NATIONAL DOCTORS' DAY - MARCH 30, 2012

The first Doctors Day observance was March 30, 1933 in Winder, Georgia. Eudora Brown Almond, wife of Dr. Charles B. Almond, decided to set aside a day ot honor physicians. This first observance included the mailing of greeting cards and placing flowers on graves of deceased docotrs. The red carnation is commonly used as the symbolic flower for National Doctors Day.

On March 30, 1958, a Resolution commmemorating Doctors Day was adopted by the U.S. House of Representatives. In 1990, legislation was introduced in the House and Senate to establish a national Doctors Day. Following overwhelming approval by the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives, On October 30, 1990, President George Bush signed S.J. RES. #366 designating March 30, 1991 as "National Doctors Day."

source: www.wikipedia.org

5 MUST HAVE HEALTHY FOODS IN MEN'S DIET

Most men are careless with their diet. Intake of unhealthy food and lifestyle can spoil their health in the later ages. Nutritional needs of men is more when compared to women. There are few foods which are good for men and should be consumed regularly to have strong muscles, stay energetic and for a healthy body. Here are few healthy foods for men which can be easily included in the diet.

1. BANANAS: This instant energy fruit should be in the menu. Men need energy to deal with work pressure and have an active mind. Therefore, have at least two bananas every morning to stay energetic the whole day. Men are prone to heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases, so include bananas in your diet. They are rich in potassium and magnesium which keeps the heart healthy, improves blood flow and controls blood pressure.

2. OYSTERS: This food is rich in zinc, a nutrient which keeps men healthy. Oysters are also rich in antioxidants and minerals which increase sexual functioning, sperm count and protecting the body from cancer. If you don't like oysters, you can have legumes, shellfish or lean beef.

3. CABBAGE: It is low in calories and increases the body's production of cancer fighting enzymes through sulforaphane, a chemical which protectes the body from cancer. Cabbage is also rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein. It is easy to digest and good for the hair too!

4. RED SPINACH: For the Popeye strength, have this power food! It contains both folate and betaine which lowers your bloods level of homocysteine(compound which damages arteries). If you don't like spinach, have beets. Betacyanins in beets fight against cancer and increase blood production.

5. WHOLE GRAINS: Every diet must have whole grains. This is a healthy food for men as it provides fiber, vitamins and minerals. Whole grains keep the heart healthy, builds muscles and is good for weight loss too. Men who don't get time to workout or maintain their built physique can make up for it with whole grains.

source: www.boldsky.com

AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION ALERT DAY!

American Diabetes Association Alert Day is a one-day "wake-up call" asking the American public to take the Diabetes Risk Test to find out if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Held on the fourth Tuesday of every March, the next Alert Day will be held on March 27, 2012.

The Diabetes Risk Test asks users to answer simple questions about weight, age, family history and other potential risk factors for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Preventative tips are provided for everyone who takes the test, including encouraging those at high risk to talk with their health care provider.

Although Alert Day is a one-day event, the Diabetes Risk Test is available year-round.

source: www.diabetes.org

DEPRESSION IN THE ELDERLY

Depression is not a normal part of the aging process, however, late life depression affects about 6 million Americans who are 65 years of age and older. Only 10% of those suffering with depression receive treatment. Part of this is due to the fact that the symptoms are often confused with the effects of multiple diseases and the medications used to treat them.

Depression tends to last longer in elderly adults. It also doubles their risk of developing cardiac diseases and increases the risk of death from other illnesses. The mortality rate among those who suffer from depression are four times greater than those without depression.

The exact cause of depression is not known, but numerous factors can contribute. These include:

1. Genetics - family, twin, and adoption studies have found that a predisposition toward depression can be inherited.

2. Stressful life events.

3. Biochemical changes - chemical compounds found in the brain such as norepinephrine and serotonin may be altered, causing depression.

