Category: health

Falls are the leading cause of accidental injury, admission to the hospital, and death. One out of five falls cause serious injury such as broken bones and even traumatic brain injury. And while falls are more prevalent in older adults, anyone suffering a fall can experience long-term health effects that impact their overall quality of life. In recent years, deaths from falls are on the rise.

A number of risk factors contribute to falling, including chronic conditions such as diabetes, stroke or arthritis; difficulty with walking and problems with balance; use of medicines; vision problems; and foot pain. Even home hazards like broken or uneven steps, throw rugs, and a lack of handrails along the stairs or in the bathroom can cause falls.

Luckily, there are many steps we can take to help prevent falls. To reduce your risk, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest following these tips: Ask your doctor questions If you’ve fallen before, provide your doctor with details, including when, where and how you fell. With this information, your doctor can identify specific fall-prevention strategies. Proactively talking to your doctor about problems and asking the right questions is part of being your own health care advocate, which will help you get the most out of your relationship with your doctor.

Keep your doctor updated Notify your doctor of all the medications you take, including prescription and over- the-counter medicines. Your doctor can review for side effects that may increase your risk of falling.

Receive an annual eye exam Maintain your vision and use an up-to- date eyeglasses prescription. Stay active Remaining active will boost your overall strength and balance. Walking and water workouts improve coordination and flexibility. Light weight-bearing exercises can also increase bone density, making falls less devastating as you age.

Remove hazards from your home Get rid of trip and fall hazards in your home. You can do this by removing items from walkways, moving furniture from high-traffic areas, repairing floorboards and carpeting, and using non-stick mats in your bathtub or shower.

Be a partner with the healthcare team to prevent falls If you or a loved one is in the hospital, talk to the doctor, nurse and other care team member to learn how to prevent falling while at the hospital and when you come home. After a hospital stay, people are often not as strong as they were before they were hospitalized. Extra care and attention must be taken to make sure they do not fall when returning home and that fall hazards in the home are removed.

In this together! It’s everyone’s responsibility to be sure those most susceptible to falls are kept safe.

Healthcare professionals, family members and those in the community can each play an important role in limiting fall risk in their environments.

Jason Custer, MD is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and Medical Director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the University of Maryland Medical Center Downtown Campus. He also leads efforts in patient safety and quality for UMMC. To learn more visit www.umm.edu

The unrelenting spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) throughout the United States of America in 2020 continues to pose an unprecedented public health crisis for all Americans, but in particular for Black Americans and other people of color who are disproportionately negatively impacted by COVID-19.

As the trusted voice of Black America, the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) in March of 2020 established the NNPA Coronavirus Task Force as a means of increasing public awareness about the overall preexisting health disparities in Black America and the disproportionately fatal consequences of COVID-19 for Black Americans and other people of color.

In fact, the NNPA and our Coronavirus Task Force were the first to issue a national “State of Emergency” declaration on April 3, 2020 to warn Black Americans and others about the evolving dangers and public health risks of COVID-19.

Earlier this year, there were just too many myths and other misinformation circulating primarily via social media falsely asserting that “Black people and people of African descent were immune to COVID-19 because of the presence of melanin.” Of course, that assertion is not true. Yet, unfortunately, too many people in our communities began to risk infection to COVID-19 because of falsehoods and misinformation.

The media has a responsibility to research and report the truth. This year marks the 193rd year of the Black Press of America. Since Freedom’s Journal was first published in March of 1827, the Black Press has remained on the front lines of publishing and speaking truth to power by demanding freedom, justice and equality. All of this brings me to state categorically, “Black Americans have to be involved at all levels of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. We cannot afford to be silent, detached, denied, or prevented from being at the decision- making tables in terms of COVID-19-based public health policies, research, clinical trials, remedies, and vaccine development. Our lives and future are at stake.” In other words, Black American engagement is crucial and critical in the development of a COVID-19 vaccine— including participation in clinical trials— to make sure that the new vaccine is effective to prevent Blacks and others from COVID-19 infections.

