Month: December 2018

2018-12-07T08:01:00

(BPT) – During the 2017-2018 influenza (flu) season, nearly 80,000 people died and more than 950,000 people were hospitalized due to flu and flu-related illnesses, and less than four in 10 U.S. adults (37.1 percent) were vaccinated against flu, fewer than in previous years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While those who are vaccinated may still get the flu, the vaccine helps prevent serious complications that may result in hospitalization, loss of independence or even death. 

It is particularly important for people with certain chronic health conditions like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease to receive an annual flu vaccine, as they are at higher risk for flu-related complications. In fact, 92 percent of those hospitalized for flu during the 2017-2018 season had an underlying medical condition that put them at risk for serious flu-related complications.  

In July 2018, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) convened leading medical experts from nearly 20 national healthcare organizations to raise awareness of the dangers of flu among U.S. adults with certain chronic health conditions including heart disease, lung disease and diabetes, and the need for increased flu vaccination rates among at-risk adults. 

“It is essential for everyone age 6 months and older to receive an annual flu vaccine,” said NFID Medical Director William Schaffner, M.D. “For people with conditions like heart disease, diabetes or lung disease, it is an important part of managing their condition, like taking a statin, checking their glucose or using an inhaler.” 

Surprisingly, there is low awareness of the connection between chronic health conditions and serious flu-related complications. A new survey from NFID revealed that:

* Less than a quarter of U.S. adults recognize that people with heart disease (24 percent) and diabetes (22 percent) are at greater risk for flu-related complications, and awareness is significantly less for people of color than white respondents.

* Less than 20 percent of U.S. adults are aware that heart attack (16 percent), worsening of diabetes (16 percent), stroke (13 percent) and disability (10 percent) can occur as potential complications of flu. 

The dangers are real. Research shows that individuals with heart disease are up to 10 times more likely to have a heart attack within three days of flu infection and people with diabetes are at six times increased risk of flu-related hospitalization. 

“Flu causes inflammation in the body that can result in serious complications,” said Albert Rizzo, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, American Lung Association. “For the more than 31 million people living with lung disease such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, flu can worsen their condition and lead to a loss of lung function.” 

More information on the connection between flu and serious complications for those with certain chronic health conditions can be found at www.nfid.org/flu-chronic-health-conditions.  

2018-12-06T16:27:00

(BPT) – When planning a deck project, choosing the right material is key to the enjoyment and value you’ll get from your outdoor living space. Today, there are more choices in decking materials than ever before, including high-performance composites, which are increasingly replacing wood in backyards across the country.

As you weigh your options, here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about composite decking:

What are the key benefits of composite decking?

Unlike wood, high-performance composite decking resists fading, scratching and mold — and won’t rot, warp, crack or splinter. Wood decking does not age gracefully, even with regular maintenance — including washing, staining and sealing that can take several days and a considerable number of materials and tools. Composites require minimal upkeep. You never need to worry about painful splinters or the laborious sanding, staining or painting — just an occasional soap-and-water cleaning will do the trick.

Does composite decking look natural?

The aesthetics of composite decking have evolved considerably over the years. Today’s offerings feature high-definition wood-grain patterns that are nearly indistinguishable from real wood textures. Additionally, composite decking comes in a wider variety of color options to complement the exterior of any home. Ranging from rich browns and warm umbers to spicy reds and pristine grays, composites are more natural than ever before and boast a vibrancy that remains unchanged without having to stain and re-stain year after year.

How do composite costs compare with wood?

Initially, composite decking costs more, board for board, than pressure-treated lumber. But rather than deteriorating over time, composite decking delivers more long-term value due to its minimal maintenance requirements. When you consider the cumulative costs of power washing, sanding, staining and painting a wood deck every season, composite decking proves a much better value over time. According to HomeAdvisor.com, maintenance for a wood deck costs an average of $540 to $1,050 per year compared with just $15 to $20 for a composite deck.

“Today’s homeowners want to spend their time enjoying their outdoor living spaces — rather than maintaining them,” says Leslie Adkins, vice president of marketing for residential products at Trex Company, manufacturer of composite decking. “High-performance composite decking stands up to decades of weather and day-to-day usage without the burdensome sanding and staining required to maintain wood decks.”

Are composite materials environmentally friendly?

Wood might be a natural material, but the chemical coatings used to protect the wood from rot and mold are not. Composite decking, on the other hand, uses few chemicals in its manufacturing and the upkeep is simple — just soap and water. Additionally, Trex decking is made from 95 percent recycled materials, including plastic film recycled from a variety of items, such as grocery bags and newspaper sleeves. The company repurposes more than 400 million pounds of plastic and wood particles annually that would otherwise end up in landfills.

What’s the difference between “capped” and “uncapped” composites?

