Nine in 10 Alabamians believe children should have access to healthy food
 
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – An overwhelming majority of Alabamians believe the state should take steps to fight the growing obesity crisis among its children, according to a poll commissioned by VOICES for Alabama’s Children.
The poll was conducted in response to research collected by VOICES that demonstrated a prevalence of childhood obesity statewide and revealed that a contributing factor is the lack of or limited access to fresh, healthy food for many across the state. It showed that an overwhelming majority of Alabamians, 90 percent polled, believe “it is important for the state to make a strong effort to reduce obesity among children” and more than 90 percent believe “that more Alabama children should have access to fresh, healthy food.”
“Alabama is facing a public health crisis and most Alabamians recognize that grocers and other food retailers play a key role in the solution,” said VOICES campaign manager, Jada Shaffer. “Over the past 30 years, obesity has more than doubled among the state’s children. Encouraging grocers to bring healthier food options closer to families in low access areas is one step in reversing the crisis.
More than 1.8 million Alabamians, nearly half a million children, live in communities without healthy food retailers – such as grocery stores. Children without access to healthy food are more likely to develop chronic disease including high blood pressure, Type 2 Diabetes and breathing problems such as asthma. Lifetime health care costs for obese children who are 80 percent more likely to be obese as adults is estimated to be at least three times higher than for children who are not obese.
“Support for encouraging the private sector to make healthy food available to children in low access areas was viewed as important because of the dual benefits of improved health care resulting in lower health care costs for the state’s children along with improving local economies,” said Jerry Ingram, Ph.D., Southeast Research, Inc. “In all my years of polling, I have not seen support for a public policy issue as overwhelming and widespread as this one. Alabamians are truly not divided when it comes to supporting initiatives that improve the health of the state’s children.”
The poll surveyed 400 Alabamians in December 2014 by Montgomery, Ala. based Southeast Research, Inc. Those surveyed were adults who are residents of the state and were selected at random. It also found “very strong support for the state to encourage businesses to open grocery stores and farmers’ markets in communities where families and children do not have access to healthy food.
“Grocers want to be part of the solution by expanding into areas of Alabama that offer little or no fresh, healthy food options,” said Ellie Taylor, Alabama Grocers Association President. “They must also be able to sustain their business and can often require a small economic boost to expand or get the stores off the ground.”
In May 2013, VOICES launched a statewide campaign to raise awareness about the growing concern of childhood obesity and its relationship to food access and urge decision makers to prioritize implementing a statewide healthy food financing initiative – one solution to address the issue. Healthy food financing initiatives provide economic and financial resources to help spur grocery store development in communities with limited access to healthy food. Similar initiatives have been successful in other states and have brought healthy food closer to home for local communities, created jobs and boosted local economies.
“We are happy and encouraged by the strong support among Alabama residents and we hope to see this level of support in other southern states,” said Kim Milbrath, Southern Regional Campaign Manager for Voices for Healthy Kids, a joint initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the American Heart Association to combat childhood obesity. “We must provide children and families with healthier food options right in their communities or we could be raising the first generation not expected to live as long as their parents.”
Additional poll findings include:

·         70 percent support the state incentivizing businesses to open grocery stores in neighborhoods where children do not have access to healthy foods.

·         80 percent support the state incentivizing businesses to locate in low access areas after learning about additional benefits produced from grocers locating in low access areas.

·         Overall, support for addressing the problem of obesity and healthy food access is robust and widespread across every demographic in the state.

More information can be viewed at http://bit.ly/1A7Qh9R.

Cardiovascular diseases are the number one killer of women in Alabama
Rachael M. Wilson
Birmingham, AL – (February 3, 2015) – On Friday, February 6th, millions of Americans will wear red to raise awareness for the number one killer of women and the American Heart Association hopes Alabamians will follow suit. Alabama is no stranger to heart disease and stroke, with the 2nd highest death rate from cardiovascular diseases in the country behind Mississippi. The AHA in Birmingham is urging residents to wear red this Friday to start a conversation with coworkers, family and friends about the primary health threat to both women and all Alabamians.

“By wearing red, people are not only showing their commitment to heart-health, but they’re also educating others about a disease that affects far too many people in Alabama,” said Rachael Wilson, Communications Director for the AHA in Alabama.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control, heart disease and stroke are responsible for approximately 30% of all deaths each year in Metro Birmingham, 35% of all deaths each year in West Alabama, and 32% of all deaths each year in Northeast Alabama. The most staggering truth is that 80% of heart disease and stroke is preventable.

“Our hope is to educate people that heart disease is the number one killer in America and the number one killer of women, but also that most cases can be prevented by eating a healthy diet as well as exercising regularly,” said Nan Priest, Chair of Birmingham Go Red for Women and Executive Vice President of St. Vincent’s Health System. “It’s also important to visit your doctor regularly and monitor critical numbers such as blood pressure, blood glucose and weight.”

