Commonwealth Conversations: Public Health

Weekly Flu Report, January 26th, 2012

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This week's flu report shows that rates of flu-like illness in Massachusetts continue on their steady pace as January comes to a close. But if this flu season is like most others, we haven't seen anything yet -- flu rates around here have a tendency to rise much higher in late February and March, and flu continues to spread in our communities well into spring. Flu vaccine is still readily available, and you can find yours by contacting your health care provider or searching for a flu clinic near you on this online database.

The Year of Substitutions

Posted by:

Lani Telian, Department of Public Health

Lani is a Health Communication Specialist at the Department of Public Health

 

 

This year, I’m basing my diet completely on subs. 

Not footlong subs – I’m focusing on small substitutions. As a girl with strong family ties, and family values that are strongly tied to food, its been hard for me and my family to change recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation. Yet I think I’ve reached a point where I can let go of the guilt involved with tweaking some of Nana’s recipes to make slightly healthier versions.

While some special, once-in-awhile treats are okay to leave as is, some foods that we have grown to love on a more regular basis can withstand a few healthy changes. But I love food, and I love good food. I’m looking for small substitutions that will lower the amount of fat, calories or sodium without changing the taste or consistency of the foods I love.

This week, I decided to try out my ‘substitution resolution’ with Dolma, aka stuffed peppers. With Nana’s permission, here is her recipe with just one simple, tiny change.

Scoop out green peppers, tomatoes, and zuchini or summer squashes, and chop up whatever you scooped out into tiny pieces. 

In a large bowl, add the chopped veggies and mix together with: 2 lbs of lean ground beef, 3/4 cup of rice (use ½ cup of brown rice instead!), 3 Tbsp of finely chopped onion, 1 small can tomato paste, 1 cup tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes, 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice, 6 cloves of garlic minced or crushed (maybe a little less, that’s up to you and whoever you’re kissing later), 2 handfuls of chopped fresh parsley, 2 tsp of salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 3 tsp of allspice, and optional 2 Tbsp of basil.

Stuff mixture into the scooped-out veggies.  Arrange stuffed vegetables in a large, tall pan, cover almost to the top with water that has a little salt, lemon juice and tomato sauce added to it.
 
Put a plate on top of the veggies to keep them in place. Then, cover the pan and bring to a boil.  Turn heat down to medium and cook until rice is soft (about 45 - 60 minutes).

And there you have it! Same great taste, but with healthy grains instead of refined grains (which is always a good switch to make!). Here’s to many more healthfully-tweaked meals this year!

Weekly Flu Report, January 19th, 2012

As Word doc: Download Weekly_flu_report_1-19-12  As PDF: Download Weekly_flu_report_1-19-12

This week's flu report shows that rates of flu-like illness in Massachusetts continue to remain steady as compared to previous weeks. But remember, flu season hits its peak in February and March -- and even then flu still gets passed around well into spring. So there's no time like now to get vaccinated. Call your health care provider or search for a flu clinic in your area on this searchable database.

Everybody Dance Now!

Posted by Alison Brill, MPH, Community Suicide Prevention Coodinator at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

The feelings I get from a night of dancing are like no other - freedom, expression, joy. That’s because dance, when combined with music, is just that powerful in promoting a sense of well-being. Whether learning a specific type of dance in a class, freestyle dancing at a club, or boggying down in your kitchen, there are many reasons to dance.

Dance is physical activity and provides lots of health benefits. Dance allows you to use more of your muscle groups for overall toning, improves balance and flexibility, which can help you avoid injuries from falling, and increases endurance, which helps keep your heart healthy.

Beyond these physical health benefits, releasing pent-up emotions through dance can pave the way for feelings of relief. You can literally dance the blues away - and there’s research to prove it. Like other forms of artistic expression, dance helps people process feelings that they might have trouble dealing with in words.                                                                                       

Brain scans show that even watching someone dance activates the same neurons as if you were the one doing the dancing. So when a dancer's movements express joy or sadness, spectators often pick up on these feelings as well. Dance is so effective at improving mental health that dance therapy is often used to help people experiencing anxiety, depression and grief, while boosting self-esteem. Dancing is also a social activity and provides opportunities for making new friends. Plus, it’s fun!

