Healthbeat
Agency to use grant to
provide services for the aging
Family Services, Inc, a local nonprofit human
services organization, has received a $3,000 grant
from the national organization the Alliance for
Chilean and Families to identify ways to provids
quality aging services.
Family Services, Inc. was one of 22 agencies
selected though a competitive, national process to
receive the grant.
The grant is part of the New Age of Aging, an ini
tiative or the Alliance for
Children and Families designed
to help prepare nonprofit human
services organizations through
out North America to best pro
vide services for older adults as
the vast Baby Boom Generation
ages. The multi-million dollar
initiative is funded by The
Atlantic Philanthropies.
Family Services, Inc.
received a mini-grant through
Renna
the New Age of Aging initiative because it is interest
ed in enhancing current aging services or gaining com
petency in the field. The mini-grant will be used to
support Family Services' Reassurance Program.
"This grant enables Family Services to build on
the strengths of our Reassurance Program, which pro
vides help to isolated older adilts" said A1 Renna,
President and CEO of Family Services, Inc. "We are
proud to have this opportunity to help meet the
tremendous need of serving older adults in our commu
nity."
According to U.S. Census projections, 71.5 mil
lion Americans will reach age 65 by 2030, double the
number in 2003.
Study: Repellent-treated clothing
nearly eliminates tick bites
A pilot study shows clothes treated with long-last
ing insect repel lant appear to offer outdoor workers
significant protection against tick bites.
The study, conducted by researchers at the
Dr. Meshnick
University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill Gillings School of
Global Public Health, found 93
percent fewer tick attachments
among a group of state water
quality employees who wore
Insect Shield Repellent Apparel,
compared to workers in similar
environments who used spray
repel 1 ants or other tick bite pre
vention methods.
The findings were published
this month in the journal Vector-Borne and Zoonotic
Diseases.
Tick-borne diseases are a significant concern for
millions of people who live and work in tick-infested
habitats. If not treated early, these diseases can lead to
severe illness or even death, said Dr. Steve Meshnick,
UNC epidemiology professor and lead author of the
study
"The technology hoick the promise of a safe, sim
ple and effective way to protect people from ticks and
other insects," Meshnick said
Saleem launches
mobile fitness program
Local fitness instructor Amatullah Saleem has
developed a mobile fitness unit as a way to take health
aid wellness on the road to sites in the Triad
Saleem, a/ormer professional dancer and Winston
Salem Department of Recreation Specialist, takes the
mobile unit to homes, businesses, churches and con
ferences to provide a 45-minute total workout that
includes breathing exercises, stretches and exercises
With weights andor bands. The workouts can be tai
lored to a clients' needs.
Saleem, who leads exercise classes at the local
YWCA and several other area locations, says her
workouts arc designed to increase energy levels,
strength, flexibility and overall health. For more
information, contact her at muham
mad0919@gmail.com or 336-486-8637.
UJS. smoking ban by 2020?
ATLANTA (AP) - By 2020, every state may
have bans on smoking in restaurants, bars and the
workplace, federal health officials predicted Thursday,
based on the current pace of adopting anti-smoking
laws.
The number of states with comjjjasljCTislve indoor
smoking Dans went worn zero in
2000 to 25 in 2010.
"It is by no means a foregone
conclusion that we'll get there
by 2020," said Dr. Tim McAfee,
director of the CDC's Office on
Smoking and Health.
But the success of the smok
ing ban movement has been
astound ng, and seems to be
accelerating, he added.
Nearly half of U.S. residents
Dr. McAfee
are covered by comprehensive state or local indoor
smoking bans, the CDC estimated in a new report.
Another 10 states have laws that ban smoking in
. workplaces, bars or restaurants, but not in all three
venues. Some other states have less restrictive laws,
like requiring smoking areas with separate ventilation.
Only seven states have no indoor smoking restric
tions. although some of their cities do: Indiana,
Kentucky, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, West
Virginia and Wyoming.
Rx exec
to get
honor
from A&T
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
Willie A. Deese, executive vice
president and president of Merck
Manufacturing, will receive an hon
orary degree from North Carolina A&T
State University at its Annual Spring
Commencement on Saturday, May 7 at
8:30 a.m. at the Greensboro
Coliseum. More than 1 ,200 students
will receive degrees.
Headquartered in Whitehouse
Station, N.J., Merck is one of the
world's largest pharmaceutical compa
nies. us prod
ucts include
S i n g u I a i r ,
Zocor, Gardasil
and Fosamax.
Deese began
his career at the
Digital
Equipment
Corporation in
Spring fi eld,
Mass., where he
served in a van
Desse
ety of procurement and materials man
agement functions, ultimately becom
ing site manager.
He has held several executive and
management leadership positions,
including senior vice president of glob
al procurement at Merck & Co. Inc.,
senior vice president and director of
purchasing at SmithKline Beecham
and vice president of purchasing at
Kaiser Permanente and led the integra
tion of the Glaxo and SmithKline pro
curement organizations through their
merger, becoming GlaxoSmithKline's
senior vice president for global pro
curement and logistics.
Deese is a strong supporter of the
N.C. A&T School of Business and
Economics. He established an
endowed scholarship to support the
School's students and also served as
co-chair of the university's $100
Million Capital Campaign. He is a
member of the A&T Board of Trustees,
Executive Advisory Council for the
School of Business and Economics and
Beta Gamma Sigma International
Honor Society.
A native of Davidson, Deese holds
a Bachelor of Arts degree in business
administration from A&T, masters in
business administration degree from
Western New England College and is a
certified purchasing manager.
