WHO estimates that more than 346 million people worldwide have diabetes. Almost 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. The IDF issued a report that estimates that 552 million people could have diabetes in two decades’ time based on factors like aging and demographic changes. The group says that about one adult in 13 has diabetes.

Gojka Roglic, head of WHO’s diabetes unit, said the projected future rise in diabetes cases was because of aging rather than the obesity epidemic. Most cases of diabetes are Type 2, the kind that mainly hits people in middle age, and is linked to weight gain and a sedentary lifestyle. Roglic went on to say that a substantial number of future diabetes cases were preventable. “It’s worrying because these people will have an illness which is serious, debilitating, and shortens their lives,” she said. “But it doesn’t have to happen if we take the right interventions.”

The slogan chosen for this year’s campaign is: Act on Diabetes. Now.

Five key messages have been developed to inform the outputs and deliverables of the 2011 campaign:
• Diabetes kills: 1 person every 8 seconds, 4 million people a year
• Diabetes does not discriminate: all ages, rich and poor, all countries
• Diabetes can no longer be ignored: 4 million lives lost a year, 1 million amputations a year, millions lost in income and productivity
• Life-saving care, a right not a privilege: education, medicines, technologies
• Choose Health: demand healthy food and environments, keep active, eat well. You can make a difference.

Click here to view a  short video from the IDF.

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Questions & Answers

2011-21012 Influenza Season: Disease Activity

What sort of flu season is expected this year?

Flu seasons are unpredictable in a number of ways. Although epidemics of flu happen every year, the timing, severity, and length of the epidemic depends on many factors, including what influenza viruses are spreading and whether they match the viruses in the vaccine.

Will new strains of flu circulate this season?

Flu viruses are constantly changing so it’s not unusual for new flu virus strains to appear each year. For more information about how flu viruses change, visit How the Flu Virus Can Change.

When will flu activity begin and when will it peak?

The timing of flu is very unpredictable and can vary from season to season. Flu activity most commonly peaks in the U.S. in January or February. However, seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October and continue to occur as late as May.

What should I do to prepare for this flu season?

CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease. While there are many different flu viruses, the flu vaccine is designed to protect against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season. For information about which viruses this season’s vaccine will protect against visit Vaccine Selection for the 2011–2012 Season. Getting the flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available each year is always a good idea, and the protection you get from vaccination will last throughout the flu season.

How effective is the flu vaccine?

Inactivated influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) can vary from year to year and among different age and risk groups. For more information about vaccine effectiveness, visit How Well Does the Seasonal Flu Vaccine Work?

Will this season’s vaccine be a good match for circulating viruses?

It’s not possible to predict with certainty which flu viruses will predominate during a given season. Flu viruses are constantly changing (called drift) – they can change from one season to the next or they can even change within the course of one flu season. Experts must pick which viruses to include in the vaccine many months in advance in order for vaccine to be produced and delivered on time. (For more information about the vaccine virus selection process visit Selecting the Viruses in the Influenza (Flu) Vaccine.) Because of these factors, there is always the possibility of a less than optimal match between circulating viruses and the viruses in the vaccine.

How do we know if there is a good match between the vaccine viruses and those causing illness?

Over the course of a flu season CDC studies samples of flu viruses circulating during that season to evaluate how close a match there is between viruses in the vaccine and circulating viruses. In addition, CDC conducts vaccine effectiveness studies to determine how well the vaccine protects against illness. However, it’s important to remember that even during seasons when the vaccine is not optimally matched to predominant circulating viruses, CDC and other experts continue to recommend flu vaccine as the best way to protect against the flu.

Can the vaccine provide protection even if the vaccine is not a “good” match?

Yes, antibodies made in response to vaccination with one strain of flu viruses can provide protection against different, but related strains. A less than ideal match may result in reduced vaccine effectiveness against the variant viruses, but it can still provide some protection against influenza illness. In addition, it’s important to remember that the flu vaccine contains three virus strains so that even when there is a less than ideal match or lower effectiveness against one strain, the vaccine may protect against the other two viruses. For these reasons, even during seasons when there is a less than ideal match, CDC continues to recommend flu vaccination. This is particularly important for people at high risk for serious flu complications, and their close contacts.

In what years was there a good match between the vaccine and the circulating viruses?

