It's time for us to take charge of our health
Let's face facts: Over the course of our years on this Earth, we will all face challenges —
and possibly crises — when it comes to our health. It's an inevitable part of life.
What's not so inevitable is how we will handle those obstacles. Will we be prepared to fight for our lives? With this — our second edition of Idaho Health — we hope to inspire you to take charge now by sharing the stories of Idahoans who have worked to lose weight, fought back after a massive cardiac arrest, faced a battle with addiction, struggled with cancer and more.
It's important to remember that it's not all or nothing. You don't have to be at your perfect weight or be training to run a half marathon to take the critical steps to improve your health. Experts have found that just getting out and walking each day for about 30 minutes does wonders for our physical and mental well-being. And you don't have to do it all at once, either. Experts now say that it's OK to exercise throughout the day in increments of 10 minutes or more — as long as the total adds up to at least 30 minutes a day. Read more about these new rules for exercise.
Inside these pages, Idaho Health writer Colleen LaMay has more tips and stories to help you fight for better health. A longtime Statesman reporter and copy editor, Colleen shares her own compelling story about addiction. Two years ago — motivated by her children and a pair of pig lungs — she quit smoking after 26 years.
Colleen also has compiled lists and lists of online resources to help you learn more about everything from calculating your body mass index to finding a support group. (Find the links throughout this site.) You'll also find additional information from Colleen here at our site — radon-testing details, local autism-spectrum disorder resources, interview transcripts and more.
And while you are here at our site, take a moment to search our online health-care provider directory. The directory has a searchable database of providers by city, specialty and more.
Another important resource in this magazine is provided by Treasure Valley health professionals in our special advertising section. There's information about key health-care topics from immediate care to dialysis to podiatry.
We hope you enjoy this issue of Idaho Health — and, most of all, we hope it helps you to start thinking of ways you can take charge of your own health.
Remember: You're worth it.
Mi-Ai Parrish, President & Publisher, Idaho Statesman
Have a story idea for Idaho Health? Contact Idaho Health reporter Colleen LaMay (377-6448) or Idaho Health editor Holly Anderson (672-6735) if you have comments about the Idaho Health feature stories. We'd love to hear your feedback.
If you are interested in advertising in an issue of Idaho Health or have questions about one of our advertising experts, contact Steve Wallace (672-6741) or Chuck Fanter (672-6760). Future issues of Idaho Health are: June 25, 2008, and Oct. 29, 2008.
If you have an update to or are interested in being added to our Provider Directory, contact Steve Wallace (672-6741).
