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Categories Blog Tags Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Health

Taking Charge: A Guide to Men’s Health Awareness

Taking Charge: A Guide to Men’s Health Awareness

 

By Bizzell Editorial Staff 

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2018, the leading causes of death for men of all races and ages were heart disease (24.3%), cancer (21.6%), and unintentional injuries (7.4%) [1]Heron M. Deaths: Leading causes for 2018. National Vital Statistics Reports; vol 70 no 4. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15620/cdc:104186. While men comprise about 50% of the US population, they account for nearly 80% of suicides. In 2021, men had a suicide rate nearly four times higher than that of women [2]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, May 11). Suicide Data and Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/suicide-data-statistics.html. 

June is observed as Men’s Health Month, a reminder that taking care of oneself is essential and that neglecting one’s health can lead to severe consequences. Men’s health issues have been a topic of concern for many years, and the month of June provides an opportunity to bring more awareness to them. 

Created in 1992 by the Men’s Health Network, Men’s Health Month encourages men to take charge of their health by making healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and getting regular checkups. 

Why is Men’s Health Month important? 

According to a Harvard Medical School publication, men are more likely to die prematurely than women, and they are more likely to die from preventable causes. Men are also more likely to smoke, drink alcohol excessively, and be overweight or obese. It is crucial to spread awareness and provide resources to help men stay healthy. This June, let us encourage all men to take charge of their health and make positive changes in their lives. 

What can you do to celebrate Men’s Health Month? 

There are many things you can do to recognize Men’s Health Month. Here are a few ideas: 

  • Get a checkup. This is one of the most important things that men can do for their health. A regular checkup can help identify any health problems early on when they are most treatable. Check out these six routines screenings that all men should get. 
  • Talk to your doctor about your risk factors. Your doctor can help you understand your individual risk for certain health problems, such as heart disease, cancer, and stroke. They can also recommend ways to reduce your risk. 
  • Break the stigma around mental health. Men are less likely than women to seek help for mental health problems. It is essential to know the warning signs, break the stigma around mental health, and encourage men to seek help if they are struggling. 
  • Make healthy lifestyle changes. There are many measures that men can take to improve their health, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. 

Bizzell is committed to improving men’s health, through its work with the CDC Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, Public Health Professional Support Services at the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Bizzell supports the CDC’s Interactive Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke production, which is published twice annually. This atlas shows data at the state and county levels concerning heart disease and stroke morbidity, mortality, access to care, risk factors, and risk reduction programs and policies. 

Bizzell continues to provide statistical analysis support to the CDC relating to heart disease, stroke prevention outcomes, and cardiovascular disease risk factors. In addition, Bizzell is conducting statistical analyses for use by members throughout the CDC that document both the burden of heart disease and stroke and the reach of existing programs and policies to reduce the burden of heart disease and stroke. 

This June serves as a reminder that taking proactive steps toward your health can lead to a life of vitality, happiness, and fulfillment. Together, let us continue to support and uplift one another on the journey to optimal health and well-being. 

 

[1] Heron M. Deaths: Leading causes for 2018. National Vital Statistics Reports; vol 70 no 4. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15620/cdc:104186  

[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, May 11). Suicide Data and Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/suicide-data-statistics.html 

Categories Blog Tags Bizzell Health, Health, Wellness, Women's Health

Celebrating Women’s Health: A Wellness Journey

Celebrating Women’s Health: A Wellness Journey

By Bizzell Editorial Staff  

 “Communities and countries and ultimately the world are only as strong as the health of their women.” – Michelle Obama 

Every May, beginning on Mother’s Day, we observe National Women’s Health Week, to highlight a few of the many factors that contribute to a woman’s overall well-being, such as nutrition, exercise, regular, preventative care, and mental health.  

First observed in 2010 by the Obama administration with the goal of raising awareness about common conditions that affect girls and women, this week has become an integral part of the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health (OWH) mission to educate people about a variety of health concerns that affect women. As awareness has spread, the OWH has continued to expand its resources and encourage women to prioritize their health, today and every day, especially as we adjust to the new post-COVID-19 environment.  

 Consider the following 5 healthy tips for your wellness journey. 

