Tag: mental health

Democrats-“Ending the Epidemic of Gun Violence”

We will incentivize states to enact licensing requirements for owning firearms and extreme risk protection order laws that allow courts to temporarily remove guns from the possession of those who are a danger to themselves or others.

Information based on the 2020 Party Platform

What is your chief concern about the United States right now? Is it inflation, gasoline prices, wages, schools, gun violence, access to healthcare, housing, immigration, crime, taxes,integrity in government or any number of important issues?

In the United States we are having a national election this year . We won’t elect another president until 2024 but we are electing all 435 members of the House of Representatives who serve for two years and a large number of Senators who serve for six years

Whether you are registered as a Republican, Democrat, Independent, or some other party, ultimately you will vote for a person, so I think it’s most important to study the candidates to see what they believe and promise to do. They may not agree with every part of their party’s platform, but generally will align with its values. So I read the platforms, and encourage you to do also.

Several recent episodes of gun violence at a grocery, a school, and a medical office have made that issue high profile, so I’m starting with it.

I have previously posted about the Republican party’s stance. This post presents the Democratic position.

Ending the Epidemic of Gun Violence

(From the section-“Healing the Soul of America”)

“Gun violence is a public health crisis in the United States. Over 100,000 people are shot and nearly 40,000 people die annually from guns—devastating countless families, friends, and communities. We can and will make gun violence a thing of the past.

Addressing the gun violence crisis requires supporting evidence-based programs that prevent gun deaths from occurring in the first place, including by making mental health care more accessible and supporting suicide reduction initiatives, funding interventions to reduce homicides and gun violence in neighborhoods, and strengthening protections against domestic violence.

Democrats will also ensure the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have sufficient resources to study gun violence as a public health issue, including the ongoing health care, mental health, economic, and social costs that can affect survivors and their families for years.”

Democrats will

  • enact universal background checks,
  • end online sales of guns and ammunition,
  • close dangerous loopholes that currently allow stalkers, abusive partners, and some individuals convicted of assault or battery to buy and possess firearms,
  • and adequately fund the federal background check system.

We will close the “Charleston loophole” and prevent individuals who have been convicted of hate crimes from possessing firearms.

Democrats will ban the manufacture and sale of assault weapons and high capacity magazines.

We will incentivize states to enact licensing requirements for owning firearms and extreme risk protection order laws that allow courts to temporarily remove guns from the possession of those who are a danger to themselves or others.

We will pass legislation requiring that guns be safely stored in homes.

And Democrats believe that gun companies should be held responsible for their products, just like any other business, and will prioritize repealing the law that shields gun manufacturers from civil liability.

The 2020 Democratic Party platform

exploring the HEART of health

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I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

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Dr. Aletha

I dedicate this post to the victims of the mass shooting at the Saint Francis Natalie Building in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

photos of 2 men and 2 women who were victims of a mass shooting

5 gems of women’s health

Only 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are familial (someone in your family has it). That means 90 to 95 percent are spontaneous, with NO family history. So don’t let your lack of family history of cancer lull you into thinking you have no risk and no reason for screening.”

Some  health issues impact women exclusively or differently than men, so we should be aware of new and updated information .  The issues we women face vary with our age, stage of life, and current health status.

In this post I offer “gems” on women’s health issues from women who are “gems” themselves- women physicians who practice medicine as well as take time to write about important health issues. 

This information is current as of the date of original publication or update but may have changed by the time you read this. Do not use this information for diagnosis or treatment purposes. Before making health decisions, discuss with a qualified healthcare professional.

 I’m illustrating this post with photos of women from one of my affiliates, Lightstock, a stock photo site. You can help support this blog by purchasing from this link. Click now to get start a 14 day trial . According to Lightstock,

“Our library is large enough to cover all of your needs, but our faith-focused stock is one of a kind. No other company comes close to matching our quality and quantity.”

Cheesy free faith-focused stock photos
Lightstock.com

This post also has Amazon affiliate links.

Dr. Danielle Ofri offers
A Doctor’s Guide to a Good Appointment

Dr. Ofri explains how to find a doctor – online ratings sites are not always reliable. A good first step is -Check with your insurance to find a doctor who is in network.

Next she lists steps to prepare for the appointment. Establish goals for the visit, make a list, and gather any recent, pertinent medical records.

She goes to give some practical tips on what to do and say during the interview and physical exam. Read her post to learn more.

Dr. Ofri practices in New York City where she is also a professor at a medical school. She writes extensively and has spoken for TED Talks. You may want to read Dr. Ofri’s book, What Patients Say, What Doctors Hear. Here is my review . 

you cannot love without giving. Amy Carmichael

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OBdoctormom explains
8 Things Your Doctor Wants You to Know About your Miscarriage

“Miscarriage is one of the hardest (and most common) challenges women face. If you have not had a miscarriage yourself, you most certainly have a best friend, sister, or daughter who has. There are many myths floating around the internet, however there are a few important truths everyone should know about miscarriage.”

woman sitting in a cemetery
photo from the Lightstock.com collection, an affiliate link

 

A psychiatrist, Dr. Melissa Welby lists and discusses
3 New Year’s Resolutions to Benefit Your Mental Health
  • Sleep better
  • Volunteer
  • Exercise

5 gems of women's health-Watercress Words.com

 

 

 

 

 Go Pink ,Secret Life of an OB/GYN

discussed breast cancer and mammograms,

“Only 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are familial (someone in your family has it). That means 90 to 95 percent are spontaneous, with NO family history. So don’t let your lack of family history of cancer lull you into thinking you have no risk and no reason for screening.”

a middle aged woman and a young woman together
Breast cancer can strike women of any age, although happens more often in older women.

 

 

Dr. Barbara Bergin, an orthopedic surgeon, offers tips to prevent foot pain and injury in an interview for Massage magazine.
  • Buy healthy shoes(and wear them)
  • Wear the right socks
  • Stand on a floor pad
  • Keep your feet warm
an African American young woman smiling

 

 

And a bonus gem-

 

Dr.Diana, an allergist who blogs at WHITE COAT PINK APRON
White Coat, Pink Apron web site

offers this recipe for ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH GARLIC , a vegetable I love. But if they’re not your favorite vegetable (or your family’s) , here is one for ZA’ATAR ROASTED CARROTS 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please review a previous post about women’s health

The “art” of women’s health- news from 2016

where I covered hormone therapy, the HPV vaccine, birth control pills, IUDs, hysterectomy, and osteoporosis.

The human heart tells us that we are more alike than we are unalike. quote Maya Angelou
graphic by Lightstock. quote by author Maya Angelou 

RoboForm Password Manager. (this is an affiliate link)

You’re likely reading this post on a computer, tablet, or mobile phone, so you visit sites that require a password. How do you remember them all? You don’t have to if you use RoboForm Password Manager.

My husband introduced me to RoboForm years ago and I am glad he did. I have used it continually to remember my passwords so I don’t have to. It syncs to both my computer and my phone so my passwords are always available. It will even generate passwords for me.

Go to this link to try RoboForm Free; if you like it you can upgrade to RoboForm Everywhere version with all the features I mentioned above. With Roboform, you will have one less thing to feel stressed about.

exploring the HEART of health

I appreciate your sharing  this post on your social media pages.

Thank you for  viewing  the advertisements and using the affiliate links  that fund this blog; with your  help, we can grow, reach more people, and support worthy causes that bring health and wholeness to people around the world.

Dr. Aletha