Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Exercise as a Tool to Treat Severe Joint Pain: CDC recommends exercise, not opioids, as way to reduce pain

(Salt Lake City, UT) – What if there was a safe way to reduce joint pain without the dangerous side effects of opioids? A report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows there is insufficient evidence for and serious risks associated with long-term use of opioids for treating arthritis. Instead, experts recommend low-impact physical activity such as walking, biking, or swimming to help alleviate joint pain.

Nationally, 27.2% of adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis report severe joint pain, a condition that can limit a person's ability to perform basic tasks. Severe joint pain was higher among those with diabetes, obesity, heart disease, fair or poor health, and serious psychological distress.

“Given the burden of severe joint pain, and that in 2015 roughly one in five Utahns reported they had arthritis, we recommend two hours and thirty minutes of moderate physical activity each week to help reduce pain, fatigue, and stiffness,” said Nichole Shepard, manager of the Utah Department of Health (UDOH) Arthritis Program. “Medications can help, but there may be dangerous side effects from taking opioids long-term, including the risk of dependency, addiction, or even death.”

For those concerned about safely increasing physical activity without worsening their joint pain, community-based programs, such as EnhanceFitness, are available. EnhanceFitness is an hour-long program being offered at senior centers throughout Salt Lake County. The program is taught by certified instructors and provides a fun, relaxed, and safe way to get a great workout.

Lorie Finlayson, of Draper, was struggling from joint pain after a series of surgeries that left her in crutches. She started attending EnhanceFitness and saw major improvements physically, mentally, and socially. "I loved the music, the instructors, the interaction with others, and I could do the classes. That did so much to help me feel good about myself and my abilities. Three years later I'm still a regular at EnhanceFitness." 

Another EnhanceFitness regular, Joyce Jackson, 85 of Murray, mentioned her reluctance to rely on medication for relief from her hand and back pain. "Then I started exercising and saw so much improvement," said Jackson about her experience. "I will be the first to say to anyone to get up and move."

"Utah is very active and our rates of arthritis are low compared to other states," said Shepard. "However, we want people who already have joint pain to know that there are safe and effective classes to help get you back moving and reduce pain."

In addition to exercise therapies, the CDC also recommends the use of cognitive behavioral therapy, certain interventional procedures, acetaminophen, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of arthritis and severe joint pain.

A list of classes designed to lesson joint pain and help manage arthritis can be found at http://livingwell.utah.gov or by calling the Utah Health Resource Line at 1-888-222-2542. To download a copy of the CDC report, visit http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm6539a2.htm.

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Media Contact:
Rebecca Castleton
801-538-9340
rcastlet@utah.gov

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

“Missing Moments” Families of teen crash victims share their grief

(Salt Lake City, UT) – Car crashes are a leading cause of death for teens in Utah and across the U.S. In 2015, 25 families were devastated to learn that their teenager had been killed in a motor vehicle crash on Utah roads. Today, they shared their stories to encourage others to drive safely.

Emily Roundy’s 15-year-old daughter, Kaitlyn, was a passenger in a single vehicle rollover on May 2, 2015. Kaitlyn was with friends when the driver of the vehicle she was riding in swerved to miss a deer. The vehicle rolled off the road into a riverbed. Kaitlyn was not wearing a seat belt. She was ejected from the truck and killed instantly.

“I miss her walking through the front door, lighting up the entire room with her presence,” said Roundy. “Kaitlyn knew to wear her seat belt, but there was one time she didn’t and she was taken from us. Please protect your precious lives and wear a seat belt. Always.”

Teens have the lowest seat belt usage rate of any age group. In 2015, almost 60 percent of all teens killed on Utah roads were not restrained. “The simple decision to choose to wear your seat belt every time you are in a vehicle can and does save lives,” said Carlos Braceras, executive director with the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT). “If I could change a single behavior of every Utahn, it would be to make sure they are always buckled up, no matter what.”

This is the ninth year the Utah Department of Health (UDOH) and UDOT have collected stories of teens killed in motor vehicle crashes. The book will be used by state and local agencies as a prevention tool to help drivers of all ages realize the impact their decisions have on others. The books will also be distributed to high school driver education classes throughout the state.

David “Buddy” Conner lost his 16-year-old sister, Cadee, in a crash on Mountain View Corridor, just a half mile from home. Cadee was a passenger and as the driver started to cross the intersection, the truck she was riding in was hit by cross traffic causing it to roll. “My sister was my best friend. If I could say one thing to other drivers it would be that you need to be aware of others around you on the road. You need to be aware of your surroundings and always be a defensive driver because just like that, you can flip someone’s whole world around. And for us, we don’t have a rewind button.”

Data from the Utah Highway Safety Office show that in 2015 teen drivers were two times more likely to have a contributing factor, such as failing to yield the right of way or speeding, in a fatal crash than drivers of other ages.

“Teen drivers are at a higher risk of crashing than other drivers often due to inexperience,” said Joseph Miner, UDOH executive director. “Policies such as the Utah Graduated Driver License laws are designed to help new drivers learn driving skills over time and gain the experience needed to become safe drivers. These laws as well as prevention efforts by our state and community partners have saved lives.”

