you’re accepting a level of uncertainty. You’re trusting that the traffic will stop, you won’t have an accident and everything you’re eating is safe. The chances of something bad happening in these circumstances are small. So you accept the risk and move on without requiring certainty. Identify what your triggers are: Much of our uncertainty is created by external sources, like TV, newspapers, social media and friends, which dramatize and focus on worst-case scenarios. This can fuel our own fears and uncertainties. Notice when you start to feel worried and fearful about a situation, when you begin to worry about what-ifs or feel like a situation is far worse than it actually is. Take a moment to pause and recognize what started your negative thoughts so you can avoid this source. When you’re feeling worried and fearful, just focus on the present moment. Focus on your breathing; take slow, deep breaths and clear your mind of the upsetting thoughts. Or do something to break your thinking—go for a walk, make a cup of tea. Acknowledge that you don’t know what will happen. All you can do is let go and accept the uncertainty as part of life. Instead, focus on solvable worries, take action on those things that
you can control, or simply go back to what you were doing. When your mind wanders back to worrying or the feelings of uncertainty return, refocus your mind on the present moment. Accepting uncertainty doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a plan for some of life’s unforeseen circumstances. It’s always good to have some savings put by in case of unexpected expenses or have a plan if you or a loved one falls ill. But you can’t prepare for every possible scenario. Life is simply too random and unpredictable. Share the burden: Connect with others. Community is so important, as expressed by Shannon: “I’m afraid of change,” said Rabbit. “I wish I could just hide until things are the way they used to be.” “I understand,” said Bear. “But change comes whether we want it to or not. It’s better to face it.” “Remember I’m here with you,” added Bear. You’re not alone.”
can brush on his or her own, continue to brush your child’s teeth twice a day with a child-size toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. When your child has two teeth that touch, begin flossing to clean between their teeth daily. Fluoride makes teeth more resistant to things that cause decay, reducing the risk of cavities. The Mohawk Valley system provides drinking water with a controlled, low level of fluoride for dental health protection. Supervise children’s brushing and remind them not to swallow the toothpaste. Replace your child’s toothbrush every three to four months.
munities with fluoridated tap water have fewer cavities than children whose water is not fluoridated. Children who brush daily with fluoride toothpaste have fewer cavities. Applying dental sealants to the molars can prevent 80% of cavities. A significant risk for infants is from baby bottle tooth decay. Liquids that contribute to this condition include milk, formula, fruit juice, soda, and any other sweetened drinks. If your child needs to sleep with a bottle, water is the best option.
When to see the dentist: As soon as your child’s first tooth appears, or no later than the first birthday, schedule a dental visit. Although the first visit is mainly for the dentist to examine your child’s mouth and to check growth and development, it’s also about your child being comfortable. To make the visit positive, consider a morning appointment when children tend to be rested and cooperative. Keep any anxiety or concerns you have to yourself and never use a dental visit as a punishment or threat. Reduce cavities: Cavities in young children has become the most common chronic childhood disease, impacting more children than asthma. Kids who suffer from poor oral health are three times more likely to miss school as a result of dental pain. Cavities and tooth decay are preventable. Fluoride varnish can prevent about one-third of cavities in baby teeth. Children living in com-
Page 14 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • March 2022
Barbara Pierce is a retired licensed clinical social worker with many years of experience helping people. If you would like to purchase a copy of her book, “When You Come to the Edge: Aging” or if you have questions for her, contact her at barbarapierce06@yahoo.com.
Reduce sugar intake: Sugar is the ‘food’ for the bacteria that cause tooth decay. When you eat sugary foods or sip sugary drinks, bacteria use that sugar to produce acids that attack your teeth. Most carbonated soft drinks, including diet soda, are acidic and bad for your teeth. When choosing a snack for your kids, keep an eye on sugar content. Avoid added sweeteners like corn syrup. Fruit rollups and dried fruit snacks are like candy, but worse than candy because particles stick to your teeth. Because juice is high in sugar and calories, water and milk are always the best options for your child. In fact, if your child is under 1 year old, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests completely removing juice from their diet. Older children can occasionally drink juice in small amounts. Allowing your child to sip on juice throughout the day puts him or her at higher risk for tooth decay because you’re giving that cavity-causing bacteria more opportunities to eat and produce the acid that eats away at teeth.
