With a U.S. President who has made the largest investment in history in green technologies and green job opportunities and a First Lady of the country who has planted an organic garden on the White House lawn, conversations about “going green” that were once limited to elite circles, are now becoming commonplace even in the African American community.

It’s hard to escape it—television networks from NBC to Soap Net have “green week”, popular magazines now have “green” issues and stores from Target to neighborhood grocers are selling reusable shopping bags. Those who don’t consider themselves “environmentalists” may not understand all of the buzz, but not only is “going green” good for the planet, it’s also good for your health.

The Health-Environment Connection What happens in our environment on a community level and in our homes impacts our health and quality of life. Epidemiology studies show a correlation between exposure to synthetic chemicals in our environment and incidence of health outcomes like cancer. In fact, a 2007 study coordinated by the non-profit organization, Silent Spring Institute and published by the American Cancer Society concluded that synthetic chemicals have likely played a large role in the rising incidence of breast cancer throughout the world over the last half-century. This study, conducted by leading public health officials, identified 216 man-made chemicals, many of which are contained in everyday products like pesticides, cosmetics, dyes, drugs and gasoline (and diesel exhaust),that have been shown to cause breast cancer in animals. Researchers believe that these substances, including those that “mimic” naturally occurring hormones once inside the body, are also to blame for the increasing prevalence of human breast cancer. An increasing body of scientific research now also links early life exposures (even in fetuses) to toxic chemicals in the environment to learning and developmental disabilities. Living in cities with polluted air can be a risk factor for asthma and other respiratory illnesses, and, recent policy statements released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency stated that the same greenhouse gases that cause global warming are is a threat to public health.

Unnatural Causes: A Disproportionate Health Burden While toxic chemicals don’t discriminate in terms of their effects on those who are exposed to them, substantial evidence demonstrates that communities of color in the United States bear a disproportionate share of environmental hazards, in comparison to other groups. A landmark study, Toxic Wastes and Race in the United States (1987), published by the United Church of Christ’s Commission on Racial Justice, was the first document to assert that there is a correlation between race and disproportionate exposure to environmental hazards. The findings of this study became a catalyst for communities of color to identify environmental health hazards in their communities and to seek environmental justice by initiating struggles for clean and healthy environments where they, or their families, lived, worked, played, attended school, or worshiped. Twenty-seven years later, place still maters and where you live can still be hazardous to your health. A 2007 report, Toxic Wastes and Race at Twenty 1987-2007 showed that 47.7% of people of color in the United States live within a one-mile radius of hazardous waste facilities; meaning that the resulting disparities are worse that those documented in the 1987 report. Environmental justice and health equity advocates assert that no community or group should be forced to shoulder a disproportionate share of negative environmental impacts of pollution or environmental hazards due ethnicity or lack of political or economic strength levels. Along side the more well-known and white-dominated environmental movement, has been the grassroots led and driven environmental justice in which low-income and communities of color fight for everyone’s right to drink clean water, breathe clean air, eat food grown in clean soil, and work in environments that don’t pose health and safety risks to workers. We can’t always directly control the conditions in our neighborhoods and workplaces because changing these realities often lead to long, arduous, political fights. We can, however, more immediately educate ourselves about things in our homes and workplaces that we can impact, and we can change our personal behaviors and practices to positively impact our health status.

Easy Tips to Reduce Your Environmental Exposures in Your Home and Community

• Reduce your exposure to harmful pesticides by purchasing organic foods or planting your own organic garden.
• Use non-plastic containers to reheat and store food. Some plastics are thought to leach cancer-causing chemicals into food when heated.
• Use deodorant and hygiene products that don’t contain aluminum compounds. These chemicals have been linked to incidence of cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Try a natural deodorant sticks and sprays and other natural health and beauty products instead of common brands that contain aluminum.
• Check your make-up and hair spray labels for phthalates, chemicals that can damage the liver, the kidneys, the lungs, and the reproductive system. For almost every product ton the market with phthalates, there are also non-phthalate alternatives available.
• Use non-toxic cleaning supplies instead of more toxic commercial brands. In most cases, you can make your own cleaning supplies with natural ingredients already found in your home. These cleaning agents are good for the environment, your health, and your pocketbook.
• Check your home for high levels of radon. Radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers in the United States. Homes with basements are at risk because radon gas can get trapped in your home, and levels rise in your home air environment. Radon test kits are affordable and easy to use.
• Make sure rooms in your home are well ventilated when working with paints and solvents. Work outside, if possible, or open the windows.
• If you work in an environment with high exposures to fine particles, fibers, or dusts, wear the appropriate protective mask over your nose and mouth and make sure it fits properly and does not obstruct your view.

