THIS ISSUE AVAILABLE ONLINE WITH EXPANDED INFORMATION AND PHOTOS AT:
http://www.hhs.gov/news/newsletter/weekly
IN THIS ISSUE:
1) Secretary Thompson Works to Increase Organ Donation
2) Surgeon General Team Up With Nike to Launch NikeGO
3) Personal Health - Special Dietary Supplements For People Over 50?
4) 5 A Day Month - September 2003
5) Secretary Tommy G. Thompson's public schedule
Secretary Thompson Works to Increase Organ Donation
Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson will launch a national organ donation procurement initiative with more than 100 hospital leaders and 43 organ procurement organizations (OPO's) Tuesday, Sept. 9th. Secretary Thompson wants to increase organ donation rates from 46 percent to 75 percent by adopting practices from hospitals and OPO's that already have high donation rates.
"With their commitment to this initiative, hospital and organ procurement leaders are spearheading a historic opportunity to reduce the organ waiting list and bring life and hope to the thousands of men, women and children who are waiting for a life-saving donation," Secretary Thompson said.
The Bush administration has committed unprecedented resources and put forth creative initiatives to increase the number of organ donors. Since 2001, HHS has developed an organ donor Web site (www.organdonor.gov), which gets 40,000 hits a month HHS is also in the process of developing a drivers education curriculum to educate new drivers about organ donation before they get out on the road.
Secretary Thompson developed the Workplace Partnership for Life, which works with employers of all sizes and their employees to create a nationwide network of donation friendly workplaces - organizations that give people the information, the encouragement and the chance they need to donate life. In less than two years, more than 5,000 partners have signed up.
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Surgeon General Team Up With Nike to Launch NikeGO
U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona will join LeBron James and Nike to launch a new public education program in Akron Monday, Sept. 8th. The new NikeGo initiative is called PE2GO.
"We need to get kids active, whether it's hoops, hopscotch, or hide-and-go-seek. Exercise has health benefits and healthy habits can last a lifetime," U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona said.
The program will be offered in 23 schools in Akron and is designed to motivate kids to be more physically active and reverse the trend of childhood inactivity in America.
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Personal Health - Special Dietary Supplements For People Over 50?
Even if you eat a good variety of foods, if you are over 50, you might need certain supplements. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian. Depending on your needs, he or she might suggest you get the following amounts from food and, if needed, supplements:
Vitamin B12 — 2.4 micrograms of B12 each day. Some foods, such as cereals, are fortified with this vitamin. But, up to one-third of older people can no longer absorb natural vitamin B12 from their food. They need this vitamin to keep their blood and nerves healthy.
Calcium — 1200 milligrams, but not more than 2500 mg a day. As you age, you need more of this and vitamin D to keep bones strong and to keep the bone you have. Bone loss can lead to fractures, mainly of the hip, spine, or wrist, in both older women and men.
Vitamin D — 400 international units for people age 51 to 70 and 600 IU for those over 70, but not more than 2000 IU each day.
Iron — extra iron for women past menopause who are using hormone replacement therapy (men and other postmenopausal women need 8 mg of iron). Iron helps keep red blood cells healthy. Postmenopausal women who use hormone replacement therapy may still experience a monthly period. They need extra iron to make up for that loss of blood.
Vitamin B6 — 1.7 mg for men and 1.5 mg for women. This vitamin is needed for forming red blood cells and to keep you healthy.
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5 A Day Month - September 2003
Get Ready, Get Healthy America by eating more colorful fruits and vegetables during September, National 5 A Day Month! Join thousands of Americans in celebrating National 5 A Day Month by eating and encouraging others to eat 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables each day for better health.
Fruit and vegetable intake, as part of a low-fat diet, may reduce the risk of some cancers and heart disease. Nationwide, 76 percent of Americans are not eating the recommended 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2000 data).
Eating five to nine servings a day may sound like a lot, but when you look at the actual recommended serving sizes, it becomes evident that this goal is very reasonable. One serving is: ¾ cup (6 oz.) 100 percent fruit or vegetable juice; ½ cup cooked, canned, or frozen legumes (beans and peas); ½ cup raw, cooked, frozen or canned fruits (in 100 percent juice) or vegetables; one medium-sized fruit; 1 cup raw, leafy vegetables; or ¼ cup dried fruit.
Eating 5 or more servings of a variety of fruits and vegetables each day is part of a plan for healthier living. Colorful fruits and vegetables provide a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and fiber your body needs to maintain good health.
This information is provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site.
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Secretary Tommy G. Thompson's public schedule:
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Last updated September 8, 2003
United States Department of Health and Human Services
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