KIDS & TEENS
Top 10 Issues Teens Face Today By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
I
n addition to the normal issues teenagers face, the pandemic has added an additional layer of stressors and pressure. Area experts weighed in on what they believe are the top issues of young people.
1. Eating habits. “It’s horrible how they eat,” said Michelle Dougan, personal trainer at Elevate Fitness in Liverpool. “Natural foods are where it’s at: fruits and vegetables, lean protein and whole foods, not boxed and fried foods. Pizza is fine if you make it but don’t get it at Domino’s.” 2. Activity level. “Fitness is very important, but teens have to find something that they like. I have four children. Two of them love to work out. The two that like to work out: awesome. For the other two, I encourage them to find a sport or activity they will do for a half hour a day. It would change everything if teens would do this. They have to get moving and get off their phones. I know that is where things have gone since the pandemic, but they need to get moving and do something they like, even like walking or tennis or basketball.”
sleep, they can focus better,” Irri said. “They will learn better at school and feel healthier.”
“We are in an adolescent mental health crisis that was percolating prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but has worsened significantly since 2020,” said physician Karen Teelin, associate professor of pediatrics and director of adolescent medicine at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. “Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10 to 24 years old.”
5. Limited screen time. “Two hours’ screen time is maximum,” Irri said. “Now with Zoom classes and remote learning, they may need more computer time, but this two-hour limit is games, computer time and television.” 6. Hydrating with water.
4. Sufficient sleep. “If they have a good nine hours’
“They should balance schoolwork with other things,” Irri said. 8. Mental health.
3. Regular check-ups. “I do educate families that they should have regular doctor and dental visits,” said Chakrapani Irri, pediatrician with Children’s Health Specialists in Auburn. “If they have concerns about vision, they should see an optician. If they do not do that, their schooling will suffer. They need to feel well and see well to do well in school.”
7. Sufficient down time.
“Try to drink more water and little milk and little fruit juice,” Irri said. “Most kids do not drink enough water and want fizzy drinks and energy drinks. They need water. Cut fruits up and put them in a jug with water in the fridge. Throughout the day, they have some flavor from a natural fruit. Prepare a new jug each day.”
9. Eating disorders. “Rates of eating disorders have also increased dramatically. These are serious, potentially life-threatening disorders that affect the physical and psychological development of adolescents,” Teelin said.
10. Bullying. “Bullying can harm a youth’s physical and emotional health,” Teelin said. “It is associated with depression, suicide, poor school performance and/or attendance and substance use. It’s important for parents and guardians to guide their children so that they are neither the perpetrator nor the victim of bullying. Parents can help youth build coping skills to deal with challenging situations and can model positive behavior toward others. “It’s important for youth to feel they have at least one adult in their lives that they can trust with their problems. This could be a parent, another family member, a teacher, a clergy member, a therapist, a pediatrician, or someone else. Parents can stay in touch with their child by asking how things are going at school, whether any kids get picked on, and whether they have seen any mean comments online. It’s important to keep open lines of communication. For youth who are neither bullied nor perpetrators of bullying, we can help them learn to stop bullying by not giving it an audience, walking away, helping the victim and telling a trusted adult. The American Academy of Pediatrics has an excellent publication called ‘Bullying: It’s Not OK’ that can be found online.”
March 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 15
KIDS & TEENS beneficial. A lot of times, ‘educational’ games are not as active as you would like. That’s where it takes parental supervision to see how meaningful it is. It can help you discern that healthy screen time versus what is more passive or harmful screen time.”
