Kim Kardashian is a Spokesperson (Again) for a Public Health Issue...Will the Public Buy In This Time?

This afternoon I saw a tweet from Kim Kardashian that read "Recognizing Ovarian Cancer is the 1st step in fighting Ovarian Cancer- please watch and share this video". So my first thought was- "I wonder if this campaign will be more successful than her last?" As you may remember, in December 2010 I blogged about Kim and other celebrities that staged their digital deaths in order to raise money for World AIDS Day. In addition to my concerns about the campaign's design (which included a less than clear cue to action for the audience), its "success" was also questionable because it ended up taking much longer than intended to reach their 1 million dollar goal. So I was quite intrigued to view Kim's newest PSA on YouTube.

The event called "Super Saturday Live" is a collaboration between QVC and the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF). On Saturday, July 30, 2011- designer clothes sold on QVC will be 50% off and the net proceeds will be given to OCRF. The PSA informs the audience that this money is necessary because there is currently no good early detection test for ovarian cancer.

I was pleasantly surprised by the PSA. It didn't feel too long (94 seconds). It kept my interest with minimal and appropriate statistics. For example, instead of scaring the audience, the music was upbeat and focused on the positive- a 92% 5-year survival rate when the cancer is detected early. The PSA also had information presented through both audio and visual channels. Finally (and most importantly)- as an audience member, I knew exactly what I was supposed to do. The cue to action was clear. I was to share the video- "like" it, post it, forward it. And finally, I should tweet about #supersaturday. This way the "trend" can get ahead of ovarian cancer.

In addition to the look and feel of the PSA, I think it is important to discuss the strength and popularity of the chosen spokesperson. Just as I mentioned in December, Kim Kardashian is an obvious choice if you are looking for a huge reach. As of tonight, she had 8,380,553 followers on twitter. The PSA already had 5,965 views on YouTube. However, I have my concerns about her genuine interest in this public health issue. Does she have a personal connection or does she just jump on the bandwagon (like in December) for any way to promote her "brand"? I ask because I have concerns due to how she behaves on her E! show- Keeping Up with the Kardashians. For example, just a few weeks ago on the show, Kim had her butt x-rayed to "prove to the media" that it was real (without butt implants). I watched this episode while on the elliptical machine at the gym and felt enraged. First of all, what type of terrible physician allows his time and resources to be taken up with such nonsense? Also, what type of terrible physician agrees to expose Kim, his patient, to needless radiation to help her prove this point? And how much extra time does she (and her sisters) have on their hands to participate in this silly trip to the doctor? If I were the Executive Director of OCRF, even with her extensive popularity, I doubt that I would choose her for a spokesperson.

So let's all check out Twitter on Saturday, July 30th...let's see if #supersaturday is trending and if Kim's "quantity" of followers can help balance out her sometimes lack of "quality" as a spokesperson.

In Honor of World AIDS Day: Can Celebrity "Digital Deaths" Prevent Real Deaths from HIV/AIDS?

Kim Kardashian, Ryan Seacrest, and Lady Gaga are all dead! No, not really...but they are considered "Digitally Dead" for today- World AIDS Day (December 1st). These celebrities and many more joined forces with a charity co-founded by singer Alicia Keys called Keep a Child Alive. The charity provides treatment, love, and support to families affected by HIV/AIDS.

For today's campaign, celebs were pictured in coffins, featured in "last video testaments", and pledging to stay digitally silent on their social media accounts (i.e., on Facebook and Twitter) until their lives were "bought back" by donors reaching a minimum of one million dollars total. Although the images of celebs in coffins were a little creepy, Keep a Child Alive co-founder Leigh Blake says:

"We're trying to sort of make the remark: Why do we care so much about the death of one celebrity as opposed to millions and millions of people dying in the place that we're all from? Its about love and respect and human dignity."

It is an interesting concept for a health communication/advocacy campaign. Usually when campaigns advocate via social media, it is done by bombarding their followers with messages and links to donate or sign up to assist the cause. Here, the campaign is trying to motivate donors by having an ABSENCE of the celebrities' voices. How powerful is that absence? Will the public really miss reading celebs tweets and facebook status updates? Apparently so. As of tonight on Twitter, Kim Kardashian had 5,467,107 followers and Ryan Seacrest had 3,683,658 followers. So whether we like it or not, the voices (and silences) of these celebrities matter in our communities.