  1. Visit your doctor regularly for preventative care. Your primary care physician can play an active role in your health goals beyond just an annual visit. Consider talking with your doctor about any family medical history that you find relevant and ask for their advice on a healthy lifestyle. 
  2. Go outside and enjoy the sunlight. Sunlight is essential for processing Vitamin D, which plays a vital role in the body’s absorption of calcium, a particularly important nutrient for women [1]https://owh-wh-d9-dev.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/documents/fact-sheet-nutrition-and-women.pdf. In addition, research shows that spending time in nature, often called “forest bathing,” helps lower stress levels [2]Antonelli M, Barbieri G, Donelli D. Effects of forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) on levels of cortisol as a stress biomarker: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Biometeorol. 2019 Aug;63(8):1117-1134. doi: 10.1007/s00484-019-01717-x.. 
  3. Get active and moving. Exercising is a great way to focus on both physical and mental health. Activities like running, walking, or swimming are great ways to improve heart health and enjoy the outdoors. Exercise and dance have been shown to help reduce stress levels and raise endorphin levels. When exercising, especially outdoors, it’s important to remember to hydrate. Drinking water has numerous health benefits on its own, and avoiding dehydration during the sweltering summer months is essential [3]https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/features/physical-activity/index.html#:~:text=Being%20physically%20active%20 can%20reduce,even%2010%20minutes%20a%20day. 
  4. Take a break and get rest. Research shows that women need more sleep on average. Getting at least eight hours a day of sleep will lower your stress levels, help with mood regulation, and allows the body time to repair itself [4]https://www.womenshealth.gov/mental-health/good-mental-health/sleep-and-your-health#1. 
  5. Watch your stress levels. Stress impacts both your physical and mental health. Extended periods of high, unmanaged stress can weaken the body’s immune system. Stress also contributes to poor sleep, depression, anxiety, migraines, and many other health conditions. Consider mindfulness techniques or other stress management resources to reduce your stress levels [5]https://www.womenshealth.gov/mental-health/good-mental-health/stress-and-your-health. 

 

References

[1] https://owh-wh-d9-dev.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/documents/fact-sheet-nutrition-and-women.pdf

[2] Antonelli M, Barbieri G, Donelli D. Effects of forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) on levels of cortisol as a stress biomarker: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Biometeorol. 2019 Aug;63(8):1117-1134. doi: 10.1007/s00484-019-01717-x.  

[3] https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/features/physical-activity/index.html#:~:text=Being%20physically%20active%20can%20reduce,even%2010%20minutes%20a%20day  

[4] https://www.womenshealth.gov/mental-health/good-mental-health/sleep-and-your-health#1 

[5] https://www.womenshealth.gov/mental-health/good-mental-health/stress-and-your-health 

 

Categories Blog Tags Behavioral Health, Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

Supporting Drug Prevention Week

Supporting Drug Prevention Week

By Todd W. Mandel, MD, Bizzell US

National Prevention Week is a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) led national public education campaign highlighting the work of communities and organizations dedicated to raising awareness about substance misuse prevention and positive mental health. Observed May 7–13, this week-long endeavor encourages preventative initiatives and tactics designed to increase positive mental health outcomes.

This collaborative effort helps to strengthen prevention efforts and create a culture of health and wellness, bringing together individuals, organizations, and communities across the country. Please visit the Prevention Week homepage to register and join SAMHSA in honoring of the work of their partners in prevention and celebrating stories of success.

There are numerous dangers of substance use disorders (SUDs) that can affect both an individual’s physical and mental health. SUDs can cause changes in brain chemistry that can facilitate the development of mood disorders, anxiety, and depression. SUDs contribute to potentially fatal overdoses, and other issues such as heart disease, liver and kidney damage, and respiratory issues. Additionally, SUDs can disrupt personal relationships, cause financial problems, and even lead to legal issues.

According to the CDC figures cited by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), 107,375 people in the United States died of drug overdoses and drug poisonings in the 12-month period ending in January 2022 [1]United States Drug Enforcement Administration. (2022, April 29). Fentanyl Awareness. Retrieved May 9, 2023, from https://www.dea.gov/fentanylawareness. A staggering 67 percent of those deaths involved synthetic opioids, like fentanyl, with some of these deaths attributed to fentanyl mixed with other illicit drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin. This illicit mixture leaves many users unaware they were taking fentanyl, further contributing to overdoses. Only two milligrams of fentanyl can be a potentially lethal dose, particularly for someone who does not have an opioid tolerance. Recent data from the DEA indicates that Fentanyl is involved in more deaths of Americans under 50 than any cause of death, including heart disease, cancer, homicide, suicide, and accident-related deaths [1]United States Drug Enforcement Administration. (2022, April 29). Fentanyl Awareness. Retrieved May 9, 2023, from https://www.dea.gov/fentanylawareness.

While the focus of National Prevention Week is providing an educational forum to encourage people to not start using substances, for those who are already facing challenges with SUDs, effective treatments are available. There are also other strategies and resources for overdose prevention. Bizzell US, through its work with The National Institute on Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network, produced online educational resources on topics for screening, fentanyl overdose prevention, and treatment for methamphetamine use disorder:

Prevention efforts such as education and awareness campaigns, early intervention programs, and easy access to treatment and support are essential to reduce drug use and its harmful consequences. By working together as a community to prioritize drug use prevention, we can help individuals and families avoid the devastating effects of drug addiction, promoting a safer and healthier future for everyone.

