Back from Palo Alto and Stanford University!

My co-worker, Megan, and I recently returned from the beautiful campus of Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, where we trained onsite for the Stanford University Self-Management Programs T-Trainer Apprenticeship.

In case you’re not familiar with this curriculum, Dr. Kate Lorig, Director of the Stanford Patient Education Research Center and Professor of Medicine at Stanford School of Medicine, developed a number of self-management programs for people with chronic health problems. All of these evidence-based programs help people gain self-confidence to better manage their health problems on a day-to-day basis.

Already being Master Trainers for these programs, Megan and I have trained many Program Leaders over the years. We had to apply to become T-Trainers and get accepted from Stanford. Imagine our excitement when we were selected to lead the November Master Training at Stanford! Our apprenticeship week on campus was under the supervision of Certifying T-Trainer Sonia Alvarez. The class of twenty-four students for the week came from a variety of professions all over the United States. We even had three people in our class who flew all the way from Taiwan.

The training week consisted of activities to help our group of twenty-four learn the program and effectively train others. The workshop activities we did were identical to the activities taught to people with chronic diseases. Trainees act like people in the community who have taken the class so they can experience it firsthand like a community member. There were two different opportunities to practice teach the program under our guidance.

It was a great learning experience and we are now T-Trainers. What this means is that we can conduct Master Trainings for other organizations. Those Master Trainers could train Program Leaders how to deliver the program correctly to their communities.

If you have any further questions about how we could work with your organization for this program or any other programs that PTI offers, please send me an email and I’d be happy to get back with you.

Have a wonderful holiday season.

Carla

cirvin@transformcoach.org

I quit tobacco! You can, too.

November 17 is the date this year of the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout. This date is meant to encourage the over 42 million smokers in the United States to either develop a plan to quit or use the date as their official quit date. What a lot of people don’t know is the long history of the Great American Smokeout. Events started in the 70s and have contributed over the years to the many changes in our smoking laws for public places, workplaces, hospitals and in tobacco advertising. These changes have protected non-smokers and supported smokers who wanted to quit, saving millions of lives along the way.

Take it from me, an ex-smoker named Carla, that quitting tobacco is one of the hardest things someone can do. I smoked for many years beginning the habit when I was 16 years old and started to make commitments to quit beginning at age 40.  Not only did I try the cold turkey route numerous times, but the nicotine gum and patches. It took my third time using the nicotine patches before I was able to stay off nicotine, and I’m confident I’ll never smoke cigarettes again.

If you or someone you know is contemplating quitting, research shows that smokers who have support are more likely to quit for good. There are many more tools and resources available now than when I started quitting. Not only are there the traditional nicotine replacement products, but there are prescription products to lessen cravings. Health insurers are on board to provide support with benefits and incentives. Telephone hotlines, stop smoking groups, counseling, and even online quit groups can help you feel like you’re not alone in your quest to be tobacco-free. Friends and family members can provide encouragement and support, but make sure you inform your support network about your plan. If they don’t know, they can’t help.

You’ll start noticing the benefits right away for some things. Others may take a little more time.

·         Being less out of breath climbing stairs or participating in other activities

·         Food tastes better

·         Sense of smell returns

·         Hair, clothes and your vehicle no longer reek of smoke

·         Teeth and nails stop yellowing

·         The damaging effects of tobacco will no longer play havoc with your skin and body systems

·         Save money every day you don’t smoke

·         Smoke-free buildings and events no longer bother you. You’ll start welcoming them!

·         Breathe deep. Enjoy the fresh air without coughing.

There are many tools and resources available on the American Cancer Society website regarding the Great American Smokeout and about smoking in general. You can call them anytime at 800-227-2345 for more information on support and/or telephone coaching in your area. If you’re a smoker, circle the date of November 17 to be the beginning of your smoke-free life. http://www.cancer.org/healthy/stayawayfromtobacco/greatamericansmokeout/index

Staying away from tobacco is the single most important thing you can do for your health. Claim victory over tobacco addiction. You won’t regret it. 

