Former Detroit Lion Lomas Brown and Detroit Lions Running Back Joique Bell Set to Walk

More than 900,000 Michigan residents are currently living with chronic kidney disease and most don’t know it. The National Kidney Foundation of Michigan (NKFM) is asking you to help the fight against kidney disease. Join us on Sunday, June 2 to participate in the Kidney Walk at the Detroit Zoo. The Detroit Zoo is located in Royal Oak at 8450 West 10 Mile Road. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the Walk kicks off at 8:30 a.m.

Walkers of all ages are invited to be part of the fun by walking individually or forming a team with family, friends, and co-workers. All walkers will receive free parking and admission to the Zoo, food and refreshments, and entertainment. There will also be kids activities such as face painting, a temoprary tatoo station, live enteratinment by Radio Disney, and more!

“Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two leading causes of chronic kidney disease,” said NKFM President and CEO Daniel Carney. “Since 70 percent of those cases may have been prevented, the Kidney Walk will draw attention to the importance of early detection and kidney disease prevention, while raising funds in support of kidney patients and their families.”

Huel Perkins, Anchor at FOX 2 Detroit, will be the event’s Master of Ceremonies, and Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell will be at the Kidney Walk to meet and greet fans.

Former Detroit Lion Lomas Brown and President of OHM Advisors, John Hiltz will serve as the Honorary Co-Chairs of the Kidney Walk. The Walk is sponsored by Meijer, Fresenius Medical Care, Greenfield Health Systems, OHM Advisors, and many other local businesses.

For more information or to register, call Lisa Schutz Jelic at the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan at 800-482-1455, ext. 210 or visit www.kidneywalk.org. On-site registration will also be accepted.

New University of Michigan poll shows 4 out of 5 report they’d favor medical care for children where research for new prevention strategies and medical treatments are being discovered for children

Four out of five parents and grandparents in Michigan say they’d rather take children to a hospital that does medical research for children than one that does not, according to a new poll from the University of Michigan.

A new study from the Michigan Child Health Research Priorities team at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital found that more than 80 percent of parents and grandparents prefer a hospital that does medical research about children --  if they can expect the same level of care, the hospital is equally accessible and with no difference in cost.

The study also found that one out of four parents and grandparents in Michigan would be interested in their children or grandchildren taking part in medical research, although only 2 percent say their children or grandchildren have done so before.

“This project is the first of its kind to ask parents and grandparents about medical research for children, how they want to be involved, and what that means for where they would take their children for medical care,” says Matthew M. Davis, M.D., M.A.P.P., the director of the Michigan Child Health Research Priorities or M-CHRP team.  “We found that the public recognizes the importance of pediatric research and the benefits of healthcare providers who are engaged in that research. They want their children to be cared for by people who are actively involved in developing new ways to prevent and treat illnesses for children.

“Based on this study, we think there is great potential for participation in child health research in Michigan,” says Davis.

M-CHRP is a statewide research effort designed to inform and stimulate public engagement in Michigan around child health research. This poll’s representative sample of 758 adults was made up of Michigan residents who were parents or grandparents of children aged 0 to 17.

In the poll, respondents were given the opportunity to also indicate what types of diseases they think should get the most attention from researchers.  The top 10 areas rated as “very important”:

1. Childhood cancers: 83 percent
2. (tie)Safety of medications: 79 percent
           Safety of vaccines: 79 percent
3. Heart problems: 76 percent
4. Causes of infant deaths: 74 percent
5. Diabetes: 73 percent
6. Birth defects and other genetic problems: 73 percent

7.  Transplants for cancer and other diseases: 71 percent

8.  Prevention of infections: 69 percent
9.  Asthma: 68 percent

“Through M-CHRP, the people of Michigan can express what kind of research they think is important for children. We hope this data can help U-M better reach families who want to contribute to child health research today and in the future,” Davis says.

At C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, pediatric research is a top priority. The University of Michigan Medical School was ranked in 2013 as one of the top 10 research medical schools nationwide by U.S. News & World Report. About $320 million in National Institutes of Health funding was awarded to U-M faculty in fiscal year 2011.

