Special Edition: Healthcare - May/June 2012

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May/June 2012 • Special Health Edition * Community Voices Orchestrating Change

L A I C E H P S E A LT N H ITIO D E

Take Charge! Improve Your Health

NPN provides an inclusive and collaborative city-wide framework to empower neighborhood groups in New Orleans.

Find Out More at NPNnola.com

NPN Board Members Victor Gordon, Board Chair, Pontilly Neighborhood Association Angela Daliet, Treasurer, Parkview Neighborhood Association

L A I C E H P T S EAL N H ITIO ED Table of Contents 4 CDC Reach Core Healthy Neighborhoods New Orleans 6 Tips for Getting You Back on the Bike 7 “You’ve Earned a Say” on the Future of Medicare and Social Security 9 Neighborhood Health Partnership “Biggest Loser” Challenge 10 Healthy New Orleans Neighborhood Project 13 Sitting: Hazardous to Your Health 14 Txt4health: Mobile Health Technology to Fight Type 2 Diabetes 19 Stay Healthy With Medicare’s Preventive Benefits

This issue is sponsored by AARP Powered by nearly 500,000 members, AARP Louisiana is a champion for all generations to live their best lives, independently, in their own homes and communities. Discover more of what AARP and its army of volunteers do in Louisiana at www.aarp.org/LA

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Benjamin Diggins, Melia Subdivision Katherine Prevost, Upper Ninth Ward Bunny Friend

Neighborhood Association Leslie Ellison, Tunisburg Square Civic Homeowners

Improvement Association Sylvia McKenzie, Rosedale Subdivision Tilman Hardy, Secretary, Leonidas/Pensiontown

Neighborhood Association Wendy Laker, Mid-City Neighborhood Organization Darryl Durham, St.Anna’s Church Rashida Ferdinand, Sankofa CDC Sylvia Scineaux-Richard, ENONAC

Third Party Submission Issues Physical submissions on paper, CD, etc. cannot be returned unless an arrangement is made. Submissions may be edited and may be published or otherwise reused in any medium. By submitting any notes, information or material, or otherwise providing any material for publication in the newspaper, you are representing that you are the owner of the material, or are making your submission with the consent of the owner of the material, all information you provide is true, accurate, current and complete.

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The Trumpet does not represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability of any advice, opinion, statement or other information in the publication and use of or reliance on such advice, opinion, statement or other information is at your own risk.

Copyright Copyright 2012 Neighborhoods Partnership Network. All Rights Reserved.

Any copying, redistribution or retransmission of any of the contents of this service without the express written consent of Neighborhoods Partnership Network is expressly prohibited.

4902 Canal Street • #301 • New Orleans, LA 70119 504.940.2207 • FX 504.940.2208 thetrumpet@npnnola.com • www.npnnola.com

THE TRUMPET | SPECIAL EDITION | MAY/JUNE | 2012

Bicycling for Boomers

Rediscover the Joy of Cycling!

AARP sponsors Bicycling for Boomers, a partnership with Bike Easy, at various locations throughout the New Orleans metropolitan area. The event is designed for individuals 50+ years of age and their families.

Dust off that old bike and pedal your way to a healthier lifestyle. Bicycle instructors will teach you how to ride safely on our streets and ride with confidence while experts from a local bike shop demonstrate different kinds of bikes. Local bicycle mechanics will also be on hand to help with basic repairs (lube chains, tighten bolts, fix flats). Participants receive a FREE bicycle patch.

For more information, contact Linedda McIver at (504) 827-2958 or Jason Tudor at (504) 827-9830.

Upcoming Biking for Boomers events will be held: Saturday, May 5, 2012 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

John Slidell Park 105 Robert Blvd.

Slidell

Saturday, June 9, 2012 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Mandeville Community Center 3090 E. Causeway Approach Mandeville

Saturday, June 16, 2012 Xavier University Time to be announced Carrollton Ave at the I-10 approach (adjacent to the Campus Police Station)

Stand More, Sit Less • • • • • • • • •

Deliver messages to colleagues in person instead of texting or emailing.

Look at minor chores as an opportunity to prevent disease.

Place the stapler and wastebasket on the other side of the office.

Reduce TV viewing. Stand up when fast-forwarding or changing channels.

Put your computer on a plastic milk crate on the desk and work standing up.

Set your computer to remind you to stand up and stretch every 30 minutes.

Stand up when the phone rings.

Think of ways to add physical activity to your workday and leisure time.

Use the bathroom down a flight of stairs.

Walking Tips •

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Start with short distances or time periods — 5 to 10 minutes at a time.

Slowly increase your time by a couple of minutes every two weeks.

Break it up. If your goal is 30 minutes, try a 15-minute walk twice a day.

Or break it into three 10-minute walks.

Take the grandchildren to the zoo instead of to the movies.

Walk with a colleague to discuss business matters.

Walk the mall if you can’t walk outside in your neighborhood.

If you can afford it, get a treadmill.

Warm up with 5 minutes of slow walking, then walk briskly, then cool down with 5 minutes at a slower pace.

Get a good pair of walking shoes that fit well and have a flexible sole and an adequate cushion for your heel.

Keep track of your time and distance walked each day.

Keeping a daily log lets you see your progress and keeps you motivated.

Wear a pedometer. Taking 5,000 steps or fewer daily is considered sedentary.

Work your way up to 10,000 steps, which is considered active.

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CDC Reach Core Healthy Neighborhoods New Orleans

By Patricia A. Davis, Neighborhood Liaison/Health Liaison

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wo African-American neighborhoods (Carrollton Hollygrove and Central City) received cooperate agreements from the Center of Disease Control Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health, Communities Organized to Respond and Evaluate: Healthy Neighborhoods New Orleans. The focus of the cooperative agreement is to engage with residents in the community to develop healthier lifestyles by focusing on the risk factors for Type II diabetes, which include lack of physical activity and poor nutrition, as well as to develop improved management of Type II diabetes.

