Archive for May, 2010

Are We Losing Our Empathy?

Written by Ann Pietrangelo on Monday, May 31st, 2010 in Emotional Issues, In The News, Linked Articles.

College students are less empathetic than college students of the past. At least that’s what University of Michigan researchers have concluded.

The meta-analysis combined the results of 72 different studies of American college students that were conducted between 1979 and 2009 and involved 14,000 college students. Today’s students were found to possess about 40 percent less empathy than students of 20 or 30 years ago, with the biggest drop coming after the year 2000.

Who or what is to blame for the apparent loss of empathy? After all, the study participants are the offspring of those more empathetic college kids from the 70’s and 80’s…

Read: Are We Losing Our Empathy?

Photo: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1108380

When life drops a mountain in front of you, you can give up or you can forge a path around it. Edward Janus chooses the path every time.

“In my own little way, I am trying to help the disabled and others with my online activism.”

Don’t let him kid you — Edward Janus does nothing in a “little way.” You see, when it comes to matters of disability, Edward knows of what he speaks. He has cerebral palsy, is almost completely deaf, and has endured multiple surgeries on his cervical spinal column (neck). Infections lead to having both legs amputated in 1997.

Find out more about this truly amazing online activist… what drives him… his successes and his hopes for the future…

Read: Edward Janus, Passionate Online Activism at its Finest

Photo courtesy of Edward Janus and WebCamp One LLC

Warning: Dining Out May Result in Extreme Eating

Written by Ann Pietrangelo on Wednesday, May 26th, 2010 in Health Care Policy, In The News, Linked Articles.

Extreme calories, extreme fat, extreme sodium, extreme portions…

Would you order a meal if you knew it contained more calories than you should eat all day? That’s what you’ll get if you order a Five Guys Bacon Cheeseburger with a large order of fries.

According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), that meal contains 2,380 calories. To put that in perspective, the USDA recommends a daily caloric intake of 2,000 to 2,500 calories per day for the average person.

Read: Warning: Dining Out May Result in Extreme Eating

Photo used under the Creative Commons Attribution License, with thanks to Marshall Astor

Insurers have proven themselves to be a powerful lobby and maximizing profits is the ultimate goal. Consumer advocates have their work cut out for them on this one.

We spend enormous amounts of money on health insurance premiums, but how much of that goes to actual medial costs? It depends how you define medical costs.

The new health care law requires that insurers spend at least 85 cents out of every dollar in premiums on medical costs for large group policies. That figure falls to 80 cents per dollar for small groups and individual policies.

Read: Insurance Medical Loss Ratio: Profit vs. Patient Care

Photo: newsroom.dc.gov

Zuckerberg Admits Facebook Missed the Mark on Privacy

Written by Ann Pietrangelo on Tuesday, May 25th, 2010 in In The News, Linked Articles, Off Topic.

“Our intention was to give you lots of granular controls; but that may not have been what many of you wanted. We just missed the mark.” — Mark Zuckerberg

Internet privacy in general is of great concern, but Facebook is definitely in the hot seat. The latest wave of protest comes following the instant personalization pilot program that “helps you connect more easily with your friends on select partner sites. These sites personalize your experience using your public Facebook information.”

Lots of people love the feature — the problem stems from the fact that users are opted-in by default and must choose to opt-out.

Facebook has many privacy options and, for the most part, they work well. Unfortunately, the number of options has grown to an almost unmanageable amount. Users are often unaware or just plain confused about what they are sharing.

Read: Zuckerberg Admits Facebook Missed the Mark on Privacy

Photo: Facebook.com

Inside the Maze 5/24/10

Written by Ann Pietrangelo on Monday, May 24th, 2010 in Inside the Maze.

One of our favorite shows is HBO’s Treme. The post-Katrina New Orleans area drama is on our permanent DVR schedule. The draw is, in large part, due to beautiful scriptwriting. Every character is a fully-fleshed out human being possessing both good and bad qualities.

Creighton Bernett, played by John Goodman, is an author who suffers writer’s block after receiving a publisher’s advance. Prompted by his wife and his editor, he stares at the blank screen and begins his work. Later his wife asks how it’s going. I can’t quote the exact dialogue, but it went something like this:

“It’s shit.”

“Well, can I read it?”

“Why would you want to read it when I just told you it’s shit?” Then he rips his manuscript to pieces.

That scene prompted my husband to ask if it is finally time for him to read the story I’ve been working on. “It’s shit,” I said, only half in jest. “Why would you want to read shit?”

I’ve got a block, but it’s not exactly writer’s block. It’s husband block. I’ve shown the work to a writer friend, and I’ve shown it to my son, both of whom gave very positive feedback and fabulous suggestions. Yet I continue to stall showing my husband.

