Psycho-social stress is a prevalent cause of infant mortality
George Y Pearson interviews Starla Gay and Dr. Vicky Alexander about infant mortality and health during pregnancy of high-risk women.
EITBM | San Francisco, January 23, 2023.
Research has shown that higher infant mortality rates are due to several factors, including lack of access to quality healthcare, poverty, poor nutrition, limited education, and exposure to toxic stress. Starla Gay and Dr. Vicky Alexander share that psycho-social factors are one critical factor for infant mortality and health during pregnancy of high-risk women. Mothers who experience chronic stress due to financial insecurity, lack of social support, and psycho-social or socio-economic challenges. Chronic stress and feeling alone harm maternal and fetal health and increase the risk of infant mortality. A robust support system is crucial for fetal, infant, and maternal health outcomes.
The US has not experienced any improvement or reduction in infant mortality in over 40 years, according to the National Center of Biotechnology Information, a subsidiary of the National Institute for Health. According to OECD, short for The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, which is composed of 38 member countries, including the United States, the US could fare better regarding infant mortality. The OECD aims to promote people's economic development and social well-being worldwide. OECD collects and analyzes data from each member country on various social, economic, and health-related topics.
According to the OECD, thirty-two other countries rank better than the US. Iceland provides a healthy environment for pregnant women. As a result, only 1.1 child per 1000 dies during or before birth. Only five other countries of the 38 countries that consider themselves part of the civilized and well-to-do parts of the world have higher death rates. The US has 5.7 deaths per 1000 pregnancies on average.
Starla Gay and Dr. Vicky Alexander have devoted their lives to helping women and children. Many studies confirm the knowledge these two extraordinary ladies share in this interview. The leading cause of this sad state of affairs is that women, particularly Black American women, don't have the psychological and social network that provides the support a pregnant woman needs, not to trigger psycho-social stress responses that initiate premature births. Isn't it time for society to realize that pregnant women need food, shelter, and, most importantly, a lovingly safe environment?
Research has shown that higher infant mortality rates are due to several factors, including lack of access to quality healthcare, poverty, poor nutrition, limited education, and exposure to toxic stress. Starla Gay and Dr. Vicky Alexander share that psycho-social factors are one critical factor for infant mortality and health during pregnancy of high-risk women. Mothers who experience chronic stress due to financial insecurity, lack of social support, and psycho-social or socio-economic challenges. Chronic stress and feeling alone harm maternal and fetal health and increase the risk of infant mortality. A robust support system is crucial for fetal, infant, and maternal health outcomes.
The US has not experienced any improvement or reduction in infant mortality in over 40 years, according to the National Center of Biotechnology Information, a subsidiary of the National Institute for Health. According to OECD, short for The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, which is composed of 38 member countries, including the United States, the US could fare better regarding infant mortality. The OECD aims to promote people's economic development and social well-being worldwide. OECD collects and analyzes data from each member country on various social, economic, and health-related topics.
According to the OECD, thirty-two other countries rank better than the US. Iceland provides a healthy environment for pregnant women. As a result, only 1.1 child per 1000 dies during or before birth. Only five other countries of the 38 countries that consider themselves part of the civilized and well-to-do parts of the world have higher death rates. The US has 5.7 deaths per 1000 pregnancies on average.
Starla Gay and Dr. Vicky Alexander have devoted their lives to helping women and children. Many studies confirm the knowledge these two extraordinary ladies share in this interview. The leading cause of this sad state of affairs is that women, particularly Black American women, don't have the psychological and social network that provides the support a pregnant woman needs, not to trigger psycho-social stress responses that initiate premature births. Isn't it time for society to realize that pregnant women need food, shelter, and, most importantly, a lovingly safe environment?
Every 9th person over 65 years old lives with Alzheimer Disease
George Y Pearson interviews Maude and William L. Green about their experience with Alzheimer's Disease, February 2011
About 6 Million Americans are suffering from Alzheimer's and this number will vastly increase.
