INSIDE What cancer patients

and caregivers need toknow about COVID-19?

A VISUAL REMINDER OF WHATYOU STILL NEED TO DO SO YOU

WON’T GET THE VIRUS!AVOIDING THE HOLIDAY BLUES!THISISSUE

HealthySTARTVOL.XVVI • FALL • FREE

YOU HAVE THE POWER

THETHEYEAR YEAR OF THE OF THE VIRUS!VIRUS!Though there is finally light at theend of the tunnel now that thereare two vaccinations for COVID-19,local healthexperts stressthere is stillmuch YOU cando to NOT get the Coronavirus!

HealthyStart/FALL/Page 2

MILWAUKEE COMMUNITY JOURNAL3612 N. Martin Luther King Drive

Milwaukee, WI 53212Patricia O’Flynn Pattillo

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Mikel HoltEditor, Coordinator and Marketing/Sales

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Administrative Telephone(414) 265-5300

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State Lawmaker Donates COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma

State Rep. David Bowen (at left) recently donated COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) at Versiti’sdowntown Milwaukee donor center, 628 N. 18th St. His donation shows how easy it is for eligibledonors to give CCP and how important it is for them to help others. The state legislator also wanted toshow the community the importance of donating given the disproportionate impact the virus has hadon the Black community.Bowen was diagnosed with COVID-19in March. While recovering, he led byexample and encouraged others to takethe virus seriously. The plasma is beingshipped out to hospitals and as fast asit is coming in. Local hospitals need those who haverecovered from COVID to help out, astheir donation of CCP could be lifesav-ing for citizens who are currently hospi-talized. —Photo by Pat Robinson

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For the better part of 2020,we have all been impacted bythe Covid-19 pandemic, thestresses brought on by racialtensions, and the political dra-mas of the 2020 election.

Now, we have to make harddecisions on whether to gatherwith our loved ones for the hol-idays, or continue to sociallydistance from them until we getthe all clear.

For some, the holidays bringhurt. Caused by factors such asthose already mentioned, alongwith the weather (seasonal de-pression); extended separation,death, financial stress, unem-ployment, unrealistic expecta-tions, hyper-sentimentality,guilt, or overspending.

Holiday depression—alsocalled the “holiday blues”—canzap the merriment out of eventhe most wonderful time of theyear.

Now, one must make harddecisions on whether to visit,whom to visit, and how to pre-pare for the visit—such as get-ting a COVID-19 screen prior tothe visit.

The "holiday blues” onlyseem to get worse as we nearthe end of the year.

Holiday depression affectsone million people every year.

Men and women, young andold, all fall victim to feelings ofsadness, loneliness, anxiety,guilt, and fatigue during thisemotionally charged time.

Men’s Health Network offersthe following 10 suggestions tohelp you identify and ward off—or at least better cope with—po-tential sources of holidaydepression.1. Acknowledge that you’re

hurting. Others may expectcertain attitudes and behaviorsfrom you that you may not feel.The retail industry’s “holidayhype” presents an overly senti-mental, nostalgic, and evenimaginary notion of the holidays(usually to try to sell you some-thing).

Sill, feelings of sadness, lone-liness, or depression don’t au-tomatically vanish just becauseit’s the holidays. Acknowledgeyour pain, be open and honestwith others, refuse to feel guilty,and get help if necessary.

It’s ok to laugh! Don’t beafraid! You won’t be struck by abolt of lightning for laughing.Remember, a closed mouthwon’t get fed.2. Have a plan to deal with

your feelings. Try to surroundyourself with people who careabout and support you—family,

friends, or church members.Exercise programs (aerobic ac-tivities such as walking, run-ning, cycling, etc.) are

recommended because of theirmood-elevating ability). If nec-essary, see your doctor or ther-apist.

And learn to say “no.” Others’expectations are not a reasonfor your own mental health tosuffer. 3. Set realistic expecta-

tions. Keep your expecta-tions realistic rather thanperfectionistic.

Prioritize and reduce self-im-posed holiday preparations.Delegate responsibilities. Real-istically plan your budget,spending, and shopping. Doless and enjoy more.

Obsessing over endless de-tails is bound to change thislong-awaited, once-a-year sea-son from a time of exuberanceto one of exhaustion.

Make it a point to be honestwith yourself, and if necessaryand possible, limit the time andsituations/people you want tobe around.

When you’ve had enough ofeither, make sure that you havea way to leave or step away. 4. Take time for yourself.

Why is it called holiday depres-sion? Because, for people who

suffer from it, the negative feel-ings don’t occur at other timesof the year.

Remind yourself of what youenjoyed during the previousmonths, then continue thosethings during the holidays.

Make yourself a priority! In-stead of a “Discount DoubleCheck,” give yourself an “Emo-tional Double Check”.

Give yourself permission tofeel what you feel—just don’tstay there too long.

Getting enough rest, eatingand drinking in moderation, ex-ercising, and continuing otherfavorite activities can maintainnormalcy, routine, control, andpredictability.5. Consider that your de-

pression may actually becaused by this time of year.Seasonal Affective Disorder, orSAD, occurs because of re-duced exposure to sunlight—which is just what happensduring the holiday season whendaylight hours are shorter.

Check with your doctor to seeif light therapy might be benefi-cial for you.6.Help others.

Alphonso Gibbs, Jr.

AVOIDINGTHE HOLIDAYBLUESAlphonso Gibbs, Jr., LCSW-C, LICSW, Advisory Board Member, Men’sHealth Networkwww.MensHealthNetwork.org

The six weeks encompassingThanksgiving, Christmas, and NewYear’s—collectively called “the holi-days”—are for most, a magicallyunique time of year, filled with holidaycarols, reunions, displays of colorfullights, love, and affection, often ex-pressed through gift giving.

(continued on page 5)

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Soup kitchens, homelessshelters, nursing homes, chur-ches, and scores of other or-ganizations can always usevolunteers, especially at criticaltimes of the year.

Additionally, you’ll benefitfrom the company of other peo-ple around you rather thanbeing alone.

At the same time, help othershelp you! Tell those who careabout you what you do or don’tneed from them.

Most people truly want to helpbut they often don’t know whatto do or say. 7. Bury the hatchet. Perfect

families don’t magically appearduring the holidays, but familyconflicts can.

Letting go and forgiving canhelp heal past wounds. Addi-tionally, family feuds can be de-liberately set aside until afterthe high-tension holidays inorder to facilitate everyone’speace and enjoyment at thisspecial—but challenging—time.

8. Start your own traditions.Families and traditions bothchange with time. (Every tradi-tion had to start somewhere,right?