While I do think the campaign will have large reach, I will say that their coffin posters left room for improvement. I've analyzed health communication campaigns on this blog before, and the key is always- "What is the cue to action? Does the audience know what they are supposed to do after seeing the poster/brochure/PSA?" Well- when I first saw this poster of Kim Kardashian, I had no idea what it was about. I had to Google and read the narrative about the World AIDS Day campaign for Keep A Child Alive. For this blog post, I had to blow the image up over 100% to read the text on the bottom of the poster. It reads,

"Kim sacrificed her digital life to give real life to millions of others affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India. That means no more Facebook or Twitter until we buy her life back". Then the charity website and text number were provided to accept donations. In future campaigns, they would want that text to be much bigger. It should not take the audience several minutes, a Google search, and a magnifying glass to figure out what they are supposed to do to help poor Kim get out of that coffin.

Overall, I give this campaign a B+ for creativity in using the "absence" of social media messages and targeting celebrities with a huge following and reach to potential donors.

Chiropractic to relieve pre-menstrual syndrome

Headaches, nausea, back pain, weakness and irritation are some symptoms of Pre Menstrual Syndrome (PMS). Instead of pills, have you ever considered that these illnesses could be controlled with chiropractic?
PMS in some women may be linked to nerve interference. The nervous system controls every cell, fiber, tissue and organ in the body system. When the female reproductive system is not working properly, menstruation can become a nightmare.
"The nervous system is protected by the spine, which consists of vertebrae and discs. The brain sends messages to all structures of our body through the umbilical cord. In each vertebra out a pair of nerves that connect to all parts of the body. If a misaligned vertebra producing nerve interference or subluxation, which prevents this communication and, therefore, the proper functioning of the body, "said Frances chiropractic Columbus.
Dr. Colon indicates that these do not necessarily cause nerve compression pain, but appear to affect the function of the body. Nor are triggered by a particular event, but throughout life. "This interference begins when we are children. From birth - by the pressure in the neck and back, passing through the birth canal, sleeping face down, carry heavy loads, falls and sports injuries. The dolamas of adulthood begin in our children, "he said.
In most cases the SPM 1-5 lumbar vertebrae and the sacrum are involved, since they control the lower abdomen, lower back and legs. Adjustments not only relieve the condition or discomfort, but also improve the functioning of the body in general.
"When it takes the pressure off a nerve by means of adjustments, that nerve is sending messages from the brain to the body correctly, thus facilitating the reinstatement of the different structures of our system. The adjustments are not limited to relieving PMS but the reproductive system in general, including infertility and menopause and other body areas, "said professional practice in Miami.
Chiropractic is an alternative to drugs such as diuretics, hormone therapy, and even anti-depressants to relieve the discomforts associated with PMS. The drugs not only treat the cause, but can cause side effects and affect other organs or body functions.
Many people associate chiropractic with trauma, pain and injury, but also to offer an alternative solution for PMS Dr. Columbus indicates that it is relief to conditions like asthma, ear infections, fibromyalgia and migraine. "The ideal patient is one that comes without pain, but prevention. He understands that your system may work best. The spinal adjustments can help restore harmony and balance the nervous system and help it function normally."

Placenta, an excellent treatment for burns

The amniotic membrane (MAH), which is adjacent to the placenta and is used for patients who have burns, those with diabetic foot to eye injuries, and much more.


The membrane consists of a single layer of cuboidal cells and basement membrane resting on a layer of connective tissue close to the chorion, and helps in:

Its use in ocular surface facilitates healing with minimal inflammation and scarring by combining mechanical protection to biological factors.

Facilitates migration of epithelial cells, promotes epithelial differentiation, reinforces adhesion of epithelial cells and prevents apoptosis. It also contains anti-inflammatory proteins, growth factors and inhibiting factors of fibrosis.

It is postulated that the oxygen permeability and epithelial hydration may explain the effectiveness of human amniotic membrane transplantation.

The MAH placentas obtained from cesarean mothers from donors seronegative for human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B and C and syphilis, gener

Vaccine for cocaine addiction

Scientists in California have discovered a vaccine that neutralizes the cocaine in mice, and now prepare a human version could also work with other addictive as nicotine and methamphetamine.

