Eastern Navajo Diné Against Uranium Mining (Endaum) has been fighting against uranium mining on Navajo Nation lands for the past 30 years, and now, thanks to a human rights group called the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, they may finally get justice.
Uranium mining has persisted in the Navajo Nation lands for decades, despite the risk of pollution and outcry from generations of Navajo people claiming health risks.
The concern comes from the method used to extract the uranium from the ground. During this process, chemicals are pumped into the ground (typically directly into aquifers, as most uranium deposits in the Navajo Nation are located near or inside naturally occurring aquifers) that contaminate the aquifer and dissolve the uranium for processing.
The New Mexico Environmental Law Center, in cooperation with Endaum, has filed a substantial claim with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, which they are hoping will finally bring justice to those who have been affected by the pollution of the groundwater.
Preliminary results from a new study out of Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have demonstrated that people who vape tend to have strokes earlier in their life than people who only smoke cigarettes.
While the study does show that strokes are less common among people who vape (1% of people who vape had strokes, compared to 7% of those who smoke), the average age of stroke among vapers was lower (48) compared to smokers (59).
These are still preliminary results, and more information and experiments are necessary before making any kind of concrete conclusion about associations or causation.
According to AAFA in May 2021, there are about 25 million people living in the US with asthma. 4 Factors such as sex, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status are associated with asthma, with the disease being more common in males than females in childhood. In adulthood, it reverses and more women than men have asthma. Prevalence rates differ significantly by race and ethnicity. Puerto Ricans have the highest rate of asthma prevalence compared to any other racial or ethnic group in the United States. Black Americans are also disproportionally diagnosed with asthma compared to white Americans.
Key Asthma facts
Asthma is a major noncommunicable disease (NCD), affecting both children and adults.
Inflammation and narrowing of the small airways in the lungs cause asthma symptoms, which can be any combination of cough, wheeze, shortness of breath and chest tightness.
Asthma affected an estimated 262 million people in 2019 and caused 461000 deaths (1).
Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children.
Inhaled medication can control asthma symptoms and allow people with asthma to lead a normal, active life.
Avoiding asthma triggers can also help to reduce asthma symptoms.
Sarcoidosis (pronounced SAR-COY-DOE-SIS) is an inflammatory disease characterized by the formation of granulomas—tiny clumps of inflammatory cells—in one or more organs of the body. When the immune system goes into overdrive and too many of these clumps form, they can interfere with an organ’s structure and function. When left unchecked, chronic inflammation can lead to fibrosis, which is the permanent scarring of organ tissue. This disorder affects the lungs in approximately 90% of cases, but it can affect almost any organ in the body. Despite increasing advances in research, sarcoidosis remains difficult to diagnose with limited treatment options and no known cure.
On October 15, 2021, the Community Foundation of Sarasota granted $30,000 by the Equity and Access Grant to support the MHI Safekeeper Care Navigation and Coordination Program. This Program is the synchronization of the delivery of a person’s social economic needs and health goals. This pilot program leverages the MHI Safekeepers by training this field intervention team to become Community and Health Navigators. Click Here to Read Full Release: MHI is Awarded Grant
BuildOn is a global nonprofit organization committed to breaking the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and low expectations around the world. For nearly 30 years, BuildOn has partnered with villages to build 1,900+ primary schools in Nicaragua, Haiti, Guatemala, Malawi, Nepal, and three West African countries. Schools are constructed in partnership with the very people who benefit from them, which means our support not only educates - it also empowers an entire community to lift itself out of poverty. I’m proud to be a part of Pine View School’s BuildOn Community Team that is currently fundraising to build a new primary school in Nicaragua. Click here to support our cause:https://act.buildon.org/fundraiser/3578194
Medicare Open Enrollment
Even if you are happy with your current Medicare coverage, it's important to review your coverage options for 2022. Open enrollment is from October 15 through December 7. Here are a few reasons why:
1. Your needs may change 2. Benefits and costs may vary 3. New, more affordable Medicare plans may be available.
THE MULTICULTURAL HEALTH INSTITUTE MISSION STATEMENT
MHI seeks to level the healthcare playing field by promoting, educating, and ensuring equal healthcare access and treatment for vulnerable populations who experience disparities in rates of disease due to health inequities. We support programs that educate, identify, and test for diseases such as Cancer, Diabetes, Obesity, Stroke, Cardiovascular Disease, Infant Mortality, HIV/AIDS, and other health issues affecting underrepresented communities across the United States which also help reduce the costs of healthcare. We engage and empower communities to facilitate their self advocacy and improved navigation through the healthcare system.
