skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Saturday, February 8, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

January jobs report: Unemployment rate falls to 4%, wages rise more than forecast; Trump signs order imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court over investigations of Israel; Ten Commandments in public schools debate reaches South Dakota; Virginia ranks among worst states for wage theft; Mexican long-nosed bat makes appearance in Arizona.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts, and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

MI adults learn to 'lead by example' for kids' heart health

play audio
Play

Friday, October 13, 2023   

Heart disease is Michigan's number one cause of death. This is the time of year that parents can step up their efforts to prevent it - in the next generation.

Studies indicate children as young as age 10 to 14 can show the early stages of plaque building in their arteries - a precursor to heart disease.

Michigan parents may wonder how they can lead their children by example towards heart healthy outcomes. Matt Johnson, communications director for the American Heart Association of West Michigan, said fall is a perfect time for family time and staying active together.

"Getting outside, taking a quick walk, a hike with the kiddos, kick the soccer ball around in the backyard," he said, "whatever you can do to get moving more shows your kids that you're invested in your physical health and they'll follow your lead."

In Michigan, almost 33% of children are overweight or obese, compared with a national average of more than 31%. Starting them on heart-healthy habits can reduce the chances they'll ever need to worry about cardiovascular disease. For parents, that means modeling behaviors such as eating healthy foods, exercising regularly and not smoking.

Led by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, researchers around the state wrapped up a five-year study in 2016 funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Building Healthy Communities program examined childhood obesity rates and how to improve the outcomes through healthy foods and minds.

Jana Siminski, executive director of the American Heart Association of West Michigan, said all families can participate in mindfulness and self-care to improve their health.

"Work on ways to manage stress," she said. "While it may be unrealistic to expect older kids to turn in early, have them turn off their phones and other devices prior to bedtime. Encourage them to develop their own rituals for a good night's sleep."

The Building Healthy Communities program has grown into a collaboration supported by 10 statewide organizations, affecting 180,000 students in 390 schools. Decreasing Michigan's rate of childhood obesity prevents chronic diseases in adulthood, and also decreases the economic burdens associated with health-care costs and lost productivity for the state.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
Opponents of a South Dakota bill that would require the Ten Commandments be posted in all public school classrooms say it would be an unfunded mandate. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A South Dakota House committee takes up a controversial bill today that would require all school districts in the state to display the Ten Commandment…


play sound

Virginia ranks third behind only Maryland and Delaware among the worst states for the average amount of back wages companies owe to their workers…

Environment

play sound

Some North Dakota school districts are part of a movement that has embraced electric school buses, but the federal funding shakeup carried out by the …


Florida immigrant advocacy groups are intensifying efforts to help undocumented individuals navigate encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. (David Peinado/Pexels)

Social Issues

play sound

Immigrant advocates in Florida are ramping up efforts to help families navigate President Donald Trump's new immigration orders, which have increased …

Social Issues

play sound

The rate of U.S. high school seniors seeking higher education is on the upswing, according to research from Lumina Foundation. Although Hoosier …

Gov. Kathy Hochul's free community college proposal would apply to people pursuing first-time associate degrees for jobs in high-demand fields, including nursing, teaching, technology and engineering. (Adobe Stock)

play sound

New York State is making historic higher education investments. As part of the 2026 budget proposal, Gov. Kathy Hochul proposes free community …

Social Issues

play sound

Gov. Josh Shapiro's proposed state budget includes a significant increase for public education to address Pennsylvania's school funding issues and …

Social Issues

play sound

Alabama nonprofits are coming together to tackle challenges that may threaten their survival, from declining donor support to shifting federal …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021