September 2, 2008 balancing the emotional, intellectual, occupational, social & physical components of health

“I can live for two months on a good compliment. ”

—Mark Twain, American humorist, writer, and lecturer, 1835-1910

Fall Prevention Awareness

UW Medicine Fairs

Do you know someone at risk for falling? Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations for people over 65, resulting in loss of independence, disability, and early admission to a nursing home.

Governor Christine Gregoire has designated Thursday, September 18 as Fall Prevention Awareness Day. As part of the activities planned for this day, UW Medicine will host free fall prevention fairs at three campus locations:

Harborview Medical Center
Noon to 3 p.m.
Patient and Family Resource Center
Ground Floor, near the Gift Shop
Information: 206-744-2000

UW Medical Center
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Third floor lobby
Hotline: 206-598-5370

UWMC Roosevelt Clinic
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Hotline: 206-598-5370

The UW Medicine fairs are open to patients, their families and members of the community. Attendees will learn about the latest in fall prevention strategies, including home safety, exercise, medication management and vision checks. Physical therapists, occupational therapists and students from both programs will offer screening tests to assess the risk of falling.

 

Healthy Minds Across America

Free Public Forum

Healthy Minds Across America is a national day of free public forums on the progress and promise of mental health research. Faculty from the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences will be discussing their research findings in mental health. Presented by NARSAD, The World's Leading Charity Dedicated to Mental Health Research.

Sunday, September 14, 2008
1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Kane Hall, Walker Ames Room
Room 225, Seattle Campus
Free and open to the public

Sponsor: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

The purpose of UWellness is to inspire healthier living among University of Washington faculty, staff and their families. It is published on the first and third Tuesday of the month. Comments and suggestions may addressed to the editor at: benefits@u.washington.edu

To see past issues, click here.

Know Your Numbers, Manage Your Risks

Do You Know Your Cholesterol Numbers?

September is National Cholesterol Education Month. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommends that everyone age 20 and older have their cholesterol—a fat-like substance in your blood—measured at least once every five years. There are two kinds of cholesterol: LDL (bad) cholesterol, the main source of cholesterol buildup and blockage in the arteries, and HDL (good) cholesterol, which protects against heart disease.

High blood cholesterol affects over 65 million Americans. It's a serious condition that increases your risk for heart disease. The higher your cholesterol level, the greater your risk. You can have high cholesterol and not know it. Lowering cholesterol levels that are too high lessens your risk for developing heart disease and reduces the chance of having a heart attack or dying of heart disease.

So get your cholesterol checked, find out what your cholesterol numbers mean, calculate your heart disease risk, learn how to treat high cholesterol, and find out how making the best food and lifestyle choices can help you reach your personal cholesterol goals. For more information, download this 6-page brochure: High Blood Cholesterol: What You Need to Know.

Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Healthiest State in the Nation Campaign

2008 Governor's Health Bowl Starts September 18

Get ready for the annual competition that offers a fun opportunity for individual champions and participating organizations to build challenges around fitness and knowledge about our state's health. By registering for the Health Bowl, you will be able to track your physical activity, nutrition, weight maintenance, oral health habits, smoking cessation, and more! You can also earn bonus miles by testing your knowledge of our state’s health and health systems with our Health Q&A. Learn more.

• Register individually
• Register a team
• Log your miles

Here's the buzz about this year's Health Bowl:

  • Can Washingtonians break last year's record of more than 5 million miles logged at HealthiestState.org?
  • Who will take the college crown? Washington Huskies? Washington State Cougs? Or will Gonzaga, Whitman or Western Washington steal the show?
  • What are some of the great prizes that will be awarded during this year's Health Bowl?

Source: Washington Health Foundation

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Veggie of the Month

bell peppers

Bell Peppers

Did you know? The variety of the pepper plant and the stage of the ripeness determine the flavor and color of each pepper. A red bell pepper is simply a mature green bell pepper. As a bell pepper ages, its flavor becomes sweeter and milder.

Selection:
Choose firm, brightly colored peppers with tight skin that are heavy for their size. Avoid dull, shriveled or pitted peppers.

Storage:
Refrigerate in plastic bags for use within 5 days.

Nutrition Benefits:
Fat free; low sodium; cholesterol free; low calorie. Riper peppers contain more vitamin A and C. For example, green, red, and yellow peppers respectively contain 60, 240, and 230 percent daily value of vitamin C. Red bell peppers contain eleven times more beta carotene than green bell peppers.

Recipes :
Artichoke and Roasted Red Pepper Salad with Roasted Pepper Dressing
Red and Yellow Pepper Omelets
Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers

Go to the Fruits & Veggies Database to find recipes for using bell peppers in your everyday meals.

Sources:
FruitsandVeggiesMoreMatters.gov

Wellness Partner News

BecauseWeCare

Are you looking for inspiration for a healthier life—one that reduces your chances of getting cancer or helps you to cope? Our UWellness partner, the American Cancer Society (ACS), can help. ACS provides UW faculty and staff with helpful tools and resources including a monthly newsletter, BecauseWeCare. Get your free subscription to this newsletter at www.fightcancer.org. Enter "Husky" in the log-in box.

The September issue, which is available in English and Spanish, features:

  • Not Just Surviving (Cancer) But Thriving
  • Kids: Get Moving!
  • Pick Your Own Produce
  • Mini-Meals: Something to Munch On
  • Over-Scheduling Your Kids
  • Is Your Exercise Machine Telling the Truth?
  • Whipped Cider Sweet Potatoes
  • Sweet on Sweet Potatoes

Source: American Cancer Society

For back issues, see our archive.

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