A Spotlight on Medication Safety

PTI is casting a spotlight this month on the growing problem of medication safety in our homes and communities. Not only the use and abuse of prescription drugs, but the over-the-counter medications that can cause harm if not taken correctly.

Medication responsibility – a partnership with your health care provider

• Make sure that all of your health care providers are aware of the medications you are taking. This includes over-the-counter medications, herbal/nutritional supplements, medicinal lotions/creams, eye drops and vitamins. Some of the items that we may assume don’t matter do matter when mixed with prescription drugs.
• Discuss the need for the medication with your health care provider. Why are you taking it? Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s important that you understand why you are taking a medication. Remember that your health care provider is there to help you.
• If you’re not taking your prescribed medications, be honest. Why are you not taking them? Is there more than one choice available if there are issues such as cost, schedule, side effects or ease of taking? Health care providers expect us to take the medication they have prescribed. They can’t take care of our health problem if we don’t work together.
• Keep a medication list with you at all times. Update it when something changes. Review it with your health care provider or pharmacist. Make sure all of your providers are aware of what you take when you have an appointment.
• Always use the same pharmacy to reduce the chance of drug interactions. Pharmacist knowledge along with the added alerts that pop-up on pharmacy computer programs can decrease adverse events.
• Use all medications as prescribed. Don’t cut them in half, share pills with friends or relatives, or take medications that haven’t been prescribed for you.

Minding your medications

• This is an extension of the last bullet above. The medication has been prescribed for you and you are the only one who should be taking it.
• The abuse of medication by high school and college students to get high or change their mood continues to be a national concern. Hopefully we all remember what it was like to be young and faced with the multiple stressors of schoolwork, sports, jobs, friends and our home life. Young people also have the additional stressor of social media that many of us didn’t have while growing up.
• What can you do to protect your family, loved ones and friends?  Become knowledgeable about the medications that are abused and keep those out of public places in your home. Bathroom medicine cabinets and kitchen cabinets are prime examples of public places in the home. We’ve all seen the scary commercials. Don’t provide the temptation for disaster.

Using sensibility with over-the-counter pain relievers

• Many over-the-counter and prescription medications contain acetaminophen or NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium or aspirin.)
• These can include pain pills, cough/cold/allergy medications and sleep aids.
• There are maximum daily limits for acetaminophen and NSAIDS. Each work differently in your body.

-Taking too much acetaminophen can harm your liver, sometimes with deadly consequences.

-Taking too many NSAIDs can increase your chance of stomach bleeding.

-If you take aspirin for heart attack or stroke prevention, ibuprofen may decrease the heart benefit the aspirin was supposed to provide.

• Not all pain relievers are appropriate for everyone due to medical history, age, current medication use and allergies.
• More than 500 medications contain acetaminophen such as Tylenol, NyQuil, DayQuil, Mucinex, and other prescription medication such as Norco and Percocet.
• More than 900 medications contain an NSAID such as Motrin, Advil, Midol and other prescription medication such Vicoprofen and Combunox.

Learn the facts about safe use

-Directions were meant to be followed.

-Don’t take more than the recommended dose.

With October being “Talk About Your Medicines” month, the importance of taking this first step cannot be emphasized enough. Check out the National Council on Patient Information and Education website. This coalition has been working for years to advance the safe and appropriate use of medications. http://talkaboutrx.org

Be medication smart!

Many may not know September is Baby Safety Month. With an 18 month old of my own, baby safety is very important in our household. This year the focus is on the product registration cards that come with baby products. It is required by law for many baby products to include a registration card.

Why register your baby products? According to babysafetyzone.org

·         Through product registration, parents can establish a direct line of communication with the manufacturer should a problem arise with a product purchased.

·         If there is a safety announcement or recall associated with that product, the manufacturer can contact you directly, to provide further details on what to do with the recalled product.

