Air Dead - Emphysema

Our families have a history of emphysema deaths. It is with this in mind that we found this story from the United Kingdom's Burton Mail that we wanted to call to your attention. Medical mistakes aren't just an American phenomena.

"Mrs Margaret Jee, of Curtis Court, Horninglow, 73, suffered a heart attack on July 3, shortly after completing ‘gentle exercises’ at Hill Street Health and Wellbeing Centre, in Stapenhill; an activity recommended to her by her doctor to help her lose weight."

"[C]onsultant pathologist Dr Peter Acland said his examination confirmed Mrs Jee, who had underlying health problems including angina, arthritis and type two diabetes, had stopped breathing because of a heart attack. He said he had found evidence of surgical emphysema; air entering body tissue, indicating that air had been ‘going into the wrong place’, but it was ‘hard to say’ whether this had happened while she was alive or at the time of her death."

OK maybe it was that "gentle exercises" that we wanted to call to your attention after the earlier story about strenuous exercising to reduce prostate cancer that made us find and include this story or maybe not. We're concerned about what was done to Mrs. Jee. We really are concerned. While we don't know Mrs. Jee and the specific problem of medical emphysema hasn't been studied she could be our Mrs. or your Mrs. or she could be one of us or Amy Winehouse. We probably do need to lose weight and probably will. We just think it should be noted that there is a down side to physician ordered exercise. So let's be careful out there!


If you're suffering from emphysema whether major or minor and are in the District of Columbia the Joint Commission gives their "Gold Seal" for Emphysema Treatment to the four (4) following hospitals: Howard, Providence, The Specialty Hospital of Washington-Capitol Hill and Walter Reed. To see their selections for the state of Maryland six (6), North Carolina seven (7) and Virginia fifteen (15) hospitals select the appropriate state's name to get to the link page with that information.

More Coffee Please...

It probably comes to late for actor Dennis Hopper, reporter Bryant Gumbel probably won't be helped by the news nor movie star Nick Nolte and we've long since made known the earlier results in our July coffee health benefits story. The story that "Coffee drinking linked to significantly lowered risk of prostate cancer" has been the lead story on CBS News from Boston, Chicago (WATCH), Los Angeles (WATCH), San Antonio to India:

"The research involved 50,000 males over 20 years old. Kathryn Wilson, a scientist at the Channing Laboratory at Harvard, led the study. Her team found out that 5% of the men, who had at least 6 cups of coffee a day, had a 60% lower risk of obtaining the more complex form of the disease than those who had no coffee. Those who consumed 4 to 5 cups a day had a 25% lower risk, while those who drank 1 to 3 cups had a 20% lower risk. This is the first study to disprove the belief that prostate cancer and coffee are not connected in any way. Wilson and her colleagues used a different approach, that is, by looking at the link between the drink and the different stages of prostate cancer, instead of treating them as a single entity. However, more research needs to be done to confirm their findings, she said."

Though India is more associated with tea than coffee. Their reporting dealt with the recent research on prostate cancer in connection with our old "nemesis" exercise:

"[T]he researchers found that men who walked four or more hours a week had a 23 percent lower risk of all-cause mortality compared to men who walked less than 20 minutes per week. Men who walked 90 or more minutes at a normal to brisk pace had a 51 percent lower risk of death from any cause than men who walked less than 90 minutes at an easy walking pace. Walking didn’t show any effect on prostate cancer specific mortality, but more strenuous exercising did. Men who engaged in five or more hours of vigorous physical activity a week were at a decreased risk of dying from their prostate cancer." - IndiaTimes

DNA or no DNA "optimum health" is still and probably will always be related to some amount of strenuous exercise. If you or someone you knows needs treatment for prostate cancer the gold standard for care in the area is with following DC hospitals: "Howard, Providence, and Walter Reed". To see the seven (7) results for the state of Maryland, the seven (7) results for the state of North Carolina, and the thirteen (13) results for the state of Virginia. The Gold Seal is issued by the Joint Commission:

An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 17,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards.

So enjoy your extra cup of "joe" just remember how you sweeten it can affect your health though thankfully it might have no effect on your prostate.

Sick Puss

We're really editing ourselves because we're pet owners though some of us are allergic to pets. So we're torn between caring and not giving a hoot! Given the choice between concern for the living humans and pets were not People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) zealots. We put people first. We out "Peta" PETA in our concern that pet owners who are H1N1 sick might tend to pity themselves by snuggling up with their furry friends instead of keeping them away from their "infected-ness." Sick is sick so stay away from all the healthy creatures and suffer through it. PETA, however, has no published position on this issue.

Kennels cautious after pets get flu - Two house cats in Colorado are recovering after both tested positive for the H1N1 virus. A veterinary lab at Colorado State University confirmed the separate cases. One of the cats became ill in early October and the other got sick in early November. Several kennels are also requiring dogs to get flu shots before being boarded. - 9News

Of course if you've ever listen to us or had been listening to us you'll run to the hospital get treated and get those numbers back up. Because in this environment its better to be safe than sorry. Especially if you H1N1 sick. We won't be counting the number of pet deaths but we will be watching their numbers. Yes, even pet deaths count! Maybe not to you, maybe not to the local health departments - yes we're talking about you DC! But our pets matter to us and we'd be very hurt if we lost them for any reason. While the picture maybe humorous in this we're very serious.

Wait For It!

We keep saying "It's Not Over!" We know no one is listening but still we shout in the wilderness because someday soon someone will. One of the down sides to the lack of deaths numbers and news reports of the "decline" is that people aren't getting in line to get the shot. It also could be that those in the "high risk" category have begun to reach their tipping point. We all still can't get the shot though some of us have been inoculated.

Though we can only speak to the national coverage and not the local. We'll make every effort to remedy this by this weekend to give you both actual on the spot coverage with pictures. According to Chicago Tribute, Boston.com, Cybercast News, Nevada Appeal:

Flu vaccine clinic turnout lower than expected - Officials were ready for 5,000 - Ann Scales, spokeswoman for the Boston Public Health Commission, said the turnout was lower than expected because fewer reported cases of flulike illnesses have been reported recently and because many city residents are already vaccinated. “That has suppressed interest in the vaccine,’’ she said. Panic about the swine flu is waning as many people with symptoms are opting to stay home and ride out the illness rather than going to their doctor, she said.

We still love former Governor and now Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, but we think she's "going rogue!" When she came to DC on the 19th of November to tout the increase in supplies we didn't have the vaccine. The conference doesn't appear anywhere on the website nor in our search through the normal media sources. Since that appearance Sebelius has said heads will roll! We believe her and it's not just because she scares us.

“Right now, as of today, we have 50 million doses not available and more is coming each and every day,” Sebelius told the crowd of about 100 people that gathered at the center to hear her and Spanish-speaking representatives from the CDC. “And so, if you haven’t had the opportunity to have a vaccination yet, more will be available.”

Almost ten (10) days later in the Maryland suburbs supplies were still lacking.

