Horizons magazine is published by Presbyterian Women (PW) the national women’s organization of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Issue link: http://horizons.epubxp.com/i/52581
Healthy Aging for an Abundant Life ᑀᑀᑀ BY CHLOE SCHWABE our homes and faith communities. They are mentors, grandparents, lay and religious leaders, and holders of historical memory and wisdom. Many of us know an O lder adults play important roles in older adult who struggles with chronic disease. Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and cardiovascular dis- eases, cancer and Type 2 diabetes are more prevalent and deve- loping earlier. Many low-income communities of color are uniquely vulnerable due to the proximity of toxic waste sites, and products in and around their homes. But the inci- dence of chronic diseases can be pre- vented or reduced. The National Council of The ability of any of us to enjoy shalom depends on the health of our neighbors. If some do not have the opportunity for health or wholeness, then none of us can enjoy true and perfect holiness. —Katherine Jefferts Schori* Churches (NCC) Environmental Health Initiative works with member denominations to achieve shalom for the whole body of Christ. Here are some suggestions for reducing the risk of chronic disease. Maintain a Healthy Diet and Exercise Regularly A diet rich in leafy green vegetables and whole grains, and low in refined sugars, can equalize insulin levels and reduce risk for Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Regular exercise can reduce chronic disease risk. Learn More! ᑢ&+!ᑀ&!∀ᑰ/ᑀ#,.ᑀ&+!&2&!1ᑰ)ᑀᑰ+! ,+∃.∀∃ᑰ0&,+ᑰ)ᑀᑰ 0&,+ᑀ&+ᑀ0%∀ᑀ+∀3∀/0ᑀᑤᑠᑠ .∀/,1. ∀ᑂᑀᑂᑇᑄᑒᑖᑐᑘᑀᑁᑉᑑᑓᑉᑀᑈᑔᑕᑀᑄᑓᑀᑁᑅᑗᑓᑆᑄᑓᑖ ᑃᑑᑈᑇᑂᑀᑰ2ᑰ&)ᑰᑱ)∀ᑀ#,.ᑀ!,3+),ᑰ!ᑀᑰ0 %00−ᑕᑅᑅ+ ∀ ,ᑀ∋1/0& ∀ᑄ,.∃ᑅ.∀/,1. ∀/ᑅ ᑁ∀+2&.,+∗∀+0ᑰ)%∀ᑰ)0%.∀/,1. ∀/ᑄᑀ Reduce Chemical Exposures Chemicals used in the home can con- tribute to chronic disease risk. Pesti- cides and plasticizers such as bisphenol-a (or BPA, used in cans, thermal receipt paper and baby bot- tles), can disrupt the endocrine system by changing how we regulate insulin or when girls begin puberty. Environ- mental factors such as these can increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Lead, mer- cury, cadmium and halogenated flame retardants (used in nursing pillows, couches and carpet pads with polyurethane foam) can contribute to cognitive impairment. Chemical exposures not only increase the risk for these conditions, but also for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Exposure to chemicals in the womb and early in life is most harmful, but reducing exposure to chemicals throughout one's lifetime can improve Take Action! ᑙ!2, ᑰ0∀ᑀ#,.ᑀ.∀#,.∗ᑀ,#ᑀ0%∀ᑀᑧ,4& ᑀᑦ1ᑱ/0ᑰ+ ∀/ᑀᑠ,+0.,)ᑀᑙ 0ᑄ ᑦ&+ ∀ᑀᑇᑔᑒᑑᑂᑀ0%∀ᑀᑡᑥᑙᑀ%ᑰ/ᑀ,+)5ᑀ#1))5ᑀ0∀/0∀!ᑀᑈᑆᑆᑀ,#ᑀ∗,.∀ᑀ0%ᑰ+ ᑓᑉᑂᑆᑆᑆᑀ %∀∗& ᑰ)/ᑀ1/∀!ᑀ&+ᑀ ,∗∗∀. ∀ᑄᑀᑠ%∀∗& ᑰ)ᑀ∀4−,/1.∀/ ᑰ.∀ᑀ)&+(∀!ᑀ0,ᑀ %.,+& ᑀ!&/∀ᑰ/∀/ᑄᑀᑦ&∃+ᑀ,1.ᑀ)∀00∀.ᑀᑰ/(&+∃ᑀᑠ,+ᑃ ∃.∀//ᑀ0,ᑀ−.,0∀ 0ᑀ#101.∀ᑀ∃∀+∀.ᑰ0&,+/ᑖᑀ∃,ᑀ0, %00−ᑕᑅᑅ/ᑰ)/ᑰᑄ!∀∗, .ᑰ 5&+ᑰ 0&,+ᑄ,.∃ᑅ,ᑅᑇᑓᑉᑐᑅ−ᑅ!&ᑰᑅᑰ 0&,+ᑅ −1ᑱ)& ᑅᑘᑰ 0&,+ᑩᑣᑡᑨᑗᑑᑉᑔᑈᑄ November/December 2011 39 health and reduce the symptoms of chronic disease. Cultivate Intergenerational Community Connections The book of Ruth teaches us the importance of intergenerational connections. When older and younger generations have the opportunity to share and learn from each other, cognitive func- tion actually improves. The Wisdom of Seniors Proclaiming God's Power The psalmist saw many "troubles and calamities" in his/her lifetime and yet found hope in proclaiming God's power to the next generation (Ps. 71:18–20). Presbyterian women can join seniors in advocating for reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act (see sidebar for more information). By improving our health and that of future generations, we can honor the individuals we know who have lost their lives or who suffer today from chronic disease. Chloe Schwabe is the environmental health program manager at the National Council of Churches (NCC.) Contact Chloe at chloe@nccecojustice.org or 202/481-6932. * Presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, from her investiture sermon, November 4, 2006. working for just ice and peace