Catching up
For kids and teens, it’s been hard to go back to the conventional way of doing things. By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
C
hildren have been through an those serendipitous interactions they awful lot in the past two years: would experience at school do not online classes; social isolation; happen during Zoom and Facetime few in-person social outlets and “playdates” arranged with their preinteractions; constant stress from COVID-19 friends, Winnett said. family finances, work and school Children have missed life lessons changes; plenty of negative news me- such as how to make friends with dia coverage; ever-shifting COVID-19 someone new, settle small squabbles protocols; and fear of the virus itself. with children they do not know or These factors can all contribute to develop understanding with somea host of issues for children, includone from a different background. ing stunted social skills, developmen- Oftentimes, these situations occur tal delays, learning issues, anxiety on the playground, while waiting in and depression. line or during other incidental, un“It’s a little too early to underplanned times during a school day. stand long-term impacts of the past While the isolation may have felt two years on youth,” said Monique like a godsend to more introverted Winnett, clinical psychologist with children, isolation prevents them St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center. from becoming as social as they “There will likely be some long-term could be. impacts. There have been a lot of “The more that parents can carve changes for kids.” the time out to engage with kids The acute issues presenting at her that’s not centered around the screen practice relate to socialization and re- such as family game time or sports lating to others in a meaningful way. and clubs, you’ll help them fill up Young children struggle to time that gives them a sense of conunderstand sharing, taking turns nection,” Winnett said. and resolving minor conflict because For older children who are home
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by themselves more, the lack of structure in their school day followed by the shock of returning to in-person classes has been challenging. In addition to life lessons, children’s academic lessons are less than ideal for most children. As children exhibit different learning style— some are more hands-on, others prefer the explanation inherent to a lecture, still more like reading over doing or hearing—virtual learning has hamstrung teachers to instruct in fewer styles than they could in the classroom. “The pandemic has forced educators to use technology at their disposal to use to help educate their children,” Winnett said. She encourages parents to help make up for any academic gaps by engaging their children in learning activities at home. “You can ask teachers about games or activities that are beneficial and age-appropriate and grade-appropriate,” Winnett said. “They can guide you towards programs that are
Nearly all children are expected to have some degree of lag in their schooling, so an amount of remedial work is normal. Parents can use the summer to help make up for lost time. Bringing home more library books, engaging in educational outings such as to places like museums, open houses and cultural points of interest and using educational media such as games, documentaries and puzzles can help children feel better prepared for the next school year. To help children mitigate social isolation, Anne Reagan, pediatric psychologist and assistant professor with Golisano Children’s Hospital department of pediatrics, encourages parents to find family members and friends with whom they are comfortable for socialization. “Now that kids are back in school, they have more access to friends,” she added. “With home testing being more available, you can take a home test before kids come over. Continue to find some safe, healthy socialization. It can be outside with sledding or skating. Kids can get some typical, normal experiences.” Keeping communication open can help children feel like they have input and that they can do something to feel more in control. Using up-to-date information about what is going on and suggesting ways they can stay safe, such as washing their hands and taking care of their bodies, will help anxious children feel better about becoming more social. “Don’t say they will never get sick but assure them you will take care of them,” Reagan said. “Normalize living with this disease is the next step. Talk about ‘Should we continue to use hand sanitizer, eat fruits and vegetables or take vitamins?’ Focus on those types of things. It’s not a false sense of control, but these are all things to help your body get strong. Continue to sit at the table with kids and have these conversations. They have a way to express their concerns.”
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Page 16 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • March 2022
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um-free Part A, at any time with no penalty. Working Exceptions: Special rules apply if you’re eligible for Medicare and still on the job. If you have health insurance coverage through your employer or your spouse’s employer, and the company has 20 or more employees, you have a “special enrollment period” in which you can sign up. This means that you can delay enrolling in Medicare Part B and are not subject to the 10% late-enrollment penalty as long as you sign up within eight months of losing that coverage.
