Taking the First Step with Walk with a Doc

By Mint Bhetraratana

Four months ago, I found myself at the helm of a flip camera, a device that I was less than comfortable using, despite being a part of the tech-savvy generation. I was volunteering at a health conference in Oakland and was assigned to videotape the day’s events and interview some of the guest speakers. Everyone that I met was a health professional of some sort, having already found their calling and belonging to an organization that worked to better the community through public health means, while I, a Berkeley student on the brink of graduation, was simply there to help out and explore.

Little did I know that by the end of the day, I would find something to be a part of, too.

One of the guest speakers that I spoke with was Dr. David Sabgir, a physician from Columbus, Ohio who had flown all the way from his hometown to talk about his non-profit called Walk with a Doc.

“Hmm,” I thought the first time he told me and which I soon would realize is a common mistake people make, “Walk with a Dog.”

Of course, Walk with a Doc has nothing to do with this 4-legged creature (although we do encourage man’s best friend to walk with us!), but instead, is about encouraging the community to do the very simple act of walking.

Walking, as is often dismissed as just a necessary means of getting from one place to another, has a lot of health benefits. By walking 30 minutes a day, you are effectively lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing your risk of obesity, improving your immune system, and decreasing stress – thus making you a healthier, happier person!

With this in mind, Dr. Sabgir sought out a way, as a cardiologist, to help his patients prevent the onset of hypertension and cardiovascular disease (which to this day, is the number one cause of death in America) by encouraging them to be more physically active…and to do it with them.

So, in 2005, he founded Walk with a Doc, an organization that not only hosts monthly 2-mile walks with a leading physician, but which also provides free blood pressure screenings, healthy snacks, and giveaways like shirts, pedometers, and water bottles to encourage community members to continue walking long after the culmination of the event.

It was a simple idea – the merging of clinical medicine with a doctor’s advice and public health practice with a blood pressure check and a walk in the park.

I mulled over the concept in my head and concluded that, as someone who grew up playing tennis and soccer and even coached others in these sports, and as someone who learned about the obesity epidemic in public health classes, I wanted to be a part of this growing movement. (And indeed, Walk with a Doc is growing – with over 100 walks in the U.S., Australia, and Russia!)

After reconnecting with Dr. Sabgir after the conference and expressing my interest in getting involved with a Bay Area chapter of Walk with a Doc, he introduced me to the program’s director, Liz Mace. To my surprise, she told me that there wasn’t a Walk with a Doc chapter here, but that she would help me to start one.

I took some time to think about the task ahead of me: would I be up to the challenge of creating a chapter of a non-profit, something that I had no experience doing before? Would I be ready to take on a commitment that I knew would require much of my free time and energy?

I wasn’t sure what the answers were to these questions yet, but I decided that I would test the waters and find out.

And so began my journey with Walk with a Doc, which would involve several hours of sending and receiving e-mails, maintaining an Excel sheet that documented my every decision, talks with local physicians, visits to cafes and businesses for donations, and other tasks that I won’t go into detail here. I will however, share with you a few things that I’ve learned thus far while working on this project.

1. I have to pick myself up when the going gets tough.

It’s an unfortunate reality that there will be obstacles in the way of planning an event –whether it be a cynical opinion or a schedule that doesn’t hold up. It’s easy to allow these road bumps to add up until the point when you start doubting yourself. But when that happens, it’s important to remind yourself why you got involved in the first place; it’s an opportunity to reinforce your passion and commitment for a project. For me, I like to take a look at pictures from past Walk with a Doc events and remember the important message that this organization is getting across to thousands of people. I think of the impact that an event like this can have on a community and also consider that:

2. If I surround myself with supportive people, the obstacles can be conquered.

There are times when an individual can do a task, and there are times when a team of people can do it better. For public health initiatives, the latter is the better option. It’s crucial to interact with people who are supportive of the cause and of you. I was fortunate to come across with and connect with individuals from The City of Berkeley, Lifelong Medical Center, and Walk with a Doc, as well as the many business sponsors who believed in this program and who believed in me. Their relentless support truly helped me maintain the foundation for which I alone could not support.

