ProfNet Wire: Health & Living: Ski and Snowboard Injuries
LEADS
1. Dentistry: Maintaining Oral Health for Good Health Overall
2. Health: Ski and Snowboard Injuries
3. Health: Employers and Medical/Behavioral Health Care
4. Travel: This Year's Fall Foliage Forecast
**1. DENTISTRY: MAINTAINING ORAL HEALTH FOR GOOD HEALTH OVERALL. DR. MICHAEL WEITZNER, DMD, MS, vice president for clinical product development at UNITEDHEALTHCARE DENTAL, has extensive experience in evidence-based dentistry and disease management: "Recent medical and dental studies have suggested a link between periodontal disease and adverse health problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and pregnancy risks like pre-term and low-weight births. It has become increasingly important to maintain good oral health in order to maintain good overall health, with regular visits to the dentist and good oral hygiene." Weitzner can speak about the importance of oral health as a part of overall health, in light of National Dental Hygiene Month in October. News Contact: Sara Walker, sara_a_walker@uhc.com Phone: +1-443-896- 0616 (9/28/07)
**2. HEALTH: SKI AND SNOWBOARD INJURIES. DR. KEVIN PLANCHER, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team doctor and New York-area sports orthopedist: "Preventing ski and snowboard injuries starts now. The most prevalent ski and snowboard injuries involve tendons, ligaments and muscles in the legs, knees and even in the upper body. When specifically trained for added strength and flexibility during skiing, these particular muscles may withstand greater load and range of motion without injury." Plancher prescribes weeks of pre-season strength, flexibility training for skiers and snowboarders. News Contact: Melissa Chefec, mchefec@optonline.net Phone: +1-203-968-6625 (9/28/07)
**3. HEALTH: EMPLOYERS AND MEDICAL/BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE. DR. DAVID WHITEHOUSE, M.D., chief medical officer for UNITED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: "Employees with chronic medical conditions are two to three times more likely than other employees to have a serious behavioral health condition, such as depression, anxiety or substance abuse, but conditions often go undetected and untreated. These co-morbid conditions can significantly increase the use and length of medical treatment, as well as medical costs." Whitehouse is available to talk about the latest strategies available to employers to integrate medical and behavioral health care in order to improve the overall health and productivity of their workforce. Oct. 10 is World Mental Health Day, an annual global mental health awareness campaign organized by the World Federation for Mental Health. News Contact: Brad Lotterman, brad.lotterman@phs.com Phone: +1-714-445-0453 (9/28/07)
**4. TRAVEL: THIS YEAR'S FALL FOLIAGE FORECAST. SCOTTY JOHNSTON, an energetic, passionate and knowledgeable authority on fall foliage, has been leading fall foliage trips for TAUCK WORLD DISCOVERY, a leading luxury tour operator, for 47 years. Johnston can speak to the science behind fall foliage, this year's fall foliage forecast, surprising places in North America to view fall foliage, myths surrounding fall foliage, and where and when this year's foliage will "peak": "This year's fall foliage should be wonderful, particularly in the Northeast. The absence of damaging storms, modest pest damage and adequate rainfall has resulted in a lush canopy of foliage that should offer a brilliant display of fall colors throughout New England. Elsewhere in the U.S., foliage can be enjoyed in a surprising number of places, from Taos, N.M., to Michigan's Upper Peninsula to Crested Butte, Colo. Even urban dwellers can enjoy the season by viewing the amazing variety of trees at the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in New York City." Johnston has been featured in a variety of print and broadcast media. News Contact: Tom Armstrong, tarmstrong@tauck.com Phone: +1- 203-899-6814 Web site: http://www.tauck.com (9/28/07)