Why, I’m not exactly sure, but I’m going to have to get over it soon. After all, the book is a memoir and he is a large part of the story. The fear is that it really is “shit” and that whether he admits it or not, I’ll see it in his eyes. Of course there’s always the possibility that it’s actually good, as my first two critics said. Hmmm… then it would be two to one. Guess there’s only one way to find out.

Here’s what else I’ve been up to lately:

On Care2 Healthy & Green Living

How Pets Raise Spirits and Improve Health: Pets are good for you. Most people who have a pet don’t need scientific proof. Their own experiences are enough to confirm that the bond between humans and pets is enormously beneficial to physical and emotional health.

3 Things You Can Do to Simplify Life with Chronic Illness: Life with chronic illness tends to be stressful, but there are three things you can do right now to simplify your life. It has to do with your home, your sanctuary, and streamlining…

On Care2 Causes

Zuckerberg Admits Facebook Missed the Mark on Privacy: “Our intention was to give you lots of granular controls; but that may not have been what many of you wanted. We just missed the mark.” — Mark Zuckerberg. So what’s next for internet privacy?

Global MOMS Act: What it Means for Global Maternal Health: No woman should have to put her life or her health at risk to give birth. The Global Maternal and Newborn Health Outcomes while Maximizing Successes Act (Global MOMS Act) will expand access to quality maternal health services and greatly reduce maternal mortality. It calls for the development of a strategy to coordinate existing women’s health efforts. (Please sign the petition)

Pesticides May Increase Risk of ADHD in Children: Children who are exposed to organophosphates may have an increased risk of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a study published in the journal, Pediatrics.

BP Oil Spill and the Cost to Human Health: Louisiana Congressman Charlie Melancon sent a letter to Kathleen Sebelius, requesting temporary health care clinics to serve volunteers and workers in Louisiana. He also sought the appointment of a health care coordinator to oversee the health care response… and he thinks BP should pay for it.

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Contact: writer@webcampone.com

WebCamp One, LLC: Full-service website design, management, and development company with clients throughout the USA and Canada. Expert in standards compliant website design. From website management to freelance writing, we’ve got the web covered. Visit: WebCamp One on Facebook.

How Pets Raise Spirits and Improve Health

Written by Ann Pietrangelo on Monday, May 24th, 2010 in Emotional Issues, Family, Linked Articles.

Pets are good for you.

Most people who have a pet don’t need scientific proof. Their own experiences are enough to confirm that the bond between humans and pets is enormously beneficial to physical and emotional health. The unconditional affection of a pet calms, soothes, and enhances the feeling of well-being.

Here I was, just beginning to draft an article about the health benefits of pets, when a Facebook friend posted the following message

Read: How Pets Raise Spirits and Improve Health

Photo Copyright WebCampOne LLC

BP Oil Spill and the Cost to Human Health

Written by Ann Pietrangelo on Friday, May 21st, 2010 in Health Care Policy, In The News, Linked Articles.

Earlier this week, Louisiana Congressman Charlie Melancon sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius, requesting temporary health care clinics to serve volunteers and workers in Louisiana.

The clinics would be used to provide medical exams to workers who have come into contact with oil and monitor affects of the oil disaster in the gulf. He also sought the appointment of a health care coordinator to oversee the health care response. The letter read, in part:

Read: BP Oil Spill and the Cost to Human Health

For many women around the world, childbirth can put life of both mother and baby at risk.

The United States, along with 191 other countries, pledged to meet the Millennium Development Goals, targeting a 75 percent decrease in maternal mortality by 2015. The Global Maternal and Newborn Health Outcomes while Maximizing Successes Act (Global MOMS Act) will expand access to quality maternal health services and greatly reduce maternal mortality. It calls for the development of a strategy to coordinate existing women’s health efforts.

Read & Sign the Petition: Global MOMS Act: What it Means for Global Maternal Health

Photo used under the Creative Commons Attribution License, with thanks to Julien Harneis

3 Things You Can Do to Simplify Life with Chronic Illness

Written by Ann Pietrangelo on Wednesday, May 19th, 2010 in Family, Linked Articles, Managing MS Tips.

Life with chronic illness tends to be stressful, but there are three things you can do right now to simplify your life. It has to do with your home, your sanctuary, and streamlining…

Read: 3 Things You Can Do to Simplify Life with Chronic Illness

Photo Copyright: WebCamp One LLC

Children who are exposed to organophosphates may have an increased risk of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a study published in the journal, Pediatrics.

But what are organophosphates? According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, 37 of the 900 different pesticides used in the United States belong to the class of organophosphates. These widely-used insect killers work by disrupting the brain and nervous system and are known to be toxic to humans.