US struggles to keep up with demand vaccine - Just outside the capital, Washington DC, Mary Anderson, at the health department of Montgomery County, Maryland, said her region had only received half of vaccine order they placed. One the countries hardest hit by the swine flu outbreak, the US was struggling to keep up with demand, even as public concerns over the safety of the vaccine kept some people away from the queues for the jab. - Monsters and Critics News

The former Kansas governor added this at the earlier gathering:

“The vaccine will be available, and it will be free, and it will be available to everyone,” Sebelius said. “I’m here to remind you that the good news is we do have a vaccine. It does work against this flu, and it is safe."

We emphasize this statement because while the now Health and Human Services Secretary made it plain the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that they have the 2009-2010 seasonal flu vaccine ready.

FDA Approves Agriflu Seasonal Influenza Vaccine - Another option to prevent illnesses caused by subtypes A and B influenza virus - Novartis is required to conduct further studies to verify that the vaccine will decrease seasonal influenza disease after vaccination. The company also manufactures another licensed seasonal influenza vaccine, Fluvirin, for use in the United States. Fluvirinis approved for people ages 4 years and older. Agriflu is not intended to protect against the 2009 H1N1 influenza.

That's right the FDA says they don't know if it will work but they do know it won't work against the H1N1 virus - you know the one that's been killing us. She's really going rogue and she's not named Sarah! She's the other former female governor whose name starts with an "S!"

The problem with people not getting the H1N1 vaccine is being highlighted now that the supplies are becoming available but again primarily to the "most vulnerable" is fear and ignorance.

H1N1: Why I'm Willing To Get Vaccinated - Tyrone Jones - A 13-year-old child is five times more likely to contract the H1N1 than an adult because the virus feeds off less developed immune systems. H1N1 is a very contagious disease and nobody is naturally immune to it. Knowing this is enough to get me to run out for a vaccination. - NCMONLINE

Just last week we heard this:

Lessons learned from the H1N1 flu vaccine shortage - Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced Tuesday that a major review and proposed overhaul of the government's efforts to develop new protections against pandemics, bioterrorism and other health threats has been initiated.

The shortage is currently a non-issue, as about 69 million doses are now available, however, the virus is still spreading widely and a third wave could occur later this winter, said CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden. CDC reports in the Alabama region (Region 4), we are still experiencing elevated levels of activity, and our region has reported 37 pediatric deaths. - Baltimore Examiner

The Washington Post noted that we may have to wait a year to determine how many heads rolled:

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Tuesday that she ordered the evaluation in part because the H1N1 vaccine shortage had highlighted the nation's dependence on antiquated technology. "We'll look for the fastest ways to move to new technologies that will let us quickly produce countermeasures that are more dependable and more robust," she told the American Medical Association's Third National Congress on Health System Readiness, which is being held in Washington. "Not just for flu and not just for infectious diseases, but for all the public health threats we face today." The review will be led by Nicole Lurie, assistant secretary for preparedness and response, and will be complete by "early next year," Sebelius said. - Washington Post

The rogue secretary's remarks can be found at Health and Human Services (HHS along with her testimonies and statement on the issues of the day. She's getting things done. It's up to us to queue up and get the shots when they're available. Unfortunately not enough of us are doing that. We can't wait until the lines open up for the rest of us so we can get the protection as well. Unfortunately everyone doesn't feel that way and their ignorance is resulting in their deaths.

Swine flu deaths higher among minorities, state says - Blacks and Hispanics in Illinois have died from swine flu at double the rate it has killed whites in the state, and swine flu has hospitalized the two minority populations at more than triple the rate for whites. Less access to health care, more chronic health problems and lower vaccination rates among the two minority groups probably play a role, Illinois officials said Friday at a meeting in Chicago where minorities were encouraged to be inoculated. - Chicago Tribune

Now that we know - though it's not our job - it's our mission like the rogue former Governor now HHS Secretary to do something. It's a matter of life and death.

Breast Is Best!

DNA matters and so does using the non-formula way. It seems as though it might be able to change genetics if done longer and earlier.

Breastfeeding was shown to significantly lower a woman’s risk for developing metabolic syndrome in a study reported today by researchers with Kaiser Permanente. The longer the women in the study breastfed, the more protection they seemed to derive. - WebMD

The original study is published and will be fully published in the journal called Diabetes. All we could afford to read was the free abstract so go to the original WebMD story for more information. If anything it points to the power of the human ability to adapt.

The Littest Winning Loser

NBC will be broadcasting the Biggest Loser to highlight their weight loss show and we're always reminded of Oprah's big reveal show from Kirstie Alley to her own struggles. While such shows do demonstrate the power of individual extraordinary effort they also tend to suggest that if you don't make such efforts you're some kind of a less than person. We've held such beliefs about ourselves as well as pointed fingers at others. It is with this in mind that we point to the both the new and older research that offers another take on the issue of the overweight.

Considerable attention is currently being paid to the secular changes in food intake and physical activity that underlie the increase in the prevalence of obesity that is apparent in many societies. While this is laudable it would be unwise to view these environmental factors in isolation from the biological factors that normally control body weight and composition and the compelling evidence that inter-individual differences in susceptibility to obesity have strong genetic determinants. - Philosophical Transactions B

It's not just talk show hosts with "motional and medical issues." It's all of us with life's day to day. It's not that we can't loss weight if we "really really try." It's we can't keep it off even after really really trying.

Diets don't work because dieting is not a long-term solution. If you diet to lose weight, you'll gain the weight back once you get off the diet. Remember, you behave your way to success. There are no quick fixes. Even gastric bypass surgery can only provide short-term results if your behavior and your thinking don't change. - Dr. Phil

Where we disagree is that we don't choose to be overweight! We do agree that it appears that the leading causes of death are avoidable what we disagree with is that the victim isn't the sole solution to the problem. It isn't just a point of disagreement it's a matter of life and death.

A third of heart disease deaths are caused simply by being overweight, researchers have found. The stark conclusion means about 67,000 deaths a year in Britain could have a direct link to our expanding waistlines. It also suggests obesity could be a bigger risk factor for cardiovascular disease than previously thought. - The Daily Mail

Yes, the study is a UK one but this just points to the fact that the issue is one of a developed nation and not just a fat and lazy one. This current version highlights the accuracy of the earlier research. We're also not saying that "it's not your fault that you're getting fat" as the website and book alleges. We're saying it's not just your fault that you're getting fat! It's a little bit our fault that we're "with child." It's not totally our fault!

Fat and Nasty

We're As Happy As A Pig In Slop. Forgive our country idioms but we're not quite back in our city mode. While out of the local jurisdiction and expanding into the Carolina we didn't publish the stories on obesity that were released during this period.
We're happy to report while those studies were more of the "we're going to hell in a hand basket variety" because we're so overweight. It gives us great pleasure to report that our extended bellies can now be attributed to something other than our slothful ways. Combine that study with another concerning our porcine friends and we're just giddy with the news. The next time someone suggests that our behaviors are anything but pristine we can always point them here and say we are the way we are to maintain the most optimum health.

