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1.Mental and Emotional Health

2.Healthy Eating

3.Physical Activity

4.Safety and Preventing Unintentional Injury

5.Personal Health and Wellness

6.Intentional Injury and Violence

7.Preventing Tobacco Use

8.Death/Grief/Loss

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In an article from The New York Times, Ellen Barry reports on a dramatic rise in PTSD diagnoses among college students, which surged from 3.4% in 2017 to 7.5% in 2022, largely attributed to the societal stressors exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, including campus shootings and social unrest. The study, based on over 390,000 participants from the Healthy Minds Study, reveals that acute stress disorder diagnoses also increased. Experts emphasize the urgent need for effective mental health support on college campuses, highlighting that young adults are particularly vulnerable to traumatic experiences. This information is critical for teachers as it underscores the importance of mental health education and support for students, including younger children who may also face trauma. Educators can implement programs that promote mental well-being and coping strategies, creating a safe and supportive environment for all students.

Barry, E. (2024, May 30). PTSD has surged among college students. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/30/health/ptsd-diagnoses-rising-college-students.html

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The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder among college students rose to 7.5 percent in 2022, more than double the rate five years earlier, researchers found.

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In an article highlighting urgent concerns about nutrition in the U.S., new polling by Zogby Analytics reveals that while 68% of consumers recognize the importance of healthy eating for longevity, over half believe progress toward accessible nutritious food is insufficient. A report by the American Heart Association indicates that if current trends continue, by 2050, over 60% of U.S. adults could have cardiovascular disease, driven largely by rising obesity rates. The article emphasizes the need for collaboration among health professionals, policymakers, and the food industry to improve access to healthy foods and combat the looming health crisis. This information is vital for educators as it highlights the critical role of nutrition in preventing chronic diseases, which can be taught to students through health education. Teachers can incorporate lessons on healthy eating, food accessibility, and the impact of nutrition on overall health, fostering lifelong habits in children.

American Heart Association. (2024, June 10). Alarming trends call for action to define the future role of food in nation’s health. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/alarming-trends-call-for-action-to-define-the-future-role-of-food-in-nations-health

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Alarming trends call for action to define the future role of food in nation’s health

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CHICAGO, June 10, 2024 — The cost of nutritious food and the lack of access to it are of significant concern to U.S. consumers. That’s according to a new national poll of public attitudes on food and nutrition conducted by Zogby Analytics on behalf…

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In a commentary by Dr. Esmée A. Bakker, the relationship between physical activity and fitness and their impacts on longevity is explored. The analysis highlights that while regular physical activity is linked to lower risks of cardiovascular disease and premature mortality, physical fitness demonstrates an even stronger association with longevity. A study following over 5,400 middle-aged men across Europe for more than 60 years found that both higher occupational physical activity and fitness levels significantly reduced mortality risk, with fitness showing a consistent positive effect throughout the study period. Notably, the benefits of physical activity were observed primarily in the first 30 years, while fitness benefits persisted.This information is essential for educators, as it reinforces the importance of both physical activity and fitness in promoting lifelong health among students. Teachers can design activities that not only encourage movement but also educate children about the value of developing fitness habits early on, fostering a culture of health and well-being.

Bakker, E. A. (2024, March 6). Physical activity versus fitness for longevity. https://www.escardio.org/Sub-specialty-communities/European-Association-of-Preventive-Cardiology-(EAPC)/News/physical-activity-versus-fitness-for-longevity

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Topic(s):

Regular physical activity is associated with many health benefits, including a lower risk of developing cardiovascular risk factors, chronic diseases, and premature mortality. In addition, higher physical fitness is strongly associated with lower all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Physical fitness is partly inherited and is affected by habitual physical activity and exercise. For example, a meta-analysis (1) showed that genes could explain 44% of the VO ₂max differences after aerobic training. The observational study of Menotti et al. (2) published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology explored the association between physical activity based on occupation and physical fitness, and their independent and joint effects in predicting all-cause mortality and the age of death. The study included seven European cohorts of four different countries of middle-aged men (n=5482), who were followed for over 60 years in which nearly all participants reached the endpoint. Physical activity was based on occupation and divided into low, intermediate, and high, whereas leisure time physical activity was excluded as those levels were very low. Physical fitness was derived from arm circumference (mm), heart rate (beats/min) and vital capacity (L/m ²) and were combined into an overall score, which is different from commonly used methods to estimate (cardiorespiratory) fitness.