Taking the time to reflect about Walk with a Doc has allowed me to think back to when I first heard about this program and which brings me to another lesson that I learned:

3. Do not discount the little things because if you let them grow, they can lead to greater opportunities.

Four months ago, I would not have thought that volunteering to take pictures at a health conference would have led me to creating a Walk with a Doc chapter in Berkeley. Had I not done the seemingly minor task of taking footage that day, I probably would not be writing this very essay. The bottom line is – take notice of everything that is going around you and the opportunities that may come your way. And if they don’t come, take notice of the things that you are doing and forge your own path to create something that you feel there is a need for in your community.

With that said, I invite you to come walk with us on Saturday, October 19^th in San Pablo Park in Berkeley. Dr. Janet Berreman will be speaking about the importance of physical activity and nutrition and Heart 2 Heart will be providing blood pressure screenings. In addition, we have invited Thalassemia Outreach at Children’s Hospital, Diabetes and Sports Health Camp (DASH), and 10x10 Wellness for Alameda County to speak to walkers about their respective health organizations. If you would like to volunteer or would like more information about this event and Walk with a Doc, feel free to e-mail me at wwad.berkeley@gmail.com. 

Adderall Abuse

By Karen Louie

What is supposed to be a prescription drug for individuals with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is now being touted as the miracle that college students have been looking for. Adderall – it’s the small capsule that’s making big news across the nation as finals approach.

For non-ADHD students who are using Adderall, the common effect seems to be prolonged periods of concentration. Superficially, it seems like a win-win. Students are cranking out those papers and don’t seem to experience any side effects -- sounds too good to be true. Let’s get real. The moment an individual without ADHD ingests an Adderall capsule, the chemistry of the brain is being manipulated. The amygdala, the regulating sector of your emotions, can be altered leading to heightened aggression, depression, and generally feelings of being on edge.

It is becoming more apparent to public health officials that Adderall abuse is now a social norm. No longer is there a taboo of discussing illicit usage in public. Walking around campus, you can hear conversations of extraordinary late-night cramming sessions thanks to Adderall. The risks are forgotten or unconcerned as the usage of this drug becomes standard among the college population.

In the spirit of finals week, here is a brief, informative Adderall study guide:

1.)Adderall is a mixture of different ingredients, one being amphetamine salts. Another amphetamine drug? Speed.

2.)It’s listed as a Schedule II drug by the FDA, meaning it has a high potential for abuse and said abuse can lead to severe dependence.

3.)Possible psychotic effects of Adderall abuse: bipolar disorder, insomnia, Tourette’s

4.)Possible physical effects of Adderall abuse: unintentional weight loss, impotence, digestive issues, hives, strokes

The academic pressure is high here in Berkeley. We are prompted to evolve into the leaders of tomorrow, innovators, and cancer-curers. With academic pressure and competition high, it is understandable why so many students succumb to using illicit resources to aid our studies. However, It is important to look at our experience here at Cal, or any university and college, with perspective. Do not gamble away your mental and physical well-being just for an A on that exam.

For more information:
1.) http://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/postmarketdrugsafetyinformationforpatientsandproviders/ucm111441.htm
2.) http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2010/r100603.htm

PH 113: A Review

Public Health 113 is a course offered at UC Berkeley that focuses on developing and implementing community health promotion strategies.  This course is a great opportunity for Public Health students to apply what they have learned in their theoretical Public Health classes.  This course applies skills covered in Epidemiology, Community Health and Environmental Health courses.

What does this class entail?  For the Spring of 2012, Public Health 113 required students to create a community action project focused on the sexual health of the Berkeley community.  You can create projects using strategies such as behavior change, harm reduction and social norms amongst others.

