The Health In Harlem Podcast

Big Mouths: Celebrities, Misinformation, and COVID-19 Vaccines

As if SARS-CoV-2 wasn't bad enough, the "viral" spread of misinformation might be more harmful than the virus itself. This is not helped by celebrities in the United States and around the world as an emotion-laden tweet, IG post, or live rant can reach millions of media consumers in seconds, with many taking heed of such messages because everyone knows that when you're a celebrity you are wise beyond your years, talents, expertise or training (I am joking here, just to be clear). In this episode, we debunk some of the misinformation emanating from our celebrity class and give tips on how not to fall victim of some of the bad information circulating out there. Be sure to check out the resources below and please be on the lookout for misinformation and disinformation out there as we make important decisions about our lives, health and well-being during this crisis. 
 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/facts.html
New York Times: Aaron Rogers and Mehmet Oz Don't Know Absolutely Everything
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/11/opinion/aaron-rodgers-mehmet-oz.html
Esquire: Here's Some Research for the Do-Your-Own-Research Crowd
https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a37623384/nicki-minaj-covid-19-vaccine-billions-have-taken-it-do-your-own-research/
 

Low Back Pain Part 1: The Overview

Low back pain is the second-most common reason for a visit to the doctor and the most common cause of disability in the United States and in many other parts of the world. The personal and economic fallout is immense. That is why Health In Harlem will be focusing on low back pain in a 5 part series. This episode presents an overview for topic and sets the stage for the programs to come. We are going to discuss everything from the evaluation, diagnostic approach, and treatment of back pain to how to strategies aimed at prevention. We hope that you and enjoy and learn from our program and please let us know your questions, comments, and concerns. Please check out the resources below for more information.
 
American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM): Low Back pain
https://www.aanem.org/Patients/Muscle-and-Nerve-Disorders/Low-Back-Pain
 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Acute Low Back Pain
https://www.cdc.gov/acute-pain/low-back-pain/index.html
 
ChoosePT: Recommended Treatments for Low Back Pain
https://www.choosept.com/health-tips/recommended-treatments-low-back-pain
 

Health Literacy Month

For more than 20 years, October has been designated Health Literacy Month. This worldwide movement was started by Occupational Therapist, Educator, and Researcher Helen Osborne in 1999 and today it is championed by the Institute for Healthcare Advancement. Health literacy refers to one's ability to access, understand, and use health information and services in order to benefit their health and well-being.  According to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy conducted by the United States Department of Education, only 12% of adults in the United States demonstrate high health literacy. Low health literacy can result in more complications from chronic diseases, longer hospital stays, medication errors, and it can even drain your bank account. Thus, in this program we break it all down for you and give you the strategies and tips to improve you and your family's health literacy today! Check out the links below for more information and be sure to leave any comments, questions, or concerns regarding our show.
Institute for Healthcare Advancement: Health Literacy Month
https://www.healthliteracymonth.org/home
Proliteracy: 4 Cold Hard Facts About Health https://www.proliteracy.org/Blogs/Article/308/4-Cold-Hard-Facts-About-Health-Literacy
Breastcancer.org: Improving Your Health
https://www.breastcancer.org/tips/health-literacy
 
 
 
 
 
     

Resistance Revolution

We've made the case for working to improve your cardiorespiratory fitness through aerobic exercise, but there is increasing evidence over the last 2-3 decades showing the innumerable benefits of resistance training. In this episode, we discuss those benefits and how pushing, pulling, lifting some weight (even just your body weight!) can go a long way in helping you realize your goals for optimum health and wellness. Please hit us up with questions, comments, and concerns and be sure to check out the links below to learn more.
 
The New York Times: How to Start a Resistance Training Routine by Amy Roberts
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/how-to-start-resistance-training/
 
U.S. News and World Reports: 11 Benefits of Strength Training That Have Nothing to Do With Muscle Size
https://health.usnews.com/wellness/fitness/articles/benefits-of-strength-training-that-have-nothing-to-do-with-muscle-size
 
The Mayo Clinic: Strength Training: Getting Stronger, Leaner, Healthier
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/strength-training/art-20046670
 

COVID-19 Vaccine Update: Jabs in Children and Boosters

We can imagine everyone's head is spinning right now. Boosters versus third shots. Vaccines for young children. It seems that everyday there is a new development and that is exactly why we are brining you another update on the COVID-19 vaccines. Dr. Kristin Oliver, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Environmental Medicine & Public Health at Mount Sinai joined to break down the latest news, clear up myths and misconceptions, and ultimately give you the information you need to make a truly informed decision when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccines. Please note that we will be publishing an addendum to this episode following the approval of boosters of the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine and the CDC's recommendation that healthcare workers, teachers, child care workers, grocery workers and others. Please ehck out the information below regarding this recent development and more. Enjoy and please be safe!   
 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: CDC Statement on ACIP Booster Recommendations
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p0924-booster-recommendations-.html
 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html
 
