National Safety Month

Men’s Health

Summer Health

Shavuot

June 3–5

Three millennia ago, after leaving Egypt on the day of Passover, the Jews traveled into the Sinai desert. There, the entire Jewish nation – 3 million men, women and children – directly experienced divine revelation:

God spoke to you from the midst of the fire; you were hearing the sound of words, but you were not seeing a form, only a sound. He told you of His covenant, instructing you to keep the Ten Commandments, and He inscribed them on two stone tablets. (Deut. 4:12-13) The giving of the Torah was an event of awesome proportions that indelibly stamped the Jewish nation with a unique character, faith and destiny. And in the 3,300 years since, the Torah’s ideals – monotheism, justice, responsibility – have become the moral basis for Western civilization. In the words of U.S. President Calvin Coolidge, "The Hebraic mortars cemented the foundations of American democracy." http://www.aish.com/h/sh/t/48959111.html

Candle-Lighting Blessings

Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the holiday light.

Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion

Father’s Day

The greatness in a man is tapped at unexpected times.

Becoming a father is easy enough, but being one can be rough. On top of being a provider, protector, and a playmate, it is a father’s job to be strong but gentle, decisive but fair, and a friend. It is also a father’s responsibility to see his children learn to use their abilities to the fullest. The ideal father enforced his rules by the credit of his life.

However, the child you can do the least with often does the most to make you proud. To his children, a father is a combination of Superman and Santa Claus. Today is a day to really take time again to search your memory bank and honor those fatherhood qualities of love and specialness. It is a time to value the lifetime they gave you. Yes, they gave you a lifetime when you realize that the most precious gifts you can have and hold as a human being are the memories of the holy times you shared love with your father and mother.

So today we say to fathers everywhere “Happy Father’s Day.”

Rev. Christopher Ian Chenoweth

Pentecost

June 8th

The first Pentecost was a day of high drama in Jerusalem. Savour the power in this text! ‘Suddenly there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind. It filled the entire house. A tongue, as of fire, rested on each of the disciples. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other languages. The gospel was preached to all the world’ (see Acts 2:1-4; 5-13). The first Pentecost made the fire of the gospel spread round the Mediterranean world. A mighty wind blew it from Jerusalem to Rome, and then outwards and down through the centuries and across the world to wherever city, town or quiet place where you are reading these words today. Be careful, or you may catch fire! Brian Grogan

What is Pentecost? Pentecost comes from the Greek word for ‘five’. It was an old Jewish Feast, 50 days after Passover, celebrating the gathering of the Spring harvest.Pentecost for Christians occurs on the 50th day after Easter. They understand it as a Feast of major significance for the whole world. In the scripture passage above, Saint Luke is trying to describe this extraordinary, mind-blowing event which changed the lives of people forever....Read More A Look Back in History

Texas Annexation

On June 23, 1845, a joint resolution of the Congress of Texas voted in favor of annexation by the United States. The leaders of the republic first voted for annexation in 1836, soon after gaining independence from Mexico, but the U.S. Congress was unwilling to admit another state that permitted slavery. Sam Houston, commander of the Texas army during the fight for independence from Mexico and the first president of the Republic of Texas, was a strong advocate of annexation. In 1845, the political climate proved more favorable to the request for statehood. On December 29, 1845, Texas officially became the twenty- eighth state in the Union although the formal transfer of government did not take place until February 19, 1846. A unique provision in its agreement with the United States permitted Texas to retain title to its public lands. Further, Texas was annexed as a slave state. Texas is divided into various regions characterized by distinct cultures and climates. East Texas includes the forested area known as the "Big Thicket" and some of the wet, coastal marsh area. The region produces cotton, rice, and sugar cane, and its economy is centered on the Gulf Coast's petrochemical and shipping industries. The eastern part of Texas continues to be culturally tied to the Deep South. West Texas includes the Davis Mountains, the northern High Plains of the Panhandle, and some of the Hill Country. Cattle and sheep ranching continue to thrive in the legendary land of the cowboy. Near the national border, Mexican culture remains particularly influential. Library of Congress (today in History

A Look Back In Medicine

Dr. Henry Faulds (1843) Faulds was a Scottish doctor and scientist who pioneered the study of fingerprints as forensic evidence. He first became interested in fingerprints after noticing the imprints left by craftsmen's fingertips in ancient pottery. Convinced that fingerprints could be a valuable investigative tool, Faulds unsuccessfully tried to convince Scotland Yard to employ his methods. His findings went largely unnoticed during his lifetime. How does Darwin's cousin factor into a controversy over Faulds's work? More... Summer Solstice

June 21st begins the official summer season. It is also the summer solstice which is the longest day of sunlight we have in the northern hemisphere

Traveling with diabetes — plan ahead

Google’s Useless (?) Knowledge

The strongest muscle in the body is not the heart it’s the tongue!

Thought of the Month

Rabbi Brad Hirschfield

Genuine faith is something far more profound than verbal assent to an agreed upon dogma. It arises out of life experience, and among the most important of those experiences are those that help people—especially young ones—to know that they are loved, that their aspirations are sacred, and that they are believed in. In other words, faith in God is best thought of not as a goal, but as a by-product of loving and trusting experiences created by those who themselves already possess deep faith. http://www.patheos.com/Topics/Passing-on-the-Faith/Teach-Them-Children-Rabbi-Brad-Hirschfield-08-01-2013.html? utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Pan%20Patheos %208.10.13%20(1)&utm_content=&spMailingID=42277790&spUserID=NDEwMTQ3MDc2MjcS1&spJobID=198149129&spReportId=MTk4MTQ5M TI5S0

Traveling Tips

Road Safety Abroad Road Safety During International Travel. Follow these tips to minimize your risk of being injured in a car crash while you're on vacation.

Most people think about travel vaccines when they're planning an international trip, but few people consider the possibility that they might be involved in a car crash. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among healthy travelers, and no vaccine can prevent a car wreck. Fortunately, a little bit of knowledge and awareness can go a long way toward keeping you safe. http://www.cdc.gov/features/internationalroadsafety/

Disabled Travelers Traveling with a Disability Traveling with a Disability

An estimated 37.5 million people in the United States have a disability. If you have a disability and are considering international travel, a little advance planning, including a pre-travel visit with a travel medicine specialist, can enable you to see the world and return home safe and healthy.

