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Beyond Offsetting: How Organic Valley is Leading the Charge in Carbon Insetting and Putting Agriculture on a Climate-Smart Path from Field to Plate

2023-12-04T08:01:01

(BPT) – Agriculture, particularly dairy, often gets blamed for its greenhouse gas emissions. Across nearly all agricultural commodities, bolstered by more than $3 billion in USDA climate-smart funding, there is increasing momentum to reduce agricultural emissions and sequester more carbon in soils and forests through climate-smart practices.

Some estimates show that the agricultural sector was responsible for about 9% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2021 (putting it far behind the sectors releasing the most greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.: transportation, industry and electric power).

According to the National Milk Producers Federation, the dairy industry has committed to achieving greenhouse gas neutrality by 2050. While this may seem like a lofty goal, many farms are already reaching this goal through innovative farming practices and carbon investment mechanisms, including carbon insetting.

What is carbon insetting?

You may not be familiar with carbon insetting, but you’ve likely heard of carbon offsetting. Carbon offsetting happens when individuals or companies finance environmental initiatives leading to quantifiable reductions in greenhouse gases or carbon removal, such as tree planting projects that absorb or “remove” carbon from the atmosphere. The reductions or removals that result from these projects can be purchased as “carbon offsets” on an open market primarily by businesses wanting to compensate for the emissions they generate.

Purchased offsets are used as a type of credit to indirectly reduce their overall carbon footprint without directly changing business operations. On the other hand, carbon insetting is the direct reduction of greenhouse gas emissions within business operations and at the emissions source through the adoption of specific, traceable and measurable practices and appropriate technologies.

What does agriculture have to gain from carbon insetting?

Much like learning a new language, there is no easy way to explain the difference between carbon offsetting and carbon insetting. In carbon offsetting, the environmental benefits, specifically carbon reductions or removals, are detached from the agricultural product, such as corn, milk or beef. These benefits are then sold as offsets to entities outside the agricultural system where these products were produced, like companies in the petroleum or technology sectors.

In an offsetting scenario, the commodity can no longer be labeled or valued as “climate-smart” at the point of sale because the environmental attributes have been sold and claimed as a carbon credit to compensate for a different industrial sector’s carbon emissions. As an economic sector, agriculture no longer has a right to claim those reductions or removals, and America’s agricultural carbon footprint stays the same.

Carbon insetting allows for the environmental attributes — carbon reductions or removals — to track the agricultural commodity throughout the product value chain. The carbon value is never severed from the wheat, milk or beef. It can be claimed by different layers of the value chain that contribute financially or in other ways to the adoption of the practice, including farmers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers. The commodity maintains its climate-smart value from farm to plate, and America’s agricultural carbon footprint is reduced. Carbon insetting is agriculture’s true path to long-lasting and meaningful carbon reductions.

How can food companies engage in carbon insetting?

Organic Valley, a cooperative of small family farms, has launched an ambitious carbon insetting program to reach carbon neutrality. The Organic Valley Carbon Insetting Program incentivizes and assists Organic Valley farmers to implement regenerative, climate-smart farming practices that reduce or remove carbon emissions within the cooperative’s own supply chain. Long story short, farmers are paid to install solar, plant trees and/or start composting. As a USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities grant recipient, Organic Valley is committed to providing more than $15 million in direct farmer incentives to adopt climate-smart practices over the next five years.

Many Organic Valley farms already incorporate eco-friendly practices like sun and wind power, composting and planting trees for silvopasture. Silvopasture is an innovative way to inset carbon — it is a method that thoughtfully pairs trees, pasture and grazing animals to create a healthy ecosystem. The trees planted absorb carbon over time, turning it into clean air, and can even provide habitats for birds and other woodland creatures.

Other eco-friendly practices the cooperative’s farms employ include sustainable manure management techniques, energy efficiency, enhanced grazing and more.

Through investments in carbon insetting, companies like Organic Valley and its supply chain partners will accelerate the adoption of climate-smart practices on America’s dairy farms, ensuring farmers are doing their part to care for the earth and ensure their families can continue to farm for years to come. To learn more about Organic Valley’s commitment to carbon neutrality and the cooperative’s practices, visit OrganicValley.coop.

