Rethinking Drinking
When drinking, as with so many things, moderation is key. And while many of us think we're moderate drinkers, we may not be exactly sure what that means. You may be surprised to know what counts as a standard-size drink. When thinking about drinking, it's also important to understand how alcohol affects different people in different ways, depending on our age, gender, medical condition and other factors.Trying to figure out when enough's enough? Use this online screening tool to find out if you or someone you know may be drinking too much. And if you think you or someone you know may have a problem with alcohol, get help at www.helpline-online.org or (800) 327-5050.
From the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's website.
The two-year award, a combination of three smoking cessation and prevention grants from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and will support statewide initiatives to help smokers quit and prevent tobacco addiction among young people. These federal funds will be used to boost ongoing interventions with health care workers who smoke, educate the public about the dangers of new tobacco products and counter tobacco industry messages to youth.
"Despite the gains we’ve made in lowering smoking rates, tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the Commonwealth," said Governor Patrick. "Helping people quit smoking and making sure our young people don’t start are among the best investments we can make in the people of Commonwealth and in our health care system.
"We are proud that Massachusetts has the lowest smoking rate in the country, but there is more work to be done," said Secretary of Health and Human Dr. JudyAnn Bigby. "These federal funds support our ongoing efforts to promote wellness and prevent chronic disease in Massachusetts."
"Massachusetts' smoking rate has continued to decline, even as the national rate has leveled off," said Commissioner of Public Health John Auerbach. "We are very proud of our accomplishments, and it is heartening to see that our data-driven approach to tobacco program and policy development is being rewarded in such a tangible way by the Centers for Disease Control."
"While we have passed excellent laws to ban smoking in the Commonwealth, we are grateful to have more support for smokers who attempt to quit. I am pleased that these federal funds will advance Massachusetts' smoking cessation efforts," said Representative David Linsky (D-Natick), House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Federal Stimulus Oversight.
"The smoking cessation and prevention programs in Massachusetts have proven to be effective in preventing tobacco addiction among today's youth and helping current smokers quit. Today’s budget crisis has made funding these programs a difficult task. Fortunately, with these federal stimulus funds we will ensure more resources are going to smoking cessation and prevention programs, even during these tough fiscal times." said Senator Pacheco (D-Taunton), Senate Chairman of the Joint Committee on Federal Stimulus Oversight.
Tobacco use has a significant economic impact. Each year in Massachusetts, personal health care expenses due to smoking amount to $4.3 billion. Pack-a-day smokers spend more than $2,700 each year on cigarettes, in addition to individual health care costs and expenses associated with missing work.
© 2010 Commonwealth of Massachusetts
DEVAL L. PATRICK, GOVERNOR
TIMOTHY P. MURRAY, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
JUDYANN BIGBY, M.D., SECRETARY
JOHN AUERBACH, COMMISSIONER
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BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced today that West Nile Virus (PDF) | RTF (WNV) has been found in mosquitoes in the towns of Westborough and Westford. This follows yesterday’s finding of a positive mosquito sample in Boston and one from Walpole in July. Eastern equine encephaliti (PDF) | RTF (EEE) virus has been found twice in mosquitoes from Freetown.
"Summer is here and along with it, mosquitoes and their viruses," said DPH State Epidemiologist Dr. Al DeMaria. “If you look at where the WNV mosquitoes have been found on a map, you can see that the virus is distributed in Worcester, Middlesex, Suffolk and Norfolk counties. We shouldn’t think about this virus as occurring only in certain towns. We consider it to be present in eastern Massachusetts.”
There have been ten human cases of WNV in Massachusetts during the last five years. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe disease. WNV is usually spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. There was one human case of EEE during 2008; however there were 13 cases with 6 deaths from 2004 through 2006. EEE is usually spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. EEE is a serious disease in all ages and can even cause death.
“When you go out to enjoy the summer weather this weekend, the mosquitoes will be enjoying it too. Don’t forget the bug spray,” added DeMaria.
Positive mosquito results from 2009 can be found on the Arbovirus Surveillance Information web page at westnile.ashtonweb.com.
People have an important role to play in protecting themselves and their loved ones from illnesses caused by mosquitoes.
Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning.
Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535 according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.
Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.
Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.
More information is available on the DPH website: www.mass.gov/dph/wnv. Information about West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis is also available by calling the DPH recorded information line at 1-866-MASS-WNV (1-866-627-7968), or the Epidemiology Program at 617-983-6800.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is issuing a public health advisory for consumers concerning bisphenol A (BPA). BPA is present in baby products, including baby bottles and some infant formula. A number of studies in laboratory animals have raised concerns about potential health effects during fetal development and among nursing or formula-fed children who may be exposed to BPA. These effects include but are not limited to: changes in the infant’s developing nervous system, such as thyroid function and brain growth; changes in behavioral development, such as hyperactivity; and changes in the normal development of the prostate gland.
