♪ Music Playing ♪ >> Coming up next on "Arizona Horizon", the latest on how Arizona counties are managing cases of measles around the State.

Also tonight, a look at the federal government's new and significantly different food pyramid guidelines.

And new studies suggest lowering blood pressure can reduce the risk of dementia.

Those stories and more next on "Arizona Horizon."

>> "Arizona Horizon" is made possible by contributions from the friends of Arizona PBS, members of your public television station.

>> Good evening, and welcome to "Arizona Horizon."

I am Ted Simons.

State and county health officials are monitoring an increase in cases of the flu, which is not unusual at this time of year.

But there's also concern over reports of exposure to measles, and that is unusual at any time of year.

Joining us now is will humble, the executive director of the Arizona public health association.

Will, good to have you here.

>> Hi, Ted.

>> Yeah.

Flu increase but not craze, huh >> Right.

Remember, we talked a couple of months ago about the subclade K that went gang bust nurse Europe, especially the U.K.

We were expecting to have a gang busters year in Arizona and the U.S.

So far it hasn't been here.

There's been an increase in cases but know at crazy spike that fills up hospital beds.

It's been worse in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, that eastern seaboard but not crazy here.

>> There was concern that the initial flu shot, the one that we are all getting, may not even apply to this K. But so far so good.

>> Yeah, so far so good.

Here.

Like New York, it's been -- it was -- they had their peak really and it's kind of coming down in New York now.

But and we could still have -- we always have a late -- not always.

We often have a late flu season That could still happen.

>> What about COVID, RSV, these things?

>> RSV was really bad season last year, if you remember.

And this year it's been really not nonexistent but low.

COVID also so far we are looking out on those diseases.

Not in the next one.

>> Let's talk about measles.

What is going on out there in.

>> Well, not enough people getting vaccinated.

Not enough people are vaccinating their kids and we have now dropped to the level where when there is a case of measles, from international travel and, for example, it can start spreading in the community if it gets into pockets of unvaccinated groups of people.

So we've got four counties that I know of that have -- that are actively tracking cases right now.

Mojave, which is up on the Colorado strip that's been happening fork you know, a few months now.

>> Right, up at the border.

>> Maricopa county they have three cases in Maricopa county.

Just in those three cases, they have 3,000 contacts.

>> Oh, my gosh.

>> People with measles were going to busy places like health clubs and movie theaters and things like that.

Then we have some cases in the ice detention facility in Pinal county.

And then a single case with a lot of exposures and pima county.

>> I would to I want to get to ice and the effects of health.

But exposure in other areas as well.

When you hear about the exposures and you say I wonder if I was there.

How long of a wait you have to to do?

What is the incubation period?

What kind of time frame?

>> The incubation period has actually a pretty wide range, from 7 to 15 days.

It starts with -- it starts with typical flu-like symptoms, malaise, fever of 101, respiratory illnesses, but then you get there is this characteristic rash, maybe you have seen it in textbooks and stuff.

it Starts on the hairline and goes to the rest of the body.

That's the diagnostic sort of feature that clinicians look for is thrash.

And then they are like, oh, goodness, this could be measles.

And by the way, a lot of doctors have never even run into a measles case because it's been almost irradicated for the last 20 years.

So it's -- so it's like textbook stuff that you may not have seen in residence.

>> That's interesting.

How best to respond?

You get this up here and it starts dropping.

>> Respond in terms of public health sense is to get that person out of public.

>> Yes.

>> Like stay home for at least 21 days.

And don't expose other people and if there is -- if there is people in the house, that are unvaccinated get them vaccinated like straightaway.

One of things Maricopa county is doing, and I think other counties are doing this, too, because there is no community spread.

One of these cases in Maricopa county they can't find a known exposures in measles they recommend the babies, infant is get the first MMR vaccine at six months rather than at the 12-month mark.

Those little kids are the most susceptible.

The ones most likely to get the pneumonia and even die or have permanent brain damage from encephalitis.