Technical assistance is provided by Orleans Neighborhood Health Implementation Plan (ONHIP), which facilitates the development of the neighborhood’s community actions plans. Thus, the Healthy NOLA Website and toolkit identifies health disparities and monitors indicators which are compared to neighborhoods nationwide.

In fulfilling the requirements of the cooperative agreement, the staff of CDC REACH CORE HNNO has met with residents to perform key informant interviews, surveys, and focus groups on responses to health concerns in their communities.

Carrollton Hollygrove Community Development Corporation (CHCDC) has engaged its Hollygrove residents by developing, implementing and coordinating healthy programs with the support of Louisiana Public Health Institute (the centralizing agent), Neighborhood Partnership Network and Concordia. Prior to the incorporation of Mobilizing to Action through Partnership and Planning (MAPP) process, AARP Livable Communities Project had approached and engaged the Hollygrove residents to address a healthy quality of life, thus making it unproblematic to work with residents who were enthusiastic to reduce the drivers of Type II diabetes.

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Several programs addressing health have been executed in the Hollygrove neighborhood. To mention a few, Get Healthy Hollygrove Health Fair which was developed and coordinated by CHCDC, NPN, and Trinity Christian Community (TCC), The Biggest Loser Program facilitated by Daughters of Charity Services and TCC, Cooking Classes sponsored and taught by 2nd Food Harvest, Exercise Classes instructed by a personal trainer and an upcoming Healthy Lifestyles for Carrollton Hollygrove Residents Workshop, which will be facilitated by Neighborhoods Partnership Network and Tulane Prevention Research Center.

Prior to receiving the cooperative agreement, Central City Renaissance Alliance and Ashe Cultural Arts Center had initiated healthy lifestyles programs for its’ residents. These programs included Health Nutz, a “focused effort for good health of the community who are learning how, why and what must be done to improve the quality of their own lives and health, as well as that of their loved ones,” the weekly Sistas Making a Change, which seeks to “empower women to make better choices for themselves, their families, and their communities,” a monthly Health and Wellness Luncheon, the fourth annual Douglas Redd Cultural Summit, which focused on health and entrepreneurship, Louisiana Center for Health Equality, Celebrating Wellness and Culture with United HealthCare Community Plan, as well as several community health fairs. Ashé has a registered nurse on staff who coordinates events on topics which address healthy lifestyles, including the drivers of Type II Diabetes.

It is important to note that both neighborhoods received MAPP training by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO).

Programs addressing health such as exercise classes instructed by a personal trainer have been executed in the Hollygrove neighborhood.

THE TRUMPET | SPECIAL EDITION | MAY/JUNE | 2012

Bunny Friend Soul Steppers

By Dana Weisenfeld, AARP Louisiana

Walking isn’t just for people who are concerned about their weight. In fact, walking just several times a week for at least 30 minutes can reduce the risk of stroke and osteoporosis, improve cholesterol levels, reduce high blood pressure, lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, and help protect the brain against memory loss and dementia.

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n New Orleans, AARP Louisiana has created a network of walking clubs called the Soul Steppers, with groups based out of neighborhoods and church organizations throughout the city. One such group was formed in the Bunny Friend neighborhood in the Ninth Ward at the beginning of last summer. Members of the Bunny Friend Soul Steppers are taking an active stand against obesity and a sedentary lifestyle by walking every Monday through Friday at 8:00 a.m. for three miles. The walkers are not deterred by inclement weather, cancelling the daily walk only in cases of extreme cold or heavy rain.

While the group may meet every day, individual members can choose which days they would like to walk.

The walkers make the same three-mile loop through their neighborhood every day, which takes them about one hour. Some of the members walked prior to the formation of the Soul Steppers group, but for others this was the first time they had ever regularly walked or exercised.

Group member Rita Joiner said that walking with the Soul Steppers had a positive experience on her life. As Joiner said, “I’ve gone from a size 18 to a 14 [walking] five days a week [with the group] so it’s really affected me.”

Other members have had similar experiences, with all members reporting that they have lost weight since joining the Soul Steppers.

Members also remarked that they now feel healthier and have the test results to prove it.

One of the reasons the walking club has been successful is that it encourages the buddy system. Members said that knowing other group members are expecting them to show up for the walk encourages them to come out on days they would rather stay at home. In addition, for the Bunny Friend Soul Steppers the daily walk is not just about exercise.

Group members say that the walk doubles as a social hour, making walking much more enjoyable.

When new member Nanette Williams found out they had completed a 3-mile walk, she exclaimed, “That was three miles? I was having such a good time talking that I didn’t even realize we’d walked so much!”

There are 13 additional Soul Steppers walking clubs located throughout the New Orleans area. The program is free and open to people of all ages, including non-AARP members.

If you are interested in finding out if a Soul Steppers group exists in your neighborhood or if you would like to start a new walking club please call Linedda McIver, Associate State Director of Multicultural Outreach for AARP Louisiana, at 504-827-2958. Members receive a bimonthly newsletter, free pedometer, mileage logs and a T-shirt. AARP also hosts walking clinics and organizes members for city-wide walking events.

American Cancer Society (ACS) Circle of Friends for Education and Early Detection (COFFEE) Program

By Nedra Wardsworth

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n an effort to address and eliminate health disparities, the ACS COFFEE Program educates uninsured and underinsured women on the importance of breast and cervical education. While it is unlikely that all lives can be saved by education and early detection, it is the goal of COFFEE to promote awareness in a very personal manner to inform women of cancer prevention. Educating women by offering cancer prevention materials is the goal of the ACS COFFEE Program, presentations in the communities, whether at a formal gathering or in the home of women (home-health parties) who want to receive information, or at faith-based organizations.

