Wellness News quiz:

1. It’s too expensive to have a regular exercise program. True/False
2. Youth violence is an important public health problem. True/False
3. Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries. True/False
4. To mark the first United Nations observed World Diabetes Day, some buildings around the world will light up in blue on November 14, 2007: True/False
5. Who said - ““Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”

Answers are below in the reading material.

1. You may improve your health if you Move More and Eat Better

Being healthy and active can help give you the energy to keep up with the demands of your busy life, take better care of yourself, and be there for the people who depend on you.
If you are overweight and inactive, you are more likely to get: type 2 diabetes (high blood sugar), heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, certain forms of cancer

Why Move More and Eat Better? Being active and making smart food choices is good for your health. But that is not the only reason to move more and eat better. You can:
• Have more energy and less stress.
• Feel better about yourself.
• Tone your body.
• Look better in your clothes.
• Set a good example for your children and your friends.

Tips on Moving More
Try to do at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity (like brisk walking) on most days of the week. It is not as hard as you may think, and you do not have to do the whole 30 minutes at one time.
Try these tips to get past things that keep you from being active:

“I don’t have time for physical activity.” - You can “sneak” it into your day, a few minutes at a time.

Get started by making these small changes in your daily routine:
1. Get off the bus or park a distance from your destination and walk the rest of the way (be sure the area is safe).
2. Take the stairs instead of the elevator (be sure the stairs are well lit).
3. Walk and talk with a friend at lunch.
4. Put more energy into housework and yard work.
“It’s too expensive.” - There are lots of ways to be physically active that are free or low-cost. You can:
1. Find a local school park or school track where you can walk or run.
2. Walk around a mall.
3. Work out with videos in your home—you can find workout videos at bookstores or your local library.

TIP: Most people do not need to see their health care provider before getting physically active. If you have chronic health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, or obesity, talk to your health care provider before starting a vigorous physical activity program. You do not need to talk to your provider before you start a less strenuous activity like walking.
Join a recreation center or fitness center at work or near your home.
Walk your dog. If you do not have a dog, pretend that you do.

“Physical activity is a chore.” - It can be fun!

Try to:
1. Do things you enjoy, like walking, dancing, swimming, or playing sports.
2. Walk or take an exercise class with a friend or a group. This way, you can cheer each other on, have company, and feel safer when you are outdoors.
3. Be active with kids—ride bikes, jump double-dutch, toss a softball, play tag, or do jumping jacks. Physical activity is good for them too.
4. Break it up into short blocks of time—taking three 10-minute walks during your day may be easier than taking one 30-minute walk.
5. Use your daily workouts as time-outs just for yourself.
TIP: Keep a physical activity log. Writing down your workouts in a notebook or on a calendar lets you see how many times you have been physically active in a week. You can also use your log to track your physical activity and health goals.
Set goals. Move at your own pace. Celebrate your successes. Allow for setbacks. Let your family and friends help you. And keep trying—you can do it!

2. Youth Violence: Fact Sheet
Youth violence is an important public health problem that results in deaths and injuries. The following statistics provide an overview of youth violence in the United States.
• In 2003, 5,570 young people ages 10 to 24 were murdered—an average of 15 each day. Of these victims, 82% were killed with firearms (CDC 2006).
• Although high-profile school shootings have increased public concern for student safety, school-associated violent deaths account for less than 1% of homicides among school-aged children and youth (Anderson et al. 2001).
• In 2004, more than 750,000 young people ages 10 to 24 were treated in emergency departments for injuries sustained due to violence (CDC 2006).
• In a nationwide survey of high school students (CDC 2004):
o 33% reported being in a physical fight one or more times in the 12 months preceding the survey.
o 17% reported carrying a weapon (e.g., gun, knife, or club) on one or more of the 30 days preceding the survey.
• An estimated 30% of 6th to 10th graders in the United States were involved in bullying as a bully, a target of bullying, or both (Nansel et al. 2001).
Consequences
• Direct and indirect costs of youth violence (e.g., medical, lost productivity, quality of life) exceed $158 billion every year (Children's Safety Network Economics & Data Analysis Resource Center 2000).
• In a nationwide survey of high school students, about 6% reported not going to school on one or more days in the 30 days preceding the survey because they felt unsafe at school or on their way to and from school (CDC 2004).
• In addition to causing injury and death, youth violence affects communities by increasing the cost of health care, reducing productivity, decreasing property values, and disrupting social services (Mercy et al. 2002).
Groups at Risk
• Among 10 to 24 year olds, homicide is the leading cause of death for African Americans, the second leading cause of death for Hispanics, and the third leading cause of death for American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Asian/Pacific Islanders (CDC 2006).
• Of the 5,570 homicides reported in 2003 among 10 to 24 year olds, 86% were males and 14% were females (CDC 2005).
• Male students are more likely to be involved in a physical fight than female students (41% vs. 25%; CDC 2004).

