It Takes More Than a Village
The concept of a 'village' raising a child is not a new one. Many cultures around the world focus on the community as a whole. rather, than the 'self' first. We, unfortunately, have had this idea of a 'village' dealt to us through political measures, rather than the traditional method of responsibility first.
Too often parents are bombarded with literature and media clips telling them how they need to raise their child, and if they don't do what they are told, then he or she is a bad parent. This is unfortunate. If parents were allowed to raise their child as they best see fit, I think that each future generation could contribute more to the next. A prime example of this is the acknowledged failure of drug and alcohol education in the United States.
Alcohol and drug education has been everywhere for more than a decade. Few people could honestly say that they have never heard the slogan "Just say no" or "Partnership for a drug free America". The problem is that over the past 15 years, drug and alcohol usage has not been reduced with secondary school students (Drug and Alcohol Review 2007).
This lack of successful education and affect with children may come as a shock to most of us. Think of the countless millions of dollars spent and the multitude of ineffective programs that have been forced upon us as a society. So-called experts, with Federal funding and tax-free status, were supposedly going to show us how we need to look after and educate the generation behind us. The problem is that the 'evidence-based' drug/alcohol education model was flawed from the start.
Successful reports of reduction in alcohol use does not mean that the student have quit usage, instead, they moved onto the 'newest and greatest drug', like crack, methamphetamine and pharmaceuticals. "Tie-dye is out and denim is in. Forget the long hair, let's all get a buzz cut or clean shave!" Kids evolve and trends follow. The problem arises when adults forget to follow and let someone else think for them.
The greatest problem with successful childhood drug and alcohol education is likely Social and Institutional groups fighting any changes in established 'protocol'. Established protocol for Social and Institutional groups really describes how much funding and from who? If we want to blame someone for ineffectiveness we need only follow the money!
Real drug and alcohol education starts at home, as does accepted discipline when kids mess up. They will make mistakes! We all did! I think that it is time that parents take back control of their children from the experts. The experiment hasn't worked and throwing more money at it won't help!
Thank you!
I would like to first thank those of you who emailed me with your comments about the new ENews format. I have tried to make the newsletter more 'reader friendly' and I think, based on your comments, that I have been successful so far.
With that in mind, I thought that I would touch on some topics this month that are usually boring, irritating and filled with so much deceit that you can't keep your focus long enough to finish an article. I will keep to the basics and hopefully share information with you that you were not already aware of!
For example, Drug and Alcohol Education programs and sponsorships are everywhere. Next to weight-loss programs, few topics get more marketing and media exposure in magazines and with the televised media than drug and alcohol reforms. The next time that you watch television, pay attention to the commercials, especially who pays for what you are forced to watch. There is money in attempting reforms!
If you think that that the handful of vitamins you swallow with breakfast each day will lead to a better and longer life, you may want to explore your options. Although we need good nutritional support, we may want to change how we think about vitamins.
In keeping with thoughts of 'change', you may be surprised to read that the dominance of HMO's was driven by the Government and not the consumer! If you are looking for a National Health Care Program, you may have to wait a while.
Finally, as always, Eileen brings us a simple, but delicious treat from her kitchen.
"Enjoy the News!"
Vitamin D and Bone Health
We have all been told that Vitamin D is an important nutrient for good health and strong bones, but recent evidence suggests that our dogged attempts a staying healthy may not be as beneficial as we once thought. A review published in Evidence Report/Technology Assessment (2007), which is published by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, determined that the information that we have been receiving about the benefits of Vitamin D may be somewhat inaccurate. The researchers reviewed 167 published, controlled studies from 1966-2006 and their results were disappointing. The greatest amount of research on Vitamin D effectiveness was performed on seniors, but there was very little emphasis being given to premenopausal women, infants, children or adolescents.
Although there was 'fair' evidence that serum levels of Vitamin D was positively correlated with bone mineral density for children, adults and the elderly; necessary intake levels for increasing bone density was not able to be determined. Also, comparing intakes of Vitamin D alone and in combination with Calcium seemed to show few differences in bone density, even when compared to a placebo.
