Empowering ourselves to tackle food insecurity in Alabama

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by Haleigh Horton | UAB Community Health & Human Services Program Student

Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com

Food insecurity is a significant issue affecting communities across the United States, including Alabama’s Black Belt region. In addition to compromising physical health, lack of access to nutritious food exacerbates socioeconomic disparities. Building
healthier, more resilient communities requires understanding the root causes of food insecurity and implementing sustainable
solutions.

There are significant barriers to accessing affordable, nutritious food in Alabama’s Black Belt. Several factors contribute to high
rates of food insecurity, including limited grocery options, transportation challenges, and economic hardship (Harris, 2023).
Because of this, many people consume low-quality, processed foods that are high in calories but lack essential nutrients, resulting in obesity, malnutrition, and chronic diseases.

Food insecurity needs to be addressed through a multifaceted approach that addresses all levels of influence. Among the measures include increasing economic opportunities, improving access to affordable, nutritious foods, and promoting community-level interventions such as urban gardening initiatives and farmers’ markets.

It’s important to note that individuals and families can make healthier food choices within their means by becoming aware of the importance of healthy eating and learning about nutrition and meal planning (Harris, 2023). Urban agriculture and community gardens: It is possible to increase access to fresh produce as well as empower residents to take control of their food supply by
setting up community gardens and urban farming initiatives in underserved areas (Harris, 2023). These initiatives not only provide nutritious food but also promote community engagement and sustainability.

Policy advocacy and food assistance programs provide essential food resources to vulnerable populations with food
assistance programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)
(Harris, 2023). As a further step, develop policies that tackle systemic barriers to food access, such as food deserts and inequities in resource distribution.

To address the issue of food insecurity in Alabama’s Black Belt, it is imperative to take a holistic approach that addresses the underlying socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental factors that contribute to the problem. Thru the implementation of targeted interventions at multiple levels, we can build healthier, more resilient communities in which everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full potential and is able to access nutritious food.

How are you addressing food insecurity? What methods are you or your community using to combat food insecurity in your community. Share here and on our Facebook page at Wilkinson Wellness Lab.

References

Fielding, S. (2022, October 15). Food insecurity is tied to poor mental health. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/biden-administration-food-insecurity-poor-mental-health-6748799

Food insecurity: A year-round health concern. Andalusia Health. (2023, February 1). https://www.andalusiahealth.com/news/food-insecurity

Harris, S. (2023, November 1). Adequate access to nutritious food is associated with better health for people of all ages. Alabama’s Health. https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/blog/2023/11/sho-november.html#:~:text=While%20food%20insecurity%20affects%20all,white%
20Alabamians%20are%20food%20insecure.

Addressing substance misuse among young people: Supporting brighter futures

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By Haleigh Horton | UAB Community Health & Human Services Program Student

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

Substance use among teenagers and adults is a serious public health issue that affects an individual’s health as well as the health of their families and communities. In 2022, an estimated 48.7 million individuals twelve and older had a substance use disorder, including 29.5 million experiencing alcohol use disorder (AUD) and 27.2 million experiencing drug use disorder (DUD), according to the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Teenagers and young adults may be particularly susceptible to the influence of drugs due to a variety of social, economic, and environmental factors (Morin, 2022). As a result of teenage and young adult substance abuse, it is important for society to promote healthy behaviors among youth, it is essential to implement preventive measures and interventions to combat the health and social issue.

According to the CDC (2022), young people may be at risk for substance use if experiencing risk factors like:

  • Family history of substance use
  • Favorable parental attitudes towards the behavior
  • Poor parental monitoring
  • Parental substance use
  • Family rejection of sexual orientation or gender identity
  • Association with delinquent or substance using peers
  • Lack of school connectedness
  • Low academic achievement
  • Childhood sexual abuse
  • Mental health issues

School-based preventive programs should be encouraged in our nation’s middle and high schools. These programs may promote positive peer relationships and effective decision-making, while educating them about the risks and consequences of substance abuse. Moreover, students can develop resilience and coping skills needed to navigate adolescence and resist substance abuse by incorporating social-emotional learning elements, such as empathy and self-awareness (ICF, 2022). It is also important for communities to provide support and resources for teenagers and their families by engaging local community organizations, religious institutions, and local leaders in an effort to create awareness about teenage drug use, as well as provide support and resources for those too (ICF, 2022). Counseling services, peer support groups, and recreational activities are also needed supports to address drug use among teenager and young adults (SAMHSA, 2023). Effective strategies to prevent drug use among young individuals is critical to ensuring the well-being of our communities.