Read: Pesticides May Increase Risk of ADHD in Children

Photo used under the Creative Commons Attribution License, with thanks to Santiago Nicolau

Inside the Maze 5/16/10

Written by Ann Pietrangelo on Sunday, May 16th, 2010 in Inside the Maze.

Montréal est très beau!

My husband and I recently spent a week in Montreal visiting with extended family. We had such a wonderful time that we decided to try to learn French. For me, it won’t be the first time. As a child, my parents spoke French to each other, but we kids didn’t pick it up, and high school French class was of little help. I’ve never been very good an languages, but I’ll give it another go. Another project we didn’t need, but we do tend to dive headfirst and ask questions later. Here we go again! Devrait être intéressant.

My friend and fellow Care2 writer, Steve Williams, chose to share a very personal story in honor of the International Day Against Homophobia. I was completely blown away by his courage and raw honesty. What was really striking, though, was Steve’s refusal to pin the ‘bad guy’ label on his brother, despite their estrangement. How refreshingly rare.

Whether it is homophobia or something else that has come between you and a loved one, please take the time to read and share this post: We Didn’t Speak, and Now We Can’t

My Latest on Care2 Healthy & Green Living

Improve Mood and Self-Esteem in Minutes with Green Exercise: Forget the gym. If you want to elevate your mood and self-esteem while exercising, think green… and blue. There is evidence to support the claim that green exercise — that is physical activity in the presence of nature — leads to positive short and long-term health outcomes.

On Care2 Causes

Health Care Reform on the Road: Conversations in Canada: The last thing on my mind as my husband and I headed toward our vacation destination was health care reform. It is a topic that has flooded my consciousness for the last several years and I was looking forward to the respite while we got away from it all in Canada… but it wasn’t to be.

Big Soda’s Corporate Responsibility… and Yours: One sugary soft drink a day has been shown to have an impact on overall health. Over the past decade, the consumption of sugary soft drinks has risen dramatically, while consumption of other beverages has declined. Just imagine what we can do if personal responsibility and corporate responsibility come together.

What does F.A.S.T. mean? Knowing the answer could save a life: When the blood supply to the brain is cut off, brain cells die. That’s called a stroke, and it can cause permanent disability or death within minutes. Act F.A.S.T.

In MSFocus Magazine (The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation)

The online version isn’t available yet, but the spring issue is carrying an article by yours truly: Victory for Common Sense, Victory for People with MS.

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Contact: writer@webcampone.com

WebCamp One, LLC: Full-service website design, management, and development company with clients throughout the USA and Canada. Expert in standards compliant website design. From website management to freelance writing, we’ve got the web covered. Visit: WebCamp One on Facebook.

Health Care Reform on the Road: Conversations in Canada

Written by Ann Pietrangelo on Saturday, May 15th, 2010 in Health Care Policy, Linked Articles.

The last thing on my mind as my husband and I headed toward our vacation destination was health care reform.

It is a topic that has flooded my consciousness for the last several years and I was looking forward to the respite while we got away from it all in Canada.

Almost everyone we encountered was eager to bring it up, assuming that we would be ecstatic about the passage of health care reform. “You finally passed health care!”

They were well-aware of our country’s rancorous debate and criticisms of the Canadian system. Even those who have complaints about Canadian health care took offense to the unfair and erroneous characterizations used by opponents of health care reform here in the states.

Read: Health Care Reform on the Road: Conversations in Canada

Photo used under the Creative Commons Attribution License, with thanks to Scazon

We Didn’t Speak, and Now We Can’t

Written by Ann Pietrangelo on Friday, May 14th, 2010 in Emotional Issues, Linked Articles, Off Topic.

My friend and fellow Care2 writer, Steve Williams, chose to share a very personal story as we approach the International Day Against Homophobia.

Whether it is homophobia or something else that has come between you and a loved one, please take the time to read this. If you have a heart, you can’t help but be deeply moved.

Thank you, Steve, for your raw honesty.

Read: We Didn’t Speak, and Now We Can’t

Photo used under the Creative Commons Attribution License, with thanks to Batega.

When the blood supply to the brain is cut off, brain cells die. That’s called a stroke, and it can cause permanent disability or death within minutes.

When signs of a stroke appear, every second counts. Symptoms include sudden numbness of the face or limbs, confusion, difficulty with speech or cognition, visual disturbances, trouble walking, loss of balance, and severe headache. Although the majority of strokes occur in people aged 65 or older, they can and do occur any age.

If you suspect someone is showing signs of a stroke, act FAST:

Read this post in its entirety:

What does F.A.S.T. mean? Knowing the answer could save a life

Photo: womenshealth.gov



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