- General Page Tier 3BlogBy now, you’ve probably heard about GMOs (genetically modified organisms). But with all the talk about these harmful organisms in our food, how can you separate fact from fiction? Let’s start at the beginning. All food begins as an organism, a plant or animal with many traits. Since the dawn of agriculture, farmers have modified these traits using methods like selective breeding, cross pollination and hybridization to improve their crops. But GMOs go beyond these methods. To make a genetically modified organism, scientists select a desired trait from one living thing, copy that trait and place it in to another living thing. This process would not occur naturally. The most common GMO crops are soybeans, corn, cotton and sugar beets. Most GMO crops eventually end up on the dinner table as ingredients in the foods we eat, including everything from cereal to dessert. GMO crops are processed to become oil, sugar, starch, syrup, fiber and protein ingredients, as well as vitamins in foods and dietary supplements. Most meats, poultry, eggs, dairy products and farmed seafood contain GMOs because field corn and soybeans are used as feed for livestock. Beyond grains, most of the yeast and enzymes used to make everything from bread to cheese come from GMOs. Is non-GMO the same as organic? No. Non-GMO crops are still treated with herbicides and pesticides. Therefore, they are not organic. And the U.S. Food and Drug Administration hasn’t set any standards to regulate the use of the non-GMO label. On the other hand, certified organic products cannot include GMOs. This means farmers aren’t allowed to grow produce from GMO seeds, their animals can’t eat GMO feed and food producers can’t use any GMO ingredients. What does the organic certification mean? When you see the USDA organic seal on a food or beverage product, you’ll know it’s organic. This certification bans chemical fertilizers, synthetic substances, irradiation, sewage sludge and GMOs in the production of these products. Antibiotics and synthetic hormones are also banned in organic meat and poultry. How can you eat less GMO foods? In short, eat less processed foods. Replace processed snacks with foods that are naturally non-GMO. These include fresh fruit, vegetables, potatoes, dried beans, nuts and seeds. Consider buying only organic. Choose foods that are verified non-GMO by a third party, like The Non-GMO Project. Avoid dining out, as most restaurants don’t use non-GMO ingredients. Want to make a simple switch? The most important foods to buy non-GMO are meat, eggs, yogurt and milk. These foods are all affected by animal feed, which is often genetically modified. Are GMO foods harmful? To date, there is no solid research that shows people have been harmed by GMO foods. However, just because there’s no evidence of harm does not mean GMO foods have been proven safe. Most research hasn’t existed long enough to determine the effects of GMO foods throughout a person’s lifetime. Non-GMO and organic products are a good place to start, but if you really want a healthier diet eat more foods that don’t need a label. Fresh fruits and vegetables are the hallmark of a healthy, nutritious diet. Sources: New England Journal of Medicine: GMOs, Herbicides, and Public Health Consumer Reports: GMO foods: What You Need to Know Tufts University: Questioning GMOs To learn more about nutrition services at Anne Arundel Medical Center, visit AskAAMC.org/nutrition. Authors By Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford, nutritionists and registered dietitians at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them call 443-481-5555.0
- Location231731tel:(410) 224-80012002 Medical Pkwy, Sajak Pavilion, Ste 650, Annapolis, MD 214010
- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen you are diagnosed with cancer, money is usually not the first thought that comes to mind. For many individuals, however, thoughts about money, insurance coverage and income maintenance are part of the second wave of questions. The following tips may be helpful to keep a handle on the financial aspects of treatment. Don’t be afraid to talk about the cost of treatment. It’s important to know what to expect from treatment, both in terms of physical and financial side effects. If your provider doesn’t raise the issue of cost, you should. Call your health insurance company and request an insurance case manager. This single point-of-contact with the health insurance company will help you understand your coverage. Having a case manager allows you to build a relationship and keeps you from having to explain your situation each time you call. Ask a friend or family member to help you keep medical bills organized. Keeping up with the explanation of benefits (EOBs) statements from your health insurance company and matching them to the bills received from multiple providers can be an overwhelming task. Friends and family often want to help in some way. Asking someone you trust to keep track of this aspect of your care can benefit both of you. Take advantage of the resources available. If you have questions or concerns, please ask. The oncology social worker on the team is a good starting place for general questions about how to make ends meet. He or she can be a listening ear and direct you to additional resources based on your situation. Financial counselors are available at AAMC to help you understand your medical bills and determine if you are eligible for assistance. Call 443-481-6500 to speak with a counselor.0