Staying physical activity, not smoking, learning new things, staying socially and mentally active, maintaining a healthy blood pressure and diet really makes a huge difference in your life quality. The Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention and care suggest that reducing risk factors by these healthy behaviors might prevent or delay up to 40% of dementia cases.
Alzheimers is affecting one in 9 Americans in 2023. As people age they ever more will suffer from this disease. Most people who develop Alzheimer’s dementia are over age 65 old. Medical experts believe that Alzheimer’s disease develops as a result of multiple factors rather than a single cause. While some people are genetically predisposed to developing Alzheimer's, the majority of cases seem to be related to Age, Genetics and Family History.
Age
Age is the greatest of these three risk factors. The percentage of people with Alzheimer’s dementia increases dramatically with age. At age 65 about 5% have developed Alzheimer or at least mild cognitive issues and that number increases to 33.2% by the time people are 85 or older.
Genetics
There are several genes that increase the risk of Alzheimer’s. APOE-e4 has the strongest impact on risk of late-onset Alzheimer’s. APOE provides
the blueprint for a protein that transports cholesterol in the bloodstream. Those who inherit two copy of the e4 form have an eight- to 12-fold risk of developing the disease.
Family History
Recent studies show that not everyone who has a genetic disposition develops Alzheimers. In some countries having the genes does not seem to affect the number of people who develop it. Therefore that even though the risk increases if you have one parent or sibling who suffers from the disease, your behavior might help avoid developing the disease. Access to healthy foods and habits related to physical activity may play a role in avoiding the developing the disease. Staying socially active and learning new skills also seem to be tied to better health. Eating healthy and avoiding cholesterol issues are also linked to better outcomes. So even if nearly everyone in your family doesn't believe in the benefit of healthy behaviors, you can choose to live a healthier lifestyle that will greatly benefit the quality of your life while you age.
You have a lot of influence on how well your live. Take heart and do something to improve your life. Spend time with friends, go dancing, and learn a new language or learn to cook healthy meals you can enjoy with your social circle. Not only will you have more fun, but you will have fun longer.
Alzheimers is affecting one in 9 Americans in 2023. As people age they ever more will suffer from this disease. Most people who develop Alzheimer’s dementia are over age 65 old. Medical experts believe that Alzheimer’s disease develops as a result of multiple factors rather than a single cause. While some people are genetically predisposed to developing Alzheimer's, the majority of cases seem to be related to Age, Genetics and Family History.
Age
Age is the greatest of these three risk factors. The percentage of people with Alzheimer’s dementia increases dramatically with age. At age 65 about 5% have developed Alzheimer or at least mild cognitive issues and that number increases to 33.2% by the time people are 85 or older.
Genetics
There are several genes that increase the risk of Alzheimer’s. APOE-e4 has the strongest impact on risk of late-onset Alzheimer’s. APOE provides
the blueprint for a protein that transports cholesterol in the bloodstream. Those who inherit two copy of the e4 form have an eight- to 12-fold risk of developing the disease.
Family History
Recent studies show that not everyone who has a genetic disposition develops Alzheimers. In some countries having the genes does not seem to affect the number of people who develop it. Therefore that even though the risk increases if you have one parent or sibling who suffers from the disease, your behavior might help avoid developing the disease. Access to healthy foods and habits related to physical activity may play a role in avoiding the developing the disease. Staying socially active and learning new skills also seem to be tied to better health. Eating healthy and avoiding cholesterol issues are also linked to better outcomes. So even if nearly everyone in your family doesn't believe in the benefit of healthy behaviors, you can choose to live a healthier lifestyle that will greatly benefit the quality of your life while you age.
You have a lot of influence on how well your live. Take heart and do something to improve your life. Spend time with friends, go dancing, and learn a new language or learn to cook healthy meals you can enjoy with your social circle. Not only will you have more fun, but you will have fun longer.
Exercise is key to a healthy lifestyle
Here is an interview with Pernell Harris about the benefits of teaching healthy lifestyle choices to kids early in life. The discussion, filmed in 2005, is just as timely today as it was then.