Health

Cravings: Ways to get a handle on a 'sweet' tooth

Tuesday, 23 April 2013 10:29 Nicole Winbush MD

Many of us (including myself) have regular cravings for sweet foods. In limited quantities, sweets may be something that are a manageable and sustainable part of our daily food intake. However, because these foods can be so habit forming and are so widely available many of us find ourselves eating more of these foods then we would like. There are many potentially negative health effects of eating a diet that contains moderate to high levels of processed sugars. Most of us are familiar with concerns about excess calories and weight gain. However, there is increasing evidence, that sugar (and other processed sweeteners) can have negative impacts on our mood and may play a role in increased depression.

April is National Minority Health Month: Ophthalmologists urge African-American seniors to get routine eye exams

Tuesday, 23 April 2013 10:25

To help curb vision loss among at-risk communities, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is reminding African-Americans about race-related risk factors for eye disease during National Minority Health Month in April. African-Americans are more than twice as likely to develop diabetic retinopathy compared to Caucasians and are four times more likely than Caucasians to go blind from glaucoma. African-Americans also face a greater risk for cataracts.

Summer time shouldn't be hungry time

Monday, 22 April 2013 15:22 Kevin Concannon, USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services

Help feed hungry kids through USDA's Summer Food Service Program

HPV, a cancer that is killing our youth and young adults

Thursday, 18 April 2013 10:42 Dr. Rochelle Avent-Hassan, Dental Director NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center

April is Oral Cancer Awareness month.

In 2013, 42,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with oral cancer. This particular type of cancer has historically been caused by alcohol and tobacco use. But today, a new version of oral cancer is on the rise called Human Papilloma Virus or HPV-16.

Gardening: Fresh air for brain health

Thursday, 18 April 2013 10:35 Mark Underwood

Gardening has long been known as a great way to get outdoors and enjoy fresh air and sunshine. And gardening has hidden benefits that can boost your overall health including better brain health.

Office of Minority Health seeks to improve Black lives

Monday, 15 April 2013 15:49 Jonathan P. Hicks

During National Minority Health Month, BET.com talks to J. Nadine Gracia about new programs within the department.

It is an office within the executive branch of the federal government that is little known, but the Office of Minority Health has been playing an active role in raising consciousness about health disparities while helping to educate millions of Americans to live healthier lives.

6,700 pounds of unwanted medicines collected in medicine drop boxes during the first year

Monday, 08 April 2013 14:43

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office and Hennepin County Environmental Services have collected 6,700 pounds of unwanted medicines since medicine disposal drop boxes were made available in March 2012. Hennepin County urges residents to properly dispose of their unused and unwanted medicines at six drop boxes located in Sheriff and county facilities.