To go to the CDC page on this topic: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/disability/ Child Passenger Safety

Make sure the ones you love are safe and secure in the car—all the time, on every trip. Parenting

Title: Psychologist shows why talking to kids really matters URL: ScienceDaily Summary: Exposure to child-directed speech sharpens infants' language processing skills and can predict future success. New work indicates early intervention can improve language skills in kids lagging behind. WebMD News from HealthDay Health News Warnings

By Steven Reinberg Outbreaks of Measles up in USA, due to Parents opting out of Vaccinations

THURSDAY, April 24, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Vaccinations have prevented an estimated 732,000 deaths, 21 million hospitalizations and 322 million illnesses among U.S. children born in the last 20 years, according to a government report released Thursday.

Despite this success, measles -- a highly contagious disease -- is seeing a recurrence in the United States, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also reported.

As of April 18, 129 people have been diagnosed with measles in outbreaks in 13 states this year. Most of the people sickened were not vaccinated, the CDC says.

Although these outbreaks start outside the country, measles infection spreads rapidly among unvaccinated people, CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden said during an early afternoon press briefing.

"Measles is still far too common in many parts of the world," he said. "Globally, an estimated 20 million people get measles and 122,000 die from the disease each year."

Twenty years ago, the Vaccines for Children program was launched, providing free vaccines for families who can't afford to pay for them.

The program was a direct response to a measles outbreak that sickened more than 50,000 people and killed more than 100. This happened despite the availability of a measles vaccine since 1963, Frieden said.

"This was a wake-up call and it impressed upon me how infectious measles is, because a single undiagnosed case in a hospital could result in dozens of secondary cases," he explained.

The program also saves money, Frieden said. Fewer hospitalizations and more lives saved will cut nearly $295 billion in direct costs and $1.38 trillion in total societal costs, estimates indicate.

The report was published in the April 25 issue of the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, who also spoke at the news conference, said, "Measles has gotten off to an early and active start this year."

The 129 measles cases reported so far "are the most measles cases reported in the first four months of the year since 1996," she said.

In 2013, there were 189 measles cases. In 2011, 220 people had measles -- the most since 1996, according to the CDC. http://www.webmd.com/children/vaccines/news/20140424/measles-on-upswing- despite-vaccines-effectiveness-cdc?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Healthy Eating Tip

Fresh berries are kind to the waistline; they are naturally high in water and low in calories. Dried berries also provide excellent nutrition, but since most of the water is missing, their calories are more concentrated and youll usually wind up eating more of them. Food Network

Nutrition Nuggets Summer is blueberry season and there is nothing like fresh blueberries to top off a bowl of cereal, bake in a pie, or just enjoy on their own. Anthocyanins, the blue pigments from the blueberry skin, are powerful antioxidants with potential cancer preventing power. In a study comparing 40 fruits and vegetables, blueberries had the highest antioxidant capacity, mostly due to the anthocyanin. Frozen blueberries are just as nutritious, so enjoy the health benefits year round! Try this antioxidant packed summer snack.

http://www.oncolink.org/blogs/index.php/2013/06/blueberries-pack-a-powerful-punch/? utm_content=parishnursing04%40yahoo.com&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Try%20this%20antioxidant%20packed%20summer %20snack&utm_campaign=OncoLink%20eNewsletter%20July%2FAugust%202013content

Summer Squash

This week we celebrate the first day of summer by featuring summer squash while it is in the peak of its season, has the best flavor, and is the least expensive. With its soft shell and creamy white flesh, it takes just minutes to prepare and is a great summer addition to your Healthiest Way of Eating. It is rich in powerful antioxidants, which promote healthy immunity, and its concentration of beta-carotene provides anti-inflammatory properties.

http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=62&utm_source=rss_reader&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_feed

The Incredible Human Body

27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:27 New International Version (NIV) The human body is an incredibly complex and intricate system, one that still baffles doctors and researchers on a regular basis despite thousands of years of medical knowledge. As a result, it shouldn’t be any surprise that even body parts and functions we deal with every day have bizarre or unexpected facts and explanations behind them. From sneezes to fingernail growth, here are weird, wacky, and interesting facts about the human body.

The Brain

The human brain is the most complex and least understood part of the human anatomy. There may be a lot we don’t know, but here are a few interesting facts that we’ve got covered.

Nerve impulses to and from the brain travel as fast as 170 miles per hour. Ever wonder how you can react so fast to things around you or why that stubbed toe hurts right away? It’s due to the super-speedy movement of nerve impulses from your brain to the rest of your body and vice versa, bringing reactions at the speed of a high powered luxury sports car.

1. The brain operates on the same amount of power as 10-watt light bulb. The cartoon image of a light bulb over your head when a great thought occurs isn’t too far off the mark. Your brain generates as much energy as a small light bulb even when you’re sleeping. 2. The human brain cell can hold 5 times as much information as the Encyclopedia Britannica. Or any other encyclopedia for that matter. Scientists have yet to settle on a definitive amount, but the storage capacity of the brain in electronic terms is thought to be between 3 or even 1,000 terabytes. The National Archives of Britain, containing over 900 years of history, only takes up 70 terabytes, making your brain’s memory power pretty darn impressive. Your brain uses 20% of the oxygen that enters your bloodstream. The brain only makes up about 2% of our body mass, yet consumes more oxygen than any other organ in the body, making it extremely susceptible to damage related to oxygen deprivation. So breathe deep to keep your brain happy and swimming in oxygenated cells.

The brain is much more active at night than during the day. Logically, you would think that all the moving around, complicated calculations and tasks and general interaction we do on a daily basis during our working hours would take a lot more brain power than, say, lying in bed. Turns out, the opposite is true. When you turn off your brain turns on. Scientists don’t yet know why this is but you can thank the hard work of your brain while you sleep for all those pleasant dreams.

Scientists say the higher your I.Q. the more you dream. While this may be true, don’t take it as a sign you’re mentally lacking if you can’t recall your dreams. Most of us don’t remember many of our dreams and the average length of most dreams is only 2-3 seconds–barely long enough to register.

Neurons continue to grow throughout human life. For years scientists and doctors thought that brain and neural tissue couldn’t grow or regenerate. While it doesn’t act in the same manner as tissues in many other parts of the body, neurons can and do grow throughout your life, adding a whole new dimension to the study of the brain and the illnesses that affect it.

