5 Simple Measures to Help Protect from Swine Flu
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-09-04-voa47.cfm
By Lisa Schlein | Geneva 04 September 2009

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The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is launching a global information campaign to help communities deal with the Swine Flu virus. The Red Cross says its main focus will be on the developing countries, which do not have the same level of medical and monitoring facilities as the developed countries.

The Red Cross says people in developing countries are most vulnerable to the H1N1 Swine Flu virus. But, they also are most likely not to have the information they need that could save their lives.

So, while the campaign is global, the Red Cross says a priority is to reach people in the most remote corners of the world within the next few weeks with its life-saving messages.  Senior Red Cross Officer for Health in Emergencies, Tammam Aloudat, says countries in the Northern hemisphere have gone through the first wave of the Swine flu pandemic and now have to prepare for a second wave of the virus.

He says no one knows whether the second wave will be more severe than the first or will remain moderate.

"It does not really matter because in the best case scenario we have today, we will still have a moderate virus that … is projected to cause several million deaths extra deaths than the usual influenza annual mortality, which means that even in the best-case scenario, we do have an emergency on our hand," said Aloudat. "An emergency of a scale different to what we have seen before in the modern era."

Pandemic experts explain a second wave does not necessarily entail any change in the composition of the virus. They say the virus can stay exactly the same. But, it usually finds more susceptible populations to infect among the people who did not get the disease in the first wave. So, they lack the immunity to fight off the disease.

Head of the International Red Cross Federation's Influenza team, Robert Kaufman, says the impact of a novel virus on a community without immunity is not just about the number of illnesses and deaths. It is also about its ability to disrupt services.

"For example, we saw in the southern Hemisphere-in Chile, Argentina, certain parts of Bolivia where health facilities were overwhelmed. Operations for people were postponed because facilities and medical practitioners were preoccupied and needed to serve influenza like diseases or flu in particular," he said.

Pharmaceutical companies are developing vaccines against H1N1. They are expected to be available in the coming weeks. But, there will not be enough vaccine for everyone and there are fears that the developing countries will be short-changed. While vaccines are important, Red Cross officials say they are not the only way for people to stay safe. They say those who follow five practices will greatly reduce the risk of becoming infected.

The message the Red Cross campaign is trying to get out is simple - wash your hands, cover your mouth, keep your distance, separate your sick and dispose of your waste properly.

Move it! Physiotherapists urge parents to get active with their children and keep them moving this school year

TORONTO, Sept. 8 /CNW/ - It's the start of another school year and Canadian physiotherapists are taking this opportunity to talk tough about the epidemic of overweight and inactive children in this country. According to Statistics Canada about 25 percent of Canadian children are overweight. The Active Healthy Kids Canada 2009 Report Card found that only 13 percent of children and youth are getting the 90 minutes of physical activity recommended by Canada's Physical Activity Guide. As primary health practitioners, physiotherapists regularly treat children and youth with injuries and disease that are directly related to a lack of physical activity or obesity. They are deeply concerned that so few children and youth are meeting the minimum daily requirements of activity to allow for healthy growth and development. Physiotherapists say parents must act now to help turn back the tide on childhood obesity and inactivity by making this the year they get their kids into after school sports or other less formal physical activities.

 "There are no excuses for children not to be involved in physical activity on a daily basis. It's a lifestyle strategy that has to be adopted," says Lia-Marie Arniel, a Winnipeg physiotherapist who runs programs for increasing physical activity and fitness in children. "Parents just have to do it alongside their children. Be active everyday, otherwise the children will become more prone to serious illnesses like diabetes, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease," adds Arniel. "Inactivity and obesity hand in hand are among the greatest threats to the health of today's youth and children, and must be taken seriously."

Arniel recommends that of the 90 minutes of physical activity a day children should be doing, at least 30 minutes should be continuous aerobic conditioning like simply brisk walking, running, jumping, dancing or bike riding. These are activities that stimulate the natural developmental patterns of movement and growth. "Kids don't need fancy equipment, they just need to move their bodies, preferably in an upright position, get away from the computer," stresses Arniel. Tanya Kozera, a physiotherapist who works with the Family Lifestyle Program in Winnipeg and does child physical activity research at the University of Manitoba says the most important step parents can take is to be active themselves. "Active parent equals active child," says Kozera. "If the parent role models physical activity, the child is more likely to be active."