Three years ago, the NNPA, Howard University and Pfizer collaborated to do a national landmark poll and study of awareness of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) among Black Americans. This was important because Black Americans are disproportionately impacted by SCD across the nation.

Included in that NNPA-Howard University-Pfizer poll was the issue of Black Americans’ willingness to participate in clinical trials with respect to SCD. We were pleased to learn and to document that 76 percent of the Black American poll respondents had positive or neutral attitudes toward SCD clinical trials, and a majority indicated a willingness to participate in future clinical trials for SCD, given appropriate knowledge and recommendations from health care professionals.

It is urgent that in the strategic rush to develop an effective COVID-19 vaccine for all people that Black Americans are not left out of the process. The health of our families and communities necessitates our involvement to raise all the questions that need to be raised, and at the same time to participate responsibly in the COVID-19 clinical trials.

Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is the President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and can be reached at dr.bchavis@nnpa.org

Social isolation and reduced access to healthcare during the lockdown, among other factors, have led to a rise in opioid-related deaths, experts say. And according to their estimates, it’s only going to get worse. Similarly, Authorities across Texas, Pennsylvania, Florida and New York are also reporting rises in overdoses during the COVID-19 crisis.

On the frontlines working to curb the impact of the opioid crisis is Dr. Paul Christo, an Associate Professor in the Division of Pain Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

“The number of fatalities from opioid-related overdoses could be nearly 30 percent higher than reported due to missing information or incomplete death records,” he says. “The worst fear is that because of social isolation, and people are not being found or treated immediately.”

The opioid epidemic today progressed in three phases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The first involves deaths caused by prescription opioids, the second, an increase in heroin use, and the third, a surge in the use of synthetic opioids or fentanyl. Experts say the U.S. is right in the middle of the third phase of the epidemic, due to the increasing availability of fentanyl and increasing rates of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids.

According to a recent study there were 632,331 drug overdoses between 1999 and 2016. Most of these deaths (78.2 percent) were drug overdoses with known drug classification. Moreover, 21.8 percent were unclassified drug overdoses. A further investigation revealed that for unclassified drug overdoses, 71.8 percent involved opioids, translating to 99,160 additional opioid-related deaths.

There were over 70,000 drug overdose deaths in 2017, according to an estimate from the CDC. Based on findings from the new study, over half of those deaths — about 47,000—are suspected of having involved opioids.

Another study on opioid overdoses found that the number of drug overdose deaths decreased by 4 percent from 2017 to 2018. In 2018, more than 67,000 people died from drug overdoses, making it a leading cause of injury-related death in the United States. Almost 70 percent involved a prescription or illicit opioid of those deaths.

“COVID 19 impacted the drug supply chain by closing borders on some regions, and it led to the higher death rate,” Dr. Christo explained. He added that drugs become more challenging to get, and the potency of overdose goes up. It also impacts the price, everything goes up, and in that sense, it becomes more deadly each day, according to Dr. Christo.

Dr. Paul Christo serves as director of the Multidisciplinary Pain Fellowship Program at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He is the author of Aches and Gains, A Comprehensive Guide to Overcoming Your Pain. Dr. Paul Christo also hosts an award-winning, nationally syndicated SIRIUS XM radio talk show on overcoming pain called, Aches and Gains®. For more information about Dr. Paul Christo. Please visit www.paulchristomd.com.

Washington, D.C.— In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Week, the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) urges everyone to do their part to support those who may be struggling with depression or other mental health challenges by recognizing the warning signs of suicide, knowing how to help, and becoming more familiar with resources available in each community.

“Spotting suicidal thoughts or behaviors could help avoid a tragedy,” said William Jaquis, MD, FACEP, president of ACEP. “Each of us will process this pandemic in our own way, but people may be more likely to experience difficult feelings during a crisis. You can be sure that if and when you need us, an emergency physician will be there for you.”