Information travels at different speeds within different types of neurons. Not all neurons are the same. There are a few different types within the body and transmission along these different kinds can be as slow as 0.5 meters/sec or as fast as 120 meters/sec.

The brain itself cannot feel pain. While the brain might be the pain center when you cut your finger or burn yourself, the brain itself does not have pain receptors and cannot feel pain. That doesn’t mean your head can’t hurt. The brain is surrounded by loads of tissues, nerves and blood vessels that are plenty receptive to pain and can give you a pounding headache.

80% of the brain is water. Your brain isn’t the firm, gray mass you’ve seen on TV. Living brain tissue is a squishy, pink and jelly-like organ thanks to the loads of blood and high water content of the tissue. So the next time you’re feeling dehydrated get a drink to keep your brain hydrated. http://www.ba-bamail.com/Content.aspx?emailid=9486&memberi

Senior Health

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. The main cause of skin cancer is the sun. Sunlamps and tanning booths can also cause skin cancer. Anyone can get cancer, but people with fair skin that freckles easily are at greatest risk. Skin cancer may be cured if it is found before it spreads to other parts of the body.

There are three types of skin cancers. Two types, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, grow slowly and rarely spread to other parts of the body. These types of cancer are found mostly on parts of the skin exposed to the sun, like the head, face, neck, hands, and arms, but can happen anywhere on your body. The third and most dangerous type of skin cancer is melanoma. It is rarer than the other types, but can spread to other organs and be deadly.

Check your skin once a month for things that may be cancer. Skin cancer is rarely painful. Look for changes such as a new growth, a sore that doesn't heal, or a bleeding mole. Also, check moles, birthmarks, or other parts of the skin for the "ABCDE's." ABCDE stands for:

A = Asymmetry (one half of the growth looks different from the other half)

B = Borders that are irregular

C = Color changes or more than one color D = Diameter greater than the size of a pencil eraser

E = Evolving; this means the growth changes in size, shape, symptoms (itching, tenderness), surface (especially bleeding), or shades of color

See your doctor right away if you have any of these signs.

Keep Your Skin Healthy

Some sun can be good for you, but to keep your skin healthy, be careful.

Limit time in the sun. Try to stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is when the sun's rays are strongest. Don't be fooled by cloudy skies. The sun's rays can go through clouds. You can also get sunburned if you are in water, so be careful when you are in a pool, lake, or the ocean. Use sunscreen. Look for a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) number of 15 or higher. It's best to choose sunscreens with "broad spectrum" on the label. Put the sunscreen on 15-30 minutes before you go outside. Sunscreen should be reapplied about every 2 hours. You need to put sunscreen on more often if you are swimming, sweating, or rubbing your skin with a towel. Wear protective clothing. A hat with a wide brim can shade your neck, ears, eyes, and head. Look for sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of the sun's rays. If you have to be in the sun, wear loose, lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and long pants or long skirts. Avoid tanning. Don't use sunlamps or tanning beds. Tanning pills are not approved by the FDA and might not be safe.

Your skin may change with age. But remember, there are things you can do to help. Check your skin often. If you find any changes that worry you, see your doctor.

For More Information

Here are some helpful resources: American Academy of Dermatology P.O. Box 4014 Schaumberg, IL 60618 1-866-503-7546 (toll-free) www.aad.org

National Cancer Institute Public Inquiries Office 6116 Executive Boulevard Room 300 Bethesda, MD 20892-8322 1-800-422-6237 (toll-free) 1-800-332-8615 (TTY/toll-free) www.cancer.gov www.nia.nih.gov/health. Tool of the Month for Seniors

Training Tools

Are you interested in helping older adults learn to search online health information on their own? Browse the Trainer's Toolkit for more information.

Thoughts of the Month

“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” Mahatma Gandhi

“The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better.” Robert F. Kennedy

When you see something that disturbs you, make a positive difference. When you see someone needs help, don't wait for someone else to help – you help. Christopher Ian Chenoweth Google’s Useless Knowledge sky.

Honeybees navigate by using the Sun as a compass, even when it is hidden behind cloudsthey find it via the polarization of ultraviolet light from areas of blue sky. Teacher’s Corner

Water Safety

Teacher's Guide

Quiz: Answer Key In and Out of the Classroom

Useful Information In and Out of the Classroom 2/7/14 http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KCYVjA6wJ90/Ut7hZzgzYlI/AAAAAAAAWPQ/g21Xg-FLiaA/s1600- h/tools2%25255B3%25255D.jpgHere are some interesting sites that I’ve found this week, thanks to my PLN. As a teacher, I feel we have to keep up to date concerning research in our field and current issues in the education system. I hope some of these inspire you, inform you, and even have you asking questions. Thank you for coming by and visiting!

Note: Each resource is labeled with a level and subject area to make it easier to use.

Levels: E: Elementary; M: Middle; H: High; G: General, all levels; SN: Special Needs; T: Teachers

Subject Areas: LA: Language Arts, English, Reading, Writing; M: Math; S: Science; Health; SS: Social Studies, Current Events; FA: Fine Arts; Music, Art, Drama; FL: Foreign Language; PE: Physical Ed; C: Career; A: All

Estimation 180 – daily challenges to build number sense. (L:G; SA:M)

Would You Rather – “asking students to choose their own path and justify it.” (L:H; SA:A)

Random Name Picker – download the program and input your students names. Then it will randomly pick names as you need them. (L:T; SA:A)

Exam Time – “ExamTime is changing the way students learn by providing free study tools for students and teachers. ExamTime has been developed to help students make studying more than just a mind exercise. It can be a “do” activity.” (L:G; SA:A)

Kahoot – “a game based classroom response system” (L:G; SA:A)

The Science of NFL Football – learn how math and science relate to football (L:M,H; SA:M, S) Connect A Sketch – use existing images or sketches to make flow charts and diagrams (L:G; SA: A)

Nature Sound Map – “A group of professional nature recordists from around the globe have collaborated to develop Nature Soundmap, an enjoyable and interactive way of exploring the natural sounds of our planet. Combining high-quality field recordings with the latest satellite imagery, the project brings together some of nature’s most beautiful, interesting and inspiring sounds.” (L:G; SA:A)

BioInteractive – “Free resources for science teachers and students, including animations, short films, and apps.” (L:G; SA:S)

