The Great American Smoke-Out is November 15

Smoking Cessation Resources in Western New York

The following local organizations have information on the health risks of smoking and on smoking cessation programs.

·         Catholic Health System, Health Connection, www.chsbuffalo.org/services, 447-6205

·         American Lung Association, www.lungassociation.org/stop-smoking, 883-5864

·         American Heart Association, www.heart.org, 614-1980

·         American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org Karen Lynn Hall, 882-9244

·         Roswell Park Cancer Institute Quitline, www.roswellpark.org, 1-866-697-8487 (1-866-NY-QUITS)

·         Erie Niagara Tobacco  Free Coalition, www.tobaccofreewny.com, Jenna Brinkworth/Tony Billoni, 845-3407

·         Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Buffalo, NY, www.buffalova.gov, 877-222-8387

·         The Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo, www.beactive@city-buffalo.org, Phil Haberstro, 851-4052

The annual Great American Smokeout (GASO) will be observed November 15, 2012.

For more information on the Smokeout, please visit www.tobaccofree.org and www.cancer.org/smokeout.

The Wellness Institute will have a GASO information/resources table in the lobby of City Hall on Thursday November 15^th.  www.Creatinghealthycommunities.org

Get Active for Kids with Mary Anne Cappellino's EEEK

Mary Anne Cappellino, local fitness expert, has written a series of children’s motivational picture books that are a delightful tool to help the entire family focus happy, healthy positive lifestyles. Each story reveals a practical strategy to promote health and fitness in a fun and entertaining way. The Most Clever Frog, the first book in the series, addresses the importance of balancing both inactive time with active time and calories consumed with calories spent, through exercise, to minimize obesity in our young people.

The main character in The Most Clever Frog, EEEK, is faced with a choice to be active or inactive. He believes that he would be most clever if he stays perched in a position to efficiently snack all day. After some time of inactivity he becomes lazy, slow and gains weight experiencing the consequences of his behavior.

Through the rhyming verses readers are taken on a journey to learn a valuable life lesson, one that we all need to hear to maintain a healthy weight through regular exercise. The book offers a parents’ section that serves as a motivational tool to remind parents about the importance of their healthy lifestyle and their responsibility to discuss healthy living with their children so that healthy, active lifestyles become a daily family event. Each book in the series provides supportive advice for parents to be offered in pediatric offices and community settings.

According to the Center for Disease Control, obesity levels, among our youth have tripled over the past thirty years. Children are impressionable and what they learn before the age of six is the foundation for the remainder of their lives. This book series focuses on the age group- 3 to 7 years old.

Parents that believe in the benefits of physical activity are key to preventing childhood obesity. Because a healthy successful lifestyle is multi-pronged, other books in this series address nutrition, self-esteem and positive thinking.

As a nationally recognized motivational speaker, fitness trainer and wellness consultant, Mary Anne was inspired to write these books to provide a fun, interactive tool to teach both children and their parents the keys to powerful positive living. As a wellness director for the Buffalo Athletic Club and national speaker, Mary Anne conducts workshops and keynotes that focus on the topics of exercise, self-confidence, stress management, positive thinking, and life balance.

The real fun in this project Mary Anne shares “was to deliver health promotion information in “fun- to- read stories” that delight children and to create a kid friendly character to effectively teach.”

Buffalo-Area Pharmacists Say No to Tobacco Sales in Pharmacies

BUFFALO — More than 75 percent of Western New York pharmacists say tobacco sales in pharmacies should be legally banned, according to research conducted by Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) and the University at Buffalo (UB), published in BMC Research Notes. The study found that more than 86% of pharmacists surveyed would prefer to work in a pharmacy that does not sell tobacco products.

The research, led by James Marshall, PhD, Senior Vice President for Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences at RPCI, evaluated the opinions of Western New York pharmacists about the sale of tobacco products in pharmacies and about their role in helping their patients to stop smoking.

“The sale of tobacco products in pharmacies in any locality sends conflicting messages to consumers who visit pharmacies for medication or health products,” said Dr. Marshall. “Pharmacists, dedicated to protecting the health of their customers, recognize tobacco sales as contrary to their professional ethics. They would, in overwhelming numbers, prefer not to be selling cigarettes. This research will inform policymakers and elected officials as they consider regulations of tobacco sales in pharmacies.”