By Jim Miller
Approaching 65? Here’s What to Know About Enrolling in Medicare Dear Savvy Senior, Can you give me a brief rundown of Medicare’s enrollment choices along with when and how to sign-up? — Approaching 65
Dear Approaching, The rules and timetables for Medicare enrollment can be confusing to many new retirees, so it’s smart to plan ahead. Here’s a simplified rundown of what to know. First, a quick review. Remember that original Medicare has two parts: Part A, which provides hospital coverage and is free for most people, and Part B which covers doctor’s visits and other medical services, and costs $170.10 per month for most enrollees
in 2021. When to Enroll: Everyone is eligible for Medicare at age 65, even if your full Social Security retirement age is 66 or later. You can enroll any time during the “initial enrollment period,” which is a seven-month period that includes the three months before, the month of, and the three months after your 65th birthday. It’s best to enroll three months before your birth month to ensure your coverage starts when you turn 65. If you happen to miss the seven-month sign-up window for Medicare Part B, you’ll have to wait until the next “general enrollment period” which runs from Jan. 1 to March 31 with benefits beginning the following July 1. You’ll also incur a 10% penalty for each year you wait beyond your initial enrollment period, which will be tacked on to your monthly Part B premium. You can sign up for premi-
Drug Coverage: Be aware that original Medicare does not cover prescription medications, so if you don’t have credible drug coverage from an employer or union, you’ll need to buy a Part D drug plan from a private insurance company (see Medicare.gov/plan-compare) during your initial enrollment if you want coverage. If you don’t, you’ll incur a premium penalty — 1% of the average national premium ($33 in 2022) for every month you don’t have coverage — if you enroll later. Supplemental Coverage: If you choose original Medicare, it’s also a good idea to get a Medigap (Medicare supplemental) policy within six months after enrolling in Part B to help pay for things that aren’t covered by Medicare like copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. See Medicare.gov/medigap-supplemental-insurance-plans to shop and compare policies.
could sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan instead (see Medicare.gov/ plan-compare) that covers everything in one plan. Nearly half of all new Medicare enrollees are signing up for Advantage plans. These plans, which are also sold by insurance companies, are generally available through HMOs and PPOs and often have cheaper premiums, but their deductibles and co-pays are usually higher. Many of these plans also provide coverage for extra services not offered by original Medicare like dental, hearing and vision coverage along with gym fitness memberships, and most plans include prescription drug coverage too. How to Enroll: If you’re already receiving your Social Security benefits before 65, you will automatically be enrolled in Part A and Part B, and you’ll receive your Medicare card about three months before your 65th birthday. It will include instructions to return it if you have work coverage that qualifies you for late enrollment. If you’re not receiving Social Security, you’ll need to enroll either online at SSA.gov/medicare or over the phone at 800-772-1213.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
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Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is an HMO plan and a PPO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Excellus BlueCross BlueShield depends on contract renewal. Our Health Plan complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-877-883-9577 (TTY: 711). 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電 1-877-883-9577 (TTY: 711)。 A nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
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March 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 17
Ask The Social
Security Office
From the Social Security District Office
Submit Your Social Security Disability Update Report Online
W
e are required to periodically conduct continuing disability reviews for beneficiaries with disabilities. This process requires that beneficiaries complete a continuing disability review packet, that we mail to beneficiaries, to help us update information about their medical conditions and recent treatments. Additionally, we offer an online option for beneficiaries to complete the disability update report form and provide any supporting documents about their medical treatment or work activities. We designed this form with convenience in mind — and to save you time. You can access the online
Q&A
