Category: Wellness

New York Health Coverage

January 9, 2015

healthcareAccording to the New York State of Health (NYSOH) Department, over 225,000 New Yorkers have newly enrolled for health coverage for 2015. This number does not include re-enrollers. Of this number, 142,187 is covered by Medicaid and 83,057 by private insurers. According to Donna Frescatore, NYSOH Executive Director, the numbers “continue to increase steadily.” The intention is to continue this effort “to reach as many New Yorkers as possible in our drive to get them covered before February 15.”

However, there has been some backlash to the system. Those who advocate a universal single-payer system, argue that the problem with the current model is that client access to care is left up to the “mercy of for-profit insurance companies.”

Thus Richard Gottfried, D-Manhattan Assemblyman is sponsoring a legislation to establish a “universal single-payer healthcare system in New York state.” He said that this would render comprehensive health coverage available for all New Yorkers and would be publicly funded. He argues that this system could save New Yorkers more than $20bn annual as they would not have to pay for insurance company administrative profit and personnel.

Furthermore, there would be no need to hire a whole slew of admin to deal with insurance companies to pay up. Right now that is already built into the health care costs and thus it wouldn’t be an additional cost for the New York health system.

Bone Broth Comes to New York

December 9, 2014
by Kim Knoch
by Kim Knoch

Bone broth can now be sipped in New York’s East Village. Brodo, located at 403 East 12th Street, window on First Avenue, is New York’s first ever take-out window that’s focus is shippable broth. The chef Marco Canora, has already been selling these broths at Hearth.

It is a great concept in time for the winter. These broths are made by boiling animal bones, vegetables and an array of herbs to create bone marrow-filled stock. Increasingly, nutritionists, beauty gurus and health coaches are pushing bone broth. It can be a great gut health booster, inflammation attacker and more, all while providing lots of nutrients such as amino acids, calcium, collage and potassium.

Indeed, as the South American proverb claims: “A good broth can revive the dead.”

Inger Loftheim Rood: Putting the Customer First

November 12, 2014

inger-loftheim-roodAccording to Collegis Education writer, Megan Ruesink, “customer service….is certainly becoming more important in the wake of healthcare reform.” Plus, there has been a greater focus on customer service in healthcare industry from the federal government. Today, healthcare providers and business executives are making this a high priority. Therefore, individuals like Inger Loftheim Rood, VP and Chief of Staff for the Office of the CEO at Florida Blue, are increasingly making customer service a priority in their work too.

In fact, Loftheim Rood was endorsed for this attribute by Frederick Schremp, CLU, Senior Vice President at CBIZ. He described her as “exceptionally effective senior director with great C suite potential. [She] demonstrates extraordinary customer service focus, health care delivery expertise and personnel management skills.”

The idea of healthcare efficiency was echoed by Matthew J Miller, president of Brainspires Inc. He recently pointed out that: “From a hospital president on down the chain of command, all staff are encouraged to provide proactive and positive interaction with hospital visitors, including patients and anyone else roaming the halls.”

This information is important also for the patient. Those individuals who are looking for top class service in the healthcare industry today, can expect good customer service, as endorsed by individuals such as Inger Loftheim Rood and Matthew J. Miller, amongst others.

New York Health and Climate Change

October 4, 2014

climate-changeAs well as being a communal concern, climate change can be a problem for one’s personal health. A study – researched over the last two decades – put together by the Journal of the American Medical Association reviewed the impact climate change has on health. Using air temperature data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (JAMA) National Climatic Data Center it found that by the year 2050, many US cities will be encountering many more days of high-heat temperatures.

Even more worryingly, the data found that in urban cities such as New York, figures for high-heat temperatures are likely to triple! The health implications of this are not good: potential respiratory disorders, heart issues, infectious diseases, mental health disorders that result from natural disasters and more. Indeed, one article in JAMA recently claimed that climate change is as “as threatening to our public health as lack of sanitation, clean water and pollution [were] in the 20th century.”

So it is worthwhile in the long run for the state of New York to make efforts to reduce climate change. That would thus in turn potentially reduce health problems for the state.

New York’s Anti-Smoking Campaign

September 4, 2014

anti-smokingDepending on where one lives in America, there are different policies and campaigns focusing on anti-smoking. It seems that New York may have a way to go vis-à-vis promoting anti-smoking, according to a recent report put out by the American Cancer Society. Each state should be working on screenings, smoking bans, tobacco taxes, and more. New York seems to have been reported as doing well vis-à-vis breast and cervical cancer screening endeavors, but it has been advised that it should bring back funds for programs that restrict smoking areas. According to the Cancer Action Network, approximately 107,000 New Yorkers will be diagnosed with cancer this year and for 35,000 it will be fatal.

