Media

Teen Dating Abuse: Straight Talk From Teens

Teen Dating AbuseChicago April 11, 2012 – One in three adolescents has been hit, harassed, emotionally abused or digitally stalked by a romantic partner. Be Smart. Be Well. recently asked 15 middle school, high school and college students about their experiences with abusive relationships on-camera.
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It’s a Family Affair: BeSmartBeWell.com recognizes National Nutrition Month with tips to help families eat healthier

Childhood ObesityChicago March 14, 2012 –With about one out of every three children in this country obese or overweight, it’s more important than ever to focus on healthy choices and changes that families can make together.
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Kids and Heart Risk

Childhood ObesityChicago. February 15, 2012 – Adults aren’t the only ones who should be thinking heart smart this February, as heart disease is a concern for an increasing number of children, too. Research shows that overweight kids are more likely to develop heart disease as adults.
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Lower the Risk for Birth Defects

CaregivingChicago January 18, 2012 - Pregnancy is an exciting time filled with hopeful anticipation, and most pregnancies are uneventful and result in healthy babies. Pregnancy, however, is not entirely without risk, leading some expectant parents to worry about birth defects and whether they’ll give birth to a healthy baby.
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Eat, drink and be safe. Avoid food poisoning this holiday season.

CaregivingChicago December 14, 2011 –Whether you’re entertaining at home, celebrating at a restaurant or attending a potluck party, the holidays are a time for friends and family to gather and eat. Don’t let food poisoning spoil your holiday plans. Meet Chef Kang, a Le Cordon Bleu chef, and Ellen, a real mom who has some things to learn about food safety.
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The Sandwich Generation: More People Juggle Parenting and Caregiving Responsibilities

Caregiving[Chicago] November 30, 2011 / They’ve been dubbed the “Sandwich Generation”–middle-aged people caring for aging parents while still taking care of their own children. Pulled in many directions, these family jugglers are at risk for stress, depression and other health problems. Older adults are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population; 10,000 people turn 65 every day. This will continue for nearly 20 years, and that means more and more people will find themselves aiding their aging parents.
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BeSmartBeWell.com highlights the link between smoking and childhood asthma.

Childhood AsthmaChicago November 9, 2011 –On November 17, millions of Americans will mark the American Cancer Society’s 36th annual Great American Smokeout by giving up smoking for the day, and maybe for good. Because smoking can trigger asthma symptoms in children, quitting is an important first step toward protecting kids’ health. BeSmartBeWell.com tells parents the steps they can take on the Great American Smokeout, and every day of the year, to lower the risk for childhood asthma.
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BeSmartBeWell.com and Youth Health Literacy

NIHCM FoundationOctober 19, 2011 - The health literacy of adolescents is a significant concern, especially as teens are increasingly accessing health information online and the credibility of this information is largely unknown. Be Smart. Be Well. was recently included in the National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) Foundation’s new issue brief, “The Case for Investing in Youth Health Literacy: One Step on the Path to Achieving Health Equity for Adolescents.” The NIHCM Foundation is a national nonprofit, nonpartisan group that conducts research on health care issues.

More than Five Million Americans Abuse Painkillers Each Month

Drug SafetyChicago, October, 26, 2011 / Drugs are everywhere. The use of prescription painkillers has increased dramatically in recent years, and prescription drug abuse is now the nation’s fastest-growing drug problem.
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Safe Escape: Advice for Fleeing Domestic Violence

Domestic ViolenceChicago, October 13, 2011 / Each year, more than 4 million women and one in 10 men are harmed by their partners, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Tragically, the most dangerous time for victims of domestic violence is when they try to leave.
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Teens and STDs: What Parents Need to Know

STDsChicago Sept. 28, 2011. / PR Newswire / Chlamydia. HPV. Herpes. Gonorrhea. They’re not easy topics to bring up with your teen, but sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates are rising among adolescents. Nearly half of all new STD cases are in young people between the ages of 15 and 24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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Combating childhood obesity in the Hispanic community

Childhood ObesityChicago, September 14, 2011 / PR Newswire / Childhood obesity is a nationwide epidemic, but the Hispanic community is particularly affected. Children of Hispanic descent are significantly more likely to be overweight and obese than non-Hispanic Caucasian kids, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
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Is your teen using your prescription to get high?

Drug GuideChicago, August 31, 2011 / PR Newswire / Each year, nearly 2 million teens abuse prescription drugs. The new parent’s Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drug Guide from BeSmartBeWell.com and The Partnership at Drugfree.org breaks down the most commonly abused prescription and over-the-counter drugs in a simple-to-understand and interactive web page.
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Parents in the dark about teen dating abuse

Life Story VideosChicago, August 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Though teen dating abuse is widespread, it’s often misunderstood–or just missed by adults. That’s because many teens don’t share stories of abuse and much of the abuse takes place out of view.
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Seeing is Believing, and the Key to Good Health

Life Story VideosChicago, July 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — New research indicates that video storytelling can be an effective way to educate people about health conditions - and watching others share their health stories can empower people to take control of their own health.
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“Teens Talk Mental Health on BeSmartBeWell.com”

Life Story VideosChicago, May 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — As many as one in five U.S. teens suffers from disabling mental illness. Throughout Mental Health Awareness Month in May, BeSmartBeWell.com highlights the issue of mental illness in teens and tells the stories of two teens who moved from diagnosis through treatment and recovery.
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