We can help teenagers and young adults have a healthier future by implementing evidence-based prevention programs, creating supportive environments, and providing them with essential skills and resources. Advocacy and community involvement are essential to overcoming substance abuse challenges and fostering positive outcomes for future generations. So what do you think? Have you benefited from programming in schools? In college? Share here and on our Facebook page @Phame.US.Impact.

References:

Drug-free communities program successes | drug overdose | CDC injury center. (2023, October 23). https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/drug-free-communities/program-success.html

HHS SAMSHA release 2022 national survey on drug use and health data. (2023, November 13). https://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/press-announcements/20231113/hhs-samhsa-release-2022-nsduh-data

High risk substance use in youth | adolescent and school health | CDC. (2023, March 24). https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/substance-use/index.htm

ICF (2022). Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program National Cross-Site Evaluation: End-of-Year 2022 Report. Washington, DC: Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Morin, A. (2022, January 9). Is your teen using drugs? look for these warning signs. Verywell Family. https://www.verywellfamily.com/teen-drug-use-
warning-signs-2606192

Parents and schools can work together to improve adolescent mental health

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By Travia Martin | UAB Community Health & Human Services Student

Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com

Although thought to be light and carefree, the adolescent years leading into adulthood are significant to the development of a child and their preparation into adulthood. From physical health, emotional health, mental health and other domains of wellness, these years are important as young people begin to take on adult like responsibilities. According to World Health Organization (n.d.), children ages 10-19 at some point may experience health issues related to the following poor hygiene, partaking in behaviors involving alcohol and drug use, unsafe sex, abuse, and teen pregnancy. While every area of health is important for the proper development of adolescents, mental health may be one of the categories often overlooked and underserved. For example, depression and anxiety have the most impact on this age group in relation to illness with suicide being the leading cause of death among those 15-19 (WHO, 2023). 1.1 million adolescents die each year, whether it be traffic accidents, violence, or self-inflicted harm.

School health programs should be championed and supported in middle and high schools to support adolescent development. Why? First, we should consider that in the U.S., fifty-six million students spend at least 6 hours a day at school, receiving social, physical, and intellectual development (CDC, 2021). Within your community, are you aware of the programs, activities, and group organizations that offer support to your middle and high school adolescence? Supplying mental health support and assistance within schools may elevate awareness, guidance and understanding of such complex health issues among adolescents. Additionally, social media plays a role in adolescent development, because young people see and do what they are taught or have learned, picked up through observational learning while constantly viewing social media on their electronic devices.

Whether you are a parent or an educator, there are several behaviors you can implement into your home, school, organization, etc. to help support and aid the development of adolescents and their mental health. Minor changes like spending more time engaging with young people through face-to-face conversation and allowing them to express their feelings mentally and emotionally, can aid positively to overall health and well-being (CDC, 2021). Removing teens and young adults from environments or locations that are toxic and filled with trauma to more peaceful and positive environments are also important. Supporting pro-social behaviors to express ones emotions such as art, writing, or even support groups involving peers of the same age is also important. Adolescent therapy and counseling are additional tools that can support the development of their mental health and create positive influence among their behaviors and actions (CDC, 2021).

What about you? Did you experience tough times during your adolescent years? What tips would you give to teenagers and young adults today? Leave a comment here or join the discussion at @WilkinsonWellnessLab on Facebook.

References:

Adolescent and young adult health. (n.d.). Www.who.int. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescents-health-risks-and-solutions#:~:text=Depression%20and%20anxiety%20are%20among

CDC. (2021, April 23). Mental health of children and parents—A strong connection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/features/mental-health-children-and-parents.html

COVID-19 Pandemic Associated with Worse Mental Health and Accelerated Brain Development in Adolescents. (2023, January 26). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-news/2023/covid-19-pandemic-associated-with-worse-mental-health-and-accelerated-brain-development-in-adolescents#:~:text=The%20two%20groups%20differed%20significantly

National Library of Medicine. (2022). CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH. In http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK587174/

Why schools? | adolescent and school health | CDC. (2021, June 8). https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/about/why_schools.htm


Healthy habits while enjoying fun in the sun

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By Haleigh Horton | UAB Community Health & Human Services Program Student

Photo by Kindel Media on Pexels.com

As we approach spring and then move into the summer, it is important to begin considering again our exposure to the sun. Did you know that the beautiful rays that we get from sunlight may also pose a risk to yours and your child’s skin? Focusing on children, it is important to learn how sunshine can affect your child’s skin and learn simple steps to protect them. From wearing protective clothing to using sunscreen, these practices can safeguard your family from harm and promote a healthier sunshine habits. Specific to southern United States, where the sun’s warmth is abundant, it’s vital to be aware of the potential risks posed to children’s delicate skin from harmful UV exposure. Extended sun exposure can lead to various health issues, particularly for children with sensitive skin. The risks go beyond sunburn, encompassing long-term consequences such as premature aging and an increased risk of skin cancer.

