About Texas Health Matters
Texas Health Matters is a weekly column that focuses on consumer issues related to health and human services. These columns, available in English and Spanish, help Texans with everything from selecting quality child care to the importance of living wills. Learn more about Texas Health Matters
December 2011 Columns
December 5–11, 2011
Holiday Gifts from Rainbow Rooms Boost
Kids’ Self Esteem during Stressful Times
One of the biggest surprises of parenthood is how gracefully most kids reconcile the cherished fantasy of Santa Claus with the practical knowledge that mom and dad need to be cc’d on all gift requests to Saint Nick.
December 12-18, 2011
For Loved Ones in Care Facilities, the Best ‘Social Network’ is Face-to-Face Interaction
In a world of constant online and wireless social networking, the holiday season reminds us there’s no substitute for tech-free interactions such as hugs, kisses and face-to-face conversation. This is especially true for older family members in nursing facilities or assisted living communities.
December 19-25, 2011
Holiday Cooking: Be Extravagant — and Safe
Holiday feasts aren’t just about briefly falling off the sensible eating wagon; they’re about leaping off, flamboyantly, with a couple of mid-air twists thrown in for good measure.
December 26-January 2, 2011
Vaccine Cuts Shingles Risk for Folks 60 and Older
Given the chance to re-live some aspect of their youth, most Texans over 60 would go for something like their 1969 Miss Conroe pageant win or their game-winning jumper in the ’57 district championship game, not being tormented anew by the varicella zoster virus.