Health

A community health worker is a front-line public health worker who is a trusted member of a community and has an unusually close understanding of the community they serve. This trusting relationship enables the worker to be a liaison, link and intermediary between health and social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery.

A community health worker also builds individual and community capacity by increasing basic health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support and advocacy.

– Oklahoma City-County Health Department

Uh oh. A new study has some scary implications for our reliance on cellphones, tablets and computer screens. Those blue-tinged displays could lead to serious eye problems – maybe even blindness.

Findings published in Scientific Reports show that blue light may cause or accelerate macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in the U.S. The condition can occur as we age, but exposure to specific light has been shown to irreversibly damage certain cells in our eyes.

To stave off damage, many devices have settings for “warm” light, or you may want to limit your nighttime screen exposure.

– Dan Stefano, The Pittsburgh 100

It’s that time of year, when vigilance for mosquitoes is a must. Remember to Fight the Bite by draining standing water, using DEET-containing insect repellent, dressing in long sleeves and pants sprayed with repellent and protecting yourself by limiting your exposure outside.

West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-borne disease in Oklahoma, and it’s a deadly threat, especially to senior adults. Zika is another mosquito-borne disease that’s rising. Mosquito-borne diseases are often transmitted to people through a bite from an infected mosquito. It’s important to note that Zika can also be transmitted through sexual activity.

– Oklahoma City-County Health Department

Heart Health Month aims to raise awareness of the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States: heart disease.

While heart disease is deadly, it is one of few causes of death that is preventable. Making heart-smart choices, understanding your family medical history, exercising and seeing your physician regularly are all easy steps you can take to reduce your risk of heart disease.

Oklahoma Heart Hospital provides Oklahomans many resources to get on a heart-healthy path. This month, take the Heart Health Quiz and explore these quick reads on improving your heart health.

– Kelly Hughes, Jones PR

Regardless of what business you’re in, many offices share a common similarity: a sedentary work culture. Studies show sitting is a major contributor to employee health issues. Try these simple tips to minimize the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle and create a ripple effect that could change office culture for good.

1. Improve ergonomics around the office – stand more than you sit (Varidesk).

2. Take two to three short breaks throughout the day to perform these four office stretches.

3. Turn inconveniences into exercise (parking farther away, taking the stairs, walking and talking).

4. Hydrate – Water helps improve short-term memory, focus, alertness.

— Kyle Barrow, Functional Movement Systems

January is the time many start fresh with a new year and a new you.

If getting fit in 2018 is your New Year’s resolution, take a look at three tips to help you along your fitness journey:

1. Plan your workouts: Use a Samsung Galaxy Tab E to search and save workouts so you’re prepared.

2. Create the perfect playlist: Get motivated with your favorite tunes played on the JBL Flip 4 Bluetooth speaker.

3. Track your progress: Monitor steps, distance, calories burned and more with the Fitbit Surge Fitness Superwatch.

Head to a Sprint store to get yours!

– Taylor Ketchum, Jones PR

Some people look good with a mustache – some not as flattering. But regardless of thickness, color or style, November is a month to embrace them all for a good cause.

Movember the movement started in 2003 with a small group and has since spread all over the world with over 5 million participants annually.

Its mission is to raise funds and awareness for men’s health issues including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide. They want men to be healthier, talk about their issues and care for one another. So start growing and get involved for a good cause.

– Josh Sarnowitz, The Boston 100

An MRI is the most effective diagnostic test for soft tissue disorders, according to the Oklahoma Heart Hospital.

This medical test is crucial for identifying strokes, tumors, back and spine disorders, joint injuries, sinuses and more, however, a significant segment of the nation’s population is unable to undergo an MRI because they have a pacemaker or defibrillator.

Oklahoma Heart Hospital is changing that. Its new MRI Device Clinic is the first of its kind in central Oklahoma and is a life-changing development for patients with these devices. To learn more, contact the Oklahoma Heart Hospital at (405) 608-3800.

– Kelly Hughes, Jones PR

1. Sunburns

Hack: Aloe vera and ice are great for treating burns. Make aloe vera ice cubes and stock the freezer.

2. Bug bites

Hack: Toothpaste or baking soda. Create an anti-inch serum (one tablespoon of baking soda mixed with water). Rub on bite to reduce inflammation.

