#319
Date: Tue, 1 May 2007 22:15:24 -0700
From: Shannon LaNeve <slaneve@INTERACT.CCSD.NET>
Subject: Re: HEDIR-L Digest - 30 Apr 2007 to 1 May 2007 (#2007-94)
** Abstract Deadline for 2008 AAHE--June 15
**
I will be out of the office until, May 3, 2007. I will have limited
access to email. If you have any questions please contact Chaundra at 799-2348. Thank you.
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#320
Date: Wed, 2 May 2007 10:25:03 -0400
From: Don Ardell <donardell@KNOLOGY.NET>
Subject: National Wellness Day
** Abstract Deadline for 2008 AAHE--June 15
**
How many times a year do you connect health promotion efforts to a national day of this or that, and thereby piggyback on the attention given to a special cause, campaign or issue? I have a special occasion in mind that seems a natural for university health promotion endeavors.
I propose we create a national day of wellness. This would be a once-a-year occasion when those of us who value and methodically pursue wellness skill areas and disciplines, such as personal responsibility, exercise and fitness, a healthy diet, an exuberant quality of life and all the rest, would assemble, listen to speeches, do good deeds (for example, donate blood), cheer and otherwise whoop it up over the glorious nature and benefits of wellness. I think the time is right for such a day, don't you?
Unfortunately, it's a big job to organize such a day. It could take years to reach a level of recognition and participation that such an event richly deserves. Furthermore, it might cost a small fortune to create the needed groundswell for such a national or even international "wellfest." If only there were a shortcut to having Wellness Day proclaimed in proper fashion, say by the US Congress and/or the president. (Well, forget the president -- how would want the current occupant to get involved in celebrating such a positive occasion? Besides, he can't be trusted. Dobson, Falwell, Robertson or Rove might convince him to tweak it a bit and, next thing you know, he's proclaim "Wellness Prayer Day.")
Well, here's some good news: I have a strategy for shortcutting the process.
With my strategy, we can have a Wellness Day almost immediately, starting tomorrow! Yes, consider it done -- here is how we can celebrate National Wellness Day beginning on May 3, 2007.
There is only one small catch about my plan, and it's no problem at all.
We're not going to call it Wellness Day, at least not yet. My idea is to inaugurate National Wellness Day by calling it something else, something that is an important part of wellness that is already being celebrated! Yes, let's celebrate Wellness Day under the banner of critical thinking. Let's celebrate, as our initial Wellness Day, a National Day of Reason (See <http://www.nationaldayofreason.org/> http://www.nationaldayofreason.org/)
Tomorrow is National Day of Reason - let's make it our day, as well.
Think of it: We are joining forces with millions of others who are already feeling renewed and cheerful about a day of festivities and good deeds dedicated to respect for and attention to critical thinking, science, evidence, rationality and thinking logically. The National Day of Reason affirms the kind of people we are or at least seek to become, namely, sensible citizens who are rational and given to reason. Let's hear it for our National Day of Reason, aka (to a select few) National Wellness Day.
A National Day of Reason came about in response to and reaction against a commemorative day that flies in the face of our constitutional, historic separation of church and state, religion and government. The theists in America, the same folks who oppose gay rights, women's reproductive choice, stem cell research, sex education in the schools, planned parenthood programming abroad and even the continued separation of church and state are having a National Day of Prayer, otherwise known as communicating with an imaginary friend. Unfortunately, it is federally supported, making it government-sanctioned sectarianism. Given that it is Christian in nature, it is exclusionary, as well.
As with a national day of wellness, a Day of Reason is a time when wellness enthusiasts who hold secular worldviews can be visible and active promoting thinking critically - using reason. In varied ways, a celebration of a National Day of Reason (and wellness) presents another opportunity to advocate something wonderful, not JUST a time to resist magical thinking, superstition and the idea that "faith" (in other words, believing something for which there is no evidence) is a virtue. What's more, everyone is welcome and encouraged to take part, unlike prayer day. This day or days can be a thoughtful and attractive, as well as a constitutional, alternative to the regrettable and exclusionary National Day of Prayer.
Now, more than ever, America needs a day of wellness. A Day of Reason is basically the same thing! Let's celebrate the National Day of Reason (and
wellness) tomorrow and everyday, in our own fashion, by the way we live and the way we think. And share our ideas about it with students, faculty and staff.
