(NewsUSA) - It’s stunning to realize that only 10 states make birth records available to American-born adoptees and their biological parents. For adult adoptees born in the 20^th century era of closed adoptions, this presents a painful obstacle to discovering their origins and ending the agonizing hunger to know their own identity.

Janet Sherlund poignantly captures this journey in her elegant and heart-wrenching memoir, ABANDONED AT BIRTH: Searching for the Arms That Once Held Me. Sherlund paints a vivid portrait of the detachment and longing of an adopted child and the lifelong quest to find her biological mother. It’s an unflinching examination of the grief and trauma caused by this primal separation and the dogged determination it takes to face the forces of opposition—both internal and external—to finally achieve answers.

ABANDONED AT BIRTH illuminates the darker side of adoption, and what it takes to heal. “I hope it starts conversations about the rights of those given away, loss and grief in adoption, the biology of belonging and identity, and why love is not always enough to extinguish the pain,” Sherlund says.

Like many adoptees of her generation, Sherlund was the offspring of teenaged parents. Her mother was forced to have her baby in secrecy. Sherlund would come to learn that her mother was unusual for her time. Not only did she not tell the father she was pregnant, she wanted nothing to do with her baby and never even looked at her newborn.

All Sherlund had to go on when she began her search was a false narrative written about her biological parents by the adoption agency. The twists and turns, setbacks and disappointments, and surprising familial connections finally achieved make ABANDONED AT BIRTH a page-turner of a memoir.

For Sherlund, who raised her family and served on nonprofit boards in education, health and the cultural arts before writing her memoir, her single most significant life event was being given up for adoption at birth. Being adopted undermined her sense of trust and personal value and impacted every decision she made. Her memoir fulfills a lifelong dream of raising awareness about loss and grief in adoption, and why it takes more than love to survive that trauma.

Says Jenifer Eckert, founder of Boston Post Adoption Resources, “Janet's book is a gift to anyone touched by adoption or wonders what it is like to be adopted. Her personal story of search and reunion is beautifully and honestly told. Through Janet's journey we get an intimate understanding of what it is like to finally discover your identity after years of wondering and searching.”

Learn more at https://www.abandonedatbirthbook.com and purchase the book at https://bit.ly/44Io68F.

(NewsUSA) - The viruses that cause COVID-19 and flu continuously change or “mutate” to escape our natural immune responses and the protection provided by vaccines. As a result, for both flu and COVID-19, vaccination is not a “one and done” proposition.  

Fortunately, as these viruses change, flu and COVID-19 vaccines are updated to protect the public against the variants that are currently circulating. Experts at Champions for Vaccine Education, Equity, and Progress (CVEEP)—a coalition dedicated to educating the public about vaccines and promoting equity and access—emphasize that the best way to reduce the risk of severe illness from both flu and COVID-19 is to stay up to date with recommended vaccinations.

Some viruses, such as those that cause measles and polio, change infrequently. This means that the vaccines for these viruses can provide immunity that is longer-lasting. By contrast, frequent changes in the viruses that cause COVID-19 and flu mean the protection provided by these vaccines will wane as new variants emerge.

Flu and COVID-19 are serious diseases. Between October 1, 2023, and June 1, 2024, there were approximately 44,000 deaths attributed to COVID-19, and at least 24,000 deaths associated with flu. These numbers highlight the ongoing importance of staying current with vaccinations to protect yourself and your family from these viruses. 

Updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines will be available this fall that are formulated to protect against the variants that are most likely to be circulating during the upcoming respiratory illness season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines and routine annual influenza vaccines for individuals aged 6 months and older.

COVID-19 remains a serious threat to public health and still poses significant risks. Staying current on your flu and COVID-19 vaccines is the best way to maintain protection from these illnesses. Help reduce the risk of interruptions and challenges that come from upticks in flu and COVID-19 infections by getting vaccinated this fall. 

Visit cveep.org/stayupdated for more information or consult with your healthcare provider.

