CDC Launches “Tips from Former Smokers” Campaign

On March 15, 2012, the Center for Disease Control’s Office on Smoking and Health launched a groundbreaking campaign to show the long term suffering caused by smoking. Called "Tips from Former Smokers", the campaign demonstrates what it is like to "live" with the adverse effects of smoking.　

Stomas, lung removal, heart attack, limb amputation and paralysis from stroke are just some of the horrible health effects these people have to deal with. Some people who are diagnosed with these life-altering conditions are less than 40 when they began suffering from very real health declines.

On a positive note, the campaign also serves to express that people can quit. By listening to tips from former smokers, the CDC is sending a strong reason to quit, as well as directing people to tools which will help them to succeed. Free resources are available by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW, or going to www.smokefree.gov. While smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States, this new campaign will show what life might look like for those who continue to smoke.

For more information, go to http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/index.htm.

Blog written by guest blogger Kim Hageman, author of www.survivingoshkosh.com

Changes in Federal Food Aid Program Spur Stores to Stock Healthier Foods

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Updates Improve Access to Fruits, Veggies, and Reduced-Fat Milk Without Costing Government or Families More　

A study published yesterday by the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that changes made in 2009 to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (often called the WIC program) prompted North Philadelphia corner stores, convenience stores, and bodegas that accept WIC vouchers to start offering healthier foods. The changes involved updating the selection of foods available to beneficiaries, commonly referred to as the WIC package. Prior to implementing the new regulations, the U.S. Department of Agriculture commissioned the Institute of Medicine to recommend ways to make the program healthier without making it more expensive for the government or families.


The study is one of the first to look at access to healthier foods as a result of the 2009 WIC program revisions, which represent the first changes to the WIC food package in 35 years. Although the study focused on stores in a small area of North Philadelphia, the revisions apply to food stores across the United States and could impact the availability of healthier foods for millions of women and children who participate in the program.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funded the study through its Healthy Eating Research program, which supports research on environmental and policy strategies with strong potential to promote healthy eating among children to prevent obesity, especially among lower-income and racial and ethnic populations at highest risk for obesity.

Post content from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Why Whitney Died

Why Whitney Died By Bill O'Reilly
2/15/2012
The media have no bleepin' clue how to cover the death of Whitney Houston. That's because she was slowly dying for years and many in the press simply averted their eyes.
It was ultra-disturbing that a beautiful woman blessed with an extraordinary singing voice chose a self-destructive path in full view of the world. I mean, here is a person who signed a $100 million recording contract, actually sold 170 million albums and commanded high six figures to deliver a 90-minute concert. Houston was a genuine international star, and yet she often was seen in public disheveled and confused, her substance addiction apparent. The media simply did not know what to say.
We live in a time in which addiction is categorized as a disease, and to do what Nancy Reagan once did and urge people to reject narcotics is considered uncool. How many young performers do we see doing public service announcements warning children to avoid intoxication? Right now, I can't think of one.
The national media pride themselves on being non-judgmental unless you are against abortion. Then you are dismissed as "anti-woman" or as a religious zealot. But in the arena of personal behavior, there's an excuse for just about every nonviolent activity and bad decision.
There is no question that some of us have a history of addiction in our families. There are folks who can use drugs casually and avoid dependence, but they are the exception. Once a person decides to dabble in cocaine, or opiates such as heroin and OxyContin, they are putting themselves at grave risk. And they know it. There are legions of famous people who wound up dead just like Houston. From Elvis Presley to Michael Jackson, the signposts are impossible to miss. No matter how rich and powerful you are, drugs can and will destroy you.
The current medical marijuana ruse is a great example of a society walking away from a responsible position. Ask any drug rehab counselor, and he or she will tell you that pot often leads a person to harder drug use and is mentally addictive itself. Yes, most people can function while stoned. But the more you alter your mind the more your perspective on life changes. Believe me, I know people who get stoned or drunk every day. They become incredibly desensitized to those around them.
On the kid front, the situation is dire. Once a child enters the world of intoxication, their childhood is gone. Presto, they are jaded. That's how dangerous drugs and alcohol are to immature minds. Society has an obligation to protect its children, not to tacitly accept or embrace mind-altering agents such as marijuana.
Houston, however, was an adult who made a decision to embrace the drug life. Reports say she tried to rehabilitate herself a few times, but you know how that goes. Once a person enters the hell of addiction, there is no easy way out.
And that's how the Whitney Houston story should be covered. As a cautionary tale. Another life vanquished by substance abuse.

New Bill will Eliminate "Social Hosting" Loophole, A Step to Deter Adults from Allowing or Hosting Underage Parties

This new bill will strengthen current legislation in Wisconsin by deterring underage drinking and social hosting parties. Winnebago County currently has a social hosting ordinance in place, but with this new bill, a large "social hosting" loophole will be eliminated. As Youth Coordinator for re:TH!NK, an organization that works to improve the health of Winnebago County residents, I believe this bill is good news! Peer pressure and misperceived beliefs that 'Everybody is doing it' continue to be factors that contribute to underage drinking among youth. This bill will be a great step forward for Wisconsin and its efforts to prevent adults from hosting underage drinking parties or allowing underage consumption to happen on their watch.

What the changes mean: The bill will prohibit an adult from knowingly permitting or failing to take action to prevent underage consumption of alcohol on property owned by the adult or in an area under the adult's control. This means that an adult can not knowingly allow alcohol to be consumed in an area under their control, for example, renting a hotel room for an underage birthday party where alcohol will be consumed.

You may have heard of the "Parents Who Host Lose the Most" slogan advertised and promoted throughout the state of Wisconsin. Past research has shown that social host legislation is effective in reducing drinking and driving and heavy drinking. Surveys and research have also shown that youth most commonly obtain alcohol from their home (parent or guardian) or from a friend or acquaintance who is 21 or older.

Thank you to Winnebago County Representatives Dick Spanbauer and Gordon Hintz for co-authoring this legislation!

Relaxing guidelines won't help

The current (2005) Dietary Guidelines explicitly discourage anyone from beginning to drink or drinking more frequently on the basis of health considerations. But the tone of this new report creates an impression that alcohol consumption is a viable therapeutic option to be considered and/or discussed with a physician. Read on to see how the culture is wearing down what responsible drinking actually is.