With fears growing about flu and other contagious diseases, I wonder if giving attention to good health could be equally catching? The old song lyrics, "When you're smiling, the whole world smiles with you," make me think that the possibilities for protecting our immune system can go beyond a vaccine. This topic is explored by Bob Cummings in the Heritage newspapers in neighboring Michigan. It may be an antidote for the fear Wisconsin and national media stories spread. Read an excerpt Continue Reading
Is more health information good for us?
I read with interest the Sunday, Oct 5, Wisconsin State Journal article about new health information apps being developed by Epic Systems. Together with Apple computer, they are developing apps for individuals to self-report their health data. I couldn’t help but wonder if the focus on data collection will actually contribute to better health. For a while, lowering cholesterol levels was thought to be the controlling factor for reducing heart disease, so we measured cholesterol. Now researchers Continue Reading
Challenging Ebola Fear
As reports of Wisconsin hospitals preparing to handle Ebola patients continue, we may want to step back and consider giving the same attention to handling the fear of contracting any infectious disease in our own thought. As Tim Mitchinson writes from neighboring Illinois: "The spread of the fear of Ebola is far surpassing any spread of the actual disease in this country." Read the excerpt below or click at the end to read the whole story. Tim Mitchinson--Polls by CBS News and other Continue Reading
A Higher Walk to Better Health
Would you like to know how to revolutionize your health? Dr. James Brown at the British Science Festival suggests walking. Walking is freely available, and has no harmful side effects. Wisconsinites probably recall former Governor Thompson promoting pedometers and clocking 10,000 steps each day when serving as US Health and Social Services Secretary. Many times at the local dog park I have enjoyed an uplifting walk. And when I walk alone, I can take those quiet moments to connect with the Continue Reading
Alcoholism–How you can change your health
Wisconsin has long been recognized for one of the worst records in the country for alcoholism and drunken driving. We are the only state in the county that doesn't criminalize drinking and driving. The result of drunkeness and binge drinking is many needless deaths of innocent drivers and their passengers, as well as friends and family. It also costs taxpayers billions according to The Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project at the University of Wisconsin Law School. How many times have you Continue Reading
Is spiritual healing weird?
Spiritual healing for physical challenges may seem natural to some and ridiculous or doing nothing to others. A growing body of research is finding that it is not so far-out as once thought. Just as flying, landing on the moon, the microwave, the internet or smart cell phones or televisions might have seemed impossible, they have become a natural part of our lives. In Wisconsin, the research of Richard Davidson or Robert Enright on the power of compassion or forgiveness on healing of Continue Reading
Owning Our Mental Health, Anna Browness-Park
Mental health treatment and legal commitment issues were the subject of a recent series of Milwaukee Journal Sentinel articles. When it is estimated that one in four Americans is affected by mental illness I look for examples of hope and help for those confronting these challenges. In the Vancouver Sun, Anna Browness-Park shares some valuable ideas on how taking control of our thinking can beat bipolar and depression issues. An excerpt follows: By Anna Browness-Park--“I think, Continue Reading
Evidence-Based Medicine
Setting state government spending priorities by evaluating spending effectiveness or evidence-based budgeting has been a growing trend in Wisconsin and elsewhere. Most states' leading expenditures are health care related for children, the disabled and low income seniors. How can we best evaluate what contributes to better health? Eric Nelson raises some thought provoking questions about evidence-based medicine in his May 5, 2014 article in Communities Digital News. See excerpt below and Continue Reading
Losing your anger
I find that persistent challenges like mental illness and related homelessness, infant deaths, racial disparities in educational achievement, Asian carp threatening to infest the Great Lakes, and many more make me worry. When I learned how many doctor's visits were related to stress, the below article made me think about how I could improve my mental health even though I don't think of myself as an angry person. I hope this article excerpt by Bob Clark originally published in the Tampa Bay Continue Reading
Trends In Health Care: Dematerialism on the rise, by Russ Gerber
John Naisbitt in his Megatrends books or Steven Levitt in Freakonomics have foretold the future or turned conventional wisdom on its head with their analysis of trends that others have overlooked. Russ Gerber, a Christian Scientist, published a May 25, 2014 article in Psychology Today that looks at the way dematerialism is revolutionizing health care as it has other fields. Wisconsinites interested in being up to date on the latest trends may find the article of interest. Read an excerpt Continue Reading