The Friday Health Beat
October 19, 2012
October Is National Domestic Violence
Awareness Month
Here are some ways to help a friend who is being abused:
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Set up a time to talk. Try to make sure you have privacy and won't be distracted
or interrupted.
Let your friend know you're concerned about her safety. Be honest. Tell her
about times when you were worried about her. Help her see that what she's going
through is not right. Let her know you want to help.
Be supportive. Listen to your friend. Keep in mind that it may be very hard for her
to talk about the abuse. Tell her that she is not alone, and that people want to
help.
Offer specific help. You might say you are willing to just listen, to help her with
childcare, or to provide transportation, for example.
Don't place shame, blame, or guilt on your friend. Don't say, "You just need
to leave." Instead, say something like, "I get scared thinking about what might
happen to you." Tell her you understand that her situation is very difficult.
Help her make a safety plan. Safety planning includes picking a place to go and
packing important items.
Encourage your friend to talk to someone who can help. Offer to help her find
a local domestic violence agency. Offer to go with her to the agency, the police, or
court.
If your friend decides to stay, continue to be supportive. Your friend may
decide to stay in the relationship, or she may leave and then go back many times.
It may be hard for you to understand, but people stay in abusive relationships for
many reasons. Be supportive, no matter what your friend decides to do.
Encourage your friend to do things outside of the relationship. It's important
for her to see friends and family.
If your friend decides to leave, continue to offer support. Even though the
relationship was abusive, she may feel sad and lonely once it is over. She also may
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need help getting services from agencies or community groups.
Keep in mind that you can't "rescue" your friend. She has to be the one to
decide it's time to get help. Support her no matter what her decision.
Let your friend know that you will always be there no matter what.
http://tinyurl.com/dvawarenessmonth
A Hidden Crime: Domestic Violence Against
Men Is a Growing Problem
By Bruce Watson
Posted 10:30AM 01/30/10 Posted under: Health Care
7118020
Amid the media frenzy over Tiger Woods and Bengals
receiver Chris Henry, a key aspect of both stories
slipped through the cracks: Like millions of other men,
Woods and Henry were -- allegedly at least -- the
victims of domestic violence perpetrated by their
wives or girlfriends. Beyond its brutal physical and
psychological costs, domestic violence against men
exacts a cruel economic toll at the personal, societal
and national levels.For the most part, the media,
authorities and average citizens see domestic violence
as a crime that is committed by men and victimizes
women. Consequently, funding to combat the problem
has overwhelmingly been spent on programs that support women.
Widely Ignored Problem
And yet, more than 200 survey-based studies show that domestic violence is just as likely
to strike men as women. In fact, the overwhelming mass of evidence indicates that half of
all domestic violence cases involve an exchange of blows and the remaining 50% is evenly
split between men and women who are brutalized by their partners.
Part of the reason that this problem is widely ignored lies in the notion that battered males
are weak or unmanly. A good example of this is the Barry Williams case: Recently, the
former Brady Bunch star sought a restraining order against his live-in girlfriend, who had
hit him, stolen $29,000 from his bank account, attempted to kick and stab him and had
repeatedly threatened his life.
To continue reading this article, click here.
http://tinyurl.com/dvmaleawareness
Apps Against Abuse
In July of 2011, Vice President Joe Biden, the White House Office of Science and
Technology Policy, and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius launched
the ‘Apps Against Abuse’ technology challenge. The nationwide competition called on
software innovators to harness the power of mobile technology to help prevent dating
violence and abuse by keeping young adults connected to trusted friends and providing
easy access to important resources for help including local police and abuse hotlines.
Since many incidents of dating violence and sexual assault occur when the offender, often
an acquaintance, has targeted and isolated a young woman in vulnerable circumstances,
the goal of the application envisioned was to
offer individuals a way to connect with
trusted friends in real-time to prevent abuse
from occurring. Everyone has a role to play in
the prevention of violence and abuse, and
while no one can do everything, everyone can
do something. These applications are an
important step in encouraging young women
and men to take an active role in the
prevention of dating violence and sexual
assault.
In November 2011, the Vice President
and Secretary Sebelius announced the
winners of the Challenge: "Circle of 6" and
"On Watch." Vice President Biden applauded
the winning applications during a conference
call with hundreds of college and university
officials to discuss ongoing efforts to help
better prevent and respond to sexual assault
and violence on campuses across the
country. He encouraged the college and
university leaders to make students on their
campuses aware of the applications, which
are now available for download.
Read descriptions of the winning apps below.
Circle of 6
This iPhone app makes it quick and easy to
reach your circle of supporters and let them
know where you are and what you need. It
takes two touches to get help.
The app uses text messaging to contact your circle, uses GPS to locate you when needed,
connects to reputable domestic violence organizations, and asks contacts to take a pledge
on Facebook to stop violence before it happens.
