Health Beats: September 1, 2010
September 1, 2010 | Steph
Beats this week:
1) Happy September! This month has several national health observances, including National Cholesterol Education Month, National Infant Mortality Awareness Month, Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
2) Illinois’ current financial crisis continues unfolding: Illinois’ low credit score will cost taxpayers over half a billion dollars in borrowing expenses. Illinois currently has a credit rating on par with California.
3) The New England Journal of Medicine published an article this week by Assistant Secretary for Health Howard Koh and HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius about how prevention is promoted through the Affordable Care Act, aka health care reform. It is an interesting read that highlights the many innovative strategies used to promote wellness and preventive medicine.
4) It is that time of year again – time to get your flu shot! Who can believe it but another year has gone by and another flu season has started. Don’t worry, though, this year there is no need to get two shots because there is an all-in-one vaccine that will protect you from H1N1 and two other kinds of seasonal influenza.
5) A new study released by the Urban Institute this week found that more than half of all nine-month-old babies growing up in poverty are being raised by mothers suffering some form of depression. This is much higher than the rate of depression for mothers that do not have a low-income living situation.