·         Although recalls are announced and promoted in various ways, parents can miss public announcements. Product registration cards are an easy way for information to be provided to parents directly and efficiently.

2 easy ways to register

·         Mail in registration card that came with product

·         Visit manufacturer website and register item

Remember that although these may seem like a nuisance to fill out, it benefits everyone from the parent, child and manufacturer. Keep your little ones safe! 

Living with Chronic Pain

Pain is defined as being chronic or long term when it lasts longer than 3 to 6 months, or beyond the normal healing time of an injury. This chronic pain may be mild to severe and doesn’t go away. It can take both a psychological (anxiety, stress, depression, anger, withdrawal) and physical drain (fatigue, sleeplessness) on the person experiencing it. There is also evidence that chronic pain can suppress the immune system, putting the person suffering at further risk of compromise. With almost 100 million Americans suffering from chronic pain, there is much that needs to be done with effective treatment that addresses the psychological as well as the physical aspects.

The most common sources of chronic pain include back pain, injury/trauma pain, infection, disease, headaches, joint pain, tendinitis, and pain affecting the shoulders, pelvis and neck. Muscle or nerve pain can also develop into a chronic condition causing chronic pain. Some people even have chronic pain in the absence of past injuries or damage to the body. Chronic pain can decrease the body’s production of natural painkillers, and with negative feelings associated with it, can increase the levels of substances in the body that amplify the sensations of pain. This causes a vicious cycle of pain for the person suffering.

What can be done?

Since there is a proven mind and body link with chronic pain, effective treatments need to address the psychological as well as the physical aspects. Some treatments that used to be called “alternative” are now considered “mainstream” and there are a lot of options out there. Just remember to do your homework and discuss any additional pain treatments with your health care professional.

Some of the current pain treatments (besides medication and surgery) include relaxation/stress reduction/distraction techniques, exercise, guided imagery, chiropractic manipulation, acupuncture, marijuana, behavioral therapy, hypnosis, biofeedback, music therapy and massage.

Another option that incorporates many of above methods (relaxation/stress reduction/distraction techniques, exercise and guided imagery) is the Stanford University Chronic Pain Self-Management Program. This is a 6 week, 2 ½ hour workshop that helps people learn how to self-manage their pain. Classes are highly participative, where mutual support and success build the participants’ confidence in their ability to manage their pain and maintain active and fulfilling lives.

Subjects covered during the 6 weeks include:

·         techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, isolation and poor sleep

·         appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance

·         appropriate use of medications

·         communicating effectively with family, friends and health professionals

·         nutrition

·         pacing activity and rest

·         how to evaluate new treatments

Please join us at our upcoming FREE workshop or recommend it to your family and friends. 

Where:

Country Creek Medical Building

4986 N. Adams Road

Rochester, MI 48306

When:

Every Thursday from 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM for 6 weeks

September 22, 2016 through October 27, 2016

To register:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ptichronicpain

OR

Contact: Carla at 248.310.8476 or email at cirvin@transformcoach.org

National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

One in five people live with a mental health condition. This painful statistic shows that mental health disorders are more prominent than we might have thought. Many of these people also belong to an ethnic or racial minority. Historically, minority communities not only experience unique and considerable challenges in accessing mental health services, but discrimination or exclusion. Being a minority, along with other social determinants of health such as geographical location, availability of resources, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity contribute to minorities receiving inferior mental health treatment. Minorities who are impoverished, homeless, incarcerated or have substance abuse problems are at an even higher risk for poor mental health. These health disparities are preventable differences.

What can be done to change this?

Fortunately, it is being worked on, but will take time. With July being National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, there are organizations dedicated to providing support and resources while raising awareness for minority groups living with mental illness. The aim is to improve access to mental health services for multicultural communities through increased public awareness. Mental health services must be tailored to meet the unique needs of minority groups in different community settings.

