World Heart Day 2021
September 29th is World Heart Day. A global initiative to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD accounts for almost half of all deaths.
What is World Heart Day
World Heart Day is a global initiative to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease (CVD) and provide education and resources for those living with CVD.
The goal — reduce mortality and improve quality of life.
Observed every year on September 29th, World Heart Day is the largest, global awareness campaign for heart health.
CVD accounts for almost half of all deaths due to non-communicable disease world wide. It’s the world’s number one killer and a burden shared by all.
The World Heart Federation and their global partners lead the initiative each year. But it’s individuals who keep the conversation going. By learning more and sharing what we learn, each of us can lend our voice to the conversation and do our part in saving lives all over the world.
What is CVD
The Cleveland Clinic defines cardiovascular disease as
“a group of diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels of the body.”
This includes conditions like:
Arrhythmia
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)
Heart Failure
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Aortic disease
Pericardial disease
It also includes heart attack and stroke. Two of the most serious complications of cardiovascular disease.
According to the World Heart Federation,
“HEART DISEASE AND STROKE, IS THE WORLD’S LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH CLAIMING 18.6 MILLION LIVES EACH YEAR”
This year’s mission
“Harnessing the power of digital health to improve awareness, prevention and management of CVD globally is our goal for World Heart Day 2021.”
Today more than ever before, technology is a leading factor in health outcomes. Virtual visits with medical providers, health and fitness apps, symptom trackers, medication reminders, all are available and accessible digitally.
As more organizations like the World Heart Federation embrace this resource, the divide in access to healthcare shrinks. Of course, there’s still a lot of work to do. And we all have a part to play.
What can you do
Get on social media and start sharing!
The World Heart Federation has plenty of resources that allow you to add your voice to the global conversation. You can share posts, videos, even create your own posters to share!
Raising awareness does more than spark conversation, it sparks funding and access to care for so many that are without. The more we talk openly about health-related issues, the more resources are available for everyone.
Stay on top of your health!
Keep track of your health with one of the many apps or technologies available.
Fitness apps are an incredible resource for tracking your health and activity. Paired with Achievement, you can monitor your activity data, receive opportunities to participate in medical research, and access important information and resources to help you manage your health where you are.
Resources
For sharing information
World Heart Federation Resource Center
For learning more
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21493-cardiovascular-disease
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)
https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/index.htm
Can Pain Really Affect Your Mood?
Over 20% of adults in the US are living with chronic pain. Chronic pain is linked to high medical costs, opioid use, missed work, and decreased quality of life.
Pain is something we all experience from time to time, but for some people it’s a daily occurrence.
And the toll is not just physical, individuals with chronic pain suffer a variety of mental health effects as well.
According to the CDC, chronic pain is one of the most common reasons adults seek medical care.
In 2016, they estimated that over 20% of adults in the US were living with chronic pain. And, since chronic pain is linked to high medical costs, opioid use, missed work, and decreased quality of life — it can take a huge toll on mental health.
Pain and Mental Health
Long-term or chronic pain can be physically debilitating and significantly alter quality of life. But the mental health effects are just as serious, and often overlooked.
To find out how much impact pain has on mood, we launched a study in 2018 to look at real-life effects in people with chronic pain. In this year-long study, we sent out surveys every 3-months asking about pain, mental health, and how much each person’s pain interfered with activities of daily life.
For the study to be valid, we had to ask individuals with chronic pain and those without the same questions.
As expected, those who identified as having chronic pain had higher pain levels over time than the group of participants without chronic pain.
Individuals with chronic pain also reported higher levels of anxiety and depression.
And, the people who said that their pain interfered with their quality of life, activities, and relationships, also had more depression and anxiety symptoms.
What does that mean?
Well, it tells us that physical pain and the effects of this pain on our lives may have real impact on our mental health as well.
What can we take away from this? Chronic pain is a major challenge for many. And the challenges that people with chronic pain face may have a big impact on their physical and mental health.
By understanding how chronic pain interferes with daily living, we can work to help those living with it improve their mental health and live happier lives.
How Important are Eye Exams Really?
More and more people are skipping their annual eye exams despite knowing the importance of them. Learn how to keep your eyes healthy.
They say the eyes are the windows to the soul.
They’re also how many of us observe the world around us.
So keeping them healthy is super important!
4 Tips for Keeping your Eyes Healthy
- Protect your eyes from sun damage! UV light can damage your eyes. Be sure to wear sunglasses with UV protection and wear a hat if you’re going to be out in the sun for a while.
- Step away from the screen! Too much screen time can have lasting effects on your eyes. Take breaks and use blue light filters if you can.
- Eat healthy! Proper nutrients and healthy fats like Omega-3 are great for your eye health. Eating a balanced diet rich in these foods is an easy way to help maintain eye health.
- Stay up-to-date on regular eye exams! Eye exams are just as important as other health screening routines, so be sure to get your eyes checked by an optometrist or ophthalmologist every year.
Want to learn more about what you can do to keep your eyes healthy? Click here for tips for the National Eye Institute.
3 Reasons Regular Eye Exams are Important
- Early diagnosis! Eye Exams can detect some major eye health issues like glaucoma or cataracts before you have symptoms. And early diagnosis can make a huge difference in treatment options.
- Better performance at work or school! Even minor vision issues can significantly impact how well you do at work or school. And for children, the effects are drastic. Vision problems can have long-term effects on education if not caught early.
- Detect other health issues! Eye exams can help detect and monitor other health issues like diabetes and thyroid disease — just another reason eye exams are crucial to maintaining good health.
Eye Exam Statistics
According to a 2018 study conducted by VSP Vision Care and YouGov, more and more people are skipping their annual eye exams despite knowing the importance of them!
