"Healthy Memphis" Links

The following links provide additional information on topics covered in the "Healthy Memphis" articles in the Commercial Appeal.

If you missed this week's article, you can find it on the web at: Commercial Appeal Health & Fitness.

Also be sure to visit the Healthy Memphis Blog, where you can interact with health care professionals on various topics.

---

Remember having fun on your bike, at the pool or in the park as a kid?  You can still be active and have fun as an adult.  In this week's "Family Health...Take Charge!" article you will find ideas on ways to have fun while you exercise: Have fun exercising and you will feel like a kid again

• Healthy options maps of Memphis
• Memphis lands first on sedentary list published by Forbes
• Nine ways to exercise when you don't have time
• Playing together for fun (laughter boosts levels of endorphins)
• Exercise guide for exercise haters (finding ways to tolerate [or even enjoy exercise]
• The secret to making exercise not only highly-effective, but incredibly fun
• Kidnetic helps older kids find joy in exercising

The vitamins and fiber from fresh fruits and vegetables are key parts of your daily diet. Locally grown foods can be a way to reduce the preservatives and pesticides that might affect your food. Local food also requires less expensive transportation.  Read more about this in this week's "Family Health...Take Charge!" article in The Commercial Appeal: Organic is well and good, but concentrate on buying locally. Other information available publicly on the web that might be of interest can be found at these links:  

• Memphis Farmers Market: memphisfarmersmarket.com (Saturdays, May-Oct., rain or shine)
• Memphis Botanic Garden Farmers' Market memphisbotanicgarden.com  (Wednesdays,  Apr.-Oct,. 2-6 PM)
• Agricenter International Farmer's Market: http://www.agricenter.org/farmersmarket.html (Mon.-Sat.)
  
• Guidelines for Organic Products: What Do They Mean for You?
  • In English
  • http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=70ff5260-81bd-4de1-9998-14fc98aa9133&chunkiid=13960#13960
  • En Español http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=70ff5260-81bd-4de1-9998-14fc98aa9133&chunkiid=121796
• USDA National Organic Program: www.ams.usda.gov/nop/
• Organic Trade Association: www.ota.com
• Organic Consumers Association: http://www.organicconsumers.org
• Organic Trade Association:  http://www.ota.com/index.html
• Getting more fruits and vegetables in your diet: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/vegetables-and-fruits/index.html

• Is Organic Right for you? http://almostfit.com/2008/04/30/should-you-bother-with-organic-fruits-and-vegetabl

Has your family planned and practiced for an emergency in your home or for a local disaster?  Read more in this week's "Family Health...Take Charge!" article in The Commercial Appeal: Best time to prepare for a disaster is before it strikes   Additional helpful web resources available to the public can be found at these links:

• 93% of Americans are not prepared for a disaster: Survey of the American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/pressrelease/0,1077,0_314_7100,00.html
• Memphis guides for preparedness, courtesy of the Mid-South Chapter of the American Red Cross:
  • Home fires – Your biggest disaster threat: http://www.midsouthredcross.org/openrosters/ViewOrgPageLink.asp?LinkKey=10876&orgkey=1671
  • Get Ready preparedness booklet:
    • In English: Get Ready Mid-South! Get Prepared! http://www.midsouthredcross.org/openrosters/DocDownload.asp?orgkey=1671&id=26417
    • En Espanol: ¡PREPARA+E MEDIO SUR! PREPARESE! http://www.midsouthredcross.org/openrosters/DocDownload.asp?orgkey=1671&id=25712
• Create a kit. Make a plan. Be informed – Red Cross video guide - http://www.redcross.org/flash/brr/English-flash/default.asp
• Emergency planning guide for business and industry: http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=1689
• Emergency planning for small businesses: http://www.ibhs.org/docs/openforbusiness.pdf
• Business guide from the American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/busi_industry.html
• Guides to preparing for:
  • Blackouts: http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_92_,00.html
  • Chemical emergency: http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_94_,00.html
  • Fires: http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_242_,00.html
  • Floods: http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_240_,00.html
  • Heat wave: http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_243_,00.html
  • Tornados: http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_248_,00.html
  • Storms / Thunderstorms: http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_247_,00.html
  • Earthquakes: http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_241_,00.html
  • Drought: http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_95_,00.html
  • Winter storms & Ice: http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_252_,00.html
  • Terrorism: http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_255_,00.html
• Be safe throughout all seasons:  A guide in support of the Red Cross by Clorox http://www.redcross.org/static/file_cont7546_lang0_3156.pdf
• Family Safety Planning Guide Available with Target: http://www.redcross.org/static/file_cont7026_lang0_2863.pdf
• Pandemic Flu - Learn the facts and get prepared: http://www.redcross.org/news/ds/panflu/
• What's your RQ (Readiness Quotient)? with the Council for Excellence in Government: http://www.whatsyourrq.org/
• Center for Disease control website on disaster preparedness: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/preparedness/
• American Preparedness survey: http://www.ncdp.mailman.columbia.edu/files/NCDP07.pdf
• Basic emergency preparedness course (53 pages) from Columbia University: http://www.ncdp.mailman.columbia.edu/files/course.pdf