It is with this in mind that we offer you the following: "Dirty pigs beat disease" - Immune system gets a boost from early exposure to bacteria. - Natasha Gilbert

Living like a pig could be good for you, according to research showing that dirty piglets pick up 'friendly' bacteria that help them to develop robust immune systems later in life. The results provide support for the hygiene hypothesis, which suggests that a lack of exposure to microbes in early life can affect development of the immune system and increase susceptibility to certain disorders, such as allergies and inflammatory bowel disease. - NATURE Magazine

Add to this the following stories (though related to severely overweight children - we've always considered our inner child a critical part of our personalities). According to the ABC News, Chicago Tribune, US News and World Report and others:

Obesity in some children tied to DNA, study finds -- Some children get severely obese because they lack particular chunks of DNA, which kicks their hunger into overdrive, researchers report. The British researchers checked the DNA of 300 children who'd become very fat, on the order of 220 pounds by age 10. They looked for deletions or extra copies of DNA segments.

So the next time you think about pointing your finger at our unborn obese bodies and ask when we're due - its not us its our DNA!

Aunt Alice - The Last

Pearlie Mae had two remaining sisters. Her twin, Mamie and her older sister Alice. Lea Alice Frierson McKiver was the sixth child of the late William and Queen E. Frierson, born May 4, 1916 in Timmonsville, South Carolina. Early Tuesday morning November 24, 2009 she departed her life.

Alice graduated from Upchurch High School in 1935. She worked at Fort Bragg before relocating to Long Island, New York. Alice later moved to Haverstraw, New York and was employed by the State of New York, at Letchworth Village, a residential Service of the Office of Developmental Disable Services for over 25 years, until retirement. In 1999, Alice returned home to Raeford, North Carolina. He was united in Holy Matrimony with Howard T. McKiver who preceded her in death. She is also preceded in death by three brothers and six sisters. She leaves to mourn: two children and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Although we may be sadden because we will miss her, it is a comfort for us to know the one we LOVE has found eternal and lasting peace.

We were with her at the very end and was honored to have been allowed the privilege of spending her last remaining days with her and the family. We've lost more than an aunt we lost a familial legacy. A human historical remnant of people, places and memories not found in any library, museum or laboratory and forever lost to the future. Alice L. Frierson McKiver was/is both irreplaceable and unforgettable to all who knew her.

Flu Week 47 Only One DC Death Again

From our point of view the numbers are higher for the District of Columbia than in the last two years and we knew the flu was coming. The numbers are lower than last year for Maryland and we knew it was coming. The numbers are higher in Virginia and we knew the pandemic was upon us. The numbers are lower in North Carolina and they are doing a better job with less.

"Secondary bacterial pneumonia was a frequent cause of illness and death during each of the influenza pandemics of the 20th century. Pneumococcal infections have also been identified as a complication in some severe and fatal cases of the current H1N1 influenza pandemic."

Maybe its because North Carolinians aren't as congested as we are. The Department of Health is either underreporting, as we suspect DC is doing or something else is going on. We think we should be doing better. Maybe it'll happen next year but the numbers are people. It is us! For us it's Pearlie Mae's minister who had "underlying conditions" but the numbers that aren't us affect us and rob us of people and personnel many of which love, protect and keep us safe. Governor Bev Perdue (WATCH) got her seasonal flu vaccine and we're still waiting for our H1N1 vaccine. That might explain why North Carolina's deaths are behind the last previous years.

JURISDICTIONS This Last 2009 2008 2007 District of Columbia Baltimore, MD Charlotte, NC Richmond / Norfolk, VA 1 10 2 6 1 11 10 5 101 696 443 238 81 764 453 199 74 595 452 202 DEATH TOTALS WK 47 19 27 1478 1497 1323

We also have to keep saying - it's going to get worse because we're still not in the midst of the storm. It's going to get worst. Our hope and prayer is that we'll all get the inoculations we need in time so keep the deaths down and the suffering to a minimum this year and into the next. We're not the only ones saying this Maryland's Governor O'Malley hypes the good while ignoring the bad but still offers a caveat that we still need to vigilant.

"This week, as vaccination shipments into the State continue to increase, we are seeing potentially positive signs in overall flu activity in Maryland," said Governor O'Malley. "All flu indicators, including hospitalizations, positive H1N1 tests, ICU admissions, and emergency room visits are on a downward trend. And that's a good thing. But this is still a public health threat we all should be taking very seriously."

Another day and we aren't in that number. We count that a very good day indeed!

It's Not Over...

Until the dying stops. We're becoming as insensitive as the news reporting the dying as one big number instead of noting the passing of each individual. We write it but don't highlight it. How many are lost each week as well as the totals year to date this year and past? We noticed our omission and debated how this is change recognizes each individual loss. In the interim we offer you this subtle change to make the season bright.

"[W]e don't know what the future will bring. We do know that we have more vaccine now. It is a real window of opportunity to get vaccinated in the coming weeks and months. And vaccination remains our best protection against the flu and for people who are sick. It's important still to get prompt treatment. When you're sick with flu-like symptoms, it may or not be flu, but if you're sick, see a doctor. Or if you have an underlying health condition like diabetes, it's particularly important to see your doctor." - Dr. Thomas Frieden, Director for Centers for Disease Control Prevention

Total Doses as of 11/24/09* Allocated Shipped Incr. Population % Pop. District of Columbia Maryland North Carolina Virginia    125,200 1,732,600 1,049,500 1,446,200    121,000 1,734,400 1,126,000 1,557,900 103% 100% 93% 93%    591,833 9,222,414 5,633,597 7,769,089 20% 19% 20% 20% TOTALS 4,353,500 4,539,300 96% 23,216,933 20%

With twenty (20%) percent of the most vulnerable population covered with the vaccine. Any slowing of the death or infection rates could be contributing to any decreases which would point to either the effectiveness of the inoculations process and the need for the vaccine rather than an ending of the H1N1 flu season.

"In the United States, on average 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from seasonal flu-related complications, and; about 36,000 people die from seasonal flu-related causes. Some people, such as older people, young children, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications."

The chart shows a decrease or downward turn of the number of deaths which would signal good news as though the worst was over if you're desperately searching for good news. We hate to be harbingers of doom but we like the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must point out that this is the month when supplies should make it's way to general population - those of us not at high risk but at risk nonetheless. Again it's how you look at it and where you look. The number of visits are down but deaths are not.

"Timing is uncertain. In past years, seasonal flu activity typically did not reach its peak in the U.S. until January or February, but flu activity has occurred as late as May. However, the 2009 H1N1 virus caused illness, hospitalizations, and deaths in the U.S. during the summer months when influenza is very uncommon. So it is not known when flu activity will increase, when it will be most intense (peak), what viruses will circulate, or how long the season might last."

The CDC's official advice isn't to go and receive help from the hospital but to avoid the hospital and stay home:

If you get sick with flu-like symptoms this flu season, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care.