"Our very dramatic results show that we can protect mice from the effects (addictive) of cocaine, and we believe that these outcomes are very promising in the fight against addiction in humans," said lead researcher Ronald Crystal.


How does the vaccine?

The vaccine produces antibodies that neutralize the effects of cocaine addiction created, ie, suppresses the stimulatory effects of the drug before it reaches the brain.

In the laboratory model, the vaccine provided immunity to mice for a period of 13 weeks.

This new finding would be extremely useful for the treatment of cocaine addiction crack, which has the highest rate of relapse among patients in treatment for your addictions.

Drug addiction in the U.S.

According to the Institute of Health USA, in 2008 about five million 300 thousand Americans over age 12 had used cocaine 'crack' at least once in previous months. It is considered that the 'crack' is one of the most addictive version of cocaine, whose consumption is prohibited in the country.

The expersos know it will be a long way to go before the vaccine can be marketed, but hope that one day his discovery is very important to combat addiction in humans.

Laugh more and help your body heal

 If laughter is so delicious, why do not we do more often? And even when we are sick, laughter should accompany, rather than allowing ourselves to fall for a depressive state. See why laughter is so healthy, a new study has shown that laughter can help a speedy recovery, since it is induced by the flow of blood around the body, which accelerates the healing process.

Leeds University conducted a study that lasted five years, and in it, the researchers observed a group of patients with leg ulcers. What was observed was that laughter increased the speed of recovery of people, and that this was more effective than high-tech treatments such as ultrasound therapy is often used in these cases.

'Forget about the technology. The best prescription for patients with venous leg ulcers is the good care and an occasional laugh, "says the study published in the British Medical Journal.

Venous insufficiency (poor circulation in the veins) can cause stasis ulcers on the skin. This skin condition is due to the accumulation of fluid (swelling) under the skin. Symptoms of venous ulcers are:

- Darkening of the skin
- Itching or pain in the leg
- Sores
- Swelling of the legs or ankles

To help manage venous insufficiency:

- Avoid sitting or standing for prolonged periods. Even moving your legs slightly will help the veins return blood to the heart.

- Use compression stockings to decrease chronic swelling.

- Be careful if there are any wounds or broken skin infection.

Myths and realities of coconut water

 Coconut water is fashionable. Many say they have healing properties and slimming. Bottled coconut water available in the market is not cheap, is it worth the investment?
Some say ... Speeds up metabolism
The truth: There is no research to support the belief that coconut water helps you lose weight. Another myth that goes to the extreme is that fat. This bad reputation is because people confuse coconut water with coconut milk, made from coconut meat and may contain about 445 calories per cup, mostly of saturated fat. Coconut water, the fluid inside, contains only 46 calories per cup. For 0 calories, consume tap water. >> Food to speed up metabolism
Some say ... It is the natural sports drink
The truth: It's a good drink after a workout, but not enough for athletes who train with intensity. When you exercise is dismissed sodium and potassium through sweat, which must be replaced after a one hour session for the muscles to contract properly. Coconut water contains about 600 milligrams of potassium, about 175 mg more than a banana and 13 times more than the average sports drink. The problem is that it only contains about 30 mg of sodium per cup and is not sufficient even to recover after a long session. Those who need more intensive training with a more even ratio between sodium and potassium. Those who exercise more light can be used coconut water or H2O. >> What to take after exercise
Some argue ... Help a hangover
The truth: We suffer from dehydration the next morning after a night of drinking. This can cause nausea and headaches. Like any other drink, coconut water helps restore hydration of your body, but that trick he does regular water. If the taste of coconut water helps lift the spirits, consume them, but tap water is just as effective without the high cost and calories. >> Recipe for a hangover
Some argue ... It makes you look younger
The truth: Coconut water contains cytokinins, plant hormones have been shownslows the aging process in plants and fruit flies, according to a study in the journal Molecules. These advantages have not been tested in humans. >> Is there an anti-aging diet?
Some argue ... Protects the heart
The truth: Diets high in potassium may help lower blood pressure and improve heart health. Coconut water is a good source of that mineral, but is more effective to obtain solid foods such as vegetables (spinach, sweet potatoes) and low-fat milk, which adds nutrients to your heart as fiber and vitamin D. >> Ten ways to strengthen the heart