But it’s not just New York that should be ashamed of its lackluster anti-tobacco campaign. Iowa has what to answer for as well. Currently, the state is spending a mere $5.1 million on its anti-smoking efforts, but according to Iowa Tobacco Prevention Alliance board member Jeneane Moody, federal experts believe this figure should be $30 million per year on anti-tobacco efforts. A staggering $90 million is spent by tobacco companies annually on Iowa marketing.

Moving on to Florida, it seems Iowa and New York can take a few lessons. The Florida Department of Health’s (FDOH) Tobacco Free Florida campaign has aggressive commercials depicting the human impact of smoking as part of a comprehensive program. It bases these on ads that have successfully run in other countries and have been positive. Because of Florida’s work in this realm, the results have been great. There has been reduction of 500,000 adult smokers in the state since 2007 and 72,000 people have quit with the 3 Ways to Quit services Florida has provided.

So for New Yorkers to get healthier as a state, a lesson or two could be learned from how Florida is attacking the smokers’ habits in the state.

Resorts for Healing Properties

July 19, 2014

healing-holeFor New Yorkers looking to combine their healing process with a vacation, a resort hotel far away from it all may be the answer. Or, at least the beginnings of one.

Find a place off the beaten track that no one knows about. Look for fresh water – comprised of healing minerals – into the pool when the tides go out. Some of the minerals include sulfur and lithium, both known for their healing properties. For example, when one is sulfur-deficient, they can experience pain and inflammation of various muscles and it is also present in insulin, helping to promote proper sugar utilization. Lithium is used to treat depression and anxiety and is often used as an anti-aging treatment. These healing waters have also been known to clear poison ivy and tick bites almost immediately. Say bye-bye to irritating bugs common to hot environments like the Bahamas and find a place where no man has gone, or at least not many of them have ventured!

Getting away from it all is a fun vacation for sure. But for those New Yorkers stressed out on life, looking for a little bit of healing at the same time, once there, taking a trip to this “natural wonder” can ultimately become a life-changing experience as well.

Enhancing NYC Health

June 30, 2014

stay-healthyThe city of New York is seeking additional ways to enhance the health of its residents. One might be inclined to suggest that these moves are forced – since they are being enacted through law – but nonetheless the ultimate aim of enhancing the quality of NYC health is a noteworthy goal.

With this in mind, two recent laws/bans were put in place. The first was connected to smoking and the second, to sugary drinks. Earlier this month a federal judge upheld the ban on using coupons that basically prevents New Yorkers from getting cheaper prices on cigarettes in the city that currently has one of the highest prices on cigarettes. Not only is this a victory for the anti-smoking groups but also for NYC health promotion. Since it was ruled by Thomas Griesa, U.S. District Judge was able to enact this ruling since it does not impinge on manufacturers’/sellers’ free-speech rights, adding that all it does is “regulate pricing, not speech, and thus, does not violate the First Amendment.”

Another way NYC health may be enhanced is through bringing back the city’s ban on large sodas. This ban – that was first enacted back in 2012 by then Mayor Michael Bloomberg – disabled the selling of sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces at eateries in the city as well as movie theaters, etc. But it was overturned by lower courts. According to Richard Dearing, Assistant Corporation Counsel, “the largest source of added sugar in the American diet, 40 percent of added sugar comes from sugary drinks. They’re empty calories. They don’t provide nutritional value. … They’re not filling. What that means is when you consume calories from sugary drinks, you don’t reduce other caloric consumption.” Even though New York City is the only jurisdiction requesting such a ban, several others have tried.

While American Beverage Association spokesperson Chris Gindlesperger said such a ban would have a “negative impact on businesses throughout the city,” it could go a long way in enhancing NYC health – which ultimately should be a longer-term goal of any city.  As Mary Bassett, the city’s Health Commissioner pointed out, we do really have to call into question “the beverage industry’s continued promotion of these unhealthy products in communities most burdened by obesity and diabetes.”

These are just a few ways that the city is trying to legally enhance NYC health.

