Twitter for Health Activists

In our ongoing effort to empower Health Activists, WEGO Health will be hosting a “Twitter for Health Activists” webinar event this Monday, April 6th at 8PM Eastern Standard Time.


We all know that Twitter is taking the web by storm. In fact, according to Quantcast, there are now over 6 million users on Twitter. Whether you're a Twitter veteran or simply a curious outsider, as a Health Activist you have the unique opportunity to use Twitter to further connect, share and empower others. This online event with help you to gain insight into how to better use Twitter as a means for building community, advocating and promoting awareness of health conditions and issues.

Event details:
For full event listing

• This event will be held on Monday, April 6th at 8pm Eastern Standard Time
• The presentation will last approximately 45 minutes with Q&A directly following - the session will last no longer than one hour
• Please note that this event will be held remotely
• Participants can join from anywhere in the country, but will be required to be online and on the phone at the same time

Please RSVP by registering and completing a WEGO Health profile, and then simply mark that you’ll be attending the event on the event page. An event confirmation and reminder with more details will be sent out later this week. Please contact community@wegohealth.com with questions.

Spotlight: Peggy Rowland

Spotlight on: Peggy Rowland
Blogging at: b5media since February 2008, currently blogging at Lively Women
Occupation:Freelance Writer after leaving a career in advertising.

"I think that responsibly written health blogs can be a very valuable resource for those searching for input from someone who's been there or someone who's willing to talk with experts and do the research."

What made you decide to start writing for Lively Women? 

I've had a love affair with health issues for a long time. Even though I don't work in a health field, I've always been interested in learning as much as I can because I think it's empowering. I've found that writing about my own experiences inspires readers who've gone through a similar experience. It's always nice to know you're not alone. Having personal examples to share also warms up what can be technical information.

I recognized the importance of effectively writing about health several years ago when I wrote copy for a website that explained the Gamma Knife procedure to patients. I was so happy that I could research a topic and write about it in a manner that would inform patients, but also allow them to feel comfortable and know what to expect.

Being a Health Activist means: being honest with readers and sharing information I believe will enrich lives. I read the latest health studies, but only share the ones that I believe most women will find useful. Sure, I'll slip in some “fun” posts, but my main objective in writing about health is to help.

As a Health Activist, where else are you active? Twitter, Facebook and I use both StumbleUpon and Digg.

Do you have an opinion about the recent integration of b5Media and Blisstree? Blisstree (and other b5media websites like Bizzia and Splendicity) bring lots of great bloggers together at one domain. I think it's going to be a great user experience for readers and also bring more exposure to writers. I'm hoping that the wonderful community from Lively Women won't be lost in the transfer to Blisstree.

Do your personal health issues ever come up in posts on Lively Women? 

The most difficult personal health issue I've been faced with is severe endometriosis that wasn't diagnosed until I was 28 years old. I've touched on the topic in a series of posts about continuous birth control pill use and a couple of posts on Lupron Depot. I'm passionate about the topic because I know that women aren't always offered the best treatment options; I'm living proof that you can receive perfect annual exams for years, but still be affected by this life-changing disease. It certainly is confusing!

People should add Lively Women to their feed reader: for honest writing, helpful information and hopefully some entertainment as well.

Let us know who we should feature in our next Spotlight Interview. Write us at community@wegohealth.com.

Spotlight: Hethir Rodriguez

Spotlight: Hethir Rodriguez
Websites: Natural Fertility Info.com
Blogging for: 3+ years
Occupation: Natural Fertility Specialist/Herbalist
Favorite food: Cherimoyas (tropical fruit) or berries



For full interview

I still do not think it is a nature vs. medical situation. I think there can be a balance found in fertility methods. Every woman's individual situation is different.

What motivated you to start Natural Fertility Info.com?
Some years ago my husband and I became pregnant for the first time. Shortly after, we had a miscarriage. Everyone said that this was normal… but surprisingly, a couple of months later when we became pregnant again, we also miscarried again. At that point, I drilled my doctor and asked him why the miscarriages were happening and what I could do to prevent them. He had zero answers for me.