To stay informed and to be proactive, check out the following resources for more information: For local environmental issues: http://www.cdc.gov/other.htm#states

For workplace issues: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/chemical-safety For health effects of ingredients in common household products: http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov

For Green and Healthy Home Tips: http://www.greenhealthyhomes.com For a Consumer Resource Guide to Non-toxic living: http://www.thenakedtruthproject.org

Na’Taki Osborne Jelks, MPH 2009 About the Author: Na’Taki Osborne Jelks is an environmental health scientist, environmental education manager with the National Wildlife Federation, and lecturer in the Environmental Science and Studies Department at Spelman College in Atlanta, GA. She is also Chair of the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, and organization that works to achieve environmental justice in Northwest and Southwest Atlanta’s African American neighborhoods and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) based in Washington, DC. She is an alumna of Spelman College and earned her Master’s in Environmental and Occupational Health at Emory University; both in Atlanta.

An updated report of the Southern Manifesto published by the Southern AIDS Coalition and released in July 2008 revealed what many of us have suspected: the Deep South is disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, moreso than any other region of the country. The South is experiencing increased rates of HIV/AIDS cases while other regions of the country are experiencing either declines or a leveling off. So why is HIV/AIDS increasing in the South?

Since the diesease’s inception in the early 1980s, there has been a dramatic shift as HIV/AIDS has fone from a mainly white, male, gay disease most prevalent in large metropolitan areas to include increasing numbers of African-American men and women in large metropolitan and rural areas. In fact, African Americans currently comprise about half of all new cases of HIV in the United States. In the Deep South, the statistics are more staggering. For example, in my home state of Alabama, African Americans make up more than 70% of all new cases of HIV. More than 70%! What is going on? I have a few ideas about why this is so. I believe there are several underlying issues that are fueling the epidemic and are the “real” killers. Here they are:

#1-The Silence is Killing Us. I recently conducted a study of persons in Alabama infected with the disease and one of the significant findings was that they did not reveal their HIV status, especially if they were from small, rural towns. So if you ask the average person if they know someone with HIV/AIDS, they may say no. This leaves an impression that there really is not a problem because people cannot see it. It makes the disease faceless and one with which people cannot identify or sympathize. It is a disease that no one is talking about. The silence is deafening!

#2-The Stigma is Killing Us. Additionally, research has shown that there is great stigma or negative attitude associated with HIV/AIDS and it may be worse in the South. Although HIV/AIDS is a disease or illness with a known causative agent and reliable preventive methods, the risk behaviors of unprotected sex and the sharing of needles are complex and often associated with numerous social issues. When you add the fact that the South, often called the “Bible Belt,” has not dealt wholistically with sexuality and drug addiction, there is no wonder that communities focus on stigma, which moves us further away from solutions.

#3- The Secret Lives are Killing Us. The stigma and silence surrounding the disease further drive people into denying their behaviors and leading secret lives, which continues to fuel the disease. Do not believe the hype that only gay black men lead double lives; all of us can fall into this category. The sooner that people live their lives truthfully, the sooner communities will seek to combat this disease.

#4. Not Knowing our Status is Killing Us. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is an under-reporting of the actual number of HIV cases It is predicted that several thousand people are infected and do not know it because they do not know their HIV status. Many say that if infected, they do not want to know. But knowing your HIV status early increases your chances of living successfully with the disease and decreases community transmission of the disease.

#5. The Ignorance is Killing Us. I cannot tell you how it surprises me how little people about HIV/AIDS. Even more astonishing is how little they know about their own sexual health. My question is always, “Where do people get their sexual health education information from?” Sad to say that home, schools, and churches are not at the top of the list. Often that information comes from peers and “off the street.” I can tell you that this information is often wrong and full of myths. We have to educate ourselves first and then educate our children about sexual health. This information will not come from traditional media outlets like television, radio, newspapers, or magazines. People will have to read books, search the internet, and talk to health experts. We have to do this, otherwise we will continue going down the path we are currently traveling.