“As a representative of those families with their loved ones in the book, we’re here to speak out. We’re speaking out to help other families get the chance to fathom how unacceptable roadway fatalities are. No one has to die on our roads,” said Conner.

To download a copy of the book Missing Moments: Remembering 10 Lives Lost on Utah Roads, visit www.health.utah.gov/vipp or www.dontdrivestupid.com

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Media Contact:

Jenny Johnson
Violence and Injury Prevention Program
(o) 801-538-9416 (m) 801-298-1569

Monday, October 17, 2016

NEWS ADVISORY - Families of teen crash victims share their grief

NEWS ADVISORY

WHAT:    The Utah Department of Health and Utah Department of Transportation will hold a press conference to share stories of families who lost a child in a motor vehicle crash in 2015.

WHY:  
  In 2015, 25 teens were killed on Utah roads. Almost 60% of teen occupants killed were not buckled up. Nationally, crash fatalities are highest for 16 to 17-year-olds within the first six months after getting their license – and remain high through age 24. These families hope that as they share the now ‘missing moments’ in their lives and their messages of safety, that it will motivate others to drive safely.   

WHO: 
   Interviews available include:

  • Edward & Aubrey Conner and David “Buddy” Conner, parents and brother of 16-year-old Cadee Conner, killed in a rollover crash
  • Stu & Christine Anderson, parents of 16-year-old Maylee Anderson, killed after being T-boned by another vehicle
  • Brad & Emily Roundy, parents of 15-year-old Kaitlyn Hansen, killed after being ejected in a single vehicle crash
  • Kristen Bagley, mother of 16-year-old Cheyenne Bagley, killed after being T-boned by another vehicle
  • Dr. Joseph Miner, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Health
  • Carlos Braceras, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Transportation
WHEN:    Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at 10:00 a.m.
       
WHERE:    Marmalade Library
2nd floor
280 West 500 North
Salt Lake City, UT 84103

Parking available along 300 West and 500 North, as well at the LDS church house on 500 North.

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Media Contact:

Jenny Johnson
(o) 801-538-9416
(m) 385-290-7826

Friday, October 14, 2016

Seeking Answers for Parkinson Disease: Registry aims to find genetic, environmental clues

(Salt Lake City, UT) – In March 2015, the Utah Department of Health issued a rule that required health care providers to report cases of Parkinson disease and related movement disorders via the Utah Parkinson Disease Registry. Now, more than a year later, 1,566 Utahns with Parkinson’s disease (PD) have joined the registry, sharing valuable information about their diagnosis.

“The Utah Parkinson Disease Registry is one of the first computerized registries of its kind in the country,” said Allyn Nakashima, state epidemiologist at the UDOH. “Public health surveillance of this kind is absolutely critical for not only understanding the genetic and environmental causes of PD, but to better understand the extent of the disease across the state and across different populations.” Although the registry is a collaborative effort with the University of Utah Department of Neurology and the Center for Clinical and Translational Science, the UDOH will make registry data available to all interested researchers.

Parkinson disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative brain disorder following Alzheimer’s disease, yet basic information about it is missing such as whether it affects certain populations differently. PD often begins with tremors but over time can lead to muscle rigidity; and difficulty walking, talking, and completing simple daily tasks. The disease affects one in 100 persons over the age of 65 years. While there is no known cure for PD, advances in research are raising realistic hopes of halting progression, restoring function, and even preventing the disease altogether.

To date, approximately 21 percent of registrants reported symptoms of PD at age 50 or younger. Nationally, most individuals with PD are age 60 or older at the time of diagnosis. In Utah, among those in the registry, the average age of diagnosis was 64 years of age. Data from the registry showed the time from symptom onset to diagnosis was nearly three years. Although comparisons with other states about onset of symptoms to diagnosis is difficult to obtain, this time span was much longer than expected.

Rebecca Starks, outreach director for the Mountain West Parkinson Initiative at the UofU Department of Neurology encourages individuals living with PD or their families and caregivers to participate in the Utah PD Registry. “You don’t have to wait for your health care provider to enter your information in the registry. By participating, you are helping to provide important clues about the causes of the disease as well as helping to ensure adequate health care resources are available for all individuals impacted by PD.”

To report a diagnosis of PD visit, http://updr.org. Reporting by patients themselves is encouraged, but voluntary. The registry collects some identifying information in order to avoid double reporting by health care providers and patients. The form collects information such as demographic data, current address, birth data, and residence history. It is basic and should only take a few minutes to complete.

Individuals and families who want to learn more about PD including the latest treatment and medication options available, caregiving issues, and exercise programs designed specifically for those living with PD, may attend the Utah Parkinson Disease Symposium on Saturday, October 22, 2016 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. More information is available at the Mountain West Parkinson Initiative website, http://www.mwparkinson.org/

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Media Contact:
Jenny Johnson, UDOH
(o) 801-538-9416 (m) 385-290-7826
Rebecca Starks, UofU
(o) 801-585-2354