Knowledge Tools: Resources for Baby Boomers…and Beyond!

The Weight-Control Information Network (WIN) is a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) of the National Institutes of Health, which is the Federal Government’s lead agency responsible for biomedical research on nutrition and obesity. Authorized by Congress (Public Law 103-43), WIN provides the general public, health professionals, the media, and Congress with up-to-date, science-based information on weight control, obesity, physical activity, and related nutritional issues.

Publications produced by WIN are reviewed by both NIDDK scientists and outside experts. This publication was also reviewed by Tamara Harris, M.D., M.S., Chief, Geriatric Epidemiology, National Institute on Aging; Steven Blair, P.E.D.; and Yvonne Jackson, Ph.D., Director, Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian Programs, U.S. Administration on Aging.

For more information, contact:

The Weight-Control Information Network (WIN)

1 WIN Way
Bethesday, MD 20892–3665
Phone: (202) 828–1025
Toll-free number: 1–877–946–4627
FAX: (202) 828–1028
Email: WIN@info.niddk.nih.gov
Internet: www.win.niddk.nih.gov

Physical activity is good for your health at every age. If you have never been active, starting regular physical activity now may improve your strength, endurance, and flexibility. Being active can help you live on your own for a longer time and lower your chance of getting type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and colon cancer.

Whatever activity you choose, follow the safety tips below:

• Ask your health care provider about ways you can safely increase the amount of physical activity you do now.
• Take time to warm up, cool down, and stretch.
• Start slowly and build up to more intense activity.
• Stop the activity if you experience pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath.
• Drink plenty of water.
• When you are active outdoors, wear lightweight clothes in the summer and layers of clothing in the winter.
• Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for sun protection.
• Wear shoes that fit well and are right for your activity.

~Joan Jackson, Publisher, The Baby Boomer Resource Center.com

Your Access to Free Credit Reports

“The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. The FCRA promotes the accuracy and privacy of information in the files of the nation’s consumer reporting companies. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, enforces the FCRA with respect to consumer reporting companies.

A credit report includes information on where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you’ve been sued or arrested, or have filed for bankruptcy. Nationwide consumer reporting companies sell the information in your report to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use it to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or renting a home.

Here are the details about your rights under the FCRA and the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions (FACT) Act, which established the free annual credit report program.

Q: How do I order my free report?

A: The three nationwide consumer reporting companies have set up a central website, a toll-free telephone number, and a mailing address through which you can order your free annual report.

To order, visit annualcreditreport.com, call 1-877-322-8228, or complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. The form is on the back of this brochure; or you can print it from ftc.gov/credit. Do not contact the three nationwide consumer reporting companies individually. They are providing free annual credit reports only through annualcreditreport.com, 1-877-322-8228, and Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.”

This article is furnished by the Federal Trade Commission. 

Read more on this page concerning, “A Warning About Imposter Websites”.

~Joan Jackson, Publisher, The Baby Boomer Resource Center.com

Fighting Back Against Identity Theft  is a great site by the  U.S. Federal Trade Commission  on the subject of identity theft.

This website is a one-stop national resource to learn about the crime of identity theft. It provides detailed information to help you deter, detect, and defend against identity theft.  

On this site, consumers can learn how to avoid identity theft – and learn what to do if their identity is stolen.  Businesses can learn how to help their customers deal with identity theft, as well as how to prevent problems in the first place.  Law enforcement can get resources and learn how to help victims of identity theft.

~Joan Jackson, Publisher, The Baby Boomer Resource Center.com

Here are some national screening programs and services we all should know about:

Vascular Disease:

Throughout September, a program called Legs for Life offers free screenings for peripheral arterial disease, a “hardening of the arteries” condition that indicates an increased risk for heart attack or stroke. Some sites can also test for related diseases like abdominal aortic aneurysm and carotid artery disease. To find a screening site, visit them, or call 800-488-7284. Another resource that maintains a directory of health care facilities offering free/low-cost vascular screenings is VascularWeb.org . Also see WiseWoman and Sister to Sister.org to find women-specific cardiovascular screenings in multiple cities.

Skin Cancer:

 The Amerian Academy of Dermatology  (888-462-3376,  offers free screenings done by hundreds of volunteer dermatologists across the U.S. Free screenings are also offered by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (847-956-0900)) and the Skin Cancer Foundation  (800-754-6490).

Breast and Cervical Cancer:

 The CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (800-232-4636) provides low-income, uninsured and underinsured women access to free or low-cost mammograms and Pap tests. Free/low-cost breast cancer screenings are also available at hundreds of hospitals and clinics on National Mammography Day on Oct. 17, 2008. To locate a screening site, visit the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month website, and click on “Find a Mammography Center Near You.” Once you locate one you’ll need to call to find out if they are offering free screenings, and if so, schedule an appointment.

Prostate Cancer:

 During National Prostate Cancer Awareness Week, September 14 – 20, (866-477-6788) the Prostate Cancer Educational Council coordinates with hundreds of local sites across the U.S. offering free or low-cost screenings to all men over age 45, or to high-risk men (African Americans or those with a family history of the disease) over 40. The National Prostate Cancer Coalition and the Drive Against Prostate Cancer (888-245-9455) also offers free screenings on mobile screening units that tour around the country.

Kidney Disease:

The National Kidney Foundation  (800-622-9010) offers free screenings in 48 communities across the country for those at elevated risk – adults with high blood pressure, diabetes or a family history of kidney disease. They also offer free screenings in at least 20 additional cities on World Kidney Day, March 12, 2009.

Memory:

If you have concerns about memory loss or have a family history of Alzheimer’s disease, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (866-232-8484) offers free memory screenings across the U.S. on National Memory Screening Day, Nov. 18.

Asthma:

In May, the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology   sponsors free asthma screenings in more than 250 locations nationwide.

Depression:

National Depression Screening Day  on October 10 offers hundreds of free screenings nationwide for depression, anxiety and other stress disorders.

~Take advantage of these valuable resources!

~Joan Jackson, Publisher, The Baby Boomer Resource Center