World AIDS Day

                           

Tuesday, December 1 is World AIDS Day, a day to remember those who have died, show support for those living with HIV/AIDS, and join in the fight against HIV.

It will be observed in St. Louis, at the Missouri History Museum from 11 a. m. to 8 p. m. at an event featuring informational tables, a film, musical performances, and free testing.

Sponsored by Viiv Healthcare, Quest Diagnostics, Gateway Apothecary, Walgreens, ACCESS Project, Food Outreach, Gilead, Schnucks, and St. Louis County Health Department

Organized by St. Louis Effort for AIDS, with Doorways, Faith Communities United, Metropolitan Community Church, Missouri Department of Health, MissouriHistory Museum, Myrtle Hilliard Davis, NAMES Project, Nexgen Health Care Strategic Initiative, Places for People, Project ARK, PROMO, SAGE Metro St. Louis, St. Louis City Health Department, and Washington University Infectious Disease Clinic

Let's give thanks!

Thankfulness is an important part of a fulfilling, happy life.  Whether in the midst of troubles or when everything is copacetic, finding something to appreciate can enhance wellbeing.

The Library has books on gratitude from a number of angles, including:

• Gratitude & trust: six affirmations that will change your life by Paul Williams & Tracey Jackson
• The art of thank you: crafting notes of gratitude by Connie Leas
• 365 thank yous: the year a simple act of daily gratitude changed my life by John Kralik
• Gratitude to old teachers: poems by Robert Bly 

and to round it all off:

• Sweet gratitude: a new world of raw desserts by Matthew Rogers and Tiziana Alipo Tamborra

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema, and is the 3rd leading cause of death in the US.  Along with prescription treatments, other ways to help manage COPD include

• pulmonary rehab
• smoking cessation
• physical therapy

These books at SLPL have more information

• Positive options for living with COPD: self-help and treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by Teri Allen
• Natural therapies for emphysema and COPD: relief and healing for chronic pulmonary disorders by Robert J. Green, Jr.
• COPD for dummies by Kevin Felner, Meg Schneider
• Breathe well and live well with COPD: a 28-day breathing exercise plan by Janet Brindley

Online resources include

• http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/copd/
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0022631/
• http://www.cdc.gov/copd/index.html
• https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/copd.html
• http://nihseniorhealth.gov/copd/whatiscopd/01.html

Stand up!

On the same day that a recent article in the Wall Street Journal* pointed out that more and more researchers are coming to the conclusion that too much sitting is bad for your health, an article in the New York Times* reported on research that extends these findings to children.  Prolonged inactivity is dangerously unhealthy.

One recommendation for balancing sitting with other activities comes from Alan Hedge of Cornell University, who says to break each half hour into 20 minutes sitting, 8 minutes standing, 2 minutes moving and stretching.

Now the November/December 2015 issue of Well Being Journal* has an article titled "Reverse the Negative Effects of Sitting" which includes 5 tips: walk often, stand up at work, stretch your hip flexors (the inner hip muscles), squat at least once a day, and do myofascial release on yourself (these articles explain).

*all available for your perusal at the Central Library, 1301 Olive Street.

Healthy Lunch Day and American Diabetes Month

November is American Diabetes Month, and tomorrow is the first ever National Healthy Lunch Day.  The American Diabetes Association is encouraging people to pack a healthful lunch, and restaurants to offer healthful options on November 17.  The day is an attempt to raise awareness of the need to make good choices at mealtimes.  Use #HealthyLunchDay to join the conversation on Twitter.

Click here and here for information about diabetes.

Furthermore, the St. Louis Public Library collection has many great titles.  Here are just a few.

• 21 things you need to know about diabetes and your heart by Jill Weisenberger
• Overcoming type 2 diabetes by Carrie S. Swift, with Nathaniel G. Clark
• Diabetes for dummies by Alan L. Rubin, MD
• The new diabetes cookbook by Kate Gardner, MS, RD

Healthy Living at the Library wraps up!

Healthy Living at the Library 2015 wraps up at the Julia Davis Branch on November 18 at 11:30 a.m. as OASIS provides a FREE beginners’ exercise class that teaches the benefits of exercise and how to improve functional fitness. Participants will learn basic, low impact exercises that are not only safe and effective, but energizing and fun!

This class is part of the Library’s commitment to presenting programs that encourage healthy living that is useful, fun, and engaging.

Input on Healthy People 2020 objectives

Until Friday, you can share your opinions at this link.  From that site:

Open October 15 through November 13

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is soliciting written comments regarding new objectives proposed to be added to Healthy People 2020 since the last public comment period in fall 2014. Healthy People 2020 will continue to provide opportunities for public input periodically throughout the decade to ensure that Healthy People 2020 reflects current public health priorities.

The topics are:

• Family Planning
• Preparedness
• Social Determinants of Health
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health

TEDMED2015

TEDMED2015, the health and medicine offshoot of the TED conference, is set to kick off in two weeks!  Are you looking forward to it?  The Central Library will be streaming all sessions that occur during normal operating hours.  These sessions include:

Thursday

10:30 to noon	Mind Matters
1 to 2:45	Catalyzing Great Science
4:45 to 6:30	Back to Basics
7:30 to 9	Food Fix

Friday

10:30 to noon	Techno-Utopia
1 to 2:30	Who Cares for Health Care?
4:30 to 6	Out There

Unlike regular TED talks, TEDMED sessions are not available online.  The St. Louis Public Library is pleased to offer this year’s sessions free to the public.  We hope you can join us for some or all of them!

After TEDMEDLive is over, we look forward to showing recordings of the sessions as part of programs with local presenters.

ACA signups continue!

Open Enrollment in the Federal healthcare marketplace has just begun, and continues through the end of January.  Affinia Healthcare's Certified Application Counselors will be at the Locust Street Atrium of Central Library, 1301 Olive Street next Monday the 9th and two weeks later on the 23rd.