Organization Empowers Women Diagnosed with Heart Disease WomenHeart: Empowering Women, One Heart at a Time By Guest Blogger Lisa M. Tate, Chief Executive Officer, WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease  If you are a woman who has been diagnosed with heart disease, you know what it is like to adjust to a whole new reality overnight upon receiving your diagnosis. You may be experiencing depression or anxiety, common symptoms after a heart attack, particularly for women.¹ You may have trouble talking about your diagnosis with your loved ones and struggling with feelings of isolation. You may not know about the cardiac rehab options that are available to you. Or you may simply be looking for more information on the heart condition or conditions you have been diagnosed with. WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease is the nation’s only patient-centered organization serving the 42 million American women living with or at risk for heart disease through advocacy and community education. WomenHeart is also the only national peer-led Support Network for women heart disease survivors. Our goal is to support women living with heart disease, so they can thrive despite their diagnosis, and to educate women who do not have heart disease about managing their risk factors and getting the right treatment they need immediately if they think they are having a heart attack. Our 650 WomenHeart Champions in 49 states support other women living with heart disease by hosting monthly WomenHeart Support Network meetings. Our WomenHeart Champions encourage their Support Network members to share their heart story. They also educate their attendees on a variety of heart health and healthy lifestyle-related topics. Read More Wondering why you’re receiving this email? The Disability.gov team thought you might be interested in reading this blog post on how women with heart disease can get support in their communities. Subscribe to receive future Disability.Blog posts.

Disability.gov Update: People with Disabilities Nearly Three Times More Likely to Be Victims of Crime

People with Disabilities Nearly Three Times More Likely to Be Victims of Crime

A new report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics shows that there were an estimated 1.3 million violent crimes against people with disabilities in the U.S. in 2012. The report documents nonfatal serious violent crimes, such as rape, robbery and aggravated assault. The National Crime Victimization Survey found that the age-adjusted rate of violent crimes against people with disabilities was nearly triple that of people without disabilities. Among persons with cognitive disabilities, the rate of serious violent crime doubled during the period of the study.

Disability.gov Update: Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Alleging Disability Discrimination over Inaccessible Housing Complexes

Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Alleging Disability Discrimination over Inaccessible Housing Complexes

The U.S. Department of Justice has announced that a federal district court judge in Jackson, MS, has approved a settlement with the owners and developers of nine multifamily housing complexes in Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee. The Justice Department’s lawsuit alleged that the housing complexes did not have accessible features for people with disabilities. The Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act require these types of housing complexes to have accessible features. These include hardware that makes it possible to open doors and making sure that there are enough accessible parking spaces. Last year the departments of Justice and Housing & Urban Development issued guidance on the design and construction requirements under the Fair Housing Act.

Read this recent guest blog post on Disability.Blog, Accessible Housing for Everyone.

February Disability Connection Newsletter: 10 Ways to Stay Healthy and “Well-thy”

February 2014 

 Disability Connection: 10 Ways to Stay Healthy and “Well-thy”

1. Face the Heart Truth. February is American Heart Month, a reminder that all individuals should educate themselves on heart disease and prevention. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “heart disease” refers to different kinds of heart conditions, the most common of which occurs when buildup blocks the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Heart disease can cause a heart attack, heart failure and arrhythmias. The good news is that it can be prevented. The American Heart Association has a multitude of tips on how to live a healthy lifestyle, such as diet, exercise and monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol regularly. Women, in particular, are more at risk for developing heart disease. The National Lung, Blood and Heart Institute’s The Heart Truth campaign for #MyHeart28, offers a challenge each day on Facebook during American Heart Month that encourages participants to take action against women’s heart disease.

2. Start Eating Healthy. The old saying goes, “You are what you eat,” but what exactly does that mean? Visit ChooseMyPlate.gov to learn about the five food groups (i.e., dairy, fruits, grains, proteins and vegetables) and how to eat healthy on a budget. Your family and you can also access tools for managing your food intake, meal portions and physical activity. Plus, you can hang this print-ready poster on your fridge as a daily reminder to eat a healthy and balanced diet.  Want to learn about the nutrients in different foods? Check out the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Nutrient Database. You can also visit Allrecipes.com to get free recipes, which are submitted and rated by other site members.