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Help prevent disease through revolutionary new genetics-powered service

2023-12-01T12:23:00

(BPT) – When you think of genetics, what comes to mind? You may recall learning how your family genetics may determine your eye and hair color, height and other physical traits. But your genetic makeup goes beyond appearance — it can help you make more informed decisions about your health.

Knowing your genetic profile can help you understand what diseases you might be at higher risk of developing. Combined with blood testing — which reveals how your health stands today — genetic testing is a powerful tool you can use to help create a prevention-focused health care plan tailored just for you.

In an effort to merge advanced genetic testing with preventive clinical care, 23andMe has launched a health membership that provides a more complete picture of your health, called 23andMe+ Total Health™.

The new health service is a comprehensive, prevention-based membership, combining clinical-grade genetic exome sequencing, biannual blood testing and ongoing access to clinicians with unique knowledge in genetics-based care.

“We’re bringing the power of genetics into your personal health care journey,” said 23andMe’s Vice President of Genomic Health, Noura Abul-Husn, M.D., Ph.D. “We’re offering comprehensive genetic testing — including exome sequencing — to help you understand your disease risks, blood testing to check on your current health status and what we need to monitor going forward, and access to clinicians with unique expertise to guide your next steps.”

What is exome sequencing?

There are many types of genetic testing. Historically, 23andMe has offered reports using genotyping technology, a powerful, efficient and accurate way to examine DNA variants at certain pre-identified positions in the genome.

Sequencing is a method used to determine the exact sequence of a certain length of DNA. You can sequence a short piece, the whole genome, or parts of the genome such as the “exome,” which are the regions of the genome that contain the instructions for making proteins. Using exome sequencing, 23andMe provides members with a more complete picture, surfacing many genetic variants known to be associated with disease risk.

As a medical geneticist, Dr. Abul-Husn wants people to understand how their genetic information is connected to their health and empower them to use that knowledge to stay healthy.

“We don’t typically see genetics being used this way in health care, but it can and should. It’s about prevention,” Dr. Abul-Husn said.

Healthcare focused on preventing disease

What does 23andMe+ Total Health offer? Members will receive clinician-ordered genetic testing that looks deeper into high-impact genes associated with 55+ health conditions that, if detected early, may have effective preventive measures and clinical interventions. This includes all genes considered medically actionable by the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) and under-diagnosed hereditary conditions related to cancer, cardiovascular, metabolic, kidney, neurological and other health conditions.

By signing up for 23andMe+ Total Health, you’ll also receive biannual blood testing that goes beyond routine labs, measuring blood sugar levels, kidney, liver and thyroid function, cholesterol and advanced lipoprotein levels. Blood testing is initiated by a clinician, and members will complete their testing through a local lab offered by a third-party provider.

Finally, your membership connects you to clinicians with training in genetics who review your blood biomarkers, genetic data and personal and family medical history to provide personalized risk assessments and help build a tailored preventive health plan. You can also set up an annual virtual clinician consultation and have ongoing messaging conversations about your reports, health progress and any questions you may have.

23andMe+ Total Health is available for new customers, and will be offered to existing 23andMe customers as an upgrade in the spring of 2024. The membership costs $99 per month, billed in a one-time annual payment. It’s available for those 18+ in the US (excluding Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma and Rhode Island). To learn more about how you can harness the power of your genetics, visit 23andMe.com/Total-Health.

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Overcoming childhood cancer and celebrating in the sweetest way possible

2023-12-01T09:01:00

(BPT) – When Pierce was in the hospital battling childhood leukemia, he would often watch candy-making videos to distract him during the chemo treatments. When his cancer went into remission, he knew exactly how he wanted to celebrate: with a super sweet wish.

Make-A-Wish® helped Pierce celebrate overcoming cancer by granting him a two-day candy maker and shopping spree extravaganza. The first day, he became a candy maker at Las Olas Confections Factory in Orlando, Florida, creating sweet treats of all kinds with his three older brothers.

“We came home with boxes of all the things that Pierce and the boys made, and they were snacking on them throughout the night,” said Pierce’s mom, Becky. “I was like ‘Oh my goodness’ but they all crashed really well at night.”

Rest was important because the second day of his wish was equally as exciting. Pierce spent hours at IT’SUGAR, filling numerous bags with colorful treats and he couldn’t pass up a massive red 5-pound gummy bear. IT’SUGAR creates an environment that fosters happiness and humor, making it the ideal location for Pierce to celebrate and fulfill his sweet wish.

