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As an orthopedic surgeon serving a primarily minority population in southern California for about 40 years, I performed far too many amputations resulting from complications of type 2 diabetes.

For those living in lower income neighborhoods, the costs of poverty are high. Food deserts, fewer educational opportunities and higher crime are only a few of the struggles often confronted by residents in low-income neighborhoods. In some cases, even the house they come home to each day may not be safe.

In observance of Native American Heritage Month, OMH presents an interview with Brandon Frechette from this spring’s #Bridge2Health Twitter Town Hall. Frechette is a a member of the Menominee Nation and an OMH Health Equity Change Maker who is leading efforts to address disparities in at-risk Tribal youth through the Menominee Youth Empowerment Program at the College of Menominee Nation in Keshena, WI.

Ed. note: This blog was originally published on https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/national-diabetes-month-be-center-your-diabetes-care More than 30 million people in the United States have diabetes – and each one is the most important member of their diabetes care team. This National Diabetes Month, I urge everyone with diabetes to make your care a joint effort between you, your loved ones and your health care team. In addition to managing blood glucose (often called blood sugar), blood pressure, and cholesterol, and not smoking, people with diabetes need to make healthy food

Natural disasters can affect every aspect of life in the areas they touch. These disasters can have an even bigger impact on victims of domestic violence and those at risk. For victims of domestic violence in shelters, the situation can become more complicated. They have already been displaced from their homes, and may not have access to the support and supplies they need. There’s an added risk to the lack of privacy in mass shelter facilities. Evacuating impacted areas can leave victims in unknown territory and vulnerable to further abuse. This is why it’s important that first responders like paramedics, firefighters, and law enforcement are aware of these unique concerns for domestic violence victims so they can respond accordingly.

We know how challenging it can be to stay committed to healthy living goals. To help people create lasting change in their health and wellbeing, the American Heart Association has launched Healthy For Good™ , a revolutionary new movement built on four core ideas: Eat smart. Add color. Move more. Be well.

On March 15, 2015, the National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released data from the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) National Health Interview Survey (NHIS).1 This project was jointly supported by the Office of Minority Health at the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and it was the first national health survey to use a sample frame consisting of NHPI households. This project was the result of years of advocacy by Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community organizations, leaders, and health researchers, combined with advancements in federal policies on data collection standards for racial/ethnic populations.

Like many new moms, I was bombarded with advice when my first child was born. I was given guidance on things like when and how he should eat and sleep — and even how he should play and learn. As a first-time mom trying to follow all the rules, it was quite overwhelming.

High blood pressure. Type 2 Diabetes. What do these two conditions have in common? Their numbers are growing and obesity may be the reason why. Childhood obesity in the United States has more than tripled since the 1970s, and the crisis poses a particular threat to the life expectancy of Hispanic children. About 40% of Hispanic children in the U.S. are either overweight or obese, while 20% are obese, higher than many other racial and ethnic populations.

To aid state and territory officials in preparing for potential health impacts, HHS makes emPOWER data available to public health officials in Puerto Rico and Florida. This data shows the number of Medicare beneficiaries in each potentially impacted area who rely on any of 14 types of life-maintaining and assistive equipment, ranging from oxygen concentrators to electric wheelchairs, as well as data on the number of people who rely on dialysis, oxygen and home health services. These people are among the most vulnerable in their communities and are most likely to need life-saving assistance in prolonged power outages.

Henry, a veteran from Baltimore, experienced post-traumatic stress disorder with terrifying nightmares, mental health issues, and drug addiction. Then he found Chase Brexton, a health center near his home. Chase Brexton not only helped Henry better manage his health, it made him feel like he’s in a family. “I’ve been an addict for well over 20 years,” he said. “If you’re sick and tired of being sick and tired, come to Chase Brexton.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is using one of the most extensive health-based telephone surveys available to help reverse a long-standing lack of health information about American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations.

Monique Baker lives in California with her fiancée and their 6-week-old daughter, Alexandria Nicole. As a mother and baby nurse, Monique sees firsthand both the joys and challenges that come with breastfeeding after a baby is born.

New moms have a lot to juggle. In the midst of all this, it’s easy to forget about their health, especially mental health. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), postpartum depression and anxiety occurs for mothers in 15% of births1. Postpartum depression is when feelings of sadness, anxiousness, and emptiness affect day-to-day life around the time of birth. Physical and emotional factors, including the big hormonal changes that come with pregnancy, cause the condition. Fortunately there are treatments for PMAD, such as talk therapy, antidepressant medications, or a combination of the two that can help.

I’ve always been a science nut. Growing up in Puerto Rico, I wondered why helium balloons raise your voice pitch – unless you have asthma like me. In sixth grade, my helium experiment testing lung capacity of people with asthma compared to those who did not won 1st prize at the school and regional science fairs.