The Health Pulse Spotlight shines on health concerns affecting large groups of us.  An educational segment that will keep you abreast of the latest information on diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure and much, much more. 

EVERY YEAR SMOKING RELATED DISEASES KILL MORE THAN 400-THOUSAND AMERICANS.
KICKING THE HABIT IS A REAL CHALLENGE FOR ANY SMOKER, BUT IT’S EVEN MORE TROUBLESOME FOR OLDER ADULTS.
MANY HAVE BEEN LIGHTING UP FOR A LIFETIME….AND HAVE DEVELOPED A PSYCHOLOGICAL DEPENDENCE THAT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THEM TO QUIT.
NOW….HELP IS ON THE WAY….THANKS TO A UNIQUE PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN.
AS WE LEARN IN OUR HEALTH PULSE SPOTLIGHT….THE PROGRAM’S  SUCCESS RATE SHOWS US THAT IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO QUIT. 

THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN HEALTH SYSTEM HAS A UNIQUE SUPPORT GROUP FOR SENIORS WHO WANT TO QUIT SMOKING.
THE PROGRAM IS SIMILAR TO ONES TAUGHT TO YOUNGER ADULTS LOOKING TO KICK THE HABIT….BUT WITH ONE BIG DIFFERENCE.

THE APPROACH IS WORKING…..
 IF YOU ATTEND THREE OR MORE SESSIONS….THE PROGRAM HAS A 58 PERCENT QUIT SMOKING RATE  AFTER 12 MONTHS.
THAT’S COMPARED TO A NATIONAL RATE OF JUST 5 PERCENT FOR ALL ADULTS….NOT JUST SENIORS.

WHAT CAN YOU DO IF YOU’RE READY TO QUIT SMOKING?
THOMAS SAYS IT’S IMPORTANT TO MAKE A PLAN AND SET A DATE TO QUIT.
FIND A SUPPORT GROUP IF YOU CAN, AND USE A NICOTINE REPLACEMENT—LIKE PATCHES OR GUM.
IF YOU DON’T HAVE A SUPPORT GROUP IN YOUR AREA, GET SUPPORT FROM AT LEAST THREE FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS.  

AND REMEMBER…QUITTING SMOKING CAN HAVE HEALTH BENEFITS FOR PEOPLE AT ANY AGE.
KICKING THE HABIT CAN IMPROVE BLOOD FLOW, GIVE YOU MORE ENERGY, AND LOWER YOUR CHANCES OF HAVING HEART DISEASE, LUNG CANCER AND BREATHING PROBLEMS.  

University of Michigan Tobacco Research Network http://www.umtrn.sph.umich.edu/index.php