By the numbers: The importance of eye exams
8 in 10 people (84 percent) rate vision as the most important sense, and nearly everyone (97 percent) agrees that having healthy eyes is important, but only half of people get annual eye exams.
Virtually no one (1 percent) knows that signs of serious diseases and conditions like high blood pressure, autoimmune disorders, thyroid diseases, and certain types of cancers can be detected through an eye exam.
6 in 10 (61 percent) people worry about diabetes impacting their family’s health, but only 4 percent know that eye doctors can detect signs of diabetes through an eye exam.
More than two-thirds of parents worry about their children’s eye health more than their own, but only 12 percent of parents know children should receive their first eye exam at six months old.
After learning about the importance of annual eye exams, 9 in 10 (90 percent) survey respondents agree on the importance of annual eye exams.
How do Evidation Members Compare?
We asked our Evidation Members if they’d had an eye exam this year. What did they say?
Well, out of the 17,496 people who responded, Over 10,000 said yes — that’s over 57%!
So, while the majority of respondents have, it’s a small majority. Which means it’s important for us to share posts like this to help remind everyone — if you haven’t had your exam this year, schedule one now.
Sarcoma — The Forgotten Cancer
Sarcoma is considered a "rare" cancer, making up only 1% of all cancers. Survival rates for those with the disease are low. Diagnosis and treatment are difficult, so we need to raise awareness.
Yellow Ribbons conjure many feelings.
They’re used to promote awareness of suicide prevention, missing children, numerous medical conditions (including several types of cancer). They remind us to support our troops and remember those missing or killed in action.
They’re also used to represent sarcoma awareness.
And, in honor of Sarcoma Awareness Month, we share this yellow ribbon today.
What is Sarcoma?
According to The National Foundation for Cancer Research,
“Sarcoma is a rare but deadly form of cancer affecting connective tissues such as fat, muscle, blood vessels, nerve, bone, deep skin and cartilage.”
There are two main types of sarcomas — soft tissue sarcomas and bone sarcomas, but there are many subgroups. In fact, The Mayo Clinic lists over 70.
Often called, “the forgotten cancer,” sarcoma is most commonly diagnosed in children.
But while considered a “rare” cancer, making up only 1% of all cancers, survival rates for those with sarcoma are low. And diagnosis and treatment are difficult.
That makes awareness critical!
Around 12,000–15,000 people are diagnosed with sarcoma each year in the US. For those battling sarcoma and their loved-ones, the “rarity” of this disease is no comfort.
To help do our part in raising awareness, we’ve compiled a list of resources and sources of additional information for those who’d like to learn more.
Resources
American Childhood Cancer Organization
Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition (CFAC)
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Men’s Health Matters — During International Men’s Health Week and Beyond
International Men’s Health Week is celebrated every year the week before Father’s Day. The focus of the event is on men’s health, wellness, and prevention — which is critical to lowering risk factors for disease.
Men’s Health Matters — During International Men’s Health Week and Beyond
International Men’s Health Week is celebrated every year the week before Father’s Day. The focus of the event is on men’s health, wellness, and prevention — which is critical to lowering risk factors for disease.
Statistically, men tend to avoid routine medical care and avoid seeking medical care until much later than other genders.
A 2019 survey from the Cleveland Clinic’s MENtion it campaign highlights some of these statistics.
Why?
According to the Cleveland Clinic Survey, stereotypes and social conditioning surrounding gender play a large part.
“Why do men avoid the doctor? Stereotypes taught at a young age may be to blame. Two-fifths (41%) of men were told as children that men don’t complain about health issues.”
International Men’s Health week is an opportunity to focus on the specific health concerns men face, and a way to say, “Hey, guys, your health is important!”
It’s a great time to schedule events, have informed conversations, and raise awareness around men’s health and wellness.
But, the importance of men’s health doesn’t stop at the end of the week. It’s critical that we continue to focus on men’s health throughout the year and remind the men in our lives that they matter and that their health matters!
Regardless of gender, we can all play a part in helping men to feel confident seeking health care!
Luckily, today more than ever, there are many resources focused on the issue of men’s health! We’ve included a short list of resources below. And we encourage all men, everywhere, to remember that their health matters!
Resources
- MENtion it
- Men’s Health Month
- Talking About Men’s Health
- Men’sHealth
- The Good Men Project
- Men’s Health Resource Center
Together We Can Achieve More
At Evidation, we’re focused on meeting people where they are and helping them along their health journey.
At Evidation, we’re focused on meeting people where they are and helping them along their health journey. Our engaged community of members represents 96% of U.S. counties and includes individuals across ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. This community puts us in a unique position to learn from one another and contribute to meaningful health research.
With a mission of helping people participate in better health outcomes, we're committed to identifying opportunities that are inclusive of all and educating ourselves on the social issues that are impacting the world. To truly achieve our mission of helping people participate in better health outcomes, we recognize we have more work to do. Our commitment going forward:
- Provide our members with educational content around health and race curated by our team of researchers.
- Put in place more inclusive study opportunities for members to participate in.
- Do our part as a research company to participate in inclusive clinical research practices to ensure diverse and generalizable results through diverse participant recruitment and participation.
- Hold ourselves accountable by reporting our progress out to our members.
We’re committed to supporting long-term systematic change and stand in solidarity with our Black teammates, Evidation Members, and the entire Black community. We know this is only the beginning of the conversation, and we need to continue to fight for equality. We’ll continue to listen, educate ourselves, take action, hold ourselves accountable, and pledge to do our best to support all communities to participate in better health outcomes.
An immediate change we’re pleased to share is that Evidation Members can now donate their rewards to these charities:
American Civil Liberties Union