June 2023 - Healthy and Slim

Sweets, treats, and support for youth mental health – SwiftCurrentOnline.com

The Center in Swift Current was at maximum capacity on Wednesday night for their Desserts 4 Hope Fundraiser.

Nathan Wiebe, executive director of the Swift Current Community Youth Initiative, said that the event exceeded his expectations.

“It was incredible,” he stated. “Just really humbled by the turnout and to have a sold-out event, we always hope for that. For us, we do these things with no expectations, but we work our hardest.”

The evening featured delectable desserts, live music from Dillon Currie, an inspirational speaker, a silent auction, and more.

This is the second time that the event has taken place in the community, with Wiebe adding that it was great to be back after the pandemic.

“This is our first dessert night after COVID and we tagged it Desserts 4 Hope because we wanted to give it a little bit of a different sound,” he explained. “Dessert Night Fundraiser is very generic, Desserts 4 Hope is really a good objective. We are trying to provide hope for youth and families in our community and to do it through an event like this, it provides a lot of food for thought.”

The funds from the evening will go towards the “Cultivating Strength” capital campaign program, which was announced at the event.

The goal of the campaign is to raise 220,000 dollars to turn the recently purchased building next door into a counselling and administrative office.

In total, the event raised 15,000 dollars.

Wiebe added that the night wouldn’t have been possible without the support of their sponsors, and the individuals who came out to support the event.

“We’re just really grateful for our community, we have an amazing city, and you can’t leave without an immense amount of gratitude to what you get to experience in this spot,”

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By Margaret R. McLean

Broker mental health improving but more support still needed, MIMHC survey shows

“Overall levels of contentment remain similar to 2022 and frustratingly suggest only marginal progress has been made”

The Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter (MIMHC) has shared the findings of its annual survey for 2023, finding that 58% of companies are now providing brokers with support – up from 54% last year.

However, the Charter says that as 42% still don’t, there is “a long way to go to normalise mental health provision in the mortgage industry”.

46% of brokers say they have seen an improvement in workplace mental health provision over the past year, but 54% haven’t – compared to 51% in 2022.

The fourth annual survey, which coincides with Mental Health Awareness Week, aims to understand the mortgage industry’s current well-being, and importantly, highlights the key areas in which mental health provision needs to improve.

The survey found that brokers are increasingly overworked. 46% now work between 45/60 hours which is up from 42% last year. 12% of respondents still maintain that they are working more than 60 hours weekly.

Brokers also reported no change to professional contentment. 44% are still disillusioned/ moderately happy with their situation. However, the majority (56%) are happy with their role.

In addition, wellbeing is improving. 16% of respondents believe their mental health is ‘poor’ or ‘of concern’. This is markedly down from a 23% result in 2022 but continues to highlight the need to support individuals in the mortgage sector. At the opposite end 44% of people reported feeling good/excellent compared to 41% in 2022.

Worklife balance is improving. Although a blend is still evident, hybrid working is up to 37% from 27% in 2022 and nearly 1 in 4 respondents now work permanently from home. As a result, 17% think their work/life balance has improved – up from 8% last year. Only

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By Margaret R. McLean

Apple may want to use AI to change your diet, sleep routine, and mood, Bloomberg reports

SHANGHAI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 21, 2023 - Apple watches are displayed at an Apple store in Shanghai, China February 21, 2023. In December 2022, the US International Trade Commission ruled that the ECG function of Apple Watch Series8 infringed, and issued an order banning the sale, effective as early as next week. (Photo credit should read CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images) — Apple watches are displayed at an Apple store in Shanghai, China February 21, 2023.CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Apple is developing an AI-powered health coach under the codename Quartz, Bloomberg reported.
It will use Apple Watch data to monitor diet, exercise, and sleep patterns, then suggest changes.
While reportedly set to be released next year, the initiative remains unannounced.

The future of wellness is Artificial Intelligence, with an algorithmic coach making customized suggestions for when to exercise and sleep, what snacks to eat — even how to improve your mood.

