Category Archives: Health and Wellness

Grand Prairie Mayor Hosts Lone Star/Campion Trail Bicycle Ride

Mayor Ron Jensen invites the community to join him for the Cyclin’ with the Mayor Lone Star/Campion Trail bicycle ride on Thursday, May 26. Participants are asked to meet at 6 p.m. at Alliance Skate Park, 1002 Lone Star Parkway. The ride will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Cyclin’ with the Mayor is a series of monthly bike rides that are part of the Get Fit GP initiative. Each ride is estimated to be a distance of about five to six miles and is set at a leisurely pace. Participants must bring a bike to participate. Updated location information for all the upcoming rides is posted on www.gptx.org/GetFitGP.

The Get Fit GP initiative offers local resources to improve health through physical fitness and healthy food options for Grand Prairie citizens.

For more information, call 972-237-8055.

A Personal Testimony About Why Mental Health Awareness is Crucial

A graphic illustrating the complexity of mental illness/iStock

May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States. It was first recognized as such in 1949 when it was introduced by the National Association for Mental Health (now known as Mental Health America). The purpose of this month-long campaign is to raise awareness of, educate, and get people talking about mental illness and wellness. This all points to the end goal of helping mentally ill people and their families get to a place in life that is calm, productive, and secure.

Read my story and more on NewsBreak…

DART’s Annual Bike to Work Day Event May 20

On Friday, May 20, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) invites North Texans to pedal to work as part of the Dallas area’s 2022 Bike to Work Day annual event.

Launched in 2001, Bike to Work Day is a national event to encourage people to try bicycle commuting as a healthy and safe alternative to driving. DART buses and trains have features that make it simple to combine riding your bike with riding transit. On the front of DART buses, you’ll find easy-to-use storage racks, while on the rail you can just roll your bike onto the train. At rail stations and transit centers, DART offers bike racks as well as bike lids. Both are free of charge and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

DART Bike to Work Challenge

In celebration of Bike to Work Day, DART is inviting riders across North Texas to participate in the 2022 Bike to Work Challenge and enter for a chance to win one of three custom DART bikes. Contest rules are available here.

Here’s how to participate in the 2022 DART Bike to Work Challenge:

  • Take a picture of yourself using your bike in tandem with DART to get to work.
  • Submit it to us via social media with the hashtag #BiketoWork2022 between April 25 and May 13.

Three winners will be randomly selected on May 16 to receive a custom DART Bike at the annual Bike to Work Day Event on Friday, May 20, from 7:00 – 9:00 a.m. Free bike safety checks, refreshments, and more will also be available at the following locations:

For more information about DART Bike to Work Day, visit DART.org/bikes.

Only 9% of Americans Can Properly Read a Nutrition Label

Photo: Reuters

Americans are often advised to eat healthier, more nutritious foods in an effort to stifle diabetes and the obesity epidemic striking the nation. Researchers find that many can not identify healthy foods in the grocery store aisle, though.

A research team at Attest, a consumer research platform, found that when presented with multiple food options – all of varying levels of health and nutrition – only nine percent of people are able to correctly identify which was the healthiest.

Even more worrying, 13 percent identified the least nutritious food option as the healthiest – more than the amount who properly identified the healthiest.

Experts say that many are misled by labels on packaging like ‘whole grain’ and ‘low calorie’, and either do not bother to or cannot properly read the nutrition label on the back of the box. 

Read more from Daily Mail…

Grand Prairie Mayor Hosts Grand Peninsula Bicycle Ride

Mayor Ron Jensen invites the community to join him for the Cyclin’ with the Mayor Grand Peninsula ride on Thursday, April 21. Participants are asked to meet at 6 p.m. at Daulton Elementary School, 2607 N. Grand Peninsula Dr. The ride will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Cyclin’ with the Mayor is a series of monthly bike rides that are part of the Get Fit GP initiative. Each ride is estimated to be a distance of about five to six miles and is set at a leisurely pace. Participants must bring a bike to participate. Updated location information for all the upcoming rides is posted on www.gptx.org/GetFitGP.

The Get Fit GP initiative offers local resources to improve health through physical fitness and healthy food options for Grand Prairie citizens.

For more information, call 972-237-7594.

TSA Federal Face Mask Requirement for Public Transit Extended through April 18

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) extended the face mask requirement (SD 1582/84-21-01D) for individuals across all transportation networks throughout the United States, including at airports, on board commercial aircraft, on over-the-road buses, and on commuter bus and rail systems through April 18, 2022.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) will continue to require a CDC approved face mask to be worn over the mouth and nose by passengers, operators, and contractors at all times while on DART vehicles including buses, trains, and paratransit vehicles, Trinity Railway Express trains, in buildings and onboard the Dallas Streetcar.