Medications and prescriptions can be helpful or harmful.  Misuse, abuse and accidents with legal drugs are causes of emergency room visits, especially for teens, senior citizens, and people with mental health problems.  Read about helpful tips and safety ideas in this week's "Family Health...Take Charge!" feature in The Commercial Appeal: Try to stick to one pharmacy; follow label carefully

• Medication safety: http://www.bemedwise.org/
• 3 Common Drugs Trigger Most ER Visits by Seniors: Warfarin, insulin and digoxin account for a third of drug-related ER trips, study says http://www.healthonnet.org/News/HSN/610486.html
• Medwise brochure
• English: http://www.bemedwise.org/brochure/bemedwise_english_brochure.pdf
• Espanol http://www.bemedwise.org/brochure/bemedwise_spanish_brochure.pdf
• Prescription safety ideas: (In English; en Espanol)http://www.ade.az.gov/Adult-Ed/Documents/HSLiteracy/PrescriptionSafety.pdf
• Lock up your medicine cabinet to prevent drug abuse by children and teens:http://bulletin.aarp.org/states/co/articles/lock_up_medicine_cabinets.html
• Over-the-counter drug safety tips:http://www.aarp.org/health/rx_drugs/usingmeds/otc_safety_tips.html
• Partnership for a Drug Free America (many resources and links): http://www.drugfree.org/
• Tips on reading drug labels: http://www.aarp.org/health/rx_drugs/usingmeds/otc_drug_fact_labels.html
• Make a personal medical record: a form is available online as a PDF file in English, Spanish, or as a Word document (downloadable) in English.
• Preventing abuse of prescription and over the counter drugs for teens: http://www.drugfree.org/Parent/Resources/Preventing_Teen_Abuse_of_Prescription_and_Over-theTennessee
• Tennessee substance abuse statistics: http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k6State/Tennessee.htm
• Various substance abuse reports from SAMHSA, an agency in the Department of Health and Human Services:  http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/public.cfm  (Topics include: driving, workers, teens, by race and ethnic group, mental health, parental influence, treatments)
• Prescription Drug Use Among Midlife and Older Americans: http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/health/rx_midlife_plus.pdf
• How Prescription Drug Use Affects Health Care Utilization and Spending by Older Americans: http://www.aarp.org/research/legis-polit/medicarereform/2008_04_rx.html
• Basic facts about drugs and alcohol: http://www.acde.org/common/Alcohol.htm
• Prescription medication abuse by teens and young adults is a serious problem: http://www.drugfree.org/Parent/Resources/Prescription_Medicine_Misuse 
• Prescription drugs have replaced cocaine and other illicit substances as the leading cause of drug abuse deaths in Florida, a new study says.  http://www.newsinferno.com/archives/3274
• List of generic drugs and brand name equivalents: http://www.walgreens.com/pharmacy/brand_genchart.jsp
• “Health Corner” pharmacy videos on many topics from Walgreens: http://healthcorner.walgreens.com/display/954.htm
• Information about various legislative issues tied to prescription drugs: http://www.consumersunion.org/campaigns/prescription/learn.html
• Trends in the abuse of prescription drugs: http://www.utexas.edu/research/cswr/gcattc/documents/PrescriptionTrends_Web.pdf

Look for information about exercise and exercise safety in our June 21 "Family Health...Take Charge!" feature in The Commercial Appeal: Exercise but with safety: Safety, preparation, consistency important for exercise routine. For other helpful information about exercise, visit some of these links on the web:

