Diabetes is a condition in which your body doesn’t properly process food for use as energy. If you have diabetes, your body either doesn't make enough insulin or can't use its own insulin as well as it should. This chronic disease is the seventh-leading cause of death in the U.S. and the number one cause of kidney failure, lower-limb amputations and adult-onset blindness.

While there are different types of diabetes, Type 2 diabetes is the most common. Fortunately, it’s also preventable.

Consider adopting the following lifestyle changes to help keep this chronic condition at bay:

• Talk to your doctor. What’s considered a healthy diet change for your friend might not be considered healthy for you, too. The best way to determine how to go about changing your diet is by talking with your doctor first.

• Lose weight and keep it off. You may be able to prevent or delay diabetes by losing 5 to 7 percent of your starting weight.

• Move more. Aim to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week. If you haven’t been active, talk with your doctor to find out what a safe exercise plan is for you.

• Eat healthy. A healthy diet is key to keeping chronic conditions like diabetes at bay. Try things like eating smaller portions, staying away from fatty foods and choosing low-calorie beverages to reduce the amount of calories you eat each day and help you lose weight.

• Get screened. Go to your doctor for routine diabetes screenings. These screenings will let you know how at-risk you are and will help you determine how to further prevent diabetes.
Remember, you have the power to keep your health in check. To find out more about diabetes and your personal risk of developing this disease, talk to your doctor today.

This week, Trinity Health Center received several pallets of miscellaneous medical supplies from a generous donor including stethoscopes, gauze and surgical scissors.

Our Executive Director, Kimberly Remak, joined Board Member and DeSoto County Supervisor Lee Caldwell and volunteers Ed Gomez and Judy Umfress to sort through the donations.

We were able to donate extra equipment to Desoto County Emergency Services who are committed to continuously enhancing public safety and all-hazard community preparedness right here in Northwest MS.

As we work towards opening our doors inside the Desoto County Dream Center, please help us provide hope and healing to our underserved neighbors in DeSoto County→ http://bit.ly/Donate2TrinityHealthCenter

DeSoto County Clinic for working uninsured / underinsured, opening Late Spring 2020, hires passionate medical director

Opening late Spring, Trinity Health Center will provide high quality, cost effective, compassionate primary healthcare to the working underserved / underinsured of DeSoto County and recently hired its part-time Medical Doctor to spearhead its patient care efforts.

Dr. Patrick A. Ball is a family medicine physician who received his medical degree from Kansas City University of Medicine & Biosciences and has been practicing medicine in Mississippi for sixteen years.

“Calling to serve as part-time director of Trinity Health Center is a direct result of having watched my father, a physician, provide both medical and spiritual care for his patients in small town Batesville, Mississippi,” said Ball. “Through these early life experiences, it impressed on me that we are to use our resources and our opportunities to help those around us.”

Trinity Health Center is collaborating with local church and community leaders and will be modeled after Church Health, the largest charitable clinic in the country serving over 50,000 working uninsured individuals with primary care, wellness and education.

Dr. Ball believes that healthy communities are strengthened and sustained by the health of its members and through personal relationships built on the transformative love and others-oriented mindset of Christ. “I feel that this opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Church Health and its founder, Dr. Scott Morris, is a very exciting chance for those in the DeSoto County community of faith to become a tangible expression of God’s love to this community.”

The cost of healthcare or absence of health insurance contributes greatly to the ability of low-income DeSoto County residents to access care and with the growing Coronavirus pandemic, more residents than ever are experiencing hardships which will result in needed quality and affordable healthcare.
The lack of available and affordable primary care access in the existing healthcare safety-net is driving the creation of Trinity Health Center. With almost 30,000 identified uninsured residents, DeSoto County will benefit from a comprehensive health clinic designed to serve those falling through the cracks of our healthcare system.

Dr. Ball is married to Kim Ball who serves as the Women’s Minister at Getwell Road Church in Southaven, MS. They have a fourteen year old son, Caden who is a freshman at Northpoint High School and are an indelible asset to our community. Ball will continue to maintain his busy practice at DeSoto Primary Care Associates while serving as part-time Medical Director at Trinity Health.
If you’re interested in donating, volunteering, or providing medical services to Trinity Health Center, you can contact them at info@trinityhealthcenter.org or by visiting www.trinityhealthcenter.org

In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization have recommended that individuals who may have been exposed to the disease self-quarantine at home for 14 days. In addition, public health officials are recommending that healthy individuals practice social distancing, staying at home to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Following the advice of public health officials can help stop the spread of COVID-19, but if you don’t take proper precautions, your mental well-being could suffer while you’re quarantining.
If you’re self-quarantining or practicing social distancing, keep the following tips in mind to maintain your mental well-being.