It's a really dangerous disease >> Of and we had 220 measles cases last year.

That was the highest in 30 years.

>> Now, those were mostly out com straight.

>> But that's what happens.

You get one big blowout, don't you?

>> That's happened there.

And then this -- the Maricopa county cases started with an -- someone who had been out of the country in a country that had lots of measles.

They came back on the plane they were symptomatic.

Then the ex- -- exposes around Maricopa count.

>> I your organization is urging a no vote on current D.H.S.

funding.

>> Yes.

The board of directors thought it was important to take a stand because of the behavior of ice and the CBP staff in lots of places but in particular Minnesota.

It's posing public health threats in lots of ways both trauma on families on the physical, emotional health side, but also stopping people from getting to doctor's appointments, chilling effect when people have illnesses that they decide, look, I am not going to the hospital because I know there will be CBP and ice agents there.

One of my family members is undocumented and I just am not going to get healthcare, we felt it was important to do that.

In that we urged senators Gallego and Kelly to withhold their vote until there are more accountability measure United States and to roll back ice funding to 20Y2024 levels in him they can demonstrate that they can manage a budget like this responsibly.

>> It also affects staff ago the hospitals and clinics as well, true?

>> I am not sure about staffing but a chilling effect on people who are sick that need care that can't or decide not to go.

>> A lot of industries and businesses are saying this kind of thing does affect staffing.

And in the talking about doctors and nurses but folks that keep the place running.

>> Okay, I see what you are saying there.

Yeah.

Like some of the ancillary services.

>> Exactly.

>> That -- I suppose there could be places like that, too.

But one of the more disturbing things that we have been hearing is that there are ice and sometimes CBP agents hanging out at hospitals.

You have seen hanging out at schools.

They are hanging out at hospitals too.

Is there no -- like there is no sense of decency, you know.

So we felt it was really important for our board to take a stand on behalf of our members and to do that call to action to senators Gallego and Kelly who will be -- they will need to make a vote in the next few days in order to avoid a federal government shutdown or go to the budget for CBP.

>> Before you go, U.S.

completely now I guess withdraws from the world health organization.

>> Yeah.

>> And I want your thoughts on that, because, I think I saw it on your blog, may not be necessarily a bad thing?

>> Well, so, the United States has been a member of the -- founding member of the world health organization for 60 years, we have been members the U.S.

has been the biggest dues maybe in the WHO.

We had payed 18% of the global dues for WHO.

President Biden as he was leaving the office in early January, prepaid the 2025 dues.

President trump first thing in 2205 did an executive order saying we are not doing WHO.

Now we nod paid our dues we are officially off the governor body, the board, the world health Council, we no longer have a voice at the WHO and my argument on the blog is that may not be such a bad thing.

With secretaries Rubio and Kennedy in place and the kinds of decisions they have been making getting rid of global health initiatives through various means I felt like it was a bigger risk to have secretary Kennedy meddle in the WHO affairs, and to add to that.

China, Switzerland, Sweden and other countries have backfilled almost all of the dues.

>> They have back felt them.

They have committed.

WHO doesn't have China's check but they have made the commitment But what does it mean as far as worldwide when it comes to vaccination rates and health initiatives getting everyone onboard if, you know, the big guy over here is not onboard?

>> Questioner no longer part of it, they can make their decisions without having the United States in the mix given Kennedy's aversion to vaccines the vaccine policies and the WHO sets are a global standard for the next three years, this is my opinion, that we are probably better off without the U.S.

involved in the decision making over the next three years.

>> Wow.

All right.

Got me all confuse there had.

Everything is upside down.

Talking about the food pyramid next and that really is upside down.

>> Is that correct?

>> Okay.

It's next.

Good to have you here will humble, Arizona public health association.

>> Take care.

>> The mostly farmers we don't have a war society.

We had to transition into having a war society because of the enemies that were attacking us, that's a new thing came to us with the Americans.

>> So this is a tradition war club made out the iron wood.