If the CDC has been successful in getting the word out that same success must be reflected in the decrease in the number of individuals seeking hospitalization but not deaths. Even media professionals aren't immune to conflicting and bad advice. Business Week's reporter sent this story in: My 10-Day Ordeal With the Swine Flu - Reporter recounts her bout with H1N1, made all the worse by chronic asthma - Serena Gordon

"I shouldn't have waited over the weekend to get medical help, and I was lucky I hadn't ended up in the hospital on a respirator due to the delay. What still strikes me is how ill-prepared I was for the severity of this illness. Despite everything I've read, and even though I talk to doctors and other health experts all the time, H1N1 blindsided me."

Yet the news wants you to relax and not stress out. We don't want you stressed just informed. It ain't over until we're vaccinated and we're into 2010. Hope is that the regular flu returns and the regular season returns where there are a few deaths that occurs in our normal season for 2011. Of course the number of deaths will still be about 30,000 but maybe we'll learn something and be better prepared for the next round. Then we can relax until 2012. Of course if the Mayans are right- that's when it's really over!

Drug Resistant H1N1

Found not just in U.S. but also in the U.K. according to USA Today:

Epidemic experts say they are investigating the apparent spread of Tamiflu-resistant swine flu virus among four patients at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C., and five in a hospital in Wales. These clusters appear to be the first in which a virus resistant to the antiviral Tamiflu, a mainstay of flu treat, has spread from person to person, researchers said Friday..."

"The four patients involved in this situation had the same resistance pattern," says Sexton, adding that researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are now testing virus samples from Duke to see whether they're identical. "The resistance pattern suggests that might be the case," he says."

OK. Don't panic! You have to remember that Tamiflu was just our backup. Our go to antivirals when we couldn't get hold of the real vaccines. The good stuff. This is just a minor set back. Whatever you do don't panic! They'll be time enough for that if the situation calls for it. Our suggestions is forget any broadcaster that tells you that the flu has peaked or that we've seen the worst of it. They're insane. We suggest you follow the advice of our favor Fed Dr. Anne Schuchat. She's the director of the national center for immunization and respiratory diseases.

I think usually we don't have this much influenza by thanksgiving. So we have seen with a lot of respiratory infections that there's increases in January right after the Christmas holidays, some people say, well, all the kids get together with their grand parents and that's a lot of exchange of warmth and love, but a little exchange of viruses, too. So we don't really know what's going to happen with thanksgiving. But we think it's critical, if you're sick, to stay home. And if your child is sick, to keep them away from others. (Listen)

We commend Reuters for having had the courage to say about the number of deaths from this pandemic.

At least 6,770 deaths have been recorded worldwide since the swine flu virus emerged in April -- but officials always stress the confirmed count represents only a fraction of the actual cases, as most patients never get tested.

Reuters also reported on a possible way to improve effectiveness and possibly distribution which to us means save more lives of individuals willing and unafraid of the vaccine and the process.

As U.S. health officials struggle to vaccinate tens of millions of Americans against the pandemic of swine flu, some are looking regretfully at one easy way to instantly double or triple the number of doses available -- by using an immune booster called an adjuvant.

These additives, often as simple as an oil and water mixture, broaden the body's response to a vaccine, reducing the amount of active ingredient called antigen needed.

They are widely used in European flu vaccines as well as in Canada. But not in the United States -- even though the federal government has spent nearly $700 million buying them.

The reason -- people might not trust them.

We're not one of those people and we encourage you to not be one of those persons. Think of it like faith. Say you have it and it turns out to not be worth the soil your bended knees knelt upon what have you lost? Nothing. Supposed you don't bend a knee and it turns out to be all that it was promoted to be and you're out of luck. It's better to be on this side of wrong than on that side. Hey, if you're a special kind of bad reaction to everything person by all means be cautious and just say no. Some of us are still trying to get a shot! Tamiflu was our ace in the hole. We'll just have to get another ace!

Still Not Number 1

We're not a contender nor are we an also ran. We got invited to the big show and just being invited is enough. To paraphrase Rick Blaine "we'll always have Washington." We'll have our higher salaries, our lower Cholesterol rate, smaller motor vehicle deaths, not everything but we're got a lot.

MD Flu Deaths - In the midst of it all. We don't mean to be sticklers for details but we had to comment on this Baltimore Sun story:

"State public health officials said Thursday that six more people have died in Maryland in the past four weeks of swine flu, bringing the number of deaths statewide since the pandemic began to 19. All six were adults with underlying health conditions. Three were from the Baltimore area, two were from Western Maryland and one was from Southern Maryland. No further details were provided by the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene."

"Swine flu disproportionately affects those under age 65, unlike seasonal flu, which normally takes a toll on older people. So far, 36,000 children have been hospitalized and 540 have died nationwide." (WATCH)

As you can tell from the story below the numbers in Baltimore and Maryland alone exceed the nationally given number. The numbers that are reported to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) differ substantially from the numbers posted of the Department of Health websites. Even the numbers reported to the CDC aren't accurate and only give a hint to the directly observable numbers of the dead and dying.

Maryland's number of deaths from heart disease and cancer far and away dwarfs the current numbers of deaths from the flu and now the focus comes from the American Public Health Association that a contributing factor to both is increasing in this area in an alarming rate.

"No matter where you live in America, obesity threatens to unleash a wave of chronic disease in the next few years that will swamp the health-care system and add an economically crippling $344 billion a year to total health spending by 2018. This is the message of the 20th annual survey of the health of all 50 states, undertaken by the nonprofit group America's Health Rankings.

In their America's Health Ranking report Maryland is 21st this year; it was 22nd in 2008. Virginia is 21st this year, unchanged from 2008. As is North Carolina which again is 37th this year.

The District of Columbia (DC) is not included in the ranking of states, as it is a unique governmental entity and is considerably more urban than the states.

However when we compared the stats where they could be compared DC fared no better than its counterparts. Indeed in most respects the District of Columbia fared far worse and in too many cases substantially worse.

Oh, there is a Washington in the top eleven (11) it's just not the District of Columbia. We're not in top twenty (20) but we're also not in the bottom twenty (20) if that's any consolation to you. In some areas DC has exceeded the highest national average and in other cases finished in the top ten (10) or top twenty (20). What areas are those you ask?

They are: In the number of "Primary Care Physicians," "Income Disparity," "Heart Attacks," "Cholesterol Checks," less smokers "Prevalence of Smoking," Percentage of children with "Immunization Coverage," "Lack of Health Insurance," "Median Household Income," "Physical Activity," and from this activity keeps us in great shape because we use fewer "Poor Physical Health Days," we also excel in not having a "Prevalence of Obesity," which is reflected in our far less use of "Poor Mental Health Days," all this exercise and attendance to our health both physical and mental is reflected in "Preventable Hospitalizations," and finally if you asks us how we're doing we'll say "we're A-OK" which is reflected in our "Health Status" stats.

Unfortunately as good as these great numbers are we sucked at so much else that our truly remarkable number don't add up to enough to equal the care you'd receive at any of the top ten (10) recipients. We'll just have to be satisfied with high salaries - if we had high salaries or we could move to (in order of ranking): Vermont, Utah, Massachusetts, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Connecticut, Colorado, Maine, Rhode Island, Washington state for the kind of health we can imagine in our dreams. The rankings is published jointly by United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention.

