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Dr. Nathalie Johnson Honored with the Impact Award at NCoBC 2025

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Key December Health Awareness Days

Key December Health Awareness Days
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Beth Frutkin
By Beth FrutkinDec 02, 2024
Beth Frutkin
Founder and driving force behind Divine Health, Beth combines her expertise in marketing and technology to make health information accessible, engaging, and impactful. Her passion for health education stems from personal experiences and a desire to bridge the gap between science and everyday wellness, ensuring readers have the knowledge they need to make informed decisions. Through Divine Health, she curates and shares valuable insights on nutrition, fitness, mental health, medical advancements, and emerging health trends.
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As December begins, the holiday season brings festive preparations, family gatherings, and the joy of togetherness. Alongside the celebrations, December also highlights several important health awareness campaigns. From promoting proper handwashing and flu prevention to observing World AIDS Day and National Impaired Driving Awareness Month, this month focuses on both seasonal health concerns and broader wellness topics.


National Influenza Vaccination Week

With flu season peaking during the winter months, National Influenza Vaccination Week emphasizes the importance of flu vaccines. While many people think it's too late to get vaccinated in December, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages vaccination throughout the flu season, which can extend into spring.

Tips for Staying Healthy:

  • Get your flu shot if you haven’t already.
  • Practice good hygiene by washing hands frequently and covering coughs and sneezes.
  • Stay home if you feel sick to avoid spreading the flu.

National Handwashing Week

Perfectly paired with national flu vaccination week comes national handwashing week. As we learned during the COVID pandemic, washing yours hands correctly really does help the spread of disease. With colds, the flu, and COVID cases rising during the winter, this is the time to remind people about the importance of washing your hands.

Tips for Proper Hand Washing:

  • Know the right times to wash your hands. Before handling food, after using the restroom, or coughing or sneezing.
  • Wash your hands properly. It's not as easy as soap and water. You should soap your hands for 20 seconds before rinsing them. Sing Happy Birthday twice, or a verse of Jolene, by Dolly Parton. If Britney Spears is more your speed, sing Toxic.
  • Dry your hands. Wet hands attract and exchange germs easier.

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

It's holiday season and brings with it a spike in impaired driving incidents due to celebrations that often involve alcohol, drugs, or other substances.

Things to Remember During the Holiday Season:

  • Make a plan before you take that first drink.
  • Remember driving impaired isn't only alcohol. Using drugs or even driving when tired is considered impaired driving.
  • Be vigilant when you're on the road. If you see something concerning, call 911.

World AIDS day

World AIDS day aims to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, honor those lost to the epidemic, and support individuals living with HIV. This year’s theme, "Equitable Access, Everyone Deserves Equal Care," highlights the need for fair healthcare access and the fight against stigma worldwide.

Things to do to Make a Difference:

  • Learn about prevention, testing, and treatments now available.
  • Support local organizations that help with education and outreach.
  • Promote testing. Early detection and ending the stigma around testing is key to helping stop the spread.

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Black Maternal Health Week: Addressing Racial Disparities in Maternal Care
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Black Maternal Health Week: Addressing Racial Disparities in Maternal Care

Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW), observed annually from April 11-17, is a national campaign founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance in 2018. It raises awareness about the disproportionate maternal health challenges faced by Black women in the United States and advocates for systemic change in maternal healthcare (Black Mamas Matter Alliance, 2018). Addressing Black maternal health is crucial for achieving health equity, improving overall public health outcomes, and ensuring that all women have access to safe, respectful, and high-quality maternal care. It requires a multifaceted approach involving policy changes, healthcare system reforms, and efforts to combat racism and discrimination in medical settings.

The Urgency of Black Maternal Health

The United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed nations, and Black women are disproportionately affected. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black women are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women (CDC, 2022). Structural racism, implicit bias in healthcare, and limited access to quality medical services contribute to these disparities.

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Every year on April 2nd, World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) is observed to raise awareness and foster acceptance for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Established by the United Nations in 2007, this day highlights the importance of early diagnosis, inclusive education, and policies that promote the well-being of autistic individuals worldwide (United Nations, 2007). Autism touches the lives of everyone in ways that are both profound and personal. Whether you’re a parent, sibling, teacher, friend, or simply part of a community, autism has a ripple effect that goes far beyond the individual diagnosed with it. It is not just about the challenges—it’s about the beauty of seeing the world through a different lens and learning to embrace diversity in its truest form.

Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by differences in social communication, behavior, and sensory processing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 36 children in the United States is diagnosed with ASD (CDC, 2023). The spectrum nature of autism means that its manifestations vary widely, making tailored support and understanding essential for each individual.

