Can you believe it’s already New Year’s Eve? 2013 begins at midnight. January 1 is traditionally a time for new beginnings. We make resolutions or set goals, and vow to improve in areas where we fell short in the past 12 months. But before we get on with 2013, let’s take a look back at 2012. Here are the biggest health stories from the Treasure Valley, and beyond, of 2012. Follow along through the slide show.
Idahoan Demi Moore has seizure after doing “whip-its” In January, Idaho resident Demi Moore made headlines after inhaling nitrous oxide and suffering a seizure. It brought to light the dangers of recreational use of laughing gas, mostly used for dental procedures.
Idaho heart disease numbers might surprise you In February, which is American Heart Month, we took a look at Idaho’s heart disease statistics. Though most of Idaho’s statistics are on par with the national average, we have some troubling statistics when it comes to exercise and diet. Clearly, we can do better.
Grow A Row helps fight hunger In March, Let’s Move Boise and the Boise Urban Garden School (BUGS) teamed up with this new program to help residents learn to garden and encourage them to donate fresh fruits and vegetables to local food pantries. This is a win-win for all involved, empowering families to grow their own food and helping those in need.
Questions about red meat In April, we looked at a report that suggested that eating red meat could shorten your life span. Idahoans love their red meat, so this was eyebrow-raising news for this area. When you consider our heart disease statistics, mentioned in a previous article, cutting back on red meat is definitely “food for thought.”
Boise Bike Week, and the Exergy Tour, got things rolling In May, we celebrated the ninth annual Boise Bike Week. As always, there were rides, clinics, picnics, and two-wheeled fun for the whole family. Can’t wait to see what’s in store the tenth annual event in 2013. Also in May, the Exergy Tour rolled through the Treasure Valley, highlighted by Boise’s own Kristin Armstrong.
Recreation is king during the Idaho summer In June, we saw the opening of Boise’s municipal pools, and the Boise River opened for floating. Another popular event in June is A Mile For Men’s Health, raising funds for prostate cancer screening.
Environmental health hazards had us thinking twice about going outside Between Treasure Valley mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile, and smoke from nearby forest fires clouding the air, many of us chose to stay indoors during July. Likewise, local catfish tested positive for high levels of mercury.
New local fitness opportunities popped up Big Al’s in Meridian offered a few new options for getting off the couch when it opened in August.
Air quality finally improved In September, we finally saw an end to the murky gray skies that had clouded the Treasure Valley due to numerous forest fires, much to the relief of many residents.
We took a brave look at our bodies Also in September, the Bodies Revealed exhibit opened at the Discovery Center of Idaho. This eye-opening display runs through March 31, 2013.
We learned that Idaho facilities were among those that received medication linked to the deadly fungal meningitis outbreak Sadly, in October we discovered that Idaho facilities had received tainted steroids used to treat pain and swelling associated with arthritis and other joint disorders.
We found new resources for staying healthy In October, Idaho became the first state to adopt the Network of Care for Public Health. This web portal provides resources for the community, empowering citizens to learn more about fitness, diseases, healthy aging, and more. In November, Whole Foods opened in Boise in November, giving Treasure Valley healthy living enthusiasts more options for healthy foods and products. Also in November, the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline launched, bringing back a service that had been missed for the past six years. Idaho has the sixth highest suicide rate in the nation.
We faced unspeakable tragedy In December, folks across the Treasure Valley and the nation were hard pressed to find ways to deal with the massacre in Newtown, CT. We looked at ways to help children make sense of senseless acts.
Although what happened in Connecticut was one of the darkest days in our nation’s history, we now move forward, a little older and a little wiser, into 2013. Here’s to a healthier, happier new year for all of us.
Talk it up:
What health stories meant the most to you in 2012?
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