A shot in the arm

Before immunizations were developed, diseases such as smallpox, rabies, and polio went unchecked with devastating results. Today, vaccines for these three, plus as many as 50 other vaccines, help prevent a wide array of diseases.

Tammy Meehan, MD, University of Iowa Children's Hospital pediatrician, says the American Academy of Pediatrics has added five vaccines to its recommended list:

• Menactra—prevents meningococcal disease, a major cause of bacterial meningitis (an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) and blood stream infections
• Hepatitis A—prevents this acute disease of the liver
• MMR-V—adds varicella (chickenpox) to the measles, mumps, and rubella combination to reduce the number of scheduled immunizations
• RotaTeq—protects against rotavirus, the most common cause of severe diarrhea among children
• Gardasil—protects against cervical cancer and other diseases caused by human papilloma virus

Life saver

A regular Pap test or Pap smear can be a lifesaver by detecting abnormal cervical cells and precancerous abnormalities so they can be treated before cancer develops.

"At the turn of the century, cervical cancer was the most common reproductive tract cancer and the second most common cancer overall," says Marygrace Elson, MD, obstetrician and gynecologist at UI Family Care—North Liberty.

"In the U.S., cervical cancer now ranks 11th for cancer in women and represents only 16 percent of reproductive tract cancers. This decrease can be attributed to use of the Pap test as an inexpensive, easy screening test for cervical cancer.

"Now, with the new human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine, (Gardasil) we may actually prevent most cases of cervical cancer," says Elson.

Women should have their first Pap test by age 18 or when they first start having sex, but no later than age 21.

Healthy aging

Healthy, lifelong lifestyle habits help expand your lifespan. "Aging begins in young adulthood," says Jason Wilbur, MD, UI Family Care physician. "People who exercise, avoid tobacco, and use alcohol moderately generally live longer."

But as you grow older, your body changes regardless of your lifestyle. The effects are incremental but inevitable and vary from person to person. Seniors have specific health needs that are addressed by a branch of medicine: geriatrics.

At the Geriatric Health Assessment Clinic, part of the UI Family Care Center, geriatric assessments include evaluations of physical and cognitive function. "We assess the social, familial, and personal factors that may affect a person's health," says Wilbur.

"The multidisciplinary group that comprises our geriatric assessment clinic focuses on the overall health of the older patient, looking for ways to maintain function while managing multiple chronic medical conditions."

Manly news

The good news for men is that many of the health risks they face can be treated and/or prevented if they are diagnosed early. The bad news is that men don't go to the doctor.

On average, men have a less healthy lifestyle and drink and smoke more than women. "They don't seek medical help as often and aren't socialized to visit the doctor. They may find going to the doctor embarrassing or see it as a sign of weakness and would rather just ‘suck it up,'" says Chris Goerdt, MD, MPH, UI Family Care physician.

The top threats to men's health include:

• Heart disease
• Cancer
• Accidents
• Stroke
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Diabetes
• Influenza and pneumonia
• Suicide
• Kidney disease