I was angry and sad, but still determined to find answers for when I wanted to become a mother in the future.
I began to research both medical and natural options and I found out the most interesting thing: there was SO much research available! So many studies with natural therapies that had great success rates (from 32%- 79%). And being an herbalist, this struck a cord with me. So I went on a research frenzy. I spoke with women who had fertility problems but overcame them and I interviewed fertility specialists, both medical and natural. I also spoke to women who were having no success at all. I searched deep into the scientific studies and journals and I came out with some of the most amazing, life-altering information available.

Then I began to share this research with my clients and readers... and they have been having great success.

What was your motivation for getting involved in the natural fertility community?
At the beginning it was not so much motivation as it was a calling. During my research, I realized that, though it was still very needed, most of this information was not available to the general public. So I decided to start www.NaturalFertilityInfo.com as a way to help educate women on their natural fertility options. One of my main intentions is to instill hope and empower women on their fertility journey while providing them with concrete, natural options to consider.

What are some of the first tips you tell people who come to you that are in the initial stages of infertility diagnosis or are simply trying to conceive?
There are a handful of foundational tips that I think every woman preparing for conception should know. Here are four:

1. Focus on eating and follow a nutrient-dense fertility diet. Food does make a difference.
2. Every day, take a whole food prenatal vitamin and omega 3 essential fatty acid.
3. Hormonal balance is key for healthy fertility. One of the best ways to balance your hormones is through the use of liver-supporting herbs.
4. Know when you are ovulating. Learn how to chart your fertility so you know you are most fertile.

What encouragement and/or advice would you offer to those experiencing infertility?
It can be a tough experience to go through fertility issues, but I would encourage women and men to look at it as a healing journey – an opportunity to find out more about your body and soul. Challenges can be our greatest teachers. I know my miscarriages were.

For full interview

Let us know who we should feature in our next Spotlight Interview. Write us at community@wegohealth.com.

The Pope, condoms and HIV transmission rates

Pope Benedict IXI, a man of enormous religious authority, has been on a goodwill mission in Africa and making controversial comments to reporters (on a plane) in Yaoundé, Cameroon. According to amFAR (American Foundation for AIDS Research), the Pope “reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s opposition to the use of condoms to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.” This dogmatic “sex is for reproduction only” point of view, is, ill-informed, negligent and antiquated.

Even with a massive amount of evidence showing that condoms can be up to 95% effective in preventing the transmission of HIV (when used consistently and correctly) the Pope has “suggested that condoms are exacerbating the epidemic rather than helping control it.” Yahoo News has directly quoted the Pope as saying “You can't resolve [HIV/AIDS] with the distribution of condoms. On the contrary, it increases the problem.”

I am boggled, really.
• Condoms have been proven, time and time again to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS when used properly*
• In a 2007 estimate, more than 22 million people in sub-Saharan Africa live with HIV or AIDS.
• According to BBC, an estimated 20% of Africans follow the Catholic religion.

When I think about a public figure being on a goodwill mission, I don’t normally envision the figure specifically telling a group of people to avoid the use of something that could save their lives. amFAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost hit the nail on the head: “Condoms are an indispensable part of evidence-based HIV prevention programs and are necessary to curb the growing global epidemic. Health care and aid workers must be allowed to distribute them and teach people how to use them correctly”**

Thankfully I have read very few articles about health care workers not being allowed to distribute condoms to communities in need. I have however, read follow-up studies showing that many communities don’t continue to use condoms correctly and consistently, which is disheartening. More often than not, aid agencies find that getting past cultural objections to condom use is the hardest challenge.

On a more heartening note, a BBC article I encourage you to read, Pope’s condom stance sparks row reveals feelings from three European countries all boasting high numbers of Catholic Church members. French foreign ministry spokesman Eric Chevallier: “while it is not up to us to pass judgment on Church doctrine, we consider that such comments are a threat to pubic health policies and the duty to protect human life.” Germany’s Health Minister Ulla Schmidt: “modern assistance to the developing world today must make access to family planning available to the poorest of the poor – especially the use of condoms. Anything else would be irresponsible.” Bert Koenders, Dutch Development Minister has been added to my list of people I’d like to meet before I die because of his comments. By the Pope “forbidding people from protecting themselves” was “extremely harmful and very serious. The pope is making matters worse.”

Another BBC article Why the Pope opposes condoms brings to light a well-balanced view from a senior Roman Catholic Church member Belgian Cardinal Goddfried Daneels: “using a condom with the intention of stopping disease was morally different than using one to prevent the creation of life.”