Be well. Always look on the bright side of life.
Don Ardell
http://www.seekwellness.com/wellness/
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#321
Date: Wed, 2 May 2007 10:58:35 -0500
From: Debra Lafler <DLafler@WEATRUST.COM>
Subject: vending
** Abstract Deadline for 2008 AAHE--June 15
**
Looking for research and industry articles on the importance of improving vending options for public health concerns. Population - corporate health specifically (but will look at any articles).
Also, does anyone know if vending companies offer the powder coffee creamer without transfats?
Debra A. Lafler, MA
Corporate Wellness Specialist
WEA Trust
45 Nob Hill Rd. Madison WI 53713
608-661-6697 x 2581
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#322
Date: Wed, 2 May 2007 17:12:59 -0400
From: Suzanne Suggs <suggs@SUGGS.INFO>
Subject: Re: National Wellness Day
** Abstract Deadline for 2008 AAHE--June 15
**
I love the idea of a National Wellness Day! However, I'm not convinced it should piggy-back with a National Day of Reason. While the NDR sounds like a neat day, I think a NWD is broader and different. In an effort to keep this short and sweet, here are my initial thoughts in bullet point form...
- the title "National Day of Reason" could be a little off putting to some and non persuasive for others. I hear people saying "I'm a reasonable person, why do I need a day to devote to reason?". "Am I supposed to be MORE reasonable on May 3 than on other days of the year? Why? How?"
- while choosing wellness is a reasonable thing to do. the title of NDR does not capture "wellness" (at least for me).
- a national - or international - day of wellness sounds like a call to action. Most people might be open to idea of practicing wellness on just 1 day.
- why limit this to college/university campuses?
- I see potential for an International Day of Wellness (or World Wellness Day), where we do just what you suggest in paragraph 2.
Encourage people to take a healthy lunch to work/school/or eat it at home that day. Ask people to find 5 minutes for relaxation/mediation, 30 minutes for physical activity, carpool, stop smoking, make a commitment to change 1 negative health behavior, and do to something good for others (volunteer, write your legislators about a health issue, smile at a stranger, etc.). College campuses, community centers, work sites, professional orgs, and even governmental orgs could really step up and promote this like crazy. I see vlogs, blogs, podcasts and traditional media outlets being great avenues for press and information sharing!
- If you are familiar with World Walk Day 2007 (http:// worldrecordwalk.ca/english/about.asp), then think of the model of having a competition. Not sure what the measures would be, but could be things like # of people who packed a healthy lunch, attended health fairs, had an event at their worksite, or something more longitudinal -- like improvement on national health surveys, etc.
- I don't think this would take an act of congress to get going. It could start with a commitment from this list to get it on the agenda at our worksites, campuses, neighborhoods, and w/in the professional organizations we belong to. APHA, SOPHE, and the National Wellness Institute come to mind as potential initiators. I am certain there are others.
This could be really cool. Can't wait to learn what others think.
-peace and good health,
Suzanne
------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------
L. Suzanne Suggs, PhD, CHES
Assistant Professor, Graduate Program in Health Communication Emerson College Department of Marketing Communication 120 Boylston Street Boston, MA 02116
-and-
Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor
Tufts University School of Medicine
Department of Public Health and Family Medicine
-and-
President
Health X Change, "Consulting for the Health and Wellness Industry"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------
On May 2, 2007, at 10:25 AM, Don Ardell wrote:
> ** Abstract Deadline for 2008 AAHE--June 15
> ** www.aaheinfo.org
> **
>
> How many times a year do you connect health promotion efforts to a
> national day of this or that, and thereby piggyback on the attention
> given to a special cause, campaign or issue? I have a special
> occasion in mind that seems a natural for university health promotion
> endeavors.
>
> I propose we create a national day of wellness. This would be a
> once-a-year occasion when those of us who value and methodically
> pursue wellness skill areas and disciplines, such as personal
> responsibility, exercise and fitness, a healthy diet, an exuberant
> quality of life and all the rest, would assemble, listen to speeches,
> do good deeds (for example, donate blood), cheer and otherwise whoop
> it up over the glorious nature and benefits of wellness. I think the
> time is right for such a day, don't you?
>
> Unfortunately, it's a big job to organize such a day. It could take
> years to reach a level of recognition and participation that such an
> event richly deserves. Furthermore, it might cost a small fortune to
> create the needed groundswell for such a national or even
> international "wellfest."