Q: I want to apply for Medicare Part B (medical insurance) this year. When is the deadline to apply? A: If you didn’t sign up for Medicare Part B (medical insurance) when you first became eligible for Medicare, you have an opportunity to apply during the general enrollment period, which runs from Jan. 1 through March 31 each year. If you miss the deadline, you may have to wait until next year to apply. Medicare Part B covers some medical expenses not covered by Medicare Part A (hospital insurance), such as doctors’ fees, outpatient hospital visits and other medical supplies. You can learn more by reading Medicare at www.ssa. gov/pubs/10043.html. Q: I lost my Medicare card. How can I get replacement? A: The easiest and newest way to get a replacement Medicare card is by using your my Social Security account. Go to www.ssa.gov/myaccount for more information on how to create an account. You also can get a replacement Medicare card by calling us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Keep your card in a safe place. You don’t want anyone getting hold of your Social Security number. They could steal your identity. Q: My child is disabled, but when I applied for SSI, I was told that my child was ineligible because my spouse and I earned too much money? Why does our income make my child ineligible? A: If a child is living with either their natural or adopted parents, then some of the income that the parents earn deems to the child. We use these amounts to determine whether or not your child meets the non-medical requirements for SSI. For more information, visit www.ssa.gov/ssi/
form at www.ssa.gov/ssa455-onlineform. (Use either Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome for the best online experience.) When you complete your continuing disability review, you will need your Social Security number, current address and phone number, and a valid email address to complete the form. Also, you must have received a request for an updated disability report in the mail. Once you “Click to Sign,” you will receive an email from echosign. com asking you to confirm your digital signature. Check your junk folder if you don’t receive it within a few minutes. If your signature isn’t complete your form won’t be processed. Please be sure to let your friends and loved ones know about this new online option. spotlights/spot-deeming.htm. Q: I saw a poster that advised people 65 or over with limited income and resources to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Next month I’ll turn 65, and I thought I’d be eligible for SSI. I planned to apply until my neighbor told me I probably would be turned down because I have children who could help support me. Is this true? A: Whether your children are capable of helping to support you does not affect your eligibility. SSI eligibility depends solely on your income and resources (the things you own). If you have low income and few resources, you may be able to get SSI. However, if you are receiving support from your children or from anyone living inside or outside of your home, it may affect your eligibility or the amount you can receive. Support includes any food or shelter that is given to you, or is received by you because someone else pays for it. Learn more about SSI at www.ssa. gov/ssi. Q: I have been collecting disability benefits for a few years, but I’m getting healthy enough to work again. Can I return to work while getting Social Security disability benefits? A: Yes, you can return to work while receiving Social Security disability benefits. We have special rules to help you get back to work without lowering your initial benefits. You may be able to have a trial work period for nine months to test whether you can work. If you get disability benefits and your condition improves or you return to work, you must report these changes to us. Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-3250778) or contact your local Social Security office. You can find your local office by visiting www.ssa.gov/ locator.
Health News Rome’s weight loss program achieves accreditation
Rome Health’s bariatric surgery center has been accredited as a comprehensive bariatric center by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP), a joint quality program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Kenneth Hall and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). The MBSAQIP standards, “Optimal Resources for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery,” ensure that metabolic and bariatric patients receive multidisciplinary medical care, which improves patient outcomes and long-term success. MBSAQIP-accredited centers offer preoperative and postoperative care designed specifically for patients with obesity. “The accreditation reflects our team’s shared commitment to quality and patient safety,” said physician Keneth N. Hall II, Rome Health’s medical director. “In our final report, the surveyor noted that the dedication to patient care and patient management is readily apparent and everyone involved with the bariatric program has a sense of ownership of the patients under their care, extending across the entire spectrum of care.” To earn MBSAQIP accreditation, Rome Health met essential criteria for staffing, training, facility infrastructure and patient care pathways, ensuring its ability to support patients with obesity. The center also participates in a national data registry that yields semiannual reports on the quality of its surgical outcomes and identifying opportunities for quality improvement. The MBSAQIP standards, “Optimal Resources for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery,” are published by the ACS and the ASMBS.
Midwife joins MVHS Maternity Services
Ronica Bennett has joined the MVHS Women’s Health Center and OB Care Center as a licensed midwife. Bennett received her Master of Science in midwifery from SUNY Downstate Medical Center Ronica Bennett in New York. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from The City College, also of New York. Prior to joining MVHS, Bennett practiced midwifery with Garnet Health in the Hudson Valley region.
