CDC Finds 1 in 5 High School Students Abuse Prescription Drugs
By Barbara Ficarra RN, BSN, MPA Latest News Update A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that one in five U.S. high school students have taken a prescription drug that they didn’t get from their doctor. According to the 2009 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) that was released today from the CDC, the survey asked more than 16,000 high school students if they have ever taken a prescription…
Read More...Healthin30 on KOMO News Radio Seattle, WA Shares Tips About Reading Food Labels
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA I was thrilled to take the other end of the microphone as guest expert for quick healthy living spot on KOMO News Radio in Seattle, WA, thanks to Matthew Holt and courtesy of The Health Care Blog. I talked with hosts John and Nancy about the importance of reading the ingredients on food packages. Reading only the front food labels on food products can be misleading. Consumers need to…
Read More...Active Healthy Kids and Outdoor Play- Preparing for Life’s Little Mishaps
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA Preparing for Life’s Little Mishaps While Engaging Your Kids in Outdoor Play “Play, Incorporating Animistic and Magical Thinking Is Important Because It: Fosters the healthy, creative and emotional growth of a child; Forms the best foundation for later intellectual growth. Provides a way in which children get to know the world and creates possibilities for different ways of responding to it. Fosters empathy and wonder.” – Rachel Carson, “A…
Read More...Social Media and Online Health Sites Begins the Conversation with Doctors and Nurses
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA My post on KevinMD, “Social media starts the patient dialogue with doctors and nurses” talks about the importance of gathering health information online to get the conversation started with doctors and nurses. A patient apologized to me for asking so many questions. There is no need to apologize, I said to the patient; it’s wonderful that you have so many questions concerning your health care. I mentioned to her…
Read More...Bruce Dan, MD Cancer Blog – 4 Tips to Help Whip Doctors and Nurses into Shape
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA Part II In Part I of my blog, “Bruce Dan, MD Blogs About His Cancer Treatment”, and I highlighted areas where Dr. Dan shows humor, strength and resolve. Part II addresses issues that Dr. Dan observes firsthand that affect patient care. Dr. Dan offers his observations and I offer some simple tips to help improve patient care. Dr. Dan is now the “e-Patient” – an empowered and engaged patient…
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