 

References

[1] United States Drug Enforcement Administration. (2022, April 29). Fentanyl Awareness. Retrieved May 9, 2023, from https://www.dea.gov/fentanylawareness.

 

5 ounces of table wine is 12% alcohol which equals 12 ounces of regular beer at 5% alcohol which equals 1.5 ounces of liquor at 24% alcohol.
Categories Blog Tags Alcohol, Behavioral Health, Substance Use Disorder (SUD), Thought Leadership

Alcohol Awareness Month: A Time for Reflection and Action

Alcohol Awareness Month:

A Time for Reflection and Action

By David A. Sleet, PhD, Senior Associate, Bizzell US

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, an opportunity to raise awareness about alcohol harms and take action to prevent them, both at home and in the community.

Data from the World Health Organization found the harmful use of alcohol is a causal factor in more than 200 disease and injury conditions. Worldwide, 3 million deaths every year result from harmful use of alcohol. Overall, 5.1 percent of the global burden of disease and injury is attributable to alcohol, as measured in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, excessive alcohol use was responsible for more than 140,000 deaths each year in the United States during 2015–2019, or more than 380 deaths per day. There is clear evidence that heavy drinking, even on a small number of days increases risks to health.

Excessive drinking is also costly, reaching $249 billion in 2010, or about $2.05 per drink. Most (77 percent) of these costs were due to binge drinking, defined as drinking four or more alcoholic beverages per occasion for women or five per occasion for men. Further, two of every five dollars were paid by federal, state, and local governments, demonstrating that we are all paying for excessive alcohol use.

It is well known that alcohol is strongly associated with death from motor vehicle crashes, drowning, falls, workplace injuries, fires, burns, suicide, and violence[1]Chikritzhs, T., & Livingston, M. (2021). Alcohol and Risk of Injury. Nutrients, 13(8), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13082777. Alcohol also has what is regarded as “secondhand harms,” defined as harms to individuals as a result of someone else’s drinking — estimated to affect one in five adults annually[2]Nayak, M., Patterson D., Wilsnack, S., Karriker-Jaffe K., and Greenfield, T. (2019). Alcohol’s Secondhand Harms in the United States: New Data on Prevalence and Risk Factors. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 80(3), 273-281. https://doi.org/10.15288%2Fjsad.2019.80.273.

A recent analysis from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation even suggests that for young adults aged 15-39, there are no health benefits to drinking alcohol, only harms. The harms they are most likely to experience involve injuries. Both males and females under age 40 risked health losses from alcohol use, even when consuming small amounts. For those over age 40, consuming small amounts of alcohol (e.g.,1-2 glasses of wine daily) may provide some health benefits but only among selected groups[3]GBD 2020 Alcohol Collaborators. (2022). Population-level risks of alcohol consumption by amount, geography, age, sex, and year: a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2020. Lancet, 400(10347), 185–235. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(22)00847-9.

We need stronger interventions tailored towards younger individuals to reduce the substantial global health loss attributable to alcohol use. To improve population health, the public should demand greater accountability from those who manufacture, advertise, market, distribute, and sell alcohol.

Actions you can take:

  • Encourage friends and family to make small changes, such as keeping track of how much they drink – daily, weekly, or monthly – and setting safe drinking limits.
  • Find effective ways to talk to your children about the risks of alcohol use and the dangers of underage and binge drinking.
  • Support health care efforts to curb alcohol-related illness and disease by screening patients for alcohol problems, obtaining routine blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) for injured patients, and by strengthening laws that limit the availability of alcohol to underage youth. 
  • Avoid driving after drinking and support state government initiatives to enact per se laws for alcohol impaired driving to 0.05 percent BAC, from current laws at 0.08 percent. 
  • Limit alcohol intake to two drinks or less a day (if you are a man) and one drink or less a day (if you are a woman), on days when alcohol is consumed. 

 

References

[1] Chikritzhs, T., & Livingston, M. (2021). Alcohol and Risk of Injury. Nutrients, 13(8), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13082777

[2] Nayak, M., Patterson D., Wilsnack, S., Karriker-Jaffe K., and Greenfield, T. (2019). Alcohol’s Secondhand Harms in the United States: New Data on Prevalence and Risk Factors. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 80(3), 273-281. https://doi.org/10.15288%2Fjsad.2019.80.273

[3] GBD 2020 Alcohol Collaborators. (2022). Population-level risks of alcohol consumption by amount, geography, age, sex, and year: a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2020. Lancet, 400(10347), 185–235. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(22)00847-9

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