Naps

The Importance of Naps

Nap. It's a small word, but for most parents a hugely important one. Why? Sleep is a major requirement for good health, and for young kids to get enough of it, some daytime sleep is usually needed. Crucial physical and mental development occurs in early childhood, and naps provide much-needed downtime for growth and rejuvenation.

Naps also help keep kids from becoming overtired, which not only takes a toll on their moods but may also make it harder for them to fall asleep at night. And naptime gives parents a brief oasis during the day and time to tackle household chores or just unwind.

Medicare Patients Left Lacking Key Treatment

By: Loretta Jones, HAAF CEO & Founder 

As a gout patient, I can personally attest to the excruciating pain caused by gout, a painful form of arthritis. For those who are unfamiliar with the disease, a simple Google Images search of the word “gout” will speak volumes on just how unpleasant the disease can be.

This is why I was alarmed by the recent news that thousands of gout-suffering seniors in California who are enrolled in Part-D Medicare plans are currently unable to access colchicine, a drug used by gout patients to treat flare-ups of the disease. 

The problem stems from a commendable regulatory action recently taken by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in which the agency removed untested and unapproved versions of colchicine from the marketplace in order to protect patients from potentially harmful side effects. The FDA reports that dozens of deaths have been associated with unapproved colchicine. The good news is that there is an FDA-approved version available. 

HAAF Supports Our Teachers and Our Schools

Alarmed by recent union losses in a Wisconsin teacher labor battle, thousands of organized workers marched through downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, vowing to fight a similar fate here in cash-strapped California. 

A colorful sea of unity marched through the streets of Los Angeles in a multi-union march and rally to fight for our children's education and the teachers in our communities. LAUSD’s attacks on our community and our teachers, including massive layoffs, attacks on seniority, evaluations based on student test scores, giving away and reconstituting of school  has got to stop. It is our duty to let our voice be heard.

Cumulative Environmental Impacts in Los Angeles: Public Health's Role In Emerging Policy Solutions

Here is a great event that has come to our attention at HAAF and we have provided the information below if you or anyone you know is interested.

Air pollution affects us all and it takes a disproportionate toll on children, the elderly, people of color and people living in low-income communities. On April 6th, Liberty Hill Foundation and Prevention Institute will host a half-day forum to explore the cumulative impact of environmental toxins and emerging state and local policy solutions. Thought leaders and practitioners will discuss the role of data, public health involvement, social determinants, community participatory research, and new tools for revitalizing communities while reducing the burden of environmental hazards.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011
8:30 am – Registration & Continental Breakfast
9:00 am to 12 noon – Program
Japanese American Cultural & Community Center
244 South San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 • www.jaccc.org

Going Green Can Save You Money!

Here is an interesting site I found that gives 42 simple ways to reduce your carbon footprint while saving you money. Here are the ways in which going green can save you green:

1. Switch 3 lights that you use for 4 hours a day with compact fluorescent bulbs.
2. Replace a porch light that’s always on with a compact fluorescent bulb.
3. Turn your heater thermostat down 2 degrees in winter and up 2 degrees in the summer.
4. Install a programmable thermostat to adjust your home’s heating and cooling automatically.
5. Make sure your walls and ceilings are well-insulated.
6. Air-dry your clothes in the spring and summer instead of using the dryer.
7. Set your water heater thermostat no higher than 120 F.
8. Replace bathroom and kitchen sink facets with low-flow models.
9. Install low-flow shower heads.
10. Go from 500 sheets of 0% recycled computer to 200 sheets of 100% recycled paper.

Welcome to the HAAF Blog!

Hello and welcome!

This is the beginning of our HAAF blog. We will make regular posts on issues that pertain to the community and anything else we think will be good reading material. We plan to write on issues such as: community, events, helpful information, family, health and much more. We invite you to read our blog and tell your friends, family and colleagues about it. We also love hearing feedback from the community so if there is ever a topic you would like us to discuss please email Andrea Brown, HAAF's Media Coordinator, at AndreaBrownHAAF@gmail.com.


-HAAF