To get started, see what types of dance might appeal to you. You can watch video demonstrations to learn various dance styles. You can also find dance lessons in your area, or if money’s tight, check your local library for instructional dance videos.

Whether it’s Salsa, Swing, Waltz, Hip Hop, African, Tap, Break Dancing, Modern, Jazz, Cha-Cha, Contra, Country Western - or whatever style piques your interest - put on your dancing shoes and give it a try!  

                                                       

ChopChop Kickoff: Watch it here!

Posted by:

Lani Telian, Department of Public Health

Lani is a Health Communication Specialist at the Department of Public Health

 

 

Much to my dismay, I missed last week's ChopChop Kickoff Event that took place with Governor Patrick at Community Services, a social services agency in Jamaica Plain. Since then, all I've been hearing from my colleagues is how awesome the event was and how much fun it was to watch the Governor prepare the first ChopChop recipe -- a delicious chunky cranberry applesauce -- with the young people who were there.

Fortunuately for me (and for you if you missed the event, too!), DPH was on site with a camera in hand, and came back with a video that perfectly captured the excitement of the day. You’ll hear from Governor Patrick, DPH Commissioner John Auerbach, and ChopChop founder Sally Sampson on why we're all excited about this new partnership and newsletter.

 

 

 

 

 

If you haven't checked out the debut ChopChop Mass in Motion e-newsletter, visit www.mass.gov/massinmotion/chopchop to view the recipe and learn fun facts about Massachusetts-grown apples and cranberries. Be sure to check in every month for a new newsletter and recipe!

 



Welcome to Mental Wellness!

Posted by Alison Brill, MPH, Community Suicide Prevention Coodinator at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Welcome to the newest category on the Massachusetts Department of Public Health blog! We created this space as a forum to discuss all of the ways that mental wellness can contribute to a healthy and productive life. In our culture, all too often we can make the mistake of focusing solely on our physical health as a measure of our overall well-being, neglecting the importance of our mental outlook in that equation. 

Indeed, mental health is just as important as physical health, and in fact the two are very much connected. For example, mental wellness can be influenced by many physical factors, including medications, illnesses, injuries, weight changes and family history. Our physical and social environments also impact our mental health in the form of personal loss, traumatic events, natural disasters and job and family stress.

Mental wellness is promoted in many ways. Physical activities, such as exercise, good nutrition, and getting enough sleep can reduce stress – and in doing so, promote a greater sense of well-being. Stimulating our minds can also play role in mental wellness. Having a sense of humor, expressing creativity and spirituality, and maintaining supportive and positive relationships all can help. Other important factors are maintaining balance and resilience in your life, taking care of yourself, and keeping your mind sharp and active. 

This section of the DPH Blog is designed to give you ideas, information and resources in all of these areas. You’ll also learn more about exciting initiatives taking place at the grassroots level in communities across Massachusetts that promote the importance of mental wellness. If there are topics in mental wellness that you’d like us to explore, just drop us a note in the comments section. We’d love to hear from you.

In the meantime, here’s to wellness – mental as well as physical!

Weekly Flu Report, January 12, 2012

As Word doc: Download Weekly_flu_report_1-12-12  As PDF: Download Weekly_flu_report_1-12-12

This week's flu report shows that the rate of flu-like illness in Massachusetts has continued at a relatively stable pace since last week's snapshot. Then again, flu season in New England doesn't usually reach its peak until February and well into March -- so if you haven't gotten your flu shot yet, there's still time. Call your health care provider or search for a local flu clinic using this searchable database.

Highlights from the January 11th, Public Health Council Meeting

 Posted by John Jacob, a health communications writer and editor at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Today's Public Health Council agenda included two discussions of pending Determination of Need applications, as well as a comprehensive update on one of the key initiatives currently underway at the Department of Public Health. The Council also bade farewell to one of the Department's longest-serving employees.

First, the Council voted to approve a pending DON application of HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Massachusetts, for the replacement and relocation of the existing 53-bed acute inpatient rehabilitation hospital from 14 Chestnut Street in Ludlow to Parcel A, Ludlow Mills, State Street, within the Ludlow Mills Preservation and Redevelopment Project in Ludlow, Massachusetts.