The 2010 survey evaluated opinions of 148 pharmacy mentors from the UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (UBSoPPS) and 345 local supervising pharmacists. Participants were contacted by mail and email. The combined response rate for both surveys was 31%.

The pharmacist’s role in assisting patients to stop smoking also was evaluated. The survey found that more than 75% of pharmacists say they “sometimes” or “rarely/never” ask about tobacco use. The majority of pharmacists also indicate that they are not required to document tobacco use among patients or to enter such information into patient records.

“A striking finding is that pharmacy mentors were more likely than supervising pharmacists to be familiar with patients’ tobacco use and take steps to offer advice and information about how to quit smoking,” said Peter Brody Jr., PharmD, Director of Experiential Education at UBSoPPS. “It was also surprising that area pharmacists seemed not to take full advantage of the opportunity to educate and counsel patients regarding tobacco use. We need to better understand why and do what we can to help correct this issue.”

“This research presents several interesting findings, including that the overwhelming majority of pharmacists would support legislation banning the sale of tobacco in pharmacies,” added Edward Bednarczyk, PharmD, Chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice at UB. “Importantly, this study also shows a considerable gap between theory and practice, with a substantial majority of pharmacists finding the sale of tobacco in pharmacies inappropriate, but doing little to prevent the sale or engage patients regarding tobacco use and smoking cessation.”

The study, Tobacco sales in pharmacies: a survey of attitudes, knowledge and beliefs of pharmacists employed in student experiential and other worksites in Western New York,” can be accessed at http://www.biomedcentral.com/1756-0500/5/413/abstract.

Sitting Harms Health and Can Double the Odds for Diabetes

New study finds that sitting for protracted periods increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease and death

A new study by English researchers at the University of Leicester discovered that sitting for long periods increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease and death.

Interestingly, the increased risk was not affected by levels of moderate-to-vigorous exercise. Researchers said this suggests that even if a person meets recommended physical activity guidelines, their health might still be at risk if they sit for long periods of time. They added that the average adult spends 50-70% of their time sitting so their findings have far reaching implications. They further suggest that simply by limiting sitting time people might reduce their risk of negative consequences.

“Our study also showed that the most consistent associations were between sitting and diabetes,” said study leader Dr. Emma Wilmot. “This is an important message because people with risk factors for diabetes, such as the obese, those of South Asian ethnic origin, or those with a family history of diabetes, may be able to help reduce their future risk of diabetes by limiting the time spent sitting.”

There are many ways to reduce sitting time, such as breaking up long work periods at the computer by placing your laptop on a filing cabinet. Workers can also have standing meetings, walk during the lunch break, or can reduce TV viewing in the evenings by seeking out less sedentary behaviors.”

“This paper has a very important message for the public but also for health care professionals - namely that being sedentary is common and dangerous for our long term health, particularly for diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and that this link appears to be over and above other lifestyle factors such as our diet and physical activity,” said Wilmot.

Fungal Meningitis Outbreak: Do You Need to Be Concerned?

The product implicated in the outbreak has been shipped into New York.



What is meningitis?

Meningitis is swelling of the protective membranes, or meninges, covering the brain and spinal cord. The swelling is usually caused by an infection with a bacteria or virus, but meningitis can also be caused by a fungus. Meningitis caused by a fungus is called fungal meningitis. The severity of illness and the treatment for meningitis differ depending on the cause, so knowing the specific cause of meningitis is important.

What is fungal meningitis?

Fungal meningitis occurs when the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord are infected with a fungus. Fungal meningitis is rare and usually caused by the spread of a fungus through blood to the spinal cord.

Is fungal meningitis common after epidural injections?

Epidural injections are generally very safe procedures, and complications are rare. Fungal meningitis is an extremely rare cause of meningitis overall, including after epidural injections. The type of epidural medication given to patients affected by this outbreak is not the same type of medication as that given to women during childbirth.

What are the symptoms of fungal meningitis?

Symptoms of fungal meningitis are similar to symptoms of other forms of meningitis; however, they often appear more gradually and can be very mild at first. In addition to typical meningitis symptoms, like headache, fever, nausea, and stiffness of the neck, people with fungal meningitis may also experience confusion, dizziness, and discomfort from bright lights. Patients might just have one or two of these symptoms.