To protect children, proactive measures like wearing protective clothing, applying sunscreen, and seeking shade during peak sunlight hours are important. Embracing sun protection practices ensures the enjoyment of the outdoors while minimizing potential harm to young skin, promoting a healthier future for our little ones. To turn these practices into habits, it is important to incorporate sun protection measures into your daily routine. Wearing protective clothing and adding sunscreen through daily when applying lotion not only reduce the risk of skin cancer, including severe forms like melanoma, but also prevent sunburn, signaling skin damage. Additionally, embracing sun protection promotes
overall skin health by maintaining moisture, preventing dryness, and minimizing premature aging. Sun protection is regarded has not only a benefit to ones long term health, but also is recognized as a part of one self-care regimen. Thusly, wearing wide-brimmed hats and long sleeves, becomes a proactive measure against harmful UV rays. Applying broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF (i.e., 30 SPF or higher) before outdoor activities (i.e., including school or extracurricular activities) offers an additional layer of defense. Seeking shade during peak sunlight hours, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., becomes a strategic choice to minimize direct sun exposure.

As parents in the South, protecting our children from sun exposure is vital. During spring and summer months, let’s remember to cover up, use the right sunscreen, and be
mindful of peak sunlight hours. Understanding the risks of skin cancer and premature aging highlights the importance of consistent sun protection. By prioritizing sun safety, we contribute to our children’s long-term wellbeing, shaping a healthier future. Let’s champion our kids health together, ensuring our children thrive while under the sun and foster a culture of skin health awareness. For more information about, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website on sun safety here. Do you have additional sun safe tips to share? If so, please share in the comments section here and/or share on a Facebook page @WilkinsonWellnessLab.

References

American Academy of Dermatology Association (n.d.). Sunscreen FAQs. https://www.aad.org/media/stats-sunscreen

Raymond-Lezman, J. R., & Riskin, S. (2023). Attitudes, Behaviors, and Risks of Sun Protection to Prevent Skin Cancer Amongst Children, Adolescents, and Adults. Cureus, 15(2), e34934. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.34934

Salvado, M., Fraga, A., Marques, D. L., Pires, I. M., Gonçalves, C. C., & Silva, N. M. (2021).
Sun Exposure in Pediatric Age: Perspective of Caregivers. Children (Basel, Switzerland),
8(11), 1019. https://doi.org/10.3390/children8111019

SickKids staff. (2024). What’s the best way to protect kids’ skin from sunburn?
HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/tips-tools/ask-the-pediatrician/Pages/whats-the-best-way-toprotect-kids-skin-from-sunburn.aspx

Supporting local efforts, the Revive Health Fair on October 7, 2023

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The Wilkinson Wellness Lab is excited to partner with the UAB Community Health & Human Services Program and Christian Life Church in support of the Revive Health Fair on Saturday, October 7, 2023. The health fair is located at 2490 Valleydale Road and will take place 9am – 1pm. As a resource for the health fair, the Wilkinson Wellness Lab is providing:

  • Blood pressure screening,
  • Body Mass Index reading,
  • Body Fat percentage reading, and
  • Skeletal muscle percentage reading

For more resources in support of achieving your overall weight goals, please click on the links below:


Food

Physical Activity

Sleep

Body Mass Index

https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/

Join the conversation on Facebook or in the comments section. Have you lost weight over a process? What did you do lose weight? How long did the weight loss take you? How was your experience? Please share with family and friends.

Reflecting on a tragic moment of civil rights history and feelings of yesterday

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Larrell L. Wilkinson | Wilkinson Wellness Lab

Photo of window at the 16th Street Baptist Church and memorial plaque honoring the memory of the four young girls killed by the KKK bombing of the the church on September 15, 1963.

I knew yesterday was going to hit me hard. During the early weeks of September in Birmingham, AL, the annual commemorations begin. This year marks 60 years since the tragic death of four little girls and the injuries of several others, during the turbulent days of the Civil Rights movement. The City of Birmingham honored the victims of the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church on September 15, 1963, during the week of remembrance.

