Community... Health

How does your job, your work, your money affect you on the inside?

That’s precisely the question one of the moderators asked while presenting a session on the term “social determinants” that I love so much. Basically, he was asking what affects our health?

This was the topic of the first session I attended concerning health disparities in the community focusing on the movie, Unnatural Causes.

I thought I was in class.

Social gradient. Health disparities. All are terms that we throw around in the College of Public Health as if they are going out of style.

So apparently morbidity and SES are connected.

“As you climb the social ladder, your life expectancy climbs with you,” said Dr. Strelnick, director, Institute for Community and Collaborative Health, Motefiore Medical Center.

Like I haven’t heard that enough.

But the problem isn’t the graduate student who is in the wrong school trying to understand public health.

The problem is trying to convey the differences in health associated with SES (socioeconomic status) with your audience.

What did the panelists suggest?

They said to find the human element of the story — bring the problems to life through stories journalists can tell. We have the power to tell the story. We have the power to be a voice for those silenced. We have the power to initiate change.

Mental Illness and Violence - What It Really Means

Update: I am now attending AHCJ-- Association of Health Care Journalists 2008 -- a conference in Washington, D.C.

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For my second session, I attended "Violence and mental illness: How strong is the link?" and was greatly moved. Hopefully I will try to convey what I learned and feelings that surfaced in the best way possible.

Think. When do we hear about mental illness in the media? Usually it's linked with violence. The mentally ill are violent. Lock them up before they hurt themselves or someone.

I want to throw up.

Harvey Rosenthal's words touched me. He was an advocate for mental health. So what's this got to do with journalism? Well, he suggests we look into the deeper story.

Were they being treated? What kind of care did they have? What was their treatment plan? Did they give any indication of violence? They did reach out?

So these are the questions we need to ask to really find the true mental health story. We must not paint a picture of crime. We must find what the background is. We must go forth and fight the stigma.

For Women Only: Bad Sleep Equals Bad Heart

So here's another report citing the results of poor sleep for women.

Researchers conducted a study of 210 men and women and concluded that women who reported sleeping poorly had more psychological distress than their peers who slept well.

The poor sleepers also had higher blood pressure, levels of insulin linked to type 2 diabetes, heart disease and other health ailments.

Interestingly enough, the poor-sleeping women reported more symptoms of depression, hositility and anger.

Of course. They aren't sleeping!

One of the major differences between the genders could be the brain chemical serotonin, the hormone mealtonin or the amino acid tryptophan. All three contribute to mood and cardiovascular health. But that hasn't been proven.

And why is no one focusing on the different personality types? Men who are Type A's probably have just as hard of a time falling asleep as do their counterparts. So, the question becomes the study.

The report showed only 210 men and women. Where they of equal number? same personality types? same age, weight, lifestyles?

But... to my fault, I haven't read the study. Although the article should have answered my questions to begin with.

I say throw out the study or write a better news brief.

In a land far, far away...

So, for my non-news post, I will tell a story. Perhaps this will get me on the ball for my article where my anxiety has completely immobilized me. But, that's not important. My story is.

Monday marked the day of my lead interview. I was off mid day with my Mapquest directions in hand to the tiny town of Sandersville, Ga.

I was going to interview Laura Bland, an intern in the extension office. She was my story. She was the lead. She was the pathway the College of Public Health used to fight disparities. She was a gold mine.

Too bad this motivation didn't last the whole ride to find this small dot on the map.

The Mapquest directions led me on a wild-goose chase halfway across the state of Georgia. Oh sure, it was great for all my wanting-to-see-the-state goal, but it didn't do much for me actually getting there.

So after visiting Milledgeville and looking at the kaolin plants, I finally ended up in Sandersville — an hour and a half late.

Ouch.

Why did I have to drive the speed limit? Why did I have to get lost? Why did I lose my motivation along the highway?

* * *

The interview rolled by and I was happier than ever. It flowed so smoothly, that I was practically drafting my introduction before I walked out the door.

She was doing a needs assessment for the community to determine their health needs.

What I found interesting was that while she was getting a look at the disparities first hand, she actually felt like she was doing something to contribute to the "College of Public Health mission." And it was this needs assessment she was doing validated her role for fighting the health disparities.

More to come.

Biological Signs of Depression Discovered

Researchers have discovered a biological marker of depression, which may lead to a lab test to determine the efficiency of antidepressants.

According to the article in The Journal of Neuroscience, the researchers examined the interaction between neurotransmitters and a protein.

When the protein is working properly, a.k.a. non-depressed people, the proteins are quite busy. But when depressed, like most of U.S. population, the proteins quite literally just sit there.

These findings then raise the question of a blood test measuring how effective an antidepressant is, but does not direct the doctor as to which antidepressant to use.

On average, six weeks are recommended for the antidepressant to take effect. And now, this test could be the answer to the incredibly long limbo period.

As always, the author said more research is needed.

But, bring it on!

No more vets? Yet, another problem of health disparities

There's another shortage of doctors in rural areas. But it's not the family doctor, it's the cow doctor.

According to a story by The Associated Press, veterinarians across the country are flocking to the urban areas. Or at least they're going somewhere. And rural America is not one of those places.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, eight states implemented loan forgiveness programs for vet students who work in underprivileged areas.

What? States are paying people to work in rural areas? Areas most populated with the farms -- cows, horses, pigs... They aren't in the city.

I'm a little confused.

So the question becomes, what's the problem? Is it the lack of "clients" or is it that vets don't want to live in the rural areas despite the amount of their "clients?"

This is again another example of health disparities based on geography. It's just a shame the animals may have to suffer.