January
The new year rolls on and we continue to deal with the staggering affects that the COVID-19 crisis has on us all. In Community Health we are working on some new projects that we are very excited about. A newsletter for patients living with diabetes will be created monthly to provide guidance and support regarding different health concerns. The intention was to mail out newsletters to all tribal members living with diabetes. But, COVID had other plans and we are going forward this month with an emailed newsletter.
February
When we think of February we first think of Valentine’s Day. The commercialization of the holiday with chocolates, candy hearts, and little stuffed bears with a heart that says, “I Love You!” has cemented February as the Month of Love.
In the healthcare world, February is recognized as American Heart Month. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in Native Americans. There are several factors to take into consideration when we talk about what causes heart disease. The February issue of Mnozhiyaadaa discusses some of the complexities of heart disease.
When we wear red on February 14th for Valentine’s Day, we should also think of it as recognition of American Heart Month and the many lives heart disease takes every year.
March
The March edition of “Mnozhiyaadaa” was printed in Odawa Trails, so it escaped me to also share it by email. But, the newsletter provides a lot of information on kidney health that people can benefit from knowing. Along with Nutrition Month, March is also known as National Kidney Month. The top 2 causes for kidney failure are Diabetes and High Blood Pressure. Kidney failure can be prevented if we make healthy lifestyle choices before we cause any damage to the blood vessels leading to and from the kidneys.
