Editor’s Note: The following is from Robert Bazemore, Jr., President of our Centocor Ortho Biotech, Inc. company.

Recently, I had the honor of meeting Gordon Kenyon, an incredibly brave, young individual with late-stage, metastatic prostate cancer, who was accompanied by his wife, Kim. They recounted how tests for an unexpected back injury ultimately revealed that he had prostate cancer-induced bone fractures. The unanticipated and devastating news about advanced prostate cancer turned his life upside down, as he and his family were immediately faced with a host of decisions.

Since his diagnosis, this former Marine, tri-athlete and father of three young children has undergone several treatments in an attempt to win the upper hand over the disease. His wife gives the term “pillar of strength” new meaning, seeking out the latest information and resources while he focuses on maintaining his health and providing for the long-term needs of his family. His captivating story impressed upon me the need for new treatment options as well as the critical role of education and support services to manage the baggage that accompanies this disease.

Prostate cancer is often misunderstood. About 32,000 men are estimated to die this year from the disease in the U.S. alone – enough men to fill approximately 400 metropolitan buses, including standing passengers – or 77 Boeing 747-400 airplanes. It’s also the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men in the United States. Yet, despite these staggering numbers, there’s often the misperception that prostate cancer is less dangerous than other cancers.

Legendary golf champion and prostate cancer survivor Arnold Palmer joins Centocor Ortho Biotech and Us TOO to launch My Prostate Cancer Roadmap, a special resource for advanced prostate cancer patients and their loved ones. My Prostate Cancer Roadmap helps these patients and those who care about them navigate, via a GPS format, a plethora of issues related to the disease, including health and wellness, work and relationships – as well as more difficult topics, such as sex and intimacy. This resource offers two paths – one for men with advanced prostate cancer and the other for family, friends and caregivers – to help address their related, but unique, needs.

In honor of National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, I invite you to join our journey to raise awareness of advanced prostate cancer by visiting My Prostate Cancer Roadmap and sharing it with the men in your life.

We all hear about protecting our skin against the sun, but what about our eyes?

Because I grew up in the Sunshine State there were two things I learned to never leave home without: lots of sunscreen and big sunglasses. Just as it can damage your skin, sun exposure may cause short- and long-term damage to eyes that are unprotected or under-protected.

This is especially important for kids: it is estimated that we receive 80 percent of our lifetime exposure to UV rays by age 18. Children have larger pupils than adults (allowing more light into their eyes), clearer lenses, and are outside without eye protection much more frequently and for longer periods than most adults.

One study found that globally, 88 percent of people recognize that UV rays can damage their eyes, but only 57 percent wear sunglasses as protection. That said, not all sunglasses offer UV protection, and most frame styles don’t prevent rays from reaching the sides, top, and bottom of the glasses.

In recognition of UV Safety Month in the U.S., here are a few tips for reducing the risks of UV exposure, from the Healthy Women resource Fast Facts for Your Health: The Sun & Your Eyes: What You Need to Know –also available in Spanish (developed with the support of VISTAKON, Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.):

Choosing the right sunglasses

• Choose sunglasses that limit transmission to no more than 1 percent UVB and 1 percent UVA rays. Sometimes the information on the glasses will say they block at least 99 percent of the UV rays. That’s OK. Other things to look for:
• Lenses large enough to completely cover the eye and prevent as much light as possible from entering through the edges of the glasses.
• Darker lenses, particularly if you are more light sensitive.
• Gray lenses. They provide the least color distortion, but not any better protection than other colored lenses.

UV-blocking contact lenses

For those that require vision correction, UV-blocking contact lenses can provide additional protection—when worn with UV-absorbing sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. However, not all contact lenses offer UV protection. The American Optometric Association offers more information on UV protection and what to look for in UV-blocking contact lenses.

And remember, you can be at risk for sun damage at any time of year so protect your eyes, and your skin, year-round.

From Anthony Carter, Vice President, Global Diversity & Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer, Johnson & Johnson

Chronic disease is a serious problem for our healthcare system and the nation. Few communities have been more seriously impacted by the spread of chronic disease, and diabetes in particular, than the African American community. Diabetes now affects about 3.7 million African Americans, almost 15 percent of individuals over the age of 20, and it is responsible for one out of every five deaths.

In an effort to help fight this epidemic, Johnson & Johnson and its affiliates are supporting launch of the Spirit of Healthy Living (SoHL) program with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.  The goal of SoHL is to promote diabetes education and awareness and give people the tools they need to prevent and manage this disease.