Early generations of composite decking were “uncapped,” leaving them vulnerable to staining, fading, mold and mildew. The leading composite products available today are “capped” with a protective outer layer that is bonded to the core during the manufacturing process. This “shell” contains UV inhibitors and other ingredients to ensure the deck boards retain their aesthetics and durability. In addition to resisting fading, staining and mold, they won’t rot crack or splinter like wood and require minimal maintenance.

2018-12-06T15:09:00

(BPT) – Build the perfect cheese board with Castello cheese this season. 

2018-12-06T15:56:00

(BPT) – Each winter, drivers from Maine to Texas are reminded just how dependent they are on their cars, and what happens when snow and ice get in the way. More than 116,000 Americans are injured and over 1,300 are killed on snowy, slushy or icy pavement every winter.

Studies show that road salt is the most effective way to treat road surfaces. A Marquette University study examined highway accidents in snow and found that road salt reduced crashes by up to 88 percent, and injuries and accident costs were reduced by as much as 85 percent.

Another study from the University of Waterloo on the safety impacts of using deicing salt before and after a snow event on four-lane highways found that it reduced accidents by up to 93 percent.

Untreated roads also carry a significant economic cost. According to a Global Insight study, a one-day major snowstorm can cause a state $300 million to $700 million in direct and indirect costs. According to James Gillula, the principal researcher of the study, “Lost wages of hourly workers account for about two-thirds of the direct economic impact of a major snowstorm. Among all workers, hourly wage workers can suffer the most painful economic losses.”

A few winters ago, residents of Atlanta were hit with an ice storm and experienced what happens without road salt to keep streets clear. Children had to spend the night at school sleeping on gym mats when buses could not safely get them home. Workers became stranded in their cars for hours as traffic became gridlocked due to accidents and many vehicles were left abandoned. News reports were filled with images of people sleeping on the floors of area grocery stores.

The Salt Institute promotes the latest environmentally friendly application technologies and management practices with its “Safe and Sustainable Snowfighting” program and award. The Institute partners with other organizations like the Ontario Good Roads Association and the American Public Works Association to provide training and information to snowfighters across the U.S. and Canada. To learn more, visit www.saltinstitute.org.

2018-12-06T16:11:00

(BPT) – Following military service, many veterans feel overwhelmed by the transition to civilian life and the decision about what’s next. While veterans may feel that it’s challenging to identify civilian jobs that match their skills, there are job opportunities across the country and in their own backyard — they just need help finding them. 

One industry that is especially relevant for the veteran workforce is manufacturing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more than 12,000 U.S. manufacturing jobs, and that number continues to grow. Manufacturing industry jobs require the strategy, logistics and leadership skillsets developed in the military. And these are companies that recognize the value, talent, education and work ethic that veterans add to the workforce. It’s up to employers to properly target veteran skillsets, and it’s up to veterans to use the resources available to them to find mutually beneficial job opportunities. 

Hankook Tire, for example, opened its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Clarksville, Tennessee, last year, less than 15 miles from Fort Campbell, a U.S. Army installation in Kentucky, and continues to hire local veterans to fill key positions as the company grows. Hankook has become an active employer of veterans in the Clarksville area, and as a result, more than 20 percent of the plant’s current employees are former U.S. military members. For many veteran employees, this job has provided them with a winning solution — a great job with growth opportunities in their local area. 

For many veterans, their biggest concern about transitioning out of the military is uprooting their families to find a good civilian job. This provides companies, in particular those with manufacturing facilities near military bases, with a huge opportunity to tailor their job descriptions, recruitment and training to veterans, to help them build successful careers and stay in their communities. 

Organizations like DAV (Disabled American Veterans) are dedicated to ensuring that the men and women who stood up for America have the tools, resources and opportunities they need to competitively enter the job market and secure meaningful employment. Those making the switch to civilian life, as well as those looking for new jobs, can take advantage of networking and employment resources at career fairs co-hosted with RecruitMilitary and Veteran Recruiting. 

2018-12-06T08:01:00

(BPT) – Arkansas boasts a mild four-season climate, diverse terrain and unparalleled beauty, making it the ideal destination for year-round mountain biking for riders of all skill levels.

Recently, mountain biking enthusiasts have been traveling to Arkansas in large numbers because of the state’s public offerings of EPIC-certified mountain biking trails as designated by the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). In fact, Arkansas offers five EPIC mountain biking experiences:

The Womble — Less than an hour’s drive from Hot Springs, this 39-mile singletrack trail rolls east-west along an Arkansas mountain ridge, following the course of the Ouachita River. The trail provides remarkable scenery, winding through the thick hardwoods and dark pines of the Ouachita National Forest, opening occasionally to spectacular bluffs above the river.