“When you’re going through those hard times, all you’re doing is focusing on him living. To get to this point now, he is just enjoying everything. What Make-A-Wish has been able to do is really just bring out this life that he is living. He is alive again,” said Becky.

How wishes happen

Together with generous donors, supporters, staff and more than 24,000 volunteers across the U.S., Make-A-Wish delivers hope and joy to children and their families when they need it most. Make-A-Wish aims to bring the power of wishing to every child with a critical illness because wish experiences can help improve emotional and physical health. Since 1980, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 550,000 wishes worldwide.

IT’SUGAR is a proud partner of Make-A-Wish. Through their charity lollipop program, people can purchase a special rainbow Wish Pop candy that helps raise money to fund future wishes for kids like Pierce with critical illnesses. So far, the program has raised over $1 million to fund wishes and help create lasting memories for wish kids and their families.

IT’SUGAR is one of the largest specialty candy retailers in the world, with over 100 locations in the U.S. and Canada. Known for its absurd sugar innovations that celebrate lighthearted rebellion, IT’SUGAR aspires to a future where everyone has access to the pure joy that comes from indulging in favorite treats. For more information, please visit ITSUGAR.com.

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It’s time to reframe how we think of type 1 diabetes

2023-12-01T12:15:52

(BPT) – Sponsored by Sanofi

Approximately one in 10 Americans (37.3 million people total) have some type of diabetes. While as many as 95% of these cases are classified as type 2 diabetes, the number of people living with type 1 diabetes is increasing over time. It’s for this reason it is critical to raise awareness for the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes, with the goal of ensuring that people of all ages understand the importance of early detection.

To do so effectively, however, it’s important that we begin by expanding our collective understanding of type 1 diabetes, which is distinct from type 2 diabetes despite both being forms of “diabetes mellitus.” While type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder, with lifestyle factors playing a role in development, as well as genetic factors, type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that can arise from environmental or genetic factors. Just consider that if anyone in your family has type 1 diabetes, you’re up to 15 times more likely to be diagnosed. Additionally, although type 1 diabetes often develops in children, teens and young adults, it can affect anyone at any age. In fact, recent data show that over 50% of new cases of type 1 diabetes occur in adults. Type 1 diabetes also cannot be prevented or cured.

But what’s perhaps most critical to know about type 1 diabetes isn’t just its prevalence, it’s the fact that it can be detected early through autoantibody screenings.

Because type 1 diabetes develops in stages over time, there are blood tests that can detect type 1 diabetes before any noticeable symptoms arise, before insulin is required and potentially before any life-threatening complications occur. One such example of this is a condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which is a serious complication that develops when you don’t have enough insulin to let blood sugar into your cells. As a result, your liver is forced to break down fat for fuel, producing dangerous levels of acids called ketones in your body that can lead to coma or even death. Unfortunately, for individuals who have undiagnosed type 1 diabetes, DKA is far too often how they find out they have diabetes — with as many as 40% of DKA cases stemming from those who are newly diagnosed.

When it comes to type 1 diabetes, early screening may give you more time to prepare. The more you know, the more you can plan ahead. Take control of the future now by talking to your doctor about getting screened and participating in The 1 Pledge movement, which is being led by Sanofi. Take the pledge to get screened for type 1 diabetes at The1Pledge.com, where you can also find more educational information. Follow and use #ScreenForType1 to join the conversation on social media.

It’s time that we change the story around type 1 diabetes. Not knowing is simply no longer an acceptable option. Get screened today.

Sanofi does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment — information is provided for educational purposes only. Your doctor is the best source of health information. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about your health or treatment.

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Top tech gifts to keep you connected this holiday season and beyond

2023-12-01T08:01:00

(BPT) – Holidays are all about gathering together with family and friends. But when you can’t be physically together, it’s even more important to stay connected, no matter where you are. Fortunately, today’s technology makes it easier than ever to stay connected to your loved ones.

T-Mobile understands the importance of keeping you connected wherever life may take you. To ensure you and your family stay connected this holiday season and beyond, the Un-carrier is offering the season’s best deals on top tech to ensure you can reach whoever you want, whenever you want, on the nation’s largest, fastest and most awarded 5G network. And customers on Go5G Next and Go5G Plus can take advantage of great benefits year-round, including Netflix on Us, Apple TV+ on Us, SiriusXM Streaming Platinum on Us, MLB.TV, MLS Season Pass, T-Mobile Tuesdays and more just for being a T-Mobile customer.