“We need to make it a priority to get the word out about research opportunities for children,” says Davis. “Medical research often needs healthy volunteers as well as those who may have the particular disease being studied. While many people may think of medical research as testing new medicines, children’s medical research also includes other types of health studies related to topics such as behavior, nutrition, and mental health.”

2.3 million Michigan residents have arthritis (31% of the population) including 10,300 children.

3,000  people participated in an Arthritis Walk at the Detroit Zoo raising more than $200,000 to support programs, services, and research that help people with the disease.

The Arthritis Walk is an annual non-competitive walking event hosted by the Arthritis Foundation that raises awareness and support for arthritis programs, services and research.

Arthritis affects people of all ages and origins. 2.3 million Michigan residents have arthritis (31% of the population), including 10,300 children. The disease causes progressive deterioration of bones, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons. People with arthritis often experience chronic pain and increasingly limited mobility. The underlying cause of arthritis is unknown and there is no cure.

19% of African Americans are afflicted with arthritis, compared to 24% whites, 11% Hispanics and 25% American Indians and Alaskan Natives.  However, research shows that African Americans experience more pain from arthritis because they are more likely to get the most severe forms of arthritis like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Other forms of arthritis include osteoarthritis and osteoprosis.

Suggestions on controlling arthritis include weight control, exercise, stretching, vitamin D, getting enough sleep, healthy eating and avoiding certain foods like shellfish and red meat which increase uric acid in the blood.  Uric acid forms crystals that settle in the joints creating more pain.

Body burnout is a growing issue among congregants and faith-based leaders across Detroit. Faced with evidence that escalating obesity rates are contributing to major health challenges from type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and other serious conditions, alarmed pastors are taking action.
And through participation in programs like the Body & Soul and Blues’ Community Challenge, they are inspiring congregants to take small steps toward better health.
A sense of trust and interrelationship is a critical component of the 12-week campaign supported by the American Cancer Society, which relies upon the powerful bond between congregants to fuel change.

“There’s an undeniable love that exists between pastors and fellow brothers and sisters of the church,” says Bridget Hurd, vice president of Community Relations at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. “And, when congregants receive a message or call to action delivered within this environment, they have uncommon confidence that it is rooted in love and a concern for our well-being.”

A MOVING MESSAGE
More than 70 churches are participating in the program, which provides participants with community support and friendly competition while empowering them to take responsibility for their health.

Education is a critical component of the effort, which focuses on raising awareness of the importance of activity, particularly walking.

Adults who include at least 150 minutes of physical activity in their routines each week live longer than those who don’t, according to a study published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine.
Armed with such knowledge, many pastors are leading walking clubs that provide congregants with social engagement, healthy peer pressure and motivation to make scheduled activity a part of their everyday lives.

FEELING GOOD – INSIDE & OUT
“This challenge is simply not about losing weight, however,” notes Hurd. “It’s about the accomplishment that comes from managing health conditions and feeling good both inside and out.”

CUSTOM-BUILT
Unlike other programs, the Body& Soul Blues Community challenge program does not advocate a prescriptive one-size-fits-all plan . Instead, it offers a framework of educational tools that church leaders can customize to draw upon the many talents of its church members to sustain.
Common elements include celebrating good health through healthy eating and activity that helps parishioners increase their consumption of fruits and vegetables to prevent chronic disease, while incorporating more physical activity into their day-to-day routine.
Editor’s Note: LivingWELL Magazine will be covering the Body & Soul and Blues’ Community Challenge efforts in upcoming issues.

SIDEBAR
About the Body & Soul and Blues’ Community Challenge
Churches gain points completing a community partner checklist of fifteen activities, which offer various health and wellness opportunities to take part in to enhance their congregation’s healthy living practices, including:

Tracking of physical activity through the Blues Walking Works® tracking tool.

Enrollment assistance training hosted by the Blues to help the uninsured gain access to the State’s health insurance programs.
Attending health-awareness workshops and participating in the programs provided by the community partners on cancer, heart disease and diabetes prevention
Participating in local, organized community partner group walks:

American Heart-June 8
Relay for Life-June 3
Diabetes Walk-Sept 14

Winning congregations receive grants ranging from $250, $500 and $1,000 to support their healthy ministry efforts.