Pro-Life Groups report big win in the fight for unborn children
Pro-life groups are reporting more facility closings of the nation’s largest abortion supplier, Planned Parenthood. According to reports, officials said the organization is closing multiple locations due to a lack of funding. The group is reporting a significant drop in funding that may cause more locations to close and estimates 60 percent of Planned Parenthood facilities are in danger of closing. A spokesperson for a Texas branch claims all medical procedures are now banned because of the drop in funding and changes in legislation. Cancer screenings and other medical health screenings are still available, according to multiple sources. Several locations claim they are now switching to teleservices and will refer patients to other states for abortions. Critics of Planned Parenthood are celebrating these closures saying they are a win for unborn babies, and say the organization is at fault for their focus on abortion.
Adoptive mother wins in court
An Oregon mother will be allowed to foster and adopt children following a lawsuit. The state of Oregon had placed a ban on a potential adoption because of the parent’s Christian faith. Jessica Bates sued the state after she was banned from adopting a child over what she called a refusal to acknowledge “woke ideology.” The state’s human services department required potential parents to embrace certain beliefs including LGBT beliefs and introduced children to trans ideology at a young age. Bate refused, citing her faith. She later sued after state officials rejected her application. Bates was represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, and the case was later appealed to the US 9th Circuit Court. Justices presiding over the case ruled in favor of Ms. Bates and reminded Oregon officials that foster, and adoption services are supposed to promote the best interest of the child, not the state’s political views.
IRS makes changes for church community
The Internal Revenue service has announced new measures for pastors. This new ruling gives religious leaders the freedom to discuss politics in the pulpit without a threat to their tax-exempt status. The measure had been used by some previous administrations in an attempt to silence the church on political matters. Arguing a separation of church and state, some officials threatened churches and leadership in exchange for silence. The threats angered some who say the ban violated the rights to Freedom of Speech. Several faith leaders have celebrated the announcement. Many called the decision an end to an attempt to limit moral judgement and guidance that churches provide for their congregations.
SNBC Health Report: How a Healthy Heart Boosts Your Body From Head to Toe
“Keeping a healthy heart puts you on a path to better health from head to toe,” said Dr. Stacey E. Rosen, president of the American Heart Association and senior vice president of women’s health at Northwell Health.
When your cardiovascular system struggles, it triggers a cascade of problems throughout your body. Chronic inflammation is one of the main ways poor heart health leads to other diseases. If inflammation persists, it begins to damage blood vessels and organs and can cause high blood pressure and poor circulation. Excess body fat and environmental factors can also damage blood vessels and tissues.
Here are some actionable steps you can take to improve your heart health:
Eating 10 servings of fruits and vegetables per day may lower your risk of cardiovascular diseases by 28 percent and premature death from all causes by 31 percent.
Getting 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week—like brisk walking, biking, or running—can cut the risk of death by 21 percent . Two to four times more per week may boost that benefit to 31 percent.
Stopping smoking directly reduces damage to blood vessels and lowers cholesterol and blood pressure levels. It also cuts your risk of stroke and heart attack by half after a year.
Cutting salt by 2,300 milligrams can lower systolic blood pressure by 5.6 millimeters of mercury and diastolic by 2.3 millimeters.
Sleeping fewer than five hours doubles your risk of developing artery disease compared to getting seven to eight hours.
If you snore or feel unusually tired during the day, consider getting screened for obstructive sleep apnea. Left untreated, sleep apnea increases your risk of high blood pressure, heart failure, stroke, and heart disease.
Frequent, recurring anger may increase the risk of heart disease by limiting the blood vessels’ ability to open. Positive emotions like happiness and contentment may protect against heart disease and stroke.
Poor oral health can lead to gum disease, which causes chronic inflammation, damages blood vessels, and increases the risk of heart problems. Brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes reduces that risk.
It’s Never Too Late to Start
A global study analyzing more than 2 million people found that when adults aged 55 to 60 lowered their high blood pressure, it added several years to their lives.
The more risk factors people improved, the healthier years they gained.