The study findings showed that more physical activity at work reduced the risk of death with similar effect estimates for the intermediate (13%) and high (15%) versus the lowest physical activity category. In addition, higher fitness levels reduced the risk of death, in which higher fitness resulted in an additional risk reduction (intermediate: 23% and high: 30%). The positive health benefits of physical activity and fitness were independent of each other, but the benefits were larger for fitness compared to physical activity. When looking at the age of death, individuals with higher levels of occupational physical activity lived 1.89 (intermediate) and 2.25 years (high) longer compared to low physical activity. For fitness, the study showed +2.84 and +3.79 years for intermediate and high, respectively, compared to low fitness.

An interesting result is that the beneficial effect of physical activity was only present during the first 30 years of follow-up and disappeared after 30 years. The beneficial effect of fitness was present during the whole 60 years of follow-up. Importantly, physical activity and fitness were measured only once at baseline, and previous literature (3) showed that physical activity levels are likely to change over time which could impact the risk of death. Interestingly, some previous studies (4) suggested detrimental effects of occupational physical activity on all-cause mortality, which contrasts with this study. The differential effect might be due to differences in the type of occupation, type of physical activities performed at work, and other factors which were not considered (e.g. social economic status, sex, nutrition). Another potential explanation could be the presence of a cohort effect by birth year in men, which has been revealed in a Norwegian population study (5). They showed that very high occupational physical activity was associated with lower mortality risk in men born before 1940, while it was associated with higher risk in men born after 1950.

Nonetheless, this study showed the importance of physical activity and fitness in reducing premature deaths after 60 years of follow-up, in which fitness showed a stronger association with death compared to physical activity.

Esme A. Bakker commented on: Additional references:

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Physical Activity versus Fitness for Longevity

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Your access to the latest cardiovascular news, science, tools and resources.

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Safety & Preventing Unintentional Injury 

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Safety & Preventing Unintentional Injury 

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The article discusses the significant health impacts of unsafe housing conditions on children, highlighting that unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for children ages 1-21, according to the CDC. It emphasizes disparities in injury rates, particularly among low socioeconomic groups and urban African-American children. Common causes of these injuries include drowning, suffocation, and falls. The article outlines several preventive measures, such as using safety devices, supervising children, and creating a safer home environment, which can help reduce the risk of unintentional injuries.This information is crucial for teachers, as it underscores the importance of injury prevention education for students. Educators can integrate lessons on safety at home and in the community, teaching children about potential hazards and how to take precautions, thereby promoting a culture of safety and health awareness.

NCHH (2024). Injury prevention and safety. https://nchh.org/information-and-evidence/learn-about-healthy-housing/health-hazards-prevention-and-solutions/injury-prevention-and-safety/

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In addition to the chronic health impacts of unhealthy housing such as lead poisoning, asthma, and cancer, unsafe housing conditions also interfere with the immediate health and well-being of children through unintentional injuries. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death in all children ages 1-21. However, there is a disparity in the rates that these accidental injuries are experienced. Individuals with low socioeconomic standing, especially urban African-American children, have historically experienced greater rates of injury. Additionally, male children also tend to experience a higher rate of injury.

Although the type of unintentional injury most likely to occur varies with the age of the child, Safe Kids Worldwide identifies fire, drowning, suffocation, choking, falls, unintentional firearm injury, and poisoning as leading causes of death in the home.

Reducing Risks

Although unintentional injuries are by definition accidental, there are basic precautions that can be taken in the home to help limit the conditions conducive to injury:

Properly and consistently use safety devices such as smoke detectors, bicycle helmets, gates, and child-proof containers and latches.

Actively supervise children's activities, including continuously monitoring children while they are in or near water and generally restricting children's access to areas containing potentially hazardous materials or objects.

Keep other dangerous items out of children's reach, such as knives, handles from pots on the stove, hot liquids, and cords to appliances and window treatments.

Know and have accessible important phone numbers, such as emergency response teams, poison control, and family doctors.

Additional behaviors, such as refraining from cigarette smoking in the home, can reduce multiple health risks to children including chronic health impacts ( asthma) as well as unintentional injury - residential fires caused by smoking materials (including cigarettes) are the leading cause of fire-related death.