Rather than reminiscing overthe good old days,accept thefact that change may be neces-

sary, grasp the season as it isnow, look forward to the future,and create your own family tra-ditions that can be enjoyed andeven preserved for future gen-erations.

This is the year of Zoommeetings, online parties, andother virtual gatherings. Theyare much cheaper, safer, andeasier to organize than travel-ing.

All you need is a webcam andinternet access.9. Keep your alcohol intake

low. Don’t pour gasoline on afire.

Remember, alcohol has a de-pressive effect on your nervoussystem and your mood, so ifyou’re experiencing the holidayblues, drinking too much alco-hol will make everything worse.10. Rededicate yourself to

your spirituality. The “reasonfor the season” is often swal-lowed up by maddening mate-rialism that can distract from thehistory, meaning, and signifi-cance of holiday celebrations.

Step back, slow down, andrefocus on transcendent, eter-nal matters.

Rededicate yourself to spiri-tual pursuits, such as church at-tendance, church work, prayerlife, and other disciplines. Re-

gain the focus originally in-tended by this time of year.11. Every day, veterans who

served in the Army, MarineCorps, Navy, Air Force, andCoast Guard connect withproven resources and effec-tive treatments for depres-sion and find solutions thatimprove their lives.

It can be difficult to handledepression on your own, sotalking to your family andfriends can be a first step. Youcan also consider connectingwith:

● Your doctor. Ask if yourdoctor has experience treatingVeterans or can refer you tosomeone who does.

If you feel comfortableenough with your physician,he or she may be able to helpyou find tools to manage lossof interest or pleasure evenwithout direct experience withVeterans.

● A mental health profes-sional, such as a therapist

● Your local VA Medical Cen-ter or Vet Center. VA special-izes in the care and treatmentof Veterans.

● A spiritual or religious ad-viser

Sources:http://www.drhuggiebear.com/in-formation/howtoavoidpostholi-daydepression-print.htmhttp://www.eaptools.com (“Mak-ing the Holidays More Positive”)http://www.usma.edu/Publicaf-fairs/PV/001222/depression.htmhttp://www.wellnessjunction.com

RESOURCES AND HELPLINESSAMHSA - Substance Abuse & Mental HealthServices Administration800-662-HELP (4357)www.samhsa.gov

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline800-273-TALK (8255)www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Your Head: An Owner's Manualwww.YourHead.org

ULifeline.org – Online resources for studentswww.ulifeline.org

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute(PCORI)https://www.pcori.org/topics/mental-and-behav-ioral-health

MEN'S HEALTH NETWORKMen's Health Network (MHN) is an internationalnon-profit organization whose mission is toreach men, boys, and their families where theylive, work, play, and pray with health awarenessmessages and tools, screening programs, edu-cational materials, advocacy opportunities, andpatient navigation. Men can learn more abouttheir health through MHN’s online resource cen-ter, www.MensHealthResourceCenter.com

Learn more about MHN at www.MensHealthNet-work.org .Follow us on Twitter @MensHlthNet-work and Facebook atwww.facebook.com/menshealthnetwork

THE HOLIDAYBLUES (continued from four)

HealthyStart/FALL/Page 6

OP-ED: How Ascension is Preparingfor the COVID-19 Vaccination

From the momentCOVID-19 emerged in theUnited States, dedicatedcaregivers across AscensionWisconsin -- and caregiverseverywhere -- have workedtirelessly on the frontlines tocare for people impacted bythe pandemic. We are grateful to all of our

nurses, doctors and staff for thecommitment, empathy and selfless-ness they have shown. While 2020 has been a challeng-

ing year, the dedication of frontlinecaregivers everywhere has been asource of inspiration for us all. The development of a safe and ef-

fective vaccine has been a criticalpart of the world’s effort to stop thespread of COVID-19. As the pan-demic continues to affect peopleworldwide, we have new reasonsfor hope.Vaccines from Pfizer and Mod-

erna have demonstrated safety andeffectiveness, and the U.S. Foodand Drug Administration (FDA) hasauthorized Pfizer’s vaccine foremergency use (EUA) and is ex-pected to do the same for Moderna’svaccine later this month. AscensionWisconsin held its first COVID-19vaccine clinic for frontline care-givers on Thursday, December 17,2020.All approved vaccines require ex-

tensive research, documentationand closely monitored clinical trials,some of which were completed byAscension physicians, to determine

effectiveness and safety beforebeing submitted for approval oremergency use authorization by theFDA.Ascension Wisconsin is following

guidance issued by the CDC andrecommendations of the NationalAcademies of Sciences, Engineer-ing and Medicine. In accordancewith these guidelines, among thefirst group eligible to receive thevaccines are frontline caregivers –particularly those serving in emer-gency departments, COVID-19units and intensive care units. ForAscension, this includes both asso-ciates and affiliated physicians andproviders. Ascension anticipatesthat the remainder of its associateswill be eligible for the vaccine asmore doses become available andthe distribution process progresses.We are confident our plan will ef-

fectively and safely contribute tothe protection of the communitieswe are privileged to serve.

We will also be conducting out-reach to high-risk groups and vul-nerable populations, including thosewho experience barriers in access-ing healthcare services, to ensuremembers of these communities areencouraged to receive a COVID-19vaccination.Over the coming months, these

vaccines will become available tothe general public, and we want tostrongly encourage everyone to getthe COVID-19 vaccine when it ismade available. I plan to get the vaccine as soon

as it’s available for me – once ourfrontline caregivers and high-riskindividuals have had the opportu-nity to receive it. I believe it is theright thing to do to protect our-selves, our loved ones and our com-munity. As we await widespread distribu-

tion of the COVID-19 vaccines, itwill be critical for our entire com-munity to continue wearing masks,

watching distance from others andwashing hands frequently to protectourselves and those around us. Wewill continue to diligently followthese measures across our sites ofcare, and you should do the same inyour home and workplace. It has been a trying year, but with

the development of these vaccinesand the remarkable work of ourcaregivers, relief is on the horizon.As we look forward to “communityimmunity”, it’s important that weall work to manage our health needswith a focus on prevention – stayingcurrent on vaccinations, keepingprescriptions filled, and staying incontact with our doctors so we canbe the healthiest versions of our-selves during this time. And remember, if you need emer-

gency care, do not delay treatmentor defer any of your care needs. Our hospitals and emergency

rooms are well prepared to safelycare for you.