• Fitness for young women:  http://www.girlshealth.gov/fitness/index.htm
• Exercise for older adults: nihseniorhealth.gov/exercise/safetyfirst/01.html
• Sports and exercise safety for teens: http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/exercise/sport_safety.html
• Kids exercise and safety (grades k-5): http://www.kids.gov/k_5/k_5_health_fitness.shtml
• Exercise safety ideas from Australia  in Victoria.
• Bike safety
• Benefits of Physical Exercise - information from Mayo Clinic
• Fitness facts - Things you should know about exercise (information from WebMD)

Whether you work outside, in construction indoors, or you are a kid playing at camp, heat can wear you down.  Read how to beat the heat in this week's "Family Health...Take Charge!" article in The Commercial Appeal: Follow tips to avoid summer risk, keep comfortable

• Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke: What You Should Know (tips from the American Academy of Family Physicians): http://www.aafp.org/afp/20050601/2141ph.html
• Calor extremo: guía de prevención para promover su salud y seguridad (En Espanol) http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/es/heatguide.asp
• Calor Extremo: http://www.fema.gov/spanish/pdf/areyouready/natural_hazards2_sp.pdf
• Extreme Heat: A Prevention Guide to Promote Your Personal Health and Safety
• English: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heat_guide.asp
• First Aid for Heat-Induced Illnesses: http://www.fema.gov/hazard/heat/heat_aid.shtm
• Heat and kids – tip sheet from The Nemours Foundation. All rights reserved.: http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/sheets/heat_exhaustion_heatstroke_sheet.html
  
• Tips for Preventing Heat-Related Illness: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heattips.asp
• Heat Stress in the Elderly: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/elderlyheat.asp
• Heat Stress From Enclosed Vehicles: Moderate Ambient Temperatures Cause Significant Temperature Rise in Enclosed Vehicles: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/116/1/e109
• Frequently Asked Questions About Extreme Heat: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/faq.asp
• Extreme Heat Fact Sheet from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management): http://www.fema.gov/hazard/heat/index.shtm
• What you should do if the weather is extremely hot: http://www.fema.gov/hazard/heat/heat_during.shtm

Stress can create physical and health problems.  Read more about stress and stress management in this week's "Family Health...Take Charge!" article: Studies link excessive stress to cancer, heart disease  Learn more at these links:

• Tips for Coping With Stress:
  • http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/stress.html (wide range of resources including a video, information in different languages including Spanish
  • http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/CopingWithStress.htm
• Signs that an adult might need help with stress 
• Ways to reduce stress (list) 
• Tips for Talking About Disasters (for teachers, for adults, for families, for relief 
• Stress and women’s health: http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/stress.htm
• How to cope with life’s stresses
  
• Post-Deployment Stress: What Families Should Know, What Families Can Do: http://www.rand.org/pubs/corporate_pubs/CP535-2008-03/
• Coping with stress after a disaster
  • http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/coping-with-traumatic-events/index.shtml
  • Research after 9/11: http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB4546/index1.html
  • Information for Health Professionals (see also Information for the Public): http://www.bt.cdc.gov/masscasualties/copingpro.asp
• Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/helping-children-and-adolescents-cope-with-violence-and-disasters-what-parents-can-do.shtml

It pays to do your homework before having surgery. You want the right treatment, the right timing, the right doctors, and right facility for the right solution to your health problem.  Read more in this week's "Family Health...Take Charge!" article in The Commercial Appeal: Planning ahead for surgery can improve your results

More information on the net about this topic can be found at these links:

• http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/pathqpack.htm
• Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before You Have Surgery: http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/surgery/surgery.htm
  
• Finding a qualified surgeon: http://www.facs.org/public_info/yourhealth/findadoc.html
• American Board of Surgery: http://home.absurgery.org/default.jsp?publiccertprocess

Some ways to find a surgeon:

• Memphis Medical Society directory: www.mdmemphis.org/resources/directory/directory.pdf 
  
• Physicians Consultation in the Memphis area:  www.physiciansconsultation.com
  
• Is your doctor certified and in what specialty? https://www.abms.org/WC/login.aspx   (free registration is required)
  