3. Jump-start Your Exercise Routine. One of the most important ways to stay healthy is through exercise. According to the Mayo Clinic, exercise can help you control your weight, combat disease, improve your mood and boost your energy.  It doesn’t take much to fit some activity into your day for at least 30 minutes – consider running, walking, hiking, cycling, yoga, tai chi or Zumba, to name a few. The President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition’s I Can Do It, You Can Do It! program is a national initiative that encourages all Americans of any age or ability to lead a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and good nutrition. Sign up to be an I Can Do It, You Can Do It! advocate by emailing ICDI@hhs.gov. You can also visit the National Institute on Aging’s Go4Life website for exercise suggestions, as well as advice on how to choose a fitness trainer and track your activities.

4. Find an Accessible Fitness Center. Everyone reaps health benefits from regular exercise and those with disabilities are no exception. A Fitness Center Accessibility Checklist can help you determine if the gym or health club you are considering joining offers accessible equipment and facilities. Some Independent Living Centers (ILCs) have accessible fitness centers on their premises or offer other wellness programs. To find an ILC near you, use the ILRU State Directory. You may also want to check out the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation’s NeuroRecovery Network Community Fitness and Wellness Program, which has centers located in five cities: Lawndale, Calif.; Willow Springs, Ill.; Louisville, Ky.; Minneapolis, Minn.; and South Jordan, Utah. Each center provides a customized exercise program to help people with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities increase their strength and flexibility. If the outdoors is more your style, the National Recreation and Park Association has affiliates in every state that provide a variety of wellness and fitness programs for people of all abilities.

5. Learn Your Family Health History. Knowing your family’s history of illnesses can help you and your doctors determine your risk of disease and spot early symptoms. My Family Health Portrait is a free online tool from the Surgeon General that can help you record your family’s unique health history in one of four languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian. To start, make an accurate record of when family members’ health conditions developed and the age of diagnosis. You should also note whether the conditions were related to the person’s cause of death. Go back on your family tree as far as you can, including your grandparents and great grandparents, if possible. It’s especially important to record any recurring health problems. The Mayo Clinic gives advice on how to ask loved ones to share their personal medical information. Your Family Health Portrait cannot predict your future health, but it can ensure you and your loved ones receive the best care possible.

6. Know Your Rights to Accessible Healthcare. A trip to the doctor’s office can often be a frustrating experience for people with mobility issues. Check with a medical facility ahead of time to ask if they are accessible. For instance, do they have a wheelchair accessible weight scale, a height adjustable exam table or an accessible bathroom? You and Your Doctor: A Short Guide to Your Rights and Responsibilities contains helpful information about communicating effectively with your doctor or healthcare team about your needs. ADA Q & A… Health Care Providers, a Pacer Center ACTION Information Sheet, gives guidance on how this landmark legislation supports patients with disabilities. Access To Medical Care For Individuals With Mobility Disabilities is also a good technical resource for medical care providers on the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as it relates to healthcare services and facilities. For additional tips on getting the best healthcare possible, visit the People with Disabilities: Living Healthy section of the CDC website.

7. Get a Physical Exam. To make sure you are in tip-top shape, it is important to have regular physical exams with your primary care provider. Although there is no “one-size-fits-all” answer for how often you should go, doctors say it depends on your age and disease risk. During a physical exam, you may be screened for various health conditions to make sure you have a clean bill of health. The National Library of Medicine breaks down what your health screening should include, depending on your age. You should also be aware of important screening tests for men and women. The myhealthfinder tool allows you to select your age, gender and whether you want information for yourself, someone else or your child to determine what preventive services you should receive at your next doctor’s appointment.