By Dr. O’Rell WilliamsVice President of MedicalAffairs, Ascension SEWisconsin Hospital - St. Joseph Campus

4 Truths About Older People and the Pandemic

NEW YORk, NY— Life spans are getting longer, and the pan-demic is greatly affecting older people (and their younger coun-terparts). Erica Baird and karen E. Wagner are two successfullawyers, now retired, who cofounded Lustre.net, an online com-munity aimed at redefining retirement for modern career womenby confronting outdated stereotypes as they step into their nexttwo to three decades. Together, Baird and Wagner reveal 4 TruthsAbout Older People and the Pandemic:1. Older people are people, too. According to the World

Health Organization, ageism affects at least 600 million peopleworldwide. Ageism, the last acceptable ‘ism,’ serves only to legit-imize stereotypes of older people and leads to views, such asthose articulated during the pandemic, that maybe the pandemicis not so bad if it only affects older people (which of course it doesnot). It is time to ditch those false assumptions. Older people areliving longer and better than ever. Every lucky person will, in fact,one day be older. Long before that day, everyone needs to un-derstand that older people are people, too. 2. Boomers have skills that help them handle the pan-

demic. Boomers have solved many problems in their time—es-pecially women, who have to solve problems at home, at workand everywhere else. They also know that crises can bring aboutpositive change—they lived through the dawn of modern femi-nism, the birth of the civil rights movement, the Vietnam Warprotests and the AIDS crisis. So while they hate the pandemic,they know how to deal with the daily dramas, and they know itwill bring some useful changes when it is over. 3. Younger and older people have better lives if they live

in the same communities. Older people are in the prime of theirlives, and have experience and perspective to offer younger peo-ple. Younger people, in turn, have energy and exuberance thatcan benefit older people. Diversity of perspectives is always agood thing. Isolating older people, by housing them in retirementcommunities and excluding them from the workforce, is a wastefor both generations. Never before have so many generationslived at the same time. keeping them together profits everyone. 4. Older people should participate in tech design. Thanks

to the pandemic, right now is Zoom time, and everyone is con-necting virtually. Older people know this is not the way anyonewants to live, but they also know how to make it work for the mo-ment. In their careers, when technology flowered, they learnedwell its value and how to use it.

Zoom is just an extension of what they already know. As Forbesreported, older people do sometimes get frustrated with technol-ogy—and who doesn’t—but older people are seldom asked forinput on the design of anything. Maybe if someone over 16 whoisn’t a gamer were asked for her opinion, everyone’s frustrationwould disappear.

Article by Dr. GregBrusko, Chief ClinicalOfficer, Ascension Wis.

Locals rush to test blood as COVIDspreadsThe spread of Covid-19 locally and throughout

the country is driving more of us than ever be-fore to ask questions about our health – including“What’s my blood type?” A new local survey reveals many of us have no

idea – and that’s scary because our quality of lifedepends on it. In a just-released survey of 500 adults (age 18

– 64), commissioned by local direct access labtesting company, Any Lab Test Now: • More than a third surveyed (37%) have no

clue about their blood type.• More than half (58%) have never even

thought about it. Though the jury’s still out about the connection

between blood type and your chances of catchingand recovering from COVID, your blood typeDOES increase your risk for other serious ill-nesses like heart disease and some gastrointesti-nal cancers. Though most in the survey didn’trealize this.

“This pandemic has more people than ever be-fore monitoring their health and thankfully we’reseeing families come into our labs to get a quickand simple screening to learn their blood type tounderstand their risk for diseases,” says ClarissaBradstock, CEO of Any Lab Test Now, a nation-wide franchise of direct-to-consumer lab testing.“If COVID has taught us anything, it’s that weneed to be vigilant about our health and a goodplace to start is with knowing our blood type andthe health risks associated with it.”There are eight different blood types and yours

is determined by one thing only – (genetics) -your parents.Yet surprisingly:• More than half surveyed (51%) have no clue

how we get our blood type and others falsely be-lieve blood type is partly determined by weight,height, or diet – when these factors play no roleat all. • Nearly one quarter (21%) believe blood type

can change through the years when it remainsconstant throughout your life. • Almost ¾ (74%) have no clue your blood

type can help you gain or lose weight or evenmake you feel more tired. BLOOD TYPE HEALTH RISKS:• INCREASED CHANCE OF CANCER. A

majority (65%) of those surveyed do not knowyour blood type raises your chances of develop-ing stomach or pancreatic cancer. A study in theThe Journal of the National Cancer Institutefound people with type A blood were more likelyto develop pancreatic cancer than those with typeO blood. Researchers point to the “H. pylori”bacteria known to cause inflammation and ulcersin the stomach, common among people with typeA blood. • STRESS FACTOR. ¾ (75%) of respondents

do not know your blood type can affect how youcope with stress. When people “stress out” itboosts the body’s level of cortisol. Evidenceshows people with type A blood tend to start witha higher level of cortisol so they may have aharder time coping with stress.• HEART PROBLEMS. More than half (61%)

don’t realize your blood type can increase yourrisk of heart disease. Harvard School of PublicHealth researchers determined people with ABand B type blood are at higher risk for heartproblems.

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Always REMEMBER, and Recommendations, guidelines and eye-opening information you STILL N

HealthyStart/FALL/Page 9

d NEVER forget!... NEED to be AWARE of in the continuing fight against the coronavirus!

HealthyStart/FALL/Page 10

Doctors are still learn-ing about the possiblerisks of COVID-19 in-fection for cancer pa-tients. But they do havea lot of information re-garding the risk of in-fections in general forcancer patients.

Avoiding being exposed to thevirus that causes COVID-19 isespecially important for cancerpatients, who might be at higherrisk for serious illness if they getinfected. This is particularly truefor patients who are gettingchemotherapy or a stem cell(bone marrow) transplant, be-cause their immune systems canbe severely weakened by thetreatment.

The pandemic is also affectingthe way many people get med-ical care, including patients withcancer.

Depending on the COVID-19situation where you live, this maymean a delay in having cancersurgery or care that’s meant tokeep cancer from returning.Some people may need toreschedule appointments.

Cancer care teams are doingthe best they can to deliver careto their patients. However, evenin these circumstances, it isn’tlife as usual. It's important tokeep in contact with your cancercare team to determine the bestcourse of action for you.

This may involve talking toyour care team virtually (onlineor over the phone) and not phys-ically going to the clinic.

Many clinics and infusion cen-ters have made changes to allowyou to come in safely for an in-person visit as well as treatment.These might include screeningfor COVID-19 symptoms aheadof your visit, proper spacing ofwaiting room and infusion chairs,spacing out appointments to limitthe number of people in the wait-ing room at one time, requiringpeople to wear a face cover, andcleaning all surfaces frequently.It’s important to know who to callto reach your cancer care teamto find out how to proceed.