A number of initiatives in place today focus on minority communities and their access to mental health. A range of initiatives continue to emerge at the federal, state, and local level. Primary care offices need to include mental health screenings that take into account a patient’s language and cultural background to address minority mental health care. It is imperative that mental health services are integrated with primary care services as they are the sole form of services for over a third of patients with a mental health disorder who are accessing the health care delivery system. The public mental health safety net of hospitals, community health centers, and local health departments are also vital to many minorities, especially to those in high-need populations.

There are many organizations that help millions of people who face mental illness each day. To learn more about mental health conditions, get involved in events, raise awareness and find support for family/friends/caregivers, reach out to the organizations. Here are a few.

National Alliance on Mental Illness www.NAMI.org

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration www.SAMHSA.gov

National Council of Behavioral Health www.thenationalcouncil.org

Mental Health America www.mentalhealthamerica.net

The Cost of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. It is the most common form of dementia and is not a normal part of aging.

Here are some statistics about Alzheimer’s:

·         The sixth leading cause of death in the United States

·         The fifth leading cause of death for people aged 65 and older

·         One in nine people aged 65 and older has it

·         More than 5 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia

·         The estimated number of 2016  cases is estimated to go up to 5.6 million people

·         The only disease among the top 10 causes of death that cannot be prevented, cured or slowed down

·         Takes a devastating toll on caregivers due to emotional stress, depression and wage loss

·         Predicted to cost our country over $236 billion this year for health care, long-term care and hospice

This data is pretty sobering. The number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s is growing fast. Although most people are aged 65 and older, there are still 200,000 people who are under 65 and have it. As the baby boomers age, the numbers will escalate at a faster rate.

It can be easily seen that Alzheimer’s disease is costing us a lot. Not only in dollar value, but the cost of losing our loved ones. It’s hard to see someone you love deteriorate before your eyes and not remember simple things. When a mother-in-law with Alzheimer’s doesn’t recognize people she’s known for years or asks three times in a thirty minute visit if her husband or parents are living or dead, the price is also large for the family and friends.

What are the signs?

·         Memory loss that disrupts daily life (forgetting dates/events, asking for the same information over and over, forgetting recently learned information)

·         Challenges in planning or solving problems (following a recipe, paying bills)

·         Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, work or leisure (problems driving to a familiar location, remembering the rules of a favorite game)

·         Confusion with time or place (losing track of dates, seasons, forgetting where they are)

·         Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships (difficulty reading, judging distance, determining color)

·         New problems with words in speaking or writing (trouble following or joining a conversation)

·         Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps (putting things in unusual places, accusing others of stealing)

·         Decreased or poor judgment (problems with handling money, less attention to grooming)

·         Withdrawal from work or social activities (problems remembering how to complete a favorite hobby)

·         Changes in mood and personality (suspicious, depressed, fearful, anxious, easily upset)

What can you do to support Alzheimer’s Awareness Month?

·         Stay informed by reading up on the diagnosis. If some of the above signs are noticed in friends, relatives or even yourself, get to a health care professional. Early detection can help get the maximum benefit from available treatments that can provide some relief of symptoms.

·         Make a tax deductible donation to support research, programs and services

·         Become an advocate by helping to persuade Congress to address this growing need in our country

·         Learn the facts and help change the numbers

The brain is worth saving.

Don’t Get Burned! Stay Safe in the Sun!

With spring bringing us more hours of fun-in-the-sun activities, make sure to protect your skin while enjoying the beautiful outdoors. The most common cancer in the United States is skin cancer with millions of people being diagnosed every year. The good news is that skins cancers that are found early are almost always curable. With May being Skin Cancer Prevention Month, the following tips can help guard skin against the damaging effects of too much sun exposure and help reduce the risk.

·         Apply sunscreen. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 on all skin not covered by clothing. Make sure to reapply every 2 hours after sweating, swimming or toweling off. Even cloudy days can bring us excess sun exposure. Apply sunscreen not only to your body, but also to exposed feet, ears and neck. Don’t forget the children! Their skin needs protection whenever outdoors.

