Health 2.0 Gets Mainstream Media Love

As another blogger in the health world, I am pleased to announce that Amy Tenderich, the author of DiabetesMine was recently featured on Newsweek.com!

Here is the link to her blog post mentioning all the details.

Amy was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and began writing about her experiences, which has lead to a large following of “patient bloggers” as well as people who can identify with her life. Diabetes is one of my keen interests (especially Type 2 and its prevention) so I’m glad there was some exposure!

Great job Amy!

Fitness Resolution Check-in: Just Do It!

The other day as I was out and about, I was walking past a popular restaraunt and I couldn’t help but overhear a brief interaction with a patron and their (assumed) significant other, as they were entering. Something like this:

Hungry patron: I know it’s not even February yet and I’m already messing up one of my resolutions, but I don’t care right now!

Significantly hungry significant other: I know what you mean…I’m not going to get dessert.

Hungry patron: …yeah right.

Are we giving up already folks?? I know it’s not easy – I’m working through it too!

I’m sure you’ll find one of your favorites in the video. Remember, just do it!

Community Health for a Connected World

Photo by Robin J. Psychic

I want to bring your attention to a contest going on, being sponsored by Prevention magazine. The magazine is on the look out for a woman 40 years of age or older who can shed some light on a way in which they achieve better health and can inspire others to do the same. You can find out more about the contest here and also through ABC News. This is the second year of the contest and on the website there are examples of user submitted videos from the last contest, sort of gives you an idea of what they are looking for in the requested content. The deadline is January 31st, so you have some time to enter. The winning video is displayed at the top of the other finalists – it is about a woman who survived a nasty car accident and turned her lemons into lemonade (for herself and for others!) by becoming a life coach. Do yourself a favor and watch the 1 minute clip of B.J. Reed.

This contest points out a very real phenomenon seen in this new version of the Web: a powerful sense of community.

One of the things that I am excited about regarding this contest is that it allows individuals to produce their own content. Despite the video being short in duration, each person has the ability to share their own story. Granted there is the wonderful incentive of winning $10,000 (!!), the beauty of this contest is in the call to action. The tagline to the contest announcement is “Get involved in the Second Annual Picture of Health Contest, and become an inspiration!” Now if you take a step back and look at the page – what message was presented first?

A) Become an inspiration or,

B) Win $10,000!

Answer: A! (please tell me you picked A…)

So what does that tell you about this campaign and about why I believe most people are entering their submissions? Inspire others. Let others know what you have gone through so that they can move forward in their own lives.

You are not alone.

We are living in an age where communication travels at nearly the speed of thought! You think it and then share it for the world.

I believe the power of online communities and community building events like this can have a profound impact on the health world. Not only physically but mentally as well. And to me, it’s all a part of a healthy life.

You are not alone. Find others to support and who can support you.

Helpful Links:

The Cancer Survivors Network

Revolution Health Diabetes Community

HealthyPlace Mental Health Communities

Who Said It Was A Thankless Career?

http://www.publichealththankyouday.org/

I wish I had known about this event much earlier! This is exactly the kind of resource we need to promote and get on the news in FRONT of the latest high blood pressure drug that will eventually cause you to get high cholesterol…

Prevention is better than cure folks – our parents told us this but oh how aptly it applies to health.

I’ll be all over Public Health Thank You Day next year!

Dealing with Bad News from the Doctor

                              

This past Tuesday, I had the wonderful opportunity to listen to Dr. Jessie Gruman, Ph.D., the President of the Center for the Advancement of Health as well as a recent addition to the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services. Dr. Gruman’s new book, AfterShock, deals with the very real issue of having your life turned upside down by getting unfavorable news from your physician or having a loved one receive the news and therefore being affected as well.

After an introduction, Dr. Gruman began addressing an attentive audience which truly wanted to gain insight on dealing with these life altering circumstances. She then gave a brief synopsis of each chapter, creating a great personal connectivity with the audience. We were then given 8 tenets to keep in mind when going through these trying times – 4 for those who have personally received the bad news and then 4 for those who know a loved one going through a medical crisis.

If You Have Received Bad News:

1. You will not always feel like this (depressed, despondent, generally stressed, etc.) – as you get more information, you are able to look at the big picture, beyond your initial emotions. Dr. Gruman mentions that you just need to get through the first 24 hours.
2. Be aware of your initial sense of urgency. Understand that there is never only one option. Get a second opinion. Don’t be in a hurry to sign up for the first solution that is presented to you.
3. Choose who you want to involve in your situation. Be careful who you tell about the news, you may regret it later on.
4. Hope is a gift. Remember it’s ok to not feel like everything is alright – make sure to lean on your support system.

If You Know Someone Who Has Received Bad News:

1. Acknowledge the Situation. Make sure and let the person know that you will keep them in your thoughts and are sorry this has happened to them. The worst thing you can do is to ignore that it has happened and pretend nothing has changed.
2. Help them to Preserve their Privacy. Please remember that if the person has confided their situation with you, that it does not mean you can tell others. Get their permission before talking to others.
3. Help them to Retain their Autonomy. Make sure they have the best information/advice and then love them no matter what their decision. They are still individuals and can make their own choices.
4. Ensure that they are More than their Disease. Pretty self explanatory – ensure that they keep their dignity. It’s alright to laugh, smile and have fun; life is for living!

Finally, there was a Q&A session in which a question regarding becoming informed consumers piqued my interest. Dr. Gruman mentioned that we as consumers are expected to know and understand alot of information, especially regarding health and medicine. She mentioned that since we don’t get told much, it’s a good idea to have a few really good tools and resources. Apart from having a good physician that you can trust, it’s important to have a good sense of where to go for reliable health information. I thought this was especially good advice in the age of user generated content and Web 2.0. There are so many places on the Web where “health information” might be placed, but you need reliable information in order to make good decisions.

Look for an upcoming post on the importance of accurate health information online!