The Current Outbreak of Fungal Meningitis

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are currently coordinating a multistate investigation of fungal meningitis among patients who received an epidural steroid injection with a potentially contaminated product. Several of these patients also suffered strokes that are believed to have resulted from their infection.

Is the source of the outbreak known?

The CDC is investigating medications and products that are associated with this outbreak of meningitis. At this point, the original source of the outbreak has not been determined. However, injectable steroid medication has been linked to the outbreak. The lots of medication that were given to patients have been recalled by the manufacturer.

The type of epidural medication given to patients affected by this outbreak is not the same type of medication as that given to women during childbirth.

What states received the implicated product?

California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The names of the facilities that have received medication from one of these lots are available at http://www.cdc.gov/hai/outbreaks/meningitis-facilities-map.html.

Are other medications from the New England Compounding Center located in Framingham, Massachusetts associated with infections?

To date, the Centers for Disease Control has not received reports of infections linked to other products from the New England Compounding Center. However, out of an abundance of caution, they recommend that patients cease use of any product produced by the New England Compounding Center until further information is available. A list of products produced by the New England Compounding Center can be found through the FDA website at http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm322734.htm.

If patients have taken or used medications from New England Compounding Center, and are worried they are ill because of use of one of these products, they should seek medical attention.

What is a compounding pharmacy? Why are these medications compounded when they are also commercially available?

Compounding pharmacies create special formulations of medications in order to fit patients’ healthcare needs. For example, they may change the dose or change the formulation of a medication from a solid to a liquid.

Where can I find updates and additional information on this outbreak?

For complete information and updates on this outbreak, visit www.cdc.gov/hai/outbreaks/meningitis.html.

Are patients who did not receive an injection at risk?

No. Fungal meningitis is not transmitted from person to person. These infections are associated with a potentially contaminated medication that is injected into the body.

What should patients do?

Find out if you received a potentially contaminated medication. If you are concerned about which product was used in a procedure, first contact the physician who performed their procedure.

The facilities who received one of the lots recalled on September 26, 2012, are actively contacting patients to find out if they are feeling well. The list of facilities that received medication from one of these three lots is available at http://www.cdc.gov/hai/outbreaks/meningitis-facilities-map.html.

If you have received a potentially contaminated medication, seek medical attention if you have symptoms. Infected patients have had very mild symptoms that are only slightly worse than usual. For example, many infected patients have had slight weakness, slightly worsened back pain, or even a mild headache. Patients with infections have typically developed symptoms within 1-4 weeks after their injection. However, shorter and longer timeframes between injection and onset of symptoms have been reported. Patients should watch vigilantly for symptoms if they were injected with potentially contaminated steroids and see a doctor if they have any of the symptoms.

Patients who have had an epidural steroid injection since May 21, 2012, and have any of the following symptoms, should talk to their doctor as soon as possible:

• New or worsening headache

• Fever

• Sensitivity to light

• Stiff neck

• New weakness or numbness in any part of your body

• Slurred speech

• Increased pain, redness or swelling at your injection site

Patients need to remain vigilant for onset of symptoms because fungal infections can be slow to develop. Typically in this outbreak, symptoms have appeared 1 to 4 weeks following injection, but longer and shorter periods of time between injection and onset of have been reported. Therefore, patients and physicians need to closely watch for symptoms for at least several months after the injection and see a doctor if they have any of the symptoms above

As of October, infections from steroid injections into joints other than the spine (e.g., knee, hip) have not been reported. However, the investigation is ongoing and joint infections may take longer to develop than meningitis. The timeframe is still being investigated. Patients should watch vigilantly for symptoms if they were injected with potentially contaminated steroids and see a doctor if they have any of the following symptoms: fever, increased pain, redness, warmth, or swelling in the joint that received the injection or at the injection site. CDC will provide updated guidance as more information becomes available.

Source: Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Univera Report On Falls and Older Adults

Falls among older adults lead to injuries, hospitalizations and even death

Summary: 

Each year, about 10,000 hospital emergency room visits and nearly 5,000 hospital admissions are from Western New Yorkers aged 65 or older who have taken a fall, according to a new report by Univera Healthcare. The impact on health care spending in Western New York is substantial....about $10 million in ER visits and more than $100 million in fall related hospitalizations.