Call 911 or visit the closest emergency department in the event of a medical emergency or if there is an immediate health or safety threat. Contact a mental health professional if you, or someone you know, exhibits one or more of these warning signs:

*Hopelessness

*Rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge

*Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities

*Increased alcohol or drug use

*Withdrawal from friends, family, or society

*Anxiety, agitation, trouble sleeping or sleeping all the time

*Dramatic mood changes

Consider contacting a health professional if stress impedes your daily activities for several days in a row. Talk to the person to understand what they are thinking and feeling. Research shows that discussing suicide may reduce suicidal thoughts. Help a person at-risk by connecting them with trusted friends or family, or a mental health professional.

If emergency care is required for a suicide attempt, a physician-led care team will keep the patient safe until they are ready to go home. Prior to discharge, resources for longer-term care will be outlined as appropriate and a list of nearby experts and places to go for help will be provided as available. The care team will work with the patient to create a written safety plan that includes their unique warning signs, coping strategies, and resources for help.

It is critical that patients try to maintain a safe environment for themselves at home. More than half (52 percent) of suicides involve a gun, according to research available through AFFIRM, an emergency-physician-led organization dedicated to firearm injury prevention research. Misuse of medication also poses significant risks. Ask a doctor about how to safely dispose of unused, expired or unwanted medicines. Consider taking steps to identify the best strategies for safe storage of medication, firearms or other potential home hazards. One helpful tool that encourages safe storage based on personal choices is Lock2Live, an education website developed by emergency physicians.

“Suicide is complicated, and emergency physicians are vital partners in the collaborative effort necessary to prevent these incidents from occurring. If you ever feel like you may hurt yourself or others or you have thoughts about taking your own life, please seek help right away,” said Dr. Jaquis.

If you or somebody you know experiences suicidal thoughts or behaviors, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800- 273-TALK (8255), is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service is available to anyone and all calls are confidential.

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is the national medical society representing emergency medicine. For more information, visit www.acep.org and www.emergency physicians.org.

In the midst of a global health crisis that has highlighted numerous racial health disparities, a number of local fitness organizations have emerged which emphasize health and wellness in the Black community.

Four groups in particular — Runners Run, MET Fitness, Building Bodies and Bonds, and Baltimore Bikers— have burst on the local fitness scene as organizations endeavoring to make a substantial impact in the Baltimore community.

MET Fitness, founded in August 2019 by Terrell Talbert, hosts dance fitness classes throughout the week for community members to participate in. The letters ‘M-E-T’ make up an acronym that stands for motivation, elevation and transformation— the core focus of the group.

Talbert, a group fitness instructor, said his sole purpose besides physical fitness is to promote mental health and body positivity.

“I feel as though if you change within, you change on the outside,” he said. Talbert said he will be partnering with Newman’s Fitness gym to provide fitness sessions as the fall season approaches with hopes of one day having his own fitness studio to operate out of. One of the participants commented, “I started with MET Fitness in June and I hate to miss a Tuesday ever since I started! The instructor is very encouraging and you can feel his passion throughout the class! Oh and don’t be afraid to come alone. I often do but everyone is so friendly and you will fit right in!”

In addition to weekly HIIT fitness classes and “Jump2Sweat” trampoline workouts, Talbert periodically posts “Morning MET Motivation” messages to encourage the MET Fitness community as they strive to meet their fitness goals. The MET Fitness has a Facebook page, YouTube channel and can be followed on Instagram at @metmygoals.

More Watters Co., led by exercise physiologist Anthony Watters, is “a health and wellness lifestyle company that uses water, exercise, and culture to build and sustain healthier lifestyles, families, and communities.”

Since the organization was established in 2016 and has garnered multiple awards and has made a profound impact in the areas of exercise programming, nutrition consulting, community organizing, health-based program development, sport-specific performance training, and health and wellness education in the Baltimore community.

Building Bodies and Bodies (B3X) began with a group of gentlemen who ran into each other at Lake Montebello Park in the summer of 2019. They worked out with each other on a weekly basis and the group went from a handful, to dozens, to hundreds.