(NewsUSA) - Los virus que causan el COVID-19 y la gripe cambian continuamente o "mutan" para escapar de nuestras respuestas inmunitarias naturales y de la protección proporcionada por las vacunas. Como resultado, tanto para la gripe como para el COVID-19, la vacunación no es una proposición de "una sola vez".

Afortunadamente, a medida que estos virus cambian, las vacunas contra la gripe y el COVID-19 se actualizan para proteger al público contra las variantes que están circulando actualmente. Los expertos de los Defensores de la Educación, la Equidad y el Progreso de la Vacunación (CVEEP, por sus siglas en inglés), son una coalición dedicada a educar al público sobre las vacunas y promover la equidad y el acceso y enfatizan que la mejor manera de reducir el riesgo de enfermedades graves tanto por la gripe como por el COVID-19 es mantenerse al día con las vacunas recomendadas.

Algunos virus, como los que causan el sarampión y la polio, cambian con poca frecuencia. Esto significa que las vacunas para estos virus pueden proporcionar una inmunidad que dura más tiempo. Por el contrario, los cambios frecuentes en los virus que causan el COVID-19 y la gripe significan que la protección proporcionada por estas vacunas disminuirá a medida que surjan nuevas variantes.

La gripe y el COVID-19 son enfermedades graves. Entre el 1 de octubre de 2023 y el 1 de junio de 2024, hubo aproximadamente 44,000 muertes atribuidas al COVID-19 y al menos 24,000 muertes asociadas con la gripe. Estos números destacan la importancia continua de mantenerte al día con las vacunas para protegerte a ti mismo y a tu familia de estos virus.

Este otoño estarán disponibles vacunas actualizadas contra la gripe y el COVID-19, formuladas para proteger contra las variantes que probablemente estarán circulando durante la próxima temporada de enfermedades respiratorias. Los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC, por sus siglas en inglés), recomiendan las vacunas contra el COVID-19 para 2024-2025 y las vacunas anuales de rutina contra la influenza para todas las personas de 6 meses y mayores.

El COVID-19 sigue siendo una amenaza seria para la salud pública y aún representa riesgos significativos. Mantenerte al día con tus vacunas contra la gripe y el COVID-19 es la mejor manera de mantener la protección contra estas enfermedades. Ayuda a reducir el riesgo de interrupciones y desafíos que surgen de los aumentos en las infecciones de la gripe y el COVID-19 vacunándote este otoño.

Visita cveep.org/es/mantentealdia para obtener más información o consulta con tu proveedor de atención médica.

(NewsUSA) - Getting the family together for meals is not always easy, but an increasing body of scientific evidence supports the benefits of family mealtimes and the value in making them a priority. Families who share more meals together eat more healthfully, regardless of children’s age, socioeconomic status, or level of education, according to the FMI Foundation. The FMI Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports research, education, and resources in the area of health and well-being, including food safety, nutrition, and social responsibility.

Benefits of family meals include positive relationships with favorable mealtime behaviors, increased intake of better-for-you foods, reduced consumption of sugary beverages, and better overall nutritional health, studies show.

• An in-depth analysis of multiple studies showed positive associations between children’s nutritional health and five mealtime factors: 
  • no TV on during meals
  • parents’ setting a good example of healthy eating behaviors
  • higher food quality, positive atmosphere
  • children's involvement in meal preparation
  • longer meal duration.

• Family meals have a positive effect on the nutritional health of older as well as younger children. Another study including nearly 2,000 children and adolescents up to age 17 years showed younger children who participated in more than five family meals each week drank significantly fewer sugar-sweetened beverages, while older children and teens ate more fruits and vegetables than those who participated less frequently in family mealtimes.

• In a 2023 a randomized, clinical trial, a design that delivers the highest level of evidence in clinical practice, was conducted among children aged 6 to 11 years. The findings showed that increasing the length of family mealtimes by 10 minutes significantly increased the amounts of fruits and vegetables eaten. These results support data from a separate 2018 study in which preschoolers who participated in fewer than three evening family meals per week ate significantly fewer fruits and vegetables than preschoolers who participated in family evening meals each night.