*• CDC.
“>Condoms and Their Use in Preventing HIV Infection and Other STDs. Atlanta, GA: CDC, 1999.
• CDC. Male Latex Condoms and Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Atlanta, GA: CDC, 2002.

**emphasis mine

Spotlight: Rachel Gurevich

Spotlight: Rachel Gurevich
Websites: About.com: Fertility and rachelgurevich.com
On the web: since 1999 (for About.com since 2008)
Occupation: Writer
Favorite vacation spot: "My favorite vacation spot is a place you have probably never heard of – Tzipori Cottages in Israel. You get an entire cottage to yourself, it’s quiet, it’s beautiful. It has a loft, a small kitchen, a cozy bedroom, a Jacuzzi, a porch with a view… and in the morning, they bring your breakfast in a basket, with local cheese and breads and veggies and… oh my G-d. I love it there!!"

For full interview
Learn more about Rachel Gurevich

What motivated you to start writing about fertility?
I’ve always used writing as a way to express myself and help me cope with difficulties in my life. I write in an effort to use my experience, problems, and troubles to help others. For example: I had a traumatic childbirth when I gave birth to my first son. This led me to an interest in doulas (labor coaches). I went on to write two books on doulas. It was my way to sort of heal my own past, while helping others have better experiences.

My desire to use writing to heal myself and to help others is what led me to write about fertility. I’ve been trying to have a third child for six years now. I’ve gone through three miscarriages, lots of fertility testing and treatments, and plenty of failure too. I’ve looked into natural solutions and dealt with all the emotional blah that comes with infertility.

I know what it’s like to go through all this and feel like you’re totally alone in your feelings and experiences. There’s some information out there on infertility, but much of it is written from a removed, medical perspective. Or it’s written without any medical backing or with crazy promises (“Just do this, and you’ll get pregnant today!”). Some of the information is downright wrong or even dangerous. What I craved was a friendly, girl-friend-to-girl-friend voice that gave me the information I needed but was also firmly grounded in current medical research. That’s what I aim to offer in my writing on fertility.

What was your motivation for getting involved with the fertility conversation via About.com?
I feel About.com is the perfect place to use as my platform to write on fertility. There’s a lot of great writing out there that isn’t found because the internet is so big. About.com helps people find my articles and that’s a huge help. Plus, everything I write goes through medical screening, reviewed by a medical doctor. Though I’m not a doctor, I put a great deal of effort into making sure that I write medically accurate content. Having a medical professional review my writing helps me do just that. I also have a wonderful editor who reviews my writing so it’s not just medically accurate, but also presented clearly and typo-free.

What have been some of your favorite articles/posts?
Oh, don’t make me pick! I guess one would be an article I did on Seven Signs of Ovulation, mainly because it was fun to write and provides lots of information in one place. It’s one of my most popular pieces, too.

Another article that is new is a piece I wrote on coping with the two week wait. The two week wait is a crazy time. And I spent way too many years living in my head and missing out on life during two week waits. The whole anxiety over whether or not this will be the month – and what it will mean if it’s not – can take over your mind. When I wrote in this article, I wanted to share things I learned on my own over time and from my therapist – things that really help! I hope others can both read and use this advice. Infertility is hard enough, but letting it take over your life is just adding insult to injury.

What are some of the first tips/suggestions you offer to people who are in the initial stages of infertility diagnosis or are simply trying to conceive?
If you’re just starting to try and conceive, try to be patient. I hated to hear that in the beginning. But often those who worry that they aren’t pregnant after three months will achieve pregnancy in another three to six months. In school, we’re taught that we’ll get pregnant if we look at a boy – so when it takes more than once, we start to worry that something’s wrong. It’s actually normal to take up to six months of well-timed intercourse to get pregnant.

However, if you’ve been trying for a while, (a year, or six months if you’re over 35) don’t wait to see a doctor. There are many couples that go into denial, not wanting a doctor to say something is wrong. And I really understand that. I’ve been there. But if you wait, depending on what’s wrong, things can get worse. Plus, it may not be as bad as you imagine. I think some couples think, “Oh, but I don’t want to do IVF.” But only a small percentage of infertility cases are treated with IVF. Until you at least get tested and evaluated, you won’t know what the solution options are.