At least, that’s what the development team at Apple seems to be thinking.

Bloomberg first reported the tech giant’s plan to create an AI-powered health coaching service, currently under development with the codename “Quartz.” It would use data from Apple Watch users to monitor sleep patterns, exercise routines, diet, and emotions, then suggest personalized healthy changes based on the AI’s analysis.

According to Apple employees who were not authorized to speak publicly about the unannounced initiative, the outlet reported, the coaching tool will be rolled out next year if development is completed on time, with an emotion log feature and an unknown aid for nearsightedness to debut later this year.

Representatives for Apple did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.

The latest iterations of the apple-watch?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=yahoo.com” data-ylk=”slk:Apple Watch;elm:context_link;itc:0″ class=”link “Apple Watch already have a heart rate monitor, fertility tracker, and temperature sensor. They can also read blood oxygen levels and have a built-in electrocardiogram app. The devices also can detect falls or crashes and will automatically contact emergency services if the watch wearer doesn’t confirm they’re alright by disabling the alert.

Critics have long argued the devices degrade personal privacy and lead us “one step closer to under-the-skin surveillance, which can

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By Margaret R. McLean

Mental Health Awareness Week – OSB Group leads the way with colleague support

As a leading specialist lender in the UK, OSB Group understands the importance of nurturing a diverse, equal and inclusive environment for colleagues, customers and the communities around them.

One year on from the launch of OSB Group’s initial Mental Health support programme for colleagues, there are now 38 qualified Mental Health First Aiders spread across their locations.

This week marks the annual Mental Health Awareness Week running from 15th to 21st May 2023 with this year’s theme centred on the impact of the cost of living crisis on people’s mental health. The 38 strong team of volunteer Mental Health First Aiders are on hand to listen without judgement and signpost available support via both professional and charitable organisations.

Running alongside this hands on support, are a variety of courses that colleagues can sign up to and range from ‘Every Mind Matters’, ‘Stress Management Techniques’ and ‘Wellness Action Plans’.

As the increased cost of living continues, OSB Group recognises the financial impact this may have on colleagues and has allocated an additional cost of living payment to all staff beneath senior management level again in 2023. Internal webinars have also been developed to help colleagues with budgeting and highlight everyday hacks that could help reduce costs.

Jon Hall, Group Managing Director, Mortgages and Savings, OSB Group said “Mental Health Awareness Week is a great opportunity to highlight available support and encourage conversations to flow but it’s also important to ensure our colleagues feel supported all year round as they are the key to our success at OSB Group and their health and wellbeing is a central focus. Helping colleagues when they need it most is critical and I am extremely proud of the range of support OSB Group offers.

Our Mental Health First Aiders programme goes from strength

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By Margaret R. McLean

The 10 Best Diets for Better Heart Health, Ranked by Cardiologists

Surprise! The Mediterranean diet falls in the third slot. Learn about the top two diets, plus the other fads that don’t quite make the grade.

Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

The Mediterranean diet is often applauded as one of the best diets for overall health. It is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish and seafood and legumes and light on dairy and meat (and, as a result, low in saturated fat, too, which is a topic still up for debate in the heart-health world). It’s a heart-smart way to eat, and can be beneficial in many other areas of health as well. Mediterranean dieters also tend to have lower risk for certain cancers, cognitive decline, type 2 diabetes and more.

Circling back to heart disease risk, the Mediterranean diet tied for first in the U.S. News and World Report‘s 2022 rankings for the best diets for heart health, but a surprising new victor came out on top in 2023. That 2023 best diet for heart health also earned a gold medal in a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association, published April 27, 2023, in its journal Circulation. The U.S. News and World Report health panel and AHA cardiologists now agree that the DASH diet (which is short for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) appears to be the best diet for heart health.

Read on to learn more about what makes DASH such a heart-smart eating style, then study up on how nine other popular diets ranked in the evidence-based analysis by AHA professionals.

