Mayo Clinic Health System Health Note on Consumerism:
Do you know the difference between brand name drugs and generic drugs? If you’ve been buying brand name drugs due to uncertainty over whether the generic equivalent is sufficient, you may be surprised.
There are many myths about generic drugs, mainly that they are significantly different from the brand name drug. If you’re a consumer who sticks to buying brand name drugs because of uncertainty, you’re likely spending more money than needed. Brand name drugs and generic drugs have the same active ingredients and both have to meet the same FDA regulations before being approved and put on the market. For example, generics need to meet the same standards for strength, quality, and purity as brand name drugs. In addition, the generic drug must prove that it provides an identical or almost identical blood level to that of the brand name drug.
Why are generic drugs cheaper?
Generic drugs are cheaper because the companies producing those drugs do not have to spend time and money on research, development, clinical trials, marketing and advertising. Additionally, when two or more drug manufacturers make a drug, the price is 50-95% cheaper than the brand name drug.
Don’t hesitate to ask your doctor or pharmacist if there are any generic alternatives to the brand name drugs you are taking. There may not always be a generic alternative, but it’s worth asking. Whether it’s a drug that’s prescribed once or one you will have to take the rest of your life, taking the generic form will save you money.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Are you meeting the physical activity recommendations for aerobic activity according to Centers for Disease Control (CDC)?
Mayo Clinic Health System Health Note on Physical Activity Intensity, and Daily Requirements
Do you know the difference between moderate physical activity and vigorous physical activity? How can you be sure you’re getting enough aerobic activity in your daily lives?
The CDC suggests that adults take part in 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week. Another option is to do 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity every week. Here are some examples of moderate and vigorous aerobic activities:
Moderate-intensity aerobic activity includes any activity that raises your heart rate and causes you to break a sweat. Examples include: Fast paced walking, water aerobics, riding a bike on level ground, playing doubles tennis, and pushing a lawn mower.
Vigorous-intensity aerobic activity is any activity that causes you to breathe hard and fast. At this level, you won’t be able to say more than a few words without pausing to take a breath. Examples include: jogging or running, swimming laps, riding a bike fast or on hilly terrain, playing singles tennis, or playing basketball.
It's OK to start small! You don't need to do your activity all at once. Three ten-minute segments still add up to 30 minutes! And remember, even 10 minutes is better than nothing. All types of activities count, as long as you are doing them at a moderate to vigorous intensity level for a minimum of ten minutes at a time.
Visit http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/adults.html for more information.
Do you know the difference between moderate physical activity and vigorous physical activity? How can you be sure you’re getting enough aerobic activity in your daily lives?
The CDC suggests that adults take part in 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week. Another option is to do 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity every week. Here are some examples of moderate and vigorous aerobic activities:
Moderate-intensity aerobic activity includes any activity that raises your heart rate and causes you to break a sweat. Examples include: Fast paced walking, water aerobics, riding a bike on level ground, playing doubles tennis, and pushing a lawn mower.
Vigorous-intensity aerobic activity is any activity that causes you to breathe hard and fast. At this level, you won’t be able to say more than a few words without pausing to take a breath. Examples include: jogging or running, swimming laps, riding a bike fast or on hilly terrain, playing singles tennis, or playing basketball.
It's OK to start small! You don't need to do your activity all at once. Three ten-minute segments still add up to 30 minutes! And remember, even 10 minutes is better than nothing. All types of activities count, as long as you are doing them at a moderate to vigorous intensity level for a minimum of ten minutes at a time.
Visit http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/adults.html for more information.
Monday, January 27, 2014
PdC Public Dance Team going to State!
From Coach Kelli Saxe:
The Hawkettes qualified for state Saturday at their regional dance competition. They earned a 2nd place plaque in the high kick category, which was quite an accomplishment because most of the teams at our regional in this category were D3...so much bigger schools than us. We made history!!! We are the first PDC dance team to ever make it to state :) It was an AWESOME moment to be a part of! State dance is held at the Lacrosse Center this coming Saturday. The team will perform at about 12:52 pm I am told. We will have a tshirt order coming out soon, if anyone is interested. Please, please consider attending our state performance. The girls will be so pumped to have some fan support!