Dr. Richard Vienne, 

VP and Chief Medical Officer, Univera Healthcare

Each year, about 10,000 hospital emergency room visits and nearly 5,000 hospital admissions are from Western New Yorkers aged 65 or older who have taken a fall, according to a report issued today by Univera Healthcare.

“Avoiding falls is one of the most important things adults 65 and older can do to maintain their health and independence,” said Dr. Richard Vienne, Univera Healthcare vice president and chief medical officer. “Our report shows that one in three U.S. adults ages 65 and older falls each year. We expect to see that number increase, now that the baby boom generation is reaching age 65."

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths, emergency room visits and hospital stays for adults ages 65 and older. The impact on health care spending in Western New York is substantial, with the average annual cost of fall-related ER visits among adults ages 65 and older approaching $10 million a year, and the average annual cost of fall related hospitalizations exceeding $100 million.

Across upstate New York, the average annual cost of fall-related ER visits among adults ages 65 and older is $30 million a year, and the average annual cost of fall-related hospitalizations is $321 million.Western New York had the lowest fall-related death rate of all upstate New York regions studied. On average from 2008 through 2010, 3.6 fall-related deaths occurred per 10,000 adults age 65 and older in Western New York, compared to the highest death rate, 6.5 fall-related deaths per 10,000 older adults in the Finger Lakes.The Univera Healthcare report analyzed data from a 2010 state survey of adults age 65 and older. Participants were asked whether they had fallen and were injured in the previous three months. The report also included state hospital and ER data for 2008 through 2010. The report,Fall incidence and costs among adults 65 and older in upstate New York, reflects the most recent data available.“We often believe that falling is a natural part of aging, but it doesn’t have to be like that,” said Betty Perkins-Carpenter, Ph.D., of Penfield, NY, a falls prevention expert, former Olympic diving coach and author of the book How to Prevent Falls: Better Balance, Independence and Energy in 6 Simple Steps. According to Perkins-Carpenter, performing certain movements over and over again can help strengthen muscles, improve balance and reduce the risk of injury from falling. She offers these fall prevention tips:· Practice “The 10 Martini Slump” by always relaxing into a chair or bed. Too often, seniors stiffen when they fall, increasing their chances of an injury. This exercise trains adults to learn to relax if they accidentally fall.“You are mastering the art of falling through practice,” said Perkins-Carpenter. “A stiff body breaks. A limp body bends.”· Turn on the radio or sing a favorite song and dance around the room holding a pillow as though it were a dance partner. Dancing forward, backward and sideways helps strengthen legs and improve balance, all of which can help adults avoid a fall.· Stretch in bed to improve flexibility and mobility and help relieve the fear of falling.
To view the Univera Healthcare Fact Sheet, Fall incidence and costs among adults 65 and older in upstate New York, go toUniveraHealthcare.com/factsheets. 

 
Univera Healthcare is a nonprofit health plan that is part of a family of companies financing and delivering health services for more than 1.8 million upstate New Yorkers. Based in Buffalo, the health plan serves more than 145,000 members across the eight counties that comprise Western New York.
Learn more about Univera Healthcare:
On the Web at http://www.univerahealthcare.com
On Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/Univera_WNY
Or YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/Univerahealthcare

Lung Cancer Patients, Their Families Invited to 4th Annual ‘Breath of Life’ Celebration

Morning of camaraderie and support planned for Saturday, November 3

BUFFALO, NY — Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) invites lung cancer patients, their family members and their caregivers to attend the fourth annual Breath of Life Celebration Saturday, November 3 from 9 am to noon in RPCI’s Research Studies Center, located on Carlton Street at Elm Street across from the main hospital.

Hosted by the Roswell Park Thoracic Cancer Team, this event offers lung cancer patients from across the region an opportunity to gather information about new approaches to lung cancer surveillance, treatment, research and survivorship. All those whose lives have been affected by a lung cancer diagnosis are encouraged to attend to kick off Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

The program will include opening remarks by Mary Reid, PhD, Associate Professor of Oncology, and Alex A. Adjei, MD, PhD, the Katherine Anne Gioia Chair in Cancer Medicine, both of RPCI. The celebration also will include patients sharing their personal stories about dealing with lung cancer, as well as informational tables where attendees can learn more about available resources. Refreshments will be served.

