Showing posts with label health care reform. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health care reform. Show all posts

Friday, August 21, 2009

Solution for Nation’s Health Crisis Requires a Paradigm Shift

The positive takeaway from this whole recession is that American’s now have personal incentives to strive toward wholeness and moderation. We can no longer rely on buy now pay later, we recognize that when it comes to our homes, personal possessions financial security, our health and peace of mind, our very existence requires a new paradigm for living.

We can not afford to live at extremes. Extreme workouts lead to extreme hunger, a sense of entitlement and compromise with near bingeing on tasty treats that are loaded with fat and sugar. We can no longer turn a blind eye toward the sneaky advertising methods, taste and flavor enhancers that hook us – at a cellular neurochemical level! – and say that “we just couldn’t help ourselves.” Just because many of these things have been in our environments since childhood, we now know that the effects of the long term use are dire. The argument of, “Hey, I turned out all right after eating at burger joints, pizza, ice cream and sugary breakfast cereals…”

Folks who read the TIME Magazine piece about the "Myths of Exercise" can recognize your own experience in the writer's story. We have been programmed to believe a lot of myths, lies and fairy tales about how to lose weight. If you've seen or heard me talk about my patient, Jeffrey Banks, who lost over 250 pounds and reversed a 12-year history of type-II diabetes, you now that for over 10 years I've shared with thousands of patients and millions of TV viewers when I was on Oprah, that the calories we consume and the nutrient value of our food should guide our health decisions. My latest book, The Pennington Plan for Weight Success, and the audio companion program Nutrition 101 - The Essentials for a Healthy Weight & Age-Less Beauty can provide you with simple guidance here.

We must turn away from the perverted interpretation of the promise of Democracy – that we can be all we want, take all we want and enjoy comfort all we want. These very misperceptions have led our nation into sedentary, gluttonous consumers and pain-avoiders.

Now the pain is here. Over two thirds of our nation is overweight. This excess weight – both physically and mentally – has pushed us into acute and chronic health conditions that are breaking our personal and collective banks. The pain of the economic uncertainty, emblazoned into our brains by 24-hour news programming, is pushing many to the brink of suicide, homicide and self-identity crises.

Finally the messages that I and others have been sharing in the media, with our patients and friends and family members cannot fall on deaf ears. The nation is finally ready and motivated for change state, because our very lives and livelihood depend on it. This is that ‘teachable moment’ that we coaches and psychologists talk about.

So we are encouraged (and coerced) into moving more and enjoying life’s pleasures in moderation. When we deprive ourselves of joy, nurturing and comfort we are forced to deal with the consequences of the pendulum swinging the other way. It’s time to recognize the wisdom of Buddhist teachings suggesting that we choose the ‘middle way.’

Move more. Eat consciously without relying on fads or gimmicks. Let your body’s original nature program guide you to a life of wholeness. Engage in physical activity regularly because your body craves it and loves it and is stimulated by it. Enjoy in the moment the time with your family members, friends, children.

When at work, stay focused on living up to your potential there. If you demonstrate the worthiness and capability to move up, you will. Allow yourself the wonderful experience of ridding your body, mind and environment of toxic substances, abuse of alcohol and even draining, negative relationships. You will begin to feel a natural sense of vitality that comes from being connected to who you really are and less about trying to live up to some ideal that really wasn’t promised to you at birth, you were simply programmed to believe it. Soon you will find that you can more easily gravitate toward food, environments, relationships and experiences that bring you joy, peace and motivation to live a better life. It’s not automatic and some will take longer to return to this state than others.


That’s where personalized medicine and empowerment coaching enable you to customize the latest statistics, personal genetics and lifestyle choice to create a plan for living healthy that you are more likely to stick with. Align yourself with health care professionals of all types to assist you in your own personal health recovery program.

Good health habits beget more good health habits. Each step we take provides more momentum and positive feeling to encourage us to do more. We can no longer accept complacency. This is the time to live up to our collective potential to be a vibrant, active, healthy society.

I stand committed to helping you achieve that in every way possible. Please feel free to leave your comments, suggestions and questions here or contact me directly at DrAndrea@AndreaPennington.com

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

10 Tips for Longevity

Most people just want to hear the basic ways to improve their health. I wish there was a magic pill or simple formula, but the reality is that if we embrace a healthy lifestyle - most of the time! - we can reduce the burden of physical ailments and disease in our lives.

But, since you keep asking for quick tips for living longer and healthier, here they are!

Dr. Andrea's 10 Tips for Longevity
1. Ensure you maintain proper nutrition and hydration

2. Ensure you have regular physical activity

3. Consult an Age Management practitioner and inquire if hormone optimization is an alternative for you

4. Consult a certified nutritionist, dietitian or Age Management doctor to optimize your vitamin and mineral supplementation

5. Ensure stimulation of the mind; research mental fitness techniques likes games, puzzles, and reading

6. Ensure you participate in social networks and maintain relationships and friendships

7. Engage in practical spirituality to live with purpose and passion

8. Practice emotional wellness and stress elimination

9. Get a good night’s sleep, between 7–9 hours, also known as restorative sleep

10. Live in harmony with nature and your environment


Make these simple steps part of your daily and weekly routine. These habits can add up to longer productive years and can prolong your 'health span'.


Here's to your health and vitality,

Dr. Andrea


Dr. Andrea Pennington, a physician, acupuncturist and empowerment coach, is the president of Pennington Empowerment Media and is a physician affiliate of the Cenegenics Medical Institute. She is the author of The Pennington Plan: 5 Simple Steps to Vibrant Health, Emotional Well Being and Spiritual Growth. For more information, visitwww.andreapennington.com.

Friday, April 24, 2009

What's the meaning of "Meaningful Use"?

Those of us involved in health information technology have been pondering the meaning of a the term 'meaningful use'. Because for those health care providers, hospitals and clinics looking to get their share of the $20 billion of stimulus money aimed at HIT applications this term defines everything.


When you read the HITECH act, the over 100 pages of the 2009 stimulus package that defines which health IT applications qualify for stimulus incentives you understand that the money is not paid up front, but instead will be distributed to those who implement a certified electronic medical record that meets certain criteria some of which will be described by the office of the National Coordinator for Health IT. This role was recently filled by David Blumethal from Harvard by President Obama


Health providers who want clearer definitions of 'meaningful use' before they make significant investments in IT to comply with federal regulations will want to attend hearing on “meaningful use” for healthcare information technology next week hosted by the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics.


On April 28-29 executive subcommittee meeting will be held in Washington, DC and will focus on use as it relates to the capacity and functionality of electronic health records, quality reporting, health information exchange, and population/public health. Sessions also will discuss meaningful use in health IT product certification, and panelists will talk about ways to help vendors, providers and other healthcare stakeholders reach health IT goals by 2011.

I will be there to find out what all of this means to minority and underserved populations, I hope to see you there.


Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Can lack of health insurance make you sicker than usual?

Recently I spoke with a friend who has no health insurance. She still sees one doctor regularly for her check-ups and diabetes management, she pays out of pocket for this care.

Well, last month she went in for help with terrible allergies and sinus pressure. The front office staff all but barred  her from seeing the doctor unless she signed an agreement to pay a large sum of money each month. All this despite the fact that she has been paying on a current bill each month.

Well, suffice it so say that she did NOT see the  doctor that day. Three weeks later she ended up with pneumonia!!!

How are you dealing with the economic stress? Are you still plugged into the healthcare system?

Please share your comments and watch the video!

Best of health to you,
Dr. Andrea