Mammography and cervical screenings are noted as the initial step for women to adhere to the education received by the COFFEE volunteers. In addition, women are followed up on their screenings by contact from the COFFEE volunteers. To assist in removing barriers in

THE TRUMPET | SPECIAL EDITION | MAY/JUNE | 2012

healthcare, women are provided with information on medical facilities that will offer screenings at no cost or low cost.

The COFFEE Program collaborates with the Greater NOLA Patient Navigation Program of Louisiana State University Health Science Center School of Public Health to insure that women who have malignant diagnoses are not left alone and will be followed up with by a community coordinator, a certified patient navigator, who will provide resources to help them get through their cancer journey.

As Dr. Harold P. Freeman, Founder of Harold P. Freeman Institute of Navigation, stated, “People need personal help to get through this life.”

To join the ACS COFFEE Program, contact nedra.wardsworth@cancer.org 5

Let’s Go for a Bike Ride

Tips for Getting You Back on the Bike

By Amy Levner, Manager, Housing and Mobility Options AARP Education & Outreach

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emember how fun riding your bike used to be? If you haven’t been on a two-wheeler recently, it may be time to start again.

Biking is a relatively inexpensive, healthy, and enjoyable way to get around. Biking offers something for everyone, and suits a wide range of fitness levels, needs, and interests. Many communities have bike paths or wooded trails, and some have paths that connect to shopping areas, job sites, or transit stops. Even large cities are promoting biking by creating dedicated bike lanes on urban streets.

In addition to helping you get around your community, biking is good for your body. It’s a low-impact aerobic activity that benefits your heart and lungs, and also strengthens your legs and knees—an important consideration as we age.

If you’re feeling rusty, here are some helpful hints for getting back on the bike.

Find the right bike

• If you don’t have wheels yet, take the time to visit your local bike shop, neighborhood thrift or second-hand sports store, or even check on the web—Craigslist.com and Freecycle.org often offer a variety of gently used bicycles.

• For many older riders, a medium-weight mountain bike or a hybrid may be the most appropriate. And if you’re concerned about balance, consider an adult three-wheeler!

• Be sure that the seat and handlebars are adjusted properly for your comfort and safety, and that the frame is the right size for your height.

Prepare yourself (and your bike) for heading out

• Drink adequate water before your ride and take a water bottle with you.

• Dress for the weather and wear bright clothing. Be sure to tie up loose pant legs and tuck in shoelaces so they don’t get entangled in the chain.

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• Always carry an ID and a cell phone in case of emergencies.

• Always wear your helmet and make sure it fits properly for maximum safety.

• Perform a bike safety check before each ride by making sure your tires are inflated to the proper pressure and that the brakes are functioning.

• If you’re going to ride far from home, tell someone where you plan to bike and be sure to carry a repair kit that includes a spare tube or patch—and know how to use it.

Know the rules to stay safe

• Remember, you’re a part of traffic when you ride. Therefore, you must respect and obey traffic rules and local laws regarding biking.

• Be a defensive biker. Ride on the right, with the flow of traffic, so motorists can see you. Look back frequently to monitor traffic behind you.

• Use hand signals. When approaching a right-turn-only lane, change lanes before the intersection. Look over your left shoulder before making a left-hand turn.

• Avoid riding on the sidewalk. It can be dangerous around intersections and driveways, and you must always yield to pedestrians.

• Watch out for parked cars. Keep at least three to four feet of distance; someone could open a door or emerge suddenly from between vehicles.

• Reflectors are not enough. Use lights on both the front and back of your bike at dusk or in the dark.

Amy Levner is Manager of Housing and Mobility Options at AARP. She leads the Association’s educational and outreach efforts related to housing options, including universal design and living in place, as well as broader mobility options, including expanding transportation choices for older Americans.

THE TRUMPET | SPECIAL EDITION | MAY/JUNE | 2012

A Conversation About You Should Include You

“You’ve Earned a Say” on the Future of Medicare and Social Security

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arl Williams isn’t close to retiring. He enjoys his career as the chief financial officer of a non-profit organization in Louisiana. But the heated political rhetoric in Washington regarding Medicare and Social Security has him thinking about his financial security quite a bit. “I’ve earned my benefits over a lifetime of hard work. A lifetime of paying taxes.

Washington shouldn’t just change the rules on people who played by the rules their entire lives,” said Williams. “I feel if they’re talking about me, they should include me in the conversation.”

AARP couldn’t agree more.

That’s why we are kicking off “You’ve Earned a Say,” so we can ensure that you have a say in the future of Medicare and Social Security.

AARP Louisiana will be hosting three community conservations across the state and one in New Orleans. We will then hold smaller conversations for those who want to bring the conversation closer to home.

What’s the biggest challenge facing Medicare? How important is Social Security to your financial security in retirement?

A primary goal of “You’ve Earned a Say” will be to empower Americans aged 50+ by arming them with information they need to make informed judgments regarding the various proposals for changes to Social Security and Medicare being debated in Washington, and then decide for themselves what’s in their best interests and what isn’t.

We’re committed to offering you unbiased, straightforward and accurate information – without all the political jargon and spin.

AARP will be spending the next year listening to our members and all Americans aged 50+, and talking to them about the pros and cons of the different proposals for Social Security and Medicare through questionnaires and local community conversations. Nothing AARP can say or do on our own can match the power of millions of individual, informed Americans having their say.

In November, voters will choose a President and Congress who will determine the future of Medicare and Social Security. It’s time to take the debate out from behind closed doors in Washington so that you can have a say. You’ve been paying into Medicare and Social Security your entire working life.

“My voice counts,” said Earl.

We want to hear from you. Please consider joining us at the community conversation in New Orleans by calling 1-877-926-8300 Lindy Boggs Conference Center at UNO, New Orleans • Tuesday, May 8, 2012 • 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Can’t join us? Let us know what you think by responding online at www.aarp.org

We help everyone get the exact same thing out of life: more.