The Council then approved a request from Children's Hospital Boston to amend an already-approved DON application to add onto an existing building on the Children's Hospital campus. The amendment would increase that project's Maximum Capital Expenditure in order to equip, furnish and occupy Floors 9 and 10 of the previously approved addition.

In other business, the Council received an update on the wide range of activities currently underway as part of Mass in Motion, the multi-faceted DPH initiative to combat obesity in Massachusetts.

Cheryl Bartlett, Director of the Bureau of Community Health and Prevention, provides an update on Mass in Motion. DPH Medical Director Dr. Lauren Smith sits behind her.

Finally, DPH Commissioner Auerbach paid tribute to the contributions of Joan Gorga, the director of the DPH Determination of Need Program, who is retiring this month after 42 years of state service. During her years working for the Commonwealth, Ms. Gorga provided leadership in a variety of groundbreaking initiatives including the creation of the state's organ transplant program.

Joan Gorga, retiring from DPH after 42 years.

Focus on Folic Acid!

Posted by:
Terri Mendoza, MS, RD, LDN, Department of Public Health.

Terri is a Nutrition Education Specialist with DPH.

 

Are you looking for a new New Year’s resolution that’s easy, painless and will help protect you AND your growing family?  Well, look no more!  Since January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month—and January 8th-14th is National Folic Acid Awareness Week—resolve to make sure you are getting enough of this important vitamin. 

Everyone can benefit from folic acid - it can reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers, prevent certain types of anemia, and even protect against depression.  But it’s during pregnancy that this vitamin is particularly important, since it’s been shown to prevent neural tube defects, birth defects which affect the baby’s brain and spine.

Pregnant women and women planning on becoming pregnant are advised to take folic acid to make sure they get the vitamins and minerals needed for a growing baby.  But over half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are unplanned, and neural tube defects and spina bifida occur very early in pregnancy, before most women even know they are pregnant.  That’s why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that ALL women of childbearing age take 400 micrograms (mcgs) of folic acid each day.  

The easiest way to make sure you’re getting all the folic acid you need is to take a multivitamin containing 100% of the recommended amount (400 mcgs) every day.  Most vitamins have the folic acid you need, but it’s always a good idea to check the label.  You could also take a folic acid supplement containing 400 mcgs, which can be found anywhere vitamins are sold.  As we all know, it can be difficult to remember to take multivitamins daily.  Try taking it at the same time every day, such as before brushing your teeth, with breakfast, or during an evening snack.  Setting an alarm on your cell phone or watch can also be a good reminder. 

To get the recommended amount of folic acid every day, you could also eat one serving of whole grain cereal which has been fortified with 100% of the recommended amount of the vitamin.  Interestingly, since cereals began to be fortified with folic acid in the 1990’s, the prevalence rate of spina bifida, one of the most common neural tube defects in the United States, has declined 31%.  Other foods, such as enriched wheat, flour, pasta, rice, whole grain breads, and wheat germ, are also good sources, since they, too, have folic acid added to them during processing.

You can also choose foods that are high in folate - the term for folic acid that is found naturally in foods.  Enjoy these healthy and delicious choices that are good sources of folate as well as many other nutrients*:

Lentils and beans (including black-eyed peas, pinto beans, black beans,
     navy beans, kidney beans, and white beans)
Baked beans
 Chickpeas
Liver
Spinach
Asparagus
Okra
Collard and turnip greens
Lima beans
Beets
Broccoli
Mango
Sunflower seeds
Romaine lettuce
Orange juice
Green peas
Tomato juice
Avocado
Peanuts
Strawberries
Oranges
 
So, start 2012 on the right foot, and be sure to get the folate you need, this month and every month!

*Foods are listed in approximate descending order; foods richest in folate are at the top.

Weekly Flu Report, January 5, 2012

As Word doc: Download Weekly_flu_report_1-5-12   As PDF: Download Weekly_flu_report_1-5-12

Happy new year, everyone! With the new year comes this week's flu report, which shows an uptick in the amount of flu-like illness that we're seeing in the state. If this flu season is like most others, we're going to see these numbers continue to rise well into February and March. What does that mean to you? Well, if you haven't gotten your flu shot yet, there is still time to protect yourself and your family from getting sick with the flu. Call your health care provider to make a vaccination appointment, or find a local flu clinic on this searchable database.