Working in the Birmingham area, I often drive past the historic markers of the Civil Rights movement. I can see the A.G. Gaston Motel, the 16th Street Baptist Church, Kelly Ingram Park, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and drive to Montgomery, AL to the Equal Justice Initiative & National Memorial, Dexter Ave. Church, the Rosa Parks Museum, and sacred sites of the movement. This year, 60 years after that fateful day of losing Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, & Cynthia Wesley, I know that America has made progress towards racial conciliation. I see it daily at my job, during worship occasions at my church, in visiting my children’s school, walking my neighborhood and patronizing businesses in my community. Still, exercising faith for a future that overcomes the actions of hatred manifested by individuals and groups that want to further efforts to separate us in the U.S., by race, by class, by the faith we practice, by any means that furthers their hate filled mission, that faith must be strong and resilient.

The actions of 60 years ago may seem like history to some but are very relevant to communities of people who have additional concerns when we go for a jog, shop at our community stores, or worship in our churches. Our families trade text messages to remind each other to “be safe”, “travel in groups”, “don’t travel at night”, “don’t get off the phone until you get home”, “don’t get gas at night”, “don’t stop at any stores tonight, we’ll order it later”, etc. Perhaps some if you are reading this, you might say, these sayings sound like useful tips. In contrast, others reading these words understand that these aren’t just tips, but necessary actions of life preservation for people feeling maliciously targeted due to their culture. For many, events that happened 60 years ago doesn’t feel like history, it feels like yesterday. Still, these groups of people press forward in hopes that their girls and boys will experience a society where the actions of a hateful few are no longer. Their hope is in a loving God, with the direction to love Him and to also love your neighbor as yourself (New International Version, Matt. 22: 34 – 40). It is in experiencing this form of solidarity that we can share in faith, hope, and love; love being the greatest of these (New International Version, Cor. 13:13).

Birthday challenge – donating 45 items for each year around the Sun

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By Larrell L. Wilkinson | Wilkinson Wellness Lab

Photo by Alexander Grey on Pexels.com

This year, my birthday falls on the same day that my kids go back to school. So, like many parents, I am washing clothes, packing backpacks, tucking in my kids early tonight…earlier than they have gone to bed this summer, setting alarm clocks…oh, and folding those fresh clean clothes. Yeah, you know, organizing for the back to school chaos! The Wilkinson family is working to get back into the flow of how life will be for the next nine (9) months, all three kids in school. We are folding their clothes, I am folding my clothes, the kids are working off some of their nervous energy and Man, I have a lot of clothes to fold. Stop. Why do I have so many clothes to fold? It’s summer, I work from home many days. No, seriously, why do I have so many clothes that I am folding for myself and not my kids’ clothes.

As I am folding these clothes, a thought comes to mind, “I bet you could give away forty-five (45) items to the men’s shelter.” What? First, I don’t have that many items to give away. And second, what? But then I thought about it again. Maybe I do, maybe I should. The voice: “What about your T-shirt collection?” Yep, the fabled man’s t-shirt collection where each shirt can bring back so many memories. “What about socks…the socks you haven’t worn, the new warm socks still in the package after two years?” There is more. Not only is the voice speaking to me, but earlier today my eldest daughter had the idea to fill up her old school backpack (because she has a new one for the new school year) with food and drive to downtown Birmingham to give the backpack to a person experiencing food and/or housing insecurity. I also happen to be in the middle of the clothes month of the popular book “7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess” by Jen Hatmaker. So, maybe, this idea is kind of implanted in my mind, right?

Well, I am going to be obedient.  I am going to aim for 45 items to give away and take them to the Jimmie Hale Mission in Birmingham, AL.  I have donated collared shirts, polo style shirts, dress shoes, pants, coats, etc. there before and many of the guys I interacted with were really cool.  To learn more about The Jimmie Hale Mission, please visit them on Facebook here:  https://www.facebook.com/thejimmiehalemission/.  If you feel up to giving, I encourage you to donate your gently used items to a shelter or other entities that can help others in the community.  Of course, these organizations will accept a financial contribution as well.  So, here’s my birthday wish…for each of us to spend a little time helping another person or group of persons in our own way…however compelled.  Let us know how it goes in the comments section or hit us up on Facebook: @wilkinsonwellnesslab.

Checking on others – It could save a life!