You might have other optionsfor getting your cancer medi-cines as well. For example,some people might be able toswitch to oral medicines insteadhaving to go in for infusions.

For some people, another op-tion might be to get infusions oftheir cancer medicines at home.However, there are safety issuesto consider with home infusions,and it’s important to discuss

these with your health care teambefore deciding on getting treat-ment this way.

The issues with getting cancertreatment and testing during thispandemic will take some time toresolve, and even then, there willlikely continue to be changes inthe way cancer patients receivetheir care.

In the meantime, doctors needto learn more about cancer pa-tients and COVID-19. Registriessuch as the COVID-19 and Can-

cer Consortium and studies suchas the NCI COVID-19 in CancerPatients Study are actively col-lecting data.

Early studies from registries inthe US and around the worldhave looked at outcomes forcancer patients who developCOVID-19 with symptoms, aswell as if certain anti-cancertreatments change these out-comes.

These initial study results arehelpful, but it is very important to

gather more data and analyze itover a longer time to better un-derstand the effects of COVID-19 on current and former cancerpatients.

Contact your doctor if you areinterested in participating in aregistry or study.Why can’t someone comewith me for my doctorvisits/treatments?

While some medical visits arenow being done online or overthe phone, things like physicalexams, lab or imaging tests, andtreatments (such as surgery, ra-diation therapy, or chemother-apy) still need to be done inperson.

Many doctor’s offices, treat-ment centers, hospitals, andother facilities have ‘no visitor’policies in place at this time,meaning that only the personbeing treated is allowed to enter.This is to help protect the peoplein these places, many of whommight be vulnerable if they wereto be infected with COVID-19.

At the same time, these poli-cies can create a great deal ofanxiety for both cancer patientsand their loved ones.

The caregivers who usually ac-company patients are an impor-

tant source of support for them,and they can often be invaluablein both giving information to thehealth care team and in helpingto make sure that patients under-stand what’s being told to them.

While it might not be possiblefor caregivers to attend all ofthese in-person visits right now,there are still some ways to stayinvolved and informed aboutwhat’s going on:

• Ask if the patient can havethe caregiver on a phone callduring the visit so the caregivercan listen to the conversationand ask/answer questions.

• Ask for a family consult withsomeone from the health careteam after the visit so the care-giver knows what was dis-cussed.

• Ask if the center might allowmore frequent telehealth visits sothe caregiver can be present.

• If you have an online portal,ask if you can submit questionsand get answers there.

• Ask if you can get a copy ofthe progress note that thehealthcare provider writes upafter each visit – either a physi-cal copy on the day of the visit orin some other format (for exam-ple, via an online portal).

What cancer patients and caregiversneed to know about COVID-19?

HealthyStart/FALL/Page 11

Annual report examines toll oflung cancer inWisconsin, identifies opportunities tosave more livesthrough early diagnosisBROOkFIELD,

WI – Lung canceris the nation’sleading cause ofcancer deaths,and it’s estimatedthat 4,290 Wis-consin residentswill be diagnosedwith this diseasein 2020 alone.

The 2020 “State of LungCancer” report from theAmerican Lung Associationfinds that while more Ameri-cans are surviving the dis-ease, people of color arefacing poorer health out-comes than white residents,and Wisconsin can do moreto improve survival rates.

The 3rd annual “State ofLung Cancer” report exam-ines the toll of lung cancerthroughout the nation andoutlines steps every statecan take to better protect itsresidents from lung cancer.

For the first time, thisyear’s report explores thelung cancer burden among

racial and ethnic groups atthe national and state levels.

This year’s “State of LungCancer” highlights the posi-tive trend of increased lungcancer survival, as the na-tionwide five-year lung can-cer survival rate of 22.6%reflects a 13% improvementover the past five years. InWisconsin the survival rateis 23.5%.

Wisconsin ranks aboveaverage nationally for thenumber of people screenedfor lung cancer as well as forthose receiving treatment.

The state falls in the mid-dle for overall number ofcases, early diagnosis,cases that can be treatedsurgically and survival rate.

New in this year’s report isthat Blacks in Wisconsin aremost likely to receive notreatment, indicating a seri-ous health disparity.

“While we celebrate thatmore Americans are surviv-ing lung cancer, too manypeople are being left behind,and the disease still remainsthe leading cause of cancerdeaths,” said Megan Cor-dova, Executive Director ofthe American Lung Associa-tion in Wisconsin. “

Much more can and mustbe done to prevent the dis-ease and support those fac-ing the disease.”

Part of the reason thatlung cancer is so deadly isbecause most cases are di-agnosed at a later stage,after the disease hasspread.

Lung cancer screening isthe key to catching lungcancer early when the dis-

ease is most curable, butonly 22.9% of lung cancercases nationally are diag-nosed at an early stage.

While this simple screen-ing test has been availablesince 2015, only 10.8% ofthose eligible in Wisconsinhave been screened.

“Lung cancer screening isa powerful tool to save

lives,” said Cordova “It’s arelatively new test, andwe’re only seeing a fractionof those who qualify actuallygetting screened.

We’re pushing for greaterawareness of this test tosave more lives here in Wis-consin.”

More treatment optionsare available for lung cancer

than ever before, yet noteveryone is receiving treat-ment following diagnosis.

In Wisconsin, 12.6% ofthose diagnosed did not re-ceive any form of treatment.Those rates are highest inthe Black population.

“We want to ensure thateveryone has access totreatment options and qual-ity and affordable health-care.

“No one who wants careshould have to forgo treat-ment due to lack of accessor cost,” Cordova said.

Learn more about "Stateof Lung Cancer" atLung.org/solc. For media in-terested in speaking with alung cancer expert aboutadvances in lung cancerand the "State of Lung Can-cer" 2020 report or lung can-cer survivor about theirexperience, contact DonaWininsky at the AmericanLung Association atDona.Wininsky@Lung.orgor 262-703-4840.

American Lung Association’s ‘State ofLung Cancer’ ReportFinds WisconsinAmong the Top Statesfor Lung CancerScreening

The “State of LungCancer” 2020 reportidentifies state-specific informationaround the waysstates can bestfocus their resourcesto decrease the tollof lung cancer.

“More treatment options areavailable for lung cancerthan ever before, yet not

everyone is receiving treat-ment following

diagnosis. In Wisconsin,12.6% of those

diagnosed did not receive any form of treat-

ment. Those rates are highest in the Black

population.”

HealthyStart/FALL/Page 12

How to get kids to ‘snackright!’By Rev. Judith T. Lester, B.Min., M.Th.

“How can I get mychild to eat right?”

That’s an age-old question many par-ents ask themselves...and other parents,hoping they have the answer to thisquandry. Alas, they don’t.