> If only
> there were a shortcut to having Wellness Day proclaimed in proper
> fashion, say by the US Congress and/or the president. (Well, forget
> the president -- how would want the current occupant to get involved
> in celebrating such a positive occasion? Besides, he can't be
> trusted. Dobson, Falwell, Robertson or Rove might convince him to
> tweak it a bit and, next thing you know, he's proclaim "Wellness
> Prayer Day.")
>
> Well, here's some good news: I have a strategy for shortcutting the
> process.
> With my strategy, we can have a Wellness Day almost immediately,
> starting tomorrow! Yes, consider it done -- here is how we can
> celebrate National Wellness Day beginning on May 3, 2007.
>
> There is only one small catch about my plan, and it's no problem at
> all.
> We're not going to call it Wellness Day, at least not yet. My idea is
> to inaugurate National Wellness Day by calling it something else,
> something that is an important part of wellness that is already being
> celebrated! Yes, let's celebrate Wellness Day under the banner of
> critical thinking.
> Let's
> celebrate, as our initial Wellness Day, a National Day of Reason (See
> <http://www.nationaldayofreason.org/> http://
> www.nationaldayofreason.org/)
> Tomorrow is National Day of Reason - let's make it our day, as well.
>
> Think of it: We are joining forces with millions of others who are
> already feeling renewed and cheerful about a day of festivities and
> good deeds dedicated to respect for and attention to critical
> thinking, science, evidence, rationality and thinking logically. The
> National Day of Reason affirms the kind of people we are or at least
> seek to become, namely, sensible citizens who are rational and given
> to reason. Let's hear it for our National Day of Reason, aka (to a
> select few) National Wellness Day.
>
> A National Day of Reason came about in response to and reaction
> against a commemorative day that flies in the face of our
> constitutional, historic separation of church and state, religion and
> government. The theists in America, the same folks who oppose gay
> rights, women's reproductive choice, stem cell research, sex education
> in the schools, planned parenthood programming abroad and even the
> continued separation of church and state are having a National Day of
> Prayer, otherwise known as communicating with an imaginary friend.
> Unfortunately, it is federally supported, making it
> government-sanctioned sectarianism. Given that it is Christian in
> nature, it is exclusionary, as well.
>
> As with a national day of wellness, a Day of Reason is a time when
> wellness enthusiasts who hold secular worldviews can be visible and
> active promoting thinking critically - using reason. In varied ways, a
> celebration of a National Day of Reason (and wellness) presents
> another opportunity to advocate something wonderful, not JUST a time
> to resist magical thinking, superstition and the idea that "faith" (in
> other words, believing something for which there is no evidence) is a
> virtue. What's more, everyone is welcome and encouraged to take part,
> unlike prayer day. This day or days can be a thoughtful and
> attractive, as well as a constitutional, alternative to the
> regrettable and exclusionary National Day of Prayer.
>
> Now, more than ever, America needs a day of wellness. A Day of Reason
> is basically the same thing! Let's celebrate the National Day of
> Reason (and
> wellness) tomorrow and everyday, in our own fashion, by the way we
> live and the way we think. And share our ideas about it with
> students, faculty and staff.
>
> Be well. Always look on the bright side of life.
>
>
>
>
>
> Don Ardell
>
> http://www.seekwellness.com/wellness/
>
>
> **
> ** Support the HEDIR With Your Gift
> ** www.hedir.org/support.htm
> **
> ** The HEDIR is Supported by Paid Advertising
> ** www.hedir.org to Learn More
> **
> **
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------------------------------
#323
Date: Wed, 2 May 2007 19:27:22 -0400
From: Nancy Bellegarde <nfb01@SPRYNET.COM>
Subject: Health and Health Care in Schools - May 2007
** Abstract Deadline for 2008 AAHE--June 15
**
In this issue:
Report on School Nutrition Targets "Competitive" Foods Your State and Vision Screening: What's the Score?
Weighing Benefits, Profits of Pediatric Drug Testing Probing the Mysteries of Autism GAO Warns of 'High Risk" Gaps in Food Safety =20 Read the e-journal at:
http://www.healthinschools.org/ejournal/ejournal.htm
=20
Web Manager
The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools (CHHCS) http://www.healthinschools.org
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------------------------------