When planning your holiday shopping, consider this list of gifts that use technology at its best — making it easier to spend time together, wherever your travels take you this season.

Please all the tech lovers in your family

If you’re looking for gifts to suit just about any taste, you can snag the ultimate tech bundle at T-Mobile this holiday season! Get a free smartphone, smartwatch and earbuds bundle across leading brands from Samsung to Google and more when you stack qualifying holiday promotions, all via 24 monthly bill credits, plus tax. Whether you’re shopping for your family or yourself, you’ll be able to check off a few items on your list with this ultimate bundle.

Treat a family member, loved one or bestie with a new 5G phone

Looking for an extra special gift to help you stay close to an extra special someone? A new phone is just the right gift to keep you feeling close. Get $1,000 off the season’s hottest Android devices from Samsung, Google and Motorola when trading in an eligible device or adding a line on Go5G Next or Go5G Plus, via 24 monthly bill credits, plus tax. That’s $1,000 off the Samsung Galaxy S23, Google Pixel 8, motorola razr+ and more! Or you can get the new REVVL 6x PRO 5G or REVVL 6x 5G on T-Mobile when you add a line on most plans — or the REVVL 6x 5G on T-Mobile (or 6x PRO for $50) with any trade-in on most plans.

Stay connected to your kids almost anywhere, anytime

To ensure your kids stay safe at school, soccer practice and beyond, consider gifting them a smartwatch this holiday season. You can score a free SyncUP KIDS Watch via 24 monthly credits, plus tax, when you activate a new watch line at T-Mobile to ensure your kids stay connected and safe. Plus, T-Mobile is currently offering a free 3-pack of watch bands when picking up a SyncUP KIDS Watch in a T-Mobile store, while supplies last. And as an added bonus, video-calling is now available on the SyncUP KIDS Watch. Now you can video call your kids practically anywhere they are, whenever you want!

Bluetooth speakers for an epic family dance party

Does your idea of the perfect family gathering involve a lot less small talk, and a lot more grooving to your favorite tunes? You’ll be ready to rock the house together when you get the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 for your fam for just $179.99 — a T-Mobile exclusive. The Un-carrier is also offering up to $150 off select JBL products so you can choose the device best suited for you and your family.

Best tech stocking stuffers

Want the season’s best accessories to keep the whole family charged up and protected? T-Mobile is offering deals on a variety of tech accessories, including back-up chargers, wireless charging devices, cell phone grips, screen protectors, cases and more for excellent — and much appreciated — stocking stuffers for the whole family.

Keep it all in the family

Need a great phone plan to help everyone in your family keep in touch? T-Mobile has brought back one of its most popular deals this holiday! Get four voice lines for only $100 per month on Essentials. T-Mobile customers can save $480/year compared to AT&T and $240/year compared to Verizon on similar plans with four lines!

Get your holiday shopping done early and enjoy gifting the latest and greatest devices while stacking up on savings. Plus, you’ve been good this year — why not snag a gift or two for yourself while you’re at it? Visit T-MobileDeals.com to check out all the latest deals.

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New survey found majority of U.S. adults aged 45+ wanted a range of COVID vaccine options

2023-11-29T13:01:00

(BPT) – Novavax, a global company advancing vaccines with its Matrix-M™ adjuvant, joined forces with HealthyWomen and actor, mother and business owner Nicole Ari Parker to launch Choose to Protect™, a campaign to educate the public about the importance of COVID vaccination and the different types of COVID vaccines.

Novavax, in partnership with HealthyWomen, commissioned a survey, conducted by The Harris Poll, among 1,005 vaccinated U.S. adults aged 45+ who play a key role in household healthcare decisions to better understand perceptions about and attitudes toward COVID vaccines. While COVID vaccine fatigue has been widely reported1, surveyed adults aged 45+ still recognized the value of vaccines.2 In addition, 85% of respondents said it’s important to have a range of options for themselves and their family for COVID vaccines.2

For more information, visit www.ChoosetoProtect.com.

