CONTENTS: Section I..........From the Editor's Keyboard Hunting For Health Education Resources? New Sponsor Offers Special Discounts to WEJ readers Focus on Childhood Health Coming Next Issue Section II........Transcripts from The WellnessWise Radio Program School Health Curricula Death In The Classroom: Anaphylaxis Lead Poisoning in Children Section III......Science/Health Abstracts Growth In Vegetarian Children Breastfeeding/Crohn's Disease/Ulcerative Colitis Cow's Milk/Solid Foods/Infants/Diabetes Mellitus Helicobacter Pylori Gastritis/Diet/Children Section IV......Parting Words Offers From Our Sponsors Subscription Information Back Issues
As a health educator as well as a physician, I'm always looking for quality educational resources. My quest for health related materials is not unique. Whether it's a video, a "how to" book, or a concise pamphlet, many lay people at some time in their life become purchasers of health-related materials.
>From this perspective, I'm happy to welcome "The Health Connection" as a new sponsor to the WellnessWise Electronic Newsletter.
"The Health Connection," based in Hagerstown, MD, offers a wide range of health education resources that are popular with parents, teachers and health professionals. Their offerings include a wide range of health educational videos, books, magazines, posters, charts, and curricula.
You owe it to yourself to become acquainted with them. For many years I have used their resources personally in my health education work. In fact, I approached them and asked them to make it easier for my readers to take advantage of their services.
So here is what they are offering: a free catalogue and a coupon good for 10% off on your first order. (There is, of course, no obligation to purchase anything at any time.) Simply call "The Health Connection" at 1-800-548-8700 (for other countries: 301-790-9735). If it's easier, you can e-mail them at 74617.3266@compuserve.com.
You'll need to give them your "snail address" and let them know that you heard about "The Health Connection" through "WellnessWise." They will send you the free catalogue and the 10% off coupon.
Take this opportunity today to show your support for a WEJ sponsor--and at the same time open up the doors to some valuable resources for yourself!
This edition of WEJ focuses particularly on the health of children. Whether you have children or not, the issue of childhood health is important to any society.
When we deal with children, we tend to be especially aware of the value of prevention. We focus a large amount of time and energy on activities calculated to prevent disease in this age group: educational activities, immunization campaigns, prevention-oriented counseling, etc. However, many of the attitudes and practices that we take pains to impress upon our children, we fail to address as adults. In fact, most "childhood health issues" (including those in this newsletter) have important bearings for individuals of any age. Yes, we are wise to devote special attention to issues that affect one of the most vulnerable groups in our society. On the other hand, just because certain issues apply to children with special force, we should not relegate them solely to the sphere of "childhood health."
Our issue concludes with materials dealing with the subject of childhood health as drawn from Phylis Austin's Science/Health Abstracts archives.
"Heart Disease Insights"
Silent "Heart Killers" Hypertension in Young Men LDL Density and Heart Disease
SECTION II
TRANSCRIPTS FROM THE WELLNESSWISE RADIO PROGRAM
(All scripts copyright 1995 and 1996 by David J. DeRose, MD, MPH)
Are America's children getting a thorough health education training? I'm Dr. David DeRose: we'll find out in a moment on WellnessWise.
In America, a number of well-established school health curricula are available. These programs help schools provide a valuable health education experience to our children.
Two examples of such programs are "Growing Healthy" and the American Health Foundation's "Know Your Body." Research has shown that such programs not only help to increase knowledge, but also lead to improved attitudes and behaviors.
For example, when the habits of seventh graders who had been receiving the Growing Healthy curriculum were compared to those who did not receive the program, the results were striking. Program participants had a 37% lower cigarette smoking rate than those who did not receive such training.
If all US students could receive an equally effective program, statistics indicate that 146,000 fewer seventh graders would be smokers.
Like any course of study, excellent school health curricula are comprehensive. The programs deal with more than smoking behavior of course. Other important topics covered include: proper nutritional habits and physical fitness. From my perspective, one of the most important subjects to master is an understanding of how the body works and how to cooperate with it.
Although we may not agree with all aspects of any given health curricula, the research still makes a powerful argument. Kids benefit from a structured approach to health education from their earliest school years. Each school--whether public or private--should offer an integrated program of health education that is consistent with the moral, cultural, and spiritual values for which the school stands.
Early education does make a difference. We can teach our young people the essentials of health education and how it relates to their health behavior choices. And when given that training many _will_ make better decisions.
For WellnessWise, I'm Dr. David DeRose.
Reference: Tolsma, DD and Koplan, JP "Health Behaviors and Health Promotion", in Last, JM and Wallace, RB, (ed) Maxcy-Rosenau-Last Public Health and Preventive Medicine, 13 th edition, Appleton and Lange, 1992, p. 709.
Death in the classroom: I'm Dr. David DeRose, in a moment we'll look at a life threatening allergic disease on WellnessWise.
A recent report from the Mayo Clinic raises concerns about our attitude to probably the most life threatening allergic disease. It's called "anaphylaxis."
"Anaphylaxis" describes a severe life threatening allergic reaction that affects the whole body. The condition may first strike the lungs with symptoms of wheezing or difficulty breathing. There may be skin changes with itchy bumps called hives. Although death can occur from respiratory failure, death can also occur because of a sudden dramatic drop in blood pressure.
In the recent Mayo Clinic study, the most common cause of anaphylaxis was food allergies. The second was insect stings. The third was medication.
Anaphylaxis is best prevented by avoiding things that cause it. Treatment involves the prompt use of adrenaline--also known as epinephrine.