For example, one student evaluated the sexual health of a premedical organization on campus.  The student found that around 36% of members of this organization do not use condoms consistently once in a monogamous relationship.  In response, the student developed a program to address this sexual health issue.

How to identify a problem?
This student used an anonymous online survey to assess the sexual health practices of the defined community.  The survey results indicated that consistent condom use was a problem within the community.

Why is consistent condom use important?

1. Mutual Monogamy is not an objective form of protection - you can never objectively guarantee that your partner is honoring the commitment.  There is still a risk of contracting an STI if there has been any infidelity.

2. STI Status may be unclear - many people are unaware of their STI status.  People may assure their partners that they are STI free while in actuality they are putting their partner at risk.  Why the confusion?  People may not have been tested.  People may had been tested but are confused about their results and what they were actually tested for.  For example, many women think that their annual pelvic exam includes a check for STIs when in actuality it does not.  Many people think that HIV screenings telling you if you are clear of all STIs.  Finally, some STIs go unnoticed (like recurring genital herpes) or undiagnosed due to long latency periods.

3. Unwanted pregnancy - there is always a risk of unwanted pregnancy even if a person is tang oral contraceptives.  They are not 100% effective and lose effectiveness if not taken correctly.

How to address the problem?
In this action project, the student used the model of behavior change to try to improve the sexual health practices of the community.  The student developed a comic strip displaying the issue of consistent condom use and distributed this comic during an information session about sexual health.

If you are interested in engaging in public health activism then sign up for Public Health 113.  The class offers students the opportunity to make a difference in their community and practice the skills taught by the Public Health courses at Cal.








-Anonymous

Housing and Homelessness: A Call for Public Health Action

By Marvin So

As Berkeley students, it’s easy to go about our daily lives rife with midterms, clubs, exercise, and maybe even social activities, and ignore the ubiquitous homeless individuals occupying the curbs and nooks of Telegraph. There are about 280 chronically homeless individuals living in Berkeley on any given night, along with 680 others who live in  streets, shelters, or transitional housing programs. Furthermore, due to the recent economic downturn, the Berkeley population of people living in temporary situations or close to being evicted has increased ten-fold. Much has been done by the City of Berkeley to support these individuals in accessing services and developing self-sufficiency, though it is by far insufficient to account for all people in the area experiencing homelessness.

The prevalence of homelessness in Berkeley provides an excellent illustration that there is not enough being done to mobilize action in light of an array of complex factors including income inequality, reduced government support for the poor, and decreased affordable housing units all over the country.

Examining homelessness from a public health perspective, a question of temporality arises. Does poor health contribute to being homeless, or does homelessness moreso contribute to ill health outcomes? Understanding the health issues of the homeless is a vastly important issue to consider, as reduced funds towards emergency departments means greatly reduced emergency care access for low-income individuals. Moreover, since low-income communities are more likely to require emergency care, trauma closures act to further exacerbate inequalities in health among the very poor.

Common health issues among homeless communities can include mental health problems, substance abuse problems, bronchitis/pneumonia, and skin infections. Conversely, a serious illness or debilitating disease can trigger a downward spiral from losing one’s job, to deterioration of savings to pay for treatment, and eventual eviction. Lack of access to affordable care results in minor issues turning into major disabilities; in turn, the tax burden of lack of access to care for these individuals is greater than if they were to receive primary or preventive services earlier on. This is the philosophy that operates many community-based clinics and organizations aiming to act as a safety net for people who cannot access services due to economic barriers.

Addressing homelessness offers public health professionals a key opportunity to address an enormous social determinant of health – lack of safe, adequate housing. If we can work, through service, advocacy, and policy to slowly erode the discrimination and barriers imposed upon the homeless, we can make impactful change towards more equitable health outcomes for all communities.

If you’re interested in learning more about homelessness, poverty, and social justice, UC Berkeley provides a variety of opportunities to do just that. Check out the following resources and find a program or organization that you like – it’s going to take an enormous effort to begin to solve a problem as multifactorial as homelessness. What better place to mobilize this grassroots movement at Cal, the mecca of impassioned students acting for social change? With this information, what will you do to make a difference in the community?