It’s not easy! Especially getting them to eat snacks thatare nutritious instead of overly sweet or salty.

While some children may like such pre-dinnermunchies like melons (especially watermelon) and toma-toes (if the tomatoes come in a bottle of ketchup forfrench fries), they’ll turn up their noses at cucumbers,squash, corn, and eggplant (they’ll probably ask: ‘what’sa eggplant?’).

The following are 10 child-friendly tips from the MayoClinic1 as to what you can do to get your child(ren) tosnack right, especially when it comes to snacks they canhave when they come home from school, or as they dotheir homework.

1. Keep Junk Food Out of the House. Your childwon’t clamor as much for cookies, candy bars or chips ifthey aren’t around. Save desserts for special occasionsrather than daily treats. Set a good example by eatinghealthy snacks – your child might follow suit.

2. Power up with Protein. Protein will help your childfeel fuller, longer. Stock your refrigerator with hard-boiledeggs, deli meat and cooked chicken tenders or drum-sticks. Serve up a steaming bowl of ramen noodles. Forkids without nut allergies, offer nuts and nut butters.

3. Go for the Grain. Whole-grain foods such as whole-grain pretzels or tortillas and high-fiber, whole-grain cere-als, provide energy with some staying power. Pairwhole-wheat bread with a slice of cheese, deli meat orhummus for a satisfying snack.

4. Broaden the Menu. Offer a rainbow of fruits andveggies, such as avocado, pineapple, cranberries, redand yellow peppers or mangoes.

5. Revisit Breakfast. Serve breakfast foods as after-noon snacks. Offer dried cereal mixed with fruit and nuts.

6. Sweeten it Up. Satisfy your child’s sweet tooth withlow-fat puddings, frozen yogurt or frozen fruit bars. Servesmoothies made with milk, plain yogurt and fresh orfrozen fruit.

7. Have Fun. Use a cookie cutter to make shapes outof low-fat cheese slices, whole grain bread. Skewer fruit

kebabs or show your child how to eat dried fruit withchopsticks.

8. Promote Independence. keep a selection of readyto eat veggies in the refrigerator. Leave fresh fruit in abowl on the counter. Store low-sugar, whole grain cerealin an easily accessible cabinet.

9. Don’t be Fooled by Labeling Gimmicks. Foods la-beled as low-fat or fat-free can pack plenty of caloriesand sodium. Check nutrition labels to find out the wholestory and make a smart snack choice.

10. Designate A Snacking Zone. Only allow snackingin certain areas, such as the kitchen and avoid servingsnacks during screen time. For snacks on the go, offer abanana, string cheese, yogurt sticks, cereal bars, carrotsticks or other less messy foods.

The Mayo Clinic notes that when you teach your childto make healthy snack choices now, it will help set thestage for a lifetime of healthy eating!

1 Mayo Clinic Staff, Healthy Snacks for Kids: 10Child Friendly Tips, March 2017.

Replacing sugary drinks with diet versions maynot be any healthier for the heart, a large, newstudy suggests.

French researchers found that people who regularly drank artificially sweetenedbeverages had a higher risk of heart disease and stroke, versus people who avoidedthose beverages. In fact, they were no less likely to develop cardiovascular diseasethan people who regularly downed sugary drinks.

The findings do not pin the blame on artificial sweeteners, per se, one expert said.People who use them may have an overall diet, or other lifestyle habits, that raisetheir risk of heart trouble.

"This doesn't indicate that artificially sweetened beverages caused the increasedrisk of cardiac events," said Colleen Rauchut Tewksbury, a registered dietitian andspokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Cutting down on added sugar is definitely a good thing, said Tewksbury, who wasnot involved in the study.

And if diet drinks help people do that, she added, then they can be a positive re-placement.

But, Tewksbury stressed, that's "just one component" of a whole diet: If peopleswitch to zero-calorie sodas, then eat extra fries or indulge in dessert, the effort islost.

The findings, published online Oct. 26 as a research letter in the Journal of the Amer-

ican College of Cardiology, are based on over 100,000 Frenchadults taking part in an ongoing nutrition and health study. Startingin 2009, the participants completed diet surveys every six months,reporting on what they'd consumed over the past 24 hours. Basedon those records, researchers divided them into six groups: non-consumers, low consumers and high consumers of sugar-sweet-ened and artificially sweetened drinks.

Over a decade, 1,379 study participants suffered a first-time heartattack, severe chest pain or stroke. And on average, the risk was32% higher among high consumers of diet drinks, versus non-con-sumers. The risk among high consumers of sugary drinks was 20%higher.

Of course, people might choose diet beverages because theyneed to lose weight, or manage a health problem, acknowledgedthe researchers -- led by Eloi Chazelas, of Sorbonne Paris Nord Uni-versity. So the investigators accounted for participants' self-reportedeating habits, as well as exercise levels, smoking and conditionslike high blood pressure and diabetes.

And diet drinks were still tied to a heightened risk of cardiovasculartrouble, though the study did not prove that diet drinks caused heartproblems.

However, Tewksbury said it's difficult to fully account for all the diet and lifestyle fac-tors that might be behind the link. She also pointed to the numbers: Only 56 "highconsumers" of diet drinks suffered heart problems or stroke -- and that also makes ittough to draw conclusions.

The Calorie Control Council, which represents the low-calorie food industry, alsotook issue with the findings.

"Epidemiological studies, even those built on large sample sizes, are subject to po-tential pitfalls including reverse causality [subjects choose low and no calorie sweet-eners (LNCS) as a tool to manage their weight after becoming overweight/obese] andresidual confounding [inability to control for factors that influence health outcomes],as the researchers noted," the council said in a statement.

Dr. Andrew Freeman is a cardiologist at National Jewish Health, in Denver. In hisown practice, he emphasizes the importance of nutrition in helping to prevent andmanage heart disease.

Freeman said it's possible artificial sweeteners, themselves, have a negative effecton heart health. Some research, for example, suggests they can trigger an insulin "re-sponse," he noted. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar.

"At the end of the day, the best calorie-free beverage is water," Freeman said.Not everyone loves water, he acknowledged, and some people are attached to the

sweet taste and bubbles of their favorite drink. "It's hard for people to give up theirdiet soda," Freeman said. "It can be pretty addictive."

But it's best to limit food additives, according to Freeman -- not only in drinks, butalso in processed foods in general. "If you can't pronounce the ingredients on thelabel, that's a red flag," he added.