Refusing to wear a mask, unless exempted or excluded under the CDC guidelines, is a violation of federal law and failure to comply will result in denial of boarding or removal, and passengers may be subject to federal penalties, including a fine ranging from $500 for the first offense up to $3,000 for repeat offenders.

Face masks and hand sanitizer dispensers are installed on buses, light rail vehicles, TRE vehicles, and Dallas streetcars, and will continue to be available to all passengers.

If a DART passenger is concerned with someone not wearing a mask, they can contact DART Customer Service at (214) 979-1111, or use the “DART Say Something” app, which can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play for free.

Staying Safe While Riding DART

DART remains committed to doing everything possible to keep both our patrons and employees safe through this pandemic. The agency remains in close contact with local, state, and national health authorities, including the Texas Department of State Health Services and the CDC. DART encourages passengers who feel sick or are experiencing symptoms to stay home and avoid public places.

Cleaning and Protection

DART continues to undertake aggressive agency-wide cleaning and safety protocols on buses, light rail, paratransit vehicles and properties. In addition to thorough nightly cleanings, DART buses and trains are also cleaned on a rotating basis with hydrogen peroxide-based cleaning solutions to sanitize and disinfect each vehicle.

Social Distancing

DART recommends maintaining a six-foot distance between both fellow riders and your DART operator, leaving an open seat between yourself and other riders when available, avoiding large groups, and staying home if you feel sick or are experiencing symptoms.

You can find more information about how DART is working to keep our passengers safe at www.dart.org/health.

Strollin’ with Grand Prairie Mayor Ron Jensen

Mayor Ron Jensen invites the community to join him for a 2-mile stroll through Grand Prairie’s Mira Lagos neighborhood on Saturday, March 19.  Participants are asked to meet at Lillard Intermediate School, 1301 Day Miar Road at 9 a.m.

Strollin’ with the Mayor is part of the Get Fit GP initiative which offers local resources to improve health through physical fitness and healthy food options for Grand Prairie citizens. Updated information for all upcoming Get Fit GP events is posted at www.gptx.org/GetFitGP.

For more information, call 972-237-7594.

Every Adult in Texas Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine Beginning March 29

The State of Texas is opening up the coronavirus vaccine to all adults before the end of March, officials just announced.

All adults will be eligible to get the vaccine starting next Monday — that’s March 29th.

Some age groups will still be prioritized, however.

“DSHS has directed vaccine providers to prioritize people 80 years old or older when scheduling appointments and accommodate anyone in that age group who presents for vaccination, whether or not they have an appointment, by immediately moving them to the front of the line. “

Get more details in the state’s official release below and check back for updates.

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DSHS directs providers to continue to prioritize older adults

All adults will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Texas beginning Monday, March 29. The Texas Department of State Health Services expects vaccine supplies to increase next week, and providers in multiple parts of the state have made great strides in vaccinating people in the current priority groups. The state’s Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel recommended opening vaccination to everyone who falls under the current Food and Drug Administration emergency use authorizations to protect as many Texans as possible.

“We are closing in on 10 million doses administered in Texas, and we want to keep up the momentum as the vaccine supply increases,” said Imelda Garcia, DSHS associate commissioner for laboratory and infectious disease services and the chair of the Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel. “As eligibility opens up, we are asking providers to continue to prioritize people who are the most at risk of severe disease, hospitalization and death – such as older adults.”

DSHS has directed vaccine providers to prioritize people 80 years old or older when scheduling appointments and accommodate anyone in that age group who presents for vaccination, whether or not they have an appointment, by immediately moving them to the front of the line. That will ensure vaccination of anyone 80 or older with as small a burden on themselves as possible.

Also next week, DSHS will launch a website to allow people to register for a shot through some public health providers. The public will be able to enroll in the Texas Public Health Vaccine Scheduler to identify upcoming vaccine clinics hosted by DSHS or a participating local health department and be notified when new clinics and appointments become available. People can continue to find additional providers though the DSHS Vaccine Information page at dshs.texas.gov/covidvaccine. 

Online registration will be the best option for most people. For those for whom that is not an option, DSHS will launch a toll-free number to provide assistance making an appointment with a participating provider or locating another provider that has vaccine available.

To date, Texas has administered more than 9.3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, equating to more than 6 million people with at least one dose and more than 3 million fully vaccinated. Most vaccines are authorized for people 18 years old and older; the FDA has authorized the Pfizer vaccine for use in people 16 and older.