Lake Ouachita Vista Trail — The Lake Ouachita Vista Trail, also known as the LOViT, is a well-designed trail on 90 percent singletrack through an old-growth, mixed-species forest. It offers riders multiple challenges and rewards as it explores deep valleys, five different mountains and multiple streams and creeks. Two of these streams utilize innovative, large-boulder crossings that offer a technical challenge for riders.

Upper Buffalo Headwaters — The Upper Buffalo Headwaters mountain bike trail offers about 40 miles of singletrack surrounding the highest point in the Ozark Mountains. This gem of riding laces around the headwaters of the Buffalo National River on a mixture of narrow, hand-built singletrack and machine-cut flow trails. The ride is extremely remote and offers stunning scenery past steep cliffs, turquoise waterfalls, abundant wildlife and old-growth hardwood forests.

Syllamo Trail — Nestled in the Sylamore District of the Ozark National Forest, the Syllamo Trail is one the finest purpose-built mountain bike trail systems in the country. Arranged in four intertwined loops, the 50 miles of trail provide options for an all-day EPIC or for shorter tours.

Ouachita National Recreation Trail — Located on the western border of the state, this long-distance route explores remote sections of the Ouachita Mountains. The recreational trail offers more than 108 miles, making it the longest mountain biking trail in the state. Riders can expect rugged trail surfaces and some hike-a-bike, but also rideable climbs and rowdy downhill sections. The trail connects with the Womble Trail, another IMBA EPIC in Montgomery County — stringing them together for a mega-epic ride!

In addition to these five EPIC rides, Arkansas has numerous mountain biking trails across the state for all skill levels, offering something for everyone to explore — from leisurely rides with stunning scenery to exhilarating workouts.

One great example is the Northwoods Trail System, a new trail located a few minutes from downtown Hot Springs. Opened recently to the public, the 14.5-mile trail is already receiving praise from riders on its challenging, well-designed course. Carved through a dense forest of towering pine trees, the trail features hand-cut singletrack as well as machine-built flow and jump trails, which allows for a variety of experiences for riders of all skillsets. Check out this video to learn more about how the Northwoods Trails were built.

To learn more about mountain biking and other outdoor adventures in The Natural State, visit Arkansas.com.

2018-12-06T08:01:00

(BPT) – The rates of maternal mortality and preterm birth continue to rise dramatically in the United States. According to the CDC and March of Dimes, more than 700 women die of pregnancy-related causes in the U.S. every year, and more than 1,000 babies are born prematurely every day. It’s impossible to point to one specific cause for these serious issues, particularly because of how segmented our healthcare system is. But by standardizing protocols across the U.S. healthcare system, advocates say we could decrease harm and improve care for women and their unborn babies.

While “healthcare” is often discussed as a monolith, a single system in need of repair, it’s actually a fractured industry composed of thousands of healthcare providers, insurance companies and individual healthcare professionals. When it comes to actual patient care, these divisions result in wide variations across state lines, between healthcare provider networks, and even between individual hospitals and clinics. Experts note that this lack of standardized care, particularly for pregnant women and their unborn babies, often leads to missed opportunities for improved outcomes.

Take, for example, the case of fetal fibronectin (fFN) testing, which is highly effective in helping doctors rule out whether a woman with symptoms of preterm labor is really at risk for giving birth prematurely. A negative fFN test means there is a less than 1 percent chance of a premature birth happening in the next 14 days. But despite its 20 years of proven effectiveness, it remains underutilized. A recent study found that only 12 percent of women who went to the hospital with symptoms of preterm labor received an fFN test as part of their triage assessment.

The result? Women were admitted to the hospital unnecessarily, using critical resources and incurring large medical expenses. Others were sent home when they should have been hospitalized. In fact, a full 20 percent of women in the study who were discharged home gave birth within 72 hours. Failure to utilize proven triage tools that reliably help rule out the risk of imminent preterm delivery, such as fFN testing, resulted in inappropriate hospital discharge, likely leading to missed critical care opportunities.

Where standardized protocols have been implemented, outcomes have been largely positive. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), “Protocols and checklists have been shown to reduce patient harm through improved standardization and communication.” Notably, both Mayo Clinic and Brigham & Women’s Hospital implemented standardized triage protocols that included fFN testing, resulting in both cost savings and improved outcomes for both mothers and their babies.

As if improved patient outcomes weren’t enough reason for enacting standardized care, there are other benefits as well. Studies show that Medicaid covers nearly 50 percent of premature births, and overall preterm births cost the U.S. economy more than $26 billion every year. Improved maternal care could reduce those costs and alleviate some of the strain on the entire healthcare system.

While experts acknowledge that every patient case is different and ultimately requires individualized care, it is critical to have a standardized approach to ensure proper evaluation and treatment is considered. Evidence-based protocols for pregnancy-related complications have been shown to improve health outcomes, ensure the appropriate allocation of resources and reduce healthcare costs.