Tova Cares Spring 2015

Most often, people feel hopeless that they will never dig themselves out of financial debt. In these uncertain economic times, more people are working 2-3 jobs just to make ends meet and stay afloat which may cause one to be more anxious living paycheck -to -paycheck. The stress and physical demands of raising a family, working a demanding job and keeping up with life’s demands can impact one’s mental, spiritual and physical health. There is an old saying my uncle always says, “Your Health is Your Wealth.” Financial experts say that good health can become a strong asset in your future even if you have a chronic medical problem. As the Winter season passes over and resolutions have already been made, the following tips may help to tackle lowering your debt in 2015 and should not be forgotten: 1. Pay as you go. Do not use your credit card on a daily basis. Cash or debit card should be used. If you use your credit card, pay off the balance each month. 2. Try not to use store credit cards. They typically charge 20% or more in interest

per month. 3. If you have several credit cards, pay down the card that has the highest interest

rate with more than the minimum payment. 4. Ask for help if you feel overwhelmed in managing your debt. 5. If you need to purchase a new car or home, shop around for best interest rate

loan and stay within a budget & car payment that you can afford. 6. Try to save a little each month in an “Emergency Fund.” If you don’t have to use

it, the fund will continue to grow. 7. Educate yourself to become Financially Literate. 8. Get a yearly Physical and have routine preventative follow-up appointments with your Primary Care Provider, especially if you have a Chronic Medical Condition like High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Sickle Cell Anemia and etc. June Grant-Stafford, MSN, RN

Tips to Boost your Financial Health

Financial Health

Message from Dr. Nina

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Financial Health

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Inside this issue:

People with Invisible Disabilities may look just like your neighbor, friend or colleague. NPR recently published an excellent article about a young lady who suffers from Chron’s Disease. Although she doe not use a cane or wheelchair, Chron’s Disease (an inflammatory bowel disease) can be very crippling especially with flare-ups. NPR reports, "Some disabilities are more obvious than others. Many are immediately apparent, especially if someone relies on a wheelchair or cane. But others- known as "Invisible Disabilities” are not. People who live with them face particular challenges in the workplace and in their communities." Let's not forget people who suffer with Sickle Cell Disease Anemia, a debilitating inherited blood disorder. Sickle Cell vaso-occlusive crisis causes the blood cells to sickle (clump together) and breakdown which causes decreased blood flow to the body and vital organs. Rapper Prodigy, popular as a member from the hip-hop group Mobb Deep, recently shared with the world that he suffers from Sickle Cell Anemia. Go to, tovacares.blogspot.com to read NPR’s, People with Invisible Disabilities Fight for Understanding.

Message from Dr. Nina: Invisible Disabilities

Volume 5, Issue 1

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What tips can you share to improve a persons Financial Health? Do you take vitamin D supplements?

TOVA Thanks Junior Spates from the Steve Harvey Morning

Show for inviting m em bers of the TOVA Advisor y Committee to the Comedy Tour in Philadelphia, PA.

Junior Spates is the National Spokesperson for the

Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA).

Congratulations to TOVA’s Regional Hematology Medical Director, Sophie Lanzkron, MD, MHS of Johns Hopkins University. She joins the Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease Research as a Board of Director. Dr. Lanzkron is the Director of the Sickle Cell Center for Adults at Johns Hopkins and currently cares for 500 adults with Sickle Cell Disease. TOVA appreciates her expertise and passion for serving the sickle cell community.

The Tova Cares newsletter "Healthy Tidbits" aim is to provide health education and

community-based health care outreach programs in the Delaware community. Our mission

is to educate the community about their healthcare needs in order to improve their overall

health and wellbeing.

Headline News Flash: What’s all the Hype about Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and is important for maintaining bone

health. Is a blood test important to determine if you need a vitamin D supplement?

The general consensus is that a vitamin D test is hard to evaluate. There is

disagreement on what is a vitamin D deficiency. Ethnicity may be a factor African Americans typically have lower levels, but is that a deficiency? Where we live and

our skin pigment are a factor. People of darker pigment/complexion absorb less

vitamin D than persons of lighter pigment/complexion because vitamin D is broken

down in the skin. In addition, lower levels of protein (25-hydroxy) does not mean

that the body does not have the vitamin available. If you live in a sunny climate, you get more sunlight and vitamin D.

According to blood test guidelines, most

African-Americans are deficient, which can lead

to weakened bones. However, the vast majority of African-Americans make enough vitamin D

that their cells can readily use and absorb.

According to researcher Dr. Thadhani at

Massachusetts General Hospital at Harvard

Medical School, “the population in the U.S. with the best bone health happens to be African

Americans but almost 80% are defined as

having vitamin D deficiency—this is

perplexing.” (NPR.org). A diet that consists of: salmon, sardines,

mackerel, shrimp, cod, eggs, milk and yogurt are good

vitamin D food sources. Take time to get outdoors to get some fresh air as the

weather warms and stroll through the park. Sun Screen is still recommended when

outdoors. Discuss with your healthcare provider the necessity of a blood test and a vitamin D supplement.

June Grant-Stafford, MSN, RN

havard.edu

nigeriaintel.com

Community News -—————————

TOVA Disability Advocacy Network Mindfulness: Health and Wellness

TOVA thanks Norwood Coleman, Jr., Social Worker for an empowering seminar on

tips to help reduce stress and anxiety.

— Dates Coming Soon —

Zemoria Brandon, Director of the Delaware

Valley Sickle Cell Disease Association in Philadelphia, PA has been invited to speak at

a Disability Advocacy Network (DAN) meeting at Bank of America on

Sickle Cell Awareness.

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