MINNEAPOLIS - People who go to work today are being urged to tell their bosses to "take a walk" - for better health, that is.
As part of National Start Walking Day, the American Heart Association also is encouraging everyone to wear sneakers to work today and get some exercise.
Rachel Larson, a certified personal trainer and registered dietitian at HealthEast's Woodwinds Health Campus, says with so many of our waking hours spent at work it's important to take a little time during the day to stretch, walk and just move your body.
"Take a break. Push away from your computer, push away from your work station, and walk. Maybe it's just walking through the building and back to your desk again. Maybe it's walking up and down the stairs a few times. Maybe it's walking down the hall to talk to a co-worker instead of sending an e-mail."
Other tips for at-work exercise include having walking meetings or taking part of the lunch hour for a brisk walk. According to the heart association, people gain two hours of life expectancy for every hour of regular, vigorous exercise - even if they don't start until middle age.
For those who haven't been active for awhile, Larson suggests starting with 10 minutes of walking and adding 5 minutes a day until an ideal time of 30 minutes is reached. Even 20 minutes per day has benefits, she says.
"That helps with reducing the risk of heart disease, it helps with weight maintenance, it helps reduce stress, and it's just all-around great to be outside and getting some fresh air."
The heart association estimates that walking an extra 20 minutes a day will burn off 7 pounds of body fat each year.
If the weather outside is not cooperating, Larson says, community centers may have indoor tracks. Some people walk at their local shopping malls. If motivation is a problem, she suggests setting up a walking date with a friend or neighbor.
"So now, you've got some time to be social, which makes us feel good, it increases our well-being, and our happiness factor. And then you're also moving - and of course, when we're moving, we're using up some calories, we're decreasing stress, maybe laughing a little bit - and it's just such a win-win."
Larson suggests the website startwalkingnow.org for other suggestions and resources, including how to find nearby walking paths.
"You enter your ZIP code where you live, how many miles you're looking to walk, and it will shoot you all of your options for that geographic location and your ability level, what you're looking for, where to walk, and it'll map it out for you. It is the coolest thing."
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Health disparities in Texas are not only making some people sick, but affecting the state's economy.
A new study shows Texas is losing $7 billion a year because it does not adequately address quality-of-life issues and the health care needs of its lower-income residents.
The research was sponsored by the Episcopal Health Foundation, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, and St. David's Foundation.
Brian Sasser, chief communications officer for the Episcopal Health Foundation, said health care includes more than doctors' visits and medication.
"Everything from increasing access to affordable health insurance to investing in under-resourced neighborhoods to give them more options, whether that's exercise options or food options," Sasser outlined. "Look at policy changes that expand health insurance coverage for new moms."
The report breaks down the economic costs of preventable health differences for every Texas county. It found Bexar, Dallas, Harris, Tarrant and Travis counties are losing the most money annually because of health disparities.
The amount of the economic impact depends on the racial and ethnic makeup of the county and the size of its working-age population. Sasser added the report shows Black and Hispanic children are more likely to grow up in neighborhoods with high poverty levels, and higher rates of diabetes and obesity.
"What can we do to work to make sure that the rate of diabetes isn't dramatically different between white households and Black households?" Sasser asked. "That we can make sure the food insecurity isn't dramatically different between someone who makes over $100,000 and someone who makes less than $30,000?"
The Texas Legislature has passed laws to address some of the disparities, including House Bill 12. It extends Medicaid health coverage for 12 months for new mothers, and pays for maternal health services for community health workers and doulas.
Disclosure: Episcopal Health Foundation contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues, Mental Health, Philanthropy, and Poverty Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
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There is light at the end of the tunnel for Tennesseans struggling with opioid addiction, as a bill has been passed to increase access to treatment for opioid use disorder at Community Health Centers.
More than 3,800 lives were lost to overdose in the state in 2021, according to the Tennessee Department of Health.
Emily Waitt, policy and advocacy manager for the Tennessee Primary Care Association, said the original bill limited the number of patients nurse practitioners and physician assistants could treat with buprenorphine. The update removes the limitations, allowing more Tennesseans to access medication assisted treatment in their communities.
"It allows NPs and PAs to prescribe to 100 patients at a time, versus 50," Waitt explained. "Basically doubling the number of patients that they can prescribe to."
Community Health Centers serve more than 423,000 patients across Tennessee, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. About 7.7% of Tennesseans do not have health insurance.
Libby Thurman, CEO of the Tennessee Primary Care Association, said bringing the treatment to rural health centers expands access to a crucial service for patients who otherwise could not afford it. She noted it is important because people in remote areas often face challenges finding specialists and treatment facilities.
"We really wanted to work on this issue, because we know our Community Health Centers are where patients go for care," Thurman emphasized. "We really believe in an integrated model. So we want to treat the whole person, including if they are struggling with an addiction issue or a substance abuse disorder issue."
Health Centers offer behavioral health care, including counseling, along with treatment. The clinics also focus on creating a supportive network to help patients with family resources, job assistance and community connections.
Disclosure: The Tennessee Primary Care Association contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues, Mental Health, and Reproductive Health. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
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While Black Maternal Health Week is wrapping up, health disparities for pregnant Black women continues to be an issue.
From April 11-17 this year, the high death rate of Black mothers is in the spotlight. Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than their white counterparts.
Dr. Patricia Egwuatu, a family practice physician at Kaiser Permanente in Seattle, said racism is at the root of the disparities, which create barriers to health care access. She pointed out lack of access can lead to problems during pregnancy that are preventable or treatable.
"They may exist prior to pregnancy and then it gets worse during pregnancy if it's not managed as part of that maternity care," Egwuatu emphasized. "There are more pregnant women that have chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and heart disease that are amplified during pregnancy."
The White House released a proclamation recognizing Black Maternal Health Week. The Biden administration began recognizing the week in 2021.
Egwuatu noted there are some warning signs any pregnant woman should be aware of and check in with their physician if they develop.
"You might get some changes in your vision that is not your normal. So, like, fuzziness, you can't see as well, or an excruciating headache," Egwuatu outlined. "You could also develop new swelling in your lower extremities that's making it difficult to get around or even new shortness of breath."
Egwuatu stressed physicians also need to recognize the role of racism in medicine. She argued continuous medical education is important for learning how to confront biases, and it is important for doctors to understand how they can provide people with resources.
"Asking the questions about personal barriers," Egwuatu suggested. "Does a patient have issues with getting to work, child care, transportation? What's their education, what's their cultural background and language? And do they even have a cell phone so we can connect with them?"
Disclosure: Kaiser Health Plan of Washington Project contributes to our fund for reporting on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Health Issues, Hunger/Food/Nutrition, and Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
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