Health Notes for June 21, 2012
Researchers to gather to fight Rett
The seventh World Congress for Rett Syndrome will bring researchers, physicians and educators from around the world to New Orleans, when it opens Friday.
Rett syndrome is a disorder of the nervous system in which a child’s normal development slows, then regresses, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. It occurs almost exclusively in girls.
“Families affected by Rett syndrome across the globe need access to the tools and knowledge necessary to improve health and quality of life,” said congress chairwoman Kathryn Schanen Kissam, of Baton Rouge, in a news release.
Kissam also serves as chairwoman of the International Rett Syndrome Foundation, which holds the international congress.
This summer’s conference on the disorder is the first time the foundation has brought the congress to the United States. Previous sites have included Paris, Ottawa, Vienna and Tokyo.
Family and educational sessions will be held through Sunday. A science-and-research symposium will be held Sunday through Tuesday.
The event will be held at the Intercontinental Hotel New Orleans on St. Charles Avenue. For more information, visit http://www.rettsyndrome.org or call 1-800-818-RETT.
First-aid knowledge available in app
The American Red Cross has launched a first-aid app for smart phones that gives instant access to information on how to handle common first-aid situations.
The app is the first in a series to be created by the Red Cross, according to a news release from the organization, and also includes videos and interactive quizzes.
Features of the app also include information on disaster preparedness for a number of common situations.
The app is free and available for iPhone and Android users. The app can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android, by searching for “American Red Cross.”
States judged on help for cancer
Louisiana ranks near the bottom on a report card, “Ovarian Cancer: A Call for State Action,” that ranks each state on four categories affecting women with ovarian cancer.
Undertaken by the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, the report card looked at access to care, education, quality of support and research support.
Louisiana was ranked 43rd. It tied for that ranking with Vermont, according to a news release by the alliance.
California was ranked No. 1 for its score in the four areas.
Ovarian cancer affects one in 71 women in the U.S.; approximately 22,280 women will be diagnosed with the cancer this year, including an estimated 270 women in Louisiana, the alliance reports.
The report card is available at http//:www.ovariancancer.org.
United Healthcare surveys 100 at 100
More than half of the 100 centenarians polled in United Healthcare’s seventh annual “100@100” survey say they exercise almost every day.
Nearly 45 percent say walking is their favorite physical activity, according to a United Healthcare news release.
Eleven percent practice yoga, tai chi or another similar activity, 8 percent regularly ride a bike, 5 percent jog and 2 percent participate in sports such as baseball, basketball, soccer or tennis.
This year’s 100@100 survey also polled baby boomers in their early 50s and found that 100-year-olds are outperforming baby boomers on consistently eating nutritious meals (81 percent vs. 68 percent) and getting eight or more hours of sleep per night (71 percent vs. 38 percent).
The poll also looked at such things as use of the Internet — 25 percent of centenarians have access to it — and favorite movie — half of centenarians pick “Gone With the Wind.”
Complete survey results can be found at http://www.United HealthGroup.com and going to the “newsroom” link. UnitedHealthcare offers programs for individuals and employers.
Ellyn Couvillion
Advocate staff writer