The real-life issue of Vitamin D and bone density is that when bones decrease density, an individual will likely suffer a fracture and fall, which can lead to life-threatening situations, especially with the elderly. The problem has always been how much Vitamin D and calcium will keep us safe? The answer still remains "Who Knows?"
I am somewhat surprised that exercise and bone density has received so little attention in the past 50 years because the key to making bones dense is to move them against gravity! When you are actively testing gravity (walking, running, treadmill, etc) your bones are naturally becoming harder. Your bones are 'alive' and they will naturally become harder when demands are made on them. Your body will use the added nutrition (Vitamin D, Calcium) that you give it, only if it senses a need to do so!
Take your supplements, but give them a place to go. If you want harder bones. make your body earn it!
Exercise!
Do you want to know a dirty little secret?
HMO's and Insurance companies set and regulate your doctor's fees! They set the fees based on the clinic location and only pay the mandatory minimum!
The reason for this debacle can be largely blamed on Governmental laziness. In 1973, the Government passed the HMO Act. This law was enacted so that the Government did not have to try and control costs within their own Medicaid and Medicare Programs.
The Government shuffled the responsibility to 'Independent Businesses' called Maintenance Organizations and allowed the CEO's to challenge the medical decisions of licensed Doctors! These HMO's were also subsidized by the Federal Government! Employers with more than 25 workers were also forced to offer HMO plans to employees. This was nothing more than forced compliance on businesses, and it was repealed in 1995, but too late! The damage was done.
This subsidized and enforced HMO model of care mandated rules for patient care and got legislation passed to deny care, with little or no risk to themselves.
Health Insurance premiums used to be a token amount of our overall incomes and afforded us adequate coverage for our needs. Insurance allowed ala carte services and we could add-on what we needed for an additional fee. It was a fairer system of health coverage.
HMO's gave the appearance of being Insurance Companies, but they didn't have to play by the same rules. HMO's can restrict who you may see as a Doctor, what they will pay for that service and how much of the overall costs they can shuffle onto you, the subscriber. Here is an example of a actual HMO claim:
A patient needed and received a minimal amount of care for her injuries. Her policy stated that she had a $500.00 dollar deductible and after that, a co-payment of $40.00 each visit. The plan stated that she did not have a limit on the number of yearly visits (a cap).
The patient had satisfied her deductible at another Doctor's clinic so that was not a problem. The problem arose when filing a claim with the HMO. The HMO stated that although she did not have a cap on services, and the claim was legitimate, they would still be denying full coverages for needed care. The patient had to pay her $40.00 co-pay each visit, but the HMO only allowed and paid $6.00 of their portion. The HMO was basically canceling its own contract for this patient. If the patient decided to 'skip out on paying' her portion for care, the clinic would have received $6.00 to treat this patient.
This is the reason that Healthcare Clinics required prepayments, Visa/Mastercard information and security to even see you. The product for sale is 'health' and clinics are used to being stiffed by insurers. Patients often think that they have good 'coverage', until they try to use it!
HMO's have been running amok for decades and I fear that it is only going to get worse, rather than better. The rising cost of care is two-fold. First, HMO's are keeping a greater portion of premiums and lessening care than ever before, and second, greater costs for care are being shifted to the patient to 'lessen the likelihood that they will seek care at all'!
Any National Health Care Plan will like resemble the HMO model because our legislators are lazy! If you want change in the HealthCare Arena, call and complain to your State and Federal Legislators. They created this mess and they should help clean it up!
Have a Great Month!
Dr. Frisch
Eileen's Corner
Summer is nearing the end, but the vegetables are really peaking. This simple dish is always best with fresh garden tomatoes.
Enjoy!
Caprese Salad
1 or 2 large Tomatoes
1 ball of fresh Mozzarella cheese
8-10 fresh Basil leaves
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
Slice the tomato and cheese into 1/4" thick rounds.
On a plate or serving tray, place a tomato slice, then a cheese slice, followed by a basil leaf. Continue this layering in a fanning out presentation.
Liberally drizzle olive oil over dish and finish it with fresh cracked pepper and salt.
This dish is simple, colorful delicious!