8. Increase Your Brainpower. When it comes to brain health, the old adage, “Use it or lose it,” certainly applies. However, according to scientists, there are many things you can do to improve your memory and mental performance. For one, AARP’s Brain Health Center has lots of resources to help you optimize your brain power. Features include exercises and games, diet and lifestyle tips, as well as relevant blog posts. You can also sign up for the free online Easter Seals Train Your Brain Challenge, which exercises your memory, brain speed, people skills, intelligence and navigation. In addition, How to Improve Your Memory from Helpguide.org lists five tips and exercises to help you sharpen your memory and boost your mental performance.

9. Download a Health App. Technology has increasingly become integrated into our everyday lives, helping us track every aspect of our health. Last year, MobiHealthNews shared Google’s top 20 free health apps. Among them are apps that track your fitness, sleep cycles and weight. TIME magazine also picked their top five health apps, one of which you can use to scan barcodes on packaged food at the grocery store to determine its nutritional value. Another one assists you in finding doctors in your local area. Check your iTunes or Google Play store to find out which apps are available for your mobile device.

10. Relax for Health! Relaxation is more than a state of mind; it can also have a positive effect on your overall physical health and well-being. For instance, deep breathing exercises may reduce high blood pressure, pain, insomnia and depression. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine offers information on different types of relaxation techniques, including meditation and yoga. The National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability (NCHPAD) website also has a section, Yoga for Individuals with Disabilities, which is easily adaptable for a wide range of abilities. Lastly, take a break from your mobile device and/or computer at least one day on the weekend. The Ultimate Guide to Unplugging infographic offers suggestions on how to digitally detox, as well as the benefits you will reap from doing so.

Don’t forget to visit Disability.gov for resources on healthy living. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and use #disabilityconnection to talk to us about this newsletter. You can also read Disability.Blog to learn about helpful programs in your community.

Read past issues of the Disability Connection newsletter.

 

 

New Study Aims to Understand Long-term Effects of Diabetes Medications

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is looking for volunteers to take part in a study to compare the long-term benefits of four widely used diabetes drugs in combination with metformin, the most common first-line medication for treating type 2 diabetes. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) launched the Glycemia Reduction Approaches in Diabetes: A Comparative Effectiveness Study (GRADE) in June 2013. The researchers hope to recruit 5,000 participants at 37 sites. The goal of this large trial is to understand which combinations of medications are most likely to maintain goal glucose (blood sugar) levels over time, to identify the most effective means of treating type 2 diabetes if metformin alone is not enough. The study will compare drug effects on glucose levels, adverse effects, diabetes complications, and quality of life over an average of nearly 5 years. The researchers hope to be better able to guide physicians as they make treatment decisions for their patients with diabetes.

Large NIH Study to Examine if Vitamin D Prevents Type 2 Diabetes

Researchers have begun the first definitive, large-scale clinical trial to investigate if a vitamin D supplement helps prevent or delay type 2 diabetes in adults who have prediabetes, a condition that puts them at risk for developing type 2. The multiyear Vitamin D and Type 2 Diabetes (D2d) study  will include about 2,500 people at 20 study sites across the United States. Its goal is to learn if vitamin D—specifically D3 (cholecalciferol)—will prevent or delay type 2 diabetes in adults age 30 or older with prediabetes. People with prediabetes have blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes. Researchers are recruiting volunteers to take part in D2d. Half of the participants will receive vitamin D. The other half will receive a placebo—a pill that contains no medication. Participants will have check-ups for the study twice a year, and will receive regular health care through their own health care providers. “An estimated 79 million Americans have prediabetes, and nearly 26 million more have diabetes,” said NIDDK Director Griffin P. Rodgers, M.D., M.A.C.P. “With D2d, we seek evidence for an affordable and accessible way to help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.”

New and Updated Publications

• Gestational Diabetes: What You Need to Know
• Prevent diabetes problems: Keep your kidneys healthy
• Prevent diabetes problems: Keep your kidneys healthy (Spanish)
• What I need to know about Gestational Diabetes
• What I need to know about Gestational Diabetes (Spanish)
• What I need to know about Preparing for Pregnancy if I Have Diabetes