Because anaphylaxis can occur anywhere, the authors recommend that every room in every school should have epinephrine available. The seconds lost trying to locate the school nurse or nursing office may mean the difference between life and death. Kits are available so that even a teacher who does not have much medical knowledge can quickly learn to administer the medication.
For WellnessWise, I'm Dr. David DeRose References: (1) Yocum, MW, and Khan, DA, Assessment of Patients who have experienced anaphylaxis: A three year survey; Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 69:16-23, January 1994. (2) Schwartz, HJ; Anaphylaxis: A Potentially Fatal, Avoidable and Often Ignored Clinical Problem (editorial), Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 69:93, January 1994.
Is lead poisoning really a problem _today_? I'm Dr. David DeRose--we'll find out in a moment on WellnessWise.
Especially for children--lead poisoning is a serious illness--much more serious than our parents or grandparents dreamed. Frighteningly, significant problems can arise from blood lead levels once thought to be safe. Consequences include: slowed growth, hearing problems, impaired intelligence and behavioral disorders. The problems affecting the mind and behavior can begin at levels as low as 10 micrograms per deciliter--a level that causes no other physical symptoms.
Fortunately, early detection and treatment of lead poisoning can prevent many of the worst problems. The message is: have your children's blood lead levels checked regularly. This is especially important if kids spend time in or around older homes, schools or other buildings. However, even children without these environmental risk factors can get significant lead exposure.
Preventing lead exposure is also critical. Most of us know that we should try to ensure that children do not eat dirt or other non food substances. Other things you can do include the following.
Remove any home sources of lead exposure--like lead-based paint. (Have trained individuals do this job and its full clean-up while the family is out of the house.) Wash hands before eating, and use cold tap water for drinking, cooking, and especially for mixing infant formula. If either parent works with lead on their job, change clothes and clean up, _before_ going home.
Lead poisoning--don't let your children be numbered among those with this preventable illness. Make their environment as lead-free as possible. And don't forget to take the time to have periodic blood lead levels checked.
For WellnessWise, I'm Dr. David DeRose.
The following abstracts that relate to our topic of childhood health first
appeared in Volume 12(5) of "Science/Health Abstracts"; copyright 1993 by
Phylis A. Austin. (Send e-mail to WEJ for information on how to obtain a
current subscription to "Science/Health Abstracts.")
Vegetarian children grow more slowly than meat-eaters. Some have
suggested that this growth pattern suggests an inadequate diet. A
recent study comparing vegetarian with non-vegetarian growth
patterns reveals that while vegetarians have a later onset of
menarche and the adolescent growth spurt, they eventually reach the
same heights as non-vegetarians. The researchers point out that
this delay in physical maturity may bring with it certain health
advantages, including lower risk of some types of cancer (including
breast cancer). (Journal of the American Dietetic Association
92(10)1263-1264, October 1992)
Infants who are breast-fed, particularly those who are breast-fed
for several months, are less likely to develop Crohn's disease or
ulcerative colitis later in life. (Annals of Epidemiology 3:389-
392, 1993)
The early exposure of infants to cow's milk and to solid foods
increases the risk of the later development of insulin-dependent
diabetes mellitus in high-risk individuals. (Diabetes 42:288-95,
1993)
Children are at increased risk of suffering Helicobacter pylori
gastritis (inflammation of the lining of the stomach) if they eat
beef or use carbonated beverages. (Gastroenterology 104(4 Pt 2)A,
32, 1993)
Our sponsors continue to offer special services to WEJ readers
"The Health Connection," our newest sponsor, offers a large variety of health
education resources that are popular with parents, teachers and health
professionals. Their special offer is described in detail in the "Editor's
Keyboard" section of this newsletter.
Total Life Creations, Inc.(TM), is still offering a special discount on an
important educational resource. The new "Fatigue Busters(TM)" video is
guaranteed to boost your energy level. For a limited time, WellnessWise
readers save over 15% by receiving FREE shipping and handling (US & Canada
only)!! Get your copy for only $29.95 by calling 1-800-827-9445. Send mail
orders to: Fatigue Busters, P.O. Box 41, Selah, WA 98942. (Fatigue Busters
is a trademark of Total Life Creations, Inc.)
The daily WellnessWise radio broadcast is available on cassette. WEJ readers
receive a 10% discount on program audio tapes. For $9.00 post paid (regular
$10) receive an information packed cassette with a minimum of twenty of Dr.
DeRose's 90 second WellnessWise radio programs. Send e-mail to
docderose@aol.com for further details.
We continue to distribute The WellnessWise Electronic Journal free of charge
via Internet E-mail to all subscribers. Please address subscription requests
and any other correspondence to the address below.
Back issues of WEJ are available at several sites in cyberspace. Some of the
more popular sites are as follows:
Send all correspondence to:
GROWTH IN VEGETARIAN CHILDREN
BREASTFEEDING/CROHN'S DISEASE/ULCERATIVE COLITIS
COW'S MILK/SOLID FOODS/INFANTS/DIABETES MELLITUS
HELICOBACTER PYLORI GASTRITIS/DIET/CHILDREN
SECTION IV
PARTING WORDS
OFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
BACK ISSUES
(1) http://fermi.jhuapl.edu/wej/
(2) http://www.glasscity.net/~tolsda/wej/
(3) http://www.tagnet.org/InfoCenter
(4) http://www.social.com/health/news.html
David J. DeRose, MD, MPH
Email: docderose@aol.com (preferred) 74532.622@compuserve.com