DPH is specifically advising parents and caretakers of children up to two years old to avoid the use of products that contain BPA for making or storing infant formula and breast milk. DPH is further advising pregnant and breastfeeding women to avoid products that may contain BPA. Current research suggests that BPA levels in newborns may be much higher than in adults. While researchers caution that more research needs to be conducted, it seems prudent to reduce exposures for pregnant and breastfeeding women to the extent possible in order to reduce levels in their newborn children.
BPA is used as a liner in some food and beverage cans to prevent spoilage. It is used in a variety of other consumer products to enhance the structural integrity of plastic containers. Alternatives to plastic containers that have BPA as a component are available, and some are made by the same companies that produce products containing BPA.
Transparent (clear or colored) plastic containers or baby bottles with the recycling number 7 and the letters PC, which stand for "polycarbonate" plastic, should be avoided to the extent possible. Heat can increase the release of BPA from polycarbonate plastic. Therefore, consumers should consider the following:
Avoid heating plastic containers with the recycling number 7 and the letters PC in microwave ovens, in water on the stovetop, or by adding boiling water into them, particularly when preparing infant formula.
Wash the containers by hand with warm water and soap, instead of in dishwashers.
Stainless steel and glass do not contain BPA.
Replace worn or scratched polycarbonate plastic containers, preferably with glass or stainless steel containers.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women can eat or cook with fresh or frozen products instead of canned foods — which may contain BPA — to reduce fetal or infant exposure to BPA.
Some studies have found BPA in containers of canned liquid infant formula. Powdered formula does not appear to contain detectable levels of BPA. If special formula is required because of a medical condition, parents should not make any changes to their baby’s diet without consulting with their health care provider first. It is likely that known medical risks from discontinuing the use of special formula may be far greater than those that may result from BPA exposure from this source. The most effective means of reducing BPA exposure to infants is to breast feed. For both baby and mother, breastfeeding has many well-documented health benefits:
Breastfed babies have lower rates of some of the most serious chronic diseases: asthma, diabetes, and some childhood cancers.
Breastfeeding reduces the risk and severity of infectious diseases: pneumonia, diarrhea, and ear infections.
Women who breastfeed have lower levels of ovarian and breast cancer, and breastfed daughters also have lower rates of breast cancer when they grow up.
The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently considering the scientific evidence related to health risks associated with BPA in foods and consumer products and is expected to determine the need for regulatory action in 2009. Current research on health effects associated with BPA exposure includes effects during fetal developmental and among infants, and children. Recent preliminary studies also suggest that BPA may interfere with the effectiveness of breast cancer chemotherapeutic drugs in cell culture, and may also be associated with diabetes and cardiovascular conditions in adults.
Chemical may pose danger for children; Risk seen in those pregnant or nursing-by Beth Daley, Boston Globe staff, 08/04/09
Massachusetts public health officials warned parents of young children yesterday to avoid storing infant formula or breast milk in plastic bottles containing bisphenol A - and urged pregnant or breast-feeding women to avoid the common chemical in other food and drink containers.
The warning comes after an exhaustive yearlong review of the controversial chemical found in products ranging from baby bottles to the linings of canned food. Studies in laboratory animals suggest BPA might increase the risk of developmental problems in some fetuses and young children.
Children and adults can ingest tiny amounts of the chemical when they drink from cups or eat from containers made with BPA.
Massachusetts is one of the first states to issue a warning to consumers, although it did not go as far as Connecticut, which has banned the chemical from infant formula and baby food cans and jars, and reusable food and beverage containers sold in the state. They are among a half-dozen states or local governments that have, in the absence of decisive federal action, taken steps to protect the public from BPA.
“We are concerned about this enough that we want to warn the public,’’ said Suzanne Condon, director of the state Bureau of Environmental Health. She said the most “consistent’’ scientific evidence that BPA may be harmful was focused on young children. “It just seemed it wouldn’t be appropriate for us to sit back and not do anything.’’
The US Food and Drug Administration, which has long declared BPA safe, is now taking a deeper look at the chemical and will provide a public update on Aug. 17, according to an agency spokesman.
Many manufacturers have voluntarily replaced BPA in products ranging from baby bottles to drinking water containers - and some stores such as Wal-Mart and CVS have agreed to discontinue carrying some children’s items made with BPA.
Still, many products containing BPA can be found in stores, including some transparent, hard plastic drinking bottles, and cans of liquid infant formula, soup, and soda. BPA, lightweight and strong, has long been used to strengthen plastic drinking bottles and to prevent corrosion and increase the shelf life of canned products.