With AARP, you can get so much more out of life. Not only do we provide information on how you can be healthier and more active, but we also help you save money on everything from restaurants to travel.

Plus we fight for your rights on the issues that matter most to you and your family, as well as help you improve your community through volunteer opportunities. So let AARP help you discover the best of what’s next.

To Join or Renew your AARP membership, visit aarp.org/joinorrenew or call 1-800-307-4184.

THE TRUMPET | SPECIAL EDITION | MAY/JUNE | 2012

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Electronic Health Records

The Future of Health Care Is Here

By Louisiana Health Care Quality Forum

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magine giving your personal health information to a health care provider once instead of completing paper forms each time you have a doctor’s appointment. And wouldn’t it be nice to have your prescription ready for you at the drugstore because your physician sent it there electronically? What if you were away from home and had a medical emergency? Wouldn’t it save valuable time in the Emergency Room if your health information could be accessed in seconds by the triage nurse?

Today, we do a great deal of banking, shopping, scheduling and communicating online, yet for many of us, our medical information exists in handwritten, paper charts within locations that may be destroyed by natural disasters or simply lost. The information is usually shared between providers by phone, fax, mail or limited computer networks. This still takes time and may not provide a complete or accurate record.

Many doctors and other providers are currently changing their paper record systems to electronic health records (EHRs). An EHR provides comprehensive health information about you to all members of your health care team. Over time, it can allow your providers to share important information across different health care settings, while maintaining patient confidentiality in accordance with federal and state privacy and security requirements.

The sharing of EHRs, or health information exchange, is the electronic movement of health information securely between doctors, hospitals and other health care providers and organizations when and where it’s needed for patient care. By sharing information with other providers, such as labs and specialists, an EHR makes it possible for your providers to make more informed decisions about your care.

As health information exchange capabilities advance, your information can move with you – to the specialist, the hospital, a home health provider, the next state or even across the country. Having your health information in an EHR can have potential benefits:

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Better care. With an EHR, your health information can be in one place. The EHR can include your medical history, medications, diagnoses, allergies, lab and test results, and more. It can give providers more accurate and complete information about your health so you can receive the best possible care.

Better care coordination. Having an EHR means that your information can be shared with the people who ensure that you are receiving the care you need. Because providers have the ability to share information with others involved in your care, the care you receive is better coordinated.

More involvement in your care. You can fully take part in decisions about your health. With the assistance of an EHR, your health care providers will be able to securely share information with you electronically.

On your next office visit, speak with your physician and health care team to learn more about EHRs and how they can help you take a more active role in your health care.

About LHCQF

In response to the 2005 hurricanes that shattered the health care infrastructure in south Louisiana and stressed the health care delivery system statewide, the Louisiana Health Care Quality Forum was created.

This private, non-profit organization brings providers, purchasers, payers and consumers together to drive improvements in health care quality, safety and value for Louisiana residents. One initiative involves the advancement of health information technology in our state.

Resources: www.lhcqf.org and www.healthit.gov THE TRUMPET | SPECIAL EDITION | MAY/JUNE | 2012

Neighborhood Health Partnership

“Biggest ” oser

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By Aziza Landrum

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aughters of Charity Services of New Orleans’ (DCSNO) Neighborhood Health Partnership (NHP) program has received a grant to implement its very own “Biggest Loser” challenge to aid Hollygrove residents in establishing healthier lifestyles and shedding pounds. This 12-week program will kick-off in April 2012.

In 2011, the NHP team partnered with Trinity Christian Community, Hollygrove Farm and Market, and the French Rivera Spa for a six-week competition exclusively for Hollygrove residents. Each participant received a free food basket weekly, consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables courtesy of the Market, a free six-week gym membership courtesy of French Rivera, and free weekly consultations/health education classes with providers from the Daughters of Charity Carrollton Health Center, as well as members of the NHP team. During their weekly weigh-ins at the Carrollton Health Center, participants also received free body mass index

(BMI) checks, free blood pressure and glucose screenings, and healthy eating and weight loss tips.

In addition to the “Biggest Loser” challenge, DCSNO’s NHP team has partnered with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and Hollygrove Farm and Market to provide health and wellness screenings for Hollygrove residents at various times throughout the year. DCSNO and AARP also partnered with Hollygrove seniors for walks in Conrad Park and outreach efforts designed to promote healthy living among older residents in the Hollygrove community.

The Neighborhood Health Partnership (NHP) program, a community outreach and education program of Daughters of Charity Services of New Orleans, provides innovative and comprehensive approaches to health care in greater New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast. Using clinical medical staff, and other health and social service professionals, the NHP team delivers mostly free medical, health promotion and social services to members of our community.

Producing a fresh, healthier lifestyle starts with you.

For some, it’s raising money for charity. For others, it’s ushering at church or helping out in their community. Whatever your passion, when it comes to doing good in your life and the lives of others, AARP has programs and resources that can assist you along the way. From health and wellness to finances, volunteerism to simply enjoying life, AARP is here to support your commitment to making things better.

Learn more at aarp.org/blackcommunity.

To Join or Renew your AARP membership, visit aarp.org/joinorrenew or call 1-800-307-4184.

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Healthy New Orleans Neighborhood Project

By Bill Pastellak

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n February of 2011, Hollygrove was chosen as one of two cost healthcare resources. The huge gathering of Hollygrove residents neighborhoods for the Healthy New Orleans Neighborhood also provided Conrad Boosters’ president, Jarvain Bingmon, to gather (HNON) Project. A partnership between LPHI, Concordia Planning, nearly 50 volunteers for the KaBoom! Playground build which took place NPN, and neighborhood leaders, the focus of the project is to two months later. The relationships formed and the connections made decrease Type II diabetes and the drivers (thanks in particular to NPN’s Patricia Ann Davis) of the condition, predominantly lack of have opened up many doors for Hollygrove physical activity, obesity, and poor nutrition. neighborhood organizers and opened the eyes The Healthy New Orleans The timing for this project and the Hollygrove of many to the great work occurring in the neighborhood was perfect. The Hollygrove Soul Hollygrove neighborhood.