- Community, Giving, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIt’s not unusual to lose touch with old friends as we age and move around. Hank Libby moved around a lot after leaving his native Louisiana. He earned Ivy League degrees in law and finance, practiced law and venture capitalism in Washington, D.C., took sailboats across the Atlantic, and settled in Annapolis. But, Hank has never forgotten his rural Southern roots or his friend back home. “When I was about 20,” Hank explains, “I had a very good friend who saved my life. Quite sometime later, I found out he was dying of cancer (in rural Louisiana). He couldn’t afford a doctor and had no access to medical care.” Hank quickly got the man to a New Orleans hospital. It was too late to save him, “but I told him at the time that it isn’t right, and I’m going to take care of your family, and I’ll take care of trying to get them access to medical help.” Hank has expanded that commitment to his friend through his support of AAMC’s community clinics, and through his service as an AAMC Foundation Board Member and Founding Chair of the Community Health Philanthropy Council. Hank believes community clinics are vital. In Annapolis, like almost everywhere, he says, too many low-income and uninsured people go to the emergency room for ailments that could be treated elsewhere. It’s terribly expensive, he says, and it’s unwise medically, because the patients “don’t form a relationship with a doctor.” “With the clinics, patients are treated in a place of comfort with respect and dignity,” Hank explains. “They pay a little bit if they can, and they grow to trust the doctors and return for continued and preventative care.” Outreach to the underserved has grown from one to three clinics in the time Hank has been involved. He says, “I was on the ground floor of establishing the Forest Drive Clinic, for which I am particularly proud.” Access to medical care for the underserved is near and dear to Hank and his family. Through Hank, the Carol M. Jacobsohn Foundation, founded by his aunt, gave a matching challenge grant that provided significant support to the AAMC Community Clinics. Hank encourages potential donors to recognize the leverage of tapping into matching grants. “When you tell them it’s going to net two or three dollars for every dollar that they put in,” he says, “it has an impact. I believe in matching gifts.” With Hank’s leadership, it has certainly made a significant impact on AAMC’s community clinics. AAMC’s Community Clinic Locations AAMC Community Clinic – Forest Drive 1419 Forest DriveAnnapolis, MD 21403 AAMC Community Clinic – Morris Blum 701 Glenwood StreetAnnapolis, MD 21401Phone: 410-990-0050 For more information about how to support the hospital’s clinics, please call 443-481-4747.0
- PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogKnowing when your child is ready to talk about sexual health can be a challenge. Knowing how to talk to you child about sex is another puzzle. While having this conversation may seem daunting and uncomfortable, it’s much better to address the topic instead of staying silent. Consider the current statistics on teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). In 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that girls ages 13 to 19 had a birth rate of 26.5 per 1,000. And according to The Department of Health and Human Services, nearly half of the 20 million reported new cases of STDs each year in the United States occur in youths ages 15 to 24. Starting the conversation It’s important to establish an open line of communication with your teen to discuss sexual health and the pressures or desires to engage in sexual activity. Establishing this type of communication can prevent teens from engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors. Start by answering your child’s questions with age-appropriate answers and correct terminology. Try to avoid including extra details or information. But it’s not all up to you to educate your child. They may already be learning about sexual health in the classroom. In Maryland, local school boards developed a standard for sexual health classes to begin between the ages of 10 and 12. Asking your child about what they’re learning is a good place to start the conversation. Involving your child’s doctor Your child’s pediatrician or primary care doctor can also talk to your child about sexual health at their annual physical. It’s a chance for both you and your child to ask questions and discuss concerns. Before the physical, you may speak with the doctor to discuss family values and standards. While your child’s doctor is a resource to you, I recommend you also personally share these views with your child in an open discussion. During the physical, many providers will ask you to leave the exam room for a period of time. Don’t take offense. Your child may be embarrassed to make a comment or ask a question in front of you. This time allows the doctor to talk to your child about emotional wellbeing and risk behaviors. If needed, the doctor can also help your child share concerns with you. As your child’s doctor continues the discussion into their late teen years, your child will build a trusting relationship with his or her doctor. This way, there’s already an established relationship of trust between teen, parent and doctor when your teen gets older and asks more questions about sexual health. Keep in mind that Maryland Minor Consent Laws allow minors to be seen without the consent of parents to discuss contraception, diagnosis or screening of STDs and decisions related to pregnancy. As a parent, it’s important to build a foundation of trust for the future. A primary care doctor is a resource, but not a replacement for your own communication with your child. Looking for a provider? Search our Find A Doc directory and find one who is right for you and your family.0
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