Diet Sodas Don't DoYour Heart Any FavorsArticle courtesy of Amy Norton. HealthDay reporter for medicinenet.com

HealthyStart/FALL/Page 13

If you get tripped up on food content claims,you’re not alone. Fat free vs. low fat vs. re-duced fat. Low cholesterol vs. reduced choles-terol. It’s confusing, and it can be tough whenyou’re trying to make the right choices.Serving sizeStart by looking at the serving size. All of the

information on the label is based on the servingsize listed. If you eat more, that means you'll begetting more calories, carbohydrates, etc. thanwhat is listed.Amount per servingThe information on the left side of the label

tells you the total of the different nutrients in oneserving of the food. Use these numbers to com-pare labels of similar foods.CaloriesCalories are a unit of energy—think of them

as the energy your body consumes and usesfor bodily functions. Curious how many caloriesyou need? Talk with a registered dietitian nutri-tionist (RD/RDN).Total carbohydrateTotal carbohydrate on the label includes all

three types of carbohydrate: sugar, starch andfiber. It's important to use the total grams whencounting carbs or choosing which foods to in-clude. Below the Total Carbohydrate (carbs),you will find a breakdown of the types of carbo-hydrate in the food. Added sugarOne of the three types of carbohydrates in

food is sugar. As of January 2021, labels mustinclude added sugar to help you know the dif-ference between sugar that occurs naturally inthe food (like yogurt or fruit) and sugar that wasadded during processing (like in cookies, candyand soda). Many labels have already made thechange. FiberFiber is the part of plant foods that is not di-

gested–or for some types, only partially di-gested. Dried beans such as kidney or pintobeans, fruits, vegetables and whole intactgrains are all good sources of fiber.

The amount of fiber you need depends on

your age and gender. Healthy adults need be-tween 25 and 38 grams of fiber a day on aver-age—you can find recommendations for yourage group and gender in the Dietary Guidelinesfor Americans (DGA). Sugar alcoholsSugar alcohols are a type of sugar substitute

that have fewer calories per gram than sugarsand starches.

Sorbitol, xylitol and mannitol are examples ofsugar alcohols. If a food contains sugar alco-hols, it would be listed on the label under TotalCarbohydrate.

It’s important to keep in mind that foods thatcontain sugar alcohols are not necessarily lowin carbohydrate or calories.

And, just because a package says "sugar-free" on the outside does not mean that it iscalorie or carbohydrate-free. Always check thelabel for the grams of total carbohydrate andcalories. FatsTotal fat tells you how much fat is in one serv-

ing of the food. In general when it comes to fat,try to replace foods high in saturated fat ortransfat with foods rich in monounsaturated andpolyunsaturated fats to reduce your risk of heartdisease. SodiumSodium is the scientific term for salt. It does

not affect blood sugar. However, excess dietarysodium increases your risk of high blood pres-sure and heart disease. With some foods, youcan taste how salty they are, such as pickles orbacon.

But there is also hidden salt in many foods,like salad dressings, lunch meat, canned soupsand other packaged foods. Reading labels canhelp you find these hidden sources and com-pare the sodium in different foods.

Whether you have diabetes or not, 2300 mil-ligrams (mg) or less per day is the general rec-ommendation. If you have high blood pressure,talk with your health care team to find out thebest goal for you.List of ingredients

Ingredient lists can be a helpful tool. Ingredi-ents are listed in order by weight with the firstingredient being the highest amount in the food.

knowing the ingredients is useful in makinghealthy choices like increasing fiber (look forwords like whole grain, whole wheat, etc.) ordecreasing sugar (look for words like canesugar, agave, maple syrup, honey, etc.).Percent Daily Values (%DV)The Percent Daily Values for each nutrient

are found in the right column on the label.These tell you what percent of each nutrient thefood provides if you were on a 2,000 calorie perday diet.

As a general rule of thumb, aim for less than5% for nutrients you want to limit, such assodium and saturated fat.

Aim for 20% or more for nutrients you want toget more of such as fiber, vitamin D, calciumand iron.“Net carbs” and other nutrient claimsYou've probably seen the term "net carbs" on

some food packages. Many food companiesmake claims about the amount of carbohydratein their products.

However, “net carbs” doesn’t have a legal def-inition from the FDA, and they are not used bythe American Diabetes Association. Alwayslook at the Total Carbohydrate on the NutritionFacts label first.

Checking your blood sugar can help you fig-ure out how specific carbs affect you.

Net carbs isn’t the only confusing nutritionclaim you’ll find on food packages. For exam-ple, have you ever wondered what the differ-ence is between fat free, saturated fat free, lowfat and reduced and less fat? The governmenthas defined some claims that can be used onfood packaging. Here’s what they mean:Calories• Calories free: less than 5 calories per serv-

ing• Low calorie: 40 calories or less per servingTotal, saturated and trans fat• Fat free: less than 0.5 grams of fat• Saturated fat free: less than 0.5 grams of

saturated fat• Trans fat free: less than 0.5 grams of trans

fat• Low fat: 3 grams or less of total fat• Low saturated fat: 1 gram or less of satu-

rated fat• Reduced fat or less fat: at least 25% less fat

than the regular versionSodium• Sodium free or salt free: less than 5 mg of

sodium per serving• Very low sodium: 35 mg of sodium or less• Low sodium: 140 mg of sodium or less• Reduced sodium or less sodium: at least

25% less sodium than the regular versionCholesterol• Cholesterol free: less than 2 mg per serving• Low cholesterol: 20 mg or less• Reduced cholesterol or less cholesterol: at

least 25% less cholesterol than the regular ver-sionSugar• Sugar free: less than 0.5 grams of sugar per

serving• Reduced sugar: at least 25% less sugar per

serving than the regular version• No sugar added or without added sugars: no

sugar or sugar-containing ingredient is addedduring processingFiber• High fiber: 5 grams or more of fiber per serv-

ing• Good source of fiber: 2.5 to 4.9 grams of

fiber per serving

Making sense of food labels

Trying to figure out nutritional information on la-bels and packaging isn’t easy. The good news isthat we can help. These food labels are espe-cially helpful if you use carb counting to plan yourmeals!

HealthyStart/FALL/Page 14 Lots of studieshave been doneabout the bene-fits of quittingsmoking. Decades of research

have found several goodreasons to quit, includinghealth and financial ben-efits that can save livesand money.

While it’s best to quit as early inlife as possible, quitting at any agecan lead to a better health andlifestyle.

Quitting can make you look, feel,and be healthier

• Using tobacco leads to diseaseand disability and harms nearly

every organ of the body.• Smoking is the leading cause of prevent-

able death.• Secondhand smoke is dangerous and

can harm the health of your friends and fam-ily.