4. Certain medications or a combination of medications.

5. Substance abuse.

Those who suffer from depression can and should seek treatment. Most depressed elderly people can improve dramatically from treatment. Common treatment methods include:

1. Antidepressant medications.

2. Counseling.

3. Nutritional treatment of depression.

MARCH IS WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

Before the 1970's, the topic of women's history was largely missing from general public consciousness. To address this situation, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County COmmission on the Status of Women initiated a "Women's History Week" celebration in 1978. The celebration was met with positive response, and schools began to host their own programs. In 1987, the National Women's History Project petitioned Congress to expand the celebration to the entire month of March. Since then, the National Women's History Month Resolution has been approved every year with bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. Please join in paying tribute to the generations of women whose commitment to nature and the planet have proved invaluable to society.

source: www.womenshistorymonth.gov

FIRST DAY OF SPRING: VERNAL EQUINOX

Spring begins in the Northern Hemisphere on March 20, 2012. Spring! This season brings increasing daylight, warming temperatures, and the rebirth of flora and fauna.

The word equinox is derived from the Latin words meaning "equal night." The spring and fall equinoxes are the only dates with equal daylight and dark as the Sun crosses the celestial equator. The tilt of Earth is zero. WIth no tilt, the North/South Poles are basically straight up and down.

source: www.almanac.com

MARCH 17TH - ST. PATRICK'S DAY

Saint Patrick's Day is a cultural and religious holiday celebrated internationally on March 17th. It commemorates Saint Patrick, the most commonly recognized of the patron saints of Ireland, and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. Saint Patrick's Day was made an official feast day in the early 17th century, and has gradually become a secular celebration of Irish culture in general. The day is generally characterized by the attendance of church services, wearing of green attire (especially shamrocks), and the lifting of Lenten restrictions on eating and drinking alcohol. St. Patrick's Day is probably the most widely celebrated saints day in the world.

source: www.wikipedia.org

NATIONAL PI DAY - MARCH 14TH

Pi Day is a holiday commemorating the mathematical constant pi. Pi day is celebrated on March 14, since 3, 1 and 4 are the three most significant digits of pi in the decimal form. In 2009, the United States House of Representatives supported the designation of Pi Day. Larry Shaw created Pi Day in 1988. The holiday was celebrated at the San Francisco Exploratorium, where Shaw worked as a physicist, with staff and public marching around one of its circular spaces, then consuming fruit pies.

source: www.wikipedia.org

MARCH 12TH - GIRL SCOUT DAY

Girl Scout Day recognizes and celebrates the Girl Scouts of America. This date celebrates the creation of the first Girl Scout group on March 12, 1912. Lady Olave Baden-Powell, the wife of Lord Baden-Powell(who created the Boy Scouts), founded Girl Guides. On March 12, 1912, Juliette Gordon Low started the first Girl Scout group in Savannah, Georgia with 18 girls. The Girl Scouts became a national organizatin, as was chartered by the U.S. Congress on March 16, 1950. Today, there are millions of girls involved with Girl Scouts.

source: www.holidayinsights.com

MARCH 1-31 COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon or rectum. It's as common in women as it is in men. This year, over 141,200 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and an estimated 49,380 will die of the disease. With certain types of screening, this cancer can be prevented by removing polyps (grape-like growths on the wall of the intestine) before they become cancerous. Several screening tests detect colorectal cancer early, when it can be more easily and successfully treated.

source: www.preventcancer.org

NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH

National Nutrition Month is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, formerly the American Dietetic Association. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. Registered Dietitian Day, also celebrated in March, increases awareness of registered dietitians as the indispensable providers of food and nutrition services and recognizes RDs for their commitment to helping people enjoy health lives.

source: www.eatright.org

CELEBRATE SOCIAL WORK MONTH 2012

Why social work matters...

The social work profession has been instrumental in achieving civil rights and human rights advances in the United States and across the globe for mor than a century. The primary mission of social work is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic needs of all people, especially the most vulnerable.

Social workers strive to achieve this mission through many different roles in more than 50 fields of practice.

source: www.socialworkers.org

MARCH AS RED CROSS MONTH

Each year the President of the United States proclaims March "Red Cross Month." The American Red Cross uses this opportunity to promote its services to the American public and for fund-raising.

Since its founding in 1881 by visionary leader Clara Barton, the American Red Cross has been the nation's premier emergency response organization. As part of a worldwide movement that offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war, the American Red Cross distinguishes itself by also aiding victims of devastating natural disasters. Over the years, the organization has expended its services, always with the aim of preventing and relieving suffering.

source: www.redcross.org