Money Key to Escaping Domestic Violence

This Columbus Dispatch article entitled "Money Key to Escaping Life of Abuse" reveals that for many women in domestic violence situations, finances are the #1 means to getting out of that life, and starting a new life of their own. Unfortunately, abusers often control the finances in a family. What ways could community resources reach out to women and help them get the funds to gain control over their own lives again? What are the barriers to helping individuals in this situation?

The Rising Cost of Obesity

This Chicago Tribune article entitled "As America's Waistline Expands, Costs Soar" reveals that the costs of obesity to the U.S. are more than just health-related. Cars carrying heavier passengers burn more fuel, buses need more time to stop, and public toilets must be re-worked. What are some of the ways that the U.S. can work to combat the public health crisis that obesity has become in the U.S.? Are there ways to focus on overall health, rather than just BMI?

Music and Dementia

An upcoming film entitled"Alive Inside" reveals that music can touch individuals who have dementia in ways that other traditional therapies cannot.  From the film website:

Alive Inside investigates these questions and the power music has to awaken deeply locked memories. The film follows Dan Cohen, a social worker, who decides on a whim to bring iPods to a nursing home.  To his and the staff’s surprise many residents suffering from memory loss seem to “awaken” when they are able to listen to music from their past.  With great excitement, Dan turns to renowned neurologist Dr. Oliver Sacks, and we follow them both as we investigate the mysterious way music functions inside our brains and our lives.

Free "Bully" Documentary Screening

If you live in Columbus, the NBC4 team is holding a FREE screening of the documentary "Bully" on Thursday, May 3rd at 7pm at the Drexel Theater in Bexley. There will be a discussion of the movie after the screening. For more information, please visit this link (the registration for the event is at the bottom of the article).

For some informative links about Bullying, please visit these

APA Page on Bullying
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Stop Bullying
Tolerance.Org's Bullying Resources

Where the Oldest Die Now

This brief summary article in the NY Times entitled "Where the Oldest Die Now" discusses recent statistics indicating that there are rising numbers of older adults dying in their homes, rather than in hospitals. However, the bulk of individuals still die in nursing homes and hospitals. Given that many people would rather choose to die in their own homes, how might the medical system change so that would be allowed? Where would you prefer to die?