1. Cal Corps Public Service Center, publicservice.berkeley.edu
2. The Suitcase Clinic, suitcaseclinic.org
3. The Berkeley Free Clinic,
4. Cal Habitat for Humanity, habitat.berkeley.edu

PHA Goes Green!

UC Berkeley offers a certification program to encourage student organizations to be environmentally friendly.  The program consists of a training program, requirements and certification.  PHA decided to go green and successfully completed the program and requirements.

The certification program suggests strategies for being smart when it comes to the environmental impact a campus group may have.  In addition to reviewing the basics of recycling e.g. what types of plastics and papers can be recycled and what cannot, the program suggests strategies for club and event promotion that does not requirement paper flyers.

PHA felt it was necessary to seek certification because the health of the environment is inextricably linked to public health for many reasons.  First, the quality of the environment determines what populations are exposed to.  many negative health outcomes can be explained by exposure to toxic environments, whether that be occupational or residential.  Second, in order for the health of populations to prosper we need a sustainable habitat that can produce nutritious foods.  Promoting and protecting the health of our environment is a pre-requisite to promoting and protecting public health.

If you are a student organization at UC Berkeley, consider getting certified!  Making campus organizations environmentally savvy will have an important impact on our coal environment and the campus's environmental footprint.

For more information about how to make your club green, click here

Stress and College

by Kevin Yuan


Stress is simply a fact of nature, forces from inside or outside the world affecting an individual. The individual responds to stress in ways that affect not only the person himself but also the world around him. Because of the large amount of stress in our modern lives, we usually think of stress as a negative experience. This phenomenon is accompanied especially with students starting out in college, whether it is social stress, academic stress or other stresses. Studies done by several entities such as ABC news, The Bullet, and several college campuses have revealed a possible new phenomenon revealing that the Class of 2014 are more stressed than older peers. According to a survey conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles reported that “this year’s freshman class rated themselves as having the lowest emotional health in the past 25 years.” The survey included the responses of over 200,000 incoming freshman at four-year universities. Tevya Zukor, director of Counseling and Psychological Services at the University of Mary Washington, states herself that “the research being conducted on college and stress does tend to indicate that students are entering college with greater levels of stress…” Noting the clear rise in stress levels of those entering college, we must explore the facets contributing to this phenomenon.

The two most common stresses encountered by college student include academic stress and social stress. Obviously, the workload of college is exponentially more involved than that in high school and it comes with less help and hand-holding from parents and teachers. With challenging classes, scheduling events and issues to handle, and the necessity for a more independent nature of the learning, college requires entering students to adjust in an ephemeral amount of time. Coupled with the academic stress encountered by an entering college student, stresses involved with leaving one’s support structure, creating a new network of friends and dealing with being away from home make adjusting to the college life quite difficult.

The facets mentioned thus far explore the typical stresses an entering college student faces upon attending school but linked with these common stresses include the weak economy and the limited market of jobs for college graduates. Because of the bad economy, students are indirectly affected by its negative percussions. Professor Steven Greenlaw of the economics department at the University of Mary Washington reports that he has “students whose parents have been laid off because of the recession… they have serious problems going to school and staying in school.” Because of this, more and more college students are holding temporary jobs now in order to pay tuition and survive financially while in school. Many students share the same concern as Romen Borsellino, a junior at Amherst College in Massachusetts who claims that ‘I am torn in three different directions…I have to do something to make money, got to build a resume and find something I like to do. That alone is terrifying, especially during a busy school year.’ Many college students also say that pressure rises significantly after freshman year as they move closer to graduation in which they must eventually seek jobs in a weak economy. 

The decrease in job opportunities and the deflating economy has undoubtly affected entering college students in a significant way. Not only do entering college students have to worry about academics and social aspects of college but they have to worry about finding a job in the next four year.