The increasing recognition of the many benefits of family meals has prompted the creation of the Family Meals Movement—a year-round celebration of the many benefits of family meals as supported by research studies. The movement is an extension of National Family Meals Month™, celebrated each September. Learn more at www.FamilyMealsMovement.org.

(NewsUSA) - “I don’t know which is worse: disease of the human body or disease of humanity.” 

That’s the provocative question raised by the protagonist, Dr. Mark Lin, in author Anthony Lee’s debut medical thriller, the disturbing and dark DOCTOR LUCIFER, which has been drawing praise from fans of Robin Cook's Pandemic and Michael Crichton's State of Fear. 

“I may be a doctor, but I’m not like the rest of them. Docs typically treat without judgment, no matter who the patients are or how they live. Not me. I question the value of my work now and then. Does it really improve society, or is it wasted on the worst among us?” 

In today’s digital world, no one is safe from cyberattacks. Not even medical doctors and hospitals. Can a hacker remotely kill a doctor’s patients just by altering medical records? 

Dr. Lin, a proficient but cynical and disillusioned internist, is the target of such a hacker, known as Doctor Lucifer. Three of his patients at Ivory Memorial Hospital suffer from medication errors, created by the hacker, yet Mark is forced to take the blame. However, he knows that a computer worm is spreading worldwide and crippling network security everywhere. When Doctor Lucifer threatens more patient deaths, Mark vows to defend his honor. 

Together with the hospital’s information technology team, Mark scrambles to outwit the hacker and avert one medical crisis after another. But the consequences of Doctor Lucifer’s actions still hurt Mark, who soon hits rock bottom at the hands of a vengeful widow and an egotistical surgeon. He has no choice but to hunt down and confront Doctor Lucifer, an enemy with a truly malicious purpose. 

DOCTOR LUCIFER, Lee’s debut novel that is the first of a series, is a new take on the medical thriller, featuring unusual life-and-death situations, an antihero doctor taking center stage, and hard-hitting commentary on the state of humanity itself.  

The author has a unique background in medicine. After graduating from medical school, he switched from clinical medicine to health technology assessment, analyzing new medical tests and treatments in a career spanning over 15 years. 

BookLife says of DOCTOR LUCIFER, "Lee deftly weaves real-world concerns about cybersecurity into the fabric of his narrative, highlighting the vulnerability of medical institutions….Fans of medical and hacker thrillers will relish Lin's outrage and determination under impossible pressure." 

"Lee has a real knack for tension, crafting an exhilarating dive into the world of cybercrime and medical suspense that successfully blends elements of thriller and wider social commentary on the vulnerabilities of modern technology,” writes K.C. Finn of Readers’ Favorite. “This solid foundation of realistic and well-thought-out concepts allows the character-driven drama to shine.” 

 
Learn more at  https://www.anthonyleebooks.com and Purchase DOCTOR LUCIFER at https://bit.ly/4a3ZKXY. 

(NewsUSA) - As the costs of things rise, it is more important than ever for families to shop smart at the grocery store, especially when preparing for the back-to-school season and all those school-day lunches children will need. Incorporating simple tips and tricks into your shopping trip routine can help you cut costs while still prioritizing healthy, delicious meals.

“Being on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t fill your cart with healthy foods,” said Emily Hicks, a registered dietitian nutritionist for KinderCare. “Plan ahead and think creatively, and you’ll find that you can feed your family a variety of tasty, nutritional meals without breaking your budget.”

1. Buy in bulk. Take advantage of large quantity deals for items your family frequently eats. A large package of chicken breast can go into chicken tacos, pulled chicken sandwiches or chicken and rice bowls. This also helps to make packing lunches easier because if you already have some items prepped, school lunch can be grab-and-go. You can also prepare double batches of some family favorites to freeze for a quick, go-to meal on busy days. Be sure to store these items properly to maximize their shelf life and reduce waste to get the most bang for your buck.
2. Plan ahead. Create a meal-planning list and stick to it. Before your grocery trip, compare prices and search for coupons to find the best deals on the items you need. Remember, frozen fruits and vegetables often have the same nutrition benefits at a fraction of the cost of fresh or prepared options. They may also be less expensive than fresh produce, especially if they’re on sale. Eggs, cheese, and yogurt are also excellent animal protein foods and are less expensive than meat, so consider adding them into your meal rotation.
3. Power up with plants. Swap some meat meals for plant proteins, which offer unique health benefits at lower costs. Beans, lentils, soy, quinoa and nuts are all great ways to add protein to a meal without the expense of meat or fish. Peanut butter or other nut butters are excellent plant protein options that are cheap and filling. Try black or pinto beans instead of ground beef or turkey. Make some quinoa and veggies for a plant-powered bowl. Incorporating more fruits and vegetables helps get more fiber into your diet and keeps you feeling full for longer.

