September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month

(Distributed through BlackNews.com)

By Jacqueline Stiff, MD, MSPH, UnitedHealthcare vice president, Health Care Strategies

Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States. The disease affects 70,000 to 100,000 Americans and is most prevalent among African Americans, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. About one in 500 African Americans has the disease, and one in 12 carry the sickle cell trait.

Here’s some basic information about sickle cell disease.

What Is Sickle Cell Disease?
Normal red blood cells are disc-shaped and look like donuts without holes in the center, traveling easily through the blood vessels. But in sickle cell, the red blood cells are shaped like sickles or “C’s.” These irregularly shaped cells are rigid and sticky. They often form clumps, which can slow or block blood flow and oxygen throughout the body causing pain, serious infections, and organ damage.

How Do You Get It?
Sickle cell disease is passed from parent to child like eye color, blood type and other physical characteristics. People who have the sickle cell trait often have no symptoms. Ask your health care provider for a blood test so that you can know for sure.

What Are the Symptoms?
Sickle cell anemia is present at birth, but many infants don’t show any signs until after four months of age. Symptoms of sickle cell anemia vary. Some people have mild symptoms while others have very severe complications and must be hospitalized for treatment. Some of the most common symptoms are fatigue; acute chest syndrome that causes breathing problems; pain in the arm and leg bones, the chest, abdomen, and back; frequent infections; swollen hands and feet; and vision problems.

In addition to these symptoms, stroke is a serious complication of sickle cell disease, especially in children. Cells obstruct blood flow to the brain, and oxygen can’t get past the blockage, which causes the stroke. Signs of stroke include seizures, weakness or numbness of the arms and legs, sudden speech difficulties, and loss of consciousness.

If you know you have sickle cell disease, the key is to do your best to stay as healthy as possible. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests the following tips:

* Get regular checkups – Regular health checkups with a primary care doctor can help prevent some serious complications.

* Prevent infections – Common illnesses such as the flu can quickly become dangerous for a child with sickle cell disease.

* Drink plenty of water – People with sickle cell disease should drink as much water as possible, at least eight glasses of water every day. Eating healthy food is also important.

* Look for clinical studies – New clinical research studies are being conducted all the time to find better treatments and, hopefully, a cure for sickle cell disease.

* Get support – Find a patient-support group or other organization in your community that can provide information, assistance and support.

All states now mandate the testing of newborns for sickle cell disease as part of their newborn screening programs, but we can do more to raise awareness of the disease. For its part, UnitedHealthcare has teamed up with the American Heart Association and Stroke Association’s “Power to End Stroke Campaign” (www.powertoendstroke.org) to promote early screening and educate African Americans about the connection between sickle cell disease and stroke.

While there is no cure yet for sickle cell disease, people who have it can still live well and long. The first step is to find out if you have the disease or the trait. Then you can discuss treatment options with your doctor to ensure your best outcome, reduce the risk of complications and pass down a legacy of good health to the next generation.

To learn more about UnitedHealthcare’s health and wellness resources for you and your family, visit www.uhcgenerations.com

 Top Illinois Gangs to be Targeted: Latin Kings and Vice Lords

Highlight Kirk’s strong record of combating gangs that threaten Illinois communities

Chicago, IL – With recent reports citing Illinois as the highest gang members per capita state in the nation, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani joined Congressman Mark Kirk in Chicago yesterday to highlight Kirk’s strong law enforcement background.

“I’ve known Mark Kirk for a long time and like me, he is a fiscal conservative, social moderate, who is tough on crime and a friend to law enforcement,” Giuliani said.  “Gangs are a problem that Illinois cannot afford to ignore. Illinois deserves a Senator who has a record of being tough on crime like Mark Kirk.”

Kirk and Giuliani emphasized the need for the Anti-Gang Task Force Act which establishes and provides $20 million in funds for a national gang task force with corresponding regional task forces to target gangs.  The task force would include:

1. The Federal Bureau of Investigation;
2. The Drug Enforcement Administration;
3. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives;
4. The United States Marshals Service;
5. The Directorate of Border and Transportation Security of the Department of Homeland Security;
6. The Department of Housing and Urban Development;
7. State and local law enforcement; and
8. Federal, State, and local prosecutors.

According to the FBI National Gang Threat Assessment, significant Chicago-based gangs include Gangster Disciples, Latin Kings, Vice Lords, and Black P. Stones.