Page 18 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • March 2022
MVHS Receives Mother Cabrini grant
The Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) Foundation was recently awarded $249,947 from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation for a new project to promote health equity and combat heart disease in our community: Mohawk Valley Health Partnership to Combat Heart Disease. The Mohawk Valley Partnership to Combat Heart Disease will build on and expand the work done by the Mohawk Valley Health Equity Task Force related to COVID-19 education and equitable distribution of COVID vaccines to address critical healthcare needs among vulnerable populations in Oneida County. “As the largest healthcare organization in this community, it is important that we be a leader and a partner for the health of our community, particularly ensuring health equity among the population,” said Darlene Stromstad, president/CEO of MVHS. “This project builds off the current Health Equity Task Force’s work and a commitment to expand the partnership’s initiatives. There is a mutual desire to continue collaborating to address major health issues and needs in our area, particularly among the most vulnerable populations: cardiovascular disease which has a direct tie to diabetes, stroke and obesity. The project will build on and strengthen two key elements of the current task force: 1) the use of community navigators for grassroots education and engagement, and 2) working closely with the faith community to educate and engage their congregations. Funding from the grant will be used to expand and extend the work of the community navigators, which are managed by The Center, and to hire two community health nurses. Together, the community nurses and navigators will: • Offer health education services and referrals to providers • Conduct health screenings in the community • Assist in obtaining health insurance • Collaborate with the Visiting Nurse Association of Utica & Oneida County (VNA) and Senior Network Health — providing support to the patient and clients of these health entities • Coordinate clinics with partners, providers and residents in locations frequented by the target populations (places of worship, The Center, the federally qualified health centers, Sister Rose Vincent Family Medicine Center, the NAACP of Utica and the NAACP of Rome, the Mohawk Valley Latino Association offices, local community centers, etc.) “We look forward to continuing our partnership with MVHS, and utilizing an outreach framework that has proven successful in reaching some of our most vulnerable populations,” said Shelly Callahan, executive director of The Center. “By including members of the community as part of a public health strategy to reach diverse communities, we have positively impacted the ability of individuals and families to effectively access or utilize services, which ultimately improves health outcomes.”
Health News Excellus BCBS Awards Hospitals $30 Million for Quality Improvements Thirty-one Upstate New York hospitals and health centers earned a combined $30 million in quality improvement payments from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield last year as part of the nonprofit health insurer’s hospital performance incentive program. Since 2005, Excellus BCBS has paid more than $371.2 million in quality improvement incentives. “It’s part of our mission to ensure that all in our communities have equitable access to high quality health care,” said Melissa Gardner, executive vice president, chief population
health engagement officer at Excellus BCBS. “The foundation for achieving that is a collaborative relationship with our local hospital and physician partners.” Eight hospitals in the Utica/ Rome/North Country region participated in this program in 2021, sharing $851,000 in quality improvement incentive payments. Participating hospitals were Adirondack Medical Center-Saranac Lake, Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare, Bassett Medical Center, Oneida Health Hospital, Rome Memorial Hospital, Samaritan Medical Center and St. Elizabeth Medical Center. “In 2021, Excellus BCBS’s hospital performance incentive program evaluated participating hospitals on
projects that are in alignment with and responsive to the ever-changing health care environment,” said physician Stephen Cohen, senior vice president and corporate medical director at Excellus BCBS. “Although COVID is still a dominant issue for the hospitals, the best evidence that this collaboration is a success is that our partners are able to maintain focus on continuous quality improvement.” Areas targeted for improvement in 2021 included: •Clinical Processes of Care — Focused on improvements in follow up after hospitalization, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), surgical care, and other measures unique to each participating hospital
•Patient Safety — Centered on reductions in hospital-acquired infections, readmissions, and other adverse events or errors that affect patient care •Patient Satisfaction — Used the hospital consumer assessment of healthcare providers and systems survey, which is a national, standardized, publicly reported survey of patients’ perspectives of hospital care In addition to meeting required clinical and patient safety measures in 2021, other nationally endorsed measures and target outcomes were jointly agreed upon by each hospital and the health insurer using benchmarks established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, and others.