It is estimated that 226,160 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed this year in the United States and that 160,340 Americans will die from the disease in 2012. More people die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer.

To attend, please call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or email AskRPCI@roswellpark.org by Monday, October 29, 2012.

Catholic Health, Catholic Medical Partners and Independent Health Join Forces

BUFFALO, N.Y., October 3, 2012 – Catholic Health, Catholic Medical Partners and Independent Health are joining forces to offer both large- and small-group employers two new products designed to help achieve the Triple Aim of better health, better care and lower costs.

The first of these products – “First Choice” – a self-funded, tiered-network product targeted to large-group employers with approximately 200 employees will be available through Independent Health starting Jan. 1, 2013. It offers a coordinated delivery model that provides employers with the ability to customize their health care coverage based on individual employee needs and the health status of their workforce. Catholic Health introduced First Choice – the first tiered-network product in Western New York – to its own associates in 2009 and to the business community in 2010.

A second, fully insured product targeted to the small-group employer market is expected to be made available in mid-2013.

Michael W. Cropp, M.D., president and CEO, Independent Health, talks to the media Wednesday about the new partnership with Catholic Health and Catholic Medical Partners.

Officials from all three organizations say these collaborative efforts represent a commitment to work together to bend the medical cost trend through the coordination of patient care and wellness initiatives.

“Independent Health, Catholic Health and Catholic Medical Partners share a common vision for providing patient-centric health care that will continue to establish Western New York as a high-quality, high-performing health care community,” said Michael W. Cropp, M.D., president and CEO, Independent Health. “We all recognize achieving this goal requires collaboration and partnerships on initiatives designed to improve quality and customer service, and lower the medical cost trend.”

“First Choice is an established product with proven results encompassing the principles of more effective care, with a focus on wellness and prevention,” said Joe McDonald, president and CEO, Catholic Health. “Identified savings for First Choice organizations have ranged from 8 to 25 percent, with an average cost savings of 18 percent.”

“This partnership represents a new, cutting-edge concept in health care delivery incorporating better, more coordinated care between one of our region’s leading health plans and hospital systems, and the more than 900 physicians of Catholic Medical Partners,” said Dennis Horrigan, president & CEO, Catholic Medical Partners. “By aligning our physician-hospital leadership we are putting ourselves in the position of greatest potential for improving the delivery of health care.”

Benefits of the partnership include:

• A focus on wellness, prevention and greater personal responsibility, all of which will result in healthier employees, less utilization of costly medical services, less employee absenteeism and a more productive workforce.

• The integration of pharmacy benefit management (PBM) services with medical services through Pharmacy Benefit Dimensions, which operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Independent Health, to ensure better oversight and even greater care coordination.

• Catholic Medical Partners supports embedded care coordinators and other medical management services to assist patients with the greatest burden of illness, and Independent Health will provide its nationally recognized RedShirt Treatment customer service.

• Employer/employee education programs and vital health screenings will be conducted through Catholic Health.

• Electronic connectivity – Catholic Medical Partners and Catholic Health are leading the region in electronic health medical records adoption and use, which leads to improved quality and safety. Currently, 90 percent of Catholic Medical Partners’ physicians are using electronic medical records, and the organization plans to be completely paperless by 2013.

• Catholic Medical Partners and Catholic Health provide the largest group of patient-centered medical home practices in Western New York.

“First Choice is a go-to-market product that saves money for those employers who choose it,” said McDonald. “We anticipate a high level of interest among businesses for this product because of the combination of lower costs and the greater alignment and coordination of care that comes with it.”

“The ability to control health care costs will be the single most important determinant of the economic success of our community – or any community – in the near future,” said Dr. Cropp. “Communities that get it right will be the most desirable places to locate business. Helping local employers address one of the biggest costs of doing business will be vital to our economic success as a business and health care community.”

Representatives from the three organizations said they began discussing greater collaborative initiatives several years ago in an effort to improve quality and lower the cost of health care.

Those discussions resulted in Catholic Health and Catholic Medical Partners developing a care transitions program aimed at lowering hospital readmissions. This program, which includes home visits and close follow up by the primary care office, has achieved a greater than 40 percent reduction in the 30-day readmission rate for enrolled patients. In addition, Catholic Health and Catholic Medical Partners have created a program which uses embedded nurses within the primary care practice to assist in care of patients with chronic disease. This program has resulted in a decrease in admissions while also improving quality outcomes for patients with diabetes, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease.