In recent years the match between the vaccine viruses and those identified during the flu season has usually been good. In 17 of the last 21 U.S. influenza seasons the viruses in the influenza vaccine have been well matched to the predominant circulating viruses. Since 1990, there has only been one season (1997–98) when there was very low cross–reaction between the viruses in the vaccine and the predominate circulating virus, and three seasons (1992–93, 2003–04, and 2007–08) when there was low cross–reaction.

What is CDC doing to monitor vaccine effectiveness for the 2011–2012 season?

CDC carries out and collaborates with other partners within and outside CDC to assess how well flu vaccines work. During the 2011–2012 season, CDC is planning multiple studies on the effectiveness of both the flu shot and the nasal–spray flu vaccine. These studies will measure vaccine effectiveness in preventing laboratory confirmed influenza among persons aged 6 months and older, now that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended annual vaccination for everyone in this age group.

What actions can I take to protect myself and my family against the flu this season?

CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease. While there are many different flu viruses, the flu vaccine protects against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season. In addition, you can take everyday preventive steps like staying away from sick people and washing your hands to reduce the spread of germs. If you are sick with flu, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading influenza to others.

Where can I find information about vaccine supply?

For information about vaccine supply this season, please visit Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Supply for the U.S. 2011–12 Influenza Season.

Is there treatment for the flu?

Yes. If you get sick, there are drugs that can treat flu illness. They are called antiviral drugs and they can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They also can prevent serious flu–related complications, like pneumonia. For more information about antiviral drugs, visit Treatment (Antiviral Drugs).

What is antiviral resistance?

Antiviral resistance means that a virus has changed in such a way that the antiviral drug is less effective in treating or preventing illness. Samples of viruses collected from around the United States and worldwide are studied to determine if they are resistant to any of the four FDA–approved influenza antiviral drugs.

What is CDC doing to monitor antiviral resistance in the United States during the 2011–12 season?

CDC routinely collects viruses through a domestic and global surveillance system to monitor for changes in influenza viruses. CDC will continue ongoing surveillance and testing of influenza viruses. Additionally, CDC is working with the state public health departments and the World Health Organization to collect additional information on antiviral resistance in the United States and worldwide. The information collected will assist in making informed public health policy recommendations.

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In June, Texas made a law banning children under the age of 16 ½ from tanning beds and requiring in-person parental consent for those under 18 years of age. In Delaware, a new law prohibits those under 14 from tanning facilities unless they have a doctor’s prescription and requires those under 18 to have a parental or guardian sign a consent form in person at the facility. Other states are working on bills to restrict the use of tanning facilities for those under 16.

Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers – accounting for nearly half of all cancers within the United States. More than 2 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer are found each year in the U.S. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), reports that tanning is extremely dangerous to young people. People who use tanning beds prior to age 30, increase their risk of melanoma by 75%. According to www.skincancer.org an estimated 123,590 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the US in 2011 – 53,360 non-invasive and 70,230 invasive, with nearly 8,790 resulting in death. Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults ages 25-29 and the second most common form of cancer for people ages 15-29. People who use tanning beds are 2.5 times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma and 1.5 time more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma. Both of these types of skin cancer are classified as non-melanoma and develop on sun-exposed areas of the body and are likely to be cured if caught and treated early.

It is vital that we protect ourselves and our children from the sun’s harmful rays and we need to be aware of the dangers of the sun and tanning beds.

The following information is from www.cancer.org and will help us to learn more on what precautions we can take to protect ourselves from skin cancer and what the risk factors and warning signs are.

What are the risk factors for skin cancer?

Risk factors for non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers include:

• Unprotected and/or excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation
• Fair complexion
• Occupational exposures to coal tar, pitch, creosote, arsenic compounds, or radium
• Family history
• Multiple or atypical moles
• Severe sunburns as a child

What are the signs and symptoms of skin cancer?

Skin cancer can be found early, and both doctors and patients play important roles in finding skin cancer. If you have any of the following symptoms, tell your doctor.

• Any change on the skin, especially in the size or color of a mole or other darkly pigmented growth or spot, or a new growth
• Scaliness, oozing, bleeding, or change in the appearance of a bump or nodule
• The spread of pigmentation beyond its border such as dark coloring that spreads past the edge of a mole or mark
• A change in sensation, itchiness, tenderness, or pain

Can skin cancer be prevented?