Neighborhood Project, Steppers, a women’s walking club, had been As the project moves into its second and final in addition to providing going strong for over 2 years. The Hollygrove year, the leadership team has found a need to Seniors, the most active neighborhood add to the leadership team, inviting Hollygrove valuable insights into the organization, was ramping up its activities and Seniors’ president, Gracie Atkins, AARP health factors affecting the programming and becoming more involved in Louisiana’s Linedda McIver, and new Conrad Hollygrove neighborhood, the redevelopment of the neighborhood. The Booster vice president C. Pat Pickett on board.

Conrad Park Boosters, a newly formed booster These new members will provide the original has galvanized community club, was intent on revitalizing Conrad Park leadership team with guidance and consultation groups around the and restarting activities. Hollygrove Market & on how to best utilize the funding in year two to Farm, not quite fully involved in the health of address Type II diabetes, and the drivers of the common issue of improving the neighborhood, was eager to offer up its condition, within the Hollygrove neighborhood. neighborhood health. resources to the cause. These groups, with the The leadership team is still reviewing their options support of the Hollygrove Livable Communities for the funding, with preliminary goals of the Project Health & Wellness team, comprised the group including: healthy cooking classes, a health neighborhood leadership team determined to reduce Type II diabetes in fair, and a road to health workshop. Additionally, the leadership team the Hollygrove neighborhood. has intentions of supporting the existing neighborhood groups addressing Right from the start, the leadership team got down to work. Fortunately health issues including: the Hollygrove Seniors, Hollygrove Soul Steppers for the HNON Project, the resident leaders had been thinking about how Walking Club, and the Conrad Park Boosters. resolve these issues for quite some time. With the support of LPHI and The Healthy New Orleans Neighborhood Project, in addition to NPN, the team was able to organize quickly and plan the assessment providing valuable insights into the health factors affecting the Hollygrove phase of the project, eventually gathering information from over 300 neighborhood, has galvanized community groups around the common surveys, 7 key informant interviews, and 25 focus group participants. issue of improving neighborhood health. The project will come to an The information collected provided a firsthand account of the health of end in September of this year, but it’s impact will be felt for much longer. the neighborhood and has proved invaluable in the project’s second year The quality health data gathered, plus a community health action plan planning phase. In addition to the data gathering, the leadership team complete with pilot projects, will provide the leadership team with all they organized a neighborhood wide health fair in September, engaging need to seek out future funding for community health projects and ensure over 300 residents and providing them with access to free and low that impact of Type II diabetes will continue to lessen as time goes on.

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THE TRUMPET | SPECIAL EDITION | MAY/JUNE | 2012

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Discover the best of what’s next.

At AARP, we believe you’re never done growing. It’s a time to do all the things you’ve always wanted to do. Whether that’s starting a new business, traveling the world, pursuing a passion or making a difference in your community, together we can discover that the best is yet to come.

To Join or Renew your AARP membership, visit aarp.org/joinorrenew or call 1-800-307-4184.

Sitting

Hazardous to Your Health

Even ‘Active’ Couch Potatoes May Face Risks

By Elizabeth Pope, a writer based in Portland, Maine.

Here’s another easy, no-sweat way to markedly improve your health — stop sitting so much. You’ll live longer.

Mounting evidence suggests that sitting for long periods increases the risk of obesity, diabetes, cancer and early death, even for people who exercise daily. And yet Americans now sit more than they sleep, spending an average of 10 hours a day in a car, at work and in front of a television. Older adults are the worst offenders, according to federal government statistics: Almost three-quarters are sedentary, and more than four in 10 get no leisuretime physical activity at all.

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o reduce your cancer risk the American Institute of Cancer Research is urging Americans to add mini-breaks from sitting to a daily regimen of getting at least 30 minutes a day of moderate-to-vigorous exercise. “If you reduce sitting by five minutes an hour, at the end of a long day, you’ve shaved an hour off your total sitting time,” says Alpa Patel, M.D., senior epidemiologist with the American Cancer Society. That advice applies as well to “active couch potatoes,” who hit the gym or take that daily brisk walk, because some research indicates daily exercise is not enough protection from the harmful effects of a sedentary lifestyle.

Women who reported sitting more than six hours a day outside of work had a 34 percent higher risk of death than those who sat fewer than three hours daily, according to a recent American Cancer Society study. This was true even for women who exercised regularly.

In a University of South Carolina study, even physically active men were 64 percent more likely to die of heart disease if they sat more than 23 hours a week in front of the TV, compared with those who sat 11 hours a week or less.

Prolonged sitting appears to have powerful metabolic consequences, disrupting processes that break down fats and sugars in the blood. In animal studies, inactive mice and rats quickly develop higher blood fats and lower levels of good cholesterol, which together increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. An Australian study suggests a link between a sedentary lifestyle and several key biological indicators of cancer risk, including insulin resistance, inflammation and body weight.

Older adults will remember pre-soccer-mom days of walking to school, biking to baseball practice, hanging up laundry and washing the dishes.

Technology, experts say, has engineered physical activity out of daily life.

With the advent of personal computers and cable TV, not to mention remotes and garage door openers, there is scarcely a reason to get out of your seat.

Physical activity in the workplace has fallen, too, according to a recent study. Fifty years ago, more than half of American jobs involved moderate physical activity, often in manufacturing or agriculture, reports Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, LA. “Today it’s less than 20 percent — we’re tied to our desks,” says Tim Church, M.D., a Pennington professor and the study’s lead author.

