July 19, 2012 Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act of 2012 On 10 July 2012, President Obama signed the Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act of 2012 into law. This new law makes the use, possession or distribution of certain synthetic drugs illegal. Specifically, this Act added fifteen synthetic cannabinoids, which are commonly known as "Spice," and eleven
July 18, 2012 Staying active keeps heart healthy, prevents disease Staying active doesn't just help get or keep weight off; it helps lower the chances of getting weight-related diseases. It also can improve one's sleep, self esteem and ability to handle everyday stresses. Unfortunately, not everyone leads an active lifestyle and the consequences of an inactive
July 12, 2012 A nurse's story from Afghanistan In the darkness of the night a helicopter on a medevac mission flew across the hot, dry land of Afghanistan carrying a wounded Afghan in critical condition.U.S. Air Force Capt. Jennifer Mitchum, of Shaw's 20th Medical Operations Squadron a clinic nurse and flight chief at the Family Health Clinic,
June 8, 2012 Mold mitigation can prevent health problems As summer approaches and humid weather settles in, mold will make its annual appearance in homes and buildings.Mold that is normally in the air becomes challenging when it settles on moist surfaces and begins to grow, causing structural damage as well as occasional symptoms such as allergies and
May 29, 2012 C-130 crew delivers medical aid to Yemen The U.S. military has provided emergency medical aid to Yemen that's being used to help treat Yemeni soldiers and others who'd been wounded in a May 21 terrorist suicide bombing attack in the country's capital, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told reporters today.A U.S. Air Force C-130
May 14, 2012 Military HIV/AIDS conference promotes awareness, prevention The 2012 International Military HIV/AIDS Conference concluded here today after four days of sharing insights into new ways to re-energize military HIV/AIDS prevention programs.Presentations by subject matter experts, interactive discussions and workshops were among the ways participants shared
May 9, 2012 Beware of the binge I always enjoy starting an article with the cliché, "It's that time of year ..." It is, though. It is, in fact, that time of year to consider how you want to spend your summer.It's the time of year for barbecues, beverage-filled coolers, beaches and bouncy castles. It's time for cozies and bathing
May 9, 2012 AF joins international battle against HIV, AIDS The armed forces for the defense of Mozambique, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention Program and U.S. Africa Command, is hosting the third International Military HIV/AIDS Conference from May 7 to 10. More than 445 military and civilian delegates from 77 nations
May 2, 2012 AF captain lauded for innovative sexual assault awareness training An Air Force Captain was recognized at the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes April18 for her actions as sexual assault response coordinator while at the 8th Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea Feb. 16 through Dec. 31, 2011.Captain Terri Zuber, Air Mobility Command Headquarters officer
April 20, 2012 AF leaders gather to address sexual assault prevention, response Air Force leaders from around the globe gathered at the 2012 Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Leader Summit here April 17 and 18 to learn about service-wide SAPR issues and programs.Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Phil Breedlove both spoke at
April 19, 2012 Developing ways to strengthen family health, well-being Military families face some unique challenges. They experience specific stressors that can place them at risk for maltreatment of one another.Those stressors include isolation from extended family, deployments and high levels of job stress.However, families can implement and establish protective
April 18, 2012 Overcoming sexual assault: A victim's candid story Living has always been a challenge for Senior Airman Jane Smith. Seemingly born into an uphill world, physically and emotionally tested at every step, spirituality had continually strengthened her and still propels her forward in life, she said.Smith was nearly driven to suicide after being sexually
April 12, 2012 Sleep smarts Since the invention of the light bulb in 1879, Americans have slowly reduced the number of hours they sleep until we now get about 20 percent less sleep then we would have in the late 19th century. In addition to the invention of artificial light, other circumstances that may interfere with the
April 12, 2012 DOD implements new changes to sexual assault response The Defense Department has refined new methods to aid sexual assault victims whether reporting a crime or seeking assistance as they transition from service, the director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office said here March 30."We have several new options for victims of sexual
April 5, 2012 DOD implements new changes to sexual assault response The Defense Department has refined new methods to aid sexual assault victims whether reporting a crime or seeking assistance as they transition from service, the director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office said here March 30."We have several new options for victims of sexual
April 4, 2012 Cervical cancer screening saves lives The American Cancer Society estimated that in 2010, 12,200 new cases of invasive cervical cancer were diagnosed in the United States and about 4,210 women died from cervical cancer. Although these statistics are devastating, cervical cancer is preventable.Cervical cancer was once recognized as one
April 3, 2012 Air Force Medical Service Says New Tools Help Activate Patients Today's top medical leaders are placing great emphasis on creating a culture of wellness and healthy lifestyles. A key to success is getting patients actively involved in their own health care. That's why military health professionals are using innovative tools to connect people with vital medical
March 9, 2012 Air Force invests in robust Spice testing The Air Force is currently conducting urinalysis testing for Spice chemicals through a civilian laboratory and will field an in-house urinalysis testing capability for Spice in mid-March.Spice is a name brand and also a generic term for a large family of chemically unrelated "synthetic cannabinoids"
March 7, 2012 Air Force "Doc" moonlights as Spokane "SWAT" He's dual-hatted, serving his country as an Air Force doctor and his community as a member of the Spokane County Sheriff's Department Special Weapons and Tactics team.Simply known as "Doc" to his SWAT team colleagues, Lt. Col. Thatcher Cardon, a 92nd Medical Group doctor, has been a SWAT doctor for
March 7, 2012 Heads Up! March is Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month Traumatic brain injury is defined as a blow, jolt or other injury to the head that disrupts the functioning of the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI. A TBI can occur from exposure to blasts, falls, gunshot wounds, and motor vehicle accidents. Blasts are the leading cause of