Creating a safer home environment will serve not only to lower the risk of children's unintentional injury, but also to assist in the establishment of an overall healthier home environment.

Injury Prevention Resources

The Injury Prevention Program
American Academy of Pediatrics' Injury Prevention Program is an educational program that aims to prevent common injuries in children under 12 from sources such as poisons, falls, burns, vehicles, and more. Their website provides age-related safety sheets, national campaign information, and other educational resource.

Safe Kids Worldwide
A national nonprofit organization dedicated solely to the prevention of unintentional injuries in children, SAFE KIDS also coordinates numerous state and local coalitions nationwide. The national website contains information on the campaign, safety tips, product recalls, and how to get involved in the various coalitions.

Unintentional Injuries in Childhood
The Future of Children published a special issue on potential safety hazards for children in 2000. An account is required in order to access the articles.

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control is the federal government's lead agency for injury prevention. In addition to education and factual resources on injury, violent injury, and unintentional injury, their website provides information on national injury prevention and research activities.

Su Familia (Your Family) Helpline
The National Alliance for Hispanic Health sponsors this toll-free helpline (1-866-SU FAMILIA or 1-866-783-2645) to offer Hispanic consumers free, reliable, and confidential health information in Spanish and English and help navigate callers through the healthcare system. | En español: La National Alliance for Hispanic Health (Alianza Nacional para la Salud de los Hispanos) patrocina esta línea de ayuda gratuita (1-866-SU FAMILIA o 1-866-783-2645) para ofrecer a los consumidores hispanos información de salud gratuita, confiable y confidencial en español e inglés y ayudar a las personas que llaman sistema de cuidado de la salud.

Related

NCHH's "Safety's No Accident" blog series:

Additional NCHH safety blogs:

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In addition to the chronic health impacts of unhealthy housing such as lead poisoning, asthma, and cancer, unsafe housing conditions also interfere with the immediate health and well-being of children through unintentional injuries. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death in all children ages 1-21.

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In an article from CNN titled "Back to school means back to viruses," Dr. Leana Wen emphasizes the need for families to prepare for an increase in respiratory illnesses as students return to school. She highlights the importance of having COVID-19 tests and over-the-counter medications on hand, as well as maintaining good hygiene practices and ensuring children get adequate sleep and nutrition to support their immune systems. This information is vital for teaching health to elementary students, as it encourages healthy habits and awareness of illness prevention. Teachers can incorporate discussions about hygiene and nutrition into their lessons, empowering students to make informed choices that contribute to their overall health.

Hetter, K. (2024, August 2). Back to school means back to viruses. A doctor explains how families should prepare. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/02/health/virus-covid-school-flu-children-testing-symptoms-wellness/index.html

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Back to school means back to viruses. A doctor explains how families should prepare | CNN

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The return to classrooms this fall usually means your kids bring back germs along with their homework. Dr. Leana Wen has advice to make this transition easier.

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In an article from ABC News, Kiara Alfonseca (2024) reports that over 11,600 people have died from gun violence in the U.S. in 2024, with significant recent incidents reigniting the debate on this critical public health issue. The year has seen more than 385 mass shootings, resulting in 385 deaths and 1,679 injuries, highlighting the ongoing crisis. The discussion also reflects a broader trend, with mass shootings in the U.S. having more than doubled in the past decade, prompting urgent calls for policy changes to address gun violence.This topic is essential for educators, as discussions about gun violence can help students understand the importance of safety, empathy, and community awareness. Teachers can facilitate conversations that promote conflict resolution and emotional well-being, equipping students with tools to navigate their environments thoughtfully.

Alfonseca, K. (2024, September 5). About 11,600 people have died in US gun violence so far in 2024. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/US/gun-violence-claimed-lives-5000-people-2024/story?id=107262776

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A Feb. 14 mass shooting following a parade and rally for the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl win has left one person dead and at least 21 others injured, according to officials.

The shooting has reignited discussions about the prevalence of gun violence in America.

As of Feb. 15, at least 4,994 people have died from gun violence in the U.S. this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive - which is an average of about 108 deaths each day. Another 3,351 people have been injured.

People flee after shots were fired near the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl LVIII victory parade on February 14, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri.

Andrew Caballero-reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Of those who have died from gun violence, 147 were teens and 31 were children.