·         Be cautious of the strong rays. The strongest rays of the sun are between 10 AM and 2 PM. Stay in the shade whenever possible during those times.

·         Protect your skin by wearing clothes. Clothing can be your best defense. Wear long-sleeved shirts pants, hats and sunglasses.

·         Don’t seek the sun for your Vitamin D. Eat foods that are naturally rich in Vitamin D or take supplements.

·         Use a self-tanner. If you want to look tan, there are many self-tanners out there that can do the job safely. Don’t use tanning beds. UV light from tanning beds can cause wrinkling and age spots. They can also lead to an increased risk for melanoma and other forms of skin cancers.

·         Watch out for water and sand. They can reflect the damaging rays of the sun.

·         Keep babies out of the sun. Those sweet little babies have especially vulnerable skin, so keep them out of the sun. Babies over six months need regular applications of sunscreen. Discuss what is best with your pediatrician.

·         Do a skin check for signs of skin cancer. Check your skin, know your moles. If anything looks suspicious or moles are changing or growing, have your doctor take a look. To find out how to perform self-examination, visit www.skincancer.org/selfexamination. 

National Autism Awareness Month

Nearly a quarter century ago, the Autism Society launched a nationwide effort to promote autism awareness, inclusion and self-determination for all, and assure that each person with ASD is provided the opportunity to achieve the highest possible quality of life. This year we want to go beyond simply promoting autism awareness to encouraging friends and collaborators to become partners in movement toward acceptance and appreciation.

Let’s embrace a new perspective. For over 50 years we have worked in communities (both large and small) to ensure our actions, through our services and programming, supported all individuals living with autism. Let’s expand this work to focus on the rest of us – ensuring acceptance and inclusion in schools and communities that results in true appreciation of the unique aspects of all people. We want to get one step closer to a society where those with ASDs are truly valued for their unique talents and gifts.

Join us in celebration for 2016 National Autism Awareness Month! National Autism Awareness Month represents an excellent opportunity to promote autism awareness, autism acceptance and to draw attention to the tens of thousands facing an autism diagnosis each year.

How is it celebrated?

• Presidential/Congressional declarations
• Online events and activities
• Local events and activities through affiliates
• Partner opportunities

What can I do?

• Download the NAAM poster and distribute to schools, libraries and community centers in your neighborhood.
• Recognize someone who is affected by autism and share your nomination on social media.
• Sign up for e-newsletter Autism Matters to continue sharing ideas on how to make a better world for autism here.
• Share your experience/stories with NAAM or autism with us!

Put on the Puzzle! The Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon is the most recognized symbol of the autism community in the world. Autism prevalence is now one in every 68 children in America. Show your support for people with autism by wearing the Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon – as a pin on your shirt, a magnet on your car, a badge on your blog, or even your Facebook profile picture – and educate folks on the potential of people with autism! To learn more about the Autism Awareness Ribbon, click here. To purchase the Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon for your shirt, car, locker or refrigerator, click here.

Connect with your neighborhood. Many Autism Society local affiliates hold special events in their communities throughout the month of April. But if you can’t find an event that suits you just right, create your own!

Watch a movie. Did you know that something that seems as simple as going to the movies is not an option for many families affected by autism? The Autism Society is working with AMC Theatres to bring special-needs families Sensory Friendly Films every month.

Donate to the Autism Society: Help improve the lives of all impacted by autism with a financial gift to the Autism Society. Every dollar raised by the Autism Society allows us to improve the capabilities and services of our over 100 nationwide affiliates, provide the best national resource database and contact center specializing in autism, and increase public awareness about autism and the day-to-day issues faced by individuals with ASD and their families.

http://www.autism-society.org/get-involved/national-autism-awareness-month/

Schedule the Gold Standard Colonoscopy Today

Schedule the Gold Standard Colonoscopy Today

One of the most preventable and treatable types of cancer is colon cancer. The number one way to prevent colon cancer is to get screened to find it in the early stages before it has a chance to grow. The gold standard for screening is the colonoscopy.  