1 Stamm TA, Partheymüller J, Mosor E, et al. Determinants of COVID-19 vaccine fatigue. Nat Med. 2023;29(5):1164-1171. doi:10.1038/s41591-023-02282-y.

2 Novavax and The Harris Poll Survey Findings. Initial Survey Highlights. Field Period: September 7-14, 2023.

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A Lot of Compassion, A Bit of Realism: Living With an Adult Son Who Has Schizophrenia

2023-11-30T14:39:00

(BPT) – Sponsored by Alkermes, Inc.

By Pam, mother of a 31-year-old son living with schizophrenia

This sponsored story you are about to read may not be representative of all people living with schizophrenia. The opinions expressed here are those of Pam, a mother of a person living with schizophrenia, and are not a substitute for medical advice or judgement. Individual results may vary. Always talk to your doctor.

November is Caregiver Awareness Month and I’ve been reflecting on my role as a caregiver to my adult son. Of course, most mothers are caregivers; even when our children reach adulthood, we still care, we still want the best for them, and we still offer guidance when we can. In that way, my role is no different than that of millions of mothers around the world.

However, my caregiver role evolved when my son, now 31, was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2013. I think most parents expect challenges—rebellious teenage years, disagreements about schoolwork, curfews, and dating. But few expect a diagnosis of schizophrenia, a chronic brain disorder that affects about 1.1% of the US population with symptoms that may include, but are not limited to, delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, trouble with thinking, and lack of motivation.1,2

Like everything else about parenthood, helping a child with schizophrenia came with a learning curve, and we’ve had easier days and hard days. So, I wanted to share some of the lessons, tools, and realizations that have helped our family along the way.

5 Lessons I’ve Learned in My Role as a Caregiver

1) It’s not personal. My son has a diagnosis, which is different than saying he is his diagnosis. I had to learn that the things he says and does are a result of his mental health condition, not who he is. Sometimes, he’s just having a bad day or a bad moment. Realizing that his behaviors are not aimed at me and that I don’t need to take them personally helps me choose compassion over frustration.

2) Take care of your own needs. I seek support regularly. I make time for things I enjoy, such as a massage, a manicure, or shopping for a cute pair of shoes. I go for a walk every day. I also find it important to set boundaries—with my job, my family, and myself. You give more or less of yourself to the parts of your life that need you and serve you, day by day.

3) Seek out information. Do research to help support loved ones through the journey. Meet other caregivers. It seems like when families face diagnoses in other disease states, we know what to do next. However, sometimes with a mental health diagnosis, we may not know how to proceed or where to turn for help. I believe as caregivers we may consider approaching mental and physical illnesses similarly, by asking questions, learning as much as possible, and taking action in partnership with healthcare providers.

4) Caregiving is a team sport. My son, his doctors, nurses, and I are in this together. I go to learning sessions from the National Alliance of Mental Illness. I write down everything at doctor visits. I can look back at notes from when he was first diagnosed and see some of the details I noted through our journey. I talk to his nurses about what symptoms I’m observing and what our treatment goals are, because they may see him during visits, but I’m with him all the time.

5) Find what works for you and your family. My son and I have learned together what works for us. From me helping with his meal prep, to him taking responsibility for chores around the house, to working through the good and bad days together. Every family is going to be different. It’s all a continual learning process.

And we’ve worked closely with his healthcare providers to find a treatment that’s working to help reduce his symptoms. For him, it is ARISTADA® (aripiprazole lauroxil), a prescription medicine given by injection into the muscle (intramuscular) by a healthcare professional and used to treat schizophrenia in adults.3 It is not known if ARISTADA is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.3 This medication is available in five dosing regimens, including monthly (441 mg, 662 mg, 882 mg), every 6 weeks (882 mg), and every 2 months (1064 mg).3

Here is some important safety information about ARISTADA: ARISTADA may cause serious side effects, including an increased risk of death in elderly people with dementia-related psychosis.3 ARISTADA increases the risk of death in elderly people who have lost touch with reality (psychosis) due to confusion and memory loss (dementia).3 ARISTADA is not for the treatment of people with dementia-related psychosis.3 The most common side effects of ARISTADA include restlessness or feeling like you need to move (akathisia). These are not all of the side effects associated with ARISTADA.3 For additional Important Safety Information, please continue reading below.