Making New York Fitness More Accessible

May 30, 2014

modelfitOne common complaint (aka excuse) people have for not exercising and getting fit is lack of accessibility. New York fitness has addressed that issue by putting a gym inside an Albany supermarket. The idea for this was initiated from a meeting between the local YMCA, Capital District Physicians’ Health Plan and Hannaford which together wanted to “improve the area’s health while also being convenient, accessible and free.”

New York fitness classes are becoming increasingly popular at the gym-supermarket. Featuring stationary bicycles, treadmills, cardio machines and a Zumba room, grocery shoppers can lose weight and get in shape just before they shop for groceries. In addition, those who use the gym are not forced to use the supermarket; all they need to do is complete some paperwork on their first visit and then get fobs to swipe when they stop by. To date, more than 1,100 people have signed up.

According to NPD Group Harry Balzer, this is a great idea:

“All of us eat and 63 percent of us say we exercise on a weekly basis. I have a ready and willing market with six out of 10 people who walk in the door, but the point that’s most salient is free. I know of nothing that will change your behavior faster than money. Will it last? That’s the question.”

In other news, for those New Yorkers looking for something a little bit more hip, there is also the new ModelFIT studio, New York fitness’ answer to working out with models. For just $40 and a pair of working sneakers, even the most non-famous people can sweat it out with the stars in the city that never sleeps.

New York Wellness – Cancer Awareness

May 29, 2014

American_Cancer_SocietyEvery year the Hoosick Falls Central School in New York chooses a different topic on New York wellness on which to focus. This year it was cancer, and the wellness day dealt with issues such as grief and loss. It was chosen as a testament to Isabel McGuire – a teacher from the school who recently lost her battle against cancer.
Next month, the American Cancer Society will host the 9th Annual Financial Services Cares Gala in New York, on 42nd Street. This is a fundraiser attended by around 500 financial industry leaders in an attempt to raise funds and awareness while getting additional support for all programs fun by the American Cancer Society. Unofficially, the theme was “fighting breast cancer on and off the field,” and had Bon Jovi, Brian Kelly, Linda Holliday and others at the party in an attempt to raise awareness and funds.
In other New York cancer awareness news, Terry Bourgeois undertook a challenging bike ride from New York City to Niagara Falls. He did this to raise money for Roswell Park Cancer Institute. This was not the first time Bourgeois participated in the ride – he has been on board for since 1999 – but this year was different. He completed a ride across the entire state, raising $8,000 – funds that are to be put toward brain tumor and ovarian cancer vaccines and lung cancer genetic testing. He realized how many close family members have been impacted by the disease over the years. He said, “I realized that this is the biggest war we’ll ever face. And it’s all around us.”

Improving New York Health: Reducing Sodium in our Diets

April 28, 2014

saltOne of the biggest impediments to improving New York health is the amount of sodium New Yorkers have in their diet. The problem is not just individuals, but food companies. And there is a lot that the market can do to substantially improve the potential of New Yorkers health by reducing sodium input into their foods.

Reducing sodium has huge health benefits. Knocks down the likelihood of high blood pressure, hypertension, strokes, heart attacks and the like. In addition, in a recent New York Times article, Thomas A. Farley pointed out that in America today, “according to best estimates, excess sodium is killing between 40,000 and 90,000 people and running up to $20 billion in medical costs a year.” So along with the improvement in New York health, reducing sodium would also indirectly result in an enhancement of the city’s finances – and indeed throughout the nation.

It can be done. Apparently sodium levels in fast food can vary a huge amount. For example, one slice of pizza can have anywhere between 370 and 730 milligrams – that’s a wide range. It’s just a case of getting food manufacturers on board. This is the first step. Once there is a reduction in the amount of salt in people’s food, individuals’ desire for the salt also drops.

This is not a new issue for New Yorkers or any Americans. But the question becomes quite political when one asks how much should the state be involved? Do we want a situation in which the Mayor for example, is determining our soda input?

Still, New York City is doing relatively well vis-à-vis the salt reduction campaign. Since 2010, its health department has been working via the National Salt Reduction Initiative (a conglomeration of 90+ health departments and organizations) to try to encourage food companies to cut sodium of their own will, based on what the UK has been doing over the last few years. Today, 21 companies (including Kraft) have joined in, by adding less sodium in basic products such as canned beans. So it’s starting.

If there is a move to seriously reduce sodium in processed foods in America, hopefully this will have a direct impact on enhanced health throughout the nation, bringing long-term benefits to those at greatest risk of hypertension, etc.