Head to head on health care

I sometimes have a hard time keeping my mouth shut. I admit it. But I'll do my best to talk politics without adding my own (obsessive, extreme and obnoxious) opinions. And I won't even tell you whose name I ironed across the back of underwear for my friends, mom, boyfriend...and yes, maybe on a shirt for my dog.

But, no matter whose side you're on, a good fight is a good fight. Especially when the result could make our country -- and people -- healthier ("could" being the operative word here).

McCain's and Obama's plans are pretty much night and day, and, of course neither are perfect. John won't get more people insured; Barack won't save any money. But some good things could definitely happen.

Lots of organizations have put together great materials comparing the candidates' health care plans -- check 'em out if you're embarrassed you're a little behind on the politics (or want to learn more):

Health08.org
(don't miss them chatting it up on YouTube)

HealthCare.com

WebMD

Have you seen any other good sites like these?

And yeah, I'll open that can of worms: What do you think about the plans?


McCain photo by World Economic Forum
Obama photo by jurvetson

Run, Forrest, run!

For all you hardcore runners out there, don't laugh, but I am very proud to have run my first-ever 10K this weekend! With my MOM, whom I'm even prouder of!

I've run for a long time--like, I'm talkin' back to the bright-gold-middle-school-track-tights days--but had never actually trained for a race. Then I heard about the Bolder Dash benefit for Bolder Options, a nonprofit mentoring program that pairs at-risk youth with adults who hang out, help with homework and work with them to train for running or cycling races. And of course I had to do it.

I knew I could run 3.2 miles without a struggle, so I convinced my mom that we could double that and go for the 10K. The training wasn't bad at all once I got in the groove, and thank you endorphins, every time I moaned and groaned and tied my shoes up I felt great a few minutes into the run. And finishing the race hardly out of breath? Totally sweet.

Now, of course, I want to run every race ever and am toying with the idea of barreling on and doing a half marathon at the end of October. I'm worried about a) the time commitment of training, b) the whole motivation thing and c) Minnesota weather in almost November. Oh, and d) hills.

But whether I go for it or not (leaning toward not this year...), I'll try to stretch out the mind-body 10K-high as long as humanly possible.

Office gotcha down? Hit the treadmill...desk...

I'm not kidding. The New York Times did a story last week about the 100-percent-real treadmill desk: It looks like a treadmill. With a desk. And its users generally log a few miles a day. Got $6,400 (or act now! only $4,292!) or a really nice boss? It's yours. Or make your own for 49 bucks...well, plus the treadmill part.

Sounds weird--and can you imagine the workplace B.O.?!--but it certainly has the potential to fight the sedentary office lifestyle and toast some calories, boost productivity and, possibly, cut company health care costs because of healthier employees.

What do you think: crazy or cool?

Put on your explorer hat

I won't be donning a white coat and stethoscope anytime soon (or ever), but I still very much plan on having a straight-up health career. Not a fan of blood? Get gaggy thinking about swabbing people's throats? Explore the whole health field--there's a ton there that you might never think of while watching Grey's Anatomy (which, I'm happy to report, starts next week! woo!).

To get yourself thinking, poke around ExploreHealthCareers.org, an awesome site, sponsored by the awesome Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, that'll give you the rundown from anesthesiologist assistant to veterinary tech. 

Find something you're ready try out? Check out the Career Explorer for job and salary information, scholarships, internships and more.

Welcome and water bottles

Hello, readers! We have things to discuss:

1) Who the heck am I? Kate, from the nonprofit blog. Nice to meet you. (Monica and I did a little switch, since she's working at a nonprofit and I just started public health school.) I graduated from Ithaca College in 2007, did a year of AmeriCorps VISTA and ended up back on a college campus a couple weeks ago to pursue a joint master's in public health and health journalism. I do a million things. I like shiny objects. I'll try to entertain you.

2) Health Nuts? Huh? Life in Medicine was a solid name, if you want a life in medicine. But what about all of the biostatisticians out there? And the health educators? And phys ed teachers? By changing the name of this blog, we're hoping to keep everyone excited about health (professionally or personally) in the loop. Something on your mind? Comment away! I'll do my best to bring it up to the other health nuts out there.

3) Are plastic water bottles the devil? (We have to get into the meat sooner or later here...) Yes! Well, maybe. Or maybe not. You certainly heard about the potentially scary plastic scare--and that the FDA said that bottles with BPA are safe. But today a large-scale study was released that claims people with the most BPA in their systems have double your average risk of heart disease and diabetes (not to mention heightened risk in a bunch of other health areas). Be safe. Sip from a Sigg. Even if the research is bogus, you'll look cool.

More on all of these things later. But welcome!

Photo by rpongsaj