On Watch
On Watch is an iPhone app that lets you transmit
critical information by phone, email, text, and social
media to your support network.
You can check in with friends, call 911 or campus
police with two touches of a button, set countdown
timers that send messages and GPS information
automatically if events or activities don’t go according
to plan, and connect to sexual assault, dating
violence and domestic abuse hotlines.
For more information on how to download the apps,
visit the website of the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services.
1 Is 2 Many
Check out this public service ad campaign
Obesity Happens One Pound At A Time
Weight gain is the sum of little things that add up over time—choosing the
escalator instead of the stairs, eating two helpings of dinner, and so on.
Imagine carrying a 10-pound bag everywhere you go. Just 10 pounds adds
more than 30 pounds of force to your knees! Even a few extra pounds each
year can affect your quality of life.
If you are overweight or obese, losing just 5 to 10 percent of your weight
can lower your chances of developing heart disease or type 2 diabetes, or
having a stroke. Other long-term health benefits of having a healthy weight
include reducing your risk of developing some forms of cancer, and
lowering your risk for developing gallstones and fatty liver disease.
Tips to manage your weight
Setting goals and making small changes to your lifestyle to balance the
calories you eat with those you use in physical activity is an effective way
to manage your weight. Losing even a few pounds can make a big
difference to your health, now and later. Slow and steady weight loss of ½
to 2 pounds per week, and not more than 3 pounds per week, is the safest
way to lose weight.
Learn more about how losing weight can improve your lifestyle.
Assess your weight and health risk.
Check out this Youtube video on obesity
http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/joinhin/news/consumer/obesityHapp
ens.htm
What To Do During A Heart
Attack
En Español
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Act Fast, Call 9-1-1
Heart Attack Action Plan
Be Prepared for An Emergency
Tips for Getting the Best Care
Act Fast, Call 9-1-1
Now that you know the symptoms of heart attack, the next step is to act fast and know
the best way to get help. When given quickly, medications and other treatments can stop
a heart attack and prevent or limit damage to your heart. If you have any of the
symptoms of heart attack, or if you think you might be having one, call 9-1-1
immediately for emergency medical care.
Minutes Matter!
Heart attack treatments work best when given within one hour of when your symptoms
started.
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Within one hour: your risk of dying is cut in half
Within three hours: your risk of dying is cut by 25 percent
Every 30 minutes you wait to get help could take one year off of your life!
Many women say they would only take action if their symptoms lasted for 30 minutes or
more. Don't delay! If you wait too long to call for help, by the time you reach the hospital
and have the necessary tests, it may be too late for treatment to prevent permanent heart
damage. When it comes to heart attack, "time is heart muscle."
Doing the right thing is just as important as acting quickly. Although one-half of women
say they would call 9-1-1 if they were having a heart attack, fewer than one in four
actually do so.
"Even though I had all the symptoms, I was in denial that I was having a heart attack. No
one in my family has had one and I figured I was too young. My message is call 9-1-1,
even if you don't know where your symptoms are coming from. It may save your life!"
—Michelle
http://www.womenshealth.gov/heartattack/what-to-do.cfm?q=act-fast-call-911
How To Evaluate Information On The
Internet
Key Points
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Any Web site should make it easy for you to learn who is responsible for the site
and its information (see Question 1).
If the person or organization in charge of the Web site did not write the material,
the Web site should clearly identify the original source of the information
(see Question 4).
Health-related Web sites should give information about the medical credentials of
the people who have prepared or reviewed the material on the site (see Question
6).
Any Web site that asks you for personal information should explain exactly what
the site will and will not do with that information (seeQuestion 9).
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Federal Trade Commission are federal
government agencies that help protect consumers from false or misleading health
claims on the Internet (see Question 12).
The growing popularity of the Internet has made finding health information easier and
faster. Much of the information on the Internet is valuable; however, the Internet also
allows rapid and widespread distribution of false and misleading information. You should
carefully consider the source of information you find on the Internet and discuss that
information with your health care provider. This fact sheet can help you decide whether
the health information you find on the Internet or receive by e-mail is likely to be reliable.
1. Who runs the Web site?
Any Web site should make it easy for you to learn who is responsible for the site and its
information. On the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) Web site, for example, the ODS
is clearly noted on every major page, along with a link to the site's homepage.
2. Who pays for the Web site?
It costs money to run a Web site. The source of a Web site's funding should be clearly
stated or readily apparent. For example, the U.S. government funds Web sites with
addresses ending in ".gov," educational institutes maintain ".edu" sites, noncommercial
organizations' addresses often use ".org," and ".com" denotes a commercial organization.
A Web site's source of funding can affect the content it presents, how it presents that
content, and what the owner wants to accomplish on the site.
