New Study Finds Inactivity as Deadly as Smoking

Study results published in the Lancet, of Great Britain, show that as many or more people die from physical inactivity as do from smoking tobacco worldwide.

Link: http://www.thefix.com/content/inactivity-deadly-smoking90406

Madison Mayor Paul Soglin Hopes to Tackle Food Deserts

The Mayor of Madison, Wisconsin, is hoping to create a city-wide plan to address the lack of access to nourishment is several parts of the city.  Below is a map showing areas that are affected.

More info:  http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/soglin-calls-for-citywide-food-policy-to-curb-problem-of/article_0b2ebb90-cacc-11e1-9f43-001a4bcf887a.html

Happy World Population Day!

The implications of population growth are staggering.

Link: http://forumblog.org/2012/07/world-population-day-2012-7-billion-and-counting/

Researchers Exercise and Meditation More Effective than Flu Shots

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have found through research that exercise and meditation may be more beneficial in combating colds and the flu than medication.

Link: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/health_med_fit/uw-study-exercise-meditation-can-help-prevent-cold-and-flu/article_f51f33c0-cac1-11e1-89bb-001a4bcf887a.html

UW-Madison Researchers Discover Wider Prevalence of Fragile X Than Previously Known

A team at the UW-Madison's Waisman Center, led by Dr. Marsha Mailick Seltzer, has found a wider prevalence of gene mutations which cause the syndrome known as Fragile X - which is the most common form of inherited developmental disability.

Link:  http://www.news.wisc.edu/20785

CDC Report: 5,000 Annual Deaths Due to Methodone Overdoses

The deaths are attributed to poor monitoring and unnecessary prescriptions of the synthetic replacement for Heroin.

Link: http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2012/07/08/methadone-overdose-kills-patients-year-cdc-report-says/NDgJZC7nivtEWMzTINkioJ/story.html

Fascinating Article about EMDR and Addiction

I've always hoped that EMDR would gain more credibility and use in treatment for trauma, and what d'ya know, it even has benefits for people in recovery.

Link: http://www.thefix.com/content/emdr-cure-for-addiction-10083

New Report on Community-Wide Metrics

The White House Council for Community Solutions worked with The Bridgespan Group to identify effective needle-moving collaboratives (those that have achieved at least 10 percent progress in a community-wide metric), understand the keys to success, and recommend ways to drive more collective impact, particularly to address the challenges of disconnected youth.

Link:  http://www.issuelab.org/index.php/research/guide_the_next_generation_of_community_participation