Health Alert: Hotter Temperature May Affect Kidney Health. An analysis of data from hospitals in Brazil
collected between 2000 and 2015 found that the risk for kidney disease rises by 1% for every 1.8-degree
Fahrenheit increase in daily mean temperature. The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, October 2021
Diet: Warning Labels on Food and Beverages Could Reduce Healthcare Costs. Researchers estimate that
implementing warning labels on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and restaurant menus regarding the negative
effects of a poor diet and obesity could lead to population-wide health improvements that could reduce
healthcare costs by $1.83 billion in the following decade.
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, October 2021
Exercise: Exercise with Standard Treatment Improves Depression Outcomes. A meta-analysis that
included 22 studies concluded that combining exercise with standard treatment for depression results in better
outcomes, especially in cases of severe depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, December 2021
Chiropractic: Low Back Pain May Increase Risk for Neck/Shoulder Pain from Smartphone Use.
Assessments of 50 teenagers, half with a history of low back pain, showed that those with back pain exhibited
greater curvature in the thoracic spine after 30 minutes of seated smartphone interaction. This exaggerated
posture can place greater stress on the neck and upper back, which increases the risk for musculoskeletal pain in
those sites. International Journal of Environmental Research Public Health, August 2021
Mental Attitude: Financial Stress Burdens Many Moms. Using data from the United States National Health
Interview Survey, researchers report that 25% of pregnant women and new moms skipped doctor appointments
due to cost, 60% reported that healthcare was unaffordable, and 54% said they were experiencing general
financial stress. Study co-author Dr. Michelle Moniz writes, “Financial hardship is highly prevalent among
pregnant and postpartum women… Findings from the current study call for targeted policy interventions to
alleviate financial strain and remove financial barriers to healthcare access for privately insured families.”
JAMA Network Open, October 2021
Wellness/Prevention: Smoking and Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain. In addition to an elevated risk for heart
disease and some cancers, smoking has also been linked to a 23% increased risk for chronic musculoskeletal
pain. However, the risk falls over time among those who quit. Pain Physician, December 2021
Quote: “Success consists of getting up just one more time than you fall.” ~ Oliver Goldsmith

I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.