Risk Factors
Research on youth violence has increased our understanding of factors that make some populations more vulnerable to victimization and perpetration. Many risk factors are the same, in part, because of the overlap among victims and perpetrators of violence.
Risk factors increase the likelihood that a young person will become violent. However, risk factors are not direct causes of youth violence; instead, risk factors contribute to youth violence (Mercy et al. 2002; DHHS 2001).
Research associates the following risk factors with perpetration of youth violence (DHHS 2001; Lipsey and Derzon 1998; Resnick et al. 2004):

Individual Risk Factors
• History of violent victimization or involvement
• Attention deficits, hyperactivity, or learning disorders
• History of early aggressive behavior
• Involvement with drugs, alcohol, or tobacco
• Low IQ
• Poor behavioral control
• Deficits in social cognitive or information-processing abilities
• High emotional distress
• History of treatment for emotional problems
• Antisocial beliefs and attitudes
• Exposure to violence and conflict in the family

Family Risk Factors
• Authoritarian childrearing attitudes
• Harsh, lax, or inconsistent disciplinary practices
• Low parental involvement
• Low emotional attachment to parents or caregivers
• Low parental education and income
• Parental substance abuse or criminality
• Poor family functioning
• Poor monitoring and supervision of children

Peer/School Risk Factors
• Association with delinquent peers
• Involvement in gangs
• Social rejection by peers
• Lack of involvement in conventional activities
• Poor academic performance
• Low commitment to school and school failure

Community Risk Factors
• Diminished economic opportunities
• High concentrations of poor residents
• High level of transiency
• High level of family disruption
• Low levels of community participation
• Socially disorganized neighborhoods

3. Falls Among Older Adults: An Overview
Everybody should aware about the danger of falls. Older adults are most at risk. You can help a senior you know by being informed about the risks and communicate the need for seniors to be cautious and safe in every day activities.

How big is the problem?
• More than one third of adults 65 and older fall each year in the United States (Hornbrook et al. 1994; Hausdorff et al. 2001).
• Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of injury deaths. They are also the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma (CDC 2006).
• In 2004, 14,900 people 65 and older died from injuries related to unintentional falls; about 1.8 million people 65 and older were treated in emergency departments for nonfatal injuries from falls, and more than 433,000 of these patients were hospitalized (CDC 2006).
• The rates of fall-related deaths among older adults rose significantly over the past decade (Stevens 2006).
What outcomes are linked to falls?
• Twenty percent to 30% of people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries such as bruises, hip fractures, or head traumas. These injuries can make it hard to get around and limit independent living. They also can increase the risk of early death (Alexander et al. 1992; Sterling et al. 2001).
• Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries, or TBI (Jager et al. 2000). In 2000, TBI accounted for 46% of fatal falls among older adults (Stevens et al. 2006).
• Most fractures among older adults are caused by falls (Bell et al. 2000).
• The most common fractures are of the spine, hip, forearm, leg, ankle, pelvis, upper arm, and hand (Scott 1990).
• Many people who fall, even those who are not injured, develop a fear of falling. This fear may cause them to limit their activities, leading to reduced mobility and physical fitness, and increasing their actual risk of falling (Vellas et al. 1997).
• In 2000, direct medical costs totaled $0.2 billion ($179 million) for fatal falls and $19 billion for nonfatal fall injuries (Stevens et al. 2006).

Who is at risk?
• Men are more likely to die from a fall. After adjusting for age, the fall fatality rate in 2004 was 49% higher for men than for women (CDC 2005).
• Women are 67% more likely than men to have a nonfatal fall injury (CDC 2006).
• Rates of fall-related fractures among older adults are more than twice as high for women as for men (Stevens et al. 2005).
• In 2003, about 72% of older adults admitted to the hospital for hip fractures were women (CDC 2005).
• The risk of being seriously injured in a fall increases with age. In 2001, the rates of fall injuries for adults 85 and older were four to five times that of adults 65 to 74 (Stevens et al. 2005)
• Nearly 85% of deaths from falls in 2004 were among people 75 and older (CDC 2006).
• People 75 and older who fall are four to five times more likely to be admitted to a long-term care facility for a year or longer (Donald et al. 1999).
• There is little difference in fatal fall rates between whites and blacks from ages 65 to 74 (CDC 2006).
• After age 75, white men have the highest fatality rates, followed by white women, black men, and black women (CDC 2006).
• White women have significantly higher rates of fall-related hip fractures than black women (Stevens 2005).
• Among older adults, non-Hispanics have higher fatal fall rates than Hispanics (Stevens et al. 2002).

How can older adults prevent falls?
Older adults can take several steps to protect their independence and reduce their risk of falling. They can:
• Exercise regularly; exercise programs like Tai Chi that increase strength and improve balance are especially good.
• Ask their doctor or pharmacist to review their medicines—both prescription and over-the counter—to reduce side effects and interactions.
• Have their eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year.
• Improve the lighting in their home.
• Reduce hazards in their home that can lead to falls.