The SoHL educates community members about obesity, diabetes and the link between the two conditions.  The program also increases awareness of the benefits of healthy eating and exercise, encourages the use of local health and wellness resources to prevent and manage diabetes, and integrates online health coaching into health education sessions.

One other component of the Spirit of Healthy Living campaign that I really enjoy is our partnership with faith-based health ministries.  We know that supportive community based programs can have a positive impact on the way people behave, so we think this approach is very promising.

Our first SoHL event was held on June 26 at the Willing Heart Community Care Center in Newark, New Jersey.  It was an exciting event with dozens of people from the community coming out to hear presentations from leading health experts, watch cooking and fitness demonstrations, and participate in free health screenings.

I know personally the devastating impact diabetes has on families and friends after losing a brother last year to this disease, and that’s why I think this campaign is so important. The SoHL offers us the opportunity to address the healthcare disparities that affect African Americans and it’s an important part of our commitment to the prevention and management of chronic disease.  I’m excited to be a part of this program and I’ll be looking forward to more great events like the one we held in Newark.

If you’d like to learn more about the Spirit of Healthy Living Campaign visit their website.

From Scott C. Ratzan, MD, MPA, Vice President, Global Health, Government Affairs & Policy, Johnson & Johnson

Years of working to improve worldwide public health has taught me that giving people access to care and medicines are only part of improving health. Almost as important is what people do once they have access. Can they find the care that they need in a sometimes complex health care system? Do they understand the instructions their doctor or nurse has given them? Do they have the basic tools to improve or change their behavior? 

The way people interact with the health system has great impact on whether they can improve their health. And improving people’s understanding of health information is an important first step. “Health literacy,” as this skill is called, is the degree to which people have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services to make good health decisions. 

Limited health literacy affects people of all ages, races, incomes, and education levels, but its greatest impact is among lower socioeconomic and minority groups, where it underlies health disparities. Limited health literacy is also linked to worse health outcomes and higher costs. 

Two decades of research shows that today’s health information is presented in a way that isn’t usable by most Americans. Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday health information that is routinely available in hospitals, clinics, retail stores, media, and community centers. Without clear information and an understanding of prevention and self-management of conditions, people are more likely to skip necessary medical tests. They also end up in the emergency room more often, and they have a hard time managing chronic diseases, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. 

So it was encouraging to see the Department of Health and Human Services announce their National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy.  It’s worth checking out. Essentially the plan entails providing everyone with access to accurate and actionable health information, and supporting life-long learning of skills that promote good health. This comes at an important time, particularly since the recently-passed Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act includes provisions to address health literacy.

A summary of the plan provides a good sense of why this is important:

Not only has low health literacy been tied to poor health, but the economic consequences of this silent epidemic are staggering. The cost of low health literacy in the U.S. is estimated to be between $106 billion to $236 billion a year.  As we face the challenges of simultaneously containing health care costs, improving quality and expanding access, it is vital that we advocate for a systematic approach to creating effective, innovative health communications as a key to improving health literacy.

My colleagues at Johnson & Johnson and I have worked closely with public and private organizations to get this critical issue the attention it deserves. The work of many organizations, including Agency for Health Research and Quality, the UCLA Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Institute and the Institute of Medicine Roundtable on Health Literacy, has helped to elevate health literacy to its current place in the national dialogue and I believe that continued cooperation between the public and private sector will be essential to the successful implementation of any health literacy plan. As the National Action Plan moves forward, private companies such as Johnson & Johnson have the opportunity to use their resources and expertise to assist the HHS in their efforts to improve the overall health of the nation.

There’s much more to come, but as a long-time advocate of improving health literacy, I’m excited about the possibilities this new action plan presents. Steps such as creating systems to make the nation more health literate will be critical in insuring that our health care system remains viable and continues to serve those in need of care.

Many of us know someone who has been affected by cancer.  In recognition of National Cancer Survivors Day, the
Johnson & Johnson health channel featured some inspiring stories of young breast cancer survivors and how they are working to help others affected by the disease.

In the U.S., 11,000 women under the age of 40 are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Maimah Karmo was 32 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. While undergoing treatment, she launched the Tigerlily Foundation to raise awareness and help support young women who have received a diagnosis of breast cancer.