Hemingway – “Hemingway makes your writing bold and clear. Hemingway highlights long, complex sentences and common errors; if you see a yellow highlight, shorten the sentence or split it. If you see a red highlight, your sentence is so dense and complicated that your readers will get lost trying to follow its meandering, splitting logic — try editing this sentence to remove the red.” (L:G; SA:A)

Ratatype – (Thanks to Adam Fort for this link!) “Learn to type faster with Ratatype typing tutor. Take our touch typing lessons for free.” (L:G; SA:A)

Typeracer – (Thanks to Adam Fort for this link!) “the global typing competition. Increase your typing speed while racing against others.” (L:G; SA:A)

Your Next Read – “At YourNextRead we only feature books you have told us you have read, enjoyed and recommended for others to read. If you do not understand what you are meant to be looking for then YourNextRead is for you...!” (L:G; SA:A)

Trend Watch – words that are trending in the news and pop culture (L:G; SA:A)

Math videos – short math videos from Planet Nutshell (L:E; SA:M) Posted on the Successful Teaching Blog (http://successfulteaching.net) by loonyhiker (successfulteaching at gmail dot com).

http://www.educational-freeware.com/freeware/keyboard-training-learn-to-type.aspx KIDS and DRUGS

Teacher's Guide

The Teacher's Guide is used in combination with the magazines in the series to promote an understanding of the physical reality of drug use, as well as curiosity about neuroscience.

Anabolic Steroids Anabolic steroids are artificial versions of a hormone that's in all of us—testosterone. Some people take anabolic steroid pills or injections to try to build muscle faster.

Exercise in the Family

When Moms Get Active, Kids Follow Study of 4-year-olds suggests mothers help by spurring activity, taking part and being role models

"Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go." - William Feather

"Painful as this time is, you will one day see the reason for it. Not cruel testing but tender preparation for the wonderful work you are to do."

Safety Tips Ocean Wave Injuries (HealthDay News) -- A study out of Delaware suggests that injuries to beachgoers caused by ocean waves are more common and severe than previously suspected, and people need to be aware of the ocean's power -- even in shallow water. To keep safe, it's important to swim at beaches with lifeguards, ask them about surf conditions and never turn your back to the waves, one study author suggested. Over the past three summers, more than 1,100 ocean-wave-related injuries that required emergency room treatment were reported among Delaware beachgoers. The injuries ranged from sprains and strains to broken bones, blunt organ trauma and neck fractures. There were three deaths. The most common types of injuries were broken collarbones, dislocated and separated shoulders, neck pain, and ankle and knee sprains.

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20130623/injuries-from-ocean-waves-more- common-than-thought?src=RSS_PUBLIC

In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don't try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present. - Lao Tzu

HURRICANE SEASON Hurricane Readiness You can't stop a tropical storm or hurricane, but you can take steps now to protect yourself and your

Pets and Disasters If a natural disaster strikes, what will happen to your pet?

Random History

During the 20th century, 158 hurricanes of all categories hit the U.S. Most hurricanes hit Florida (57), with Texas coming in second with 26. Louisiana and North Carolina each had 25. - Provided byRandomHistory.com The Doctors Voice

The teaching of Dr. Black by James Salwitz, MD

As I look back, I remember teachers. One taught to be compulsive and complete. Another, calm and humor in the face of chaos. Another believed in me and thereby taught me to believe in myself. One made me write and rewrite. Above all, there was a mentor who opened my heart and eyes to the need for compassion. That special teacher was Dr. Black.

Tuesday afternoon, 8:30am, July 12, 1966: Dr. Black opens his office door, clipboard in hand, white coat ablaze with authority. Sitting on the hard exam table, in a room which still holds the mountain air’s night chill, is a 12-year-old boy in cut shorts and shirt, hair mussed, round eyes fixed on the tall, large figure of the family doctor, who sweeps into the room. An antiseptic smell follows, as the doctor closes the door, firmly.

The Camp nurse is in the room, standing far to the side. She has removed the ace bandage. His left knee protrudes, swollen, blue, bent, stiffly immobile. The boy is exhausted after an eternal summer night, sleep broken by pain with every turn in his bunk, sleeping bag sticky with sweat and dirt. He is frightened at the unfamiliar doctor and the throbbing injury; he needs his Mom and Dad. But, he is hours from home.

Dr. Black’s exam is professional and brief. The knee had been bent 90 degrees in the wrong direction. Given the mechanism of injury and the severe swelling, he knows multiple ligaments have been torn and even tendons may be disrupted. In his mind, he pictures fragments of cartilage dislodged and blood engorging the knee. In 1966, this is crippling. The boy may never walk, let alone run normally, again.

After sitting at his desk for minutes, which could be hours, he turns to the nurse. “This is a serious injury. He must see a surgeon. He needs a long operation. Get his parents here right away and have them take him to the hospital.”

The words sweep through the boy’s body like ice wind. A moment before the boy had been wondering if he would make it back to Camp for lunch. Now, not only was Camp over, very bad things were going to happen. After a moment, he begins to sob. The world caves in. The doctor closes the door firmly behind him.

I never saw Dr. Black after that exam. My parents arrived within a few hours and took me home. My own Pediatrician stuck a needle in the knee and drained out the blood. The pain went away. He rapped the knee in a soft brace, gave me a lollipop and crutches, the first of which I was grateful and the second about which I became proud, as boy’s will, who have survived playground wars. That physician sent me right back to the Camp I loved. I was walking well within a six weeks, and ran cross country for years.

Many years later, while practicing medicine, I recognized a sensitivity and rawness when I caused unneeded suffering in a patient. If I was too rushed, too distant, too clinical, and if there was a look of fear, anger or confusion on a patient’s face I could have prevented, I felt pain. I came to realize that it was the same feeling that I felt on Dr. Black’s exam table. My sensitivity to another was born of the suffering Dr. Black inflicted on me. Not pain of the body, but anguish of the soul.

I have never left that exam table, with swollen knee and broken heart. That boy’s loss opened a connection to the suffering of my patients. Dr. Black did not plan to be a great teacher. But, his lesson is one I will carry and use until I close my last exam door…gently.