The best ways to lower the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer are to avoid intense sunlight for long periods of time and to practice sun safety. You can continue to exercise and enjoy the outdoors while practicing sun safety at the same time. Here are some ways you can do this:

• Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Seek shade: Look for shade, especially in the middle of the day when the sun’s rays are strongest. Practice the shadow rule and teach it to children. If your shadow is shorter than you, the sun’s rays are at their strongest.
• Slip on a shirt: Cover up with protective clothing to guard as much skin as possible when you are out in the sun. Choose comfortable clothes made of tightly woven fabrics that you cannot see through when held up to a light.
• Slop on sunscreen: Use sunscreen and lip balm with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Apply a generous amount of sunscreen (about a palm-full) and reapply after swimming, toweling dry, or perspiring. Use sunscreen even on hazy or overcast days.
• Slap on a hat: Cover your head with a wide-brimmed hat, shading your face, ears, and neck. If you choose a baseball cap, remember to protect your ears and neck with sunscreen.
• Wrap on sunglasses: Wear sunglasses with 99% to 100% UV absorption to provide optimal protection for the eyes and the surrounding skin.
• Follow these practices to protect your skin even on cloudy or overcast days. UV rays travel through clouds.
• Avoid other sources of UV light. Tanning beds and sun lamps are dangerous because they can damage your skin.

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With breast cancer, education is empowerment

According to the American Cancer Society, there are now about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States. A diagnosis of breast cancer brings with it many questions, and requires sudden decision making about surgery and treatment. With this comes the need to learn an overwhelming amount of new information at a rapid rate, and to become familiar with new concepts and strange medical jargon.

You may currently be experiencing strong emotions such as anxiety, fear, sorrow or anger. It can be difficult to think clearly while experiencing such strong emotions, but dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis requires that you be at your most focused, because with breast cancer, education is empowerment.

When breast cancer is detected at an early stage of development, a number of effective treatment options are available. A woman and her physician will choose the treatment that is right for her, based on the location and extent of the cancer, her age and preferences, and the risks and benefits of each treatment. The basic treatment choices for breast cancer are surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy, not necessarily in that order. Local treatments such as breast surgery and radiation therapy are focused on the breast itself to remove or destroy the cancer cells confined to the breast. Systemic treatments such as chemotherapy and hormonal therapy aim to destroy the cancer cells that may have spread throughout the body.

Though fighting breast cancer may be one of the toughest life challenges you may encounter, it is important to understand that you do not have to face it alone. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) has developed this Web site with many resources for you and your loved ones that will enable you to take an active role in your own treatment, including informational brochures and flyers and links to videos and other important resources. We invite you to explore this site and to bookmark this page and visit often for the latest updates.

Resource: If You’ve Just Been Diagnosed (CancerCare Fact Sheet)

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Our revision of creamy chicken and dumplings uses whole-wheat flour for the dumplings and adds lots of vegetables to the filling. The delicious, satisfying results are packed with beneficial nutrients and dietary fiber, and because we don’t use canned soup for the sauce, sodium levels are drastically reduced. To go even lighter, try the recipe with boneless, skinless chicken breasts.

6 servings (1 1/3 cups stew & 3 dumplings each) | Active Time: 45 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

Old-Fashioned Chicken & Dumplings

• 1 3/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
• 2 large carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 2 14-ounce cans reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup water
• 1 1/2 cups frozen peas, thawed

Dumplings

• 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup nonfat buttermilk, (see Tip)

Preparation

1. Toss chicken with 2/3 cup all-purpose flour in a medium bowl until coated. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Reserving the remaining flour, add the chicken to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
2. Reduce heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pot. Stir in carrots, celery, onion, 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Sprinkle the reserved flour over the vegetables; stir to coat. Stir in broth, water, peas and the reserved chicken. Bring to a simmer, stirring often.
3. To prepare dumplings: Meanwhile, stir whole-wheat flour, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning, baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Stir in buttermilk.
4. Drop the dough, 1 tablespoon at a time, over the simmering chicken stew, making about 18 dumplings. Adjust heat to maintain a gentle simmer, cover and cook undisturbed until the dumplings are puffed, the vegetables are tender and the chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes.

Nutrition

Per serving : 463 Calories; 15 g Fat; 3 g Sat; 7 g Mono; 91 mg Cholesterol; 45 g Carbohydrates; 34 g Protein; 6 g Fiber; 629 mg Sodium; 412 mg Potassium

2 1/2 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 2 1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 3 lean meat, 1 fat

Tips & Notes

• Tip: No buttermilk? You can use buttermilk powder prepared according to package directions. Or make “sour milk”: mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup milk.

