Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 January 2004 — Page 17

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People & Trends • Arts & Entertainment To Your Health

C SECTION FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2004

A look back at health issues in 2003

By ERICKA P. THOMPSON Staff Writer In an effort to keep African Americans aware of the major health issues affecting their lives, The Recorder dedicated its health pages to breast and prostate cancer, organ donation, heart disease, sickle cell, AIDS, and many other harmful and deadly diseases in 2003. To help tackle the issue of prostate cancer, Charles Williams, president of Indiana Black Expo wrote a book titled That Black Men Might Live speaking about his personal battle with cancer. Six-year-old Dasia MuldrowAbron helped show a new face to organ donations. Diagnosed with kidney failure, Abron is in need of a kidney transplant, but very few African Americans are willing to donate their organs. October was breast cancer awareness month and many residents in Indiana participated in the MakingStrides Against Breast Cancer Walk. In April, over 1,000 people walked in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. The Recorder talked with many breast cancer survivors about their struggles and successes, and health officials to keep readers up to date on the latest medications and strides towards a cure. Heart disease is one of the most critical diseases affecting the Af-rican-American community and is the number one killer among American women. Celesta Hunt,asunivorofcongestive heart failure helped shed the light that women must demand to be tested for heart disease because doctors sometimes either misdiagnose, or do not diagnose at all. Other health issues such as the West Nile virus and most recently, the flu plagued the city as AIDS and HIV continued to spread wildly throughout the country and

after being diagnosed with Dana Muldrow with daughter Dasia, who is in congestive heart failure, need of a kidney/pancreas transplant.

" ; v. . •' ; , • . ' • . • for the first time in the U.S., mad cow disease was verified and disrupted the nation’s meat supply. As more diseases and viruses are found and as doctors and researchers work endlessly to find cures in 2004, The Recorder will continue to provide the latest information on the issues that affect

How can we forget the first ever robotic surgery in the state being performed by a team of Clarian Health doctors.

the health of African Americans. Let us ralso emember the first ever robotic surgery performed in Indiana. The surgery was performed by a team of Clarian Health doctorsat Methodist Hos-

pital. The di Vinci robotic surgery is capable of performing heart surgery, prostatectomy and gynecological surgery. The surgical team recently celebrated their 100th di Vinci surgery.

Price gouging could mean dramaHc hike in number of AIDS deaths, advocates say

From BET.com Vet another key AIDS drug has been boosted to a price so steep that thousands will die because they can’t afford it, says the director of a leading AIDS treatment and research center. Chicago-based Abbott Laboratories has increased the price of Norvir fourfold, upping the cost of monthly treatments from $54 to $265. “More people will die needlessly,” says Cornelius Baker, executive director of Washington, D.C.’s Whitman-Walker Clinic, adding that companies are “deliberately gouging the consumer." “Because of these priced-out-of- reach medicines, we will soon see levels of AIDS victims in the richest country in the world on a par with those in underdeveloped Third World countries,.” Baker says. Also, says Baker, drug companies “lie” when the$' cite research expenses as the reason for jacking up prices. “Public and private funds are used for AIDS drug research and development efforts, (and)the companies save their money for marketing their product nationwide to make the maximum profit possible," asserts Baker. The drug’s increase, says a company spokesw'oman, represents the “costs for im-

proving Norvir’s formulation.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, African Americans, while making up 12 percent of the nation's population, accounted for 38 percent of all AIDS cases diagnosed since the beginning of the epidemic in the 1980s. Long waiting lists for Norvir are in evidence at community clinics and government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. Baker worries that federal and state budget cuts, coupled with new restrictions on Medicare and AIDS drug price hikes, are all coming together to form a “perfect storm” of medical catastrophe for all indigent, low-income and working poor HIV-positive patients. The rise in Norvir’s cost comes on the heels of a dramatic price increase for Fuzeon, another new AIDS drug manufactured by Roche Pharmaceuticals. Cost for Fuzeon recently rose to $20,409 per year. “Adding a highly expensive drug is problematic,” says Michael Montgomery, director of California’s State Office of AIDS, which has an active HIV-positive roster of 25,759 clients. Most state-run drug assistance programs have price discounts and freezes with Norvir that run through 2005. At that time, says the company, all existing arrangements will be renegotiated.

Make a lasting resolution for good health in 2004!

Submitted by the Health Education, Promotion and Training Department of the Marion County Health Department Every twelve months, as the New Year comes around, we all brag about our New Year’s resolutions. Every year we resolve to losewvight, focus on exercising more, and concentrate more on work. For most of us, getting the annual New Year’s resolution urge is routine. We want to imagine ourselves as thinner, h^althierand more productive people. Sure, last year's resolutions didn't make it past the fifth of January, but this year is going to be difl’erent, right? One of the main difficulties we face when making resolutions for better health is making them reasonable. Unrealistic expectations are why most of us fail to keep the resolutions we make. We set incredibly high goals for ourselves, and then wonder why we never attain them. This year is the perfect time to try making more “attainable” health and wellness goals. Thisyeartry following these suggestions when setting your goals: ■ Don’t try everything at once You’ll have belter luck t'ultilling a list of two or three goals than a list of f><>. Remember: You can always add resolutions to your list later. ■ Find a “buddy.” You arc m< ire likely It > keep working at your resolution if you have someone else who can share your succsscs. Use the buddy system for resolutions such as quitting smoking, exercising and weight loss programs. ■ Make a plan. (>nee you identify what your resolutions will he, break them down into a plan of action. It doesn't have to be complicated, just brainstorm ideas to help keep you focused and on track. ■ Write it down and post it. Write your resolution down and post it in an area that you arc sure to sec it and he reminded. Also use notes to inspire yourself. ■ Be realistic. For example in the area of exercise, many well-intentioned people set overly ambitious exercise goals at the start of a new year. Once they get sore or injured, they quit exercising all together. A more moderate approach would keep them on the road to improving their health. According to the Indianapolis Medical Sot ielv's* "tr.O Steps to Good Health", the