Flu Week 45 No Deaths in Norfolk

We look for hope in the midst of despair. Things have subsided more than they have declined. When news outlets proclaim the end is near they appear more desperate than helpful. We want good news and we'll focus on the good news when others focus only on the bad. There is a great deal to offer is hope. We didn't get sick and die and neither did you if you're reading this. Others weren't so lucky. While the District of Columbia Department of Health (DOH) added to its number of infections and their roll out of immunizations has not been a disaster. DC reported to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) two (2) deaths after two weeks of no numbers reported. This when the numbers of deaths are remaining steady all over. Norfolk reported no deaths for this week. The CDC reported nine (9) pediatric deaths in our region three (3) the total death numbers for just our trio-jurisdictional area was reported as twenty-eight (28) for this week ending November 14, 2009. If you include North Carolina (region four (4)) that adds an additional eleven (11) deaths which is still a decline over the two (2) previous years for the state.

Flu Deaths Week 45 2009 2008 2007 District of Columbia Baltimore, MD Richmond / Norfolk, VA Charlotte, NC 99 675 227 431 78 724 192 436 68 578 199 435 TOTALS 1432 1430 1280

We applaud Norfolk's success if that what it is we hate their Department of Public Health website which appears to be produced for the director and some really boring nerdy kids with their very gross "sneeze in your sleeve" video presentation. Has no one ever heard of Kleenex? Or at the very least of tissues, even toilet paper will do in a pinch. Keep a roll in your pocket and pull as you need!

There have been so many stories to cover and so much data to analyze from so many studies that all seem to connect. We've made the connections after putting all the data together that specifically relates to our jurisdictions. Forgive our absence but we've never stop working and there is so much to report.

Another Week 44 - No DC Flu Deaths

There is some disagreement between the success of the District of Columbia's Department of Health's (DOH) efforts to inoculate the most vulnerable. We worked inside and outside with the department. On the outside the lining and waiting was not acceptable but on the inside the effort was smooth and efficient. The success is reflected in numbers. Again for the second week no reported deaths from the flu or reported to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Visits to doctors for influenza-like illness (ILI) nationally decreased this week over last week. This is the second week of national decreases in ILI after four consecutive weeks of sharp increases. While ILI declined overall nationally, visits to doctors for influenza-like illness remain higher than what is seen during the peak of many regular flu seasons.

JURISDICTIONS 2009 2008 2007 District of Columbia Baltimore, MD Richmond / Norfolk, VA 97 659 222 74 714 189 68 564 195 DEATH TOTALS WK 44 978 977 827

Total influenza hospitalization rates for laboratory-confirmed flu continue to climb and remain higher than expected for this time of year. Hospitalization rates continue to be highest in younger populations with the highest hospitalization rate reported in children 0-4 years old.

Almost all of the influenza viruses identified so far continue to be 2009 H1N1 influenza A viruses. These viruses remain similar to the virus chosen for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, and remain susceptible to the antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir with rare exception.

We noticed that DC's good fortune isn't just restricted to the District - Norfolk also had only one loss this week as well. While decreases are to be applauded unless we believe that what was done before is or was good enough and that life isn't precious we do need to celebrate while doing all we can to do substantially better. We can always do better. We must!

And Then You Die!

The headline from US News & World Report reminds of the old joke that ends with that punchline. Unfortunately when you're old, poor, Black and female it's no joke. It's no joking matter. You're the most neediest among of us, you're the most disadvantaged among us, you're the most discriminated among us, you're the most abused among us and when you marry if you get terminally ill your mate will leave you to die. Even if they don't you're the most likely to, if you have cancer, not survive when others would have.

The one headline lead us to the Journal of Cancer study we could not find but to many other studies in the journal from the US, Mexico and Switzerland. The studies relating cancer to issues of color, discrimination and poverty. Here is what we came upon in our verification process:

African-American women have increased breast cancer mortality compared with white women. Diagnostic and treatment gaps may contribute to this disparity.
Disparities in medical care among patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer were evident between African-American women and white women despite health plan insurance coverage. Interventions that address the gaps identified are needed. Cancer Journal

Racial differences in follow-up of abnormal mammography findings among economically disadvantaged women
BACKGROUND: In the United States, and particularly in South Carolina, African-American women suffer disproportionately higher mortality rates from breast cancer than European-American women. The timeliness of patient adherence to the follow-up of mammographic abnormalities may influence prognosis and survival. The objective of the current investigation was to examine racial differences in the completion and completion time of a diagnostic workup after the finding of a suspicious breast abnormality.
CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study established a racial disparity in the time to completion of a diagnostic workup among Best Chance Network participants. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the factors associated with delays in and adherence to completing the recommended workup when breast abnormalities are detected in mammograms. Cancer Journal

Ethnic disparity in mortality after diagnosis of colorectal cancer among inner city minority New Yorkers
CONCLUSIONS: The first to compare inner city minority subjects with CRC, the authors observed increased odds of death in AAs, despite similar clinical features and living environment. Tumor behavior or host response among AAs could explain this difference. Aggressive therapeutic and early detection strategies need to be tested in a large randomized study setting to substantiate our study findings. Cancer 2009.

Impact of socioeconomic status on prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in Geneva, Switzerland, in which healthcare costs, medical coverage, and life expectancy are considered to be among the highest in the world.
CONCLUSIONS: In the current study, patients of low socioeconomic class were found to be at increased risk of dying as a result of their prostate cancer. This increased mortality is largely attributable to delayed diagnosis, poor diagnostic workup, and less invasive treatments in these individuals. Cancer 2009.

Prejudice against blacks is becoming unacceptable although it will take years to eliminate it. But it is doomed because, slowly, white America is beginning to admit that it exists. Prejudice against women is still acceptable. - Shirley Chisholm

The impact of Medicaid coverage and reimbursement on access to diagnostic mammography
CONCLUSIONS: Callers with Medicaid were offered appointments for DM less frequently than callers with Medicare, although both were widely accepted. State Medicaid reimbursement rates did not affect access to mammography. Cancer 2009.

Racial differences in treatment and outcomes among patients with early stage bladder cancer
BACKGROUND: Black patients are at greater of risk of death from bladder cancer than white patients. Potential explanations for this disparity include a more aggressive phenotype and delays in diagnosis resulting in higher stage disease. Alternatively, black patients may receive a lower quality of care, which may explain this difference.
CONCLUSIONS: Although differences in initial treatment were evident, they did not appear to be systematic and had unclear clinical significance. Whereas black patients are at greater risk of death, this disparity did not appear to be caused by differences in the intensity or quality of care provided. Cancer 2009.

WHO calls for action beyond the health sector to improve the health of girls and women
Despite progress, societies continue to fail women at key times
Despite considerable progress in the past decades, societies continue to fail to meet the health care needs of women at key moments of their lives, particularly in their adolescent years and in older age, a WHO report has found.