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• Final regulations that establish standards for testing the effectiveness of sunscreen products and require labeling that accurately reflects test results.
• A proposed regulation that would limit the maximum SPF value on sunscreen labeling to “SPF 50+”.
• A data request for safety and effectiveness information for sunscreen products formulated in certain dosage forms (e.g., sprays).
• A draft guidance for sunscreen manufacturers on how to test and label their products in light of these new measures.

“This new information will help consumers know which products offer the best protection from the harmful rays of the sun,” says Lydia Velazquez, Pharm.D. in FDA’s Division of Nonprescription Regulation Development. She said that the measures are necessary since “our scientific understanding has grown” and it is important for consumers “to understand that not all sunscreens are created equal.”

The FDA’s regulations will become effective in one year. The regulations will provide a standard test for sunscreen products that are sold over-the-counter which will determine if the products can be labeled as “Broad Spectrum.” The term broad spectrum means protection from both ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet A (UVA) rays.

The FDA has come up with additional labeling regulations designed to help consumers select the right sunscreens and teach them how to use them properly. Here are the additional labeling regulations from the FDA’s recent report:

• Sunscreen products that are not broad spectrum or that are broad spectrum with SPF values from 2 to14 will be labeled with a warning that reads: “Skin Cancer/Skin Aging Alert:  Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging.” 
• Water resistance claims on the product’s front label must tell how much time a user can expect to get the declared SPF level of protection while swimming or sweating, based on standard testing. Two times will be permitted on labels: 40 minutes or 80 minutes.
• Manufacturers cannot make claims that sunscreens are “waterproof” or “sweatproof, or identify their products as “sunblocks.” Also, sunscreens cannot claim protection immediately on application (for example, “instant protection”) or protection for more than two hours without reapplication, unless they submit data and get approval from FDA.

Since each and every one of us is exposed to the sun, we need to pay close attention to these new regulations. Any time that we spend in the sun increases our chance of skin cancer and each time we get a sun burn that risk is heightened. Not to mention, it also causes early skin aging. The FDA report lists the following steps we should follow in order to reduce our risk in the sun:

• Use sunscreens with broad spectrum SPF values of 15 or higher regularly and as directed.
• Limit time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are most intense.
• Wear clothing to cover skin exposed to the sun; for example, long-sleeved shirts, pants, sunglasses, and broad-brimmed hats.
• Reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours, more often if you’re sweating or jumping in and out of the water.

For more detailed information click here to read the full report from the FDA.

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Relief for Allergies at Home  

Allergy-proof your home to eliminate stuffy sneezes

By Gina Shaw
WebMD Feature                              Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD

Your home is your castle — except when you’re allergic to it. A recent nationwide survey found that over half of all Americans test positive for at least some allergens, and many of these are indoor allergies such as dust, mold, and pet dander.

How can you allergy-proof your home to make it a refuge, not a source of sneezes? Take a tour of your house from room to room, find out where the allergens are lurking, and get relief from indoor allergies.

Allergies in the Bedroom

“This is the most allergen-prone room in your house, because the most common indoor allergen is dust mites,” says James Sublett, MD, an allergist in Louisville, Ky.

The single most important thing you can do for dust mite allergies is to put hypoallergenic casings on your beds, mattresses, box springs, and especially the pillows. “They’re right in your face all the time, so they particularly need allergy casings,” says Sublett.

You can also reduce the presence of dust mites in your beds by using only washable bedding.  Many people may pile their beds with fancy quilts, throw pillows, and wool blankets that aren’t washed regularly.

“If you move them around at night when you’re getting ready for bed, you stir up the particulate found in these linens,” says Sublett.

This applies to stuffed animals in children’s bedrooms as well. Instead of piling stacks and stacks of cuddly toys on the bed, limit the furry friends to one or two favorites that are washable. (Take a look at the label — many stuffed animals are marked “surface clean only.”)  Your child’s linens and stuffed animals should be washed in hot water at least once a week.

Remove carpets from the bedroom (and elsewhere in the house as well if you can). A smooth-surfaced floor reduces the dust mite particles that accumulate in carpets.

Keep pets out of the bedroom and most certainly off your bed. “Even if you’re not actually allergic to the pet dander, they can bring allergens into the bedroom and onto the bed on their fur,” notes Sublett.