#6-The Lack of Leadership and Advocacy is Killing Us. I appreciate the few national leaders who are tireless advocates of HIV/AIDS prevention in the African-American community. But we need many more local leaders to carry this mantle in order to make a dent in this epidemic. In the South, the local church pastor, the local church missionary, the local teacher, and the local parent are all needed. We have to pool not only our human resources and volunteer at our local agencies, but we need to pool our financial resources as well. We need to talk seriously with our legislators to address policy issues around the disease. Currently, the national and local advocacy is falling short in efforts to seriously combat this disease in our communities. We need to speak out and push the issue more aggressively with all our legislators.

HIV/AIDS is devastating my community. Still, the virus is not my major concern. I am more worried by the six killers listed above. Until we organize around these issues, the epidemic will continue to rage. We must become educated about this disease and must organize around efforts to prevent it. There are many resources available to begin to stamp out this disease. For example, the CDC website has the most up-to-date information, as well as educational information about the disease. (www.cdc.org).

Many national organizations such as the American Red Cross and the Kaiser Foundation also have a large variety of educational materials available to educate communities about HIV/AIDS, including videos, printed materials, and training materials. Additionally, several organizations that specifically advocate for and educate about HIV/AIDS in the black community include: the Black AIDS Institute (www.blackaidsinstitute.org); the Balm in Gilead (www.balmingilead.org); and the National Minority AIDS Council (www.nmac.org). These organizations not only educate, but they also play a vital role in policy development within our communities. State health departments also have HIV/AIDS programs and can direct individuals about where to go locally for education and testing. Additionally, these state programs can also direct people to local AIDS Service Organizations where they can volunteer or make donations.

Let us get busy stamping out the underlying root killers in our communities!

Dr. Pamela Payne Foster is a Preventive Medicine/Public Health physician who serves as the Deputy Director of the Rural Health Institute for Clinical and Translational Science at The University of Alabama. She is the author of the book, “Is there a Balm in Black America?” which is aimed at educating African American church leaders about HIV/AIDS and empowering them in efforts to combat the disease.

Kim Kardashian has changed the shape of fashion by making curves a coveted feature. Her newest initiative is teaching women how to tone up while maintaining the curves that make us who we are. “Fit in Your Jeans by Friday” is a body sculpting fitness DVD that gets girls healthy, happy and loving their new look.

Even though she lives a jam-packed life, Kim strives to make fitness a priority at all times. She explains that the DVD is designed to be used anywhere. “As busy as your life can be there’s always a few minutes at the beginning or the end of the day. Every little bit counts. Trust me, I am extremely busy and I always find time to work out.”

Kim understands that living a fit life isn’t always easy. “It always takes that big push of motivation to get started working out consistently. I was always working out but it was never consistently. I needed that push to get started again and I thought, ‘You know what, if I do this hopefully I can be the push for other people and get them motivated to workout.’”

Kim explains that this DVD is different from others on the market because “It is real and completely me”. This DVD allows users to relate to it, master different strength levels and have a good time.

Black Health Magazine was able to grab a few minutes with stylist, reality TV star and now fitness DVD star, Kim Kardashian.

BH: How do you maintain your figure?

KK: I definitely try and stay in the gym 3 times a week. Once you start getting in the mode of working out and staying fit, you feel guilty and start eating differently. I have changed the way I eat. I try to eat more fruits and vegetables and protein.

BH: What are some of your favorite CHEAT foods and HEALTHY foods?

KK: I use to keep chips or cookies in my bag but now I have dried fruits or a granola bar.

BH: You are dating NFL player Reggie Bush, does his extreme fitness lifestyle encourage you to workout more?

KK: We work out together. The sexiest thing for him is to have me working out. It’s fun to go to the gym together and go get breakfast after. It’s a little bonding thing.

BH: Does it benefit the relationship when couples are both really physically fit?

KK: I totally think it’s a great idea for couples to work out together.

BH: Your mom is in really good shape. Do you have a mother-daughter fitness relationship?

KK: We usually do a four mile run. My mom is an extremely early fitness person. She gets up at five in the morning and works out every single day.

BH: Do you look up to her as an example of how you want to look when you are her age?

KK: She has been such an inspiration. She has six kids, looks amazing and she looks great in a bikini.

BH: Did you ever have insecurities about your body? What helped you gain confidence?

KK: We were raised to be proud of what you have. We’re Armenian so we are curvier. When I did playboy I was probably about fifteen pounds heavier than I am now. I wanted to do it to show people that you don’t have to be super skinny to be on the covers of these magazines.