More than 11,000 members will be moving to Independent Health. The First Choice product will be aggressively marketed to employer groups in Western New York.

The First Choice product will include a tiered hospital network with lower patient cost sharing for using Catholic Health services. In addition, First Choice will include all participating physicians in the Independent Health network, which includes the more than 900 Catholic Medical Partners physicians.

The three organizations said a fully insured product targeted to the small-group employer market is being developed for submission to the New York State Department of Finance for approval later this year, with plans to make it available on or about July 1, 2013. They said it will further demonstrate the breadth and depth of their partnership efforts, and result in quality, cost-effective product offerings for employer groups – large and small.



One of the largest providers of healthcare in Western New York, Catholic Health was formed in 1998. Through its more than 8,000 associates and 1,400 physicians, Catholic Health provides care to nearly half-a-million patients across a network of three hospitals on four sites including Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, Kenmore Mercy Hospital and Sisters of Charity Hospital and its St. Joseph Campus. In addition, the system provides comprehensive home care, long-term care, subacute care, primary care and diagnostic services at numerous locations throughout the region. For more information visit www.chsbuffalo.org.

Bringing physician and information together is the foundation of Catholic Medical Partners (CMP). An organization of 900 member physicians, CMP strives to provide its physicians the information and resources they need to better care for their patients. Catholic Medical Partners has invested in technology that is unmatched in Western New York and far ahead of what many other organizations across the county are doing. Its physicians and their clinical staff want patients to be educated, engaged partners in their own care. CMP continues to make tremendous strides in improving overall care management for its patients. Through this collaboration, CMP can provide high-quality, coordinated care for patients throughout the continuum of care-from doctor’s office, to hospital, to home. For more information visitwww.catholicmedicalpartners.org.

Headquartered in Buffalo, Independent Health began operations in 1980 and has consistently been rated among the top health plans in the country for customer service and member satisfaction. Independent Health’s comprehensive portfolio of product and service offerings include HMO, POS, PPO and EPO products, Medicare and Medicaid plans, traditional indemnity insurance, consumer-directed plans, coverage for self-funded employers, plus health savings account (HSA) and pharmacy benefit management (PBM) services. Combined, the company provides health benefits and services to nearly 375,000 individuals in Western New York and throughout the country. For more information, visit Independent Health’s website at www.independenthealth.com.

WomenCare First Annual Day of Health

Be Strong, Be Happy, Be Healthy Friday October 26, 9am - 4:30pm

At this special one-day seminar, enjoy breakfast and lunch, and hear guest speakers, doctors and specialists discuss medical treatments and important health issues facing women and their families.
Grab your mom, sister or friends and spend the day learning about healthy living options, nutritious foods and ways to enjoy life!

Visit our website to register: http://bit.ly/QrSnQ1

Registration opens at 7:45 am

Salvatore’s Italian Gardens,  6461 Transit Rd., Depew,  Free Parking

Featuring:

- Maryalice Demler, WGRZ-TV Ch. 2 News Anchor

- Ginger Zimmerman, Heart Transplant Survivor

- Elizabeth Diamond, Women’s Empowerment Speaker

- Presentations, chair massages and other activities

Seating is limited. Don’t delay. For more information and registration details, visit WomenCareWNY.org or call 716-447-6205.

The Challenge of Reducing College Student Substance Abuse

Join SUNY researchers, administrators, counselors, and student health staff in an important conference, “The Challenge of Reducing College Student Substance Use" on November 8 and 9.

This Conversation in the Disciplines conference will bring together the front-line staff throughout the SUNY system who grapple with the real problems of college students’ alcohol and substance use and abuse and the researchers who seek to develop and evaluate substance use prevention and intervention strategies.

Expert speakers will describe alcohol and substance use problems among college students in New York State and effective prevention and intervention strategies. Small group discussions will focus on the implementation as well as obstacles in the successful application of these programs. Participants are encouraged to present their own programs and challenges during in an interactive poster session.

Registration form (PDF)

Brochure (PDF)

If you are interested in receiving information about the conference,
please complete this web form.