Marcus Hatten, a retired basketball player, and Tavon Smith, a certified personal trainer, went on to establish Building Bodies and Bonds, a fitness group aimed at tackling health disparities in Baltimore City, early this summer.

In only about three months, B3X has seen exponential growth, especially on its weekly Tuesday evening runs that begin at 400 E. Biddle Street. Essentially every morning, Smith and Hatten, along with co-founders Anthony Williams and Quron Smith, lead various workouts at Lake Montebello involving individuals of all age groups and fitness levels.

Brian Henderson

Brian Henderson, founder of Baltimore Bikers has unified dozens of Black cyclists throughout the city.

“The name [Building Bodies and Bonds] is self-explanatory because when you are working out, you’re building your body, but while you’re building your body you’re also involved with people that you’re working out with,” said Hatten, a graduate of Mervo High School who went on to star at St. John’s University and a point guard for the NBA’s Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers.

Outside of the physical fitness component, B3X also promotes healthy eating and nutritional wellness. Hatten owns and runs the Legendary Wellness Cafe, a juice bar that will soon operate out of a physical location.

B3X has not only created an environment for Baltimoreans to better themselves physically and mentally, but has unified community members from all throughout the city.

“People love it. They love what we got going on, they love our aura, they love our energy, they love how people are being attracted to us… they can tell we’re passionate, they can tell we’re organic,” Hatten continued.

B3X is present on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and is in the process of developing a website and finding a physical location (gym or studio) to conduct daily workouts. The organization can be contacted at buildingbodiesandbonds@gmail.com.

Tavon Smith, another co-founder, has a role of planning B3X’s daily workouts. The personal trainer has a unique story of resilience as he overcame numerous obstacles on his way to becoming a fitness enthusiast.

A native of East Baltimore, Smith spent 15 years in and out of the criminal justice system and turned his life around to become a valuable asset in his community. He, along with his three colleagues, have given a great deal of energy and time to ensure their participants are empowered through fitness and wellness.

“Outside of the park and outside of working out, I just want that whole family feel when it comes to our community,” Hatten said. “I’m just trying to do my part in my community to make sure that everybody’s good and everybody’s growing in a positive way.”

Baltimore Bikers, an organization that promotes health and wellness in the Black community through cycling, was founded in May by pharmaceutical consultant Brian Henderson.

In only a few months of existence, the organization has seen exponential growth, attracting cyclists from throughout Baltimore City and surrounding areas. Baltimore Bikers has also fostered support and recognition from other notable biking groups in the area.

“Shortly after starting the group, you know with the popularity of it, me as the founder— I realized it was bigger than just people sharing rides,” Henderson said. “I realized at that moment, we needed to be more focused and hone in on health and wellness as African Americans.”

This upcoming Sunday, Sept. 13, Baltimore Bikers will host a family fun ride from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Lake Montebello. More information can be found by visiting this link: https://www.instagram.com/p/CE2de_tp U9i/

The death of actor Chadwick Boseman from colon cancer at age 43 has brought new attention on the disease and how it disproportionately impacts African Americans.

Boseman was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer at 38. It later advanced to stage 4. Boseman was filming movies that included completing his own stunts while undergoing cancer treatment that included chemotherapy. The actor died on August 30. His death caught many who worked closely with him by surprise.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women in America. It is the second most common cause of death related to the disease. African Americans are disproportionately impacted with a 20 percent greater rate than whites and an even greater degree of mortality.

Every year on average 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colon cancer with about 50,000 succumbing to the disease. For African Americans the death rates are higher. Diets high in animal fat and low in fiber are associated with the development of colon cancer. Cigarette smoking, obesity, lack of exercise and vitamins C and E deficiency are also contributing factors tied to colon cancer.

Dr. Wayne Frederick, who is the President of Howard University and a medical doctor, where Boseman graduated in 2000, commented on Boseman’s trip to Howard University’s commencement in 2018 as the featured graduation speaker. Frederick focused on the importance of knowing what one’s family history is and knowing what close relatives died of. He instructed that if you’re unclear how a close relative died you should investigate and find out.

