From Our Team

New reasons to quit smoking

Lent provided good motivation for some smokers to “set their date” and give up smoking. If you are a smoker, you may have fasted from smoking to break the habit. If so, congratulations! If you tried and did not succeed, do not agonize. While a few folks are able to quit on their first attempt, quitting is not easy, and most smokers make multiple quit attempts before stopping completely .

If you smoke and haven’t found your motivation, here are some recent findings that might help. A comprehensive study of health and death records in the United States uncovered some impressive health…

Melanoma Monday

With the bright summer sun soon upon us, the first Monday in May is designated with a menacing name: “Melanoma Monday.” On this day and throughout May, the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Cancer Society (ACS) promote the prevention and early detection of melanoma.

As the most serious form of skin cancer, melanoma is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing cells. Melanomas can appear on the skin suddenly and without warning. Unlike many cancers, melanoma can be cured if detected early.

Knowing your risk factors and communicating them to your…

The Importance of Sleep

Two weeks ago, my wife and I are celebrated the birth of our son. Two weeks into parenthood and I’ve had much opportunity to ponder the value of sleep. Apparently, I’m not alone. Many El Pasoans do not get enough sleep on a regular basis. A 2008 study conducted by the Texas Department of State Health Services found that 45% of El Paso adults did not get enough sleep on five or more nights in the last month.

It is easy to take for granted the many benefits sleep contributes to our health and well-being. Sleep affects our mood and ability to cope with stress and frustration. Adequate sleep…

Flu Shots: Prevention for Healthy Holidays

Autumn, my favorite season of the year, is now in full swing. Cooler weather and UTEP football games are welcome reminders that the holiday season is coming soon. While we’re a long distance from New England’s illustrious fall foliage, a few of our local trees’ leaves are even turning yellow, orange, and brown. And … it’s also the time for an important but less glorious ritual, the annual flu vaccine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourage everyone older than six months of age to get the seasonal flu vaccine. Covering your cough and washing your hands are…

American Heart Month

Since 1963, United States Presidents annually have issued a proclamation designating February as “American Heart Month.” For me, this year’s American Heart Month hits a little closer to home than it has in past years. Over the last nine months, my father had a heart attack and a number of procedures leading to a triple bypass. His health is now stable. Nonetheless, the series of events reminds me of my own genetic vulnerability.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability. The most common heart disease in the United States is…

Recent FDA Announcement on Sunscreens

Summer is now in full swing. The kids are swimming in the pool, playing in the park, and heading out to camp. With nary a cloud in sight, it’s a good time to make a visit to the sunscreen aisle at the local pharmacy. We all know that quality sunscreen is necessary to protect us from the harmful effects of the sun. However, interpreting the labels on different sunscreens can be tricky. A few weeks ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made an announcement about sunscreen requirements that may confuse the issue a little further.

Starting in June 2012, sunscreen manufacturers…

Snus: A New Threat from Big Tobacco

As cigarette smoking rates continue to decline, tobacco companies are not taking defeat lying down. RJ Reynolds and Phillip Morris continue to develop new products in order to recruit new users. On February 13th, Dr. Erin Sutfin of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center traveled to El Paso to discuss these products with members of the Paso del Norte regional Smoke Free Network. Dr. Sutfin is a developmental psychologist who researches tobacco use, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Among other topics, she discussed snus (rhymes with “goose”), a new product peddled by big…

Discover more about the region with innovative web site

With all that’s going-on in medical reform, talk of taxing certain foods and drinks, improving regional mass transit, and a changing economy, I have lots of questions like:

How many people in the county have medical insurance? What is the density of fast food restaurants in our region? What is the average travel time to work? How many households are without a vehicle in the county? How many families live below the poverty level?

Fortunately for residents of the Paso del Norte region there is a simple, fast, and free way to get these answers and more. A newly launched website…

Leadership Essential for Advancing Health

Improving the public’s health in the Paso del Norte region is more critical, challenging, and complex than ever. Looking to the future, I foresee dramatic change in how health problems are prevented and treated. Shaping those changes for the benefit of all residents will require extremely capable and collaborative leadership from government, private industry, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, hospitals and clinics, families, and others. Only by the hands of strong, transformational leaders will we succeed in making this region a vibrant and healthy place to…

Avoiding the Mental Illness Stigma

We talk about mental health and physical health as if they were two different parts of the human body. The truth is physical health is interconnected and cannot be separated from the body’s mental health. When we have a cold or cut, we tend to seek advice from family, friends, or healthcare providers. Unfortunately, mental illness is not as willingly discussed. Stigma, or the perception that having mental illness is socially unacceptable, is one major reason people avoid talking about mental illness. The burden of mental illness in the United States is among the highest of all diseases….