EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
HEALTH MINISTRY IN THE EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT (VOL 5-2023)
Dr. Patricia D. McKenzie
Episcopal Coordinator for Health Ministries
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PART I.
NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES FOR MAY 2023
A. ARTHRITIS AWARENESS MONTH
Source: Osteoarthritis Action Alliance (OAA) . https://oaaction.unc.cedu/
FACTS:
: “An estimated 58.5 million adults in the U.S. are affected by some form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type, especially among older people. It causes pain, swelling and loss of motion of the joint. While there is no cure for arthritis, the symptoms can be managed through treatments, lifestyle changes and education. The risk factors for OA includes aging, excessive body weight, a prior joint injury, genetics, and excessive/repetitive movement from certain jobs or sports. The signs and symptoms: 1. Joint pain, typically in the hands, knees, feet, neck, hips and spine 2. Several minutes of stiffness in a joint after getting out of bed or sitting for a long time 3. Mild swelling or tenderness in one or more joints. There are some people with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), but it affects fewer people. RA is an auto immune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks tissues, including joints and organs. The OA affects only joints and causes changes in joint shape and movement. Living with OA: 1. Treatments at home include low impact exercises, weight loss, use of supportive devices, a cane or braces, and application of heating/cooling. 2. A professional may provide acupuncture, physical & occupational therapy, medications or supplements 3. Sometime surgery or joint replacement is required. A good practice is to keep a positive mind-set consider starting a daily gratitude journal or taking time to reflect on the things that have gone well recently. A resource to explore is the Center for Disease Control and Prevention-Arthritis Program (www.cdc.gov/arthritis)”
B. MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH.
Source National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). https://www.nami.org/
FACTS:
: “Each illness has its own symptoms, but common signs in adults and adolescents can include: Excessive worrying or fear; feeling excessively sad or low; confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning; extreme mood changes, including uncontrollable “Highs,” prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger; avoiding friends and social activities; difficulties understanding or relating to other people; changes in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetite; changes in sex drive; difficulty in perceiving reality, will sense things that don’t exist in objective reality; multiple physical ailment without obvious cause as headaches or stomach aches; an intense fear of weight gain or concern with appearance. Mental health conditions can also begin in young children and their most obvious symptoms are behavioral, as changes in school performance, excessive worry or anxiety. Frequent disobedience or aggression, and frequent temper tantrums.
Millions of people in U.S. are affected by mental illness each year. It impacts their physical, social and financial conditions. The following numbers are published to raise public awareness, to bust the stigma labels and to encourage better healthcare. 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience it each year; 1 in 20 U.S. adolescents experience serious illness each year; 1 in 6 youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year; 50% of all lifetimes mental illness begins by age 14 and 75% by age 24; Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people 10-14 years. Research suggests multiple causes, as genetics, environment and lifestyle. Other influences are stressful jobs and homelife lead to traumatic life events for some people. There are biochemical processes and circuits and basic brain structure which can play a role. Mental illness is no one’s fault. Diagnosis is the first step and requires an assessment by a mental health professional. There is no medical test that can accurately diagnosis mental illness. Treatment is possible-There is no one size fits all and the plan may include medications, counseling, social support and education. HELP is available-Call or Text 988. Chat with a professional at 988lifeline.org.
The NAMI message to share is I Am More Than Enough. 1.No matter what my depression tells me, I am worthy of love, I am worthy of acceptance, I am worthy of fulfillment. I Am More Than Enough. 2. I live with Schizophrenia. I am not a burden. I Am More Than Enough. Reminder: Your worth is not measured by your productivity. You deserve love and healing just as you are. You Are More Than Enough.”
C. LUPUS AWARENESS MONTH
Source: Lupus Foundation of America (LFA). https://www.lupus.org/lupus-awareness-month
FACTS:
“Lupus is a chronic disease that can cause inflammation and pain in any part of your body. 1. It is an autoimmune disease (your immune system which usually fights infection attacks healthy tissue instead). 2.It most commonly affects the skin, joints and internal organs, as kidneys and heart. 3.Those at risk: Women ages 15-44 (9 out of 10 patients are women); racial or ethnic groups, African Americans, Hispanic/Latinos and Native Americans; other family members have disease. 4.Research has not identified the cause; it is not contagious. 5. The early signs and symptoms are the same for men and women. They may include extreme fatigue, pain or swelling in the joints, swelling in hands, feet and around the eyes, headaches, low fever, sensitivity to sunlight and fluorescent, chest pain when breathing deeply. 6. Some people have skin and hair changes- a butterfly shaped rash on the cheeks and nose, hair loss, sores in mouth or nose, fingers or toes turning white or blue and feeling numb when person is cold or stressed. See your Dr. if any of these signs and symptoms develop. 7. The common symptoms in children: hair loss, bloated look in face and neck, skin rashes or lesions, weight gain, easy bruising, muscle aches, memory loss, and difficulty processing information. 8. An accurate diagnosis is required to determine the correct medication and treatments for each person. 9.When a child is diagnosed, be prepared to help the child learn to cope with the effects of the disease and other people’s reactions and attitudes.
