health and wellness
Don’t Mess with Your ‘Melon’: Abbott and the Brain Injury Association of America Urge ‘If You Hit Your Head, Get it Checked’ in New Public Service Announcement
The Concussion Awareness Now campaign raises awareness both about the common, everyday ways concussions most often happen and the importance of getting concussions evaluated
Last Updated on March 24, 2023 by Daily News Staff
- The Concussion Awareness Now campaign raises awareness both about the common, everyday ways concussions most often happen and the importance of getting concussions evaluated
- Concussion Awareness Now is a coalition of nearly 20 advocacy groups, founded by Abbott and the Brain Injury Association of America, with Rebel Wilson as the group’s inaugural spokesperson
- The campaign addresses the fact that more than half of people who suspect they have a concussion never get it checked and features a family of characters called the Melons
ABBOTT PARK, Ill., and FAIRFAX, Va. /PRNewswire/ — Concussion Awareness Now, a coalition of nearly 20 advocacy groups founded by Abbott (NYSE: ABT) and the Brain Injury Association of America, unveiled today a new public service campaign to draw attention to concussions and the importance of seeking care.
Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9143051-abbott-dont-mess-with-your-melon-the-concussion-awareness-now-campaign/
The majority of concussions happen during everyday activities – and more than half of people who suspect they have a concussion never get it checked, according to a recent coalition survey.
The new public service announcement campaign raises awareness both about the common ways concussions happen and the importance of getting them evaluated. Playing off the fact that people sometimes refer to their brain as their “melon,” the campaign features a family of animated characters called the Melons, designed to connect with a wide audience by showcasing real-life situations where head injuries occur. Further, the spots encourage people to get their heads checked for a possible concussion, even if they are hesitant or feel pressure not to. The characters span three generations: grandparents, parents and children.
“Too often people think it’s OK to walk off a possible concussion,” said Dr. Beth McQuiston, neurologist and medical director in Abbott’s diagnostics business. “But like a bruised melon, which can suffer unseen damage beneath the surface, a concussion is a serious injury that isn’t always obvious to the naked eye. By driving awareness, we hope more people will seek care for possible concussions when they hit their head, because you can’t treat what you don’t know.”
Each public service announcement features a Melon character hitting his or her head in a different way: slipping on a toy, texting and walking, tripping over the family pet during a virtual reality game, and playing pickleball. Each spot ends with the tagline, “Don’t mess with your melon – if you hit it, get it checked.” The campaign is launching across digital and social channels.
A survey of 3,000 people conducted by the coalition in November of 2022 highlighted many of the misconceptions about concussions. For example, even though only 3% of concussions that present to the emergency room are the result of sports injuries, 84% of respondents believed athletes are the most at risk for concussion. The leading cause of concussions is slips and falls.
“Most concussions happen to people participating in regular, everyday activities,” said Rick Willis, president and chief executive officer of the Brain Injury Association of America. “In the brain injury community, we take concussions – and their after-effects – very seriously. But not everyone has the same understanding of what situations are most likely to cause concussions or what to do when they experience a hit or bump to the head or a full-body jolt. The Melons offer a unique way to spread awareness about concussions: if you think you or a loved one has sustained a concussion, it’s imperative to get it checked.”
Abbott and the Brain Injury Association of America launched the Concussion Awareness Now coalition in December. The coalition of advocacy groups has teamed up with acclaimed actress, comedian, writer and producer Rebel Wilson to raise awareness about the seriousness of concussions. Wilson has shared her personal concussion story as part of the coalition’s campaign and will appear with the Melons in online content. Wilson suffered a concussion when she slipped on wet grass while walking to the set of a movie.
Concussion Awareness Now is made up of advocacy groups that represent people who have sustained brain injuries – from veterans, older adults and victims of domestic violence – their caregivers, as well as healthcare professionals such as emergency care physicians, physicians assistants, urgent care workers and athletic trainers. The coalition website, CheckYourMelon.com, features information about concussion, tips for seeking treatment, frequently asked questions, a patient question guide and other resources.
About the Brain Injury Association of America
The Brain Injury Association of America is the country’s oldest and largest nationwide brain injury advocacy organization. Our mission is to advance awareness, research, treatment, and education and to improve the quality of life for all people affected by brain injury. We are dedicated to increasing access to quality health care and raising awareness and understanding of brain injury.
Learn more at www.biausa.org, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BrainInjuryAssociationofAmerica, on Instagram at @bia_usa, and on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/brain-injury-association-of-america.
About Abbott
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews.
SOURCE Abbott
(Feature Impact) Menopause is a phase of life every woman knows will come eventually yet few are truly prepared for. Beyond stereotypical symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings, the other realities of menopause can be mysterious, taking women by surprise when their experiences differ from expectations.
Rather than being a single event, menopause involves a gradual transition that happens as estrogen production changes – meaning symptoms can appear and evolve unpredictably. According to a survey commissioned by the National Menopause Foundation, 63% of U.S. women ages 35-54 experienced symptoms they believed may be related to perimenopause or menopause, yet nearly half (49%) said they weren’t prepared for the changes beforehand.