3. Poison ivy

Hack: Fruits and vegetables. A freshly cut onion reduces swelling, banana peels moisturize/reduce sting while lemon and lime have anti-itch/antibacterial properties.

4. Swimmer’s ear

Hack: Toynbee maneuver. Take a sip of water, pinch your nose and then swallow keeping your nose pinched. The pressure subsides immediately.

– Jake Pasdach, Jones PR

Research by the Mayo Clinic suggests inactivity at your desk job could be slowly killing you. Here are some insider tips to easily increase your activity around the office:

• Get a stationary bike. You can score a stationary bike that fits under your desk on Amazon for as little as $26.

• Stand up. Decrease your risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease by spending part of your day standing.

• Take the stairs. Take advantage of a few minutes of exercise.

• Go for a walk. Instead of emailing your co-worker, make the short trek down the hall to their office.

– Kelly Hughes, Jones PR

It’s easy to find excuses for why we couldn’t stick to our routine workout schedule — it was too hard, too much to do and we weren’t ready.

However, what if your commitment was to simply walk 15 extra minutes a day? Walk to work, walk during a lunch break, walk the block at night. It may seem like it’s not worth it, right? Wrong!

That small amount of exercise is the exact, constant gentle pressure that is needed to keep pushing yourself. It prepares you, so when the time is right you can make those major changes down the road.

– Emily Krueger, The Boston 100

Sitting is the new smoking. Meetings are the biggest time-wasters at work. Studies show walking meetings boost creativity and collaboration when done in groups of 2-4 people.

Walk and talks are intimate, provoke honesty, reduce real or perceived hierarchies and decrease multitasking. If 92% of people admit to multitasking during a meeting, prevent it by combining it with a walk.

The health benefits are numerous. It’s a movement opportunity that increases alertness and energy levels and burns calories. See how many meetings you have on your calendar that can be good for your butt and your brain.

– Marcey Rader, Marcey Rader Coaching, LLC, Work Well. Play More! Institute

If the number on the scale won’t budge, your desk job might be to blame.

1. If you’re drinking anything besides water, you’re shooting yourself in the foot. Sodas and caffeinated drinks, including coffee, are not always your friend.

2. Instead of a meeting in the conference room, suggest a walking meeting. Walking 30 minutes daily reduces the risk for several diseases.

3. Bring your own food. Remove the temptation by bringing your own lunch and snacks, such as fruit, nuts and protein.

4. Team up. You’re probably not the only person in your office interested in a healthier lifestyle.

– Emily Wiley, Jones PR

Whether you fancy a one-mile walk, 5K or full marathon, Oklahoma has several pleasant areas to put miles behind you.

The 9.4-mile Lake Hefner Trail – an Oklahoma favorite – is marked at each mile, creating a safe environment around the lake.

Get the most out of your training at the tree-lined Oklahoma River Trails, which offer scenic views of downtown without the inconvenience of stoplights. That’s right, the trails go underneath cross-streets.

Complete your weekend with hill training at Mitch Park in Edmond. The steep inclines will give you a competitive edge for your next race.

– Aubree Hughes, Jones PR

Many big races are coming up in the next few months, including the Redbud Classic, April 8-9, and the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, April 30. The time to start training is now.

Apps like Nike+ keep track of progress and time for continued improvement, while MapMyRun provides new routes.

However, running shoes may be the single most important part of training for a big race. Red Coyote not only has a great shoe selection, but offers Oklahoma City’s only free slow-motion video gait analysis system to make sure customers buy the right shoe for their unique foot type.

– Emily Anderson, Jones PR

Each new year brings waves of health resolutions – losing weight, exercise regimens, diets and annual physicals. Consider adding one more – improving your health literacy.

MedEncentive is an Oklahoma City-based developer of a patented system proven to improve health and lower healthcare costs by means of “information therapy.” According to MedEncentive, studies show the single strongest determinant of your health and life expectancy is health literacy. Apparently the old adage that “what you don’t know could kill you” has some truth to it!

To keep your New Year’s resolutions in 2016, first start by committing to becoming more health knowledgable.

– Chip Carter, Jones PR