• AMA doctor finder: http://webapps.ama-assn.org/doctorfinder/
• Medicare physician directory: http://www.medicare.gov/Physician/home.asp?bhcp=1
• American College of Surgeons: Search for a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS):  http://web2.facs.org/acsdir/default_public.cfm
• TN State licensing board: health.state.tn.us/licensure/index.htm
• Hospital privilege or membership lists
  • Methodist Healthcare: www.methodisthealth.org/methodist/Patients+%26+Visitors/Find+a+Physician
  • Baptist Health Care: www.baptistonline.org/doctor/
  • St. Francis (Tenet): www.saintfrancishosp.com/CWS/FindAPhysician.aspx
  • Delta Medical Center: www.deltamedcenter.com/Physicians/Physicians_AJ.htm
• Insurance directories

A few sites that provide rating information

• Comparing hospitals:
  • Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
  • The Leapfrog Group
  • Patient Choice Healthcare
  • Consumer Reports: http://www.consumerreports.org/health/doctors-and-hospitals/hospital-home.htm
  • Joint Commission Qualitycheck: www.qualitycheck.org
• Comparing doctors:
  • http://www.healthgrades.com/
  • Best Doctors
  • Federation of State Medical Boards Physician Profiles (includes disciplinary actions if any): www.docinfo.org
  • Consumer’s Checkbook Guide to Top Doctors: www.checkbook.org

High blood pressure (hypertension) can slowly harm healthy tissue.  It can cause of strokes, heart and kidney failure, and heart attacks.  Read more about this 'silent killer' in this week's "Family Health...Take Charge!" column in The Commercial Appeal's Healthy Memphis series: Be on guard against 'silent killer' high blood pressure. Find more about high blood pressure at these links publicly available on the web.

• Information about high blood pressures from the National Institute on Aging: http://www.niapublications.org/agepages/hiblood.asp
• Guide to lowering your blood pressure: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/
• Things you can do to lower your blood pressure - ideas from the American Academy of Family Physicians
• Helpful information about high blood pressure from the American Heart Association: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=468
  
• Recommendations concerning high blood pressure - Oct. 2007 Update The 6th Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure: http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=4771#s23.
• High blood pressure, a 'silent killer', sneeks by doctors: http://storybank.stanford.edu/story.detail.php?contentID=116&tab=stories
• Certain people, for example, African-Americans, are more at risk for hypertension: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Hbp/HBP_WhoIsAtRisk.html
  
• 'Silent killer' hypertension is often undiagnosed in children: summary based on Source reference: Hansen ML et al. "Underdiagnosis of hypertension in children and adolescents." JAMA 2007;298:874-879. Journal of the American Medical Association.
• Fast stats about hypertension from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC's National Center for Health Statistics): http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/hyprtens.htm
• Hypertension online slides: http://www.hypertensiononline.org/slides2/slide01.cfm?q=NHANES+III 

Looking for ways to get the best protein and fats in your diet and avoid saturated fat and cholesterol?  Read this week's article in The Commercial Appeal and check out the links below for more information: Fill need for protein without side effects of red meat

• The recommended U.S. diet: http://www.mypyramid.gov/
• Controlling fat in your diet: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/nutrition/nutrition_for_everyone/basics/controlling_fat.htm
• Great ideas on how to lower cholesterol and other blood fats: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/chol/chol_tlc.pdf
• Meat and Poultry Products - A Guide to Federal Food Labeling Requirements:
• http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Labeling_Requirements_Guide.pdf
• Fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids – good fats: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4632
• Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005 (70 page scientific document): http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/
• Different types of fats in your diet: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/nutrition/nutrition_for_everyone/basics/fat.htm
• Consumer brochure “Finding Your Way to a Healthier You”: http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/html/brochure.htm
• Questions and answers about label information on saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol: http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/cholmonth/q_a.htm
• Using the Nutrition Facts label on food products: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/foodlab.html
• Data on the nutrient content of specific foods:  http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/
• Dietary guidelines - details:
• http://www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines/
• Fruits and vegetables: http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/
• Health risk tool considering cholesterol, smoking, and blood pressure: http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/atpiii/calculator.asp?usertype=pub

To stay fit, you can exercise around the house or at work.  You don't need a fancy club.  Learn more in this week's "Family Health...Take Charge!" article in The Commercial Appeal:  Chores put exercise back into routine  Other resources on the web can be found at these links.