Screening should start at age 50 or earlier if you are at high risk. Some of the high risk factors include family or personal history of polyps and colon cancer, diagnoses such as Crohn’s Disease or ulcerative colitis, an inactive lifestyle, obesity, cigarette smoking, a diet high in red meat & fat and low in fruits & vegetables.

Why is this test the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening?

·         The colonoscopy is the most complete screening method available and only needed every ten years (unless polyps are found and a follow-up colonoscopy would be needed sooner.)

·         The colonoscopy is a simple and safe procedure where the physician uses a long, thin, flexible, lighted tube with a camera to detect polyps in the rectum and entire colon. If polyps are found, they are removed during the procedure.

Sedation is given to minimize discomfort. Make sure to discuss anesthesia options with your physician before the procedure and aim for the lightest level of sedation that you need. A prep to clean out the colon is necessary the day before the procedure. Information about the prep would be given to you from your physician. Under the Patient Prevention and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), all insurers are required to cover preventive screening tests, like colonoscopies. You might owe a co-pay or deductible, so check with your insurance carrier to see what is covered and what would be out of pocket. While you’re on the phone with them, check to see if they’re giving an incentive for getting a colonoscopy. Some insurance companies are trying to boost motivation by giving gift cards.

If you’re still unsure about a colonoscopy, there are other screening tests available:

·         Stool sample tests such as the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) to detect the presence of blood. They need to be done every year.

·         Sigmoidoscopy which only views the rectum and lower third of the colon. It needs to be done every five years.

·         Virtual colonoscopy which may not be covered by your insurance carrier.

·         Double contract barium enema which if polyps were found would need to be removed by a colonoscopy.

·         Note: A colonoscopy would be indicated if blood or any other problems were found with any of the above tests.

Colorectal cancer can be prevented and best treated by screening, getting regular exercise and consuming a healthy diet. So be active, stop smoking, drink alcohol in moderation, eat your fruits and veggies. During this March Colorectal Awareness Month, we urge you to no longer put off that gold standard colonoscopy. It’s the best, most reliable and most prestigious colorectal cancer screening test out there. It’s the top of the line!

Heart Month - Eating healthier fats could reduce heart disease deaths worldwide

American Heart Association Rapid Access Journal Report

January 20, 2016 Categories: Heart News

Study Highlights

• Eating healthier fats could save more than a million people worldwide from dying from heart disease each year.
• Refined carbohydrates and saturated fats should be replaced with heart-protective vegetable oils.
• While estimated deaths related to consumption of trans fats is on the decline in high-income countries, it is a growing problem worldwide because of the use of inexpensive partially-hydrogenated cooking fats in lower-income countries.

Embargoed until 3 p.m. CT / 4 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016

DALLAS, Jan. 20, 2015 — Eating healthier fats could save more than a million people internationally from dying from heart disease, and the types of diet changes needed differ greatly between countries, according to new research in Journal of the American Heart Association.

“Worldwide, policymakers are focused on reducing saturated fats. Yet, we found there would be a much bigger impact on heart disease deaths if the priority was to increase the consumption of polyunsaturated fats as a replacement for saturated fats and refined carbohydrates, as well as to reduce trans fats,” said Dariush Mozaffarian, M.D., Dr.P.H., senior study author and dean of the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science & Policy in Boston. Refined carbohydrates are found in sugary foods or beverages and are generally high in rapidly digested starch or sugar and low in nutrition.

He said this study provides, for the first time, a rigorous comparison of global heart disease burdens estimated to be attributable to insufficient intake of polyunsaturated fats versus higher intake to saturated fats.

Polyunsaturated fats can help reduce bad cholesterol levels in the blood which can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. Oils rich in polyunsaturated fats also provide essential fats that your body needs – such as some long chain fatty acids. Foods that contain polyunsaturated fats include soybean, corn and sunflower oils, tofu, nuts and seeds, and fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring and trout.

