Scientific research
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Access and utilize the ICAA library of scientific studies, reports and statistics to assist you with the development of your business case for wellness, program and community design and development, evidence-informed lifestyle choices and marketing strategies and approaches.
Topic- Physical wellness
Planting trees can prevent heat-related deaths
Planting more trees could decrease deaths from higher summer temperatures in cities by a third, a modeling study suggests. Researchers modeled 93 European cities and found that increasing tree cover up to 30% could help lower the temperature of urban environments and prevent heat-related deaths (average city tree coverage in Europe is currently 14.9%). Of the 6,700 premature deaths attributed to higher temperatures in cities during 2015, 2,644 could have been prevented by increased tree coverage. There are lessons in the study for local active-aging organizations, as well.
morePhysical wellness
Stats: 13% of adults 50-80 addicted to junk food
About 13% of people ages 50 to 80 showed signs of addiction to highly processed foods and beverages - also referred to as junk foods, empty calories, comfort foods - in the past year, new data from the National Poll on Healthy Aging suggest. Given the potential adverse health effects, organizations might consider ways to identify such individuals and refer them for help.
morePhysical wellness
Beyond "big": health benefits of resistance training
Most exercise guidelines for good health emphasize aerobic training (AT) -- specifically, about 150 min of moderate-to-vigorous AT weekly. By contrast, resistance training (RT), while acknowledged as being beneficial, is recommended twice weekly. However, the authors of this study propose that the health benefits of RT are underappreciated, noting both established and emerging evidence that it can, in many respects, elicit similar health benefits to AT. When combined, they suggest, AT and RT may yield optimal health benefits versus performing either exercise exclusively.
morePhysical wellness
Multiple brief bursts of daily activity beneficial
As few as three or four minutes of brief, vigorous activity throughout the day is linked to a lower risk of premature death from all causes compared to doing no exercise, according to a recent study by Mark Hamer, DPhil, MSc of University College London, UK and colleagues.
morePhysical wellness
Tech: Virtual reality can relieve end-of-life pain
In a pilot study, researchers investigated the feasibility of a single virtual reality (VR) experience as a satisfying, and effective tool for end-of-life pain relief for individuals receiving palliative care in an inpatient setting. Forty-five participants (average age, 52; about half, women) were offered a one-time VR experience with a selection of several videos and games. Significant pain reduction was evident during and immediately after the experience. No serious side effects were reported during the intervention; however, afterwards, three patients were nauseous, to had headaches, and three had dry eyes.
morePhysical wellness
11-pound weight gain linked to higher risk of total knee replacement
Relatively small increases in weight raise an individual's risk of knee osteoarthritis, as well as the need for a knee replacement, according to research presented in October at the International Congress on Obesity in Melbourne, Australia. Here's one more reason to promote a healthy weight among your constituents.
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