Last year, gun violence deaths and injuries decreased by at least 8% compared to 2022, with some cities seeing decreases of more than 20%, according to GVA.

There were 43,065 gun deaths in 2023, with more than 36,000 people injured. Gun deaths, excluding suicides, in 2023 were the lowest they had been since 2020. Injuries were the lowest they had been since 2019.

Mass shootings

There have been more than 49 mass shootings in 2024 so far, which is defined by the Gun Violence Archive as an incident in which four or more victims are shot or killed.

These mass shootings have led to more than 80 deaths and more than 170 injuries.

The Jan. 23 string of shootings in Joliet, Illinois by a single suspect marks the deadliest incident of the year. Eight people were killed and nine shot in what Joliet, Illinois, authorities are referring to as 23-year-old deceased suspect Romeo Nance's "reign of terror."

Mass shootings in the U.S. have more than doubled in the last decade.

In 2014, there were 272 mass shootings. In 2023, there were 656. Mass shootings peaked at 689 in 2021, according to GVA.

People flee after shots were fired near the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl LVIII victory parade, Feb. 14, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo.

Andrew Caballero-reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Deaths by suicide

Deaths by suicide have made up the vast majority of gun violence deaths so far this year.

There's been 3,036 deaths by gun suicide this year, an average of about 66 deaths by suicide per day.

Though GVA has not yet released suicide data for 2023, deaths by suicide have been on the rise throughout the decade.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide - free, confidential help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call or text the national lifeline at 988. Even if you feel like it, you are not alone.
Other shootings

The grim tally of gun violence deaths includes 174 people killed in police officer-involved shootings. Seven police officers have been fatally shot in the line of duty this year.

There also have been 181 "unintentional" shootings, the Gun Violence Archive shows. Unintentional shootings reached the lowest they had been in a decade.

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Almost 5,000 people have died in U.S. gun violence so far in 2024

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As of Feb. 15, at least 4,994 people have died from gun violence in the U.S. this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

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In an article for the World Bank, Patricio V. Marquez (2024) discusses the theme of World No Tobacco Day 2024, "Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference," emphasizing the urgent need to shield youth from tobacco addiction. With approximately 8 million annual deaths linked to tobacco and a significant focus on marketing to younger audiences, the article highlights effective strategies such as higher tobacco taxes and comprehensive advertising bans to deter youth tobacco use. It underscores the importance of protecting children for human capital development, improved educational outcomes, and reduced healthcare costs associated with tobacco-related diseases.Understanding the impact of tobacco use is crucial for educators as it enables them to teach students about healthy lifestyle choices and the dangers of addiction. Teachers can facilitate discussions around the importance of making informed choices and create awareness about the manipulative marketing tactics used by the tobacco industry.

Marquez, P. V. (2024, May 30). World No Tobacco Day 2024: Preventing tobacco addiction in children and youth. World Bank. https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/health/World-No-Tobacco-Day-2024

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World No Tobacco Day 2024: Preventing Tobacco Addiction in Children and Youth

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The theme for this year’s World No Tobacco Day, “Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference,” underscores the critical need to prevent future generations from falling prey to the harmful impact of tobacco use.

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In his article for The Washington Post, Dr. Christopher W.T. Miller (2024) explores how grief impacts the brain and body, explaining that loss can alter biological systems, particularly in areas related to memory and reward. He describes how individuals may become "stuck" in grief due to the deep emotional connections with loved ones, leading to feelings of isolation and an inability to engage in new activities. Miller emphasizes the importance of recognizing one’s inherent value and being patient with the grieving process, as healing takes time and is unique to each person.Understanding the psychological effects of grief is essential for teachers as it equips them to support students who may be experiencing loss. Educators can create a safe space for discussions about emotions and coping strategies, fostering resilience and emotional intelligence in their students.

Miller, C. W. T. (2024, March 8). What grief does to your brain, and how to cope with it. The Washington Post.https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2024/03/08/grief-brain-healing-coping-strategies

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"Nothing really feels the same since she's been gone," my patient told me, tearing up. His wife of 30 years had died two months back. My patient felt his identity was connected with her, and he was struggling to figure out who he was without her.

"Grief is so tricky," he said. "You never know what cues, what things around you are going to set off a wave of memories and feelings. It's like an emotional sniper."