Spiritual Article of the Month

Universal Truth

Common Ground

Spending three days with non-religious Israelis, I discovered surprising things about them, and myself. by Rabbi Emanuel Feldman

“But officer, this was not deliberate. I am innocent. The one-way sign was blocked by the trees. I never saw it.” I am telling the truth, but the officer is unimpressed. He writes out my traffic ticket.

Two years later, on a different Jerusalem street, an identical blocked sign, an identical unimpressed officer, and an identical traffic ticket. After having driven 40 years in the USA without a single ticket, here in the space of a few years I am starting a veritable collection of them.

In the mail comes a personalized letter from the Office of Transportation, inviting me to attend a special three-day, 12-hour driving school to improve my driving skills. The cordiality of the invitation is somewhat mitigated by the polite reminder that non-attendance could result in the revocation of my driver’s license.

So here I am at driving school, and I am learning many new things —not only about driving safety, but about non-religious Israelis.

For three days I am thrown together with all kinds of Israelis from every level of society. In my class of 35, there are one Arab, two hareidim, and four knitted yarmulke types. The rest, a full 80% of the group, are Israelis, both men and women who seem on first blush to have no connection with a religious way of life. It is a strange, new world. A few men are sporting earrings and tattoos, all are wearing tee shirts and jeans, and none of the women are dressed in a manner that could be described as even remotely modest. What would be considered provocative in a religious neighborhood is here considered de rigueur, and what in a religious area is considered modest dress would here be out of place. And everyone – young and old, men and women, religious and non-religious – seems to be smoking.

Other than the fact that Hebrew is the language we all share, this could be Italy or Spain or Greece. The only other connection we seem to have with one another is that each of us had violated some traffic laws. We were all Israelis and Jews (except for one Arab), but on the surface, my compatriots and I, for better or for worse, seem to have nothing in common.

Well, I found myself thinking, is this not what the Zionist founders wanted: to shed the shackles of Judaism, the small-mindedness of the shtetl, to become citizens of the world?

But during the three days, as I chit-chat with many of them, I discover just how unfair I was in my assessment. At the end of the first day, the tough, wizened, and completely secular instructor says good night and adds that he will see us tomorrow, “Im yirtze Hashem, with the will of God.” Even if it was automatic, I did not expect such a religious expression to pass through his lips, but there it was. And he said it like he meant it.

In the small café on the premises, I reach out to buy an ice cream cone. The non- religious proprietor stays my hand. “I don’t think you want this; it has no hechsher (no kosher certification).” Perhaps it is my beard and black yarmulke, but during a break one classmate confesses wistfully that his teen-age sons all seem to be going off in unhealthy directions, that he longs for some religious anchor for them and wishes that there were some place for non-religious families to learn about Torah values.

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I’ve been too harsh, too quick to judge by external appearances.

Beneath all the disguises, these are my spiritual brothers and sisters, each with his genuine Yiddishe neshama, Jewish soul. I’ve been too harsh, too quick to judge by external appearances. These are good people, helpful and considerate Jews who are very respectful of, and curious about, genuine and sincere religious behavior. It occurs to me that my classmates are simply creatures of their environment, products of schools and teachers who themselves knew nothing about Judaism and imparted that nothingness to their charges. But underneath their exteriors, they seem quite open and ready to respond to sensitive and sympathetic teaching and examples.

Just as I have never been exposed to this aspect of Israeli society, so have they never been exposed to the religious component that is so integral a part of Jerusalem and Israel. If one could dig a bit beneath the surface of these folks, one would discover a love and a respect and openness toward our mutual Jewish heritage. What a pity that there are so very few people around who care enough and are talented enough to do the digging.

What I re-learned from the course, beyond driving safety and some new Hebrew terms, was that it is helpful to occasionally emerge from the social cocoon in which one finds himself, and to seek out people and groups who are not exactly like oneself. This could be mutually beneficial and spiritually broadening. But along the way, try not to drive the wrong way on one-way streets. Someone, I promise you, is always watching. If not the traffic cop, Someone Else.

Topic of the Month Animals are Good For Your Health By Mara M. Baun, D.N.Sc., F.A.A.N. and Nancy J. Dapper, M.P.A.

Animal lovers have always known it. Now health researchers are confirming it: animals are good for your health.

Just 10 minutes of physical interaction with a beloved pet can lower blood pressure and increase finger temperature—both clear signs of relaxation—according to a number of research studies.

Benefits to people with high blood pressure have been documented as well. A recent study showed that pets can do what medicine cannot. It involved two groups of stockbrokers who were already being treated with ACE-inhibitor therapy.

The study found significant differences in their physiological reactions to stress tests. Those with pets were about half as reactive to stressors. This study demonstrates the health effects of pets in conjunction with medication. That's significant because it's well known that this type of medication plays an important role in controlling resting blood pressure, but does not control blood pressure related to stress.

Another study of people with borderline hypertension shows equally encouraging results. Two groups were evaluated for their reactions to psychological stress tests and monitored for several days. The group with dogs in the home reduced resting blood pressure (to within normal range) and reactivity to stress, as well as ambulatory blood pressure, even while at work. The lowest blood pressure was recorded on the day participants took their dogs to work.

Another of the studies showed that seven- to 11-year-old children who expressed fear and anxiety prior to their dental visits had significantly less behavioral distress when Shamu, a therapy dog, was present. For example, there was less crying and struggling, compared to the behavior of a similar group who were not exposed to Shamu. The dog sat on a stool and the children frequently hugged her tightly.

Since fears developed in childhood can follow one into adulthood, reducing fears through such approaches can have lifelong benefits.

Alzheimer's Helpers Several studies on Alzheimer's patients living in special-care units revealed that residents were less agitated and expressed more socially interactive behaviors when therapy dogs were present. This proved especially true in the late afternoon or at sundown, when agitation tends to escalate. After Sadie, a golden retriever therapy dog, came to live on one unit, agitation behaviors decreased and remained lower for weeks. Sadie quickly adapted and became good friends with Bill, one of the residents. When Bill became agitated, Sadie seemed to know almost intuitively that he needed her and tried to help him become calmer.

Although the study of human/animal relationships began only about 25 years ago, many treatments and interventions involving pets and therapy animals have now been subjected to the rigors of scientific research.

As America's population ages and pressures on healthcare spending increase, the healthcare system may find the important and relatively inexpensive role of animals increasingly valuable in maintaining and improving human health. For more Society is an international nonprofit organization that unites people who have mental and physical disabilities and patients in healthcare facilities with professionally trained animals to help improve their health.

