InfoTrak

Kevin Estela, author of 101 Skills You Need to Survive in the Woods outlined essential skills and tools that can be helpful to anyone in an emergency situation, particularly on camping trips and other outdoor activities. He also discussed the importance of being mentally prepared to act in the event of a life-threatening emergency.

Kevin Estela, author of 101 Skills You Need to Survive in the Woods outlined essential skills and tools that can be helpful to anyone in an emergency situation, particularly on camping trips and other outdoor activities. He also discussed the importance of being mentally prepared to act in the event of a life-threatening emergency.

Lauren Stiller Rikleen, President of the Rikleen Institute for Strategic Leadership, and author of The Shield of Silence: How Power Perpetuates a Culture of Harassment and Bullying in the Workplace discussed workplace misconduct, sexual harassment and other negative behaviors on the job. She believes the best way to address these problems is to eliminate the fear of retribution against those who report the misconduct. She said that change is also needed in the court system because judges and juries often discount the credibility of victims and are reluctant to hold employers accountable.

While a number of metropolitan regions across the US are struggling, many more midsize and rural counties are wrestling with long-term declineDavid Swenson, PhD, Associate scientist in the Department of Economics, Iowa State University explained why most of the country’s smaller urban and rural counties are not growing in terms of population and jobs, and will not grow in the future. He said government policies need to address the issue and assure access to necessary public services and modern technologies, to ensure that rural residents are connected to today’s society.

Robert M. Siegel, MD, Medical Director of the Center for Better Health and Nutrition of the Heart Institute at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati lled a small study of middle school students, examining their cardiovascular risk factors. He found that a third of the children had abnormal levels of cholesterol or blood sugar, and several were found to have undiagnosed diabetes. He said every child should be routinely tested for cardiovascular risks, but only 25-30% are.

Robert M. Siegel, MD, Medical Director of the Center for Better Health and Nutrition of the Heart Institute at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati lled a small study of middle school students, examining their cardiovascular risk factors. He found that a third of the children had abnormal levels of cholesterol or blood sugar, and several were found to have undiagnosed diabetes. He said every child should be routinely tested for cardiovascular risks, but only 25-30% are.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that the frequency of several types of food poisoning infections climbed last year, but that the increases could be the result of new diagnostic tools that help identify more cases. Tony Corbo, Senior Lobbyist for the Food Campaign at Food & Water Watch, an advocacy group that supports stricter food safety regulations

explained the complex system that tracks illnesses such as salmonella and campylobacter. He said illnesses connected to produce are on the rise, while meat and poultry cases are unchanged.

Many young people struggle as they make the transition from the academic environment to the professional world. Tina Seelig, PhD, author of What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20 - 10th Anniversary Edition: A Crash Course on Making Your Place in the World discussed skills and thought processes that can lead to success and resilience in their adult lives. She also talked about the effectiveness of our nation’s higher education system in preparing students for life.

Veterans face a wide array of mental health and stress-related challenges when they return to civilian life. Christopher Loftis, PhD, National Director for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs/U.S. Department of Defense Mental Health Collaboration discussed the various forms of help available at Veterans Administration facilities and via community-based mental health resources where veterans live. He offered ideas to help family members and friends start the conversation about mental health.

Veterans face a wide array of mental health and stress-related challenges when they return to civilian life. Christopher Loftis, PhD, National Director for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs/U.S. Department of Defense Mental Health Collaboration discussed the various forms of help available at Veterans Administration facilities and via community-based mental health resources where veterans live. He offered ideas to help family members and friends start the conversation about mental health.