Related:What’s Better for Heart Health: Cardio or Strength Training? Here’s What Research Says

What This Heart Health Study Found

If you’ve scrolled through TikTok lately, chances are high that you’ve been

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By Margaret R. McLean

Budget 2023: GPs are the heart of healthcare, but little specific support shown

This year’s Budget, “Support for today, building for tomorrow”, is focused on flood and cyclone recovery, and rightly so. However, despite the finance Minister’s comment about “expanding GP services” it is hard to see where that attention has been applied.

The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners welcomes the announcement of $20 million to lift immunisation and screening coverage for Māori and Pasifika, as well as the removal of the $5 prescription fees for all New Zealanders. “All of our members will have patients who struggle to pay for their prescriptions and removing this barrier is good news,” says College President Dr Samantha Murton.

Social determinants of health are another area where attention has been applied and this is essential to lifting the burden on the delivery of health services, especially in the community.

However, the College is disappointed to not see more immediate support for the sustainable delivery of medical care in the community through GPs, rural hospital doctors and their teams.

Currently, 95 percent of Kiwis are enrolled with a general practice, and 90 percent of medical problems dealt with in general practice.

Dr Murton says, “The earmarked $118 million to help reduce waiting lists by ‘improving patient flow and enabling planned care to be delivered in primary care’ sounds good in theory, but serious attention needs to focus on growing the number of GPs and rural hospital doctors being trained as specialists, supporting their wellbeing, and supporting those thinking of retirement to stay in the profession.

“There have been some steps to support training with Minister Little’s announcements last year but there is much more that can be done. We need to have a solid plan in place and significant investment to grow our own workforce.

“To highlight the urgent need for more GP investment,

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By Margaret R. McLean

The best (and worst) diets for heart health, according to the American Heart Association

From paleo to pescatarian, there’s a seemingly endless list of diets to choose from. But which are the most heart-healthy?

In a statement released Thursday, the American Heart Association rated 10 popular diets based on their standards for heart health.

The diets that rated the best for improving cardiometabolic health included the DASH-style eating plan, the Mediterranean diet, pescatarian and vegetarian. Meanwhile, paleo and ketogenic diets were found to contradict the association’s guidance and did not rank as heart-healthy eating patterns.

“The number of different, popular dietary patterns has proliferated in recent years, and the amount of misinformation about them on social media has reached critical levels,” Christopher D. Gardner, chair of the writing committee for the statement and the Rehnborg Farquhar professor of medicine at Stanford University, said in a press release.

“The public – and even many health care professionals – may rightfully be confused about heart-healthy eating, and they may feel that they don’t have the time or the training to evaluate the different diets.” he said. “We hope this statement serves as a tool for clinicians and the public to understand which diets support good cardiometabolic health.”

The DASH-style eating plan, which stands for “Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension,” received a perfect score from the analysis thanks to its emphasis on being low in salt, added sugar, alcohol, tropical oils and processed foods as well as being rich in non-starchy vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes. Protien also tends to be mostly from plant sources along with fish, lean meats and low- or fat-free dairy products.

The Mediterranean diet, patterned on the traditional cuisines of the region, emphasizes fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, legumes, nuts and whole grains. It ranked below DASH since it doesn’t “explicitly address added salt

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By Margaret R. McLean

People Matter: Wickes to boost mental health through supporting community garden projects

HOME AND DIY RETAIL NEWS

19 May, 2023 | by Natalie Fresen

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week, Wickes reflects on the impact their Community Programme is having on wellbeing projects in schools and local community spaces.

Already this year over 7,800 children and adults have benefited from gardening products to transform and improve outdoor spaces that promote mental wellbeing.

Wickes are donating more garden items to community spaces than ever before in an effort to support well-being. Encouraging people to spend more time outdoors is known to be an effective way to boost mood and de-stress.

The focus on providing more facilities to support Mental health in the community is on the increase and frequently provided by charities like this one in East Sussex. The East Hoathly & Halland Community Garden Project, provides a safe space for the whole community who struggle with mental health by providing therapeutic gardening activities. They rely solely on donations to be able to continue to provide this valuable service in the community. Through the Wickes Community Programme, they were provided with the products they needed to fix their shed to ensure they can store their equipment safely.