Maintain a Routine
One of the best things that you can do to preserve your mental well-being is to stick to a routine. For example, if you’re used to going to the gym before work, try to wake up early and get an at-home workout in before you go to work or start your workday from home. Maintaining as much normalcy as possible with your daily routine can help keep your mood as lifted as possible, and prevent boredom and distress from taking over.
If you have children that will be at home now, it’s also important to create a routine for them. Whether they are practicing virtual learning with their schools or if they will just be home, you should implement a structured schedule for them so they know what your expectations are. Try to limit as much screen time as possible and incorporate learning activities throughout the day.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep
This suggestion goes hand-in-hand with sticking to a routine. While you’re at home, it can be easy to go to bed or sleep in later than you typically would. Breaking your normal sleep routine can have negative effects on your overall mental well-being, so you should try to stick to your typical schedule as much as possible.

Spend Time Outside
Unless health officials give you explicit instructions to stay in your home no matter what, try to get outside periodically throughout the day. This could involve going out in your backyard or taking a walk around the block, but shouldn’t include going to a park or other areas where large groups of people may be. 
Being outside also helps to promote higher vitamin D levels, a vitamin the body makes when skin is directly exposed to the sun. Many people are deficient in vitamin D, so exercising outside can be a great way to correct that.

Leverage the Power of Technology
When in quarantine or self-isolation, it can be easy to feel lonely. Fortunately, advancements in technology have made it easy to connect with others without having to physically be in contact with them. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recommends reaching out to loved ones with technology to reduce feelings of loneliness and anxiety, and to supplement your social life while you’re quarantining or social distancing. If you’re feeling down, use video calling technology or social media to get in touch with friends and family.
 
Don’t Obsess Over the News
It can be easy to become overwhelmed by watching the news and reviewing the updates of the COVID-19 situation. While it’s important to be informed of the situation, you should not obsess over the news. For example, instead of monitoring the news all day from home, consider checking for updates once in the morning and once at night. 

Practice Positivity and Gratitude
Taking five minutes a day to write down the things that you are grateful for has been proven to lower stress levels and can help you change your mindset from negative to positive. While you’re quarantining or social distancing, it’s important to build time into your routine to practice positivity or express gratitude to change your mindset on your situation and boost your mood.

Summary
Your mental well-being plays a huge role in your overall health and well-being, and it should be prioritized. These six suggestions may help you maintain your mental well-being during a quarantine, but shouldn’t be considered as medical advice.

If you have concerns about your mental well-being while you’re in quarantine, please contact your mental health professional or use SAMHSA’s National Helpline by calling 800-662-HELP (4357).

Trinity Health Center Executive Director, Kimberly Remak was recently featured on the cityCURRENT Radio Show with Jeremy C. Park to discuss the mission of Trinity Health, how the community can help and benefit from our services, and the need in our community.

​Please help us provide hope and healing to our underserved neighbors in DeSoto County by becoming a Trinity Health Champion→ http://bit.ly/Donate2TrinityHealthCenter

DeSoto County Clinic for working uninsured / underinsured, opening Spring 2020, hires Executive Director
 
Tucked behind a bustling Goodman Road in Horn Lake, you will soon find a center becoming a beacon of hope and healing for thousands in DeSoto County when it opens Spring 2020. Trinity Health Center will provide high quality, cost effective, compassionate primary healthcare to the working underserved / underinsured of DeSoto County.

Trinity Health Center will be housed in the DeSoto County Dream Center, a 17,300 square foot building which formerly housed Southern Thunder Harley-Davidson. The DeSoto County Dream Center will serve as a resource center focused on finding solutions to healthcare, hunger, and lack of education through community outreach programs including Trinity Health Center.

At the helm of the 501c3 nonprofit, Kimberly Remak will serve as Executive Director and Trinity Health Center hopes to hire or recruit volunteers for a medical director, nurse practitioner, registered nurse, medical assistant, social worker, receptionist, and administrative assistant in the near future. Remak’s tenure in the healthcare and nonprofit sectors will lead Trinity Health Center’s impact in our community. As former founder of the Arc Northwest Mississippi, a nonprofit serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Remak is no stranger to helping those across the region.

Trinity Health Center is collaborating with local church and community leaders and will be modeled after Church Health, the largest charitable clinic in the country serving over 50,000 working uninsured individuals with primary care, wellness and education. Part of Church Health’s mission is to assist others in creating and expanding ministries of their own. Trinity Health Center will work with Church Health’s replication arm, ECHO (Empowering Church Health Outreach) for assistance and will become a member of the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics and the Christian Community Health Fellowship to tap into the knowledge base of their members.

This new organization was supported in partnership between Brown Missionary Baptist Church and Life Fellowship Church along with other community partners to be a holistic approach to hope and healing across DeSoto County. According to the US Census Bureau’s 2016 Population Survey, 20% of Mississippians were without any form of health insurance.  DeSoto County’s uninsured rate is roughly 17% (29,750).The lack of health insurance falls disproportionately to minorities, those without a college education, and those earning less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Line. Remak says the clinic is intended to provide primary care to a population that often relies on the emergency room. When you’re making choices between food, shelter, transportation and heat – Remak says routine healthcare is not always a priority.

The cost of healthcare or absence of health insurance contributes greatly to the ability of low-income DeSoto County residents to access care. Out-of-pocket costs associated with health care deductibles, copays, prescriptions, and other costs inhibit residents from accessing care when they need it. 19% (33,250) of adults in DeSoto County consider cost a barrier to accessing care and acknowledge that they have not received care because they could not afford it. Trinity Health Center plans to become the medical home for many of these individuals.
 