BH: Do you have advice for young girls about how to feel confident about their body images?

KK: It’s all about dressing for your body type and making yourself feel comfortable. You are your own individual and there is nothing to ever be insecure about or unhappy with your body because it’s you.

BH: Some people in the media have accused you of “having work done” in order to maintain your shape and beauty. What are your feelings on plastic surgery?

KK: I say go for it as long as you are old enough, have the support of your family and you go to the best doctor that you can find. Plastic surgery is not an excuse for putting in hard work but sometimes there are physical things that you might not be able to change about yourself and changing it might give you more confidence.

BH: What is your favorite and least favorite physical feature?

KK: I really like my arms. Something that I don’t like is my hips.

BH: What are some of your style secrets that accentuate all the right places on a curvy body?

KK: If you are smaller on top then accentuate that. You could wear a high waist skirt that shows off your smaller waist but also shows how curvy you are down below. Accentuate the places that need it.

The summer is here and it is time to fit into the sexy clothes you love. Kim Kardashian’s DVD, “Fit in Your Jeans by Friday” is available in stores and online now.

What rhymes with “mess” has six letters, and has no business in your life? Stress! If you are like most people, stress has a way of creeping into your life and trying to make a mess of things. Hectic commutes, impending deadlines and a demanding boss, long lines at the grocery store, climbing gas prices and poor customer service. What do these things have in common? They all ratchet up the stress factor in our lives.

And that doesn’t even take into account the stressful issues we face at home. To put it simply, many of us don’t even realize how much stress we’re subjected to on a daily basis and the negative impact it can have on our lives. That’s the bad news. The good news, once you identify the stressors in your life, you can stop stress from sabotaging your life.

Recognizing Stress

We all know that we have stress in our lives but most of us don’t truly recognize all the sources. I recommend ‘taking inventory’ to fully identify those stress sources. Look at it this way—until you know what the problem is, you can’t solve it!” Statistics have shown that women are especially susceptible to the ravages of chronic stress because they try to take on so many roles. For example, women are far more likely to work a double day of homemaking and career. One woman put it this way: “The hand that rocks the cradle also cradles the phone, sweeps the floor, writes the memos, and meets the deadlines.”

We are all vulnerable to the health risks of stress. And women may find themselves walking a higher tightrope so to speak because they try to be so many things to so many people. From childhood women have been conditioned to put others first. It’s commendable to be a compassionate and giving person, but not at the sake of your own health and well-being. You have to set limits.

Are You Stressed To The Limit?

Among its many detrimental effects, prolonged stress can make you depressed, irritable and it can trigger disease. Here are some of the other ‘side effects’ of excessive stress:

• Can alter your personality

• Cause you to lose perspective

• Make you feel sick

• Make you forgetful

• Trigger weight loss or weight gain

• Compromise your immune system

These examples demonstrate why it’s critical that we learn how to make stress our friend! By making some changes in your life, you can actually make stress work for you. If you think of stress as your friend and start setting boundaries, you create some mental lines that stress is not allowed to cross. Learn to relax. It’s amazing how something as simple as sitting in a tub of warm water can melt the stress away. Take care of yourself. If you won’t, who will? And my personal favorite of all is laughter. Good humor does wonders for your psyche. It helps put things into perspective and keep you from “sweating the small stuff.” When it comes to curing stress related ailments, laughter is by far one of the best medicines. It’s an effective and fun stress buster.

Make Stress Your Friend!

Say what? Yes, you read it correctly…befriend stress. You can make changes in your life so that stress works for you, and not against you. Just as a true friend respects your personal boundaries and knows not to cross the line. Keep stress at bay; don’t let it cross the line. Some ways to do this would be to:

Relax. It’s amazing how something so simple as sitting in a tub of warm water can melt the stress away! Add a little scented natural bubble bath, and you’ve got a full spa experience in the privacy and convenience of your own home. No time for a bath? Then linger a few moments in the shower, feeling the hot water soothe your muscles and wash away your stress.

Take care of yourself. You must take care of yourself. If you won’t who will? The responsibility is yours. If you’re in a dangerous situation, find a safe place to go to. If there are too many demands on you and your time, learn to say no. If you’re addicted to harmful substances or behaviors, get professional help. It’s not selfish to take care of yourself. It’s smart.

