Purdue University released an informative Google Maps overlay that will show you the amount of CO2 emissions for each county in the country, plus showing you the sources of the emissions. Sarasota emitted 723,239 metric tons of CO2, mostly coming from onroad emissions (from cars, trucks, and buses). Per capita, Sarasota's CO2 emissions are low compared to other counties. Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, and Manattee counties had higher CO2 emissions per capita than Sarasota County.
Check it out here.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Social Stress and Health
This blog has touched upon two important topics in health -- (1) the association between stress and poor health; and (2) the notable health disparities found across people in different social statuses.
Interestingly, recent research has started to find a lot of connections between these two topics. This blog has named some of the reasons why we believe there is distinct health disparities across socioeconomic levels, specifically talking about how citizens with less income have less access to quality medical services. As a result, the health of people in lower socioeconomic levels tend to be poorer, with lower life expectancy, higher rates of cardiovascular disease, higher rates of illnesses, and more negative self-reported health.
New research has focused on a different factor than access to medical services to explain health disparities--stress. People in disadvantaged social statuses experience significantly more stress, and as a result, experience more health problems since stress weakens the immune system and increases the risk of serious illness. Individuals with a lower socioeconomic status deal with more chronic stressors, such as job insecurity, violence, and poorer living conditions. Additionally, people in lower socioeconomic conditions are more likely to experience social stress from prejudice-related situations.
Additionally, humans naturally respond to stress through coping. Coping is a way for our body to mediate the affects of stress on our lives. However, coping behaviors often result in negative health behaviors, such as cigarette smoking, physical inactivity, poor diet, and substance abuse. Increased stress leads to increased rates of smoking, drinking, and other negative health factors.
Overall, people in lower socioeconomic statuses experience more stress in addition to having to deal with less access to quality medical services. This leads to significant health disparities in our society.
Interestingly, recent research has started to find a lot of connections between these two topics. This blog has named some of the reasons why we believe there is distinct health disparities across socioeconomic levels, specifically talking about how citizens with less income have less access to quality medical services. As a result, the health of people in lower socioeconomic levels tend to be poorer, with lower life expectancy, higher rates of cardiovascular disease, higher rates of illnesses, and more negative self-reported health.
New research has focused on a different factor than access to medical services to explain health disparities--stress. People in disadvantaged social statuses experience significantly more stress, and as a result, experience more health problems since stress weakens the immune system and increases the risk of serious illness. Individuals with a lower socioeconomic status deal with more chronic stressors, such as job insecurity, violence, and poorer living conditions. Additionally, people in lower socioeconomic conditions are more likely to experience social stress from prejudice-related situations.
Additionally, humans naturally respond to stress through coping. Coping is a way for our body to mediate the affects of stress on our lives. However, coping behaviors often result in negative health behaviors, such as cigarette smoking, physical inactivity, poor diet, and substance abuse. Increased stress leads to increased rates of smoking, drinking, and other negative health factors.
Overall, people in lower socioeconomic statuses experience more stress in addition to having to deal with less access to quality medical services. This leads to significant health disparities in our society.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Are Vitamin Supplements Healthy?
There has been a growing amount of evidence that suggests antioxidant vitamins (Vitamins A, C, and E) do not protect us as well as we think they do when we take them in supplement form. And the evidence is strong.
A scientific study followed nearly 15,000 male physicians who took a specific dosage of vitamin C and vitamin E during a ten year period. At the end of the trial period, the study found that the rate of cancer was the same among the test group as it was for the placebo group. The study concluded that "neither vitamin E nor vitamin C supplements reduced the risk of prostate cancer, 'total cancer' or other cancers such as colorectal or lung." You can read about the study here. The large sample size and long length of study provides strong results. Most researchers do not have the resources to run a study with almost 15,000 participants through a ten year period.
A recent study published in The Archives of Internal Medicine found that multivitamin supplements do not reduce cancer risk in postmenopausal women. The study included data from 161,800 women who took multivitamins for at least eight years--another substantial research project.
The Journal of the American Medical Association published a study that had 35,000 research participants, all middle-aged men who took selenium supplements, Vitamin E, neither, or both during a five-year span. There was no decrease in the risk of prostate cancer. On the other hand, researchers found a 13 percent higher rate of prostate cancer in the group that received Vitamin E and a 5 percent higher rate in the group that received selenium supplements. This was the largest prostate cancer prevention trial study ever produced.
The JAMA study concerned some researchers, since its data suggested there were harmful effects to taking vitamin supplements. Other research has shown similar trends. A 2006 study found higher mortality rates among head and neck cancer patients who took antioxidant vitamin supplements. There was a slight increase in lung cancer rates among participants who took vitamin E supplements in this study. And a large study that analyzed the results of 47 trials with over 180,000 participants found that supplements slightly increase mortality rates.
Overall, antioxidant vitamin supplements appear to have no benefits at increasing life longevity or decreasing risk of certain cancers. Some studies show that these vitamin supplements might have a harmful effect on our health. The best source of vitamins is in our diet, not in pill form. A healthy diet filled with fruits and vegetables will provide us with the most amount of protection from diseases.