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By Terrie Johnson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by Designecologist on Pexels.com

When we go about our busy day by rushing to work, the store, meetings, church, and school, we never get the rest we need. Often, we overstretch the capabilities of our bodies to endure burnout. As such, we should ensure that we are okay as we go about our day and lead our lives. It is also relevant to take care of our physical and mental health. This stance is essential since it ensures that we are always to the best of our shape to handle daily activities. Moreover, as you go about your day, you should consider taking some of your time to check on your family and friends. This caring approach allows you to know how they are doing with life. You may ask; how are you doing? In some cases, you can make a phone call. This initiative can help them to relieve some stress in their life. In other words, simply talking to them about what is stressing them may restore their emotional and psychological well-being.

It is also important to listen to your loved ones or offer a suggestion to help them relieve their stress. Often, you could state recommendations they never thought about during their stressful moment. You may even offer to accompany them on a walk or go grab a coffee together. Thus, your initiative will work toward restoring their perspectives about challenges and desirably handling them. You can also be involved in helping individuals judge good from bad. In most cases, it may be hard for some people to differentiate situations. As such, helping a person judge emotion provides an impetus for self-correction. It also creates an impetus for recognizing harmful emotions so that they can be avoided (Health Shots, 2023). Other than this, the initiative can create leverage for improved understanding of interventions to emotional challenges. Thus, it is relevant to help others deal with issues that affect their health.

Reference

Health Shots. (2023). Your emotions always have something to say! That’s why listen to them very carefully. Healthshots.com. Retrieved from https://www.healthshots.com/mind/emotional-health/emotional-health-why-is-it-important-to-listen-to-your-emotions/

RA: Rheumatoid Arthritis – An Autoimmune Disease

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Reginia Dodson | UAB Community Health and Human Services Intern

Photo by Ron Lach on Pexels.com

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an auto immune disease, which, indicates that the immune system is attacking healthy cells. This causes inflammation and pain. Rheumatoid arthritis, predominantly attacks the joints, however, many joints can be attacked simultaneously. RA commonly affects knees, wrist, and hands. RA causes damage to joint tissue, and long, lasting chronic pain, loss of balance, and deformity. RA can also affect other tissues in the body such as eyes, heart, and lungs.

What causes rheumatoid arthritis? The specific causes unknown, but the CDC states that there are factors that can increase the risk. There are a can begin at any age, the onset is highest among adults in their 60s. Gender can also impact the risk of RA, as women or 2 to 3 times higher to report RA than men. Genetics play a role as well, “genes, called HLA (human leukocyte antigen) class II genotypes, can also make your arthritis worse.” (CDC, 2020).

Other factors that increase risk include as can smoking and obesity, “Studies examining the role of obesity also found that the more overweight a person was, the higher his or her risk of developing RA became.” (CDC, 2020). There are factors within our control, and some factors outside of our control but it is important to do what you can to reduce the risk, especially if you have a family history of RA.

Though rheumatoid arthritis cannot be cured, it’s important to discuss options with your doctor if you begin showing signs or symptoms.

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020b, July 27). Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/rheumatoid-arthritis.html

Myeloma – Why annual doctor visits are important

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Reginia Dodson | UAB Community Health and Human Services Intern

There are so many types of cancer and so many unknown causes for them all as well. Cancer can develop in any part of the body, including bone marrow. The cancer that spreads in bone marrow is called Myeloma. What exactly is Myeloma? “Myeloma, also called multiple myeloma, is a cancer of the plasma cells. Plasma cells are white blood cells that make antibodies that protect us from infection. In myeloma, the cells grow too much, crowding out normal cells in the bone marrow that make red blood cells, platelets, and other white blood cells” (CDC, 2023).

This form of cancer seems remarkably like AIDS in the way these cancer cells attack white blood cells which really weakens the immune system. According to the CDC there are multiple forms of Myeloma, it all depends on location and if the cancer spreads or remains in one area:

  • Multiple Myeloma
    • Develops in bone marrow
  • Solitary plasmacytoma
    • Develops (usually in bone) in one area of the body
  • Extramedullary plasmacytoma
    • Develops in soft tissue, such as throat or lungs

Regardless of which form of myeloma develops, all are very painful and difficult to live with. “Sometimes myeloma does not cause any symptoms. It may be found when a blood or urine test is done for another condition and a higher-than-normal level of protein is found” (CDC, 2023). This is another reason it is vital to get routine check ups, because there is little to suggest that this form of cancer is caused by lifestyle, but doctors can detect it with urine samples x-rays, and blood work.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023b, June 28). Myeloma. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/myeloma/