Read about additional Research Institute on Addictions studies here.

New Research Uncovers Promising New Biomarker for Aggressiveness of Prostate Cancer

Roswell Park-led effort found increased levels of serum glutamate in both primary and metastatic prostate tumors

BUFFALO — Research out of Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) supports the adoption of a new biomarker to measure the aggressiveness of primary prostate tumors. A team of investigators from three institutions, led by Shahriar Koochekpour, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Cancer Genetics, Urology and Oncology in RPCI’s Department of Cancer Genetics, has for the first time produced data showing that levels of serum glutamate, a naturally occurring nonessential amino acid that plays a key role in cancer metabolism, are increased in patients with primary and metastatic prostate cancer.

Collaborators included James L. Mohler, MD, Gissou Azabdaftari, MD, and Kristopher Attwood, PhD, from RPCI; Robert L. Vessella, PhD, from the University of Washington School of Medicine; and Oliver Sartor, MD, from Tulane Cancer Center and the Tulane University School of Medicine. In a study involving 366 men, the team measured serum glutamate levels in 60 healthy adult males, 197 with primary prostate cancer and 109 with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer — cancer that progresses following androgen depletion therapy.

“Comparing normal, primary and metastatic prostate cancer tissues, we discovered that glutamate receptor is expressed at very high levels in primary and metastatic tumors, but at very weak or undetectable levels in benign prostate tissues,” notes Dr. Koochekpour. “And serum glutamate was detected at increased levels proportional to Gleason score, the standard index for rating prostate cancer aggressiveness and prognosis in patients with primary tumors.”

The researchers also demonstrated, for the first time, that glutamate deprivation significantly decreases the growth, migration and invasiveness of prostate cancer cell lines, suggesting potential clinical applications. They also report that the glutamate antagonist riluzole (Rilutek), a well-tolerated oral medicine used for mood and anxiety disorders, depression and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), induces cell death while inhibiting the progression and motility of human prostate cancer cells.

“We detected one major difference between African-Americans and Caucasians in the study,” Dr. Koochekpour notes. “In African-Americans, serum glutamate levels were higher among those men with metastatic disease than in those with primary prostate cancer, and we didn’t see that trend in Caucasian men. This finding may implicate a role for glutamate metabolism in inter-racial disparities of prostate cancer.”

Dr. Koochekpour and colleagues are currently conducting a preclinical study assessing the effectiveness of riluzole in preventing growth of human prostate cancer cells in animal models, and hope to build on these results in the clinical setting within the next 12-18 months. The paper, “Serum Glutamate Levels Correlate with Gleason Score and Glutamate Blockade Decreases Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion and Induces Apoptosis in Prostate Cancer Cells,” was published October 16 in Clinical Cancer Research and can be accessed at http://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2012/10/10/1078-0432.CCR-12-1308.

Buffalo General Medical Center and DeGraff Memorial Hospital Receive Nuclear Cardiology Accreditation by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission

Buffalo, N.Y. (October 12, 2012) – Cardiovascular diseases are the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. On average, one American dies every 39 seconds of cardiovascular disease-disorders of the heart and blood vessels. According to the American Heart Association, the total direct and indirect cost of cardiovascular disease and stroke in the U.S. for 2010 was an estimated $503.2 billion.

Early detection of life threatening heart disorders and other diseases is possible through the use of nuclear cardiology procedures performed within hospitals, outpatient centers and physicians’ offices. While these tests are helpful, there are many facets that contribute to an accurate diagnosis based on the nuclear cardiology testing. The skill of the technologist performing the examination, the type of equipment used, the background and knowledge of the interpreting physician and quality assurance measures are each critical to quality patient testing.

The nuclear cardiology programs at Buffalo General Medical Center and DeGraff Memorial Hospital have been granted a three-year term of accreditation in nuclear cardiology by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC).

Accreditation by the IAC means that Buffalo General Medical Center and DeGraff Memorial Hospital have undergone a thorough review of their operation and technical components by a panel of experts. The IAC grants accreditation only to those facilities that are found to be providing quality patient care, in compliance with national standards through a comprehensive application process including detailed case study review.

“We have always taken pride in the high quality care we provide to our patients,” said John Mycek, director, Imaging Services at Kaleida Health. “This recognition acknowledges that quality, as well as our outstanding clinical practices and state-of-the-art technology.”