Last year, registered dietitian Jill Weisenberger wrote a book and started worrying about sitting too much. “I jog every morning, but what about the other 23 hours a day? I’ve read that sitting makes the blood vessels less elastic, and I didn’t want to be a jogger and a dietitian with heart disease,” says Weisenberger, 50, of Yorktown, VA. At home she began walking a circuit while cooking dinner. Then she bought a desk equipped to fit over a treadmill and now logs 30 to 35 miles a week walking at 1.4 miles per hour. “I can type, read email, surf the internet — anything except have pretty handwriting,” she says.

The Cancer Society’s Patel stands during conference calls, uses a printer in another office, and eschews email and the telephone to walk over to a colleague’s office. She also sits on an exercise ball. “It’s called ‘active sitting.’ If you slouch you fall off,” she says. She takes a brisk 20-minute walk at lunch, adding longer walks before or after work. By reducing sitting time and ramping up physical activity, Patel also lost 40 pounds in six months.

Physical activity in the workplace has fallen, too, according to a recent study. Fifty years ago, more than half of American jobs involved moderate physical activity, often in manufacturing or agriculture.

THE TRUMPET | SPECIAL EDITION | MAY/JUNE | 2012

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Txt4health: Mobile Health Technology to Fight Type 2 Diabetes

By Nebeyou Abebe, M.A., PMP

New Orleans is one of the first cities in the U.S. to use a new mobile health technology program called “txt4health,” a mobile texting program that delivers personalized text messages aimed at helping people better understand their personal risk for Type 2 diabetes and manage their overall health.

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xt4health was developed through a unique collaboration between the American Diabetes Association (ADA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), Beacon Community Program, Crescent City Beacon Community (New Orleans), Southeast Michigan Beacon Community, Greater Cincinnati Beacon Community, and Voxiva. The program recently launched in three of the 17 Beacon Communities —Crescent City (New Orleans), Southeast Michigan, and Greater Cincinnati.

“Beacon Communities are recognized as the brightest examples of using technology to transform health care at the local level,” said Farzad Mostashari, M.D., ScM., National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. “The txt4health campaign in New Orleans will test a new form of public health engagement, spearheaded by text messaging that is widely available, inexpensive, and allows for immediate delivery of essential consumer health information.”

According to the CDC, recent studies have shown that there are nearly 26 million people living with diabetes in the U.S. It is projected that 1 in 3 individuals will develop diabetes by 2050. In the New Orleans Metropolitan Area, the CDC reports that 6 in 10 citizens have at least one diabetes risk factor.

“CDC estimates that 10.3 percent of Louisiana residents have been diagnosed with diabetes, an increase of 69 percent since 1994,” said Ann Albright, Ph.D., R.D., director of CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. “Helping people learn their risk for Type 2 diabetes is a key first step in stopping further increases. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by losing a modest amount of weight and becoming more active.”

“Txt4health is an innovative and efficient approach to disseminating health information to at-risk populations,” said Nebeyou Abebe, txt4health campaign manager. “Chronic diseases such as diabetes are spiraling out of control and txt4health is a powerful service designed to help people understand their risk for Type 2 diabetes and become more informed about the steps they can take to lead healthy lives.”

According to Pew data, more than 9 out of 10 adults own a mobile cellular device capable of texting. Because most people carry their cell phone everywhere, these devices are excellent tools to use in educating people about health risks and helping instill new, healthy habits in their daily lives. As a result, txt4health was implemented as an innovative software that uses the latest text messaging technology as a method to educate people about their health with the use of their fingertips.

To enroll in the txt4health program, individuals must text HEALTH to 300400 using their mobile cellular devices. Once enrolled, participants will be prompted to set-up a personal profile by answering a series of brief questions that will assess their risk for Type 2 diabetes. Based on their responses, participants will receive weekly text messages that will include customized information to assist in improving and managing their health, and will serve as a resource to connect them with free health and wellness resources available in their area. These messages were developed with input from the ADA and CDC. “There are nearly 79 million Americans living with pre-diabetes, a condition that places them at a higher risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. This is a significant problem and we need to do everything we can to seek out innovative health in the fight to stop diabetes,” said Vivian Fonseca, MD, President, Medicine & Science, American Diabetes Association. “The txt4health campaign reflects a collaborative effort that uses mobile health technology to connect people who are at risk to much needed resources, which will allow them to manage and improve their health.”

“As the state’s largest health insurer, we are committed to supporting the health of all Louisianans as we battle this health crisis together. We think txt4health will be a successful wellness initiative that will improve the lives of those who participate,” said Mike Reitz, CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana. “We hope to work with our partners to bring

“We think txt4health will be a successful wellness initiative that will improve the lives of those who participate,” said Mike Reitz, CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana.

Txt4health uses text messaging to offer a new way to take three actions:

• Encourage individuals to engage with and manage their health; • Help individuals assess their diabetes risk levels; and • Better connect individuals with the wealth of existing wellness and diabetes care resources available today, to help them manage their diabetes more effectively.

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THE TRUMPET | SPECIAL EDITION | MAY/JUNE | 2012

this program throughout the state so others at risk can benefit from the education. If we can educate people to take preventive health measures, we can keep them healthier and also keep healthcare costs down.”

“We have taken a collaborative approach towards developing effective community engagement strategies to successfully launch txt4health in Greater New Orleans,” said Dr. Anjum Khurshid, Director of Crescent City Beacon Community. “Txt4health is one of our successful initiatives under the Crescent City Beacon Community program that is leveraging the power of mobile technology to improve population-level health outcomes.”

“We are excited about the potential for txt4health, which perfectly pairs innovations in health care technology with better health outcomes,” said Bruce D. Greenstein, Louisiana Secretary of Health & Hospitals.

“Through this initiative, patients in the New Orleans area will get fast, easily accessible information about reducing their risk of diabetes. This will empower them to own their health and give them the tools needed to make the best choices about exercise, diet and other factors that affect their diabetes risk. We are confident that through the hard work of our health care partners and provider community to encourage patient participation, txt4health will be a success.”

