2005 health facts

January 2005

January 24-30 is National Folic Acid Awareness Week.

Folic acid, a B vitamin, is essential in preventing neural tube defects, which cause problems in the brain and spinal chord. Approximately 2,500 children in the United States are born each year with a neural tube defect. Folic acid, when taken before and during pregnancy, supports proper development of the neural tube. If all women were to take adequate folic acid before conception and during pregnancy, the number of babies born with a neural tube defect could drop by as much as 70%. *

•  The 2001 OCHNA survey found that the majority (91.8%) of respondents indicated that the mother took vitamins and folic acid while pregnant.

Folic acid can be found in many foods such as cereals, lentils, asparagus, spinach, black beans, peanuts, and orange juice. Our daily diets include folic acid, but doctors recommend taking a multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid in addition to a healthy diet. Folic acid is beneficial not only to women interested in becoming pregnant or those in their early pregnancy, but it is recommended for both men and women in general because it supports the production of normal red blood cells. In addition, recent studies show that folic acid helps to prevent heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers, especially colon cancer.

*March of Dimes. www.marchofdimes.com & National Council on Folic Acid. www.folicacidinfo.org.

February 2005

February is National Children's Dental Health Month

Keeping a child's smile beautiful is important in many ways. For one, a child's smile can always uplift a person's spirit. In terms of health, good dental care is essential to a child's overall well-being. Visiting the dentist helps a child remain cavity free. Children also learn from their dentist about cavity prevention and good dental habits, such as brushing regularly, flossing, and the use of fluoride. Cleanings reduce the risk of developing dental caries, which are the biggest dental health concern for children, and additionally allow the child's dentist to regularly monitor the child's dental health.

•  24.3% of Orange County children lacked dental health coverage in 2001.*

•  Latino/Hispanic households in Orange County are less likely to have dental coverage compared to other racial/ethnic groups.*

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends the following for children (and adults too!):

•  Eating a well balanced diet - limiting snacks (e.g. candy and chocolate).

•  Brushing their/your teeth twice a day.

•  Flossing their/your teeth at least once per day.

•  Schedule regular professional cleanings and oral exams (once every six months)

For more information on dental health visit the American Dental Association (ADA) at www.ada.org .

*OCHNA Survey, 2001

March 2005

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Far too few Americans know that colorectal cancer- the nation's third leading cancer killer among men and women in the United States- is also one of the most preventable cancers. Colorectal cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the colon. It most commonly occurs in people who aged 50 and older and/or who have a family history of cancer of the colon or rectum. According to the American Cancer Society,

•  145,290 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2005 and 56,290 will die of the disease.

 •  About one in 17 men (5.9 percent) and one in 18 women (5.5 percent) will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer during their lifetimes.

 •  Approximately 70 percent of new cases of this type of cancer arise in the colon, the rest in the rectum.

Colon cancer starts with a growth, or polyp, that is not yet cancer. Testing can help a doctor find (and remove) these growths before they become cancerous. Even if a test finds that colon cancer has already developed, the chances of survival are much higher if the cancer is detected early. So if you or someone you know is 50 years or older, don't take the risk-schedule a colon cancer test. It could help save your life or the life of a loved one.

*For more information visit the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org .

April 2005

April is National Occupational Therapy Month.

According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, occupational therapy is skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence in all facets of their lives. Services typically include customized treatment programs to improve one's ability to perform daily activities, comprehensive home and job site evaluations with adaptation recommendations, performance skills assessments and treatment, adaptive equipment recommendations and usage training, and guidance to family members and caregivers.

The 2004 OCHNA survey asked Orange County adults if anyone in their household, including themselves, were limited in any activities due to any major impairment or health problems.

•  Approximately 14% of respondents indicated that they or someone in their household had an impairment.

 •  Of the 14% who indicated they or someone in their household had an impairment, approximately 9.5% indicated that they used occupational therapy, while approximately 90.5% had not.

 •  Of those who had not used occupational therapy, the primary reason for not utilizing the service was "there was no reason to go" ( 73.6% ). Approximately 4% did not have or know of the service.

Indeed those with work-related injuries such as lower back problems or repetitive stress injuries can benefit from occupational therapy. However, others can benefit as well including those who have suffered from a stroke or heart attack; those who have arthritis, multiple sclerosis or other serious conditions; children who suffered from birth injuries, have a learning problem or developmental disabilities; those who have mental or behavioral problems; those who have problems with substance use or eating disorders; and those who have suffered an injury.

*For more information on occupational therapy, visit the American Occupational Therapy Association, www.aota.org.

The American Occupational Therapy Association, 2005. "What is Occupational Therapy?"

The American Occupational Therapy Association, 2005. "Who Benefits from Occupational Therapy?"

May 2005

May is National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month

The most common type of bone disease is osteoporosis, which is a skeletal disorder characterized by decreased bone strength and leading to an increased risk of fracture. The Healthy People 2010 goal is to reduce osteoporosis to 8%. According to the National Institutes of Health, 10 million individuals have osteoporosis and another 34 million have low bone mass, placing them at risk for the disease. Predictors of low bone mass include female gender, increased age, estrogen deficiency, white race, low weight and body mass index (BMI), family history, smoking, and/or history of prior fracture.

The 2004 OCHNA Survey asked Orange County adults if they have ever been told by a doctor, a nurse, or other health professional that they had bone disease or osteoporosis.

•  Approximately 3.7% , or approximately 81,000 , Orange County adults were diagnosed with bone disease or osteoporosis.

 •  Orange County is doing exceptionally well in the number of those diagnosed with osteoporosis, surpassing the Healthy People 2010 goal by 4.3% .

 •  An estimated 88% of those diagnosed with osteoporosis are female, supporting studies that show women are more likely to be diagnosed with bone disease.

As osteoporosis is mainly associated with post-menopausal women, it has been found that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is an established approach for osteoporosis treatment and prevention. In general, prevention is the most effective treatment for osteoporosis. Exercise reduces the risk of osteoporosis by maximizing or maintaining bone mass. Nutrition is also important; calcium and vitamin D intake can contribute to bone health.

*For more information on osteoporosis visit, www.nof.org

National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 2005.

Back to Top