It was this final study that gave us considerable cause for concern. This was the most disheartening of all and unfortunately the full information was not available to us or you. Our only solace is that we in our lives are not making it true. For the unlucky/unblessed/unfortunate among us it is a sad reality that speaks to the real state of the nation. Reuters news service printed this story:

Men more likely than women to leave partner with cancer
The study confirmed earlier research of a divorce or separation rate among cancer patients of 11.6 percent, similar to the general population, but found the rate jumped to 20.8 percent when the woman was sick versus 2.9 percent when the man was ill.

"Female gender was the strongest predictor of separation or divorce in each of the patient groups we studied," said Marc Chamberlain, director of the neuro-oncology program at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA).

The researchers said the reason men leave a sick spouse can be partly explained by their inability to rapidly adjust to becoming a caregiver and to look after the home and family.

The picture of the elderly woman above was the last time we saw our namesake in her chair. It was taken just before she was admitted to the hospital for one of her last visits. When we brought her we did not know she would not be coming home ever again. We never know when the last time will be the last time. What comforts us now is the words of our family which said: "Think how better her life was with you in it!" Too many women are old and alone without anyone to care for or to care for them. Pearlie Mae Leach Frierson outlived her husband and son until there was just us. That we had her brings us continued joy.

The Mexican Misconnection

The one headline, Older People at Greater Risk of Swine Flu Death, lead us to the Journal of Cancer study we could not find but to many other studies in the journal from the US, Mexico and Switzerland. The studies relating cancer to issues of color, discrimination and poverty.

Cases in Mexico show young more likely to get sick, but elderly more likely to die. "The researchers found that the risk of infection fell by 35 percent in those who received vaccinations for seasonal flu. Chronic disease boosted the risk of death by six times. Those who didn't go to the hospital within four days after developing symptoms boosted their risk of death by 20 percent for each extra day they delayed a hospital visit."

H1N1 influenza in Mexico. The Lancet headline has less to do with the pandemic in the United States except that Mexico seems to be the source of the H1N1 virus. While the headline as being mentioned seems to suggest that what is true in Mexico is true in the US as well. While the numbers are down among the elderly with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Canadian governments research indicates that while this does not appear to be our current situation.
Newsweek offers a historical as well as an informational report on the flu and its history particularly with the Mexican H1N1 study as its considered our source for the flu. We refer you to the article and the graphic historical timeline on flu.

There is a joke among flu researchers: "If you've seen one flu season, you've seen…one flu season." The translation, for those not up on epidemiological humor: the joke is wry commentary on the unpredictable nature of the flu virus. Every year it looks different, and every strain follows its own pattern. This is not just a quirk that frustrates scientists—it's the reason new strains like H1N1 are impossible to anticipate and fully prepare for.

"I know less about influenza today than I did 10 years ago," quips Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the Minnesota Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance and a former adviser to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

What happens there, hopefully stays there. Bring the problem here but not the results - in this case the H1N1 flu doesn't have to mean that our results will be the same as Mexico's results. While our federal government deals with the issues of "Universal Health Care" what the future might hold for a healthier planet is an international health care solution. While the United States works to bring its system and self back to it's position of superiority in Health and everything these days after Veterans Day - we can only hope and strive for better results.

Facts To Know - Asked & Answered

We had questions and they had answers at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a pretty well hidden Frequent Questions (FQs) database that allows you to search for questions previously asked. Normally we email the CDC when we want to know the answer but today we braved the toll-free number and asked a real human being a question. Accessing a real live person was about as well hidden as the website answers.

Here are our nine (9) favorite questions and answers. There are actually eleven (11) questions but only ten (10) get answered but we're not certain about the tenth question. All provided by and found directly from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

1. What does the H1N1 vaccine cost?
    The federal government has purchased the H1N1 vaccine and is providing it to the states free of charge. This is different in many places from the seasonal flu vaccine. Public vaccination clinics (sponsored by local health departments at schools or other places) will offer vaccine at no charge. Some private providers may charge a small fee to administer the vaccine, but cost should not be a barrier to getting immunized. Many, many people and businesses have stepped up to the public health challenge we all face and are working together for the overall public good to make this vaccine free – or at least affordable – for all those who want it. 


2. Will people age 65 years and older be able to get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine this season?
   Yes, the U.S. government has purchased 250 million doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine, so anyone who wants to get the vaccine will have the opportunity to do so. While people 65 and older are not included in the groups recommended to get the earliest doses of vaccine, they can get the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine as soon as the high risk groups have had the opportunity to be vaccinated.
   Some communities and providers will offer the 2009 H1N1 vaccine to people 65 and over sooner than others, depending on how quickly they meet the needs of the initial prioritized populations. While the early doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine are being given to those in high risk groups, CDC's priority for people 65 and older is to have them get their seasonal flu vaccine first, and to seek medical advice quickly if they develop flu-like symptoms this season. This will determine whether they need medical evaluation and possible treatment with antiviral medications.


3. Are natural remedies (also referred to as “complementary” or “alternative” medicine) recommended to prevent the 2009 H1N1 flu virus?
   The first and most important step to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated. Vaccination stimulates an immune response using a killed or weakened virus that uses the body’s own defense mechanisms to prevent infection. CDC's current recommendations to protect against 2009 H1N1 virus do not include natural remedies as a sole prevention method. If you want to use a natural remedy to reduce symptoms, CDC recommends that you talk to your healthcare provider about options.
   
   Alternative medicine should not be used as a replacement for proven conventional care, or to postpone seeing a doctor about a medical problem. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) provides information at http://health.nih.gov/topic/AlternativeMedicine on specific alternative options, including scientific information, potential side effects, and cautions for each.
   
   The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns consumers to be cautious about products that claim to prevent, treat, or cure 2009 H1N1 influenza, specifically products like pills, air filtration devices, and cleaning agents can kill or eliminate the virus.
   
   The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned consumers to use extreme care when purchasing any products over the Internet that claim to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure the H1N1 influenza virus. The warning comes after the FDA recently purchased and analyzed several products represented online as Tamiflu (oseltamivir), which may pose risks to patients. For more information, see the news release. Consumers can also visit FDA's Web site for tips about how to protect themselves when buying medicines online.


4. How long (one season or more) will immunity be effective from the H1N1 vaccine? Will this be an annual vaccine like the seasonal flu?
   Influenza (flu) viruses change from year to year. You are unlikely to get infected with the same exact strain of influenza (flu) more than once. Most people with flu-like illness since spring 2009 don't know whether they were infected with 2009 H1N1 or another flu virus strain. If you think you had 2009 H1N1 infection, ask your doctor if you should be vaccinated. The only sure way to diagnose 2009 H1N1 infection is with real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
   
   Even if you had a confirmed case of 2009 H1N1 flu, you can still get infected with other flu strains. You should make sure you get the seasonal flu vaccine. If you had a flu-like illness since spring 2009 that wasn't diagnosed as 2009 H1N1 flu by RT-PCR, get the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines.
   
   Also, a vaccine made against flu viruses circulating last year may not protect against the newer viruses. That is why the influenza vaccine is updated every year to include current viruses.


