Lena Dunham says she had a total hysterectomy

Lena Dunham says she is coming to terms with her permanent infertility

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/lena-dunham-says-she-had-a-total-hysterectomy/

Can gene therapy be harnessed to fight AIDS virus?

Researchers are working to improve treatment for the virus and are trying to tackle HIV​ by editing DNA

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/can-gene-therapy-be-harnessed-to-fight-hiv-aids-virus/

Parents Find Kids' Weight Grades Hard to Swallow

About half of U.S. states have laws requiring schools to conduct BMI screenings among their students, according to a study published last year in Current Obesity Reports.

From: https://www.webmd.com/children/news/20180214/parents-find-kids-weight-grades-hard-to-swallow?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Drug Might Be Safer For Dementia Psychosis

British researchers say they may have found a medicine that helps ease symptoms of agitation in dementia patients, but in a much safer way.

From: https://www.webmd.com/brain/news/20180214/drug-might-be-safer-alternative-to-ease-dementia-psychosis?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Statement of the Sixteenth IHR Emergency Committee Regarding the International Spread of Poliovirus

14 February 2017 – The sixteenth meeting of the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) regarding the international spread of poliovirus was convened by the Director General on 7 February 2018 at WHO headquarters with members, advisers and invited member states attending via teleconference.

From: http://www.who.int/entity/mediacentre/news/statements/2018/16th-ihr-polio/en/index.html

First-grader dies of flu in Massachusetts

A 6-year-old girl in Haverhill, Massachusetts, is the first child in the state to die of flu this year, health officials say. Louisa Miller of CBS Boston station WBZ reports.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/first-grader-dies-of-flu-in-massachusetts/

Declining U.S. fertility rates, and a "romantic reckoning"

New research shows a sharp drop in the number of babies born in the U.S. last year

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-fertility-birth-rate-decline-jodi-kantor/

Could we have been better prepared for this flu season?

Former CDC director Tom Frieden says the "only thing predictable about flu is it's unpredictable"

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/former-cdc-director-tom-frieden-flu-season/

ADA outlines priorities for oral health to new HHS secretary

Washington — To improve the oral health of all Americans, the ADA is asking the U.S. Department Health and Human Services to prioritize three key issues in 2018: eliminating regulatory burdens, improving Medicare and Medicaid and continuing to raise professional awareness about opioids.

From: By Jennifer Garvin https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/february/ada-outlines-priorities-for-oral-health-to-new-hhs-secretary

6-year-old from Massachusetts dies from flu

The first-grade girl is the first flu-related child death in the state this year, officials say

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/6-year-old-dies-from-flu-haverhill-massachusetts/

Mayo Clinic Minute: Preventing cancer with lifestyle changes

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol40FBj5JN4

Aloha! Registration now open for ADA 2018 – America's Dental Meeting

Dust off those surfboards, because registration for the annual meeting on Oahu is open.


From: https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/february/aloha-registration-now-open-for-ada-2018-americas-dental-meeting

Insider tips to help you train like an Olympian

Experts share advice on how to incorporate some aspects of elite athletes' training practices into your everyday workouts

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/workout-tips-train-like-an-olympian/

February and the heart: More than Valentine’s Day

Today is Valentine’s Day and many of us turn our thoughts to hearts and love. But there is more than one day this month to think about the heart and heart health.

February is Heart Month, and with it, I hope many people make a commitment to getting heart healthy. As a cardiologist, many well-intentioned people will come to my office seeking guidance, especially about weight loss. While January sees an uptick in gym memberships, by the time February rolls around, dedication to working out becomes challenging. Exercise is, of course, heart healthy and everyone should make an effort to stay physically active. But, few people can lose weight with exercise alone, and for weight loss, this dreaded phrase still rings true: count your calories.

After a decade of devising many approaches to help motivate my patients, it turns out that perhaps the simplest plan has been our most successful. Sharing is caring, as my father-in-law used to say, so here we go.

Three simple steps toward weight loss and a healthier heart

1.   Picture a plate as a peace sign (or Mercedes sign if you prefer), with three equal sections. If you have trouble picturing thirds, then I recommend buying a set of sectional plates for the house. They work for those under the age of 10 as well, should you have picky eaters (also known as children). Now, place a different food group or item in each section. I am friendly with many of my patients, so the smart alecks will sometimes ask: does splitting a burger into thirds count? (It doesn’t.)

2.   No seconds. It’s really that simple. Mindful eating is an exciting method that is catching on, generally with people who already are into a healthy lifestyle. I myself took a class in it. While it is fun in the moment … it is very hard to teach others. However, if family and friends are partaking in “seconds” while you are at the table … slowing down your pace and enjoying your food is your only defense. “No seconds” breeds mindful eaters.

3.   Have three bites of anything yummy and delicious. Whether you have a sweet tooth or it’s the savory items that excite you, three bites is the limit. The first bite is because you want it. Enjoy it. The second bite is an act of defiance. Revel in it. The third bite is the last and should be savored the most. It is the last one because you respect yourself and have a laudable goal that you will achieve. Some people have asked whether we could stretch that out to five bites. A few thoughts. In five bites, I could finish a large slice of pumpkin pie (and this is in fact a diet). We don’t like calling it this, but in essence we are curbing calories. So no. Three bites it is.

Finding your plan for a healthy weight and a healthy heart

This plan may not work for everyone. For those who can afford dieting systems with prepared foods, or are facile with calorie-counting apps, those may be better. But for the average person, who just wants to see some progress in his or her weight loss, this might be for you. Some people hear this and think it will be easy, until they start. Others are concerned that it seems too restrictive, but the process is actually easier than they thought. Most people are able to stick with it long enough to see some small gains (actually, losses J), which is sometimes all the motivation you need to dedicate yourself to the plan for a bit longer. Whatever your plan, make it approachable, stick with it, and forgive yourself if you stray — but get back on board quickly.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all, and here’s to a healthy and well-moderated New Year.

The post February and the heart: More than Valentine’s Day appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Ami Bhatt, MD, FACC https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/february-heart-health-2018021413356

Could we have been better prepared for this flu season?

Forty-eight states report widespread flu activity, and hospitalizations are higher than any other year since the CDC began keeping track. Former CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden, president and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives, joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss what can be done to prepare for the flu in the future, the unpredictability of the virus, and why it's crucial that the CDC's budget isn't slashed.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/could-we-have-been-better-prepared-for-this-flu-season/

ADA templates simplify employee handbooks, correspondence

When was the last time your office's employee handbook was updated?

From: By David Burger
https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/february/ada-templates-simplify-employee-handbooks-correspondence

3 simple habits linked to weight loss

If you're looking to loose weight, new research finds these three habits may help you reach your goals.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/3-simple-habits-linked-to-weight-loss/

Bill Paxton's family files wrongful death lawsuit

From iconic blockbuster movies to an acclaimed TV series, the actor was one of Hollywood's most popular stars

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/bill-paxton-family-files-wrongful-death-lawsuit/

WHO: Making cities healthier - improving health for all

From: World Health Organization https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmSLlKLHjVo