GEORGIA HEALTH NEWS
LGBTQ youths struggle with mental health issues, survey finds
“Riley Kirkpatrick realized he was transgender when he was a teenager.
Kirkpatrick, born and raised as a female, says he was always very masculine and was often described as a “tomboy.”
It was around the time of his realization — at age 14 — that he began using drugs.
Drug use felt normal to him, he says. In the Olympia, Wash., area, in the 1990s, using drugs and going to clubs were normal for an LGBTQ teen. But getting into drug recovery? That wasn’t as easy as it sounds.
LGBTQ individuals — those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer — often face challenges such as disproportionately high rates of substance abuse and mental health conditions.”
November 2020
For deaf people, pandemic brings unique problems
“When Julie Burton was growing up, she had a hard time communicating with the people and the world around her.
Being born profoundly deaf posed many challenges for the young Burton. But life changed for her when she started school at the Alabama School for the Deaf (ASD) and became immersed in the deaf world. She’s now an American sign language teacher at the Georgia School for the Deaf, and is one of about 48 million deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals living in the United States.
The coronavirus pandemic, however, has posed challenges for the deaf community and reintroduced some barriers to communication that Burton faced in her childhood.”
September 2020
Tied in knots: Pandemic complicates wedding plans
“Malisse Haarl got a marriage proposal during a kayaking trip on the Chattahoochee River, and she and her fiancé started planning their wedding soon after. The couple envisioned a beautiful wedding in Asheville, N.C., this October.
Now, Haarl, who lives in Atlanta, and her fiancé are still planning — but this time, for a backyard ceremony in October, followed by a more elaborate wedding a year later.”
September 2020
The complicated world of contact tracing
“Many students choose to take it easy during their summer break. But instead of spending the remaining days of her summer vacation sleeping in, Sombal Bari is on the phone for hours at a time to stop the spread of COVID-19 through her job as a contact tracer.
…
Bari is one of 1,378 contact tracers and case investigators across Georgia working to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. Contact tracing can be very effective, but only with the cooperation of everyone involved — case investigators, contact tracers, those infected with COVID-19 and the people they’ve been in contact with.”
August 2020
The ‘last responders’: A new normal for funeral directors
“Efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 have taken away the ‘personal touch’ that helps families celebrate a loved one’s memory, added Ellen Wynn McBrayer, a third-generation funeral director in Douglasville and Villa Rica and a spokeswoman for the National Funeral Directors Association.
In Georgia, this crisis has taken away a bit of ‘Southern charm’ from the funeral business, she added. ‘That hospitality [of] being able to just put out loving arms,’ McBrayer said. ‘Metaphorically speaking or not. . . . it’s really taken away that personal connection.’”
May 2020
Quiet but not calm in a virus ‘ghost town’
“Peter Dale, a restaurateur and chef born and raised in Athens, had never seen anything like it. On Monday, the streets of Athens were empty. The University of Georgia’s campus was silent.
‘Last week, UGA was on spring break, so it was already a quiet week. But it was extra quiet,’ said Dale, owner of downtown Athens’ Mediterranean-themed restaurant, The National, which has been closed since Monday amid fears of COVID-19.
Restaurants like his, usually busy with the lunch rush, sat quiet and mostly deserted.”
March 2020
From a scare in Shanghai to a quarantine in Georgia
“‘It wasn’t until we actually had gotten to China that everything blew up in the media, and … the scale of the problem really became apparent,’ recalled Bik. As the disease spread and caused more deaths in China, the government there began taking more active measures.
Bik, her husband and their 8-month-old son soon had to scramble to find a way back to Georgia, where they then spent 14 days quarantined inside their Athens residence.”
January 2020
‘Universal’ vaccine may be down the road, but get your flu shot in the meantime
“The National Institutes of Health recently signed a contract with the University of Georgia for funding to develop a universal flu shot. Led by Ted Ross, Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar of Infectious Diseases and director of UGA’s Center for Vaccines and Immunology, the project aims to create a vaccine to protect against many strains of influenza virus.
The NIH will offer $8 million in the first year and up to $130 million over the next seven years, Ross says.
He says he believes a broader vaccine could affect the flu-shot statistics ‘because the same vaccine can be given at any time and move multiple years without reformulation.’”
October 2019
WEBMD
“Coming out is when you decide to tell people about your gender or sexual orientation. We live in what you might hear called a heteronormative society, which means people usually assume you identify with the sex you were assigned at birth (cisgender) and are attracted to members of the opposite sex (heterosexual). But that isn’t always the case, and it’s just one of many reasons LGBTQ people decide to come out. Here are some things to consider about coming out, along with tips for how to do it.”
July 2021
LGBTQ+ and Mental Health: What to Know
“If you’re LGBTQ — lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or nonbinary, or queer — your gender and sexuality can affect your mental health and wellness. There are external things that might affect you more than a straight, cisgender person (someone whose biological sex aligns with their gender identity).
In general, LGBTQ people can be at a higher risk of having a mental health condition than straight people. Not because of their sexual orientation or gender identity but because of the discrimination and bias they might face.
LGBTQ adults are more than twice as likely to have conditions like depression or anxiety than straight adults. For transgender folks, that number is even higher. LGBTQ kids and teens also face a greater chance of both anxiety and depression.”
July 2021
Birth Control Options for Transgender and Nonbinary People
“No matter where you are on the gender spectrum — whether you’re transgender (trans), nonbinary, genderqueer, or gender nonconforming — you might need birth control, especially if there’s a chance you could get pregnant and you aren’t trying to.
Even if you’re on gender-affirming hormone therapy — a type of treatment that helps align your sex characteristics with your gender identity — it won’t work very well as birth control. If you have ovaries and a uterus and you have vaginal sex with someone who has testicles and a penis, you could get pregnant.”
May 2021
What Is HIV Status Discrimination?
“HIV status discrimination is when people living with HIV and AIDS face negative attitudes, abuse, and discrimination.
Although HIV status stigma can look different, examples include:
* Believing people deserve to get HIV because of the way they live their life
* Judging people who do things to prevent the spread of HIV
* Thinking that only certain groups can get HIV”
May 2021
Do You Need a Nature Prescription?
“Maurie Lung, PhD, was in second grade when she realized what she wanted to do when she grew up.
‘When I went away to summer camp, my little Strawberry Shortcake diary said, ‘When I grow up, I want to help people in the outdoors,’’ Lung says. And that’s exactly what she does today.
Lung oversees the nature-based and adventure-based counseling programs at Prescott College and is also a licensed therapist and counselor who does nature-based and adventure-based counseling for individuals, couples, and families.”
April 2021
“Having hip pain as you age is more common than you think. About 50% of older adults say they have hip or knee pain. Luckily, there are things you can do to feel better.”
March 2021
Knee Pain Not Inevitable as You Age
“Having hip pain as you age is more common than you think. About 50% of older adults say they have hip or knee pain. Luckily, there are things you can do to feel better.”
March 2021
Supplements That Are Safe to Take When You Have Lung Cancer
“If you have lung cancer, it’s common to notice less of an appetite or to lose weight without trying. The disease and its treatment can have an effect on your appetite and how your body breaks down food and uses nutrients.
Some people who have lung cancer take dietary supplements and vitamins to make sure their bodies get all the nutrients they need.”
January 2021
Breast Cancer Blogs You Need to Read
“Reading blogs created by others living with it (or blogging yourself) can be a good way to connect to other people in the breast cancer community. Here are six of the best breast cancer blogs, recommended by doctors and people living with breast cancer.”
January 2021
“Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women living in the United States, second only to skin cancers.
If you were recently diagnosed with breast cancer, or you know someone who was, books can be a great way to answer your questions and learn more about breast cancer. Here are some great breast cancer reads, as recommended by doctors and people living with breast cancer.”
January 2021
VIDEO SCRIPTING
“An alternative to a face-lift, a thread lift uses temporary stitches to create a ‘lift’ in the skin. Here's what you should know about the procedure.”
October 2020
“You can protect yourself from the flu by washing your hands and getting a flu shot every year — and no, the flu vaccine can't give you the flu.”
October 2020
“Botox isn't just for skin — it can also be an effective treatment for chronic migraine.”
September 2020
“Yes, you should absolutely wear a mask in public, even if you don't feel sick.”
August 2020
“Kegels are exercises that help make the muscles of your pelvic floor stronger. Here's what you should know.”
August 2020
“Got an itch that won't go away? Try these skin-soothing therapies.”
August 2020
The Truth About Essential Oils
“Some essential oils do have health benefits, but just because they're ‘natural’ doesn't mean they're harmless. Here's what to know before you try.”
July 2020
ASSOCIATION OF HEALTH CARE JOURNALISTS
Can agencies stop employees from talking to media? Brechner Center says no
“Public employees have the right to speak to the press without going through the boss, but workplace gag orders continue to violate their freedom of speech, says a report from The Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, a nonprofit educational center.
The findings could have particular implications for health care journalists, the center’s director says.”
November 2019
SHARECARE
7 Refreshing Cold Soups To Enjoy This Summer
These easy recipes feature nutritious staples like roasted red peppers, cauliflower and avocado.
Americans Are Still Tanning Indoors—Here’s Why It’s So Bad for Your Health
A whopping 7.8 million women and 1.9 million men are putting themselves at risk for cancer.
Why You Should Be Paying Attention To West Nile
Mosquitos are testing positive for this disease across the country. Here’s how to prevent it.
THE RED & BLACK
‘Keeping it interesting’: Athens specialty food shops speak to entrepreneurial challenges
“When Precious Jones was a girl visiting her grandmother in Trenton, New Jersey, she was responsible for tasks like watering the garden or drying out the herbs. Her grandmother was a midwife, but she also cared and tended for her garden.
Little did Jones know the wisdom of her grandmother would fuel her entrepreneurial spirit and help Jones start her own company, MEplusTEA.”
May 2019
‘Mightier than the sword’: Athens native illuminates black Athens through Highlight Magazine
“It’s this transformation — Carson’s undeniable work ethic and enthusiasm for unifying the community — that eventually led to his creation of Highlight Magazine, a publication born of Carson’s desire to illuminate the successes of the black community of Athens.”
May 2019
Former Athens residents, creators of ‘Brickleberry’ release new show ‘Paradise PD’ on Netflix
“From an underground sketch comedy show to their own animated, adult cartoon on Comedy Central, Waco O’Guin and Roger Black have been making waves in the comedy scene since they were students at the University of Georgia.”
August 2018
‘Girl boss’ of GLAM: Student-run organization strives to empower through makeup
‘It’s made for anyone who wants to wear it. Whether you are gender non-conforming, female, male, trans — I think you can wear makeup,’ GLAM president Xayla Wilson said. ‘[GLAM] is an open space for everyone.’”
April 2018
Interracial realities: Athens couples talk challenges of being in queer interracial relationships
“Though queer interracial relationships are not a new thing, they have been increasingly more accepted among Americans and Athenians specifically. According to various sources, Athens, Georgia, provides a community in which people can connect and form relationships with ease.”
January 2018
AMPERSAND MAGAZINE
Andree Terry and her story of soap and hope
“Terry started out in her laundry room, making soap on top of the washer and dryer. She received praise for her products and their effects, and a few doctors took notice of the products’ effects on cancer patients’ skin. Within no time at all, Terry was swamped with customers.
‘I just figured if it was that large in need, that I should try and do something, so I started making ... soaps and lotions and other things [for hospitals],’ Terry says.”
March 2019
Local beekeepers prepare hives for harsh winter weather
“For most of the year, the drone of bees fills in the air as the insects’ buzzing is a constant hum. Honey bees are active from spring to fall and during that time, thousands of bees work tirelessly to collect pollen and nectar to produce honey. As winter nears, the bees’ excited buzzing fades to silence. For local beekeepers, winter is a time not to produce honey for consumer consumption, but a time for preparation for the spring.”
January 2019
“In teaching, Hazinski subconsciously changed his students for the better and instilled values in them that were crucial in a profession such as journalism. Though Hazinski mentions that the best part of teaching “is the students,” he was quick to humble the very students of which he referred to.
‘Are you a pain in the ass? Yes,’ he says. ‘Do you walk into walks because you’re stupid? Yes. It’s called education.’”
June 2018
LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy in the Athens Community
“‘I started [the network]…to help connect others doing similar work and hopefully bring more into the fold of sharing accurate information and resources,’ said Anna Belle Wood.”
April 2018
“Filtered light from the sunset streams through Jen Cole’s open-air back porch as dusk begins to settle. She stands over her workspace, arranging individual leaves in a pattern atop a piece of fabric until she eventually rolls the fabric into a cylinder and binds it with thread. In a week or two, the cloth will ultimately become a stunning piece of clothing.”
January 2018
FAMILY TREE IN-HOME CARE
How to Support Loved Ones as They Age
“Although aging is a natural process, it’s not always an easy transition for seniors to face. Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can help your loved ones as they go through transitions.”
December 2019
Driving Tips to Keep Seniors Safe
“The percentage of licensed drivers who are age 65 and older is increasing. By the year 2029, about 1 in 4 licensed drivers will be 65 or older, according to AARP. Because of this, senior road safety is more important now than ever.”
December 2019
5 Ways to Celebrate the Holiday Season with Seniors
“The upcoming holiday season is magical for many, including seniors. Here are five tips to make this holiday season special for seniors who want to celebrate.”
December 2019
How to Have a Safe Thanksgiving for Seniors
“Thanksgiving is all about reminiscing, reflecting, and togetherness. For seniors, this can be a challenge due to memory issues, health concerns, or family members living far away. Celebrating the holidays with your senior loved ones can also be overwhelming.”
November 2019
GRADY NEWSOURCE
Consumers Lead Change In Backlash Against Fast Fashion
“As a young girl living in a small town outside of Normandy, Germany, Sanni Baumgärtner’s love for clothing and apparel developed first with vintage fashion.
She fondly remembers rummaging through her mother’s closet and borrowing her grandfather’s coat. Baumgärtner also frequented flea markets in search of pieces like ’70s-era leather jackets.
Though she no longer lives in Germany, her love for fashion still runs strong through Community, a shop Baumgärtner opened in 2010 to offer an alternative—with often more sustainable options—to conventional, fast-fashion retail.
But why offer an alternative to conventional retail? The fashion industry contributes to a little over 8% of global pollution impacts through both the apparel and footwear industries, and produces almost 4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, according to a 2018 Quantis report.”
November 2019
Is It Worth It? Can You Work It? Students Weigh Option Of Unpaid Internships
“For eight hours a day, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., KB Bass worked lifting piles of heavy clothes and rushing to be on location to assist at photoshoots for companies like Ulta. Bass spent the majority of summer days in Manhattan, New York, running errands back and forth on the Subway.
Once their day as a styling assistant was finished, Bass’ paid night shift in retail at the two-story Urban Outfitters began.
This past summer, Bass worked as an unpaid intern, like thousands of other students in the country.”
October 2019