IAC accreditation is a “seal of approval” that patients can rely on as an indication that the facilities have been carefully critiqued on all aspects of their operations considered relevant by medical experts in the field of nuclear cardiology.

IAC accreditation is widely respected within the medical community, as illustrated by the support of the national medical societies related to nuclear cardiology, which include physicians, technologists and medical physicists. Nuclear/PET accreditation is required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and in some cases by private insurers. However, patients should remain vigilant in making sure that their nuclear cardiology procedures are performed within accredited facilities, because for some facilities it remains a voluntary process.

To learn more contact Barbara Browning at 716-859-8071.

Golden Years Wellness Tour Team to visit Buffalo Senior Sites!

Tour offers information on healthy aging for older adults

BUFFALO, NY.  This fall, the “Golden Years’ Wellness Tour“ Team will be visiting Buffalo’s senior sites. The City of Buffalo Mayor’s Office for Senior Services and planning partners, The Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo, Catholic Health System and the Erie County Department of Senior Services will provide brief presentations and resources to Buffalo’s  older adults to improve their health. All events are FREE and open to the public.

Tour Schedule:   Program time, 10:00 A.M. – 11:45 A.M

Thursday Oct. 4: Old First Community Center, 62 Republic St., Buffalo, NY 14204

Tuesday Oct. 9: Valley Community Association, 93 Leddy St., Buffalo, NY 14210

Thursday Oct.11: Richmond-Summer Senior Center, 337 Summer St. Buffalo, NY 14222

Tuesday Oct. 16: Los Tainos, 333 Trenton Ave., Buffalo, NY 14201

Thursday Oct. 18: Salvation Army Senior Center, 960 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14202

Tuesday Oct. 23: Abley Senior Center, 24 Ludington St., Buffalo, NY 14206

Thursday Oct. 25: Friends, Inc., 118 East Utica, NY 14209

Thursday Nov. 1: Delavan Grider Community Center, 877 East Delavan Avenue. Buffalo, NY 14215

The Wellness Tour at each site will feature door prizes, short (15 minute) presentations on various wellness topics important to older adults, and health education materials. Everyone is welcome. Please contact the Wellness Institute for more information at 851-4052.  Email: wellness@city-buffalo.org        www.CreatingHealthyCommunities.org

                  

BWI Health Promotions Announces New Employees

BUFFALO, N.Y., October 6, 2012 – BWI National Health Promotion Training Institute announces the addition of new employees.

Andrew Benzin of Lancaster is serving on BWI’s health professional team, instructing exercise classes and assisting with health assessments as well as BWI corporate and community events. A board-certified athletic trainer, he has experience working with high school to Division I college athletes and the general population. Benzin has a master’s degree in athletic training.

Erin Lingle, originally of Buffalo and now a resident of Charleston, S.C., is BWI’s National School Wellness Coordinator. A physical education and health teacher at Septima P. Clark Corporate Academy, she is marketing BWI’s training programs to school and health organizations looking to provide certification courses to its members. Lingle has a master’s degree in physical education and health.

Bill McDonagh of Derby, coordinator of Pre-K - 12 education and data for Frontier Central School District and assistant swim coach with the Eden Dolphins, is a BWI health professional team member who administers fitness assessments and assists with corporate and school programming. McDonagh received bachelor’s degrees in physical education and teaching education, and master’s degrees in creative studies, and school administration and supervision.

Catherine Yeh Henry of Eden, a health communications professional, is specializing in grant writing and video productions at BWI. She is a writer and producer with a concentration in health care marketing. Yeh Henry has a master’s degree in health communication. 

BWI Health Promotions has provided comprehensive wellness management services, health education training programs, and wellness-team building events for corporations, schools and communities since 1994. As a New York state regional health promotion leader, BWI’s presence is expanding into the national business market with program delivery throughout the United States. With rising healthcare costs, now more than ever before, BWI recognizes the universal attention placed on a healthy workforce and personal health advocacy. BWI’s outcome-based health promotion services are aligned with national standards and performance metrics that are documented to create behavior change. BWI is committed to improving our nation’s health… one community at a time, one company at a time and one person at a time. For more information, call (716) 992-2732 or visit www.bwihp.com.