Adjust your attitude. Keep in mind your body doesn’t know the difference between a real and a perceived stressor; either way, it reacts just the same. So one way to reduce the effects of stress on your body is to adjust your attitude by changing the way you perceive stress. For example, your long commute to work may not be as stressful if you listen to a good book on tape during the drive. If your child gets a C on a test, it’s not the end of the world; look at it as a chance to talk, reassure, and maybe offer a little tutoring. Change your attitude, and you’ll minimize stress’s hold on your life.

Breathe. The quickest, most immediate way to reduce your stress level is through deep breathing. It’s available to you anywhere, it’s easily accessible, and it’s completely free. If you’re about to meet the company president, or your future in-laws, don’s stress out. Instead, take three or four slow, deep breaths. You’ll be amazed at how quickly this calms you down.

Affirm yourself. Don’t wait for somebody else to praise you. Affirm yourself. If you feel you did a good job, tell yourself, either silently or out loud. Did you handle a difficult situation well? Make someone feel better? Solve a problem creatively? Congratulate yourself! This will boost your self-esteem and make you more resistant to the wear and tear of daily stress.

And finally….

Laugh. Good humor does wonders for your psyche. It helps put things into perspective and keeps you from “sweating the small stuff.” When you’re reading the paper, reach for the comics. Laugh with your friends and family. Read funny books such as those written by Bill Cosby or the late Erma Bombeck. When it comes to curing stress related ailments, laughter is by far one of the best medicines. It’s an effective and fun stress buster.

Stress Is Here to Stay!

Stress may be here to stay, but you don’t have to let it get the best of you. Taking pro-active, simple measures takes the bite off stress. Even if you are the busiest person in the world, you can fit in stress-free moments to give yourself a chance to recover from the stressors that bombard you day in and day out. You can relieve stress while you take a shower, by takings short breaks throughout your day to stretch, by changing harmful habits, by practicing deep breathing, which can be done anytime, anywhere and even while you drive to work by listening to an entertaining or soothing tape. Keep in mind you have the ability to take control and create a less stressful, more enjoyable life—it will be good for you, in so many ways.

Author bio: Dr. Lewis is President/CEO of the Deline Institute for Professional Development. She conducts workshops and seminars geared toward the personal and professional development of women. Dr. Lewis is a passionate believer in moving women forward, helping to guide women in achieving their best mental, physical, spiritual and emotional health. She is the author of Playing from the Blue Tee: Women in the Federal Government and the co-author of Overcoming the Superwoman Syndrome; You’re On Stage! Image, Etiquette, Branding & Style; and A Women’s Journey to Wellness: Mind, Body and Spirit. Website: www.delineinstitute.net Email: women@delineinstitute.net

]]> http://blackhealthmag.com/?feed=rss2&p=680 0 http://blackhealthmag.com/?p=669 http://blackhealthmag.com/?p=669#comments Fri, 02 Apr 2010 01:27:53 +0000 marcus http://blackhealthmag.com/?p=669 By Dr. Cassandra Simon

Minnie Riperton. Summer 1979. Breast Cancer. Dead. All these years later—just about 30 years— I remember that feeling I felt at that exact moment. The radio station had just finished playing one of Ms. Riperton’s most popular songs, Loving You, one of those songs that every generation of kids will know because of its sheer beauty, especially THE note . I was feeling warm from the song. I was 19 years old, home for the summer from college, and was probably daydreaming about when I would find the kind of love Minnie Riperton so beautifully sang about in the song when I heard someone on the radio say that she was dead at age 31 from breast cancer. I remember the quickness with which that warmth left my body –my stomach felt empty- my heartfelt to heavy to beat—I was in disbelief, shock, sadness, and fear. She was too young, too talented, and too famous to die, especially from something that I had never really heard of and if it could happen to her it could happen to me. I eventually went on with life and never really heard much else about cancer, but thought about it and Ms. Riperton every time I heard Loving You. Then in 1992 a maternal aunt, Corine Dinvaut (age 52), and paternal first cousin, Rose Marie Simon (40) died within a day of one another from metastasized breast cancer (cancer that had spread to other parts of the body). I remembered Ms. Riperton and this thing called breast cancer.

