Prevention Matters

"Best and Worst News for Prevention” is based on a purposive sample consisting of expert staff members who each week choose to share their opinions on the best and worst news for prevention.

BEST

Study Shows Building Up to 10,000 Steps a Day May Lead to Weight Loss and Better Insulin Sensitivity

Building up to 10,000 steps a day can help control weight and may reduce diabetes risk, suggests new research in the journal BMJ.

Of 592 middle-aged Australian adults, those who increased the number of steps they took during a five-year period and built up to 10,000 steps per day had a lower body mass index, less belly fat, and better insulin sensitivity than their counterparts who did not take as many steps daily during the same time period. Of 592 middle-aged Australian adults, those who increased the number of steps they took during a five-year period and built up to 10,000 steps per day had a lower body mass index, less belly fat, and better insulin sensitivity than their counterparts who did not take as many steps daily during the same time period.


WORST

Smoking 'causes damage in minutes', US experts claim


Smoking damages the body in minutes rather than years, according to research in the US. The report, published in Chemical Research in Toxicology, shows that chemicals which cause cancer form rapidly after smoking.

Scientists involved in the small-scale study described the results as a stark warning to people considering smoking. Anti-smoking charity Ash described the research as "chilling" and as a warning that it is never too early to quit.

The long term impact of smoking, from heart disease to a range of cancers, is well known. This study suggests the damage begins just moments after the first cigarette is smoked.


The “Best and Worst” awards are announced each week in “Prevention Matters,” the blog of Partnership for Prevention. "Best and Worst News for Prevention” is based on a purposive sample of expert staff members who each week choose to share their opinions on the best and worst news for prevention. More information is available at http://www.prevent.org/.

An important article in Preventive Medicine underscores the important role that urban design can play in promoting healthy communities. The research comes from an Atlanta project and will be a featured presentation at the 18th Annual Congress of the New Urbanism to be held in Atlanta May 19-22 in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The theme of this year’s conference is appropriately enough “New Urbanism: Rx for Healthy Places.”

Those of us in the prevention community need to pay more attention to this “New Urbanism.” Their work is very much at the cutting edge of new, community-based initiatives that can help us achieve success in reducing the incidence of chronic disease.

Want to learn more? There is an engaging 3 minute You Tube video introduction to “New Urbanism” called “Built to Last.” The video explains how this innovative approach to community design helps people replace dependency on driving with the freedom to connect with their community on foot, bicycle, or public transit. And there’s more. The correct approach to community design can help reverse the harmful effects of urban sprawl on the environment AND effect, in a good way, our personal and community health. New Urbanism seems like a strong investment in our future.

“When it comes to saving the planet what we build is the greatest threat … or the greatest hope.”

Posted by:
Ripley Forbes
Director, Government Affiars, Partnership for Prevention

That report, entitled "Dangerous by Design." was prepared by a coalition called Transportation for America. In this podcast, we're talking with David Goldberg, Director of Communications for that coalition.