Overall, I’ve learned to approach each moment with compassion and support. Schizophrenia is not something my son or I can control. As caregivers, we can help, but we can’t “fix” it. Through all the hills and valleys, I’ve learned not to give my energy to everything; I devote my energy to myself, my family, and my son.

This is intended as informational only and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical and/or mental health condition.

Please read the Important Safety Information for ARISTADA INITIO® (aripiprazole lauroxil) and ARISTADA below.

INDICATION and IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION for ARISTADA INITIO® (aripiprazole lauroxil) and ARISTADA® (aripiprazole lauroxil) extended-release injectable suspension, for intramuscular use

INDICATION

ARISTADA INITIO is a prescription medicine given as a one-time injection and is used in combination with oral aripiprazole to start ARISTADA treatment, or re-start ARISTADA treatment after a missed dose, when ARISTADA is used for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults.

ARISTADA is a prescription medicine given by injection by a healthcare professional and used to treat schizophrenia in adults.

It is not known if ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA are safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Elderly people with dementia-related psychosis are at increased risk of death when treated with antipsychotic medicines including ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA. ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA are not for the treatment of people who have lost touch with reality (psychosis) due to confusion and memory loss (dementia).

Contraindication: Do not receive ARISTADA INITIO or ARISTADA if you are allergic to aripiprazole or any of the ingredients in ARISTADA. Allergic reactions to aripiprazole have ranged from rash, hives and itching to anaphylaxis, which may include difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, and swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue.

ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA may cause serious side effects including:

  • Cerebrovascular problems (including stroke) in elderly people with dementia-related psychosis that can lead to death.
  • Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a serious condition that can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you have some or all of the following signs and symptoms of NMS:
    • high fever
    • stiff muscles
    • confusion
    • sweating
    • changes in pulse, heart rate, and blood pressure
  • Uncontrolled body movements (tardive dyskinesia). ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA may cause movements that you cannot control in your face, tongue, or other body parts. Tardive dyskinesia may not go away, even if you stop receiving ARISTADA. Tardive dyskinesia may also start after you stop receiving ARISTADA.
  • Problems with your metabolism such as:
    • High blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Increases in blood sugar can happen in some people who receive ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA. Extremely high blood sugar can lead to coma or death. If you have diabetes or risk factors for diabetes (such as being overweight or a family history of diabetes), your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar before you receive ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA and during your treatment with ARISTADA.
      • Call your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms of high blood sugar:
        • feel very thirsty
        • need to urinate more than usual
        • feel very hungry
        • feel weak or tired
        • feel sick to your stomach
        • feel confused, or your breath smells fruity
    • Increased fat levels (cholesterol and triglycerides) in your blood
    • Weight gain. You and your healthcare provider should check your weight regularly.
  • Unusual and uncontrollable (compulsive) urges. Some people taking aripiprazole have had strong unusual urges such as gambling that cannot be controlled (compulsive gambling). Other compulsive urges include sexual urges, shopping, and eating or binge eating. If you or your family members notice that you are having unusual strong urges, talk to your healthcare provider.
  • Decreased blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension). You may feel lightheaded or faint when you rise too quickly from a sitting or lying position.
  • Falls. ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA may make you sleepy or dizzy when standing which may make you at risk for falls and related injuries
  • Low white blood cell count
  • Seizures (convulsions)
  • Problems controlling your body temperature. Avoid becoming too hot or dehydrated. Do not exercise too much. In hot weather, stay inside in a cool place if possible. Stay out of the sun. Do not wear too much clothing or heavy clothing. Drink plenty of water.
  • Difficulty swallowing

The most common side effects of ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA include restlessness or feeling like you need to move (akathisia). These are not all the possible side effects of ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA. You should tell your HCP about any side-effects you have.

Do not drive, operate hazardous machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA affect you. ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA may affect your judgment, thinking or motor skills.

Before receiving ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have not taken Abilify®, Abilify Maintena®, or any aripiprazole product before
  • have or had heart problems or a stroke
  • have diabetes or high blood sugar or a family history of diabetes or high blood sugar. Your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar before you receive ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA or during your treatment with ARISTADA
  • have or had low or high blood pressure
  • have or had seizures (convulsions)
  • have or had a low white blood cell count
  • have problems that may affect you receiving an injection in your buttocks or your arm
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA will harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics. You can register by calling 1-866-961-2388, or visit http://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA can pass into your breast milk. It is not known if it may harm your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you receive ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA and other medicines may affect each other causing possible serious side effects. Do not start or stop any medicines after you receive ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA without talking to your healthcare provider first.