The state’s warning is precise for parents of children up to age 2: Avoid transparent (clear or colored) plastic containers or baby bottles with the recycling number 7 and the letters PC (which stands for polycarbonate); use glass or stainless steel instead. If plastics are still being used, parents should avoid heating those containers because that can increase the release of the chemical. They should also wash the containers by hand with warm water and soap, instead of placing them in dishwashers.
Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should also eat, or cook with, fresh or frozen products instead of canned foods that may contain BPA, to reduce fetal or infant exposure to the chemical, Condon said.
Environmental health advocates praised the state for the warning but said it didn’t go far enough. They want state public health officials to use their authority to ban BPA in all children’s products sold in Massachusetts.
“While this is an important first step, a warning will not adequately protect Massachusetts residents, particularly developing children,’’ said Mia Davis, BPA coordinator at Clean Water Action, an environmental advocacy group. “Families want children’s products sold in Massachusetts stores to be BPA-free.’’
Along with Connecticut’s ban and the Bay State’s new warning, Minnesota, Suffolk County in New York, and Chicago have passed regulations to prevent the sale of BPA baby bottles and, in some cases, sippy cups. Canada banned the sale of baby bottles containing BPA last year.
Condon said the state may ban BPA products in the future, but officials first wanted to see what the FDA would do. She said a ban would take more time and effort and in the meantime, she said, the state Department of Public Health thought it important to warn the public.
Numerous animal studies in recent years suggest that low levels of BPA exposure in fetuses and young children might cause developmental problems as well as contribute to obesity later in life. Health effects on adults are not well understood, although one large human study linked BPA concentrations in people’s urine to an increased prevalence of diabetes, heart disease, and liver toxicity.
Condon said one study was particularly jarring because it showed that newborns don’t break down the chemical well: Using a computer model, researchers predicted that newborns could have 11 times more BPA in their blood than adults because of enzymatic differences between newborns and adults.
BPA can mimic the hormone estrogen and is believed to disrupt the body’s endocrine system. Recent preliminary studies also suggest BPA may interfere with the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs for breast cancer.
Officials with the American Chemistry Council, an industry trade group, said yesterday that BPA was not harmful, noting that 11 national regulatory bodies - from the United States to Japan - have recently concluded that the chemical is safe for use in consumer products, including those for infants and children. In an e-mail, spokeswoman Kathryn Murray St. John said that “recommendations regarding regulated products should await the outcome of FDA’s review.’’
Still, the FDA’s own scientific advisory board has criticized agency officials for relying on industry-funded studies to declare the chemical safe.
Condon’s office urged parents to use powdered infant formula, which isn’t stored in containers with BPA, but if a small child is on a special liquid formula, they should not make any changes to the baby’s diet without consulting their healthcare provider first. While BPA can be found in breast milk, Condon’s office stressed that mothers should continue to breast-feed and that the most effective means of reducing BPA exposure to infants is to avoid BPA products while doing so.Beth Daley can be reached at bdaley@globe.com.
How to avoid bisphenol A
Q. How do I know if a bottle has BPA in it?
A. Polycarbonate, the kind of plastic that contains BPA, is hard and clear. It may also be tinted. Look for a code on the bottom. If you see a number 7 recycling symbol, and the letters "PC", the bottle contains BPA. You should also avoid bottles with only the number 7; while not all contain BPA, most do.
Q. What should I use instead?
A. Glass or stainless steel bottles do not have BPA. There are also several kinds of plastic baby bottles that do not have BPA. However, studies on BPA-free products are too limited to recommend one product over another. Be sure you look at the bottom of the bottle and read the label carefully to make sure you are choosing a BPA-free bottle.
Q. What else can I do to protect my child?
A. Eat fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables instead of canned products (the lining contains BPA) if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not heat food or drinks in polycarbonate plastic containers.
SOURCE: Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Clean Water Action
Join the thousands of other people in the State who are getting healthier and losing weight with Mass in Motion. Mass in Motion is using Twitter. Scroll down to read more.....
BOSTON — Just like millions of Massachusetts residents, state government and public health leaders are making a New Year’s resolution for better health. The Patrick Administration today announced the most comprehensive effort to date to address the serious problem of overweight and obesity in the Commonwealth.
The state’s top health leaders launched Mass in Motion, a multi-faceted effort that will promote a broad range of wellness activities for Massachusetts residents, businesses and communities. The announcement was made at the Body by Brandy Fitness Center, a Roxbury-based leader in promoting community health and wellness activities and programs.
While Massachusetts compares favorably to other states with respect to overweight and obesity, our rates are increasing more quickly than the nation as a whole. The Commonwealth has seen a 47% increase in overweight and obesity over the past two decades, compared to a national increase of 40%.
