BNJ Foundation

Findings from national data suggest 4 things busy clinicians can tell parents and older children about using medicines safely.

1. Among children, unintended medication overdoses (rather than allergic reactions or side effects) are the most common cause of serious harm and lead to more than 70,000 emergency department visits every year.
2. It is not errors by clinicians that cause most of these overdoses — 80% are caused by unsupervised ingestions in the home, typically by 2-year-olds. One of every 180 2-year-olds is brought to an emergency department for a medication overdose.
3. Dosing errors by parents cause fewer pediatric emergency visits (approximately 10% of medication overdoses) — but certain dosing errors can cause serious harm, particularly for infants and toddlers.
4. Approximately 10% of emergency visits for nonabuse overdoses involve innocent (but misguided) attempts by pre-adolescents and teens to self-treat pain or other symptoms with high doses of medicines. Pre-adolescents and teenagers may not appreciate the consequences of taking high doses of medicine, particularly of over-the-counter medicines.

To help prevent these overdoses, CDC encourages you to talk to parents and older children about the following ways to use medicines safely:

• First, advise parents of infants and young children to put all medicines up and away and out of sight after every use. Many families have a designated safe place to store medicines, but, often, medicines currently being used are left in a different easily accessible place — on the kitchen counter, or on a nightstand. But these locations are easy for children to access, too and medicines should never be kept there, even temporarily. Medicine that a child, a sibling, or an adult is currently taking should still be put up and away and out of sight after every use.
• Encourage adults to lock child-resistant caps every time a medicine is used. If a child gets hold of a medicine bottle, the child-resistant cap provides some additional protection. But that cap must be firmly in place to work. Even when properly applied, child-resistant caps are not 100% child-”proof.” New innovative packaging with enhanced child-resistant features is being developed. Today, some medicines are available in unit-dose packaging — which may be safer because if children get into these packages, they may ingest a single dose, but hopefully not an entire bottle.
• Tell parents of infants and young children to use the dosing device that comes with each medicine. Kitchen spoons are not designed to accurately measure medication. Both the US Food and Drug Administration, and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association have recommended that over-the-counter products include clearly labeled dosing devices that match the instructions on the bottle. If a dosing device does not come with a prescription medicine, parents should ask their pharmacist for one.
• Ask pre-teens and adolescents about their medicine use, including over-the-counter medications, and remind them of serious harms of exceeding recommended doses. Also, counsel pre-teens and adolescents to never take someone else’s prescription medicines.

In summary, to prevent emergency department visits for medication overdoses in your pediatric patients, I encourage you to:

• Advise parents of toddlers to put all medicines up and away and out of sight after every use;
• Encourage adults to lock child-resistant caps every time a medicine is used;
• Tell parents of infants and young children to use the dosing device that comes with the medicine; and
• Ask pre-teens and adolescents about their medicine use, including over-the-counter medications, and remind them of serious harms of taking too much.

For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/medicationsafety

Schools have made little progress in recent years in teaching students about preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, according to one measure of the teaching of these subjects detailed in a new government report.

Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at the percentage of middle schools and high schools in a state that teach specific topics related to HIV, STDs and pregnancy prevention in a course that students are required to take. The topics include how HIV and other STDs are diagnosed and treated, how to prevent HIV and other STDs, and the benefits of being sexually abstinent.

The findings show that 11 states saw drops between 2008 and 2010 in the percentage of public schools teaching the recommended topics in a course required for middle school (6th, 7th and 8th grade) students. No states saw an increase the percentage of public schools teaching the topics to middle-schoolers.

Among high schools, one state had a drop in the percentage of schools teaching the topics recommended for students in grades 9 through 12, while two states saw increases in the percentage over the two-year period.

When the researchers looked specifically at teaching high-school students about topics related to using condoms, eight states saw drops in the percentage of schools teaching the recommended topics, while three states had increases.

“Secondary schools can increase efforts to teach all age-appropriate HIV, other STD, and pregnancy prevention topics to help reduce risk behaviors among students,” the authors wrote.

The percentage of schools teaching the recommended topics varied widely by state, the report noted. For example, for the topic of “how HIV and other STDs are transmitted,” more than 90 percent of schools in Hawaii, Indiana, Nevada, New York and Rhode Island reported teaching the topic in 2010, whereas fewer than 70 percent of schools in Alaska (43 percent), Arizona (33 percent), Mississippi (56 percent), Nebraska (68 percent), Oklahoma (65 percent), South Dakota (67 percent) and Tennessee (65 percent)  reported doing so.

For the report, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed data from public high schools in 45 states collected as part of the School Health Profiles, a biennial survey that measures school health practices. The analysis was limited in that it relied on reports from school principals, and that only public schools were surveyed.

MyHealthNewsDaily/CDC for more info

What to do before and during bad weather!!!!

 Make sure You know all emergency telephone numbers such as 911, family numbers you need to reach, electric and water companies numbers, what to do about power outages, how to deal with personal injuries, how to turn off the water, gas and electricity at main switches, what to do if you have to evacuate, where to meet and whom to contact if you get separated, take a Red Cross first aid and CPR class, make arrangements for your pets.

