EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
HEALTH MINISTRY (VOL 9)
Dr. Patricia D. McKenzie
Episcopal Coordinator for Health Ministries
PART I.
NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES FOR SEPTEMBER
A. NATIONAL SICKLE CELL AWARENESS MONTH
Source: National Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCD). www.sicklecelldisease.org/
FACTS:
PART l. NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES FOR SEPTEMBER
- National Sickle Cell Awareness Month Source: Sickle Cell Disease
“Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disease that affects red blood cells, have hemoglobin S, an abnormal type of hemoglobin. Sometimes the cells become crescent shaped and have difficulty passing through small blood vessels. This leads to less blood reaching that part of the body. Tissues that do not receive a normal blood flow eventually become damaged leading to sickle cell disease. There is currently no universal cure for sickle cell disease. Sickle cell conditions are inherited from the parents. For example, when both parents have the Sickle Cell Trait, the children have a 25% chance (1 in 4) of having a baby with sickle cell disease. It is important to speak to your physician to understand what type of sickle cell disease you have. The disease may cause anemia, jaundice and formation of gallstones. When the flow of blood is blocked, there may be pain episodes in the arms, legs, chest or abdomen. Living with a chronic disease is stressful affecting psychosocial and mental health. The plan of care is designed to help the patient stay healthy and will include reducing stress, healthy eating, light exercise, lots of sleep, and mental health therapists. This patient may experience the stigma of Mental Health in the Black community but it must be overcome because this therapy is crucial to the survival of some patients. If someone is interested in becoming an advocate for mental health care: Go to www.sicklecelldisease.org/mentalhealth and wellness. Check out the “l Believe in Therapy Tool Kit.”
Some of the most common complications:
- Pain Episode and Crisis when the sickle cells get stuck and clog blood flow
- Infection such as flu, meningitis and hepatitis
- Hand-Foot Syndrome with swelling in the hand and feet and fever
- Eye Disease which can lead to long term damage
- Acute Chest Syndrome with blockage of blood to lungs which leads to chest pain, coughing, difficulty breathing and fever and always requires hospitalization
- Stroke when blood flow to the brain is clogged and can lead to disabilities and learning problems.
B. National Children Obesity
FACTS:
- Childhood obesity is a complex problem. About 1 in 5 American children and adolescents have obesity. It affects Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black children and families with Low incomes. This means approximately
14.7 million youth ages 2-19 have obesity. There are more non-Hispanic Black girls and more Hispanic boys impacted. They are at a higher risk for asthma, sleep apnea, bone and joint problems, type 2 diabetes and risk factors for heart disease, and high blood pressure. These children are more likely to have obesity as adults. Factors that influence obesity include genetics, eating patterns, physical activity levels, access to health care, and sleep routines. Conditions where you live, learn, work, and play can make healthy eating and getting physical activity difficult. Ways to prevent obesity: may purchase frozen and canned fruits and vegetables, but you must check for low sodium or no salt added and fruit packed in 100% fruit juice. Eat a variety of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, lean protein meats, low fat or fat-free dairy products. Replace drinks with water, 100% juices or plain low-fat milk. Call 1-866-3
HUNGRY-Hunger Hotline (for English) and (for Spanish 1-877-8 HAMBRE) These lines are open 7am-1Opm 9 CT), Monday-Friday. Also, plan to increase physical activity as a family. Good sleep helps to prevent obesity. Preschoolers need 10-13 hours per day including naps. Children 6-12, need 9-12 hours of uninterrupted sleep and youth 13-17, need 8-10 hours.
Replace screen time with family time. Too much screen time can lead to poor sleep, weight gain. Lower grades I school and poor mental health.
Plan to turn off the screen one hour before bedtime.
When looking for Early Care and Education settings, check for healthy infant feeding, healthy physical activity and screen time limits.”
C. PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Source: American Association for Cancer Research. www.aacr.org/
FACTS:
“Prostate Cancer is the most common type diagnosed in men in the U.S. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men. Prostate cancer often has no early symptoms. While advanced cancer can cause men to urinate more often or have a weaker flow of urine. However, these symptoms can also result from benign Prostate conditions. Screening
options include a digital rectal exam and a blood test which often identifies the disease early before it spreads, this cancer is more common in older men with a family history of prostate cancer and in men of African American descent. Other risk factors include Vitamin A E, folic acid and high intake of airy and calcium. About 12.9% of men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. Black men have the highest death rate of any race or ethnic group in the U.S. Black men are about twice as likely to die as White men. Scientists believe this disparity stems from both genetic and socioeconomic factors. The National Cancer Institute estimates that 313,780 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 35,770 will die of the disease in 2025. However, the five-year survival rate is now 97.9%.
- Note: The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) will release a Cancer Progress Report at 12pm ET on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.
- Nearly 20% of U.S. caner diagnoses are related to excess body weight, unhealthy dietary patterns, alcohol intake and physical inactivity.”
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
A. COVID 2025
FACTS:
Core Prevention Strategies:
- 1. Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccine and lower the risk of being hospitalized or dying from COVID-19
- 2. Practice good hygiene to improve cleanliness
- 3. Take steps for cleaner air
- 4. When you are sick—Stay home and away from others, including people you live with who are not sick
- 5. Seek health care for testing and treatment if you have risk factors or severe illness (Treatment must be started within a few days of when symptoms begin)
- 6. Wearing a mask and putting distance between yourself and other can help lower the risk of COVID-19 transmission
- 7. Watch for illness increasing in your community
- 8. Increased risk of severe Respiratory illness for older adults, young children, teens those with medical conditions as chronic lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, persons with weakened immune system, disabilities and pregnant women
- 9. children, teens and adults with obesity
- 10. All with sickle cell disease.
*Influenza (Flu)-
September and October are good times to get flu vaccine. Talk with your Doctor.
*RSV-Respiratory Syncytial Virus-
Can severely impact older adults and adults with underlying chronic condition; Contagious virus occurs during fall peaks in the winter and subsides in spring; vaccination is available. Talk with your Dr.”