The Hawkettes qualified for state Saturday at their regional dance competition. They earned a 2nd place plaque in the high kick category, which was quite an accomplishment because most of the teams at our regional in this category were D3...so much bigger schools than us. We made history!!! We are the first PDC dance team to ever make it to state :) It was an AWESOME moment to be a part of! State dance is held at the Lacrosse Center this coming Saturday. The team will perform at about 12:52 pm I am told. We will have a tshirt order coming out soon, if anyone is interested. Please, please consider attending our state performance. The girls will be so pumped to have some fan support!
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Health Note on Nutrition and Weight Management
Mayo Clinic Health System Health Note:
Now that the holidays are over, we may find ourselves battling some extra weight. The cold weather makes it a bit easier for us to give into not-so-healthy eating and exercise habits. Below, you can learn more about losing that extra winter weight.
The cold weather can make it a lot more tempting to give in to comfort foods and set your daily exercise routine aside, often leading to a bit of extra "insulation." Here are some tips on how to avoid winter weight gain.
1. Get Moving: Regular exercise is key to maintaining or losing body weight regardless of the season, but to help burn off extra calories consumed during the holidays and winter months, maximize your usual workout routine by boosting the amount of time you spend exercising, or increasing the intensity of your exercise.
2. Aim for seven-a-day: Fruits and vegetables are a great way to fill up your stomach without going overboard on your daily caloric intake. Increase your daily fruit and vegetable intake to seven- a-day by preparing bags of cut-up vegetables and whole or cut-up fruit. These pre-packaged bags are perfect for a quick snack on the go, at work, or in the car.
3. Limit to one-a-day: With the one-a-day method, only allow yourself one small serving of a dessert each day. Reserve your one-a-day dessert for something that is truly tasty, not something that isn’t even really worth the calories.
Learn more at: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/prevention/nutrition/holidayeating12_01.aspx
Now that the holidays are over, we may find ourselves battling some extra weight. The cold weather makes it a bit easier for us to give into not-so-healthy eating and exercise habits. Below, you can learn more about losing that extra winter weight.
The cold weather can make it a lot more tempting to give in to comfort foods and set your daily exercise routine aside, often leading to a bit of extra "insulation." Here are some tips on how to avoid winter weight gain.
1. Get Moving: Regular exercise is key to maintaining or losing body weight regardless of the season, but to help burn off extra calories consumed during the holidays and winter months, maximize your usual workout routine by boosting the amount of time you spend exercising, or increasing the intensity of your exercise.
2. Aim for seven-a-day: Fruits and vegetables are a great way to fill up your stomach without going overboard on your daily caloric intake. Increase your daily fruit and vegetable intake to seven- a-day by preparing bags of cut-up vegetables and whole or cut-up fruit. These pre-packaged bags are perfect for a quick snack on the go, at work, or in the car.
3. Limit to one-a-day: With the one-a-day method, only allow yourself one small serving of a dessert each day. Reserve your one-a-day dessert for something that is truly tasty, not something that isn’t even really worth the calories.
Learn more at: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/prevention/nutrition/holidayeating12_01.aspx
Monday, January 20, 2014
Good news on the Wisconsin state budget situation
From SAA:
The Legislative Fiscal Bureau has released new revenue numbers, increasing the projected ending balance by $911.9 million. The increased projections include all enacted legislation through Act 116. According to the LFB memo, the $911.9 million is the combined result of an increase of $892.7 million in estimated tax collections and a $16.0 million increase in estimated lapses to the general fund.
LFB said the revenue projections and new general fund condition statement do not include any changes to the medical assistance program. The December 2013 quarterly report from DHS projected a potential shortfall of $92.6 million in the 2013-15 biennium.