Source: KHOU Houston

DART Continues to Enforce Federal Face Mask Requirement on Public Transit

For the safety of our passengers and employees, DART will continue to enforce federal guidelines and require a CDC approved face mask be worn over the mouth and nose by passengers and operators at all times while on DART vehicles or properties including buses, trains and paratransit vehicles, Trinity Railway Express trains, at DART stations, on platforms, in buildings and on-board the Dallas Streetcar.

Refusing to wear a mask, unless exempted or excluded under the CDC guidelines, is a violation of federal law and failure to comply will result in denial of boarding or removal, and passengers may be subject to federal penalties.

Face masks and hand sanitizer dispensers are installed on all buses, light rail vehicles and Dallas streetcars and will continue to be available to all passengers. If a DART passenger is concerned with someone not wearing a mask, they can contact DART Customer Service at (214) 979-1111, or use the “DART Say Something” app, which can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play for free.

Staying Safe While Riding DART

DART remains committed to doing everything possible to keep both our patrons and employees safe through this pandemic. DART remains in close contact with local, state and national health authorities, including the Texas Department of State Health Services and the CDC. DART encourages passengers who feel sick or are experiencing symptoms to stay home and avoid public places.

Face Masks and Hand Sanitizer

DART requires a CDC approved face mask be worn over the mouth and nose by passengers and operators at all times while riding DART buses, trains and paratransit vehicles, Trinity Railway Express trains, at DART stations, on platforms, in buildings and on-board the Dallas Streetcar. Face masks and hand sanitizer dispensers are installed on all buses, light rail vehicles and Dallas streetcars for use by passengers.

Cleaning and Protection

DART continues to undertake aggressive agency-wide cleaning and safety protocols on buses, light rail, paratransit vehicles and properties. In addition to thorough nightly cleanings, DART vehicles receive additional cleanings at the eight terminus stations throughout the day. Red and Blue Line trains are cleaned every 60 minutes. Orange and Green Line trains are cleaned every 90 minutes. DART buses and trains are also cleaned on a rotating basis with hydrogen peroxide-based cleaning solutions to sanitize and disinfect each vehicle.

Almost 85% of the DART bus fleet is currently equipped with an air purification and disinfection technology system (either ultraviolet or ionic) to kill viruses as air is recirculated throughout the bus.

DART Operator Safety Shields

DART has installed respiratory droplet shields throughout the bus fleet to help protect operators and passengers. Designed by DART Engineering, in collaboration with Fleet Maintenance & Bus Operations teams, these operator safety shields are made of high-impact plexiglass and are installed between the operator and passengers to enhance social distancing.

Social Distancing

DART recommends maintaining a six-foot distance between both fellow riders and your DART operator, leaving an open seat between yourself and other riders when available, avoiding large groups and staying home if you feel sick or are experiencing symptoms.

To enforce social distancing practices and protect customer and employee well-being, all transit center waiting areas have been temporarily closed. DART riders can still use the outdoor areas for boarding buses and light rail vehicles.

You can find more information about how DART is working to keep our passengers safe at www.dart.org/health.

Living for Zachary to Provide Free Youth Heart Screenings in Grand Prairie

Living for Zachary, in conjunction with Frontera Strategies, will sponsor free heart screenings for youth ages 12-22 on Saturday, March 13th at the Grand Prairie Family YMCA.

The “Living for Zachary Heart Screening” is a special screening program created and provided by Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital – Plano for youth ages 12-22 that can help detect heart abnormalities that may lead to sudden cardiac arrest. Living for Zachary partners with Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital Plano and Denton and Frontera Strategies to provide these screenings. 

A Living for Zachary Heart Screening includes:

  • Electrocardiogram
  • Limited 2-D Echocardiogram
  • Blood pressure screening
  • Sudden Cardiac Arrest Risk Health Questionnaire
  • Review and interpretation by a board-certified cardiologist

A Living for Zachary Heart Screening is not a substitute for a thorough exam and consultation with a physician. While the screening seeks to detect conditions which may lead to SCA, it does not guarantee all risks of SCA will be detected.  

The Grand Prairie Family YMCA is located at 4556 S Carrier Pkwy, Grand Prairie TX 75052. The event will take place by appointment from 8:00am – 5:00pm and screenings will be provided at no cost to families.  Parents must be present for youth under the age of 18.  To secure an appointment for a heart screening, parents and guardians can visit http://studentheartscreenings.com/. Living for Zachary’s Health and Safety Protocol for heart screening events can be viewed here.

About Living for Zachary:

Living for Zachary is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and preventing sudden cardiac arrest in youth through heart screenings, AED donations to youth-based organizations, and CPR/AED training. The organization was founded in honor of Zachary Schrah, who was only 16 years old when he collapsed during a high school football practice in Plano on April 2, 2009. For more information, visit www.livingforzachary.org.