Losing someone important, whether because of death, breakup, relocation or some other development, can feel catastrophic. We are social creatures, and other people give us a sense of belonging, continuity and grounding. The abrupt nature of many separations can leave us exposed, weighing us down with feelings of aloneness and meaninglessness that can be all-consuming.

We feel this way because experiencing loss can lead to shifts in our biological systems. Understanding these changes, especially in our brain, can help us realize that healing from a loss can take time, and we need to be gentle with ourselves during the grieving process.

How grief affects the brain

During grief, stress hormone levels increase, and brain activation patterns can change.

For instance, the "basal ganglia" - groups of neurons located deep within the lower portions of the brain - can become more activated.
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(Abbey Lossing for The Washington Post)
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These neurons are involved in establishing our habitual action patterns. They also help determine the reward and pleasure we obtain from certain relationships and will play a part in how we respond to separation from loved ones.

Since the basal ganglia encode our sense of closeness and feeling drawn to others, overactivity in this area in response to separation can drive us to try to reconnect through searching behaviors such as the urge to " go out and look " for them. As we may have associated loved ones with feelings of reward, their absence may cause us to crave them.

Importantly, there is some overlap between areas that encode our representation of ourselves and areas that encode representations of close others. Our brains don't entirely distinguish self and others; there can be a blurring between where we end and the other person begins, especially in intimate relationships.

As underlined by my patient, losing a loved one can make us feel as though a part of ourselves has been taken away. As a result, we have trouble recognizing who we are after the loss.

In the brain, there can be a disconnect between "episodic" or "autobiographical" memory areas (which register factual events and are informing us the person is gone) and "semantic" or "conceptual" memory areas (which register contextual information about our lives and are informing us that this person has been, and therefore should continue to be, a predictable part of our day-to-day existence). This information paradox can lead to what has been termed the " gone-but-also-everlasting " theory in grief.

Getting stuck in grief

There are many ways in which we can become "stuck" in a grief cycle.

Our sense of pleasure and satisfaction can become so connected to specific individuals that it can seem impossible to do anything worthwhile unrelated to them. Whether listening to songs or watching movies both enjoyed or looking over photographs and mementos, we'd rather obtain some version of reward by engaging with these reminders (even if they also bring sorrow) than shift toward other activities that could be pleasurable but have no connection to the absent person.

Engaging in other activities can also invite guilt, as we may feel we are betraying the person by trying to move on. The more we feel "merged" with certain people, the harder it is to imagine a future without them, and this predicament can prolong the grief response.

Loss is an inevitable part of life, but its effects need not consume us. As we try to find healing, there are some important ideas to keep in mind during the grieving process.

Avoid isolation

It can be easy to surround ourselves with reminders of the absent person, ruminating over the loss and avoiding engagement with anything unrelated to the relationship. It can be hard to think clearly (people can experience what has been termed " griever's fog "), and the thoughts we do have are often repetitive and torturous, such as "Why did this happen to me?" or "Could I have done anything different?"

We keep ourselves trapped in a relationship that has both ended and remains ongoing, though in painfully unchanging ways.

But hard as it might be, trying to connect with others pushes us to realize that there are other worthwhile relationships.

Don't define yourself by the loss

When a relationship ends, what is lost is not only the predictability and comfort but also the feeling of being special and unique in someone else's mind.

A critical part of the grieving process is remembering that we have inherent value, which remains alive despite the other person's absence. Reclaiming our sense of worth can remind us that life goes on, even if the relationship does not.

Remember that grief dictates its own course

There is no timeline for grief to end. People can put a lot of pressure on the grieving individual to move on, but only those in the relationship know what it meant.

We cannot eliminate all reminders of the absent person (nor would this necessarily be recommended). Reexperiencing grief is to be expected, especially around important dates and when interacting with reminders of people who are gone.

Being patient and compassionate with ourselves is crucial, and we need to avoid demanding a flight into health that outpaces a realistic and sustainable integration of our loss. Grief is individual and will take the time it needs.
Christopher W.T. Miller, MD, is a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst practicing at the University of Maryland Medical Center and an associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He is the author of "The Object Relations Lens: A Psychodynamic Framework for the Beginning Therapist."
We welcome your comments on this column at OnYourMind@washpost.com.

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Advice | What grief does to your brain, and how to cope with it

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Understanding how loss affects our brain and body can help us realize that healing from a loss takes time, and we need to be gentle during the grieving process.