A large number of other different organisations that have little funding for outdoor projects have also received support. Thanks to a donation from Wickes, Great Chart Primary School was able to build a sensory garden so the children have an outdoor space where they can reflect, learn and have a calmer mind.

Head Teacher of Great Chart Primary School Wendy Pang said “The sensory garden will help our pupils connect to nature and encourages them to learn through exploration, curiosity, problem-solving and creativity. When our budget for this project was removed we thought it would have to go on hold until we

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By Margaret R. McLean

National dental plan must address major access and equity issues, disability advocates say

In the three years since Joanne Shimakawa last had a dental checkup, her multiple sclerosis had progressed to the point where she’d become increasingly prone to falling and no longer felt safe transferring to a dentist’s chair.

So she recently began searching for someone in her Toronto neighbourhood who could treat her in her wheelchair.

“I basically took every dentist in the west end and called them one after another,” Shimakawa told CBC News. “I couldn’t find anybody.”

In the end, there was just one dentist whose office didn’t have stairs or other obstacles and who said treatment in the wheelchair wouldn’t be a problem.

“When something like that happens … it’s depressing,” Shimakawa said.

As Canada prepares this year to unveil a national dental plan that will include oral health care for people with disabilities — as well as low-income earners, seniors and children — advocates are pleading with the government to pay attention to the stories of people like Shimakawa.

Not only does the high cost of dental care and limited coverage through provincial benefits make regular treatment unattainable for a disproportionate number of disabled people, but many of these patients say they also struggle to find dentists who are willing and able to care for them.

‘Gaps’ in access to oral health care

This spring, the Canadian Society for Disability and Oral Health (CSDH) made a submission to Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos that urges him to “ignore the myth that Canada’s current dental system serves most Canadians well.”

It points out several issues, including a lack of mandatory disability-specific training for dental professionals; physical accessibility barriers in clinics; fee structures for dentists that don’t take into account the extra time necessary to treat someone with complex needs; and long wait lists for people who require general anesthesia

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By Margaret R. McLean

MedOne Launches Dario’s Digital Health Solution to Help Members Improve Health with a Personalized Support

Dario’s health solution now available to MedOne clients enrolled in Diabetes Care Path

NEW YORK, May 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — DarioHealth Corp. (Nasdaq: DRIO) (“Dario” or the “Company”), a leader in the global health market, and MedOne Pharmacy Benefit Solutions (“PBM”), a national leader in modern pharmacy benefits management, announce a new agreement to integrate Dario’s suite of digital health solutions as a complement to MedOne’s digital diabetes solution, the Diabetes Care Path. The new arrangement will enhance the patient-facing support services for diabetic patients while the MedOne clinical team focuses on interventions with prescribers to optimize treatment plans. The combination of robust prescriber- and member-facing support services creates a truly unique and comprehensive approach to diabetic population health. The launch will be a phased rollout beginning today with expansions into additional chronic disease states throughout the second quarter.

DarioHealth Corp. logo

Dario’s solution joins a growing roster of digital health solutions for MedOne as part of the PBM’s efforts to provide meaningful clinical impact, optimize health outcomes in patients, and reduce costs to its customers. Members who are currently users of the PBM’s Diabetes Care Path will be eligible to enroll in Dario’s digital health solution effective June 1, 2023. Post-launch, Dario’s solutions will be an integral part of the PBM enhanced diabetic management to their existing and future member populations.

“Helping employers manage the growing costs of chronic conditions requires thinking beyond traditional cost containment measures. This new agreement is a great example of how digital health can be deployed at scale to engage members with innovative and proven solutions to improve outcomes and reduce costs,” said Rick Anderson, President of Dario. “We are excited to launch Dario’s solutions to MedOne members, aligning the proven value of Dario with a forward-thinking PBM to help employers

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Month: June 2023

What This Heart Health Study Found

‘Gaps’ in access to oral health care