To estimate the number of annual deaths related to various patterns of fat consumption, researchers used diet and food availability information from 186 countries, and research from previous longitudinal studies– which study people over long periods of time – on how eating specific fats influences heart disease risk. Using 2010 data, they estimate worldwide:

• 711,800 heart disease deaths worldwide were estimated to be due to eating too little healthy omega-6 polyunsaturated fats, such as healthy vegetable oils, as a replacement for both saturated fats and refined carbohydrates. That accounted for 10.3 percent of total global heart disease deaths.  In comparison, only about 1/3 of this – 250,900 heart disease deaths -– resulted from excess consumption of saturated fats instead of healthier vegetable oils;  accounting for 3.6 percent of global heart disease deaths. Saturated fats are found in meat, cheeses and -fat dairy products, as well as palm and coconut oils.  The authors suggest that the difference is due to the additional benefits of increasing omega-6 polyunsaturated fats as a replacement for carbohydrates.
• In addition, 537,200 deaths, which represent 7.7 percent of global heart disease deaths – resulted from excess consumption of trans fats, such as those in processed, baked, and fried goods as well as cooking fats used in certain countries.

Comparing 1990 to 2010, the investigators found that the proportion of heart disease deaths due to insufficient omega-6 polyunsaturated fat declined 9 percent and that due to high saturated fats declined by 21 percent. In contrast, deaths due to high consumption of trans fats rose 4 percent.

“People think of trans fats as being only a rich country problem due to packaged and fast-food products.  But, in middle and low income nations such as India and in the Middle East, there is wide use of inexpensive, partially hydrogenated cooking fats in the home and by street vendors. Because of strong policies, trans fat-related deaths are going down in Western nations (although still remaining important in the United States and Canada), but in many low- and middle-income countries, trans fat-related deaths appear to be going up, making this a global problem,” Mozaffarian said.

In the study, nations in the former Soviet Union, particularly Ukraine, had the highest rates of heart-disease deaths related to low consumption of heart-protective omega-6 polyunsaturated fat. Tropical nations, such as Kiribati, the Solomon Islands, the Philippines and Malaysia, had the highest rates of heart-disease deaths related to excess saturated fat consumption.

“We should be a cautious in interpreting the results for saturated fat from tropical nations that consume lots of palm oil. Our model assumes that the saturated fats in palm oil have the same heart-disease risk as animal fats. Many of the blood cholesterol effects are similar, but long-term studies have not specifically looked at the heart disease risk of tropical oils,” said Mozaffarian.

“These findings should be of great interest to both the public and policy makers around the world, helping countries to set their nutrition priorities to combat the global epidemic of heart disease,” Mozaffarian concluded.

Co-authors are Qianyi Wang, Sc.D.; Ashkan Afshin, Sc.D., M.D.; Mohammad Yawar Yakoob, Sc.D., M.D.; Gitanjali M. Singh, Ph.D.; Colin D. Rehm, Ph.D., M.P.H.; Shahab Khatibzadeh, M.D.; Renata Micha, Ph.D. and Peilin Shi, Ph.D., on behalf of the Global Burden of Diseases Nutrition and Chronic Diseases Expert Group. Author disclosures are on the manuscript.

The research was undertaken as part of the 2010 Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study which is supported in part by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health (award number R01HL115189).

Additional Resources:

• Fats and oils infographic and healthy fat images are located in the right column of this release link http://newsroom.heart.org/news/eating-healthier-fats-could-reduce-heart-disease-deaths-worldwide?preview=fd72ef448b9822347dc3303f085f0f01 
• American Heart Association nutrition resources
• Fats and Oils
• For updates and new science from JAHA, follow @JAHA_AHA.
• Follow AHA/ASA news on Twitter @HeartNews.

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Statements and conclusions of study authors published in American Heart Association scientific journals are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the association’s policy or position. The association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific association programs and events. The association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations are available atwww.heart.org/corporatefunding.