• The Fitness Jumpsite Calorie Calculator: http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspartner/jumpsite/calculat.htm  At this site, you can type in your weight and length of time you might exercise.  Then the site calculates the calories burned for 222 different activities.  Choose an activity that meets your needs!
• Fitting in fitness: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fitness/HQ01217_D
  
• Office exercises:
  • http://exercise.about.com/cs/exerciseworkouts/l/blofficeworkout.htm
  • http://www.campbellwellness.com/article.aspx?id=37
  • www.associatedcontent.com/article/147960/how_to_exercise_at_work_6_exercises.html
• Spring into action: http://www.gardenandhearth.com/fitness/sring-into-action.htm
• Gardening is good exercise: http://www.cleanairgardening.com/gardenexercise.html 
• Gardening exercise: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/gardenexercise
• How to work exercise into your busy lifestyle: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-62590959.html
• Calories burned with exercise and other daily activities: http://www.thedailyplate.com/fitness/directory/L

We CAN protect our hearing as we age.  Learn more in this week's "Family Health...Take Charge! article in The Commercial Appeal: Loud noise, other factors can lead to loss of hearing.

• Wise ears at work: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/wise/wiseears_atwork.asp
• Hearing loss in babies and children (developmental disabilities): www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dd/ddhi.htm
• Protect your ears - a brochure distributed by the state of Illinois: http://www.idhhc.state.il.us/familyInfo/brochure/protectEars.pdf
• CDC Job advice: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/abouthlp/soundadvice.html
• http://www.hearingloss.org/pdf/factsheet.pdf
• Hearing loss facts for mature adults: nihseniorhealth.gov/hearingloss/toc.html
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: http://www.asha.org/default.htm
• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)   www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/wise/index.asp
• Types of hearing loss and degrees of loss: http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/disorders/types.htm?print=1
• Espanol: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/spanish/atwork_span.asp http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/spanish/10w_sp.asp
  • Diez maneras de detectar la pérdida del oído
  • ¡ESCUCHE CON SABIDURÍA! para toda la vida
  • Proteja sus oídos
  • ¡ESCUCHE CON SABIDURÍA! Consejos: La audición cuenta--protéjala

A healthy newborn baby starts with a healthy pregnancy. Learn more about preterm births and ways to prevent them by reading this week's "Family Health...Take Charge!" feature in The Commercial Appeal:  Preterm birthrates a growing problem in the Mid-South

• Stillbirths decline, but disparities still persist: http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/2007/r070221.htm
• Preterm birth:http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/Preterm_Labor_and_Birth.cfm
  • http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/Preterm_Labor_and_Birth.cfm
  • http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/prematurebabies.html
• Pregnancy: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/pregnancy_gateway/default.htm
• Healthy pregnancy: theurbanchildinstitute.org/fyi/pregnancy.html
• Populations of Color: Health Status Report (Tennessee Dept. of Health) http://health.state.tn.us/minorityhealth/Populations_of_Color.pdf
• Prenatal care and mother's health affect delivery costs: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1365-2753.2006.00690.x
• Teen Pregnancies, Abortions Drop From 1990 to 2004: CDC -- http://www.cdc.gov/nchs 
• http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/MaternalInfantHealth/PBP.htm
• Preterm Birth: Causes, Consequences, and Prevention http://www.iom.edu/CMS/3740/25471/35813.aspx
• 2006 Memphis and Shelby County Children's Databook to learn about he health of Memphis area children http://www.theurbanchildinstitute.org/Databook.htm
• Tennessee infant mortality: http://www.commonwealthfund.org/usr_doc/StateScorecard.pdf?section=4039  P. 66
• March of Dimes guide on pregnancy:  http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/pnhec.asp
• March of Dimes on prematurity: http://www.marchofdimes.com/prematurity/prematurity.asp
• US Government information about reproductive health: http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/DRH
• Preterm births can lead to lifelong health problems: http://www.dukehealth.org/HealthLibrary/News/10263?from=RSS
• Intensive care for prematurity -- Study: Gender, other factors guide preemies' survival: http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/358/16/1672
• Drug registries, which list precautions: http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/DrugSafety/DrugIndex.htm
  Birth defect prevention and older moms: www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/173—812.asp
• Books: What to Expect When You’re Expecting by Arlene Eisenberg (Author), Heidi E. Murkoff (Author)
• What to Expect in the First Year by Arlene Eisenberg, Heidi E. Murkoff, Sandee E. Hathaway, Workman Publishing
• Infant mortality statistics (from 2004) from the U.S. Government: http://www.cdc.gov/NCHS/data/nvsr/nvsr55/nvsr55_14.pdf
• Prematurity: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/PrematureBirth/

