Endari™ (L-glutamine oral powder) recently (July 7, 2017) received FDA approval as the first new medicine to treat sickle cell disease (SCD) in 20 years. Endari has been shown to decrease the number of sickle cell crises and hospitalizations in patients with sickle cell disease. Doctors expect it to be available for patients in the late fall of 2017. Sickle cell disease … [Read more...]
Health & Wellness:
Health issues of men, women and children addressed primarily by local experts and professionals; ways to address current disparities in prevention and treatment; and available resources of potential value to our readers
The art of code switching (and why it should be an asset)
Recently, there have been several public conversations on the topic of code-switching. This is a term and experience that is not new to African Americans. Since the end of slavery, our existence has consisted of code-switching. In more modern times, a version of code-switching is the “White voice” we tend to use on the phone or in “professional” settings. It has been so … [Read more...]
Six questions to ask a loved one to screen for suicide risk
Suicide rates in the United States have increased by 25-30 percent since 1999. This is particularly true for youth ages 12-24, with increases of approximately 30 percent over the same period. In Alachua County, Florida, where I teach and practice at the University of Florida, the base rate for suicides among youth ages 12-17 had been about five per 100,000 for many years, below … [Read more...]
Want to prevent illness and disease? Wash your hands!
The numbers are in, and the Great Minnesota Get-Together, also known as the Minnesota State Fair, had a record number of attendees this year – just over two million people! In fact, I was one of them; I attended the fair this last weekend. While there, I noticed how many surfaces we constantly touch: handles, railings, knobs and, of course, money. I also noticed how few … [Read more...]
Endometriosis: A painful yet treatable condition for women
Dr. Crutchfield, my cousin was recently diagnosed with endometriosis. What is endometriosis? Endometriosis (en-doe-me-tree-OH-sis) is a painful condition that occurs in women when cells that normally reside inside the uterus grow outside the uterus in the pelvis. Normally, these cells reside in the inner lining of the uterus called the endometrium. During a regular … [Read more...]
A call to action: Suicide is preventable
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month – learn how you can help Suicide is a public health problem that can be prevented. Learning to identify risk factors, warning signs, and ways to respond to those experiencing suicidal thoughts are some of the things community members can do to be involved in prevention. Suicide is complex with multiple causative factors. … [Read more...]
South Side celebrates neighborhood pride, healthy aging
South Minneapolis’ unofficial annual community reunion kicked off Saturday, September 1 with an afternoon of family, free food and fun at Phelps Park. The ninth annual Southside Back in the Day Community Celebration was an old (and new) school jam of residents from Phelps, King, Bryant and Central neighborhoods showing off their Southside pride. Themed “Southside for Life,” … [Read more...]
Some helpful options while at the State Fair
The Minnesota Board on Aging and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) will be at the Minnesota State Fair this year with helpful information on a wide range of topics, including mental health, services for people with disabilities, planning for long-term care, and choosing Medicare plans for 2019. Activities and resources will include: Medicare Cost Plan … [Read more...]
New advances in the war on cancer: living cell therapy
On April 6, 2016, we discussed several new successful treatments against cancer in the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder article “Good news: We are winning the war on cancer.” This is an update on one of those treatments we referred to then as combination cell, or chimeric cell, therapy. Researchers and reporters alike are now calling it “living cell therapy.” It works well and … [Read more...]
A million more miles to cover: staying hopeful while managing kidney failure
Steve Floyd has lived a storied life with many chapters. When we sat down with him last fall, he reflected on his community outreach work as a gang and youth outreach worker, advocate for families of homicide victims, youth basketball coach, and world traveling photographer. Recently, the MSR caught up with Floyd again to discuss a lesser known part of his story: that of … [Read more...]