The National Resource Center on Lupus (www.lupus.org/resources/search) offers ‘Coping with Lupus,’ ‘Living with Lupus,’ ‘Elevating Black Lupus Voices, 2023-Black History Month.’
Also, May 10 is World Lupus Day and some people may wear purple in support of the theme: Make Lupus Visible.”
PART II.
HEALING AIDS FROM THE BALM IN GILEAD
Source:
Click on Education and Inspiration and find to topics-Sunday Morning Health Corner and Resources
Facts:
PART III.
CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
Health Topic for April-Hepatitis
FACTS: “ Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver.
1.The causes include heavy alcohol use, toxins and some medications. Many people don’t have symptoms. Symptoms of acute hepatitis include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, light colored stools, joint pain, and jaundice. Symptoms of chronic viral hepatitis may take decades to develop.
2. The most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
3.Chronic hepatitis B and C are the leading causes of liver cancer in U.S.
4. Both hepatitis A and B are preventable with vaccines and hepatitis C is curable with prescribed treatment.
5.Incidence in 2020-Hepatitis A estimate of infections 19.900; Hepatitis B estimate of new infections 14,000 and estimate 880,000 adults with chronic disease; Hepatitis C estimate of 66,700 new infections and estimate of 2.2 million adults diagnosed.
6. CDC recommends vaccinations for all children age 12-23 months and all adults age 59. For adults 60 or older with risk factors get vaccinated against Hep A and Hep B. If people are 60 and older and do not have risk factors, they may choose to get vaccinated. The Risks Factors-
7.Hap A Vaccine, mem who have sex with men, people who use or inject drugs, international adoptee, or traveler, and homeless. Severe disease risk, if the person has a chronic liver disease and person with HIV. If the person is exposed to another person with the disease, see the Dr. within 2 weeks to get the best health outcome. If you have the disease, you develop antibodies to protect you for life.
8. Hep B vaccine, sex partners of persons who test positive, sexually active persons who are not in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship, international travelers to country with high or intermediate levels of endemic Hap B.
10. Hap C- There is no vaccine for it. The best way to prevent it is to avoid behaviors as sharing needles or other equipment to prepare and inject drugs. Getting tested is important, because treatment can cure Hap C in most people in 8-10 weeks.
11. CDC recommends all adults get tested for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C at least once in their lifetime and pregnant women get teste during each pregnancy.”
www.cdc.gov/COVID-19 Stay Up to Date with COVID-19Vaccines (May 2023) FACTS:
1. Everyone aged 6 yrs. and older should get updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine to be considered up to date.
2. Persons aged 55 yrs. and older may get a 2nd updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna booster dose
3. People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get additional updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna booster doses
4. Children aged 6 months To 5 yrs. may need multiple doses of vaccine to be up to date, including at least 1 updated dose of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna depending on age and previous doses.
Reminders:
1. COVID-19 vaccines available in U.S. are effective at protecting people from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized and dying. They are called ‘updated’ because they protect against both the original virus and the Omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5.
Reminders:
2. If you recently had COVID-19, still stay up to date, but consider delaying your vaccine by 3 months from when symptoms started or when you first received a positive test.
Reminders:
3. Keep up with your vaccination card (s).
Reminders:
4. Area of Concern-When the Community Level is low the CDC requirement is ‘Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.’ That requirement is unknown. Wear your mask to protect yourself.
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Archives
HEALTH MINISTRY OF THE EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT (VOL 10-2024)
HEALTH MINISTRY IN THE EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT (VOL 3-2024)
HEALTH MINISTRY IN THE EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT (VOL 1-2024)
HEALTH MINISTRY IN THE EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT (VOL 12-2023)