For more information about txt4health visit www.txt4health.com

For more information about the Beacon Community Program visit http://bit.ly/uEvKzs For more information about type 2 diabetes prevention and treatment visit www.diabetes.org

10 Things

You Need to Know About the New Health Care Law: 1.

Helps 32 million more Americans get insurance.

2.

Makes preexisting medical conditions a thing of the past. Insurers can’t use them to deny coverage for children from this year on or for adults starting in 2014.

3.

Guarantees basic benefits for everyone in Medicare, makes preventive services free for most and gradually closes the “doughnut hole” in the Part D drug program.

4.

Sets up a temporary program in July to help people with preexisting health conditions — who have been uninsured for at least six months — obtain coverage.

5.

Provides new benefits for most people who already have insurance, such as coverage for adult children until age 26.

NPN needs bloggers

6.

Advertise In

T

The

rumpet

Sign upmedical at: decisions in the hands Leaves of your doctor and you. thetrumpet@npnnola.com

7.

Requires most people to have coverage by 2014 but offers subsidies for those with moderate or low incomes and makes more people eligible for Medicaid.

8.

Establishes new long-term care insurance that lets you make contributions while you’re working in return for future cash benefits for help to remain in your home if you are sick or disabled.

9.

Offers immediate tax credits to help small businesses buy insurance for employees.

10.

Keeps Medicare financially sound for nearly 10 more years and reduces the U.S. deficit by an estimated $143 billion.

For more information, visit aarp.org/getthefacts.

Email info@npnnola.com THE TRUMPET | SPECIAL EDITION | MAY/JUNE | 2012

15

Conversations about you should include you.

You’ve earned a say about the future of Medicare and Social Security.

That’s why AARP is taking the debate out from behind closed doors in Washington—making sure that you know what the politicians are saying and that you have a voice. When it comes to keeping Medicare and Social Security strong for future generations, you’ve earned a say.

To make your voice heard, visit

.

Walking

The Easiest Exercise

By Candy Sagon

“I have two doctors, my left leg and my right leg,” wrote British author George Trevelyan in 1913 about the health benefits of walking. Nearly a century later, modern medical experts echo the same advice: Get up and walk.

Walking may be the single best — and easiest — exercise you can do to improve your health in 2012. “Not only will going for a daily walk help you feel better now, it will help you maintain your independence and ability to do daily tasks as you age,” says Barbara Bushman, a health professor at Missouri State University who has helped older, sedentary men and women start a walking routine.

THE TRUMPET | SPECIAL EDITION | MAY/JUNE | 2012

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esearch also has shown that walking regularly can help protect the aging brain against memory loss and dementia, help cut the risk of heart disease, and reduce the chance of developing type 2 diabetes in high-risk adults by a whopping 60 percent. And we’re not talking marathon walking either. The peak benefits come from 30 minutes of exercise several times a week, say experts.

Most of us do need to move more: Only 30 percent of people ages 45 to 64 say they engage in regular leisure-time physical activity, and that drops to 25 percent for those 65 to 74, according to the National Institute on Aging, which has launched a “get off your duff” campaign called Go4Life.

And even if you weigh 400 pounds and can’t climb a flight of stairs — you can start walking. Just ask Rick Genter.

Genter, a 51-year-old software engineer in Redwood City, CA, was morbidly obese 10 years ago. He lived in the Boston area then and spent his whole day sitting at a computer. Walking up a flight of stairs left him gasping for breath.

“My whole family is obese,” he says. “My mother died at age 56. My father is at least 150 pounds overweight and on all sorts of medication. I had high cholesterol, high triglycerides and I was convinced I was on my way to diabetes, a heart attack, or both.”

Genter joined a medically supervised weight loss program. They told him he needed to do some kind of exercise every day.

“They said, ‘Do anything as long as you like it,’ “ he recalls.

Walking seemed doable, so he started out slowly, walking 30 minutes each day on his lunch break.

“I found I really liked it. And as I started to lose weight it got easier,” Genter says.

As the pounds came off, he began walking to work — seven miles each way — even in winter.

“It felt so great. It made me understand what was meant by ‘a runner’s high.’ “ Nearly a year after he started dieting and walking, Genter had lost 186 pounds and was down to his goal weight of 200 pounds.

He got a new job in Northern California, and last year he got married.

He and his wife now have a dog, and walking it twice a day for 20 to 25 minutes is part of his daily exercise routine.

He also makes sure he gets up from his computer at work several times a day and takes a brisk 30-minute walk.

Today he weighs 195, he says proudly. “It’s been nine years and I’ve kept it off. And walking is a big reason why.”

Genter didn’t join a gym, hire a trainer or buy an exercise machine. He just walked.

So how do you get started? Slowly.

“Don’t set a really large goal. Set a small one first, like walking one block, then gradually add on to that,” suggests Sharon Brangman, M.D., chief of geriatric medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY. Her patients are all over 65, many in their 80s and beyond.

“I’ve had women in their 70s who tell me they feel sluggish and can’t lose weight even though they eat like a bird,” she says. But once they start walking daily, “they sleep better, feel better and even lose some weight. One woman told me, ‘I don’t know why I didn’t do this before.’”

Start with a short walk, even five to 10 minutes, and gradually increase to 30 minutes five days a week. “And it doesn’t have to be 30 minutes continuously. You could even split it into three 10-minute walks during the day,” says Bushman, who is also editor of the new American College of Sports Medicine’s Complete Guide to Fitness and Health.

Just be sure to check with your doctor before you start any exercise program, especially if you recently have been inactive or are substantially increasing your activity level.

17

6 Core Classes Taught by Professionals in the Field!

How do you get people to turn out to your meetings?

How do you raise money for your organization?

How do you navigate City Hall?