Dr. Baun is the Lee & Joseph D. Jamail Distinguished Professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Nursing, and Ms. Dapper is Vice President of Program Operations for Delta Society. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-adv/newsweek/article6b.html 5 Ways Equine Therapy Can Reduce Stress (Equine Therapy) – If stressed, you may have considered massage, meditation, exercise, but equine therapy? Read the five benefits of healing with horses: Decreased hypervigilance, experiencing authenticity, uncovering hidden feelings and thoughts, establishing a healthy relationship, and an increased sense of power and control.

Dogs, Cats May Be Heart Healthy, AHA Says

People who own dogs or cats may have a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a scientific statement from the American Heart Association, but the AHA cautions the evidence is only suggestive. Read more

For Depression and PTSD, Try a Wag of the Tail (Depression On My Mind) – If you’re an animal lover who suffers from emotional issues, you probably can attest to the benefits of owning a pet. This Dog is Helping His Master Talk. Alzheimer's is a terrible illness, taking away from us that we hold most dear - our mind, our body and in the end - our selves. In its advanced stages, many Alzheimer patients lose the ability to speak, or rarely do so. This man has stopped talking almost altogether... except when his dog is around. Once again, the presence of animals in our lives brings benefit and comfort, and this video is a testament to exactly that. If you know someone who has retreated due to mental or cognitive disease, consider getting them a pet, it can do wonders. http://www.ba-bamail.com/Content.aspx?emailid=9779&memberid=827094#.U2BlL-hX-uY

Service Dogs According to the United States Department of Agriculture, service dogs originated in 1920s Germany, where guide dogs were first used to help blind World War I veterans. In 1929, The Seeing Eye® guide dog school opened in the United States, the first of its kind.

Now, nearly a century later, there are over 20,000 service dogs in America. These animals do a wide range of tasks, which are defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):

“...dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability

Read more: http://www.cesarsway.com/newsandevents/dognews/Mental-Health-Service- Dogs#ixzz2zoCjYqIT

"The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog." Senator George Graham Vest, of Missouri

Read more of this moving eulogy at: http://www.warrensburg.org/drum.htm . Studies have shown real health benefits for those living with pets, including:

* lower cholesterol

* lower blood pressure

* lower triglyceride

* reduced stress levels

* reduced feelings of loneliness

* better mental health

* increased activity

* more opportunities for exercise

* more time spent outdoors (for dog owners especially)

* more opportunities for socialization

To read more about the health benefits of pet ownership and the human/animal bond, check the list of suggested reading on the Delta Society's website. Health Tip

During the summer, you may find yourself outdoors more than usual. To protect your eyes, be sure to wear sunglasses. See what types of sunglasses do the best job of protecting your eyes.

And take this quiz to find out more about keeping your eyes healthy as you age.

The information on Healthy Eyes was provided by NIHSeniorHealth and developed by the National Eye Institute (NEI) at NIH.

Proverb of the Month

"Unshared joy is an unlighted candle." — Spanish Proverb Senior Health

What Is Osteoarthritis?

Also called: Degenerative joint disease, OA, Osteoarthrosis

Affects Many Older People

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis among older people, and it is one of the most frequent causes of physical disability among older adults.

The disease affects both men and women. Before age 45, osteoarthritis is more common in men than in women. After age 45, osteoarthritis is more common in women. It is estimated that 33.6% (12.4 million) of individuals age 65 and older are affected by the disease.

Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage, the tissue that cushions the ends of the bones within the joints, breaks down and wears away. In some cases, all of the cartilage may wear away, leaving bones that rub up against each other.

Joint Stiffness and Pain

Symptoms range from stiffness and mild pain that comes and goes to severe joint pain. Osteoarthritis affects hands, low back, neck, and weight-bearing joints such as knees, hips, and feet. osteoarthritis affects just joints, not internal organs. Hands

Click for more information

Osteoarthritis of the hands seems to run in families. If your mother or grandmother has or had osteoarthritis in their hands, you’re at greater-than-average risk of having it too. Women are more likely than men to have osteoarthritis in the hands. For most women, it develops after menopause.

When osteoarthritis involves the hands, small, bony knobs may appear on the end joints (those closest to the nails) of the fingers. They are called Heberden’s (HEBerr- denz) nodes. Similar knobs, called Bouchard’s (boo-SHARDZ) nodes, can appear on the middle joints of the fingers. Fingers can become enlarged and gnarled, and they may ache or be stiff and numb. The base of the thumb joint also is commonly affected by osteoarthritis.

The knees are among the joints most commonly affected by osteoarthritis. Symptoms of knee osteoarthritis include stiffness, swelling, and pain, which make it hard to walk, climb, and get in and out of chairs and bathtubs. Osteoarthritis in the knees can lead to disability.

The hips are also common sites of osteoarthritis. As with knee osteoarthritis, symptoms of hip osteoarthritis include pain and stiffness of the joint itself. But sometimes pain is felt in the groin, inner thigh, buttocks, or even the knees. Osteoarthritis of the hip may limit moving and bending, making daily activities such as dressing and putting on shoes a challenge.

Spine Osteoarthritis of the spine may show up as stiffness and pain in the neck or lower back. In some cases, arthritis-related changes in the spine can cause pressure on the nerves where they exit the spinal column, resulting in weakness, tingling, or numbness of the arms and legs. In severe cases, this can even affect bladder and bowel function.

Risk factors for osteoarthritis include

Being overweight

Getting older

Injuring a joint

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

 Overviews o Handout on Health: Osteoarthritis (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) o Osteoarthritis(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) o Osteoarthritis and You(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Health Tip of the Month

As Summer Approaches, Experts Offer Tips on Preventing Skin Cancer

Sun protection, regular skin checks help lower your risk.  SUNDAY, May 26 (HealthDay News) -- Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer, and experts note that you need to protect your skin while spending time in the sun.  Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, but it's also one of the most preventable, according to doctors at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.  One in five Americans will develop skin cancer during his or her life, according to a medical center news release. The most common kind of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma, which has a 99 percent cure rate when caught early. The most serious type of skin cancer is melanoma, which is the fastest rising type of cancer among men and the second fastest among women.  Experts offer these steps you can take to reduce your risk of skin cancer:  Get an annual dermatology checkup to monitor changes in skin appearance. Do self-checks every month to monitor your brown spots and freckles. If you have a lot of brown spots, discuss total body photography with a dermatologist so your doctor can keep photographic records of your moles and watch closely for any changes.