Another thing: make sure that you both get checked out! Infertility affects women and men but sometimes the man gets away without being tested. I know way too many couples who went through treatments for months, only to find out that male infertility was the problem that wasn’t being addressed. He should be tested right away, especially given how easy the test for male fertility is.

For full interview
Learn more about Rachel Gurevich

Let us know who we should feature in our next Spotlight Interview. Write us at community@wegohealth.com.

Spotlight: Andréa Albright

Spotlight: Andréa Albright
Blog: Andrea's Healthy Weight Loss Blog
Newsletter: Amazing Body Now
Blogging since: February 2007
Work: I’m an Author, Yoga Instructor, Meditation Guide, Healthy Weight Loss Coach and former “chubby girl”
Favorite vacation spot: Thailand – Love the fresh fruits and vegetables, the crystal-clear beaches, and the people that smile like the sunshine.

Favorite food: Raspberries – they’re full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and they burst and bubble in your mouth like champagne.

For full interview
Learn more about Andrea Albright

What led you down this career/career-path?
When I used to be fat, I tried all the famous diets to lose weight but nothing worked. Then I accidentally discovered a simple system that made the fat melt off my body. I wrote a book and started to put the idea out there because I wanted to help other people who were struggling to lose weight. Now this simple system has worked for thousands of other people too.

What was your motivation for getting involved in the health community?
There is a lot of bad, false information out there about weight loss. Once I discovered how to lose weight naturally and permanently, I wanted to share it with people confused about healthy weight loss and show them how to do it step by step.

What are some of your favorite treatment/weight loss methods?
First is "Count Chemicals Not Calories" - I call this my 3C Rule and it is one of the easiest and best things you can do to lose weight naturally. As it turns out, counting calories doesn’t work, but counting chemicals does. They put chemicals in food to keep it from spoiling and to make it taste better – but these chemicals destroy your health and your waistline and cause out-of-control cravings that make you eat way more food. This makes it impossible to lose weight. So Count Chemicals Not Calories. Read the ingredient label on everything you eat. If there are chemicals in it, don’t eat it.

Second, "Throw Away Your Scale" - The scale is the worst way to judge your health or weight loss progress (everyone uses the words “weight loss” but what you want is fat loss). As you get healthy by exercising and eating healthy foods without chemicals – you are going to be building muscle and bone density (your bones will get thicker and stronger – that’s a good thing!). You may gain weight because muscle and bone weigh more than fat cells. But your body will be getting smaller and tighter all over (that’s what you want!). If you throw your scale away, you will not be fooled by numbers. You will focus on more consistent and more reliable methods to judge your progress.

Lastly, "Tune In To Your Spirit To Stay Inspired" - When people tell me they need more motivation to lose weight, I say, "What you really need is inspiration". The word inspiration literally means, "to bring in the spirit" in Latin. By connecting to your spirit (or your greatest meaning and purpose for living), you will have an endless supply of motivation to continue because it will be connected to the greatest power you have available to you.

What inspires you?
My personal mission – to change the way women lose weight. So many women struggle and suffer because they hate their body and the way it looks. They are living in a prison inside their own body. I want to help them break free. Every woman who wants to get healthy and live a life without extra body fat can do it. I’ve seen it happen to so many different people all around the world. I know this system works and it’s so very simple. I just love teaching it and spreading the message.

What have been the benefits of using the web in this way?
You have the ability to connect with millions of people around the world and get immediate feedback on your writing, videos, blog posts, etc. You can truly listen to your audience because you are in a "real time" dialogue with what your audience wants, and you can give them exactly what they need to succeed every day.

For full interview
Learn more about Andrea Albright

Podcast with Leslea Harmon

I recently spoke with Leslea Harmon, founder of Allergy Ware and all around allergy guru about how it all started. In this clip, Leslea shares tips for new food allergy parents, talks about the benefits of using the web and how she balances it all.

This is the first installment of the WEGO Health podcast, so give it a listen and let us know what you think!  Details about subscribing to our podcast through iTunes are coming soon.

Learn more about Leslea.

Is there someone you'd like us to interview, or someone you'd like to interview for WEGO Health's new podcast? Email us at community@wegohealth.com to get started!

Many thanks to Vanessa Rhinesmith and Colin Rhinesmith for podcast production. Music by DJ Cary and available at Magnatune.