When women and their loved ones understand what they’re facing, they can approach this time with patience and compassion, which can make a real difference to the 71% of women who wished the people in their lives understood more about perimenopause or menopause. Consider these five facts to help fill in the menopause knowledge gap.
Perimenopause Can Start Years Before Menopause
The physiological transition to menopause can happen up to 10 years before a woman’s final menstrual period, although the average length of perimenopause is about four years. Symptoms may quietly begin in a woman’s 30s, 40s or 50s, and what might look like an isolated problem at first – like brain fog, a night of insomnia or an irregular monthly cycle – could be connected to broader hormonal changes.
Menopause Is More Than Just “Hot Flashes”
Since more than half of women surveyed were already aware of menopause symptoms like hot flashes, mood changes, anxiety and fatigue, these may not take them by surprise. Little-known symptoms are a different story – the majority of respondents didn’t anticipate menopausal issues like rage, inner-ear itching or reduced joint mobility. According to the National Menopause Foundation, women may also experience sleep disturbances, sweating, changes in libido, vaginal dryness, incontinence, weight changes and more.
Every woman’s experience is unique, so these symptoms could present in different combinations and intensities during menopausal years or may not appear at all.
Talking About Menopause Can Be Difficult
Even as women go through these physical and emotional shifts, many struggle to open up about their experiences. In fact, women rank menopause symptoms (17%) more difficult to discuss than hot-button topics like political views (13%), weight (13%) and religious beliefs (10%).
However, suffering in silence can lead to feelings of isolation, relationship misunderstandings and hesitation to seek help, which is why 66% of women said the lack of open discussion about menopause makes the experience worse.
Menopause Isn’t All Bad News
Although this season of life comes with challenges, there are joys to embrace as well. Women navigating midlife can come out the other side with more resilience, emotional awareness and a stronger sense of self. In fact, 44% of women surveyed said their outlook on life became more positive since their transition.
What Loved Ones Can Actually Do
Menopause is a highly individual experience, but that doesn’t mean women have to navigate it alone. Support from partners, families and friends can lift women up during difficult moments, and it can be as simple as taking the time to ask questions, listen and learn about how menopause is affecting their lives. With 30% of women in the U.S. labor force – approximately 15-16 million – in the age range corresponding to menopausal transition (ages 45-60), workplaces can also take steps to become more menopause friendly.
For more resources to help understand symptoms and discuss the transition with loved ones, visit nationalmenopausefoundation.org.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
SOURCE:
Consumer Corner
Cold cities are the most ready for winter, with one exception. See where your city ranks
Cold cities? Every neighborhood has a mix of homeowners who approach seasonal home maintenance differently – there are the people who stay on schedule, and on the other end, the procrastinators. There are the dedicated DIYers, and those who have their favorite maintenance pro saved as a favorite contact in their phone. As it turns out, cities are no different. Some metropolitan areas keep their neighborhoods in tip-top shape, while others are a little more slow-going.
Cold cities are the most ready for winter, with one exception. See where your city ranks
(Sheeka Sanahori) Every neighborhood has a mix of homeowners who approach seasonal home maintenance differently – there are the people who stay on schedule, and on the other end, the procrastinators. There are the dedicated DIYers, and those who have their favorite maintenance pro saved as a favorite contact in their phone. As it turns out, cities are no different. Some metropolitan areas keep their neighborhoods in tip-top shape, while others are a little more slow-going.
New data from home services company Angi, covering fall maintenance activity in August, reveals which U.S. metropolitan areas are the most proactive with fall maintenance. Washington, D.C., tops the ranking with the strongest demand for fall maintenance in the country, followed by Columbus, Ohio, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Northern cities dominate the rest of the list.
Cleveland, Ohio, and Albany-Schenectady-Troy, New York, round out the top five. Cold-weather markets dominate the ranking, accounting for eight of the 10 most-prepared metros. Rochester, New York; Charlotte, North Carolina; Chicago; Indianapolis; and Pittsburgh complete the top 10.
Least fall-ready metros
Fewer than 1 in 5 American cities is prepping for fall at an above-average rate. Among the 66 metros that recorded at least 100 fall maintenance service requests during the analysis period, Los Angeles had the lowest level of per-capita activity, followed by Oklahoma City and Riverside, California. California accounts for four of the bottom 10 markets, with Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego and San Francisco all appearing on the list. These metros historically don’t experience the colder winter climates of the Northeast and Midwest, making fall maintenance less of an imperative.
Grand Rapids, Michigan, stands out as the only clearly cold-weather metro among the 10 least-prepared large metros. The New York City metro, which includes Newark and Jersey City, ranked just outside the 10 least-prepared large metros, coming in at number 11. Other New York state metros, including Syracuse, Rochester and the Albany metro area, were on the most prepared list.
Homeowners are choosing upkeep over upgrades
Sixty-three percent of homeowners who have recently hired a professional completed maintenance work, and 58% completed repairs. Although they may be waiting to do that dream kitchen or bath renovation, they’re focusing for now on the maintenance that keeps their homes in order.