“We have seen gang violence here in Chicago tear communities apart,” Kirk said. “To be effective, we must develop a comprehensive federal-state-local partnership backed by the necessary resources to clean up our streets and take down leaders of the top gangs who threaten our communities: starting with the Latin Kings, Vice Lord ‘Nation’ and moving down the list from there. As Senator, I will make this one of my top priorities.”

As Senator, Congressman Kirk will build on the work he has done in the 10th Congressional District, including establishing the Top Ten Most Wanted Gang Members of Lake County list with Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran, creating the Northern Illinois Gang Taskforce with the Waukegan Police Department and backing resources for law enforcement to ensure men and women in uniform come home safely.

From the National Gang Intelligence Center’s 2009 National Gang Threat Assessment:

 
Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (National)

The Latin Kings street gang was formed in Chicago in the 1960s and consisted predominantly of Mexican and Puerto Rican males. Originally created with the philosophy of overcoming racial prejudice and creating an organization of “Kings,” the Latin Kings evolved into a criminal enterprise operating throughout the United States under two umbrella factions—Motherland, also known as KMC (King Motherland Chicago), and Bloodline (New York). All members of the gang refer to themselves as Latin Kings and, currently, individuals of any nationality are allowed to become members. Latin Kings associating with the Motherland faction also identify themselves as “Almighty Latin King Nation (ALKN),” and make up more than 160 structured chapters operating in 158 cities in 31 states. 

The membership of Latin Kings following KMC is estimated to be 20,000 to 35,000. The Bloodline was founded by Luis Felipe in the New York State correctional system in 1986. Latin Kings associating with Bloodline also identify themselves as the “Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (ALKQN).” Membership is estimated to be 2,200 to 7,500, divided among several dozen chapters operating in 15 cities in 5 states. Bloodline Latin Kings share a common culture and structure with KMC and respect them as the Motherland, but all chapters do not report to the Chicago leadership hierarchy.

The gang’s primary source of income is the street-level distribution of powder cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. Latin Kings continue to portray themselves as a community organization while engaging in a wide variety of criminal activities, including assault, burglary, homicide, identity theft, and money laundering.

Vice Lord Nation (National)

Vice Lord Nation, based in Chicago, is a collection of structured gangs located in 74 cities in 28 states, primarily in the Great Lakes region. Led by a national board, the various gangs have an estimated 30,000 to 35,000 members, most of whom are African American males. The main source of income is street-level distribution of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. Members also engage in other criminal activity such as assault, burglary, homicide, identity theft, and money laundering.
 

Black P. Stone Nation (National)  

Black P. Stone Nation, one of the largest and most violent associations of street gangs in the United States, consists of seven highly structured street gangs with a single leader and a common culture. It has an estimated 6,000 to 8,000 members, most of whom are African American males from the Chicago metropolitan area. The gang’s main source of income is the street-level distribution of cocaine, heroin, marijuana and, to a lesser extent, methamphetamine. Members also are involved in many other types of criminal activity, including assault, auto theft, burglary, carjacking, drive-by shootings, extortion, homicide, and robbery.

Gangster Disciples (National)

 
The Gangster Disciples street gang was formed in Chicago, Illinois, in the mid-1960s. It is structured like a corporation and is led by a chairman of the board. Gang membership is estimated at 25,000 to 50,000; most members are African American males from the Chicago metropolitan area. The gang is active in 110 cities in 31 states. Its main source of income is the street-level distribution of cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana, and heroin. The gang also is involved in other criminal activity, including assault, auto theft, firearms violations, fraud, homicide, the operation of prostitution rings, and money laundering.

“Sunshine-on-TIFs” will also shine a light on the state’s 1,000 TIF Districts.

Dolton, IL – State Representative David Miller, nominee for Illinois Comptroller, has unveiled a proposal to help taxpayers understand how often-controversial TIF (Tax Increment Financing) districts are being used and what they are costing government. Miller believes TIF money could potentially be used to meet other pressing budget needs.

“The time has come to shine a light on the more than 1,000 TIFs throughout Illinois,” said Miller. “There are millions of dollars at stake, and taxpayers deserve to know whether or not these TIFs are benefiting their community. With more transparency, we can stop TIFs from being unfairly abused to benefit well-connected developers. We can determine if TIF money is better spent elsewhere. We can fight waste, fraud and abuse and restore fiscal responsibility to Illinois.”

Currently, every municipality that has a TIF district must send an annual report to the Illinois Comptroller’s Office after the end of each fiscal year. The Comptroller’s Office stores those reports and lists municipalities that presently have TIF districts.