Have at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food on hand. Focus on high-nutrition foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. Your foodstuffs might include: ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables, canned juices, milk, soup, staples, including sugar, salt, pepper, peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix, vitamins, foods for infants, the elderly or people on special diets. Rotate your food supply. Use foods before they go bad, and replace them with fresh supplies, dated with ink or marker. Place new items at the back of the storage area and older ones in front. Keep a supply of cooking and eating implements that can be used in the absence of running water or electricity, including: plastic utensils, paper cups and plates, manual can and bottle openers, a heating source, such as a camp stove or canned heat stove, and extra fuel. Check flashlights and radios. Make sure you have batteries.

Elderly needing special assistance may check for available help in the community. Talk to neighbors, relatives, friends to aid you in an emergency. Discuss with them your needs and make sure they know how to operate any necessary equipment.

During the storm, stay inside and keep away from windows or glass doors, follow the emergency evacuation plan before you leave your home.

For more information, please visit the National Hurricane Center……………..

At the close of another year, the BNJ Foundation  gratefully pauses to wish you all a warm and happy holiday season and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.

We are grateful for our work with you and our thoughts especially turn to those who have made our progress possible. Thank you and best wishes!  May peace, prosperity, and happiness be yours throughout the holidays and New Year.

The BNJ Foundation is raising awareness to support our programs and projects and is asking you to please help us out this year by giving a tax-deductible donation. We work very hard to provide free services to people in need  and we hope to count on you for a generous donation of $10 or more. However, any and all donations are welcomed and 100% of your donations go directly to the projects and programs. Please visit us online at www.bnjfoundation.org

Your charitable contribution to the BNJ Foundation allows us to create and sustain our projects and programs, and help empowers us to provide new beginnings and hope for the future to children and adults. Your donation provides food and water, and the ability for families to grow their own.

Contributions enable us to prevent common medical problems that affect communities, through health and wellness education, P*E*S Tour and by providing clean water and sanitation. Just  a small donation can help break the cycle of poverty, giving individuals the ability to support themselves and their families. We could not accomplish this work without your needed assistance.

We thank you for your time and consideration and look forward to whatever support you may provide. Many companies have matching donor programs which may be unknown to participants. If you are able to contribute, please also check for the matching donor funds through your employer.

If you require additional information about the BNJ Foundation, please contact us and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have. You may visit us online at www.bnjfoundation.org , contact us directly by phone at:  1 (866) 756-3607 or email: info@bnjfoundation.org. You can donate online (secure) or by mail. If you are sending your donation in the form of a check, please make it payable to  P.O.Box 231203, Centreville, VA 20120.

What keeps you motivated?  As
you are making your gifts list and enthusiastically shopping for Christmas presents,
think about what it means to love and be loved. With Christmas and other holidays
coming up, I thought this would be a good time to talk about the importance of a
New Year’s resolution.

So many people are struggling with the economic conditions, health
issues, or personal losses. We can all play a role in making our life and the
lives of those around us a little better. How could we feel good with so much
going on?

Let’s begin by taking 15 minutes once a week and going into a very
quiet place or room. While in the room, ask yourself these questions: You may
want to focus on all the questions at once or just a couple per week.  So, let’s begin.

Do I
believe in myself?

Do I believe
in a relationship which I am in?

Am I
treating my family members properly?

Do I
believe in what my child/children tell me?

Do I
follow up on my child/children’s comments?

Am I
really asking for help and advice or do I want to hear a response that would simply
satisfy me?

Do I
believe in a Divine Creator or God because of the influence of others?

Can I really
make a professional judgment that will result in a positive outcome?

Am I
treating myself, coworkers, and employees appropriately?

When
using my influence, am I representing the public or myself and what do I hope
to change?

Am I
truthful to myself and others?

Do I
constantly justify lies?

Do I
really believe what I tell others?

Am I
aware of what’s going on around me?

Am I
going to forgive and move on and how am I going to proceed?

Have I
been mistreating a child, elderly or someone I know?

How can I
know what I am doing is wrong?

How can I
go on with the loss of someone dear?

Am I
angry at someone and looking for revenge?

Who and
how can I trust?

Am I
really happy with the life I live?

Would
more love or more money make me happier?

What is
one thing I would like to do to be remembered for?

Remember you are
alone in the room and there is no one around to judge you or criticize you.
There is no news around to make you famous or scrutinize your answers. It is
just you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The New Year is
a perfect time to begin living an honest life. It’s a time for starting over
and creating fresh new relationships. We can do this by learning to truly know
who we are and how deeply true we are to ourselves. We need to recognize and accept
that we are human and that we make mistakes. We need to not make mistakes over
and over. We need to open our ears and our hearts to the people we love. We
need to understand that in a relationship one person has to be the reasonable
one for an issue to be resolve.

