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Photo: Getty Images/Neo Vision 

November
Health Calendar

By Carrie Barnes and Carlos J. Queirós

Full Calendar

Bilingual Health Resources (agosto/
septiembre 2005)

Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month
American Diabetes Month
Epilepsy Awareness Month
Lung Cancer Awareness Month
National Family Caregivers Month


American Diabetes Month
Almost 20 million people in the United States have diabetes, but Hispanics are 1.5 times more likely to have the disease than white non-Hispanics of similar age, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Related Articles:

The Sweet Life... Without the Sweet Stuff (octubre/noviembre 2007)
  Diabetes: Win the Fight (febrero/marzo 2005) 
7 Simple Strategies for Controlling Diabetes (febrero/marzo 2005)
Diabetes: Test Your Knowledge (febrero/marzo 2005)  
  Calculate Your Risk (agosto/septiembre 2005)

Additional Resources:

Eating Out With Diabetes (octubre/noviembre 2007)
  Sites to See: Diabetes (Updated September 2007)
Diabetes-Friendly Recipes
  Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculator  


Health Calendar

January

February

March

April

May 

June

July 

August 

September

October

November

December

Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month
Be a part of the cure.

Today, more than 4.5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease—one in 10 people over 65 and nearly half of those over 85. Hispanics are at greater risk of getting Alzheimer’s and are more likely to see symptoms at an earlier age, according to research by the Duke University Medical Center. And unless we find better treatments and prevention methods, Alzheimer’s and related dementias are projected to grow more than sixfold among Hispanics by 2050, according to a report by the Alzheimer’s Association. This month, join the fight to improve treatment for and prevention of Alzheimer’s. And remember to take care of yourself: new research suggests that a lifetime of learning and mental activity can help protect against dementia. Regular exercise and staying socially active have also been shown to reduce your risk. So stay engaged in life. Keep learning, dancing, and building relationships. If someone you love has Alzheimer’s disease, educate yourself and get support. 

Related Articles:

  Can Dance Reduce Your Risk of Alzheimer's? (abril/mayo 2006)
  Let's Dance to Health (AARP.org)

Additional Resources:

  For more information and resources, visit the Alzheimer's Association or call 800-272-3900 (English & Spanish).
The National Institute on Aging provides information on forgetfulness and the various types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, and information on Alzheimer’s medications. If you or someone you know is caring for an individual  with Alzheimer’s, you can also get practical advice, tips, and support.
  MedlinePlus offers articles on new research, treatment options, and more.
  Looking for activities to stimulate your mind? Visit AARP Segunda Juventud’s Games page.


Epilepsy Awareness Month
Epilepsy is an incurable, but usually controllable, condition that produces seizures. More than 400,000 Latinos in the United States suffer from epilepsy.

“Patients 65 and older are the fastest-growing population of epileptics,” says Dr. Blanca Vázquez of New York University Medical Center. A stroke or head trauma can cause epilepsy, so Vázquez suggests wearing helmets during activities such as bicycling to prevent head injuries. Also watch for warning signs. “Identical episodes of memory lapses or speech and language changes should be investigated,” says the Mayo Clinic’s Dr. Joseph Sirven. 

Additional Resources:

To learn more about what to do if you or someone you know has epilepsy, visit Medline Plus.


National Family Caregivers Month
Care for the caregiver.
Family caregivers play a vital role in the U.S. health care system, providing nearly 80 percent of all long-term care, according to the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. In any given year, there are over 50 million people in the United States caring for a chronically ill, disabled, or aged relative or friend. Many of them are Hispanic. In fact, 34 percent of Hispanic households are living with the person under their care, according to a joint study by AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving (2004). Hispanics are also more likely to provide substantial financial support and high levels of personal care to elders, in many cases giving up their own hobbies and social activities. Take care of family caregivers this month! Join the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA), to help bring attention to the work of family caregivers, advocate for stronger public policy to address their needs, and increase the community programs that support them.

Related Articles:

  With Love and Without Guilt (otoño 2003)

Additional Resources:

  The Family Caregiver Alliance offers practical information and resources, as well as a quarterly newsletter called Al Día (English & Spanish) for family caregivers and health service providers. Visit them or call 800-445-8106 (English & Spanish).
If a woman you know needs help caring for a loved one, visit the Latino Caregiver Assistance Program (click on this link, then click on Latino in the left column) or call 800-943-4333 (English & Spanish).
  When you’re caring for a loved one, it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself. Find out how you’re doing. Take the American Medical Association’s self-assessment questionnaire (English & Spanish).



Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Quit it.
More people die of lung cancer than prostate, breast, and colorectal cancers combined. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic men and the second leading cause among Hispanic women. It is also the most preventable cancer. Almost 87 percent of lung cancer is found in smokers—that’s more than 8 out of every 10 lung cancer cases. The message is clear. If you’re a smoker, stop smoking. If you don’t smoke, know your rights to a smoke-free environment. Prevention is particularly important when it comes to lung cancer. It can also develop in people who have never smoked. Researchers are looking into other risk factors for lung cancer, including exposure to carcinogens like asbestos and radon, air pollution, and family history. This month, learn the facts about lung cancer and help stop the spread of this deadly disease.

Related Articles:

  The Challenge of Kicking a Bad Habit (otoño 2002)

Additional Resources:

  To learn more about lung cancer, visit CancerCare's It’s Time to Focus on Lung Cancer website or call 877-646-LUNG (877-646-5864) (English & Spanish).
Visit the American Lung Association for information on lung cancer and how to keep your lungs healthy.
  To learn more about the relationship between tobacco and cancer, visit the American Cancer Society.
  Are you or someone you know still smoking? Get help from the National Cancer Institute, or call the Quitline at 877-44U-QUIT (877-448-7848).  

Updated: November 2007


These links are provided for informational purposes only. AARP does not endorse, and has no control over, or responsibility for, the linked sites or the content, advertisements, materials, products, or services available on or throughout these sites.

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