This podcast is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States.

Spotlight: wholemom

Spotlight on: Shannan Heaman
Blog: Living a Whole Life
Bio: I left my career in marketing to stay at home when my twin girls were born five years ago. This past year, I began studying holistic nutrition through Trinity College of Natural Health and will have a Certificate in Nutritional Counseling upon completion of my classes. In November my sister-in-law and I decided to start Living a Whole Life, a blog dedicated to exploring holistic nutrition, naturopathy and greener living. My goal is to help others realize that good nutrition and exercise really does make you feel better, fight off illness and live a longer happy life!


What was your motivation for getting involved in the natural/holistic health community?
Unfortunately, I have three friends who were diagnosed with breast cancer last year. I wondered if there was anything (beyond surgery and drug therapies) that they could do to improve their chances at a long healthy life. This led me to a lot of information regarding a whole foods diet.

I also have a growing family history of diabetes. The disease seems to plague my family around the age of 60. So I wanted to know what I could do to stop this trend by doing more than just dieting and exercising. Once again my research lead me to a whole foods diet. And then I really began to understand how our Standard American Diet (SAD) contributes to a number of ailments that we take to be “just part of old age.”

Immediately, I looked into how I could get a more formal education on whole food diets so I could combine my love of exercise with the holistic nutrition research I had done.

I want to help others live a healthier life and scream from the top of a mountain, “We don’t have to be sick!” Of course, it happens – but people have more control than they think.

What motivated you to start Living A Whole Life?
Once I became interested in holistic nutrition, I decided to get my certificate in Nutritional Counseling. Also, my sister-in-law Karla, an RN with a law degree, is also studying Naturopathy. So I started brainstorming how the two of us could use all of the great information we were learning to help others. I also really enjoy writing and I’m a self-proclaimed computer addict – so starting a blog was at the top of my list.

What inspires you?
First and foremost, my 5-year-old twin girls have inspired me to be an energetic and healthy mother. My husband and I have gone out of our way to instill healthy living habits into the girls’ lives and we try to lead by example. We exercise regularly and eat right so that they will grow up to do the same.

Beyond my family, I am inspired by the thought of helping others simply feel better. And want to help them understand that they have the power to change what they perceive as “old age” or their disease-filled destiny.

What is your personal healthy living philosophy?
When I worked as a personal trainer, I learned that you can’t make anyone diet or stay on an exercise plan unless they want to. Also, the thought of a diet is daunting and usually doesn’t stick because it is a negative concept. You are depriving yourself.

I believe in what I like to call ‘positive eating’. The idea is that you add good foods (like a green smoothie) to your diet instead of worrying about what you are giving up. The focus is on what you need to make sure you eat healthy foods every day. For instance, by replacing a chocolate donut with real cacao, you’re still eating chocolate but you also get antioxidants and other health benefits from it.

Once a person starts listening to their own body and really paying attention to how energized they feel after eating healthy food versus junk food – it is self-motivating. It is all about making changes that you can live with. I would rather see someone make one or two sustainable changes than try to change everything all at once only to become overwhelmed and quit.

What are some of your favorite natural treatment methods?
I know this is kind of gross, but I am addicted to my daily sinus rinse. For the past few years I have suffered from chronic sinus infections and had to endure several rounds of antibiotics. Since I started using a sinus rinse every day in the shower, I have been able to fight the beginning stages of an infection on my own.

What is your favorite health-related book?
My favorite health-related book, and one that really demonstrates the connection between diet and disease is The China Study. I really couldn’t put it down. I am also a fan of Food Matters, a video on how food affects the prevention and the treatment of diseases.

Now that you’ve started this project, as a full-time mom, do you ever have a hard time keeping up with all your online projects?
Yes, despite my ability to work well under pressure, at certain times I definitely feel like I have to squeeze in research and writing. It is great to share my blog with Karla, who is also the mom of two small children. So far we have both done a fine job keeping up with our commitments while also letting our individual interests and journeys provide a variety of information to our readers. It doesn’t feel like work when you are talking about things you are interested in.

We are also working on putting together our first class this summer. We hope to offer some practical advice for people looking to change habits and live a healthier lifestyle.


Learn more about Shannan.

Who inspires you? Let us know who we should feature in our next Spotlight Interview. Write us at community@wegohealth.com