Trusting is a
very complex term and should be used with caution.  As parents and mentors we need to understand
that when we trust and idolize others our children tend to give in to those we
trust.

Make sure you
give to those in need. Elderly people are particularly prone to loneliness over
the holiday period. Let’s all make a pledge to break the vicious circle of
abuse. We can’t have a peaceful world by instilling physical and emotional
instability in our children. By answering those questions above you can avoid
abusing someone or possibly being the victim of abuse.

Let’s make it
our New Year resolution to really live the life that we in our closed door
think is the right way and pledge to represent our inside out there where it
counts the most, stop creating harm and pain to ourselves and other. With
patience and hard work we can do it.

Our pledge is to
create an environment of hope to those who feel hopelessness.  But we need your help. If you like to make a tax
deductible donation, please visit www.bnjfoundation.org and click “How to Support Us” or
just click the “Donate” button to support our effort. Please we are looking for
volunteers for our P*E*S Tour. Visit our website for more information.

We look forward to reading your responses. We would be honored if
you share your answers to the questions with us. We also ask you to share this
post with as many people as you know and ask them to check our website. We
don’t only need a health physical; we also need a life physical at least once a
year.

PS: Our website is under
maintenance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, eating our traditional meal and enjoying each other’s company, let’s set aside time to reflect on things for which we are thankful and on those who are less fortunate and or just going through a difficult time and are not able to celebrate today. Let’s make this day be more than just one meaningful day. Think about this day lasting for ever. I challenge all of us to make a pledge and keep this simple promises.

I will find things that make me smile daily

I will take time out of my busy days to just enjoy my family

I will greet my neighbors

I will check on elderly and make sure they are o.k.

I will make a child smile if they look sad

I will be more respectful and patient

I will seek help if I need to

I will help the needed

I will not give up on hope.

Again enjoy your Thanksgiving and your family!!!!!!!!!!!!

The BNJ Foundation wants to thank you and continue to count on your support to accomplish our mission around the world. You charitable contributions and sacrifices make it possible for us to maintain the much needed programs. All donations are tax deductible.

Please contact:

Toll free number: 1-800-315-6871

Email: info@bnjfoundation.org

By mail: P.O. Box 231203

Centreville, VA 20120

For immediate assistance call: 571-482-0204

http://www.facebook.com/bnjfoundation.org

Please visit our website at: www.bnjfoundation.org

The earthquake in Turkey is a reminder of how fortunate we were in VA. The death toll from the earthquake in eastern Turkey has risen to over 405 people, officials said, as rescue teams raced to find survivors beneath the rubble.
At least 1,200 others were injured in Sunday’s disaster, officials said.
Three generations of the same family – a two-week-old baby girl, her mother and grandmother – were found alive by rescue workers in the town of Ercis.
An aftershock with a magnitude of 5.4 shook the province of Van, where Ercis is located on Tuesday afternoon.Earlier, a two-week-old baby Azra Karaduman was found by rescue workers after she survived for almost 48 hours in rubble.
Hours later, her mother, Semiha, was pulled from a flattened building, where she had been pinned next to a sofa.
Make a difference by supporting the people of Turkey or donating your time and keep Turkey in your prayers.

Thank you

The CDC says that the overall rate of coronary heart disease in the U.S. is on the decline, dropping from 6.7% in 2006 to 6% in 2010.

But the rates of coronary heart disease vary widely by state of residence, sex, race, and educational levels, the CDC says in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Coronary heart disease is more common among men, people who have less than a high school education, or who live in the South.

The highest declines were found among young people, women, Asians, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific islanders, and college graduates.

Among other key findings:

The coronary heart disease rate is significantly higher for men (7.8%) than for women (4.6%).
People with less than a high school education have a coronary heart disease rate of 9.2%, compared with 4.6% for those with more than a college degree.
Heart disease rates are higher in the South — 8.2% in Kentucky, for example, compared to only 3.7% in Hawaii.
The heart disease rate in 2010 was greatest among people 65 and older (19.8%), followed by people 45 to 64 (7.1%), and 1.2% for those between the ages of 18 and 44.
Coronary heart disease rates were highest among American Indians and Alaska natives (11.6%), followed by African-Americans (6.5%), Hispanics (6.1%), whites (5.8%), and Native Hawaiians and other Pacific islanders (3.9%).
Results of the study were based on data from Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys for 2006-2010.

The CDC says the deaths due to coronary heart disease have declined continuously in the past half century, due in part to improvements in treatment and a reduction in risk factors, such as the number of people who use tobacco.
Routine check up is necessary and the key to preventing chronic diseases. Most pharmacies have reliable monitors to test your blood pressure and also can advice you on important vaccines.

Most Americans are not getting enough fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, but foods high in saturated fat, salt, and sugar. As a result, more Americans than ever are overweight, obese, and at increased risk for chronic diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain cancers.
Try to control your intake especially the portion of the food.
Read the label and be sure you look at the calories and the amount of servings.
Make sure you contact a dietitian or your primary care provider if you are diabetic or have hypertension.