 Wear sunscreen every day throughout the year, not just in summer. Apply it thoroughly to all exposed areas.

 Never sunbathe. Sun dissolves the collagen and elastin that keeps your skin healthy.

 You should also follow the ABCDEs and tell your doctor or dermatologist if your moles have:  Asymmetry, in which one half of the mole is unlike the other half.

 Borders that are irregular, ragged, notched or poorly defined.

 Color that varies from one area to another, with shades of tan, brown, black and sometimes white, pink, red or blue.  Diameters that are the size of a pencil eraser or larger.

 Elevation, in which a mole or skin lesion is raised or has an uneven surface.

 More information  The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more about skin cancer prevention.

http://www.healthfinder.gov/News/Article.aspx?id=675785&source=govdelivery Google Random Facts

Tourists visiting Iceland should know that tipping at a restaurant is considered an insult. Thought of the Month

Dad, Your Child is You-nique!

Every child is born with a unique blend of strengths and characteristics. Don’t see your child as a blank slate awaiting your pen, but as a written book awaiting your study.

What is the S-T-O-R-Y of your child?

1. What is their Strength? Master pianist Van Cliburn, at the age of two, could pick out a song on the piano simply as a result of listening to lessons going on in the adjacent room. His mother spotted this and, as a result, gave him daily lessons. The little kid from Kilgore, Texas won the International Tchaikovsky Piano competition in Moscow. Why? Because a parent spotted a skill and strengthened it.[1]

2. What Topics turn their heads? Numbers? When are they delightfully lost in a project? John Ruskin said, “Tell me what you like and I’ll tell you who you are.” [2]

3. What is their Optimal setting? Pine trees need a different soil than oak trees. A cactus thrives in a different environment than a rosebush does. What about the soil and the environment of your child? Some kids love to be noticed. Others prefer to be hidden in the crowd. Some relish deadlines and challenges. Others need ample preparation time and help. We each have a different optimal setting.

4. How about Relationships? When it comes to people, what phrase best describes your child?

 “Follow me, everyone.”  “I’ll let you know if I need some help.”  “Can we do this together?”

The loner is not necessarily aloof; the crowd-seeker is not always lacking focus. They may be living out their story. In which environment does your child flourish? And, when do they say:

5. “Yes!” What gives them satisfaction and pleasure? Do they love the journey or the goal? Do they like to keep things straight or straighten things out? What thrills one person bothers another. The Apostle Peter liked to keep the boat steady while Paul was prone to rock it.

Strength. Topic. Optimal setting. Relationships. Yes! What S-T-O-R-Y is God writing with your child? God doesn’t give parents manuscripts to write, but codes to decode. Study your kids while you can. The greatest gift you can give your children is not your riches but to reveal to them their own.

http://maxlucado.com/read/blog/dad-your-child-is-you-nique/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dad-your-child-is-you- nique&utm_source=MaxLucado.com+Weekday+Emails&utm_campaign=7d35c03d71-RSS_DAILY_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9b9306e0eb-7d35c03d71- 223042981&mc_cid=7d35c03d71&mc_eid=a5b059481c Summer Suggestions

Take Time to Recharge

Patricia Hensley

1. Be lazy. Give yourself permission to not do anything. Take a break from household chores and responsibilities. Do something that you (or others) might consider being lazy. 2. Learn a new hobby. Is there anything you wanted to learn but never had the time? Make the time now and give it a try. 3. Read a book that you have wanted to read. 4. Take a bubble bath, turn on some music, and pamper yourself. 5. Get your hair done or get a manicure/pedicure. 6. Get out and walk in your local park or even in your neighborhood. 7. Renew friendships with those who have taken a backseat to your career. Meet them for lunch or dinner. 8. Plan a fun event with friends or relatives like a reunion, or a party at a location near you. 9. If you like entertaining, plan an evening for your close friends because you never have the time to do this when you are working. Planning and then doing can be invigorating. 10. Volunteer with a local charity (Red Cross, soup kitchen, homeless shelter, habitat for humanity etc.) Helping others always will make you feel good. http://successfulteaching.blogspot.com/2013/06/take-time-to-recharge.html? utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SuccessfulTeaching+%28Successful+Teaching %29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher Environmental Tip

Environmental Tip: Compost it

Compost it! Compost helps improve soil so it holds more water and plants grow better. Allow grass clippings to stay on the lawn, instead of bagging them. The cut grass will decompose and return to the soil naturally. Food scraps and kitchen waste also make good compost, and you save money on fertilizers or other additives. http://www.epa.gov/earthday/tips.htm Project of the Month

Food Pantry Donations

With more and more people finding themselves without work, food pantries need more non-perishable foods to supply those needs. It would be a simple thing to put a container for food collections in the back of a church. It is another way to serve those who are hurting, without letting the right hand know what the left hand is doing.

Kids are home from school and always hungry

3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Matt6:3

Google’s Useless Facts

Hans Christian Andersen, immortalized for his famous fairy tales, was considered an ugly child and had no friends, so he lived in a dream world as a boy. (Not helping Hans’s mental state in later life was the fact that his fairy tales were greeted by scathing reviews: "...quite unsuitable for children... positively harmful for the mind..." etc.) Parents: Bug Bites & Stings · Teens: Handling Insect Bites · Kids: Bugged by Bugs?

As you enjoy sunshine and warmer temperatures, watch out for seasonal downsides, like bugs that want a piece of you.

Some simple things can keep you from becoming a tasty target. Check out our practical info.

Neil Izenberg, MD Editor-in-Chief/Founder

Insect Stings and Bites The two greatest risks from most insect stings and bites are allergic reaction and infection. Find out what you should do if your child gets stung.

Woods and Camping Safety for the Whole Family A family camping trip can be an enjoyable experience with a little preparation.

Summer Safety Center Before you round up your family and head for the beach, park, or the mountains this summer, read up on ways to make your days in the sun safe as well as fun.

Date Rape Half of all people who are raped know their attacker. Increase your child's awareness of date rape and teach him or her how to stay safe.