If you have any questions about your health or medicines, talk to your healthcare provider. You are encouraged to report all side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see full Prescribing Information for ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA, including Boxed Warning, and Medication Guides for ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA.

References:

1 Cloutier M, Aigbogun MS, Guerin A, et al. The economic burden of schizophrenia in the United States in 2013. J Clin Psychiatry. 2016;77(6):764-771.

2 What is schizophrenia? American Psychiatric Association. Accessed October 1, 2023. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/schizophrenia/what-is-schizophrenia

3 ARISTADA. Prescribing Information. Alkermes, Inc.; 2021.

ALKERMES® is a registered trademark of Alkermes, Inc. and ARISTADA® and ARISTADA INITIO® are registered trademarks of Alkermes Pharma Ireland Limited, used by Alkermes, Inc., under license.

Abilify® and Abilify Maintena® are registered trademarks of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

©2023. Alkermes, Inc. All rights reserved. ARI-005129

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Tips to keep your cat happy and healthy this holiday season and beyond

2023-11-30T17:01:00

(BPT) – In the company of loved ones, the holidays transform into a meaningful celebration marked by decadent foods, delightful presents and joyous gatherings. As a pet parent, you want to share in this joy with your feline family members. This means enjoying the holiday season with your pets but also keeping them safe and comfortable so all can be merry.

Extra house guests, new foods and even innocent-looking ribbons decorating presents can be tempting to cats. The best way to keep your feline happy and healthy this holiday season is to take a proactive approach and follow these tips.

1. Understand litterbox habits

Your cat’s litterbox habits provide important insight into their overall wellness, including if they got into some holiday fun they shouldn’t have. However, inspecting a litterbox is not a cheery chore. Fortunately, this is the golden age of pet tech, and keeping an eye on your cat’s litterbox habits is now as simple as opening an app.

Solutions like the Petivity™ Smart Litterbox System help pet parents better understand their cat’s health by monitoring litterbox habits. Developed by a team of Purina behaviorists, veterinarians and data scientists, the system’s artificial intelligence is able to learn each cat’s unique litterbox patterns and identify subtle changes that can have big implications. Even small fluctuations in weight, frequency in litterbox visits and the types of elimination can be early signs of health concerns.

Like with all good, smart tech, setup is simple. Monitors are placed under a litterbox to track each cat’s data and habits. Then, if anything requires the owner’s attention, an alert is sent automatically to their phone. It’s a slick process, good to have all year round, and provides excellent insights during the hectic winter holidays.

2. Be mindful while being merry

The holidays are a prime time to pique a cat’s curiosity. From decadent scents and festive foods to sparkling ribbons and jingling bells — there’s a lot to attract their attention. While sharing the holidays with your feline is fun, it’s important to be cautious.

Some potential toxic temptations, like chocolate, are already well known. But some sneakier ones also pop up this time of year. For example, lilies, amaryllis and poinsettias are popular cut flowers in festive decor, but they are toxic to cats who can be tempted to chew on them.

When possible, keep food and plants up high or away where cats can’t reach them. If a cat does eat something and you don’t see it, the litterbox monitoring system can help detect any changes and alert them to you. Then you can determine next steps to keep your feline feeling well and have important information to share if a call to the veterinarian is in order.

Another healthy step pet parents can take during the holidays is to monitor stress. If you’re hosting a holiday event, consider a quiet room where cats can always retreat away from guests. This gives them a safe space to use as needed so they can rest, relax and recharge.

Keep in mind, stress alone from holiday gatherings can potentially cause digestive issues for cats. If the duration and frequency of litterbox visits change, it’s a solid sign that kitty could use some calm. In addition to quiet spaces, some love from their favorite human — you — is often welcome during the hectic holiday season.

3. Gift proactive cat health

Remember, the best holiday gift you can give your cat or the cat lover in your life is the chance to be proactive about their health. Leverage smart tech, like the Petivity™ Smart Litterbox System, to monitor your cat’s litterbox habits. Also, make sure to schedule your annual checkup for the new year to keep your veterinarian in the loop about your pet’s health.