5. What is the incubation period of the H1N1 (swine) flu? How long will it take to get the flu after being exposed?
   The estimated incubation period is unknown and could range from 1 to 7 days, and more likely 1 to 4 days.
   
   
   Persons with novel H1N1 flu virus infection should be considered potentially contagious (able to spread disease) for up to 7 days after illness onset. Persons who continue to be ill longer than 7 days should be considered potentially contagious until symptoms have resolved. Children, especially younger children, might be contagious for longer periods. People with influenza-like illness should stay home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone (without the use of fever-reducing medicine). A fever is defined as having a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degrees Celsius or greater.
   
   It's important to remember that we are still in flu and allergy season and it's not uncommon to have cold or flu-like symptoms. If you are sick, stay home from work or school to monitor your health. If you do have symptoms where you think you need urgent care, contact your doctor right away.


6. Can I get 2009 H1N1 more than once?
   Getting infected with any flu virus, including 2009 H1N1, should cause your body to develop immune resistance to that virus so it's not likely that a person would be infected with the identical influenza virus more than once. (However, people with weakened immune systems might not develop full immunity after infection and might be more likely to get infected with the same influenza virus more than once.) However, it's also possible that a person could have a positive test result for flu infection more than once in an influenza season. This can occur for two reasons:
   A person may be infected with different influenza viruses (for example, the first time with 2009 H1N1 and the second time with a regular seasonal flu virus. Most rapid tests cannot distinguish which influenza virus is responsible for the illness. and,
   Influenza tests can occasionally give false positive and false negative results so it's possible that one of the test results were incorrect. This is more likely to happen when the diagnosis is made with the rapid flu tests.
   
   More information about flu diagnosis is available at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/diagnosis/.


7. What are the initial symptoms of swine flu? How do we get it cured?
   The symptoms of novel H1N1 flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal flu infection.
   
   (P)ersons with novel H1N1 flu virus infection should be considered potentially contagious (able to spread disease) for up to 7 days after illness onset. Persons who continue to be ill longer than 7 days should be considered potentially contagious until symptoms have resolved. Children, especially younger children, might be contagious for longer periods.


8. Do you have special recommendations for air conditioned buildings?
   The CDC indicates that the odds of transmission of the 2009-H1N1 influenza over significant distances through heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems is extremely remote and special cleaning of air ducts is not required.


9. Does the flu vaccine work right away? How long before the vaccine takes effect after it is given?
   It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection. In the meantime, you are still at risk for getting the flu. That's why it's better to get vaccinated early in the fall, before the flu season really gets under way.

The tenth answer came by telephone from the toll-free flu line at the CDC. We've included the code prompts to get you to where you can get to a living being if you found questions not answered at the site or above.

Dial: 1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636). Where you'll hear:
"Thanks for calling the CDC H1N1 Info line"
"For English Press 1" and then you will be prompted to choose:
"All Others Press 3" (Doctors 1 / News Media 2) after which you'll be given:
"For H1N1 Press 8" and then another prompt will say:
"For more H1N1 info Press 1" after which you will be told:
"Please hold for a "brief" survey afterwards".

We spoke to a "BJ" "not a physician and can not answer any questions concerning your medical condition." We didn't hold after asking the question if we could purchase the H1N1 vaccine from a for profit source where we could pay to bypass the wait. BJ informed us that was not possible. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was the only source in the United States for the vaccine.

Are You There Yet? - No!

We want to call this Flu-oogle to talk about Google's not quite there yet flu shot finder. The problem isn't so much GOOGLE as its the places that actually give out the vaccines. We're "flu policing" again - and really we don't want to. But with the World Health Organization's report on Women's health, this being Veterans Day, and Aunt Pearlie's sister whom we called "Daughter" was an honored Army servicewoman we couldn't ignore this story. Google has a flu shot finder for the country that will eventually be available through the flu.gov site of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The problem with the GOOGLE or Flu-OOGLE if you will isn't the OOGLE it's the "G" the governments with which they have to get the information. It's as inaccurate as the I-phone apps meant to inform. The original information is faulty or rather inaccurate.

The "Flu Shot Finder" only goes to the state's or county's website which you would think would make it more accurate and in a sense that is true. However most of that means that the county "has no public H1N1 or seasonal clinics scheduled." For "non-breeding" women this isn't helpful at all. We're still not there yet! To inquire because of WHO - we wish we could:

"say to you this afternoon, however difficult the moment, (Yes, sir) however frustrating the hour, it will not be long..." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

DC Department of Health (DOH)

Thursday, November 12 5 pm - 9 pm
Cardozo Senior High School
Ballou Senior High School

"To say that the future will be different from the present and past may be hopelessly self-evident. I must observe regretfully, however, that in politics it can be heresy. It can be denounced as radicalism or branded as subversion. There are people in every time and every land who want to stop history in its tracks. They fear the future, mistrust the present and invoke the security of a comfortable past, which in fact, never existed. It hardly seems necessary to point out in the United States, of all places, that change, although it involves risk, is the law of life." - Robert F. Kennedy

Saturday, November 14
8 am - 1 pm
Eliot-Hine Middle School
Kelly Miller Middle School
Hardy Middle School

MD Calvert County
November 14, 2009
H1N1 (Swine) Flu Vaccination Clinic
9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Calvert Fairgrounds

Cecil County
At this time, the Cecil County Health Department has no public H1N1 or seasonal clinics scheduled.

"An Atheist believes that a hospital should be built instead of a church. An atheist believes that deed must be done instead of prayer said. An atheist strives for involvement in life and not escape into death. He wants disease conquered, poverty vanished, war eliminated." - Madalyn Murray O'Hair

Charles County
Vaccine will be provided from 3:00pm to 7:00pm (or until the supply of vaccine is gone) ** Cars of clinic attendees will not be permitted in the parking lot until all school buses depart at 2:45
November 12 - Thursday **4:30 to 7 pm Picowaxen Elementary School -Priority Only
**New time and location
*** Cars of clinic attendees will not be permitted in the parking lot until all school buses depart at 3:45.
November 16 - Monday 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm Indian Head Pavillion
November 18 - Wednesday 9:00 am to 7:00 pm Department of Health Offices
November 24 - Tuesday 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm Charles County Government Center

Dorchester County
Updated 11/6/09
SEASONAL FLU INFORMATION: Currently out of vaccine. When additional supplies arrive we will advertise on this site and in local papers.

“If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, then what am I? And if not now, when?” - Rabbi Hillel

Frederick County
Community Clinics for Priority Groups- By Appointment Only
Vaccination Date: November 12, 2009, 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
The appointment line for the November 12th H1N1 flu clinic is now closed. The Health Department will announce dates for additional clinics in the near future.
If a caller does not receive a call back within 4 hours, all appointments have been scheduled.

"But this is the great danger America faces. That we will cease to be one nation and become instead a collection of interest groups: city against suburb, region against region, individual against individual. Each seeking to satisfy private wants." - Barbara Jordan

Baltimore MD
Pre-register for upcoming clinics that will be scheduled this month. If you are in one of the priority groups, complete the online form. Someone will contact your within 10 business days to schedule your appointment(s).
Thursday, November 12 - 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

VA All Counties
Vaccine will be available for the general public at pharmacies, health care provider offices and local health departments in December. We will add clinic dates and times as they become available. Please check back for regular updates.