She has the following tips for parents:

• Listen to your child's interest and choice and be prepared to engage the child in the physical activity that interests them.
• If your child is not interested in a team sport perhaps an individual sport like running or swimming is more suitable.
• Start a physical activity jar. Put pieces of paper into it with various simple physical activities written down such as walking, or biking. Each evening a family member draws out a physical activity that everyone does together.
• Encourage active play, like playing tag, hopscotch, hide and seek or scavenger hunts. Every minute spent in active play is time spent away from sedentary pursuits.

Moving from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one requires planning and perseverance from both parents and children. But there are professional resources readily available. Physiotherapists can work with families to create physical activity action plans that are realistic and attainable. They can also provide families with targeted exercise strategies for overweight children and coordinate comprehensive obesity management programs. However, to make physical activity a lifetime commitment that will result in healthier, happier, and smarter children, parents must start at home and make a concerted effort to encourage their children to go outside and play.

For further information: Virginia Bawlf, National Media Relations Officer, Canadian Physiotherapy Association, (416) 932-1888 (x222), (647) 379-4145 (cell), vbawlf@physiotherapy.ca

Perspectives on a Girl - Short Films Created by women... Inspired by Guides

TORONTO, Sept. 8 /CNW/ - In today's dynamic and complicated world, Canadian girls are at risk. Growing up is fun, but young girls also face extreme pressure. To illustrate the increased relevance of and need for Girl Guides, Girl Guides of Canada is proud to present their first annual online film festival - Perspectives on a Girl.

Whether it's about bullying, consciousness over body image or self esteem issues, there is almost always something to worry about. At this very moment, there are girls experiencing peer pressure, discrimination and racism. Now, more than ever, Girls need Guides. Talented female artists from across Canada, including filmmakers, writers, animators, directors and orators donated their time and joined Girl Guides of Canada to bring the various issues young girls face to life, through dynamic short films for the Perspectives on a Girl online film festival (perspectivesonagirl.ca).

"We couldn't be more pleased with the breadth and creativity of the films," Chris Burton, Chief Commissioner, Girl Guides of Canada exclaims. "They display the challenges that young girls face today in a moving way to help illustrate why Canadian girls need Guides more than ever." Since 1910, Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada (GGC) has been a leading organization for girls and women with 90,000 members across Canada. GGC provides valuable programs that enable girls to be confident, resourceful and courageous.

A current Girl Guide Riley explains, "I think girls should join Girl Guides because it's a friendly place to be and you can challenge yourself doing all kinds of great stuff. I like going every week, doing interesting things and being with my friends at Guides. Guiding teaches you that no matter who you are, you are special and can offer the world something great. People who aren't in Guiding just don't know how unbelievably cool it is!"

Experience the online film festival by visiting http://perspectivesonagirl.ca. Starting August 24th, four of the films will be featured on the site. Return again on September 14th to view additional films and experience the film festival in its entirety. The site also includes details about the film festival and information on GGC. The online Film Festival is timed to coincide with the start of GGC registration for 2009/2010. Parents can visit http://perspectivesonagirl.ca  to fill-out the online enrollment form for their daughters.

Permanent resident card has new look, enhanced security features

Ottawa, August 24, 2009 — Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced the implementation of the redesigned permanent resident card, which will be in circulation beginning today.

“Thanks to state-of-the-art security features, this redesigned permanent resident card will help prevent the fraudulent use of Canada’s immigration documents and protect the integrity of our immigration system,” said Minister Kenney. “The new card contains security features that comply with international standards for travel documents. Technology is continuously evolving and it is important that our standards keep up.”

The new card contains micro-lettering and fine line patterns that are resistant to copying, similar to banknotes. Also, the card holder’s photograph and personal details are recorded on a bar code in an encrypted format that may only be read by authorized officials.

New permanent residents will automatically receive the new card as part of the immigration process. Current permanent residents will receive a new card only when their existing card expires. In the meantime, their existing card is still valid.

As always, permanent residents should check the expiry date of their existing card and apply for a new card, if necessary, well in advance of international travel. This wallet-sized plastic card is required for all permanent residents of Canada seeking to re-enter Canada on a commercial carrier (airplane, boat, train or bus).