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Under the Boardwalk: Impact of warming sea waters

By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

In 1964, the Drifters released the popular song Under the Boardwalk written by Kenny Young and Arthur Resnick. The song has been covered by numerous artists and actors including Bette Midler, the Rolling Stones, Bruce Willis, Sam & Dave, and the Beach Boys. Rolling Stones magazine ranked this song in the top 500 best of all time. Over 40 individual performers have drifted in and out of the Drifters over the years. There is a long history for the group. 

If you are considering a vacation to the beach and boardwalk, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health warning on September 1, 2023 for the Eastern Seaboard and the Gulf Coast. The advisory relates to an increase in infection caused by the bacteria Vibrio vulnificus in the United States.

Vibrio vulnificus thrives in warm seawater and poses two significant health risks to people. The bacterium requires saltwater or brackish water to survive. Brackish water is less salty than seawater, but has more salt than freshwater. 

Red Cross: Donation shortfall impacts blood supply

After a summer of decreased donor turnout, the American Red Cross is experiencing a national blood shortage.

Two weeks ago, Hurricane Idalia forced dozens of blood drive cancellations, compounding the shortage. Right now, the Red Cross is distributing blood products to hospitals faster than blood donations are coming in and has reduced distributions of some of the most needed blood products in recent weeks.

September blood drives in the Icon readership areas include:

Weekend Doctor: Annual OBGYN exams

By George Abate, DO
Obstetrics & Gynecology, Blanchard Valley Obstetrics & Gynecology

A woman’s annual exam with her OBGYN remains vitally important.

As Pap smear guidelines have changed, women assume they don’t need to see their OB/GYN every year. But, your preventive visit is about much more than periodically screening for cervical cancer with a Pap smear.

Below are just a few of the benefits of seeing your OBGYN each year:

Counseling you about maintaining a healthy lifestyle and minimizing health risks. Experts agree there is substantial individual and system-wide cost-savings in prevention. Nutrition and fitness remain the foundation of weight management, prevention of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.

Screening for sexually transmitted disease (STD) which can lead to sterility or life-long pelvic pain.

Discussing your bone health; building and maintaining bone through one’s life can substantially reduce risk. Osteoporosis remains a leading cause of disability in seniors.

Cheeseburger in Paradise: Impact on Health

Editor’s note: Jimmy Buffett passed away on September 1, after the writing of this article.

By Katie Prater, Student Pharmacist and Karen Kier, Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

In 1978, Jimmy Buffett released the song Cheeseburger in Paradise, which he wrote and performed.  The song was part of his album titled Son of a Son of a Sailor and only hit number 32 on the Billboard charts.  The irony of only hitting 32 is the song is now considered one of his signature songs and is even the first track on his greatest hits album Songs You Know by Heart. 

Weekend Doctor: Misconceptions about palliative care

By Kimberly Ackley, APRN-CNP
Certified Nurse Practitioner, Bridge Home Health & Hospice-Palliative Care

Palliative Medicine is a commonly misunderstood and underutilized service that greatly benefits someone who is dealing with a chronic illness. You may have heard of palliative care or hospice but be unsure of the differences or which service would better meet your needs. 

Sunshine on my shoulders: Impact on medications

By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

In 1971, songwriter and recording artist John Denver released an album titled Poems, Prayers & Promises.  On this album, he had a release called Sunshine on My Shoulders. The length of this song on the album precluded its play on the radio so the single was remixed with one less verse and released in 1974.  The song hit number one on the U.S. and Canadian charts.   

John Denver was known for his acoustic folk music and was one of the best-selling artists in this genre.  He recorded over 300 songs in his lifetime with approximately 200 being written by the artist himself.  Denver’s songs transcended multiple genres and he could be heard on different types of radio stations. Many of his hits are still played today such as Take Me Home, Country Road and Rocky Mountain High. Country Roads was adopted in 2007 as the official state song of West Virginia, while Colorado legislated Rocky Mountain High as one of their official songs in 2007.  

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