“When I was in medical school, we got screening guidelines that it should start at 50. What we are seeing now is individuals getting colon cancer now is much younger. It is something for us to watch,” said Dr. Frederick on Roland Martin Unfiltered on August 31. Martin broadcast a two-hour tribute in honor of Boseman on his daily show.

“African Americans are much less likely to get the generic screening,” he added. Dr. Frederick also mentioned that popular historian Dr. Ibram X. Kendi was diagnosed with colon cancer at 36.

In January 2018, Kendi learned he had colon cancer after a colonoscopy. Though the cancer spread to his liver, further tests revealed that Kendi was cancer free after six months of chemotherapy and surgery. In January 2019, Kendi wrote “What I Learned From Cancer,” in The Atlantic. Kendi was trying to complete another epic work “How to Be an Antiracist,” as he was being treated for colon cancer.

“In the hours of each day when I managed to submerge myself inside the writing zone, the metastatic cancer was an afterthought. The symptoms from the six months of chemotherapy, from January to June last year, were an afterthought: my marathons of tiredness, the bubbling nausea, my hands and feet tingling and darkening and drying and blistering, making them unusable at times,” Kendi wrote regarding this cancer battle.

Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist for NNPA and the host of the podcast BURKEFILE. She is also a political strategist as Principal of Win Digital Media LLC. She may be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke

Baltimore— Kennedy Krieger Institute, a non-profit organization internationally known for providing a wide range of health and education services for children, adolescents and adults with diseases, disorders or injuries that impact the nervous system, announced the promotion of Jacqueline Stone, PhD, MPA, PT to be the inaugural chief clinical officer, a new senior leadership position at the Institute.

In this newly expanded role, Stone will oversee the Institute’s clinical operations of non-medical clinical services, and work closely with the CEO and COO in strategic planning and implementation for the organization.

“Dr. Stone has provided stellar leadership in a variety of areas over her 24 years with Kennedy Krieger including directing our clinical programs, managing business development and contracting; guiding community programs and medical provider relations; her recent work with our telehealth expansion efforts; and our diversity and inclusion initiatives,”said Dr. Brad Schlaggar, president and CEO of Kennedy Krieger Institute. “Her impact reaches across departments and programs to benefit all of our patients, students and their families and we look forward to the valuable contributions we know she will make as a key member of our senior leadership team.”

During her tenure at Kennedy Krieger, Stone has served in various positions including acting director of physical therapy, co-director for the Center for Diversity in Public Health Leadership Training and as a key faculty member in the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND) program at Kennedy Krieger. For the past 18 months, Dr. Stone has served as vice president for clinical programs.

A New Jersey native, Stone graduated from the University of Maryland Baltimore with a Bachelor of Science in physical therapy. She received a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Baltimore and a doctoral degree in organizational leadership from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Originally from Elizabeth, N.J., Stone currently resides in Ellicott City, MD.

Internationally known, Kennedy Krieger transforms the lives of more than 25,000 individuals a year through inpatient and outpatient medical, behavioral health and wellness therapies, home and community services, school-based programs, training and education for professionals and advocacy.

Kennedy Krieger provides a wide range of services for children, adolescents and adults with diseases, disorders or injuries that impact the nervous system, ranging from mild to severe. The Institute is home to a team of investigators who contribute to the understanding of how disorders develop while at the same time pioneer new interventions and methods of early diagnosis, prevention and treatment.

For more information KennedyKrieger.org.

Do you feel like you’re going through the motions in life with no destination? Now, may be your time to assume control of your situation. Take the wheel today and start moving with intention to create a plan to order the steps for your future— deciding what you’re going to do and who you’re going to be.

A wise friend once told me, “Everyday you have a decision to make.” It’s important to take that statement literally and move with intent and purpose in every aspect of your life. As a result, you will find yourself in places destined to achieve the greatness ordained over your life.