top ten causes ofdcath in Indiana arc: heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic lung disease. pneumonia and influenza, accidents, diabetes, arteriosclerosis, homicide and AIDS. All of these conditions can he prevented with lifestyle changes. The following are some simple recommendations for individuals wishing to improve their health and overall wellness in the coming year. Kaeh idea represents a goal or expectation to strive for in 2004, whether it is as simple as limiting caffeine intake or more challenging like decreasing your total cholesterol. Overall B Know your cholesterol. More than ^0() indicates a need for exercise, diet and medication. ■ Wear your seatbelt every time you ride in a vehicle. The link between traffic deaths and failure to use safety belts is overwhelming. ■ Eat three well-balanced meals a day w ith five servings of fruits and vegetables. People who eat more than five servings of fruits and vegetables each day have half the risk of developing cancer as those whocat only one or two servings. ■ Brush teeth and floss at least tw ice a day. Have your teeth professionally cleaned at least twice a year. ■ Get regular physical check-ups. ■ F.\crcisc daily. Even a simple walking program can produce incredible results. ■ Limit your intake ftf refined sugars, fat. caffeine and alcohol. ■ Manage your stress. Stress management programs are an effective “way of learning strategies and behaviors to achieve happier, healthier lives. ■ Resolve to quit smoking. There are benefits to quitting even if you have smoked for a long period of time. Seniors ■ Monitor your blood pressure and know what your doctor considers normal for you. ■ Remove throw rugs to prevent falls. ■ Stay active and involved in your community. Volunteering helps prevent loneliness and isolation. ■ Make sure your doctors and pharmaihsts know every dmgyou take toavoid unwanted side effects and reactions. ■ It's never too late to enjoy walking. The Marion County Health Department sponsors the Silver Striders walking program for those wishing to record their mileage and join other walkers. For more information, call (.417) ril-'itmti. ■ (let annual flu and pneumonia vaccinations. ■ Have routine eye exams and include a glaucoma test. Men < ■ I lave a regular prostate exam and regular colon screening. ■ Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of diabetes and other chronic diseases. ■ Learn how to do a monthly testicular exam and do it without fail.

■ Keep up-to-date with adult vaccinations like flu and tetanus shots. ■ Ify ou ow n a gun. keep it unloaded and use a trigger lock. You can obtain a free trigger lock from the Health Education. Promotion and Training Department at the Marion County I fealth Department (.'JM.'iH N. Rural Street). Women ■ learn to do a monthly breast exam and resolve todo it at the same time every month, without fail. ■ Schedule an annual check-up and PAP smear. ■ Avoid traditional "crash dieting.” Try to lose one to two pounds per week with diet moderation and exercise. ■ Add an extra ](H)<>-15(>0 milligrams of calcium to your diet to prevent osteoporosis later in life. ■ Seeyour healthcare provider regularly for prenatal care, preferably before becoming pregnant. ■ Talk tnyour doctor about scheduling regular colon cancer screenings. Adolescents ■ Say NO to tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. ■ Use helmets and protective gear to prevent injuries during recreational activity. ■ Tell an adult if there is abuse or family vflilenec in your home. ■ Start out the day with a good breakfast. Many studies have shown a relationship between eatinghreakf ast and attention span, learning ability and general well-being. Children , ■ Make sure children are fully immunized. ■ Teach children to dial 911 in case of an emergency and post the number to the Indiana Poison Confrol N()0-.'182-f)(>97) by the phone. ■ Practice lire drills in your home and work out a saf ety plan in caSc of an emergency . ■ Keep small toys and objects that could be swallowed out of reach. Alway s lock up cleaning products and toiletries. ■ Ensure that your child's car seat is the proper size and installed correctly . For help call t he M aril m County 1 lealth 1 Vpartmenfs Permanent Fitting Station at 917) 2212()4r>. For more information about any of the services available through the Marion County Health Department, please call (317) 221-2000, or log on to wvvAv.nichtl.com. Mostofall have a safe and prosperous new year! * Some recommendations taken from 150 Steps to Hood Health, Indianapolis Medical Society.

1 or more information about any of the services available through the Marion ( minty Health Department, please call (317) 221 -2()(l(), or log on to wwvv.mclui.com.

Most of all. have a safe and prosperous new year'

MARION tOUNO HI 41 f M D*f'4«rV»N’ f * wwvv. mcful.com

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