Quitting can help you save money• Cigarettes and other tobacco products

are expensive. • The risk for getting colds and other respi-

ratory problems is lower, meaning fewer doc-tor visits, less money spent on medicines,and fewer sick days off work.

• Cleaning and home repairs could costless since clothes, furniture, curtains, andthe car won’t smell like tobacco.

Quitting can improve self-confidence andlead to a better lifestyle

• Not using tobacco products helps keepyour family safe.

• Your may have more energy, helping youhave more quality family and leisure time.

• Quitting can set a good example for oth-ers who might need help quitting.

• Others will be proud of your progress andwillpower to quit and stay quit.

“I“IQUITQUIT!”!”Why smokers should FINALLYstop smoking cigarettes!

You can also find shortenedversions of this information inour handouts for parents andyouth:What are e-cigarettes?E-cigarettes are known by

many different names, includ-ing e-cigs, electronic nicotinedelivery systems (ENDS), al-ternative nicotine delivery sys-tems (ANDS), e-hookahs,mods, vape pens, vaporizers,vapes and tank systems. JUULis one popular brand of e-ciga-rette.

E-cigarettes are available inmany shapes and sizes. Theycan look like cigarettes, cigars,pipes, pens, USB flash drives,or may be in other forms.

E-cigarettes include a batterythat turns the device on, aheating element that heats thee-liquid and turns it into anaerosol of tiny particles (some-

times called a “vapor”), a car-tridge or tank that holds the e-liquid, and a mouthpiece oropening used to inhale theaerosol.

E-cigarettes do not containtobacco, but many of themcontain nicotine, which comesfrom tobacco. Because of this,the Food and Drug Administra-tion (FDA) classifies them as"tobacco products."What is vaping?The use of e-cigarettes is

often referred to as “vaping”because many people believee-cigarettes create a vapor,which is then inhaled. But infact, e-cigarettes produce anaerosol made up of tiny parti-cles, which is different from avapor.What is JUUL or JUULing?“JUULing” refers to using one

brand of e-cigarette called

JUUL, which is very popularamong kids, teenagers andyoung adults. All JUULs con-tain nicotine. JUULs and simi-lar devices are typically small,sleek, high tech-looking, andeasy to hide. They look likeUSB flash drives and can becharged in a computer. Theycan be hidden in the palm ofthe hand and are hard to detectbecause they give off very littlevapor or smell. kids andteenagers are known to usethem in school restrooms andeven in the classroom.How do e-cigarettes work?E-cigarettes heat a liquid –

called e-liquid or e-juice – toturn it into an aerosol (some-times called a "vapor"). E-ciga-rette users inhale this into theirlungs.Do e-cigarettes (including

JUULs) contain nicotine?The e-liquid in all JUULs and

most other e-cigarettes con-tains nicotine, the same addic-tive drug that is in regularcigarettes, cigars, hookah, andother tobacco products. How-ever, nicotine levels are not thesame in all types of e-ciga-rettes, and sometimes productlabels do not list the true nico-tine content.

JUULs typically have a signif-

icantly higher amount of nico-tine per puff than some othertypes of e-cigarettes and ciga-rettes.

Because of this, JUUL andJUUL-like products may bemore addictive than other typesof e-cigarettes. Some kidshave become physically de-pendent on nicotine by usingthese products.

There are some e-cigarettebrands that claim to be nico-tine-free but have been foundto contain nicotine.What is in the aerosol

("vapor") of an e-cigarette?Although the term “vapor”

may sound harmless, theaerosol that comes out of an e-cigarette is not water vapor andcan be harmful. The aerosolfrom an e-cigarette can containnicotine and other substancesthat are addictive and cancause lung disease, heart dis-ease, and cancer.

Again, it is important to knowthat all JUULs and most othere-cigarettes contain nicotine.There is evidence that nicotineharms the brain developmentof teenagers. If used duringpregnancy, nicotine may alsocause premature births andlow birthweight babies.

Besides nicotine, e-cigarettesand e-cigarette vapor typicallycontain propylene glycol and/orvegetable glycerin. These aresubstances used to producestage or theatrical fog whichhave been found to increaselung and airway irritation afterconcentrated exposure.

In addition, e-cigarettes ande-cigarette vapor may containthe chemicals or substanceslisted below.• Volatile organic com-

pounds (VOCs): At certainlevels, VOCs can cause eye,nose and throat irritation,headaches and nausea, andcan damage the liver, kidneyand nervous system.• Flavoring chemicals:

Some flavorings are more toxicthan others. Studies haveshown that some flavors con-

tain different levels of a chemi-cal called diacetyl that hasbeen linked to a serious lungdisease called bronchiolitisobliterans.• Formaldehyde: This is a

cancer-causing substance thatmay form if e-liquid overheatsor not enough liquid is reachingthe heating element (known asa “dry-puff”).

The FDA does not currentlyrequire testing of all the sub-stances in e-cigarettes to en-sure they are safe. It's alsohard to know exactly whatchemicals are in an e-cigarettebecause most products do notlist all of the harmful or poten-tially harmful substances con-tained in them. Some productsare also labeled incorrectly.

It's important to know the USCenters for Disease Controland Prevention (CDC) hasstated that sometimes e-ciga-rette products are changed ormodified and can have possi-bly harmful or illegal sub-stances from unknownsources. You can read moreabout this statement on theCDC newsroom page.What are the health effects

of e-cigarettes?E-cigarettes are still fairly

new, and more research isneeded over a longer period oftime to know what the long-term effects may be. The mostimportant points to know arethat the long-term health ef-fects of e-cigarettes are still un-known, and all tobaccoproducts, including e-ciga-rettes, can pose health risks tothe user.

The American Cancer Soci-ety is closely watching for newresearch about the effects ofusing e-cigarettes and othernew tobacco products. (See"What is in the aerosol("vapor") of an e-cigarette?"and "Do e-cigarettes [includingJUULs] contain nicotine?)"What is known about the

use of e-cigarettes by youth?No youth, including middle

(continued on page 15)

What Do We KnowAbout E-cigarettes?E-cigarettes are known by manydifferent names, and sometimespeople find it hard to understandwhat is really known about thesedevices. Here we address some ofthe common questions people askabout e-cigarettes.

HealthyStart/FALL/Page 15

schoolers and high schoolers, should use e-cigarettesor any tobacco product. (See "What is in the aerosol(“vapor”) of an e-cigarette?")

It is important to know that all JUULs and most othere-cigarettes contain addictive nicotine. There is evi-dence that nicotine harms the brain development ofteenagers.

Some studies have shown that vaping by someyouth may be linked to later use of regular cigarettesand other tobacco products. Using e-cigarettes mayplay a part in some kids or teens wanting to use other,more harmful tobacco products.