Under state statutes half of any excess of actual general fund tax revenues in a fiscal year, over the amount included in the biennial budget act, must be placed in the budget stabilization fund after the close of that fiscal year. The LFB memo shows the difference between 2013 ACT 20 levels and today’s estimate create a difference of $386,402,000 in 2013-14 and $499,652,000 in 2014-15. If taxes are not modified and the revenue collections are as projected, $443,027,000 would be transferred to the budget stabilization fund for the biennium.
The LFB memo also says that the transportation ending balance at the end of the 2013-15 biennial budget was estimated to be $1.8 million. DOT has completed a reestimate of transportation fund revenues and the ending balance is now expected to be $84.6 million. According to the memo, while the projected ending balance is higher with the reestimate, there are several factors to consider including: federal highway funds, a structural imbalance going into 2015-17, growth in transportation fund debt service, and costs that may occur in the 2015-17 biennium in excess of the 2014-15 appropriation base.
The Legislative Fiscal Bureau has released new revenue numbers, increasing the projected ending balance by $911.9 million. The increased projections include all enacted legislation through Act 116. According to the LFB memo, the $911.9 million is the combined result of an increase of $892.7 million in estimated tax collections and a $16.0 million increase in estimated lapses to the general fund.
LFB said the revenue projections and new general fund condition statement do not include any changes to the medical assistance program. The December 2013 quarterly report from DHS projected a potential shortfall of $92.6 million in the 2013-15 biennium.
Under state statutes half of any excess of actual general fund tax revenues in a fiscal year, over the amount included in the biennial budget act, must be placed in the budget stabilization fund after the close of that fiscal year. The LFB memo shows the difference between 2013 ACT 20 levels and today’s estimate create a difference of $386,402,000 in 2013-14 and $499,652,000 in 2014-15. If taxes are not modified and the revenue collections are as projected, $443,027,000 would be transferred to the budget stabilization fund for the biennium.
The LFB memo also says that the transportation ending balance at the end of the 2013-15 biennial budget was estimated to be $1.8 million. DOT has completed a reestimate of transportation fund revenues and the ending balance is now expected to be $84.6 million. According to the memo, while the projected ending balance is higher with the reestimate, there are several factors to consider including: federal highway funds, a structural imbalance going into 2015-17, growth in transportation fund debt service, and costs that may occur in the 2015-17 biennium in excess of the 2014-15 appropriation base.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Health Note tips on how to successfully keep your New Year’s resolutions
Mayo Clinic Health System Health Note:
Having trouble sticking with your New Year’s resolution, which happens to be the same one you made last year, and the year before that? This year, try tackling your resolutions with a different strategy. Write down your New Year's resolution and come up with a very specific, realistic plan that will set you up for success. Set small goals that will help you achieve your overall mission. As you meet those goals you will see that your motivation doesn't run out as quickly. Find ways to make the new behavior feel more like fun, not just another chore. Finally, focus on making changes that seem possible for the long haul. The quickest way to fail is to attempt something that you know you cannot sustain.
From:
Amy Every
Senior Communication Consultant; Marketing Communications
Mayo Clinic Health System Franciscan Healthcare
mayoclinichealthsystem.org
Having trouble sticking with your New Year’s resolution, which happens to be the same one you made last year, and the year before that? This year, try tackling your resolutions with a different strategy. Write down your New Year's resolution and come up with a very specific, realistic plan that will set you up for success. Set small goals that will help you achieve your overall mission. As you meet those goals you will see that your motivation doesn't run out as quickly. Find ways to make the new behavior feel more like fun, not just another chore. Finally, focus on making changes that seem possible for the long haul. The quickest way to fail is to attempt something that you know you cannot sustain.
From:
Amy Every
Senior Communication Consultant; Marketing Communications
Mayo Clinic Health System Franciscan Healthcare
mayoclinichealthsystem.org
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