St. Vincent’s Health System is the local sponsor of Birmingham Go Red for Women – a movement devoted to fighting heart disease and stroke in women. According to the AHA, heart disease is the number one killer of women with 1 in 3 women dying each year from heart disease and stroke. St. Vincent’s Health System will show their support for National Wear Red Day by physically lighting up their Birmingham and East campuses red on Friday night. The Summit Lifestyle Center, Children’s of Alabama and Regions Field also plan to light up red to help raise awareness. Local businesses who support the American Heart Association such as Healthsouth, Regions and Motion Industries are urging their employees to Wear Red on Friday.
To learn more about National Wear Red day, visit the American Heart Association online. To track National Wear Red Day in Birmingham, follow the hashtag #BhamGoRed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

(NAPSA) – If you’re like most Americans, you’ll enjoy a snack today. According to a recent Nielsen survey, nine out of 10 Americans snack daily – and a quarter of them snack three to five times a day.
That can be a good thing. As Temple University points out, “Snacks provide an important energy source throughout the day.” The Center for Science in the Public Interest adds that snacks are especially crucial for children for increased energy and their ability to focus.
That said, those snacks should consist of “real” food such as cheese, nuts and whole grains. Fortunately, you can fuel yourself and your family on the go with a number of sweet and savory cracker sandwiches that are portable, wholesome and made by a company that’s been creating such snacks for over 100 years.
In fact, Lance® recently improved its line of Whole Grain Cracker Sandwiches to include 11 grams of whole grains in each package, in such varieties as Real Peanut Butter, Real Cheddar Cheese and Real Sharp Cheddar Cheese.
If you’re looking for a more extreme burst of flavor, there are Bolds. These baked crackers come in Buffalo Wing Blue Cheese, Pizza, and Bacon Cheddar. Each has up to 3 grams of protein per serving to fuel fun and adventure.
When hunger strikes, you may care to consider Xtra Fulls. These have an extra helping of freshly ground peanut butter and up to 6 grams of fueling protein.
Alternatively, you can go classic with the company’s iconic Toasty™, Toastchee® or Captain’s Wafers® sandwiches. With a wide range of flavor combinations, there is a cracker sandwich for everyone.
All these snacks have no high-fructose corn syrup, no preservatives and 0 grams of trans fat.
Learn More
Further facts are at www.lance.com, www.Facebook.com/LanceSnacks and @LanceSnacks on Twitter.

   The City of Bessemer Fire Department has two new ambulance companies located in The City of Bessemer that will begin responding to emergency 911 calls within the city limits, including Bessemer-based Shoals Ambulance.
Beginning this week, Shoals Ambulance and Regional Paramedical Services (RPS) will provide emergency ambulance coverage for the city.
“We have been impressed with Shoals Ambulance’s level of care and clinical excellence and believe their company, in conjunction with RPS, will provide the necessary resources to protect the health and safety of our residents, which is our top concern,” Bessemer EMS Division Chief Shane Boyd said.
Dispatchers at the Bessemer E-911 Center will rotate between the two providers which will both have ambulances strategically located across the city and dispatch the appropriate vehicle to the emergency call.
Shoals Ambulance has committed three advanced life support ambulances stationed around-the-clock within the Bessemer city limits. Shoals’ Mercedes-Benz ambulances are equipped with lifesaving medical equipment and staffed by licensed EMTs and paramedics.
“In every community we serve, we make it our priority to not only provide excellent medical transport options, but also to invest in community organizations and provide proactive health initiatives that ensure a high quality of life,” said Eric Messer, Shoals Ambulance vice president of development.
“Since opening an office in Bessemer early last year, we have become an integral part of the community. We are honored to expand that relationship even more and bring the City of Bessemer and its residents these vital emergency services.”
Shoals Ambulance has approximately 50 EMTs and paramedics serving the Bessemer area; many are longtime Alabama residents. Shoals Ambulance also has hired nine new employees with the addition of emergency call duties.
A talented team leads the Bessemer operation with years of experience in the medical transport field in Alabama. Nick Diliberto serves as vice president of operations for the Alabama Division and has more than 38 years of experience in local ambulance operations. Alan Bowman serves as operations supervisor for the Bessemer office. Messer is director of business development after serving with Rural/Metro and Lifeguard ambulance services for 13 years.
The Bessemer facility is 15,000 square feet with a training center for ongoing education of EMTs, paramedics and managers. Shoals Ambulance is located in Bessemer, Ala., at 1110 Greenwood Crossing Court.

 (NAPSI)—Here’s health news you should find easy to swallow: Whether you’re working, traveling, playing sports or just relaxing, it’s important to stay hydrated regardless of the season.
Making up more than two-thirds of the weight of the human body, water is critical to keep the body’s cells and organs functioning properly. Keeping your body hydrated, says the American Heart Association, helps the heart pump blood more easily through the blood vessels to the muscles and helps the muscles remove waste so that they can work efficiently.
As you work, play and exercise, here are six questions to ask yourself to ensure you and your family are staying regularly hydrated:
1. How much water should I drink each day?
• Recommendations for water intake vary by person but wellness experts generally agree that drinking 6 to 8 eight-ounce glasses of water each day is a healthy goal. Individuals who exercise frequently and pregnant women should increase their intake.
2. Sugary drinks seem to quench my thirst as much as water. Is one better than the other?
• Under most circumstances, water is the best source of fluid to keep the body hydrated. Caffeinated beverages can cause you to actually lose more fluids and sugary drinks can be hard on the stomach. It’s best to stick to water when trying to stay hydrated.
3. What else can I do to stay well hydrated?
• Foods such as fruits and vegetables that contain a high percentage of water can help supplement your intake. Try tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, watermelon and strawberries.
4. I have trouble remembering to drink water. What should I do?
• Add drinking a glass of water or reusable water bottle of water to your daily routine. For example, drink a glass of water after you wake up or while watching your favorite show. Drinking water before a meal can help you feel fuller faster and perhaps prevent overeating.
5. How can I be sure my water is pure?
• To help reduce contaminants that may be in your tap water and provide filtered drinking water for your family, you can get a water filtration system. For example, 3M offers a wide range of filtration products, some of which address pesticides, nitrates, arsenic and other contaminants that may be found in water.
6. Where can I learn more?
• Visit www.3mwater.com/yesIwanta3MWaterSolution.