“More than half of adults in our state are overweight or obese, as are one-third of our middle and high school students,” said Dr. JudyAnn Bigby, Secretary of Health and Human Services. “We know that being overweight and obese places us at a higher risk for serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and certain kinds of cancer. Those conditions place enormous burdens on our residents and on our health care system, so it makes sense for us to focus on prevention. And that is what Mass In Motion is all about,” Dr. Bigby said.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) Commissioner John Auerbach said there is a sense of urgency to addressing the overweight and obesity epidemic in Massachusetts.
“The trends that we are seeing are troubling,” said Commissioner Auerbach. “Unless we make progress, overweight and obesity will overtake smoking as the leading cause of preventable death in Massachusetts. That should get everyone’s attention focused on the problem. This groundbreaking initiative will be the framework for us to work with our partners throughout the state to make progress towards solutions.”
Mass In Motion is comprised of a number of policy and program elements, including:
The release of a report documenting the extent of the obesity epidemic in Massachusetts and its consequences;
Grants to cities and towns to help municipal and community leaders establish wellness initiatives at the local level. The nearly $750,000 in grants will be competitively awarded and can be used by mayors and other department heads to support a number of local activities including providing healthier meals in schools, expanding the availability of farmers' markets or supermarkets in low income neighborhoods and designing community transportation systems that encourage walking and bike riding. More than $500,00 of the funding for these grants will come from several of the major health-funding foundations and organizations in the Commonwealth;
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation
The Boston Foundation
The Harvard Pilgrim Health Foundation
The Metrowest Health Foundation
The Tufts Health Care Foundation
The development and passage of public health regulations to promote healthy diet and exercise, including;
Body Mass Index (BMI) testing of students in all public schools in the Commonwealth;
Caloric menu labeling for large chain restaurants.
An Executive Order by Governor Patrick requiring State Agencies responsible for large-scale food purchasing (e.g., DPH and DMH hospitals) to follow healthy nutritional guidelines in their food service operations. State purchases of food by these agencies runs into the tens of millions of dollars per year;
The expansion of a state-sponsored Workplace Wellness program throughout the state to help employers create work sites that encourage healthy behaviors and reduce absenteeism and health insurance costs.;
The launch of a state-sponsored Mass In Motion web site that promotes healthy eating and physical activity at home, work, and in the community. The objective of the website is to provide simple, practical, cost-effective ways for Massachusetts’ residents to:
Improve eating habits
Increase physical activity
Ask experts questions about improving their eating and physical activity routine
Get involved in helping to build healthy communities
“Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is pleased to support the Mass in Motion initiative. It incorporates many of the successful elements developed as part of BCBSMA’s ten-year-long Jump Up and Go program, aimed at reducing pediatric obesity, while adding new and innovative components.”
John J. Curley, Sr. Vice PresidentBlue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
“Mass in Motion is a wonderful idea in that it brings together the efforts of so many community organizations working to address obesity in Massachusetts. We are pleased to be partnering with the Governor and the Department of Public Health to encourage good fitness and nutrition programming and polices in local communities”
Martin Cohen, PresidentMetroWest Community Health Care Foundation
“We are glad that the Governor and other leaders in the state have stepped up to create this collaborative process to address overweight and obesity, particularly for children. It is clear from the experience in other states that only when the Governor and other top state officials take the lead, there is success in stemming this epidemic.”
Karen Voci, Executive DirectorHavard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation
"Gov. Patrick and his team are to be applauded for launching Mass in Motion, which brings public policy to action. We at Tufts Health Plan have long advocated shifting the paradigm of sickness to wellness, and focusing on prevention to improve the health of the community. Tackling the epidemic of obesity in this coordinated manner makes good sense and should produce far ranging benefits, not the least of which is increased awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle. We are pleased to be included in this important announcement."
James Roosevelt, Jr., President and CEOTufts Health Plan
“This is an issue of economic competitiveness for our region, as well as a quality of life issue for those who live here. The high cost of this epidemic threatens our ability to invest in a wide range of critical areas, from education to the state’s physical infrastructure, as well as the ability of local communities to serve the needs of their residents.”
Paul Grogan, President and CEOThe Boston Foundation
“This healthy initiative is music to the ears of the Registered Nurses that work with our 1.1 million school children. Our overall mission is to minimize and/or eliminate health/medical barriers for school children as well as keeping children healthy, in school, in class and ready to learn.”
Kathy Hassey, Executive DirectorMassachusetts School Nurse Organization
Physical activity and good nutrition are prescriptions for good health. The Mass in Motion program will help people to eat healthier and be more physically active. The state's physicians fully support this effort to improve our "common health."
Bruce Auerbach, M.D., President,Massachusetts Medical Society
Mass In Motion is being launched as a priority of the HealthyMass Compact, which was announced by Governor Deval Patrick and Secretary JudyAnn Bigby in 2008.
Join the thousands of other people in the State who are getting healthier and losing weight with Mass in Motion. Mass in Motion is using Twitter. Join today to start receiving Mass In Motion's updates.