We only included the more current days, links and locations. We'll try to keep up with the information as it becomes more available. We don't know and aren't being told when everyone will have access to their own protection. It is good to know that this is still fairly early for our health and that the numbers (though not ALL the people are being saved) are starting to shrink especially in our area from epidemic proportions to normal proportions. Unless you're related to the dead or dying. Protect yourself. Don't despair - you are not alone. We are with you. We can and must demand to do better.

Simply Not The Best

Our concern is that all of us in business and in life don't always do our best. We're really critical of ourselves and we often admit to slot and inactivity knowing that there is better way of living. What made "this country great" has always been our drive to do better - together - rich helping poor, healthy helping infirmed, strong helping weak. That's the American way - united we stand. Whether that was in achievements, inventions or families we strive to go beyond what we've done before to what we can do today.

"Nations, like men, often march to the beat of different drummers, and the precise solutions of the United States can neither be dictated nor transplanted to others. What is important is that all nations must march toward a increasing freedom; toward justice for all; toward a society strong and flexible enough to meet the demands of all of its own people, and a world of immense and dizzying change." - Robert F. Kennedy

The headlines from CNN - Women's health an 'urgent priority', The Associated Press (AP) and the U.S. News & World Report highlighted AIDS, only TIME trumpeted - Why Sexism Kills. While the original World Health Organization (WHO) press releases stated: "WHO calls for action beyond the health sector to improve the health of girls and women" -

• Despite progress, societies continue to fail women at key times
• Women provide the bulk of health care, but rarely receive the care they need
• Women live longer than men but these extra years are not always healthy
• Despite some biological advantages, women's health suffers from their lower socio-economic status
• Policy change and action is needed within the health sector and beyond

It's easy for this nation to ignore the world when it tries to lead and direct what was usually our domain. The United States is the world leader and we set the pace for the rest to follow. We're not use to taking orders the same way PearlieMae's not use to doing what we need to do to take care of ourselves. However when it's our loved ones there is nothing we won't do to make them safe, healthy and better.

I'll pray for you, you pray for me
I love you
I need you to survive
I won't harm you
With words from my mouth
I love you
I need you to survive - David G. Frasier(View)(Listen)

Have a wonderful Veteran's Day. If you have a vet in your life, write, call, email send love in any and every way you can. If you are a Vet - we salute you! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

Sweet Love

We delayed telling you this for as long as we could. We verified and then verified our verification all because the news is not good. You've heard and maybe read about it online and we hoped we'd hear something back on the other side to ignore this information to no avail.

The news isn't good so we might as well face it. Everything sweet is bad for you. Two studies by two different research teams on two (2) coast from fructose corn syrup (HFCS) to artificially sweetened drinks of any variety increases your risk of high blood pressure or " kidney function decline." Drink more than two (2) and you're going to pay medically. No if and or buts about it.

From the UK (Snack and soft drink sweetener putting millions at risk of high blood pressure) to the US:

"There are currently limited data on the role of diet in kidney disease," researcher Dr. Julie Lin, of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, said in a news release. "While more study is needed, our research suggests that higher sodium and artificially sweetened soda intake are associated with greater rate of decline in kidney function."

The first study looked at diet and kidney function decline in more than 3,000 women enrolled in the national Nurses' Health Study. The researchers found that:

"in women with well-preserved kidney function, higher dietary sodium intake was associated with greater kidney function decline, which is consistent with experimental animal data that high sodium intake promotes progressive kidney disease."

The second study looked at the association between sugar- and artificially-sweetened beverages and kidney function decline in the same group of women. The researchers found an association between two or more servings per day of artificially sweetened soda and a two-fold increased risk of faster kidney function decline. There was no connection between sugar-sweetened beverages and kidney function decline.

The association between artificially sweetened beverages and kidney function decline persisted after Lin and colleague Dr. Gary Curhan accounted for other factors, such as age, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, physical activity, caloric intake and cardiovascular disease.

Further study is needed to better understand how artificial sweeteners influence kidney function decline, the researchers said.

Our problem with the report was that the press release was the actually ABC News story rather than the other way around. So we immediately sought one of the researchers while contacting all of the usual suspect (American Beverage Association).
They had little (read nothing to say to us) to say on their website. The information they had was old and outdated.

The fact is that the compendium of science, regardless of funding source, does not show that soft drinks or other sweetened beverages uniquely contribute to obesity - nor, for that matter, that they are uniquely linked to any negative health consequences. In fact, the authors fail to cite a study funded by the Canadian government that examined a sample size of more than 137,000 school-aged children in 34 countries - a sample size larger than the combined total of the studies that were cited by these researchers - and found no association between soft drink intake and body mass index. Furthermore, a study funded by the National Institutes of Health and published earlier this year in the New England Journal of Medicine supported that all calories count - and that balancing calories consumed from all foods and beverages with the calories burned through physical activity is what matters.

What we did find was quotes from WedMD:

Asked to review the study findings, Maureen Storey, senior vice president of science policy for the American Beverage Association, says in a prepared statement: "It's important to remember that this is an abstract presented at an annual meeting." She notes that the research needs further scrutiny by researchers.

She acknowledges that kidney disease is serious but that diabetes and high blood pressure account for the majority of kidney disease cases, ''not consumption of diet soda."

We thought the research was presented in a way that made us suspicious which is why we made direct contact with one of the researchers hoping for a copy of the original press release. Instead what we got was an interchange that didn't reassure us at all.

We studied all sugar-sweetened beverages, sugary sodas, and diet sodas in our investigation so I cannot speak to the applicability of the drinks you mentioned below. We found an association between faster kidney function decline and >=2 servings of artificially sweetened sodas per day but not with other beverages. - Dr. Julie Lin

The abstract that's not online said:

We identified 3256 women participating in the Nurses' Health Study who had had data on sugar sweetened beverage (SSB) or artificially sweetened soda intake and (epidermal growth factor receptor) eGFR change between 1989 and 2000. SSB included soda, fruit juices, punch, and iced tea. This group included 730 diabetic women participating in a sub-study of kidney function. Cumulative average beverage intake was derived from the 1984, 1986, and 1990 food frequency questionnaires.

Median age was 67 years, 97% were Caucasian, 54% had HTN, 24% were diabetic, and median eGFR was 85 ml/min/1.73 m2 at baseline in 1989.

Consumption of > 2 servings per day of artificially sweetened soda is associated with a two-fold increased risk for kidney function decline.

We're holding on to the hope of Splenda. Though it really isn't sweet enough for some of us. Some of us only have less than two (2) a day but other of us drink like it's going out of style. Yes, we know about the "rat" study but that was thrown out of court and it's from the Sugar Association against Splenda. Listen we need something sweet since every dentist in the world speaks against the ills of sugar (and we really don't like dentist! - Do you?).