Welcome to another edition of Weekend Reading!
August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), an annual observance that highlights the importance of vaccination for people of all ages. It’s a good time to check that children are up to date on immunizations before the start of school. This year the focus is expanded to the importance of adults and children over the age of 12 getting the COVID-19 vaccination as the U.S. battles the Delta variant.
The battle against COVID is a reminder that “battles” are not limited to military conflicts. There are the battles for social justice, against substance abuse, depression, poverty, hunger and more. These various types of battles serve as a theme in books, movies, songs and art.
The song, Glory, recorded by John Legend and Common for the American historical drama film Selma speaks to the battle for social justice. The lyrics of this incredible song reflect the movie’s recounting of the three 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches that lead to President Lyndon Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Yet, the following excerpt from the song could just as easily be applied to the struggle to overcome vaccine hesitancy:
No one can win the war individually
It takes the wisdom of the elders and young people’s energy
Welcome to the story we call victory
This Weekend Reading series begins with #Wisdom with some of the latest information on COVID-19 and more. Next check out #Elders to explore articles on health and life experience of older adults. In #Young People, a series of articles look at health challenges facing younger adults. Last but not least, do not miss #Victory – Olympics Style, with articles on winning in Tokyo.
I hope you enjoy the following:
1. #Wisdom
- Kaiser Health News: ‘Wisdom and Fear’ Lead 90% of U.S. Seniors to Covid Vaccines
- Kaiser Health News & PolitiFact: Claims That CDC’s PCR Test Can’t Tell Covid From Flu Are Wrong
- New York Times: F.D.A. Aiming to Speed Extra Vaccine Doses for Immunocompromised Patients
- NPR: Uninsured Or Unemployed? You Might Be Missing Out On Free Health Insurance
2. #Elders
- NPR: Can’t Help Falling In Love With A Vaccine: How Polio Campaign Beat Vaccine Hesitancy
- Kaiser Health News: Restoring a Sense of Belonging: The Unsung Importance of Casual Relationships for Older Adults
- University of Michigan Health: The pandemic may have increased older adults’ fall risk
- PR Newswire: Participation in SilverSneakers Leads to a Substantial Decrease in Overall Healthcare Costs and Improved Health Outcomes for Seniors
3. #Young People
- The Guardian: Covid poses higher risk of myocarditis than vaccine in male teens – US study
- New York Times: Is the Delta Variant Making Younger Adults ‘Sicker, Quicker’?
- Vox: America’s mental health moment is finally here
- HealthDay: Type 2 Diabetes in Teens Can Bring Dangerous Complications in 20s
4. # Victory – Olympic Style
- Associated Press: At an extraordinary Olympics, acts of kindness abound
- NBC News: Tokyo Olympics could be ‘turning point’ for how female athletes dress
- Sports Illustrated: Teens Sweep the Medals, Show Unique Culture of Park Skateboarding at Olympics
- NPR: Mutaz Essa Barshim And Gianmarco Tamberi Share The Gold Medal In Olympic High Jump
- The Atlantic: Tokyo 2020: Photos From the Summer Olympics
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Best,
Suzanne
Suzanne Daniels, Ph.D.
AEPC President
P.O. Box 1416
Birmingham, MI 48012
Office: (248) 792-2187
Email: [email protected]