R&B singer, Bryson Tiller, struck a chord when he said, “Sometimes my life is moving so fast that I forget what’s going on.” Too often we move at such a quick pace that we forget about what we actually achieved and fail to set a definitive plan. While it’s important to live in the moment, it’s twice as important to take a second and set the pace for your future.

Be specific across the board making sure your desires are clear and understood. Whether it’s through prayer, jotting down a plan in your journal, or asking people who can help you achieve a goal, it’s important to always be specific about your needs. When you are not explicit about what you expect, you can leave room for the unknown. However, when you know what you want and what you deserve, ask for it and the door will be opened to you.

Comparison creates discouragement, which is the thief of joy. Don’t miss out on your destiny because you’re afraid your vision will be compared to someone else’s. You will also be doing a disservice to your future by holding on to your past— comparing the person you are today with the person you used to be. When you compare yourself with who you were yesterday, you attempt to go back to who you were instead of embracing who you are called to be.

Take control by making peace with your past and letting go of anything that may be stifling your growth, so you can move on daring to live boldly. Being intentional with effective communication is key when it comes to building healthy relationships, learning more, and improving your life at work and at home. When you practice active listening, you will open your mind to ideas, new perspectives and new possibilities. This is not the only key to genuine and empathetic engagement; it also has the potential to increase positive emotions. Communicating clearly is one of the most effective skills you can cultivate as a leader.

If you look at a map you may be confused as to exactly how to get to your destination but once you turn on the GPS the step-by-step directions will give you a clearer guide. Life is the same way. When you step back and look at what you desire you know that it’s possible to get there you just have to be intentional about taking the necessary steps to order your life on the road to success. It’s also okay if you take a wrong turn, as long as you get back on the road to the path designed for you. Start today by putting your life in drive and taking control over your destiny.

Positively Caviar, Inc. is a nonprofit organization focused on a message of positivity and optimism. Once a month, our Nucleus Team writes a column focused on mental and physical health tips, scientific studies, nutrition facts and stories that are positive in nature to support a purposeful and positive lifestyle. To learn more about our organization, the nucleus team or how you join our positive movement, visit: staybasedandpositive.com

The unrelenting spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) throughout the United States of America in 2020, continues to pose an unprecedented public health crisis for all Americans, but in particular for Black Americans and other people of color who are disproportionately negatively impacted by COVID-19.

As the trusted voice of Black America, the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) in March of 2020 established the NNPA Coronavirus Task Force as a means of increasing public awareness about the overall preexisting health disparities in Black America and the disproportionately fatal consequences of COVID-19 for Black Americans and other people of color.

In fact, the NNPA and our Coronavirus Task Force were the first to issue a national “State of Emergency” declaration on April 3, 2020 to warn Black Americans and others about the evolving dangers and public health risks of COVID-19.

Earlier this year, there were just too many myths and other misinformation circulating primarily via social media falsely asserting that “Black people and people of African descent were immune to COVID-19 because of the presence of melanin.” Of course, that assertion is not true. Yet, unfortunately, too many people in our communities began to risk infection to COVID-19 because of falsehoods and misinformation.

The media has a responsibility to research and report the truth.

This year marks the 193rd year of the Black Press of America. Since Freedom’s Journal was first published in March of 1827, the Black Press has remained on the front lines of publishing and speaking truth to power by demanding freedom, justice and equality.

All of this brings me to state categorically, “Black Americans have to be involved at all levels of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. We cannot afford to be silent, detached, denied, or prevented from being at the decision-making tables in terms of COVID-19-based public health policies, research, clinical trials, remedies, and vaccine development. Our lives and future are at stake.”

The good news is that today there are many Black American physicians, infectious disease scholars, clinicians, medical researchers, nurses and others on the front lines as first responders and as leaders inside the major pharmaceutical companies that are striving to develop a safe and effective vaccine for COVID-19.

We are profoundly aware that within our communities there has been a historical and contemporary distrust of medical research. However, the challenge today is for more Black Americans to be involved at every point of the development of a COVID-19 vaccine to ensure that the medical rights and interests of Black Americans are thoroughly protected, respected, and addressed effectively and truthfully.

