I love surprises; no on second thought I only love pleasant surprises. Having said that, I must share a recent very pleasant one. I’d have to say it was almost a pleasant shock. I received my master’s degree in public health in 1985; so it’s been almost 30 years of the joys (and sorrows) of […]

Today I’m celebrating differences. I must admit that there have been times that I wished that some of my friends loved science and math as much as I do. I wished that I could share with them the beauty that I see in both science and math. But today I’ve reminded myself that the reason […]

On November 13, 2013, Ben Hirschler for Reuters in London reported that the battle with diabetes and its disabling, life-threatening complications is being lost. This article notes that the number of people affected has “soared to a new record” this year, the majority of cases being type 2 diabetes – “the kind linked to obesity […]

This particular evening is symbolic for many of the opportunity to make positive changes in lifestyle habits for a healthier new year. It helps many to draw a line in the sand; the demarcation between the past and a new start. Two articles that may be of benefit for new beginnings thinking are: New Directions […]

If you’re like millions of Americans, you’re starting off the New Year with some extra pounds. For some, they’re the same pounds as last year, only with some additional ones, perhaps, to keep company with last year’s pounds. Rather than getting tied up in a sad story of how it happened, I wonder if any […]

Public heath in this country has been likened to two freight trains headed directly at each other. One is loaded with epidemic cases of obesity, diabetes, and other preventable chronic diseases.  The other is freighting the rising costs of medical care and lost productivity because of the illnesses. This is the metaphor used by Reed […]

Two separate studies published recently are concluding that the more someone sits the shorter and less robust his or her life may be. The first study that I want to look at was published in full and abstract in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. In essence, the researchers claim that TV viewing time may […]

Mary Ireland discusses how walking can reduce the risk of developing diabetes and why reducing that risk is important.

I received a beautiful new ring as an anniversary gift; and on Friday I went to have it sized down to fit my right hand ring finger. The jeweler asked if I knew my ring size, I answered, “Yes, size 4. It used to be 3½, when I was younger.” He said, “That would be […]

Mary Ireland discusses the side effects of statins and how eating whole grains have been shown to reduce total serum and LDL cholesterol.