American Academy of Pediatrics: COVID-19 Vaccines Produces Significant Immune Response in Children 5-11 years
https://admin5.podbean.com/healthinharlem/episodes/form
 
 
 

Back to School Safety in the COVID Era 2021

School is in full swing in New York City and throughout the United States as the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic rages on. With the delta variant being more contagious than any previous variants of the virus and hospitalizations amongst children rising, it is imperative that families implement measures to protect children and reduce the spread of this disease. In this episode of Health In Harlem, we discuss proven measures to make the return to school as safe as possible. Please contact us with any questions, comments, or concerns and as always, Harlem take care of yourself. 
 
Johns Hopkins Medicine: Coronavirus Face Masks and Protection FAQs 
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/coronavirus-face-masks-what-you-need-to-know
 
The Mayo Clinic: Safety Tips for Returning to School During COVID-19
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/returning-safely-to-school-covid-19/art-20490441
 
NYC Department of Education: Daily COVID Case Map
https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/health-and-wellness/covid-information/daily-covid-case-map
 
NYC Department of Education: COVID Information
https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/health-and-wellness/covid-information
 
 
 
 

Pro Tips for Your Prostate: National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Over 174,000 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year and approximately 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in American men. Thankfully, September is National Prostate Health Month aka National Prostate Cancer Awareness month and we brought in the expert, Dr. Frank Myers to talk about the key things you need to know about this disease; from risk factors, signs and symptoms and even how to make decisions with your healthcare provider about getting screened for prostate cancer. As always, we would love to have a dialogue with you all, so if you have any questions, comments, or concerns about prostate health and prostate cancer, please hit us up ASAP! Please check out the links below for more information.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Prostate Cancer Awareness Feature
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/resources/features/prostatecancer/index.htm
 
American Cancer Society
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer.html
 
Harvard Health Publishing: Ten Diet & Exercise Tips for Prostate Health
https://www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/10-diet-and-exercise-tips-for-prostate-health
 
 
 

We Are All on the Frontlines: National Suicide Prevention Week

If we told you that you could save a life, would you do it? Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and kills over 800,000 people around the world annually and with the stress, fear, anxiety, and uncertainty caused by the events happening all around us, we are all at risk. Fortunately, there are risk factors and warning signs that we can look for in order to find and help those most at risk. In this program, we bring awareness to the problem of suicide, how to recognize those that might need help, and what do to when you find someone that is truly in danger of harming themselves. Please listen carefully, and as always the only thing we ask of you is to share this information with anyone that will listen. If you are experiencing a crisis or you are concerned about someone at risk, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Much peace, love and blessings to you all and just remember that we must all look out for one another as we are all on the frontline when it comes to suicide awareness and prevention. Check out the links below to learn more about National Suicide Prevention Week and National Suicide Prevention Month.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/promote-national-suicide-prevention-month/
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: National Suicide Prevention Week
https://afsp.org/national-suicide-prevention-week
National Institute of Mental Health: Shareable Resources on Suicide Prevention
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/get-involved/education-awareness/shareable-resources-on-suicide-prevention
 

COVID and the Kids

With the Delta Variant surging across the country,  rates of COVID-19 diagnoses in children have increased significantly. While the direct complications of COVID are rare in children, the indirect effects are perhaps the biggest threat to the health well-being of children in this country and around the world. In this episode we are joined by Dr. Ramon Gist, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at SUNY Downstate Medical Center to discuss the challenges facing children and families as the pandemic rages on and strategies needed to overcome.
 
Washington Post: 'This is real': Fear and Hope in an Arkansas Pediatric ICU
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/08/13/children-hospitalizations-covid-delta/
American Academy of Pediatrics: State Level Data Report
https://www.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/children-and-covid-19-state-level-data-report/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Families and Children
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/groups/families-covid-19.html
 
 

Beat the Heat 2021!

It's the hottest time of the year for many places in the continental United States and with the rise in temperature comes a rise in heat-related illness. More than 600 people die each year in the United States from complications related to heat illness, especially heat stroke. In this episode we discuss the the spectrum of heat-related illnesses, risk factors, treatment and perhaps most importantly, how to safeguard yourself during the torrid days ahead.
 
Tips to Avoid Heat Illness Amid Record U.S. Heat Wave
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20210715/avoid-heat-illness-amid-us-heatwave-tips
 
United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2021/05/07/heat-stress-2021/
 
National Weather Service- Heat Index
https://www.weather.gov/ama/heatindex