3. What is the Web site's purpose?
The person or organization that runs a Web site and the site's funding sources determine
the site's purpose. Many Web sites have a link to information about the site, often called
"About This Site." This Web page should clearly state the purpose of the site and help you
evaluate the trustworthiness of the site's information. Although many legitimate Web sites
sell health and medical products, keep in mind that the Web site owner's desire to
promote a product or service can influence the accuracy of the health information they
present. Looking for another source of health information that is independent and
unbiased can help you validate the accuracy of the material presented on a Web site.
4. What is the original source of the Web site's information?
Many health and medical Web sites post information that the owner has collected from
other Web sites or sources. If the person or organization in charge of the site did not write
the material, they should clearly identify the original source.
5. How does the Web site document the evidence
supporting its information?
Web sites should identify the medical and scientific evidence that supports the material
presented on the site. Medical facts and figures should have references (such as citations
of articles published in medical journals). Also, opinions or advice should be clearly set
apart from information that is "evidence based" (that is, based on research results).
Testimonials from people who said they have tried a particular product or service are not
evidence based and usually cannot be corroborated.
6. Who reviewed the information before the owner posted it
on the Web site?
Health-related Web sites should give information about the medical credentials of the
people who prepared or reviewed the material on the Web site. For example, the ODS Web
site contains fact sheets about vitamins minerals and other dietary supplements. These
documents undergo extensive scientific review by recognized experts from the academic
and research communities.
7. How current is the information on the Web site?
Experts should review and update the material on Web sites on a regular basis. Medical
information needs to be current because medical research is constantly coming up with
new information about medical conditions and how best to treat or prevent them. Web
sites should clearly post the most recent update or review date. Even if the information
has not changed in a long time, the site owner should indicate that someone has reviewed
it recently to ensure that the information is still valid.
8. How does the Web site owner choose links to other sites?
Owners of reliable Web sites usually have a policy governing which links to other sites they
post. Some medical Web sites take a conservative approach and do not provide links to
any other sites; some sites provide links to any site that asks or pays for a link; and
others provide links only to sites that have met certain criteria. Checking a Web site's
linking policy can help you understand how they choose links to other sites and what
they're trying to accomplish by posting those links.
9. What information about users does the Web site collect,
and why?
Web sites routinely track the path users take through their sites to determine what pages
people are viewing. However, many health-related Web sites also ask users to "subscribe"
to or "become a member" of the site. Sites sometimes do this to collect a user fee or
select relevant information for the user. The subscription or membership might allow the
Web site owner to collect personal information about the user.
Any Web site asking you for personal information should explain exactly what the site will
and will not do with the information. Many commercial sites sell "aggregate" data—such as
what percent of their users take dietary supplements—about their users to other
companies. In some cases, sites collect and reuse information that is "personally
identifiable," such as your ZIP code, gender, and birth date. Be certain to read and
understand any privacy policy or similar language on the site and do not sign up for
anything that you do not fully understand.
10. How does the Web site manage interactions with users?
Web sites should always offer a way for users to contact the Web site owner with
problems, feedback, and questions. If the site hosts a chat room or some other form of
online discussion, it should explain the terms of using the service. For example, the site
should explain whether anyone moderates the discussions and, if so, who provides the
moderation and what criteria the moderator uses to determine which comments to accept
and which to reject. Always read online discussions before participating to make sure that
you are comfortable with the discussion and with what participants say to one another.
11. How can you verify the accuracy of information you
receive via e-mail?
Carefully evaluate any e-mail messages you receive that provide health-related
information. Consider the message's origin and purpose. Some companies or organizations
use e-mail to advertise products or attract people to their Web sites. A critical eye is
warranted if an individual or company is promoting a particular medical product or service
in an e-mail without providing supporting medical evidence.
12. How does the U.S. federal government protect
consumers from false or misleading health claims posted on
the Internet?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates foods, including dietary
supplements. The FDA monitors food product labels, claims, package inserts, and
accompanying literature. FDA publications that can help you evaluate health information
include Tips for the Savvy Supplement User: Making Informed Decisions and FDA 101:
Health Fraud Awareness.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces consumer protection laws and regulates
dietary supplement advertising. As part of its mission, the FTC investigates complaints
about false or misleading health claims posted on the Internet. The FTC's Operations CureAll page can help you evaluate health product claims.
The Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) of the National Institutes of Health stimulates
and supports research on dietary supplements, distributes the results of research on
dietary supplements, and provides educational material on dietary supplements,
including fact sheets on dietary supplements and other reliable health information.
Reviewed: June 24, 2011
http://tinyurl.com/evaluatewebhealthinfo
This newsletter is made possible by grant funding from SAMHSA.
Peerlink National Technical Assistance Center
Grant #: 59955-01
PEERLINK NATIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER
10150 SE Ankeny St. Ste 201-A
Portland, Oregon 97216
www.peerlinktac.org