Mark your calendars - Melanoma Monday is May 2

The American Academy of Dermatology is kicking off Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month on Monday, May 2 - aptly coined "Melanoma Monday".  You can learn more at http://www.melanomamonday.org/. 

As summertime approaches I know that I am going to see a number of inaugural sunburns walking down the street, at the grocery store, and especially at the beach.  Conveniently enough, the Friday before Memorial Day, May 27 is "Don't Fry Day".  This day is designated by the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention.

So what can you do to reduce your risk of developing melanoma?  Here are some recommendations from http://www.skincancerprevention.org.  The information isn't new but it bears repeating:

• Avoid sun burning, intentional tanning, and using tanning beds.
• Apply sunscreen generously
• Wear sun-protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses.
• Seek shade.
• Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand.
• Get vitamin D safely through food and vitamin D supplements.

It's also important to remember that UV rays are present even on cloudy, rainy, or overcast days.  Consider a daily moisturizer with SPF to protect your face every day from damaging rays.

Thank You Volunteers!

Last week JFA HeLP assisted with the planning and execution of Employee Health and Wellness Fairs at one of our large groups.  We held these events at two of the organization's locations to maximize exposure to employees.  Both events went great.

These events don't happen without volunteers.  Internally, we had employees volunteer their time to man tables, set up/break down, and participate as members of the Wellness Committee.  What is truly awesome however, is the support we receive from the community.  Local businesses, non-profits, and health care professionals volunteer their time, energy, and resources.   The result is a room full of literature, health screenings, and information that all together enhance the health and well being of the employees.  After all, that's what it's all about.

So, from the bottom of my heart... Thank you to all the volunteers!   

JFA HeLP Race and Event Schedule - May & June, 2011

I have developed a minor fear of commitment over the past few months.  Last year I had to cancel 2 events that I had registered for due to a Mononucleosis relapse in May, 2010.  The first was the CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge.  The second was Ironman Mooseman 70.3.  On a positive note, my relapse was largely attributable to a terrific long weekend cycling around the San Francisco bay area and Sonoma County wine country capped off with the 99th Bay to Breakers 12K run. 

Despite the effect the illness had on my training, I did complete a few events in the second half of 2010 including:  Lexington Family Services 5K, Pine Bush Triathlon, Crystal Lake Triathlon, Warrior Dash, and the Christopher Daly Turkey Trot. 

It is time for me to start committing again.  My run mileage is consistant  and the early sunrise is conducive to training before work. The simple fact is:  I truly love participating in events - if I have a trip planned, chances are I'll look for a local race to get me out and about while traveling.  As a matter of fact, I just found a race in Potivin, Iowa to participate in when we head out that way for a family event. 

The other reason that I pre-register for races and events:  MOTIVATION!!! 

This year, I will finally get to run the CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge! 

Here is my current list of planned races for May and June:

May 1: Literacy 5K Run/Walk
May 19: CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge
June 11: Lexington 5K Run/Walk
June 26: Adirondack Distance Run

I'll also be at a few events cheering on my husband: 
May 29: Cooperstown Triathlon
June 12: Hudson Crossing Triathlon

I am always looking for new events so if you would like JFA HeLP to come to your event as a participant , volunteer, or cheerleader, please let us know!

9 Weeks to a Healthier Employee

I'm a fan of The Biggest Loser television show.  While I do believe that the dramatic results and extreme weight loss of the contestants can be misinterpreted by viewers who expect to see the same results at home, I find the show to be very inspiring.  At the beginning of the season, contestants are run through a battery of tests and then we are privy to the conversation between them and the resident doctor, Dr. H, about their current health status, which is often in crisis.  Half way through the season, the contestants are tested again and we, the viewers, are again shown the results, which are often dramatic. 

Multiple sources report that a modest weight loss (5-10% of body weight) can reduce blood pressure, reduce risk of developing type 2 diabetes, improve sleep patterns in those with apnea, improve lung function, and reduce risk of certain cancers.  More recent studies are reporting that moderate activity (30-45 minutes of brisk walking 5 times per week) help boost the immune system.  You can read an interesting article from the Wall Street Journal about benefits of exercise here.