“Grocery shopping can also be a fun and educational experience for your kids,” said Hicks. “Bring them along and let them choose fruits and vegetables to prepare and eat for the week. This can foster a sense of unity and shared responsibility in the family, as well as encourage children to try new foods. Studies show that children are more excited about eating healthy foods and more open to trying new foods when they're involved in the process.”

For more nutritionist-approved and kid-tested recipes and tips and tricks for a successful back-to-school season, visit KinderCare.com.

(NewsUSA) - All her life, Darian Tymes has been a high-energy woman with a positive spirit and a can-do attitude. When she started losing her breath and feeling fatigued simply moving from room to room, 80-year-old Darian and her children knew that something was wrong.

With the support of her daughters, Darian made frequent visits to a local cardiologist to try to find the cause of her breathlessness. Unable to make a full diagnosis, her cardiologist referred her to a specialist, Mustafa Ahmed, M.D.

“When she came into my office the first time, I knew she was in trouble,” said Dr. Ahmed. “You knew something was wrong because she is someone who is normally extraordinary, active and independent, and at that moment I saw her quality of life was being impacted.”

After running tests, Dr. Ahmed was able to diagnose Darian with severe aortic stenosis (SAS), a progressive disease that occurs when the heart’s aortic valve narrows, preventing blood from flowing normally. Symptoms of SAS can include chest pain, rapid heart rhythm, trouble breathing and shortness of breath, lightheadedness, difficulty walking short distances, swollen ankles or feet, and difficulty sleeping or needing to sleep sitting up.

Sometimes, it can be easy to confuse these symptoms with general aging, which makes visits to a cardiologist even more important. It is better to get it checked out and be wrong than to have an undiagnosed and untreated heart condition.

SAS affects women differently than men. Generally, women live longer than men, but once women develop SAS, they suffer higher mortality, even when a man and woman are the same age¹. After developing symptoms, and if left untreated, the average patient survival is two years without treatment². Additionally, studies in the US found Black patients with SAS are less likely to receive life-saving treatment compared to other Americans, putting someone like Darian at greater risk³.

After receiving a diagnosis, Darian and her family knew they needed to take action. While Darian was relieved to finally have an answer to her health concerns, she was understandably nervous about what treatment would entail. Years prior, Darian underwent open-heart surgery, an experience that took a toll on her body and she did not want to endure again. Luckily, Darian was told by her doctor that this kind of major surgery was no longer the norm, and she was an ideal candidate for a minimally invasive alternative.

“I asked them, ‘Are they going to cut my chest open again?’ They said, ‘No. It’s a simple, minimally invasive procedure.’ After they told me how they were going to do it I said, ‘Okay I’m ready.’”

Darian received a transcatheter valve replacement (TAVR) procedure. TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure to replace a diseased aortic valve with a new, artificial valve. Instead of traditional open-heart surgery, TAVR uses a thin, flexible tube called a catheter. The doctor guides the catheter to a patient’s heart through blood vessels which can be accessed through the groin, thigh, stomach, chest, neck, or collarbone. The new valve, which is folded inside the catheter, is then placed securely within the existing valve. With no need for surgery, TAVR means a shorter recovery time and less discomfort, helping patients get back to everyday life more quickly.  Because women’s hearts tend to have smaller valves when compared to men, TAVR is a very important treatment option for women.

Darian underwent this procedure with the tested and proven effective Evolut^TM TAVR System from Medtronic to treat her aortic stenosis.

