By: Susan Oser
NFBPWC Health Chair, health@nfbpwc.org 

Our health committee continues to keep on going. While one plan is made it evolves and  changes with more discussions and more voices in the mix. Our meetings are held on the  3^rd Mondays of the month unless there is a conflict or a holiday. Our next meeting with be  January 27, 2025, at 8pm ET since January 20 is the Inauguration and Martin Luther King,  Jr. holiday and we would like to respect that. Our signature event that we co-sponsor with  Houston Methodist Hospital is Heart of a Woman, which is slated on February 7, 2025.  Please see the details below. 

If you are a former member of the health committee or would like to find an area where you could be involved,  please contact me at health@nfbpwc.org and I will put you on my list. The more you can contribute, the easier it  makes it for me. I’d love to have you. We will meet on the 3^rd or 4^th Monday of the month unless there are any  conflicts or holiday forthcoming. Next meeting is January 27, 2025 

Healthy Thinking for the Month: 

Happy New Year! Have you ever thought about your life and your own self-care? Why not make this year your  self-care year but get rid of things you don’t need, going to your doctors’ appointments, and taking time to relax.  The more you take care of yourself, the more the world will take care of you. 

Health Awareness Dates: 

January is – 

Bath Safety Month, Birth Defects Month, Celebration of Life Month, Cervical Health Awareness Month,  Children Impacted by Parent's Cancer Month, Clap 4 Health, Financial Wellness Month, Get A Balanced  Life Month, Get Organized Month, International Creativity Month, International Quality of Life Month,  International Wealth Mentality Month, Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, National Be On-Purpose  Month, National Braille Literacy Month Link, National Clean Up Your Computer Month, National 

Codependency Awareness Month, National Conscience Month, National Glaucoma Awareness Month,  National Opticians Month, National Personal Self-Defense Awareness Month, National Personal Trainer  Awareness Month, National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, National Stalking  Awareness Month, National Volunteer Blood Donor Month, Self-help Group Awareness Month, Self-Love  Month, Thyroid Awareness Month, Walk Your Pet Month, World Introvert Month Link 

Healthy Recipes: 

The following is a nice healthy punch that not only can you make for the holidays, but also make for any party  courtesy of Bonnie O’Leary, Washington BPW (who has a story attached to it). 

By 2023 Windermere Services Company, All rights reserved. I called the local office to ensure we can publish this on our website. They  said it was not a problem and wish the recipients a happy holiday. 

Ingredients: 

Instructions: Chill all ingredients. When ready, combine in a large bowl in this order: tropical punch, cranberry  juice, pineapple juice, lemon juice. Slowly add the ginger ale to maintain as much fizz as possible, then add the  raspberry sherbet one scoop at a time. 

Let the beverage sit for a few minutes as the sherbet breaks down, helping the sherbet mix with a wooden spoon  to combine evenly. Serve with a ladle and enjoy. 

If you would like to submit a healthy recipe to publish in future newsletters, please send them to  health@nfbpwc.org 

Article courtesy of Health Committee member Kathy Clevenger-Burdell’s research – 

November 18, 2024 

Kelly, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Combat the Syphilis Epidemic, Protect Mothers and Infants 

U.S Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Mike Braun (R-IN)  introduced the Maternal and Infant Syphilis Prevention Act, legislation to protect pregnant mothers and infants  by requiring the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary to issue guidance to states on best practices for  screening and treatment of congenital syphilis under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program  (CHIP), and the Indian Health Service (IHS).  

The house version is led by Representatives Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-6) and Yadira Caraveo (D-CO-8).  

“Arizona has seen a concerning increase in congenital syphilis cases over the past few years. We know this disease  is preventable, and we owe it to our communities to make that a reality,” said Kelly. “Information saves lives,  and this bipartisan legislation is a critical step in making sure mothers and babies receive the screenings and  treatments they need to stay healthy.”  

“As New Mexico tackles the syphilis epidemic, I remain committed to protecting pregnant mothers and babies  by ensuring they have access to essential screening and treatment for congenital syphilis. That is what my  Maternal and Infant Syphilis Prevention Act will do,” said Heinrich. “I will keep fighting to expand access to the  high-quality health care New Mexicans need in their home communities.”  

“With rapidly rising rates of congenital syphilis in Arizona’s newborns, we need to ensure our mothers, families,  and health care professionals have thorough access to proper information and solutions when it comes to tackling 

and preventing this disease,” said Ciscomani. “I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan effort to promote and  improve screenings and treatments for syphilis, ensuring pregnant women, mothers, and babies stay as healthy  as possible.”  

“Affirm is proud to have supported the Maternal and Infant Syphilis Prevention Act and we are grateful to  Senator Kelly for his role in its introduction. As the HHS OPA funded Title X Family Planning Grantee in the  state of Arizona, our staff are keenly aware of the devastating consequences of undetected or undertreated  syphilis on babies and families in Arizona. Affirm is committed to be part of solutions aimed to increase access  to syphilis screening and timely treatment, educate health professionals and our communities, and decrease  stigma around this vitally important health topic. Our babies are counting on us to reduce maternal and infant  syphilis. We applaud Senator Kelly for making this a priority and we look forward to celebrating the passage of  this bill,” said Karen Martinot, DNP, WHNP, Director of Programs & Clinical Administration, Affirm Sexual and  Reproductive Health.  

Background  

Untreated, syphilis can seriously damage the heart and brain and can cause blindness, deafness, and paralysis  among newborns. Screening during the third trimester and delivery can lead to earlier detection of congenital  syphilis and prevent adverse health outcomes for mothers and newborn infants. Centers for Disease Control and  Prevention (CDC) data shows Arizona as the state with the third highest rate of congenital syphilis in the nation.  

Specifically, the Maternal and Infant Syphilis Prevention Act requires the HHS to issue guidance to state Medicaid  agencies on actions states may take to improve access to syphilis screening for pregnant mothers and infants, best  practices for physicians treating cases of congenital syphilis, strategies for increasing access to telehealth services,  and increasing access to treatment in the third trimester and at delivery.  

The legislation is endorsed by the National Coalition of STD Directors, March of Dimes, American College of  Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs, and Affirm. The text of the  bill is here.