The question:  Can someone see positive health changes in 9 weeks?

Yesterday we kicked off a new challenge at one of our HeLP groups.  This challenge is designed to last 9 weeks and is based on biometric data collected at the beginning and the end.  We track several categories both health and non-health related:  blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, participation in on-site activities, etc.  Participants are scored based on their results - the more they improve, the better they score.  Those who maintain their already "normal" numbers are scored the highest in each respective category.  The participants even received a report of their BMR, estimating the number of calories each person needs to maintain his or her body weight.  Being armed with this number is a great opportunity for successful weight management.  As with any group, there will be some who do not make any changes and this will make them the control group.  For those who do make changes - hopefully for the better - I am excited to see the results! 

National Public Health Week - April 4 - 10

April 4 - 10, 2011 is National Public Health Week. 

"During National Public Health Week 2011, the American Public Health Association (APHA) needs your help to educate Americans that "Safety is No Accident". Together, we can help Americans live injury-free in all areas of life: at work, at home, at play, in your community and anywhere people are on the move. We all need to do our part to prevent injuries and violence in our communities. Join us as we work together to create a safer and healthier nation."

Here are just a few ideas to encourage safety in your home or at work:

• Wear a seat belt
• Wear a helmet when bike riding, roller skating, or skateboarding
• Keep house hold cleaners in a secure cabinet
• Make an evacuation plan in the event of an emergency
• Keep a first aid kit readily available
• Wear recommended safety equipment
• Educate employees about injury prevention and work site safety
• Identify and address potential hazards

Here is another interesting bit of public health data: 
The annual County Health Rankings have been released.  You can see where your county ranks within your state by visiting this link http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/

The Best Laid Plans...

Planning.  How often do we plan our lives only to find that life, essentially, has other plans.  New Years Resolutions, starting diets or exercise plans, social engagements, travel planning, house hold budgeting... all best laid plans that sometimes work exactly as planned and sometimes don't.  The great thing about being human is the ability to adapt. 

Last Wednesday I went to the hospital as directed at 10:40 AM.  Having nothing to eat or drink since 11:30 the night before, I was a little dehydrated and very hungry.  Considering that this empty stomach prior to anesthesia rule also meant no morning coffee, I was in a surprisingly good mood.  Each time someone asked "Do you have any questions?", I simply answered "no, but just so you know, resuscitate but don't keep me on life support".  To which the nurse and doctor both responded that while it was nice to know, this was not likely to be an issue.

Fast forward maybe 90 minutes later and my doctor had apparently told me what happened, let me know that I wouldn't recall our conversation, then went to speak with my family.  Fast forward another 45 minutes or so.  At this point I'm lucid and feeling great.  No throat pain.  At all.  Now I can understand what my doctor is saying.  He completed one of the planned procedures and I'll be recovering from that for a few days, but my tonsils are still in tact.  He said at least one had attached to my carotid artery - this is the major artery that supplies blood to the brain.  Had he continued his attempt to remove the tonsil, he risked damaging the carotid, and that would be dangerous. 

I didn't have the presence of mind to ask about the other side. 

I did what any adaptable woman coming out of anesthesia would have done - I cried.  All the planning:  preparing for my absence at work, stocking up on ice pops, eating, bringing my mom into town, etc.  I know that the tears were mostly my reaction to coming out of the anesthesia and I felt silly but suddenly it seemed like all my meticulous plans were for naught. 

New plan - back to work and feeling pretty good.  I can get back to exercise sooner than anticipated and this means that I will absolutely be ready for some upcoming 5K runs and the CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge. 

And, in case you were curious... If the doctor decides that a tonsillectomy is still the best course of action to take, I would have to go to a larger hospital, with more sophisticated equipment and a vascular surgeon on hand to stop the bleeding... just in case.