Current e-cigarette use in youth has increased in re-cent years.

• In high school students, current e-cigarette usewent from 11.7% in 2017 to 19.6% in 2020.

• In middle school students, current e-cigarette usewent from 0.6% in 2017 to 4.7% in 2020.

JUUL is the overwhelming favorite e-cigarette prod-uct among young people. kids and teenagers areknown to use them in school restrooms and even inthe classroom.

The FDA has the authority to regulate all tobaccoproducts, including e-cigarettes. The FDA is workingon several options to prevent youth access to e-ciga-rettes, such as recent legislation to raise the minimumage for the sale of tobacco products.Does e-cigarette use cause cancer?Scientists are still learning about how e-cigarettes

affect health when they are used for long periods oftime. It’s important to know that the aerosol ("vapor")from an e-cigarette contains some cancer-causingchemicals, although in significantly lower amountsthan in cigarette smoke.Can e-cigarettes explode?There have been reports of e-cigarettes exploding

and causing serious injuries. Usually the explosions

are caused by faulty batteries or because the batter-ies were not handled as they should be. Visit the Foodand Drug Administration website for safety tips to helpavoid an e-cigarette battery explosion.Is exposure to secondhand e-cigarette aerosol

harmful?Although e-cigarettes do not give off smoke like to-

bacco cigarettes, they do expose people to second-hand aerosol or "vapor" that may contain harmfulsubstances. Scientists are still learning about the

health effects of being exposed to secondhand e-cig-arette aerosol.

The smoke-free and tobacco-free policies atschools, businesses, healthcare institutions, and otherorganizations should also cover e-cigarettes. This willhelp non-users avoid being exposed to potentiallyharmful e-cigarette aerosol.Can e-cigarettes help people quit smoking

(known as smoking cessation)?E-cigarettes are not currently approved by the FDA

as aids to help stop smoking. This is because there’s just not enough research or

evidence yet. On the other hand, there is a large bodyof evidence clearly showing that FDA-approved med-ications are safe and effective ways to help peoplequit smoking, especially when combined with coun-seling.

Some people who smoke choose to try e-cigarettesto help them stop smoking. Stopping smoking clearlyhas well-documented health benefits. But smokerswho switch to e-cigarette use still expose themselvesto potentially serious ongoing health risks.

It’s important to stop using all tobacco products, in-cluding e-cigarettes, as soon as possible both to re-duce health risks and to avoid staying addicted tonicotine.

If you’re having trouble quitting e-cigarettes on yourown, get help from your doctor or from other supportservices, such as your state quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW) or the American Cancer Society (1-800-ACS-2345).

People who have already switched completely fromsmoking to e-cigarettes should not switch back tosmoking (either solely or along with e-cigarettes),which could expose them to potentially devastatinghealth effects.

Some people who smoke choose to use both ciga-rettes and e-cigarettes at the same time on an ongo-ing basis, whether they are trying to quit or not. Thisis known as “dual use.”

The dual use of e-cigarettes and tobacco cigarettescan lead to significant health risks because smokingany amount of regular cigarettes is very harmful.

People should not use both products at the sametime and are strongly encouraged to completely stopusing all tobacco products.

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

The first wave of coronavirus vaccinesshould reach the public in two months,with the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention (CDC) recommending that alladults receive the vaccination in 2021.

While the CDC said there should be enough dosesfor as many as 20 million people to receive vaccina-tion by the end of December, health officials expect amuch larger supply in the coming months.

Still, with a justified distrust of unproven vaccines,and a perceived limited participation by African Amer-icans in clinical the trials that lead to the developmentof the COVID-19 vaccine, many question whetherAfrican Americans will accept vaccination.

Others are also concerned that, even if the Blackcommunity generally accepts the vaccine, woulddoses be available.

“I’m guessing white folks will be first in line,” Monica

Roderick, a Temple Hills, Maryland mother of four,opined.

“One of the reasons I shudder when I hear peopletalk about how Black people are still suspect becauseof the Tuskegee Experiment and other vaccines thatended wrong is because it tends to give other folksthe greenlight to leave us out,” Roderick said.

She continued:“This virus is the worst thing the world has seen in

100 years. It’s too important not to consider the vac-cine, especially since most people affected by thecoronavirus are Black and Brown.”

Putting whether the Black community can trust thevaccine aside, the next controversy on the immediatehorizon is whether African Americans will have ac-cess.

The initial supply certainly will overwhelm demand,CDC officials said. The federal government plans todistribute the vaccine in phases.

Health care workers and patients in long-term healthcare facilities are first in line.

According to guidelines, senior citizens and thosewith high-risk comorbidities and essential workers are

next.After that, state and local government officials will

determine who next receives a vaccination.So far, most states have yet to develop a concrete

plan.The outline reportedly provided suggested no ex-

plicit details about reaching marginalized populationslike the Black community who have suffered the most.

“I’m looking at social media, and I’m seeing [FormerPresident] Barack Obama saying he’ll take the vac-cine on television, and I’m shaking my head,” saidTonia Everhart, a Northeast, Washington, D.C., nurse.

“First, understand that Obama isn’t necessarily themost trusted voice in the Black community, and he’snot a doctor.

“While I understand what he’s trying to do to encour-age participation and eliminate fear, our communityneeds Black medical professionals, trusted voices, tosay it’s okay to take the vaccine and then we need tobe assured that we are not going to be left behindwhen the vaccine becomes available,” Everhart de-manded.

Health officials agreed.“You need that deep community engagement to

strategize and inform what needs to be done, com-munity by community,” Eric Toner, a senior scholarwith the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security,who was the lead author for Johns Hopkins’ Covid-19vaccine allocation framework, told NBC News.

That means engagement of local leaders, from pas-tors to principals, to reach hesitant individuals, hesaid, adding that such strategies are particularly keyto reaching historically marginalized and disenfran-chised communities.

“That is a public health priority not only for ethicaland moral reasons but because that’s where a lot ofthe transmission of the disease is happening,” Toneradded.

“It’s absolutely true that we can’t reach them solelythrough public messaging,” Toner continued.

“States need to be working now to create the rela-tionships in those communities with trusted leaders toencourage people to seriously think about getting vac-cinated.”

Will the Black Community Get Shut out From COVID Vaccination?

What Do We KnowAbout E-cigarettes?(continued from page 14)

“Some studies have shownthat vaping by some youth maybe linked to later use of regularcigarettes and other tobaccoproducts. Using e-cigarettesmay play a part in some kids orteens wanting to use other,more harmful tobacco

products.”

HealthyStart/FALL/Page 16