The lack of available and affordable primary care access in the existing healthcare safety-net is driving the creation of Trinity Health Center. With almost 30,000 identified uninsured residents, DeSoto County will benefit from a comprehensive health clinic designed to serve those falling through the cracks of our healthcare system.
If you’re interested in donating, volunteering, or providing medical services to Trinity Health Center, you can contact them at info@trinityhealthcenter.org or by visiting www.trinityhealthcenter.org

Most people experience several bouts of influenza throughout their lifetime. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), even otherwise healthy people can get sick enough to require hospitalization from the flu.

Influenza
The flu is an infection of the respiratory tract that is caused by the influenza virus. It is spread mainly through airborne transmission, when an infected person sneezes, coughs or speaks. A person can infect others one day before having flu symptoms and up to five days after becoming ill.

Flu Symptoms
Influenza is most often associated with the sudden onset of fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, congestion, cough and sore throat. Most people recover within a few days to less than two weeks. Occasionally, complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis or other infections can occur.

Prevention
The flu vaccine is your best chance of preventing the illness. Currently, the CDC recommends that anyone over 6 months of age receive an annual flu shot. Nasal sprays and egg-free vaccines are also available. While there are many different types of flu virus, the shot protects you against the viruses that experts believe will be most common that year.
Doctors highly recommend that those at high risk for flu complications—young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic conditions (asthma, diabetes, etc.) and those 65 years or older—should get the vaccine each year.

Other tips for preventing the flu include the following:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay away from others when you feel under the weather.
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. To avoid contaminating your hands, cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow.
• Wash your hands often using soap and warm water to protect against germs.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces that may be contaminated with germs (counter tops, shared phones at work, etc.).
• Get plenty of sleep, stay physically active and drink plenty of water to keep your immune system strong.
• Manage your stress and eat a nutritious diet rich in healthy grains, fruits, vegetables and fiber.

If You Get Sick
If you get the flu, stay home from work or school for at least 24 hours after your fever goes away to avoid spreading the illness to others. To ease your symptoms try the following strategies:

• Stay hydrated and get plenty of rest.
• Try gargling saltwater made from dissolving ¼ to ½ teaspoon of salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water to relieve a sore throat.
• Drink warm liquids, such as tea and chicken noodle soup, and add moisture to the air with a vaporizer or humidifier to help ease congestion.

The flu is usually manageable with rest and over-the-counter medicine. If your symptoms are severe, though, your doctor can prescribe antiviral drugs to help shorten your sick time. Avoid asking your doctor for antibiotics, however, since they only fight bacteria and will be of no use against the flu virus.

Be sure to seek immediate medical attention if you display any of these warning signs:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with a fever and worse cough

​
By following the tips in this article and getting your annual flu shot, you can reduce your chances of getting the flu and stay healthy this winter.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the typical American family spends over $1,600 a year on home utility bills, and a large portion of that energy is wasted. Not to fear: there are several things you can do each month to conserve energy and reduce the strain on your wallet.

Conduct a Home Energy Audit
An energy audit will show you which areas of your home use the most energy. You can conduct this yourself, contact your local utility or call an independent energy auditor. A comprehensive evaluation should include:

• Checking insulation levels
• Looking for open fireplace dampers
• Searching for holes or cracks around doors, light and plumbing fixtures, and other places where air may leak out.
• Ensuring appliances and heating and cooling systems are properly maintained.

​
Temperature Tips

• Weatherize your home – caulk and weather-strip any doors and windows that leak air.
• Install a programmable thermostat that will reduce heating (or turn air conditioning up) at night and when you are not home.
• Consider replacing single-pane windows with double-pane; they have coatings that reduce heat loss or gain, depending on the season.
• Keep your thermostat under 70 degrees in the winter and a few degrees cooler than the outside temperature in the summer.

Water Use

• Repair leaky faucets immediately.
• Use low-flow showerheads.
• Insulate your hot-water storage tank and pipes.
• Drain a quart of water from your tank every three months to remove sediment (which impedes heat transfer and lowers efficiency).
• Lower the hot water heater to 120 degrees.
• Take short showers instead of baths.
• Wash only full loads of dishes and/or laundry.
• Air-dry dishes and line-dry clothes if possible.

Renewable Energy
There are more options than ever to use renewable energy. When building a new home, orient it to avoid overhead summer sun and to benefit from winter sun in cooler climates. Try a solar pool heating system, which can cut costs for heating swimming pools or hot tubs. Under certain conditions, installing solar cells might be right for you.

Vehicle Use
Improve gas mileage by:

• Avoiding aggressive driving.
• Observing the speed limit.
• Removing roof racks or carriers if not used often.
• Keeping up with maintenance – clean air filters can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.
• Ensuring tires are properly inflated and aligned.
• Using the correct grade of oil.

 
Energy Star® Products
Whenever you are purchasing new equipment or appliances, look for the Energy Star logo. These products meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and U.S. Department of Energy. For more information, go to http://www.energystar.gov/