Fast forward to the Fall/Winter of 1996. Life is overall good. I’m 36 years old now. I graduated a couple of years before with a Ph.D. in social work, teaching at a university, have a wonderful family (two beautiful girls who are 2 and 5 and a wonderful husband) . Life is great and the future has the potential to be even greater. I hear somewhere that women should get what’s called a baseline mammogram (an x-ray of the breast) at age 35 because our breast begin to change in density and that film will be used to compare our mammogram done at age 40 (when it is recommended women begin having annual mammograms). That baseline mammogram showed a growth in my breast against the chest wall and saved my life. After being assured by every well intended health care professional with whom I came in contact that they were sure it was nothing and I was too young to have breast cancer, the doctor who did the biopsy called very apologetically saying he was wrong, it was cancer, a very aggressive fast growing cancer and I needed to see the surgeon immediately. Here it was again. Breast cancer. All of a sudden, I was 19 again and the warmth left my body –my stomach felt empty- my heartfelt to heavy to beat—I was in disbelief, shock, sadness, and fear. I was too young, my children were too young—they wouldn’t remember their mommy, and my husband (my soul mate) and I still had dreams to fulfill and fantasies to turn into realities. Breast cancer was back and everyone I knew with it had died from it, so of course I was going to die too. That was the uninformed Cassie. That was the victim Cassie. That was self pity Cassie. That was Cassie who had given the power to the breast cancer. That wasn’t me for very long. That’s not who I am. So I used my fear and uncertainty to inform myself, to educate myself and others, and to work towards improving breast health outcomes for African American women, for all women, and their families. With all of the misinformation out there about breast cancer, I thought I’d share some accurate information about breast cancer and Black/African Americans.

Breast Cancer Incidence in the Black Community. Black women have the second highest incidence rate of breast cancer overall, second to White women, when women of all ages are considered. The two major risks for getting breast cancer are getting older and being a woman, although men can get breast cancer too. When, however, we look at younger women who get breast cancer, premenopausal Black women, age 35 and younger have a higher incidence rate of breast cancer than their White counter parts. Over the years, I have heard many stories from young women who were told not to worry about a lump because they were too young to have breast cancer. Young women whose lives were lost and valuable time was wasted “watching their lump”– Cynthia Hargrove and Karen Courtland—friends of mine gone at age 35—potential life saving time wasted watching their lumps. It is important that you take an active role in your health with your health care provider. Be an advocate for your own breast health. For all of your health. Ask questions. Get answers. Do all within your power to save your own life.

Breast Cancer Mortality in the Black Community. Black women have the highest mortality rate from breast cancer than any other group of women. Why? There are many reasons for this: late diagnosis, obstacles of access to early detection and quality treatment, type of breast cancer, refusal of treatment, environmental factors, cultural beliefs, and socioeconomic factors, differential treatment, as well as others. All too often we are dying unnecessarily—leaving our families—our children—our husbands—our mothers—our fathers—those who love and need us. There are things you can do to self empower and help your community in the fight against breast cancer. Breast cancer survivorship is greatly improved when the cancer is detected early. One of the most important things you can do is engage in breast cancer screening and early detection activities and procedures.

Screening and Early Detection. At minimum, know and adhere to the screening guidelines set forth by major cancer organizations. These organizations recommend that at age 40 women have mammograms every year; women in their 20s and 30s have clinical breast exams (physical exam of your breast by a health care professional) at least every 3 years and women in their 40s have one annually; and that women know what their breasts feel like normally, engage in regular (monthly) breast self exams and follow up on any abnormalities with a health care professional. I hear many women talk about the pain of the mammography as the reason for not getting one. I assure you that those few minutes of discomfort are worth the life saving benefit. For women who lack the financial or insurance resources to be screened for breast cancer the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection and Prevention Services provides low income, uninsured, and underserved women access to early breast and cervical cancer screening. Your local health department should be able to provide you with information on your local early detection program.

So, now it’s 2009, 30 years since the summer I first heard of breast cancer. I think I had a sense back then that it would be an important part of my life somehow. A breast cancer diagnosis, a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and 12 and a half years later post diagnosis, I hear Loving You, I still think of Minnie Riperton who was still too young and too talented to die. I feel the warmth of the song and smile, fortunate enough to have found that love I daydreamed of back in the summer of ’79 with the same man for over 20 years, children who will remember me, a precious grandchild, a solid career, and I’m alive fulfilling dreams and living life thanks to My God and breast cancer screening and early detection. This article is dedicated to my mother, Bertha Pipion Simon Johnwell, whose strength and love has served as my foundation in life.

Dr. Cassandra Simon is an associate professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Alabama, editor of The Journal of Community Engagement and Scholarship, and serves as chair of the African American National Advisory Council for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Sources

American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2009. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2009.