The most common fall maintenance projects focus on outdoor upkeep. Nationally, tree trimming was the most popular, followed by lawn and yard waste cleanup and shrub care.
What homeowners should do now
When tackling a home maintenance list, start at the top of the home by inspecting the roof and gutters. Look for loose or damaged shingles, and make sure gutters are debris-free. It’s also a good idea to ensure downspouts direct water far away from the foundation. Homeowners should inspect these areas from the ground or hire a professional if the work requires climbing or feels unsafe.
Next, check for drafts around the windows and doors. Replacing worn weatherstripping and damaged caulk in the fall can prevent warm air from escaping once the heat comes back on. Homeowners should also inspect their HVAC filters and have the heating system checked before the temperatures drop.
Every home’s maintenance needs will vary, depending on the age and condition of the house and where it’s located. Whether homeowners hire a professional or safely address small issues, making the fixes can prevent larger and more expensive problems later.
The ranking: Metros from most to least prepared
America’s 10 Most Fall-Prepared Metros
1. Washington, D.C.
2. Columbus, Ohio
3. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
4. Cleveland, Ohio
5. Albany-Schenectady-Troy, New York
6. Rochester, New York
7. Charlotte, North Carolina
8. Chicago, Illinois
9. Indianapolis, Indiana
10. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
10 Metros With the Most Opportunity to Get Fall-Ready
1. Los Angeles, California
2. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
3. Riverside, California
4. Miami, Florida
5. San Diego, California
6. Houston, Texas
7. Grand Rapids, Michigan
8. San Francisco, California
9. Austin, Texas
10. Memphis, Tennessee
Methodology
The rankings are based on fall maintenance activity recorded on Angi during August 2026. Projects included yard cleanup, winterization, roofing and gutters, heating systems, water and drainage, outdoor plumbing, fireplaces and chimneys, pest prevention, and snow and storm preparation. U.S. metropolitan areas were ranked by activity per 100,000 residents using 2020 U.S. Census population data. To qualify for the least-prepared ranking, metros were required to have at least five service requests or jobs during the analysis period. The rankings reflect activity on Angi’s platform and are not a complete measure of all home-maintenance activity within each metro. These rankings reflect activity observed on Angi’s platform and should not be interpreted as a complete measure of all home-maintenance behavior within a metro area.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
SOURCE:
Angi
Health
Type 2 Diabetes Doesn’t Have to Be Your Future: Medicare Has a Benefit That Can Help
Left unchecked, prediabetes can progress to type 2 diabetes. However, with the right support, prediabetes can often be managed or even reversed. If you have Medicare, you may qualify for a Medicare-covered program that can help you lower your chances of developing type 2 diabetes – at no cost to you.
(Feature Impact) Nearly 1 in 2 people age 65 and older has prediabetes – a condition where blood sugar (glucose) levels run higher than normal. Left unchecked, prediabetes can progress to type 2 diabetes. However, with the right support, prediabetes can often be managed or even reversed. If you have Medicare, you may qualify for a Medicare-covered program that can help you lower your chances of developing type 2 diabetes – at no cost to you.
The Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program is a covered Medicare benefit that gives you practical tools, personalized support, and proven strategies to make healthy lifestyle changes. Learn how to eat better, exercise more, and build healthy habits that stick while guided by a certified coach who helps you every step of the way.
Research shows the program works. People with prediabetes who complete the program result in weight loss, which ultimately leads to reduced risk of type 2 diabetes onset.
What can you expect?
Prevention does not mean you have to make big changes all at once. This program helps you take small, realistic steps that can add up to lasting results. It includes 16 core sessions where you can learn how to reduce your diabetes risk by making healthier meals, moving more, and building healthy habits.
The core sessions are followed by six months of monthly maintenance sessions to help you keep your momentum.
You can choose the class format that works for you
You can enroll in these services from approved Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program suppliers and participate in the way most convenient for you:
- In-Person: Attend sessions in a community location.
- Live-Distance Learning: Join interactive group sessions from home.
- Self-Paced Online: This new option allows you to access online content and learn on your own schedule.
Visit www.medicare.gov/PreventDiabetes to find a class that’s right for you.
Who is eligible?
You may qualify if you are enrolled in Medicare Part B and meet these criteria:
- Have had one of the following test results within the past 12 months:
- Hemoglobin A1c between 5.7% and 6.4%
- Fasting plasma glucose between 110 and 125 mg/dL
- Two-hour plasma glucose between 140 and 199 mg/dL after an oral glucose tolerance test
- Have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher (or 23 or higher if you self-report as Asian descent).
- Have never been diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes or end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
What does it cost?
If you have Medicare Part B and qualify for the program, you pay nothing to participate. If you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you may have to go to an in-network provider to get these services. Contact your plan for more information.
Ready to get started on your healthier future?
Take control of your health on your own terms, schedule, and pace that fits into your life. Check with your doctor to find out if you have prediabetes or are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. If you’re eligible for the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program, your doctor can refer you, or you can enroll on your own.
If you’re ready to get started today, find the class that’s right for you at: www.medicare.gov/PreventDiabetes.
Information provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
SOURCE:
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