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The Truth About Measles

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Measles might sound like a disease of the past, but it’s making a comeback in certain areas. Recently, a contagious person, who was not vaccinated, went to an NHL game, exposing everyone attending at the Bell Center in Montreal. There is a cluster of people with the measles in Texas. 2025 already has more cases of the measles than all of 2024. With more cases appearing worldwide, it’s important to understand what causes measles, its symptoms, and why getting vaccinated is the best way to stay protected.

What Causes Measles?

Measles is caused by the measles virus (MeV), a highly contagious airborne virus. It spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even talks, releasing virus particles into the air【1】. What makes measles especially dangerous is its ability to linger in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours【2】. That means you can catch it just by being in the same room as an infected person—even if they’ve already left.

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Is Your High-Protein Diet Messing with Your Gut? Here’s What You Need to Know
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Is Your High-Protein Diet Messing with Your Gut? Here’s What You Need to Know

High-protein diets are all the rage these days, with people swearing by them for weight loss, muscle building, and overall health. But did you know that eating too much protein might actually shake things up in your gut? Scientists are finding that excessive protein intake can alter your gut microbiome, which could have some surprising effects on digestion and well-being. Let’s dive into how this happens and what you can do to keep your gut happy.

What Happens to Your Gut Bacteria When You Eat More Protein?

Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria that help digest food, support immunity, and even affect your mood. When you load up on protein, your gut bacteria shift to accommodate the change. This often means more protein-fermenting bacteria and fewer fiber-loving microbes (Beaumont et al., 2017). While this might sound fine, it can lead to the production of potentially harmful byproducts like ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) (Davila et al., 2013).

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Healing Right: Why Following Post-Surgery Instructions Is Essential for Recovery
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Healing Right: Why Following Post-Surgery Instructions Is Essential for Recovery

Surgery has been a big part of my life recently. I've learned that recovering from surgery involves more than just the procedure itself—it requires patients to actively follow post-surgery care instructions provided by their healthcare team. Doctors give these guidelines and instructions that are carefully designed to promote healing, prevent complications, and ensure a successful outcome. Not paying attention to these instructions can lead to significant risks, including infections, delayed recovery, or even the need for additional surgeries.

Why Post-Surgery Instructions Matter

  1. Promotes Proper Healing
    Post-surgery care plans typically include wound care, activity restrictions, dietary guidelines, and prescribed medications. Each of these elements plays a critical role in ensuring the body heals effectively. For example, keeping a surgical site clean and following wound care instructions reduces the risk of infection—a complication that affects approximately 2–5% of surgical patients in the U.S. annually【1】.
  2. Prevents Complications
    Ignoring instructions, such as lifting restrictions or avoiding certain foods, can lead to serious complications. For instance, strenuous activity too soon after surgery might result in reopening wounds, internal bleeding, or herniation. These risks are why surgeons often stress the importance of gradual return to normal activities【2】.
  3. Reduces Risk of Infections
    Post-operative infections are one of the most common complications following surgery. Proper hygiene, timely dressing changes, and compliance with antibiotic prescriptions are key to minimizing this risk. Non-compliance with these measures can lead to surgical site infections (SSIs), which are linked to prolonged hospital stays, additional procedures, and increased medical costs【3】.
  4. Ensures Medication Effectiveness
    Medications prescribed post-surgery, such as pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, or anticoagulants, need to be taken exactly as directed. Skipping doses or stopping prematurely can result in unmanaged pain, inflammation, or dangerous blood clots, particularly after procedures like joint replacements or abdominal surgeries【4】.

What Could Go Wrong Without Compliance?

  1. Infection and Sepsis
    Neglecting wound care can allow bacteria to enter the surgical site, potentially causing localized infections or sepsis, a life-threatening condition. Studies show that early infection detection and treatment are crucial, with delayed care leading to mortality rates of up to 30% in severe cases【3】【5】.
  2. Delayed Recovery
    Disregarding physical therapy or mobility instructions can slow the healing process and lead to stiffness, loss of strength, or reduced range of motion. For example, patients recovering from orthopedic surgeries who skip therapy may experience long-term limitations【6】.
  3. Wound Dehiscence
    Wound dehiscence, where the surgical incision reopens, is a serious complication often caused by ignoring lifting restrictions or failing to maintain proper wound care. This issue can require additional surgeries to repair【7】.
  4. Increased Financial and Emotional Burden
    Non-compliance with post-surgery care often results in hospital readmissions or corrective procedures, which increase medical expenses and prolong recovery. This added stress can also affect mental well-being, leading to anxiety or depression【8】.

Key Steps for a Smooth Recovery

To avoid these risks, patients should:

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