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 Access to COVID-19 Resources 

Coronavirus and Chronic Disease

• People with underlying medical conditions such as heart disease and diabetes were hospitalized six times as often as otherwise healthy individuals infected with the novel coronavirus during the first four months of the pandemic, and they died 12 times as often. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/06/15/patients-with-underlying-conditions-were-12-times-more-likely-die-covid-19-than-otherwise-healthy-people-cdc-finds/

Racism and Chronic Disease

• A recent research study describes a causal pathway connecting racial discrimination, inflammation, and chronic illness:
  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/chronically-me/202006/racism-and-chronic-illness
• The role social determinants of health play in chronic disease: https://talkbusiness.net/2020/06/what-determines-your-health/

Telehealth

• A post from McKinsey estimates that up to $250 billion of the country's current health care spending could be done virtually. About 76 percent of consumers surveyed were highly or moderately likely to use telehealth in the future, and 74 percent of people who had used telehealth reported high satisfaction. About 57 percent of providers said they viewed virtual care more favorably than they did before the pandemic, and 64 percent said they're more comfortable using it. CMS Administrator Seema Verma is in favor of expanding telehealth after the pandemic waivers expire, but there is skepticism in Congress and hearings expected next month.

Behavior Change

• ACLM Corporate Roundtable member Silver Fern Healthcare’s Garry Welch, PhD, on behavior change for chronic conditions: https://silverfernhealthcare.blog/2020/06/16/building-a-better-behavior-change-model-for-chronic-conditions/

Obesity

• The American Medical Association officially recognizes obesity as a disease. Obesity is not a personal choice, but a complex, legitimate health condition:https://www.healthcentral.com/condition/obesity

Lifestyle Research in the News

• A large new U.S. population study validates ACLM Corporate Roundtable member Personal Activity Intelligence (PAI)’s metrics in guiding people on how much exercise they need to achieve and maintain optimal heart health. Achieving a weekly PAI score of 100 or more is associated with 4 to 5 years longer life when compared to those who are physically inactive. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0033062020301134?via%3Dihub
• A new study published shows physical activity, not smoking, light-to-moderate alcohol consumption, a high-quality diet, and cognitive activities may substantially reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/combination-healthy-lifestyle-traits-may-substantially-reduce-alzheimers
• The risk of an ADHD diagnosis is lower in children who follow healthy lifestyle recommendations: https://www.folio.ca/risk-of-adhd-diagnosis-lower-in-children-who-follow-healthy-lifestyle-recommendations-study-shows/
• Studies show that “the most significant determinant of resilience is the quality of our close personal relationships, especially with parents and primary caregivers”: https://t.co/q40eA1ZjLT
• Children’s diets tied to prevention of later disease: https://calgaryherald.com/health/family-child/nieman-childrens-diet-proving-key-in-prevention-of-later-disease
• Researchers were able to observe and quantify that a healthier lifestyle was indeed related to a lower risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes as well as mortality, with an increased total life expectancy and the number of years lived free of these diseases. http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/how-a-healthy-lifestyle-affects-life-expectancy-free-of-comorbidities/
• Another study provides strong evidence that following a healthy lifestyle can substantially extend the years a person lives disease-free: https://www.studyfinds.org/harvard-study-says-these-5-healthy-habits-in-middle-age-help-ward-off-chronic-disease/
• And a third: https://www.wwltv.com/article/life/wellness/a-healthy-lifestyle-increases-years-lived-without-chronic-disease-maximum-wellness/289-249c5713-c117-4741-ad00-db40a7d92d91

Antibiotic for superbugs?

• New antibiotic promises to win war against superbugs: https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2020/06/maybe-the-most-important-news-of-the-day.php

Gym Reopening Guidelines

• The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) has released key considerations for re-opening sports, fitness, aquatics and ancillary facilities and clubs in the context of COVID-19 with accompanying risk assessment and mitigation tools.

New Cancer Guidelines

• New guidelines released by the American Cancer Society encourage people to exercise more per week, greatly reduce the amount of red meat in their diet, eat more colorful fruits and vegetables, and strictly limit alcohol. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/exercise-diet-alcohol-new-guidelines-detail-best-ways-to-reduce-cancer-risk