Deese and his wife, Carol, have one
son.
Grants to help improve
health of women, girls
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
The Women's Council of Forsyth Medical
Center Foundation has announced a commit
ment of more than $200,000 in grants to three
programs that focus on raising the standard for
women's health care by helping underserved
women and recognizing specialized medical
year grant of $7,500 in 2011. About 100
women undergoing cancer treatments are treat
ed at no cost to mini spa services, such as
massage, Reiki, manicures and hair cuts.
These pampering services help reduce anxiety,
enhance coping skills, encourage relaxation
and provide social and networking opportuni
ties for women sharing similar experiences.
iiucu> ui women,
GYN Cancer
Navigator is the benefici
ary of a three-year grant
totaling $195,000 that
will be provided from
2011-2014. The grant
will fund a nurse naviga
tor who will be dedicated
to annually serving
I * TAA A f\r\
Forsyth MEDICAL CENTER
FOUNDATION
MomviuMt Down. RrouataMr Diffntnce
Girls on the Run, a pro
gram offering 8- to 11 -year
old girls a way to improve
self esteem, health habits
and their chances for a life
time of healthy living while
learning to run, will receive
$5,250 to help start a Girls
on the Run program at
Kimberly Park Elementary
ueiween juu-^uu cancer
patients undergoing care for gynecological
cancer.
The grant is important because women
suffering from cancers of the cervix, uterus,
ovaries, vagina or vulva need help coping
with these diseases but often do not find the
support available to patients suffering from
other forms of cancer.
Feel Good Friday, a cancer support event
started by a volunteer approximately five
years ago at the Derrick L. Davis Forsyth
Regional Cancer Center, will receive a one
School. The grant will provide approximate
ly 30 Kimberly Park School girls with schol
arships as well as such items as running
shoes or clothing that they would not other
wise have.
The Women's Council of Forsyth Medical
Center Foundation, founded in 2008, is an
organization of 200 women who want to
improve the health of women in the Winston
Salem community. The Council has raised
nearly $175,000 through membership fees
and its annual Garden Party.
Making a Difference
WSSU Photo by Garrett Garms
Professors and students
of the Winston-Salem
State University School
of Health Sciences pose
in the heart of Piedmont
Park. The School has
received a grant to work
to produce healthier out
comes for the young peo
ple in the pubic housing
community . Earlier this
month, a community day
event was staged, where
kids enjoyed food, games
and myriad free health
related services.
Healthy Infant Feeding
Giving babies the best start
jkt, PtcphX tliiuc:
A North droltna Minority
Health Education Collaborative
The Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity
www.wfubmc.edu/mache
?I Wake forest
UNIVERSITY
SCHOOl ?/MEDICINE
Recently, The People's Clinic did a
series of articles on what to expect dur
ing pregnancy and how to give yourself
and your baby the best chance of hav
ing a healthy pregnancy. However, it is
important to know that a healthy preg
nancy is only the first step in provid
ing a healthy start for your child. Many
new moms are unsure of the best choic
es, but rest assured there are many peo
ple available to help you, from your
doctor's office, hospital, and especially your local health department.
Many of these, as well as the WIC (Women, Infants ^nd Cbiidren) pio-_
gram, have resources to help new moms learn how to breastfeed, such
as lactation consultants, classes, and peer counselors.
Why is
breast milk
best for my
baby?
Breast milk
is not only
best for baby,
but it is highly
beneficial for
mom as well.
Breast milk is
best for baby
because:
- It has all
the nutrients
L. ..1 l? C
uauy iiccus iur proper growm ana aeveiopmeni;
- It may reduce the risk of ear infections and colds;
- It may reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, asthma, allergies, can
cer and other diseases;
- it is easier for baby to digest and breastfed babies have less diar
rhea, constipation and colic;
- and it is always the right temperature - not too hot or cold.
Breastfeeding is also healthier for mom, because it helps shrink
your uterus to its pre-pregnancy size, helps prevent excessive post-par
tum bleeding, may help you lose weight faster, helps you bond with
baby, and releases hormones to help you relax. ^
As the benefits of breastfeeding for both baby and mother have
become more understood, more and more women are choosing to
See Feeding on A9
Racial tension taints
views on health reform
BY CHARLENE MUHAMMAD
NNPA FROM THE FINAL CALL
According to findings by a national policy institute for
race and economic justice, racial tensions in America under
gird the debate over national health reform.
In a study titled, "The Role of Race in the Healthcare
Debate," researchers with the Greenlining Institute reported
that Blacks, Latinos, and other people of color are more like
ly than Whites to support the Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act. In
addition, the act is more *
likely to be opposed",
by Whites who are
racially biased or show
"racial resentment."
"Racial resentment
is a modern form of J
racism that devel- -
oped in the post
civil rights era .
Negative attitudes
towards Blacks can
manifest themselves I
in an individual's \
political attitudes,"
said Dr. Daniel Byrd,
research director for the
Greenlining Institute.
In analyzing data from
the 2008- 2009 American
?Njj
From ^
National Election Survey, conducted by researchers at the
University of Michigan and Stanford University, Byrd, Carla
Saporta and Rosa Martinez, Greenlining Health Program
managers, accounted for variables like age, gender, education,
income, political ideology, and whether or not those surveyed
had health insurance. People harboring racial resentment
argue Blacks lag behind in society because they dnn't work
hard enough, not because of discrimination. Dr. Byrd told
The Final Call.
This study is related to work by other researchers who
argued since the president is Black, Americans were more
sensitive to race and President Obama's association with
issues and policies made debates and opinions more racial
See Reform on A 10