Exercise is important for everyone.  To make sure your exercise plan is right for you, it helps to get a check-up.  Read more in this week's article in The Commercial Appeal:  Get a checkup before starting an exercise program. Find additional information at the following links:

• Get Fit! The President's Challenge: http://www.presidentschallenge.org/
• The President's Council on Physical Fitness: http://www.fitness.gov/
  
• Checklist before starting an exercise program (from the American Heart Association): http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3039235
• Exercise cuts kids' blood pressure: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml;jsessionid...
• Physical education and play help teens keep moderate weight as adults: http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2008/blum_exercise.html
• Duration of the benefits of exercise: http://www.dukemednews.org/news/article.php?id=10087
• Neighborhoods affect how much some people exercise: http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/neighexer.htm
• Weight training for heart patients: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3048982
• Exercising with arthritis: http://www.arthritis.org/exercise-intro.php
• Exercise with fibromyalgia: www.fmaware.org
• Moderate exercise cuts rate of metabolic syndrome:  http://www.dukemednews.duke.edu/news/article.php?id=10205
• http://sportsmedicine.upmc.com/FitnessTalkToDoctor.htm
• Everything in moderation...Starting an exercise program:http://www.acefitness.org/fitfacts/pdfs/fitfacts/itemid_47.pdf
  
• Starting a Stroke Recovery Fitness Program: http://www.acefitness.org/fitfacts/pdfs/fitfacts/itemid_65.pdf
  
• Flat abs, strong muscles and use of equipment: http://www.acefitness.org/media/media_display.aspx?itemid=65
  
• How to prepare for a 5K: http://www.acefitness.org/media/media_display.aspx?itemid=117
  

Infections can be avoided in many ways, such as by hand washing, vaccines, cleaning and protecting wounds, and reducing contact with infected people, animals or food.  Read more about ways to prevent the spread of infection in this week's "Family Health...Take Charge!" article in The Commercial Appeal:  "It's the germs' world, but we can live in it safely." Other references on the subject can be found at:

• Vaccines and Immunization (many related topics):
  • http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/default.htm
  • http://www.who.int/immunization/en/
  • http://www.drreddy.com/shots/
• Understanding microbes in sickness and health: http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/healthscience/healthtopics/microbes/PDF/microbesbook.pdf
  
• Stopping germs at home, work and school: http://www.cdc.gov/germstopper/home_work_school.htm
• Hand washing, an easy way to prevent infection: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hand-washing/HQ00407
• Handwashing is the single most important action to stop spreading infections:  www.kdheks.gov/wash_em/downloads/when_to_wash_card.pdf
• Antibiotics: use and overuse
  • When are antibiotics needed or not needed? http://www.scdhec.net/health/disease/sccause/
  • The rise in antibiotic-resistant infections: http://www.fda.gov/Fdac/features/795_antibio.html
  • Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work – http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/community/campaign.htm 
• Hygiene Matters: www.hygienecouncil.com/uk/H_Matters_UK.pdf
• Incidence of Select Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Among Children Under Age 5: 2004: Rate chart 
• Whooping cough (pertussis): http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/pertussis/default.htm
• Diseases from A to Z:  http://www.cdc.gov/DiseasesConditions/
• Genital warts (human papilloma virus and HPV vaccinations to prevent cervical cancer): http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/default.htm
• Useful websites (other than the CDC) about infectious diseases: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/othersites.htm

Birth defects are often preventable. Read more about this concern and ways to prevent birth defects at this week's "Family Health...Take Charge!" feature in The Commercial Appeal: link to article.  Other helpful references on the subject of birth defects and their prevention:

• http://www.marchofdimes.com/
• Healthy pregnancy: theurbanchildinstitute.org/fyi/pregnancy.html
• Types of birth defects:  http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/4439_1206.asp