The bedroom is also a good place for a HEPA air filter to clean bedroom air. (This is not an “air purifier,” which is a different product and does nothing for allergies).

Allergies in the Living Room, Family Room and Playroom

These rooms may not have quite the allergy-aggravating potential that the bedroom does, but similar rules apply:

• Keep carpeted surfaces to a minimum.
• Choose smooth-surfaced furniture, like leather, vinyl, and ultrasuede over heavily upholstered pieces.
• Limit soft and plush toys, and wash them regularly.
• In rooms with carpeting, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.

Vacuums with HEPA filters “reduce the amount of particles thrown up in the air when you’re vacuuming,” says Sublett.

Also, it’s a good idea to wear an allergy face mask when you’re vacuuming.” He recommends a mask rated at least N95 by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, which filters extremely small particles.

Allergies in the Kitchen and Bathrooms

Cockroaches are another common trigger of allergies and asthma, so it’s important to keep the kitchen clean. Keep all food stored in sealed containers, and keep garbage cans covered and emptied regularly.

Mold from moisture also tends to accumulate in both the kitchen and bathroom. Use vent fans to clear the air after cooking or showering, and make sure that all solid surfaces are regularly cleaned using a 5% bleach cleaning solution. Showers and bathtubs should be cleaned weekly and checked for mold and mildew.

Refrigerator drip pans are another often-neglected source of mold. If your fridge has one, pull it out when you do your regular kitchen cleaning and scrub it down.

Whole-House Solutions for Allergies

The best way to keep allergens out of your house is to keep it clean and dry. Molds and mildew thrive in damp, poorly ventilated environments, so repair leaking roofs and pipes promptly. Avoid putting carpet on concrete floors, and keep clothing and papers away from damp areas. You can use dehumidifiers in areas that tend to accumulate moisture (like the basement), but be sure to empty them regularly and keep them clean or they will become another source of mold and mildew.

You can also guard your home from allergens tracked in from outside using a tracking mat — not a cute welcome mat, but a good-sized rubberized mat like you’d see in commercial buildings.

“Studies have shown that many of the particles that are brought into the house are on your shoes,” says Sublett.

It may be impossible to completely allergy-proof your home, but if you follow these tips you may find yourself breathing easier.

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Just exactly what is diabetes? According to WebMd,

Diabetes, the most common disorder of the endocrine (hormone) system, occurs when blood sugar levels in the body consistently stay above normal…Diabetes is a disease brought on by either the body’s inability to make insulin (type 1 diabetes) or by the body not responding to the effects of insulin (type 2 diabetes). It can also appear during pregnancy. Insulin is one of the main hormones that regulates blood sugar levels and allows the body to use sugar (called glucose) for energy. 

The CDC states that more than one-quarter of people with type 2 diabetes do not know they have the disease. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type with almost 18 million people being affected by it. You are of higher risk of getting the disease if you are obese, age 45 or older, have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes, had gestational diabetes or not physically active. Type 2 diabetes mainly affects adults and can lead to such results as blindness, amputations and chronic kidney failure.

With such high numbers of people being affected and the terrible conditions type 2 diabetes can lead to, it is vital that we educate ourselves and learn about the disease. We should find out if any close family members have the disease and if we may be at risk. It is a good idea to talk to your doctor about your family health history. By doing this, you may find out if you are at risk and you may be able to help prevent the disease from starting if you catch the early symptoms  and are able to change your lifestyle. My grandfather had the early warning signs of type 2 diabetes. His doctor advised him that he needed to change his diet and begin to exercise on a daily basis, otherwise, he may get the disease. My grandfather did not change his ways since he had been set in his ways with bad eating habits and by never exercising. The doctor gave harsh warnings for the next few checkups…and two years later, my grandfather was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Now he has changed …but it is too late since the damage has been done. By listening to your doctor, and taking the actions they suggest, you may be able to prevent this disease or even be able to possibly stop it.

The CDC has provided detailed information about type 2 diabetes and there is a test you can take to see if you are at risk. Make sure to take that quick test and see what suggestions they have if you have a high score of being at risk. We are fortunate to have great resources at our fingertips, such as the CDC, which has taken the time to put together valuable information for us on diabetes. Make sure to visit the CDC to learn more about diabetes .

Please take the time to evaluate your current health condition – if you think you may be at risk or have any of the symptoms – talk to your doctor and see what steps you can take to help stop this disease from taking over your life and possibly causing you serious health complications down the road.

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