4. Random Act of Kindness
A SIMPLE GLASS OF MILK
One day, a very poor boy working as a door to door salesman in order to pay his college tuition was very upset when he realized he only had a dime left and he was very hungry. He decided to muster up the courage to ask for some food from a neighbor, but he became very nervous when a lady opened the door. So, instead of food, he asked for a glass of water.
She instinctively knew the boy was in need, so she brought a glass of milk. He drank it very slowly and then asked, “How much is that?”
“You owe me nothing,” replied the lady and added “My mother taught me never to accept anything in return but an act of kindness.”
“Then, I really appreciate it from the bottom of my heart,” he said. When the young boy left that home, he felt better and his faith human race grew stronger.
Years later, that kind lady got very sick and doctors did not know exactly what was wrong with her, so they sent her to a hospital where oddly enough that young boy had become a doctor and was put on the case. When he heard the name of the town she came from, his eyes lit up as he realized who his patient might be.
He went to see her and recognized the woman immediately. At once, he started to put immense amounts of effort into the case, attempting to save her life.
After a long fight, she won the battle and recovered.
The doctor asked the administration office to send him the bill for approval. He revised and signed it. He wrote a note on the upper part of the invoice and sent it back to the patient. She knew that it might take her the rest of her life to pay the medical bills. Excited to be healthy yet worried about the cost she opened up the envelope and was surprised to see a written note: “The bill was been paid some years ago with a glass of milk” Howard - MD.

5. Wellness Facts & Information
Pump some iron into your diet!
Animal sources
Liver, roast beef, steak, eggs, dark-flesh tuna, lean pork, ham, skinless chicken, turkey, and white fish
Plant sources
Iron-enriched breakfast cereal, nuts (cashews, almonds), sweet corn, potato, lentils, baked beans in sauce, bean soup, chili with beans, whole-grain bread, mostly whole meal, green leafy vegetables (broccoli, spinach, cabbage), milk chocolate, dried fruit, fresh fruit, and soy (tofu, soybeans, soymilk)

Want to publish a book?
Did you know that you don’t need to be a famous novelist to self-publish a book?
You can easily print your own book, thanks to a number of publishers offering print-on-demand services:
http://www.authorhouse.com/ , http://www.aventinepress.com/ , http://www.blurb.com/, www.apple.com/ilife/iphoto/, http://www.iuniverse.com/, http://www.kodakgallery.com/, http://www.lulu.com/, http://www.lluminia.com/, http://www.oceuse.com/, http://www.rosedog.com/, http://www.shutterfly.com/, http://www.snapfish.com/, http://www.virtualbookworm.com/, http://www.wheatmark.com/, http://www.wingspanpress.com/, www2.xlibris.com.

You can check out www.booksandtales.com/pod/index.php, which is “An Incomplete Guide to Print On Demand Publishers,” for a more publishers.

Have you been thinking about adding a new little bundle of joy to your family?
A number of recent studies show a link between pesticide exposure and impaired hormonal function in women and decreased semen quality in men! So, here are a few organic must-buys to help you conceive: apples, bell peppers, celery, cherries, imported grapes, lettuce, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, spinach, and strawberries.

Light up BLUE!
To mark the first United Nations observed World Diabetes Day, these buildings will light up in blue on November 14, 2007:
- London Eye and Shell Tower, London, UK
- Tokyo Tower, Japan
- Jet d'eau fountain, Geneva, Switzerland
- Fountain in Bermuda
- Flinders Street railway station, Melbourne, Australia
- National Library of Australia, Canberra
- Chitracut Public Garden, Jaipur, India
- Sears Tower, Chicago, USA
- Empire State Building, New York, USA
- TV Tower, Tbilisi, Georgia
- Brussels City Hall, Belgium
- Obelisk in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Create a Tonic for Your Plants!
When boiling eggs, the calcium from the shells leak into the water, which creates a great boost for your plants. Use the left over water to water your indoor or outdoor garden!

Does Being Married Make You Healthy?
Marriage offers real benefits to a person's mental and physical health, research has found.

Here are some examples, courtesy of Hope College:
- Better general health than non-married people, and fewer illnesses.
- Lower incidence of alcoholism.
- Lower rate of suicide.
- Fewer average time spent in hospitals than non-married people, and faster rates of recovery.
- Stronger immune system.
- Less risk of depression, and reduced stress and anxiety.

6. Quotes:

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” - Albert Camus

“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.” - Dale Carnegie

“A strong positive mental attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug.” - Patricia Neal

“A university is what a college becomes when the faculty loses interest in students.” - John Ciardi

“Anger makes you smaller, while forgiveness forces you to grow beyond what you were.” - Cherie Carter-Scott,

“No matter how cynical you get, it is impossible to keep up.” - Lily Tomlin

“Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't.” - Eleanor Roosevelt

"Don't wait for people to be friendly, show them how." – Unknown

7. A Wellness Challenge - keep it simple: find and preserve the simplicity in well-being, live healthy by eating healthy and participating in regular, meaningful physical exercise. Not only does it sound simple, it is simple.