If you know iron wood, it's a very strong wood.

This is one of the old weapons and this was used by the bravest warriors because it's hand to hand.

Close combat with the shield and a war club.

And so there is a whole ceremony behind warfare to take care of yourself.

And that's one of the things that was lacking during the American time is we lost that ceremony to take care of men that came back from war.

So we have a lot of men even in the modern wars, where we are trying to regain a ceremony to take care of them, you know, clean them from what they have done and have them be good in the community again.

>> U.S.

health and human serve percent secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

recently released a new food pyramid that flipped the dietary guideline on its head including an emphasis on meat and other proteins and less focus whole grains and fruit.

To learn more about the changes we welcome Stephanie Espinoza, she's a registered dietitian.

Welcome to "Arizona Horizon."

Good to have you here.

>> Thank you.

>> Your thoughts on just the general thoughts and then we'll drill down on certain things, general thoughts, 30,000 food view, what do you make of these things in.

>> Well, it hasn't changed too much from what the last ones were, the 20 to 25, except to what you mentioned.

They have added more meat.

Put an emphasis on meat and really encouraged people to do whole like whole fat, dairy, like whole milk, whole fat yogurt which increases the saturated fat content of people's diets which is counter to what the recommendations are.

Because there is written recommendations and then there is that pyramid.

And the written recommendations say we need too today keep our saturated fat intention to less than 10%.

The American heart association recommends less than 6%.

But by encouraging people to have three servings of whole milk a day like you said, that just puts it on its head.

It doesn't add up to the research.

>> When it comes to -- RFK Jr.

said the U.S.

is ending its war on saturated fats S that a good thing?

>> I didn't know there was a car on it.

I thought that was kind of a heavy word for nutrition, which should be positive.

You know, our food is a positive thing in our life.

So I don't think we need to have a war on saturated fat.

I think the evidence is clear that high in take of saturated fat in our diet leads to an increase in the bad cholesterol, which then leads to heart disease and hard disease say leading cause of death in the United States.

So it's something that we do need to be focusing on.

>> Okay, so the focus now is whole foods, proteins, and healthy fats.

The protein nearly doubles.

>> Right.

>> The daily intake.

Is that a good thing?

>> You know, the original recommendation of .8 Grahams of protein per kilogram was just to prevent deficiencies.

So the doubling of it, though, with 60% of Americans having a chronic disease, heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, those kinds of things, hypertension, protein plays a role in pushing those along the continuum.

So if I have chronic kidney disease and I double my protein intake I am stressing out my kidneys, that's nod a good thing.

So most people don't understand that if they have not met with a dietitian and so I think we'll see some harm being done if people take that to heart.

>> I was going say, though, that's a really good point.

This food pyramid these recommendations, these guidelines are they for the average healthy Joe or are they for all of us at all times?

>> Well, they are broad and dietitians take them and we apply what we know to the individual.

But the issue is that those types of recommendations then inform like school lunch.

Heart disease is something that starts very early in our life.

And so if we are pushing whole fat dairy and more protein on to the plates of our kids, without caution, then what does -- what is that going to look like down the road for them?

>> And you referred to the three servings of full fat dairy every day.

That doesn't sound like you think that's a great thing.

>> 10% is on average most Americans depending on our size, need about 2,000-calories and so 10% of saturated fat would be 22 Grahams.

Three cups of milk is 15 Grahams.

So if I have anything else in my day that has saturated fat it's going push me over that.

We already eat about 12 over 12% of our intake from calories from saturated fat this will not help to us cut back to where we should be.

>> What about the item of whole grains and fruits at or near the bottom or the deemphasize of this particular pyramid.

What do you make of that?

>> Whole grains and fruit are cash hydrate Foots and in this country our diet culture seems to love to demonize foods for profit.

And so by moving something out of the picture and elevating something else, somebody is benefiting from that.

I don't restrict carbs in my patients plans until I need to.

Maybe they are diabetes I can.