A recent study called the SMART Trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, compared the system to other valves on the market and found that the new Evolut valve worked very well and demonstrated excellent patient outcomes, especially in women⁴. These new insights are helping women and their doctors make the decision on what treatment option works best for them.

“Before the procedure, I was not nervous. I was not scared, I was completely relaxed.”

After taking action and undergoing her TAVR procedure, Darian is able to relax once again - if she wants to! No longer feeling shortness of breath and dizziness from walking from room to room, Darian is up and moving, living life the way she always has lived it. “I can walk, I can cook, I can dance, drive…I can do it all myself and I love it. Now at 83 years old, after raising five children, six grandchildren, and working hard, I am entitled to enjoy the rest of my life.”

Seeing Darian back on her feet and on the move has been a joy to her family, and they say that now they even have a hard time keeping up with her.

For more information on aortic stenosis, visit: MyInteractiveASJourney.com

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

¹Am Heart Assoc. 2021;10:e018816. DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.120.018816,

² Lester SJ, Heilbron B, Gin K, Dodek A, Jue J. The natural history and rate of progression of aortic stenosis. Chest. April 1998;113(4):1109-1114

³Alkhouli, M et al. J Am Coll Cardiol Inntv. 2019 May. 12 (10) 936-948

⁴SMART Trial

(Sara Tribe Clark) - The Eldercare Locator is national call center that helps older adults and family caregivers find local services to help them stay in their homes and communities independently. The Eldercare Locator connects people with local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and other aging service providers that offer a variety of services such as home delivered and community meals, transportation, in-home assistance, caregiver support, health and wellness programs, home modification and legal services.

The Eldercare Locator serves older adults and caregivers across the country who have a variety of needs. Eldercare Locator Referral Specialists are trained to provide personalized help to people who contact the service. And the Eldercare Locator also has enhanced accessibility with options for people to text or communicate through American Sign Language direct video call.

The Eldercare Locator is managed by USAging, which is the national association representing the network of more than 600 AAAs across the country and advocating for the Title VI Native American Aging Programs. AAAs and Title VI programs provide a range of critical services and supports to enable older adults to age with optimal health, independence and dignity at home and in the community.

“Older adults and caregivers who contact the Eldercare Locator are searching for information and connections to a range of services such as transportation, home modification and in-home supports that can enable them to age where they want to—at home and in the community,” said Sandy Markwood, CEO, USAging. “Our committed and expert Referral Specialists are there to answer their critical questions and ensure that they get the help and support they need.”

The training and expertise of Eldercare Locator Referral Specialists enables them to focus on and respond to the unique needs of each caller. Said one caller, “The specialist was very helpful. He provided great service, listened to me carefully, and provided helpful information.”

Another caller stated, “The specialist’s outstanding patience and empathy in dealing with my parents’ care needs were remarkable.”

To find local services, you can contact the Eldercare Locator in several different ways. To speak with a Referral Specialist by voice, videophone call or text use 1-800-677-1116. You can chat online with a Referral Specialist at eldercare.acl.gov or send an email to [email protected].

(NewsUSA) - Muscle health is just as important as bone health over the lifespan. When a decrease in muscle mass leads to a reduced quality of life and an inability to perform everyday tasks, it could be sarcopenia—the loss of muscle and strength that can happen when someone gets older and does less physical activity. Sarcopenia is particularly concerning among women because the peak muscle mass and strength they achieve in their mid-thirties tend to be lower than for men. This means that when women start losing muscle, they feel the effects sooner than men.

Sarcopenia generally becomes noticeable beginning at age 40. Common symptoms of sarcopenia include weaker muscles, reduced walking speeds, increased difficulty with day-to-day tasks, and falls. Sarcopenia risk is affected by age-related factors, like hormone changes that affect muscle mass and the body’s reduced ability to absorb protein, and behavioral factors, like physical activity levels or lack thereof.

Muscle-strengthening activity can help older adults decrease their risk of developing sarcopenia and maintain a high quality of life. When individuals strengthen their muscles and rebuild muscle mass, they may improve their balance and reduce their chances of falls and fractures. In addition, they are better able to perform daily activities like carrying groceries, standing up from a chair, or playing with their grandchildren.