Capacity College is your training ground!

New! Symposium series with technical workshops and mini-grant competitions every quarter to help fund your ideas.

2012 Symposium Topics: Public Contracting & Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, Crime & Criminal Justice, and Community Benefits Agreements Non-profit partners and NPN staff will assist your group from project development to implementation.

Enrollment Requirements: New participants must take all (5) core classes Enrollment Fees per semester: $70/individuals | $35/person: groups of 3 or more (member) $55/person: groups of 3 or more (non-member) | $25/class All participants will receive a bag with course materials.

How to Enroll: Visit www.npnnola.com to download enrollment form. Enroll by February 17th, 2012!

Email capacitycollege@npnnola.com for more information or call (504) 940-2207 and ask to speak with the Director of Programs.

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THE TRUMPET | SPECIAL EDITION | MAY/JUNE | 2012

Stay Healthy With

Medicare’s Preventive Benefits

By Nicole Duritz, Vice President, Health, AARP Education & Outreach

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educe your sugar and sodium intake. Drink more water.

Get moving. Log eight hours of sleep. There are so many health messages clamoring for our attention on a daily basis, even the most health conscious person can feel overwhelmed.

The older we get, many of us adopt the attitude that there is not much we can do to control or improve our health.

Now stop right there!

One simple way to take care of yourself and stay healthy is to team up with your doctor to get the screenings and vaccines needed to detect and prevent illness. And as a result of the new health care law, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), everyone on Medicare can take advantage of free preventive health benefits. To find out specifically how ACA will personally impact your health care options, visit www.aarp.org/ healthlawguide.

But before adding another thing to your to-do list, spend a few minutes and continue reading about three easy-to-follow tips for staying healthy.

Staying Healthy Tip New Medicare beneficiaries should schedule a “Welcome to Medicare” appointment with your doctor during your first year of coverage.

The one-time “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit is free for patients whose doctors accept Medicare, but it must be conducted within the first twelve months after enrolling in Part B. At this visit, your doctor should: •

• • • •

•

complete a comprehensive review of your medical and family health history check your height, weight and blood pressure calculate your body mass index do a simple vision test give you advice to help you prevent disease, improve your health and stay well make appropriate referrals when necessary

Staying Healthy Tip Schedule a “Medicare Yearly Wellness” visit and use your appointment time to talk to your doctor.

If you’re not new to Medicare, but have received coverage for more than twelve months, you too can schedule time to talk to your doctor during a “Medicare Yearly Wellness” visit.

THE TRUMPET | SPECIAL EDITION | MAY/JUNE | 2012

At this visit, your doctor should: • complete a comprehensive review of your medical and family health history • check your height, weight and blood pressure • review your current medicines • schedule recommended shots and screenings • advise you on personal medical issues and treatment options Use your visit as a time to talk to your doctor about your health, review the medications you take, and make a proactive plan to keep you healthy. Your plan should include information and important dates about the vaccines and screenings that are right for you. Take advantage of every chance to talk with your doctor. Call your doctor’s office and be sure to clearly state that you are scheduling your “Medicare Yearly Wellness” visit. Be prepared with your questions, and bring paper and a pen with you to your appointment.

Staying Healthy Tip Find out what vaccines and screenings you need, when you need them, and how frequently.

Your doctor may suggest recommended vaccines to prevent flu and pneumonia, and schedule screenings or tests such as: • • • • • •

Cardiovascular screening Blood pressure Blood cholesterol Body Mass Index (BMI) Diabetes screening Colorectal cancer screening

Additionally, your Medicare co-payment may vary depending on the type of screening and treatment provided. For example, if your doctor finds a benign growth during your colorectal cancer screening, he or she may remove it at that time and you may need to pay the Medicare co-payment for this extra procedure. Paying a copayment today for a preventive screening is a good investment in a healthier tomorrow.

To make your voice heard on the future of Medicare and Social Security visit www.earnedasay.org.

Nicole Duritz, Vice President of Health at AARP, leads the Association’s member and consumer health education and outreach program, which includes work on issues such as Medicare, new health care law, prescription drug affordability, long term care, prevention and wellness, and wise use of medications.

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Your

Life

sEpTemBeR 20-22, 2012

REIMAGINED

AARP’s national event showcases ways you can reimagine

MORIAL neW Orleans convention center

LOUISIANA

your life. Discover your What’s Next? moment with interactive, personalized experiences for exploring the true joy in your life and empowering you to let the good times roll!

Program and Celebrities The stars are out all day in New Orleans with Life@50+. Join celebrity host Hoda Kotb in a conversation with world-renowned chef Emeril Lagasse on Friday, September 21. Experience Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart discussing music and its connection with brain health alongside renowned researcher Dr. Adam Gazzaley. Come delight in days filled with valuable content—more than 60 planned lifestyle and learning sessions.

Be a part of

Exhibits

New Orleans Reimagined

New products, helpful services ... ideas, information and fun ... music, prizes

On Thursday, September 20, join hundreds of other AARP volunteers as we “reimagine New Orleans!” Sign up to volunteer and you’ll be transported to different neighborhoods in and around “the Big Easy” to support its redevelopment. We’ll offer a variety of work opportunities for people of all abilities—building, home and school refurbishing, landscaping, mentoring, green projects, senior community center revitalization—and

and giveaways ... conversations and delightful discoveries all await you in the Exhibit Hall. Visit our marketplace of great things to see and buy!

Discoveries around every corner at the interactive AARP Exhibit Hall.

the list goes on. Help make the dream come true!

for registration and more information:

www.aarp.org/events | 1-800-883-2784 facebook.com/AARPEvents

$25 for AARP members $35 for non-members (includes a one-year membership)

@AARPEvents

renew for 3 attend for free: Renew your AARP membership for 3 years and attend Life@50+ in New Orleans for free. Call 1-800-511-6274 to take advantage of this offer.