Play Action, Offsides, Unnecessary Roughness & Forward Pass

Hearts take center stage in February! It is widely recognized as the month of love with the celebration of Valentine’s Day on February 14th. February is also designated as American National Heart Month to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment. And last but not least, the much-loved Super Bowl is Sunday with the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles taking the field.

Americans have had a long love affair with football and especially the Super Bowl. Over the years, the Super Bowl has evolved from a game for fans to a major entertainment event. For many, Super Bowl Sunday is almost like an official holiday as family and friends gather to watch the big game. The Super Bowl is like a buffet dinner – there is something for everyone. Not a football fan? No problem – check out the half time show entertainment! Or wait for a break in the game action to watch the commercials. The Super Bowl is one of the few television events where you do not want to skip the commercials!

An enjoyable time with family and friends watching the Super Bowl is good for your mental health. Studies report that people who identify as sports fans have higher levels of self-esteem, lower levels of loneliness and tend to be more satisfied with their lives compared to those who aren’t interested in sports. But watch out for the risk factors for heart disease, such as eating poorly, smoking, drinking alcohol, and dehydration as you watch the game!

For all the enjoyment football and the Super Bowl provided, there is dark side that cannot be overlooked. Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest on the field last month was a sharp reminder that football is a dangerous sport in spite of improved equipment, concussion guidelines and rule changes. NFL players have been paralyzed, suffered life-threatening injuries and one player died during the games. Football players’ repeated head trauma and concussions have been linked to a degenerative brain disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is characterized by long-term effects such as trouble concentrating, memory problems, and depression.

This Weekend Reading Series begins with Play Action with news on adult immunizations, the bird flue and more. Next, check out Offsides with articles on healthcare misinformation and physician bias. In Unnecessary Roughness, explore articles on the dark side of NFL football. Finally, do not miss Forward Pass and my person favorite – No matter who wins, the first Super Bowl with 2 Black quarterbacks will make history!

I hope you enjoy the following:

Enjoy the weekend!

Best,
Suzanne
Suzanne Daniels, Ph.D.
AEPC President
P.O. Box 1416
Birmingham, MI 48012
Office: (248) 792-2187
Email: [email protected]