“Staying active not only helps decrease your risk of getting sarcopenia, but it also can improve your quality of life, mental health, and independence,” advises Dr. Dorothy Fink, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Women’s Health.

Adults and older adults should engage in muscle-strengthening activities at least two days per week. These exercises should include all the major muscle groups: upper body (abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms) and lower body (legs, hips, and back). The goal is to move and contract the muscles, rebuilding muscle and strength over time with adequate nutrition and physical activity.

Starting and maintaining a physical activity routine does not require special equipment or a gym membership. Individuals can start at home with simple activities like arm curls, holding soup cans that serve as weights, crunches, bent knee raises, and lunges.

When starting a new physical activity routine, it is recommended that individuals take it slow and build up their number of sets or gradually increase the number of days they get active. Enlisting a partner or friend may be beneficial to stay motivated to exercise. Partnering with someone provides accountability and encouragement for both people, which may inspire them to continue being physically active week after week.

The beneficial effects of exercise in addressing sarcopenia are best when coupled with a healthy diet that includes enough protein, which helps build and maintain muscle mass.

If you have questions about sarcopenia or want to change your exercise routine or diet, consider consulting a health care provider to discuss your goals, ask questions, and seek personalized advice.

For more information on exercising and other ways to help reduce the risk of sarcopenia, visit the Stronger than Sarcopenia campaign webpage, provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health: www.womenshealth.gov/sarcopenia.

(NewsUSA) - The United States has fallen behind in applying artificial intelligence to the industrial sector, and changes are needed to maintain America’s national competitiveness, according to a report from the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative with a goal of making recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness in artificial intelligence (AI).

The report identifies several technologies that are key to advanced manufacturing competitiveness:

Industrial AI.  Although American startups and Fortune 500 companies are building or already using industrial AI, the U.S. lacks the large-scale national programs to promote data sharing and training of industrial AI models in public and private sectors.

Robotics. Startups and academic institutions in the U.S. lead the world in robotics innovation, with goals of deploying humanoid robots at scale within the next decade, but China currently leads the world in the deployment of industrial robotics.

Industrial Internet of Things. Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platforms may ultimately allow manufacturers to create whole-factory “operating systems.” While U.S. firms offer scalable IIoT platforms that China has struggled to match, Chinese firms have found their niche in the underlying hardware for these platforms.

Advanced Networks. The spread of public 5G networks continues worldwide. The U.S. and allies continue to take steps to mitigate safety concerns posed by Chinese networking components. However, China is prioritizing 5G networks as a way to increase leadership in the geopolitical tech competition.

In the report, the SCSP offers seven steps for leaders to increase and improve the U.S. leadership in advanced manufacturing:

Launch: National moonshots can strengthen the industrial system-of-systems and pilot programs can help strengthen the U.S. industrial base as a whole.

Organize. Policy coordination is needed to support core manufacturing technology innovation programs. SCSP calls for the creation of a White House-level office to enhance policy coordination, and strengthening federal manufacturing programs to bring urgency to the advanced manufacturing agenda.

Innovate. A revitalized approach to research and development funding would promote necessary innovation, according to SCSP. For example, a public-private “focused research organization,” modeled on Bell Labs could accelerate manufacturing technology innovation.

Promote. Innovative programs and financing are needed to promote adoption of advanced manufacturing paradigms, with strategies such as consolidating and leveraging tax policies and credit for small and medium-sized manufacturers.

Pushback. The U.S. should build trade alliances with trusted allies and partners to create new markets for U.S. manufacturers, while strengthening economic ties and resisting against the PRC’s anticompetitive practices.

Defend. Defending the U.S. industrial base against AI-enabled cyberattacks requires a new approach to industrial cyberdefense as digitalization expands the attack surface.

Cultivate. More training is needed to address talent shortages and skills gaps. The creation of a one-stop resource would help organizations match talent to job opportunities in advanced manufacturing.

Visit scsp.ai to learn more and to read the full National Action Plan for U.S. Leadership in Advanced Manufacturing.