Rules of the Road for Teen Drivers When teens get their driver's license, parents should consider creating their own rules of the road beyond the relevant driving laws. Picture of the Month

Dad watching the Baby Global News

Yemen reports first case of deadly MERS-coronavirus

Sun, Apr 13 2014

SANAA (Reuters) - Yemen reported its first case of the deadly MERS coronavirus on Sunday in a further spread of the deadly strain in the Middle East two years after its outbreak in neighboring Saudi Arabia.

"Medical personnel have recorded one case of the coronavirus in Sanaa and the victim is a Yemeni man who works as an aeronautics engineer," the semi- official al-Thawra newspaper quoted Public Health Minister Ahmed al-Ansi as saying.

"The ministry is working in effective cooperation with the World Health Organisation to confront this virus and is in direct and constant communication with all hospitals to receive information on any other suspected cases," Ansi said.

MERS, which emerged in the Middle East in 2012, is from the same family as the SARS virus and can cause coughing, fever and pneumonia.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/13/us-mers-yemen-idUSBREA3C05M20140413? feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews#mis_url=//mp.link-smart.com

International Health

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Vector-Borne+Diseases+in+Pakistan&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=vector- borne+diseases+in+pakistan&sc=0-21&sp=- 1&sk=&id=10208039DDD349241A253117F5EF90516501A3EA&selectedIndex=0#view=detail&id=10208039DDD349241A253117F5E F90516501A3EA&selectedIndex=0

2. Vector - borne Infectious Diseases in Pakistan www.afpmb.org/sites/default/files/pubs/dveps/ Pakistan .pdf

Includes prevention

guidelines for control of vectors of public health importance after ... www.nih.org.pk/.../ guidelines%20for%20control%20of%20vectors%20of%20public%2...

Prevention after Monsoon o Cached Vector-Borne infectious Diseases (VBDs) are emerging or resurging as a .... Pakistan has a rich fauna of disease vectors that includes mosquitoes, sandflies,.

www.nih.org.pk/.../ guidelines%20for%20control%20of%20vectors%20of %20public%2...

Note: File included

National Safety Month

Sponsor: National Safety Council

Save & Share

Download full PDF [3.27 MB] Promote Your Event

Tips to plan a National Health Observance

Injuries are a leading cause of disability for people of all ages, and the leading cause of death for Americans ages 1 to 44. When people practice safe behaviors, they can help prevent injuries – and even death.

Make a difference: This month, spread the word about strategies for staying safe. Encourage communities, organizations, families, and individuals to get involved.

How can National Safety Month make a difference?

We can all use this month to raise awareness about important safety issues like:

 Slips and falls

 Workplace and employee safety  Emergency preparedness

Together, we can share information about key steps people can take to protect themselves and their families.

How can I help spread the word?

We’ve made it easier for you to make a difference! This toolkit is full of ideas to help you take action today. For example:

 Add information about safety to your newsletter

 Tweet about National Safety Month.

 Host a community event where families can learn about the many ways to stay safe.

 Sample Announcement

 Sample Tweets

 E-cards

 Web Badges

 Get Involved

 Share These Tools

 Resources

Get the Word Out

Sample Media and/or Newsletter or Listserv Announcement

Sample Tweets

Write down the poison control number (1-800-222-1222) and keep it in a safe place. Tweet This!

Health Tip: First aid can be fun. Sign up for a local first aid class with a family member or friend: http://rdcrss.org/NfjFTC

Tweet This! First aid is part of planning for an emergency. Find out what you can do to keep your family safe: http://1.usa.gov/14zsYsE

Tweet This!

Find out how you can protect your family from lead: http://1.usa.gov/14zsYsE

Tweet This!

Remodeling or repairing your house? Renovate right with lead-safe work practices. More info from @EPAgov: http://1.usa.gov/qC48N

Tweet This!

Take steps to protect your child from lead poisoning: http://1.usa.gov/Xai3yB

Tweet This!

More than 1 in 3 older adults will fall each year. Take steps to prevent falls: http://1.usa.gov/Xln77u

Tweet This!

About half of all falls happen at home. Use this prevention checklist to stay safe: http://1.usa.gov/qCVfbm

Tweet This!

All types of jobs – even desk jobs – can lead to injuries. Take steps to stay safe at work: http://1.usa.gov/YAR6GC

Tweet This!

E-Cards

 healthfinder.gov: Summer Sun Safety

 CDC: Safe Home

 CDC: Plan for Emergencies

 CDC: Stay Informed During Emergencies

 CDC: Older Adults

Web Badge Add this free Web badge to your Web site, blog, or social networking profile to show your support for National Safety Month.

Get Involved

Home Safety Month: 5 Ways to Take Action

1. Partner with a local fire station to host an information session on what families can do to prepare for emergencies.

2. Encourage your employees to celebrate 100 years of safety by making a safety pledge .

3. Sign up to receive free National Safety Month materials .

4. Invite a nurse or someone from the public health department to speak about preventing slips, trips, and falls.

5. Host a speaker series at your local library with public health and safety experts to discuss safety in your community.

Adapted from The National Safety Council. Contact the National Safety Council at [email protected] for more information and materials. Share These Tools

Health Topics

 Learn First Aid

 Lower Your Risk of Falling

 Prepare for an Emergency

 Prepare for Pandemic Flu

 Stay Safe at Work

Personal Health Tools

 Emergency Supply Checklist [PDF – 118 KB]

 First Aid Checklist

 Home Fall Prevention Checklist [PDF – 7 MB]  How to Lift Safely [PDF – 67 KB]

 Preventing Falls: Conversation starters

More Information (Related Resources)

 Emergency Preparedness

 Fall Prevention

 First Aid

 Injury Prevention

Find More Information

 National Safety Council – National Safety Month Sponsor

 Emergency Preparedness and Response – Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging

 Get Out Safely: A Factsheet on Fire Escape Planning [PDF – 207 KB] – Federal Emergency Management Agency

 Computers – National Institutes of Health, Division of Occupational Health and Safety

 Falls – Older Adults – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 Wellness in the Workplace – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 Workplace Safety and Health – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Men’s Health Month

The Basics Most men need to pay more attention to their health. Compared to women, men are more likely to:

 Smoke and drink

 Make unhealthy or risky choices

 Put off regular checkups and medical care

Do you know what it takes to stay healthy? Take this men’s health quiz to find out.