A scientific study followed nearly 15,000 male physicians who took a specific dosage of vitamin C and vitamin E during a ten year period. At the end of the trial period, the study found that the rate of cancer was the same among the test group as it was for the placebo group. The study concluded that "neither vitamin E nor vitamin C supplements reduced the risk of prostate cancer, 'total cancer' or other cancers such as colorectal or lung." You can read about the study here. The large sample size and long length of study provides strong results. Most researchers do not have the resources to run a study with almost 15,000 participants through a ten year period.
A recent study published in The Archives of Internal Medicine found that multivitamin supplements do not reduce cancer risk in postmenopausal women. The study included data from 161,800 women who took multivitamins for at least eight years--another substantial research project.
The Journal of the American Medical Association published a study that had 35,000 research participants, all middle-aged men who took selenium supplements, Vitamin E, neither, or both during a five-year span. There was no decrease in the risk of prostate cancer. On the other hand, researchers found a 13 percent higher rate of prostate cancer in the group that received Vitamin E and a 5 percent higher rate in the group that received selenium supplements. This was the largest prostate cancer prevention trial study ever produced.
The JAMA study concerned some researchers, since its data suggested there were harmful effects to taking vitamin supplements. Other research has shown similar trends. A 2006 study found higher mortality rates among head and neck cancer patients who took antioxidant vitamin supplements. There was a slight increase in lung cancer rates among participants who took vitamin E supplements in this study. And a large study that analyzed the results of 47 trials with over 180,000 participants found that supplements slightly increase mortality rates.
Overall, antioxidant vitamin supplements appear to have no benefits at increasing life longevity or decreasing risk of certain cancers. Some studies show that these vitamin supplements might have a harmful effect on our health. The best source of vitamins is in our diet, not in pill form. A healthy diet filled with fruits and vegetables will provide us with the most amount of protection from diseases.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Un-lovely Health
If you don't celebrate Valentine's Day or believe it is just another holiday perpetuated by flower and candy corporations, then this is the blog post for you. In the previous post, I briefly mentioned the health benefits associated with love. Now, let's explore some of the health consequences.
One of the health consequences is obvious -- kissing is icky. Kissing is an easy way to transmit oral bacteria. Bacteria that builds up in someone's mouth can easily spread through saliva. One study suggested that a type of bacteria that causes cavities may transmit itself through saliva, "Streptoccus mutans is the bacterium blamed for causing cavities, and may be transmissible through saliva."
Speaking of cavities, the chocolate and candy people eat during Valentine's Day can increase your risk of getting cavities. Oral bacteria use sugar as a form of energy to grow and stick to your teeth. A root canal is not lovely. Plus, some dentists have claimed that oral plaque can increase your risk of heart disease.
Avoid bacteria,
Your Sarasota Health Blogger
One of the health consequences is obvious -- kissing is icky. Kissing is an easy way to transmit oral bacteria. Bacteria that builds up in someone's mouth can easily spread through saliva. One study suggested that a type of bacteria that causes cavities may transmit itself through saliva, "Streptoccus mutans is the bacterium blamed for causing cavities, and may be transmissible through saliva."
Speaking of cavities, the chocolate and candy people eat during Valentine's Day can increase your risk of getting cavities. Oral bacteria use sugar as a form of energy to grow and stick to your teeth. A root canal is not lovely. Plus, some dentists have claimed that oral plaque can increase your risk of heart disease.
Avoid bacteria,
Your Sarasota Health Blogger
Lovely Health
Today is Valentine's Day. The day of love. There are many reasons to celebrate love. Sure, it brings nice feelings, and sometimes, delicious candy. But, it also brings very positive health benefits.
"Engaging in joyful activities such as love may activate areas in the brain responsible for emotion, attention, motivation and memory..." one researcher notes. Love reduces stress, boosts your heart, improves your mental health, and strengthens your immune system. Wow!
Plus, love keeps people alive. A British study on marriage and death found that people who were married had a much lower risk of dying.
Have a healthy and happy Valentine's Day.
I love you,
Your Sarasota Health Blogger
"Engaging in joyful activities such as love may activate areas in the brain responsible for emotion, attention, motivation and memory..." one researcher notes. Love reduces stress, boosts your heart, improves your mental health, and strengthens your immune system. Wow!
Plus, love keeps people alive. A British study on marriage and death found that people who were married had a much lower risk of dying.
Have a healthy and happy Valentine's Day.
I love you,
Your Sarasota Health Blogger
Monday, February 2, 2009
Traffic Noise and Heart Attacks
In a previous post, I talked about the health consequences of traffic. I cited that traffic noise can cause stress and other psychological problems, like lack of concentration.
A new study by Swedish medical specialists have identified an association between traffic noise and heart attacks. They found that there was a 40 percent "higher risk of a heart attack in people exposed to traffic noise exceeding 50 decibels..." This is a pretty interesting study on the effects of noise on the heart.
A new study by Swedish medical specialists have identified an association between traffic noise and heart attacks. They found that there was a 40 percent "higher risk of a heart attack in people exposed to traffic noise exceeding 50 decibels..." This is a pretty interesting study on the effects of noise on the heart.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)