Our corporate website features the story of another incredible survivor. Jesica Harrington, a teacher who is now 35, was pregnant when she received a diagnosis of breast cancer. During her treatment, there was an outpouring of support from her students: The boys shaved their hair when Jesica lost hers and the girls colored their hair pink. Jesica delivered a healthy baby boy, completed her treatment and is in remission…and is also back to doing what she loves, teaching. You can read her story here.

From Megan Farina, Manager, Corporate Communications, Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc.

With the launch of New Way RA^TM last year, our hope was to offer support to people living with RA, as well as their caregivers. Over the past ten months, we’ve continued to learn from the RA social community through their posts as well as direct conversations with authors of blogs such as RA Warrior, All Flared Up, and Arthritis is a Journey. Listening to their insights helped us understand the deeper impact of contending with unpredictable and untimely flares of stiff, swollen and painful joints – we learned that participating in everyday activities with family & friends and maintaining relationships can quickly become overwhelming.

Because of their insights and honest feedback, New Way RA^TM has evolved from one pilot episode to a second season of episodes that will run year-long.

Today, we’re pleased to announce the premiere of Season 2 with a new mix of experts having candid discussions about personal style, dating, intimacy and the myths of RA. We’ve also expanded the format to include two panelists living with RA – author and RA advocate Amye Leong, and Sara Nash, the blogger behind the Single Gal’s Guide to Rheumatoid Arthritis. And to give viewers a forum in which they can ask questions, we are sponsoring a live video web chat on May 24 with host Deborah Norville and relationship expert, Dr. Laurie Ferguson, Vice President of Research & Education at the advocacy organization CreakyJoints.

We hope that with the launch of each new episode this season, New Way RA^TM will continue to provide valuable information regarding aspects of life that are directly affected by this chronic condition and at the same time raise awareness about the disease. You can watch the show and learn more at http://www.newwayra.com/.

For more information about RA, check out CreakyJoints and the Arthritis Foundation.

The following is from my friend and colleague, From Efrem Dlugacz who is Vice President Global Total Rewards & Health Resource.

Having worked for many years handling benefits for Johnson & Johnson, I can tell you that employee wellness and disease prevention is as important as to me as ensuring employees have access to different treatment options. For many years, we’ve been encouraging employees to develop healthy lifestyles, and one of the most pressing challenges we face is figuring out a way to address the impact that inactivity and obesity have on our workforce.

In that, of course, we aren’t alone. Did you know that about two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese in the US and the direct and indirect cost of obesity-associated conditions in the United States is estimated at nearly $80 billion a year? People who are overweight or obese are at a greater risk for developing diabetes, stroke, hypertension, high cholesterol and certain types of cancers – and for an employer, that can mean greater absenteeism and higher healthcare costs compared to non-obese employees.

But employers can help make a difference.

We’ve found that employees who are inactive, overweight or obese, benefit greatly from company sponsored programs that focus on healthy living, eating, and exercise. In 1978, Johnson & Johnson launched “Live for Life,” a program tailored to address individual employee health needs. Since then, we’ve developed, launched and measured a number of successful wellness and prevention programs and as a result, our employees are motivated and encouraged to improve their health and reduce related health care issues. As National Employee Health & Fitness Day approaches, we invite you to check out the following video about one Johnson & Johnson employee – Jessica Empestan – who benefited from these programs:

For more than a year now, I’ve been Tweeting on behalf of Johnson & Johnson over at @JNJComm and have found it to be a great way to meet and interact with new people, keep up with the latest news and be available when people have different questions about what we are doing as an organization.

Well, now I’m pleased to welcome a few of my colleagues to the Twittersphere. Over the last few days, my colleagues including Rob Halper, who is responsible for the Johnson & Johnson YouTube Channel, Margaret Gurowitz who writes the Kilmer House blog, Mark Krajnak, who is responsible for the corporate website (and a photographer extraordinaire) and fellow JNJBTW contributor Melissa Waggenspack, have set up their own Twitter accounts and are starting to Tweet.

Those accounts include:

@JNJStories – where Mark and Melissa will share stories about our company, our people, our partners, our patients and our customers.

@JNJvideo – where Rob Halper will be posting a variety of tweets that touch on his world of video content.

@JNJHistory – where Margaret will post about different historical facts, figure and stories

I, of course, will continue to Tweeting about different Johnson & Johnson-related news and events, announcements, interesting posts and content that’s been uploaded to our sites and other musings on stuff I find cool and interesting. I’ll also continue to be on hand on Twitter to respond to any questions you may have.

Tweet, Tweet.