Centers for Disease Control. National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program Fact Sheet. 2009. Atlanta, GA: Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Washington: DC. Available at www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp.

U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 1999–2005 Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report. Atlanta, GA: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Washington, DC: National Cancer Institute; 2009. Available at

www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/screening/breast/Patient

Boot Camp for New Dads Shares Strategies for Families in Need

Every year, infant formula is one of the most shoplifted items throughout the country.  This brings into focus a problem faced by increasing numbers of families with a new baby as the economy tanks.

Parents of new babies who wondered “how am I going to afford this” before their baby arrived, are now losing part or all of their income and/or home. Now what? There’s no real answer for them, other than cutting back and trying to replace the lost income. If they don’t have luck with replacing that income, things can get steadily worse.  With a baby screaming due to hunger and no money to pay for infant formula (which runs $50 per week), the temptation for a father to steal it from the local market is understandable.  Yet, it is not an option.  Dad being arrested for shoplifting will only add to the economic nightmare for a young family. 

According to Greg Bishop, founder of Boot Camp for New Dads, a non-profit orientation program for fathers-to-be, operating in more than 260 hospitals, clinics, schools, fire stations and churches around North America and internationally, and author of two books on fathering, there are alternatives available for feeding baby and family.

Bishop explained, “Every community has a ‘safety net’ for families falling off the economic ladder and they generally give priority to children. Dad will need to learn how to navigate this network, which can be very frustrating, particularly now when there is growing competition for limited resources and each community has a unique arrangement of resources and organizations involved.”

But, assistance is out there.  Boot Camp for New Dads provides some basic guidelines to follow:

• Look for support early when it becomes apparent you may need it.  There may be waiting lists, or an eligibility period, etc. Connect with the local information and referral system.  Don’t know where to start?  Ask at a church, county welfare, a senior citizen center or food bank.
• Start with a local food bank to supplement your family’s meal costs.  They can also provide a wealth of information (talk to others in line and staff as well) for anyone accessing the “safety-net” for the first time.
• Check into your family’s eligibility for food stamps.  The national program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service is now known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).  The SNAP program provides families with an electronic card, similar to an ATM card which may be used for groceries.  In general, families with an income of less than $2000 per month for a family of four are eligible.  (Visit www.fns.usda.gov/FSP)
• Housing is tough due to limited resources.  Homeless shelters can be a temporary fix, but they are not set up for families.  Subsidized housing may be an option that is available to you and your family, but waiting lists are involved, so investigate this option as soon as you know you may need it.
• You may be eligible for help with your utility bills, especially heating oil.  Check with your local referral system.
• Temporary income assistance may also be available from your county welfare office.
• If you lose your health insurance, check out local health clinics for the uninsured for both treatment and information on insurance alternatives (like Medicaid for your child).
• Look for odd jobs to pay something. 

Bishop continued, “When times are tough, the man who does whatever is necessary, in an honest way, to take care of his family, is a man in its truest sense.”

Tips, Advice, Instructions and more

Greg Bishop offers strategies from more than 200,000 new dads that have gone through the Boot Camp for New Dads program in his second book, Crash Course for New Dads:  Tools, Checklists and Cheat Sheets.  His first book, Hit the Ground Crawling, covers work balance, being a dad, caring for a new mom and much more.  Both books are available online at www.DadsAdventure.com.

New Dads Learn What to Expect at Boot Camp Workshops

Dads-to-be will be better equipped to face the challenges and opportunities of fatherhood after attending a Boot Camp “hands on” educational workshop. Men attend the class when they are expecting their first baby, and are joined in the workshop by “veterans” who had previously attended and have returned with their two to four-month-old baby in tow.  They are able to give the dads-to-be a realistic idea of what to do and what to expect when their first baby comes.  For many men attending, it’s their first time holding a baby.

Boot Camp for New Dads        

Now celebrating their 18th year, Boot Camp for New Dads is nationally acclaimed as the “Best Practice” for preparing men to be fathers and has been named a U.S. Navy Model Program.  Boot Camp for New Dads has prepared more than 200,000 men for fatherhood over the years. 

With more than 4.1 million births (National Center for Health Statistics) and approximately 1.5 million men becoming new dads every year, it’s more important than ever for fathers to realize that being a “good provider” is only part of the very central role they have in their children’s lives.

 For more information about Boot Camp for New Dads, visit www.bcnd.org, or to visit Dads Adventure, go to www.DadsAdventure.com.