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National Folic Acid Awareness Week January 8th-14th: What should you know about folic acid?
Folic acid is a B vitamin that is used by the body to make new cells. Everyone needs folic acid! If a woman has enough folic acid in her body before and during pregnancy, it can help prevent major birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine. CDC urges women to take 400 mcg of folic acid every day, starting at least one month before getting pregnant, to help prevent major birth defects. There are two easy ways to be sure to get enough folic acid each day:
Take a vitamin that has folic acid in it every day.
Most multivitamins sold in the United States have the amount of folic acid women need each day. Women can also choose to take a small pill (supplement) that has only folic acid in it each day. Multivitamins and folic acid pills can be found at most local pharmacy, grocery, or discount stores. Check the label to be sure it contains 100% of the daily value (DV) of folic acid, which is 400 micrograms (mcg).
Eat a bowl of breakfast cereal that has 100% of the daily value of folic acid every day.
Not every cereal has this amount. Check the label on the side of the box, and look for one that has “100%” next to folic acid.
Related Links:
Facts about Folic Acid
Healthy Pregnancy
Planning for Pregnancy
National Council on Folic Acid
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Did you know January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month? Here are some eye health tips to share with your readers
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can damage the eye's optic nerve and result in vision loss and blindness. Glaucoma occurs when the normal fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises. However, recent findings now show that glaucoma can occur with normal eye pressure. With early detection and timely treatment, you can often protect your eyes against serious vision loss. Your eyes are an important part of your health. You can do many things to keep them healthy and make sure you’re seeing your best. Please share the following simple guidelines with your readers for maintaining healthy eyes well into their golden years:
Have a comprehensive dilated eye exam. You might think your vision is fine or that your eyes are healthy, but visiting your eye care professional for a comprehensive dilated eye exam is the only way to really be sure. Regular eye exams are important for good eye health as well as overall health. A comprehensive dilated eye exam is a painless procedure in which an eye care professional examines the eyes to look for common vision problems and eye diseases, many of which have no early warning signs.
Know your family’s eye health history. Talk to your family members about their eye health history. It’s important to know if anyone has been diagnosed with an eye disease or condition, since many are hereditary.
Eat right to protect your sight. You’ve heard that carrots are good for your eyes. But eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables—particularly dark leafy greens, such as spinach, kale, or collard greens—is important for keeping your eyes healthy, too.
Quit smoking or never start.
Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing diabetes and other systemic conditions, which can lead to vision loss, such as diabetic eye disease or glaucoma (Diabetic eye disease refers to various eye problems that may occur as a complication of diabetes, including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataract. These conditions can lead to vision loss and blindness).
Wear protective eyewear. Wear protective eyewear when playing sports or doing activities around the home.
Give your eyes a rest. If you spend a lot of time at the computer or focusing on any one thing, you sometimes forget to blink and your eyes can get fatigued. Try the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look away about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds. This short exercise can help reduce eyestrain.
Practice workplace eye safety. Employers are required to provide a safe work environment. When protective eyewear is required as a part of your job, make a habit of wearing the appropriate type at all times, and encourage your coworkers to do the same.
Related Links:
Glaucoma
CDC’s Eye Health Tips
Vision Health Initiative (VHI)
Prevent Blindness America
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Understanding your health shouldn’t be a puzzle: Why you should ask for plain language in healthcare
Let’s face it: managing your health can be complicated. Every day, we face situations that involve life-changing decisions about our health. Research shows that today's health information is hard to understand and use to make good decisions. But health information and services don’t have to be so complicated. It helps to be a savvy consumer. How can you get the most from health information and services?
First, know the law. As of this year, federal government agencies must use plain language when they communicate with the public about critical benefits and services. If you find federal government health information that isn’t in plain language, you can contact that agency and ask them to make it clear.
Second, clear communication is part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, i.e. "health reform," the most significant change to health policy in decades. Soon, health insurance companies will be required to tell you about coverage and benefits in plain language. You may also find “patient navigators,” people who can help you find your way through the maze of healthcare.
Third, when you go to the doctor, clinic or hospital, ask them to use plain language when they talk to you and ask for plain language patient information. You can take a list of questions and ask for clear answers and explanations.
Why is health literacy important?
Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday health information that is routinely available in our healthcare facilities, retail outlets, media and communities.
Without clear information and an understanding of the information's importance, people are more likely to skip necessary medical tests, end up in the emergency room more often, and have a harder time managing chronic diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure.
Inform your readers on becoming more health literate and visit the CDC website for training resources, materials and more for your state.
Related Links:
Learn About Health Literacy
Get Training
Health Literacy Activities by State
Science Says: Findings You Can Use
National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality