‘Tis the time of year for tailgating barbecues fried foods, sodas, beans and beer at the Magic City Classic. Occasional food lapses at special events can be forgivable, but daily indulgences in these types of foods can also be life-threatening.
As one of the fattest states with the highest incidents of stroke, cancer and diabetes in the country, Alabamians, especially African Americans, cannot afford to think casually about what we eat and how we live.
Instead of big changes that we promise to keep every New Year (promises we promptly break), small lifestyle changes – called preventative health care – can have long-term, positive effects that equal fewer trips to the doctor or emergency room, and longer, healthier lives.
Dr. Mark Wilson, the Jefferson County Health Officer, offers some important tips will put you – and keep you – on the road to wellness:
- Take a brisk 30-minute walk four or five times a week can yield great obesity-fighting benefits. It is one of the best and easiest ways to exercise.
- Avoid the high-calorie, high-fat and high-processed foods. Eating five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, and eating less meats, starches and fats can make a big difference in your overall health.
- Kick the habit if you are a smoker, and don’t hang around those who do. Even inhaling second-hand smoke is harmful, as smoking is the No. 1 cancer-causing activity. There is help available if you are a smoker: Call 1-800-784-8669 (1-800-QUIT-NOW) or go to http://alabamaquitnow.com.
- Get your flu vaccine this fall, and every year. Influenza another is a potential killer, especially for the elderly and those with lung-related illnesses. Even people who seem otherwise healthy can die from the flu, or lose valuable time away from work or school, so now it’s recommended for everyone over the age of 1.
- If you haven’t been checked for high blood pressure or diabetes in the last year or so, be sure to get it done. These two problems are very common in African Americans and lead to a lot of serious complications. The good news is that if detected early and controlled, these complications can be largely prevented.
- The Centers for Disease Control now recommends that all people age 13 to 64 be offered HIV (AIDS virus) testing. Getting HIV used to be a death sentence, but now people who have HIV detected at an early stage can live long, productive lives with proper treatment. Many people (and many of their doctors) have also tended to underestimate their risk of getting infected HIV, so don’t be too sure about your own risk or that of your sexual partner.
Follow the top doc’s prescription, and better health can be yours – right after you eat that last pork rib.
Dr. Wilson practiced internal medicine at Cooper Green Mercy Hospital for more than 20 years, where he was chief of the medical staff. His experiences give him a unique perspective on public health issues, particularly in underserved communities.