New Medical Spa Opening in Rome Physician-owned and -operated medical spa tooffers a broad range of cosmetic procedures
E
scape Aesthetics recently announced the opening of a medical spa in Rome. One of the latest medical spas in Oneida County, Escape Aesthetics by Escape Medical Professional Corporation is a physician-owned and -operated medical practice that specializes in anti-aging, wellness, laser, medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatological procedures. “We’re devoted to rejuvenating and enhancing your natural beauty while promoting your overall health—to make you look better and feel more confident about your appearance,” said physician Keneth Hall, founder. “We have several physicians, surgeons and other professionals working together to serve the public. I believe that, in Central New York, we have the greatest concentration of doctors working together under one roof.” Escape Aesthetics offers a broad range of cosmetic procedures with the latest techniques and best available technology. Procedures include laser skin resurfacing, hair removal, wellness coaching, massage therapy, IV vitamins, Botox fillers, testosterone replacement, fat shrinking, vaginal rejuvenation, liposuction, and several more. “We hope to lessen the need for people to travel to New York City or
even out of state, to accomplish these procedures,” said Hall. Comprehensive evaluations and treatment planning that follow strict protocols to ensure your procedure will go smoothly and reach or exceed the results you desire. “This has been a work in progress since last year,” Hall explained. The location of Escape Aesthetics is the formal home of the offices of OBGYN Dr. Paul Temple on Turin Road in Rome. “Everybody in this area has been touched by Dr. Temple; he was a beautiful human being,” Hall said. “I bought this building and made it into a medical spa. It’s like none other. It’s absolutely beautiful.” “And, I have six or seven other doctors working with me. That’s unprecedented for this area,” he added. The mission of Escape Aesthetics: “To enrich life by enhancing natural beauty.” “We want to be the premier medical spa in the Central New York area. With every single touch, we hope you will see our sincere dedication and commitment to your relaxation, satisfaction and happiness,” said Hall. “It’s a new year and we’re ready to serve the people.” Escape Aesthetics is located at 800 Turin Road in Rome.
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Excellus BCBS Utica regional president Eve Van de Wal presents Health Equity Award to Mohawk Valley Frontiers Club president U’nice Elliott.
Mohawk Valley Frontiers Club Receives Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Health Equity Award Excellus BlueCross BlueShield recently awarded Mohawk Valley Frontiers Club a Health Equity Award of $30,000 to support “Paths to a Healthier Me.” This program focuses on strengthening the mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing of students in communities of color. Through the format of a wellness program, students and their family members are introduced to techniques and resources such as talk-therapy and workshops to address the stigma around mental health treatment, racial injustices, systemic racism, and finding support, as well as relaxation, stress relief tips, physical movement, and self-care. “As we navigate through the pandemic, our students are adapting to a new normal that has heightened their thoughts and feelings of uncertainty, anxiety and insecurity,” said U’nice Elliott, president of Mohawk Valley Frontiers Club. “In an effort to combat these struggles, this program will
focus on strengthening students’ mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.” The Mohawk Valley Frontiers is a dedicated volunteer civic service organization, established in 1971 in Oneida County. The local chapter strives to provide communities of color, in Utica and Rome, with programs and events that educate and uplift those in need of a hand up. A primary component of the Club’s effort is working with students in grades 4 through 12, Junior Frontiers, to foster participation in activities to build self-esteem, academic excellence, professional development, and civic responsibility. “We are proud to further our commitment to health equity by supporting programs such as Mohawk Valley Frontiers Paths to a Healthier Me,” said Eve Van de Wal, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Utica regional president. “Through their work, they are improving the health and quality of life for future generations in our communities. By funding these local initiatives, we support our mission of helping our members live healthier more secure lives by improving access to care, advancing specific health outcomes and improving health equity.”
March 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 19
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