In other words, Black American engagement is crucial and critical in the development of a COVID-19 vaccine — including participation in clinical trials — to make sure that the new vaccine is effective to prevent Blacks and others from COVID-19 infections.

Three years ago, the NNPA, Howard University and Pfizer collaborated to do a national landmark poll and study of awareness of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) among Black Americans. This was important because Black Americans are disproportionately impacted by SCD across the nation.

Included in that NNPA-Howard University-Pfizer poll was the issue of Black Americans’ willingness to participate in clinical trials with respect to SCD. We were pleased to learn and to document that 76% of the Black American poll respondents had positive or neutral attitudes toward SCD clinical trials, and a majority indicated a willingness to participate in future clinical trials for SCD, given appropriate knowledge and recommendations from health care professionals.

It is urgent that in the strategic rush to develop an effective COVID-19 vaccine for all people, that Black Americans are not left out of the process. The health of our families and communities necessitates our involvement to raise all the questions that need to be raised, and at the same time to participate responsibly in the COVID-19 clinical trials.

Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is the President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and can be reached at dr.bchavis@nnpa.org

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for all people; and three out of every four men and women age 60+ have at least one major disease that is related to heart health— a history of smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. But the good news is that in most cases, heart disease can be prevented. While you can’t stop aging, if you have any of these risk factors it’s never too late to boost your heart health by focusing on what we like to call the “sweet spots.”

Cigarette Smoking: Smoking makes your heart work harder, raises blood pressure, and increases your risk of dying from heart disease, heart failure, or a heart attack. Smoking cigarettes can shave 10 years off your life, but your risk of dying or having a heart attack drops by 50 percent after quitting for one year, and drops more as time goes on if you do not start smoking again.

Sweet Spot: Quitting smoking (without switching to vaping) is the best way to reduce the risks that come with smoking. There are many options to help people quit smoking, including hypnotherapy, acupuncture, behavioral counseling, and a prescription nicotine inhalation system that gradually reduces the urge to smoke.

Diabetes (Type 2): High levels of blood sugar from diabetes can damage your blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart and blood vessels. To lower the sugar level in your blood, most people’s diabetes responds well to lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise and losing weight.

Sweet Spot: I ask my patients in their 60s or 70s how much they weighed when they were in good shape, in their 20s or 30s. That helps us to develop diet and exercise goals to either stop the development of full-fledged diabetes if they are in the pre-diabetes stage, and may even reverse early-stage diabetes. Losing just 5-10 percent of body weight can often reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

High Blood Pressure: High blood pressure is quite common, often has no symptoms, yet can lead to stroke and sometimes death. The ideal blood

pressure is less than 120/80, which is easy to monitor at home with a blood pressure cuff that can be purchased at a drug store. The goal is to gradually lower blood pressure, since a drastic or quick reduction may cause dizziness, weakness or fainting.

Sweet Spot: Too much salt in the diet is one common cause of high blood pressure. Limiting salt to no more than half a teaspoon per day can help lower the pressure, as can the use of medication that is gradually adjusted over weeks to months.

High LDL Cholesterol: High LDL (bad cholesterol) can damage your arteries over time and increase the risk for heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Cholesterol levels tend to climb as we age, but individuals in their 70s and even 80s benefit from low LDL.

Sweet Spot: High fiber foods such as oats and beans can lower LDL, as can safe and effective cholesterol-lowering medications, which have been proven to reduce the risk of a heart attack and stroke.

These heart healthy “sweet” spots are just a starting point. Heart disease prevention and treatment as you age is really a partnership between you and your doctor, with regular checkups to see how you’re doing, changes to medications or exercise routine as needed, and coaching on how to take better control of risk factors.

Michael Miller, MD, is a Professor of Medicine, Epidemiology & Public Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Director, Center for Preventive Cardiology, University of Maryland Medical Center. He is author of the book, “Heal Your Heart: The Positive Emotions Prescription to Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease.” Learn more at http://umm.edu/heart