We are manipulating the macro newt against to they need to lose weight.

We don't need to restrict fruit It's full of nutrients and fiber which is important.

Whole grains, you know, full of fiber again.

And vitamins and minerals I don't think we need to be cutting back like they are recommending.

>> I notice, and correct me if I am wrong here, there is no more daylight guidelines regarding alcohol.

Is that true?

And secondly, is that a lost opportunity?

>> It's a huge lost opportunity You know, alcohol consumption just skyrocketed during COVID and people are still trying to come to terms with that in their personal lives.

I know with individual patients I see alcohol can be a real problem in their lives.

And by not encouraging people to look at that and cut back it will just harm them.

It's a toxin.

>> Critics say it's muddled and Idaho lodge come and a lot of polities in here do you agree?

Do they have a paint point.

>> They do have a point we need to keep food in perspective and individualize it.

When you push narratives that don't necessarily -- they are not backed up by what a health is saying it's a missed opportunity.

>> The previous ideas were backed by science you say more so than this?

>> Yes.

yes, the saturated fat that issue you has been studied and for the last 75 years.

Like we know that saturated fat is something that's harmful to us, we need to limit it.

Everybody loves a good steak, but it's not something you want on your plate on a daily basis.

>> Stephanie Espinoza, dietitian, nutritionist, thank you for joining us we appreciate it.

>> Thank you.

>>> ♪ Music Playing ♪ >> Lower blood pressure can lessen the chance of dementia later in life.

That's according to new guidelines from the American heart association.

Health officials hope that this new information will help motivate people to get treated for high blood pressure.

We Talked about the link between blood pressure and dementia with Dr.

Anna Burke the director the neuropsychiatry at Barrow neurological institute at St.

Joseph's hospital and medical center.

Thank you so much for joining us, let's talk about the new guidelines from the American heart association regarding blood pressure and dementia later in life.

What are we talking about here?

>> Well, we knew that there are certain conditions, comorbid conditions that can actually increase the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease.

And high blood pressure or hypertension is one of these conditions.

So controlling your blood pressure really does same to make an impact in reducing your risk.

>> Is sounds like the studies show especially blood pressure in mid to later life, like 40 onto 64 years of age even then it makes a difference?

>> Absolutely.

There are several studies.

In fact, there has been analysis of 17 studies that has shown us that midlife is really when you want to tackle that blood pressure.

Having chronic hypertension actually increases the likelihood that you will develop something called mild cognitive impairment, which is a precursor of dementia and likely increases your risk of developing dementia overtime.

>> Why is this happening?

What's the connection?

>> Well, if you imagine if the blood pressure is high, it's kind of like having high pressure in the pipes in your home.

Overtime that is going to damage all of the appliances in your house, right?

Same thing happens with your body.

If the pressure inside your blood press vessels is high, that will translate to damage to certain parts of the body.

And the brain is particularly sensitive to this.

But so is your heart, your kidneys and your eyes.

>> And it sounds like what arteries get narrowed during this process?

>> Well, the arteries become stiffer, and that's pretty normal for aging.

It happens to most of us.

So about half of all Americans actually are struggling with hypertension.

Although they may not have any symptoms and not know about this.

And overtime that chips away at your brain health.

It causes something called white matter disease.

Which is basically minor damage to the brain.

>> Vascular dementia, is that what we are talking about here?

>> Well, yes.

There is a form of dementia called vascular dementia where the blood pressure changes and vascular changes do cause a specific five type of cognitive impairment.

But lie blood pressure is linked with other conditions like Alzheimer's disease.

>> Compare vascular dementia with Alzheimer's other forms.

Does blood pressure focus in on one of this is things or all of them?

>> On all of them.

But certainly it increases mainly vascular dementia risk.

>> Yeah.

What is the best way to lower -- especially ages 40 to 64.

Everybody needs to lower it to a certain degree I imagine.

Is it exercise, is it food, is it that simple?

>> First of all you need know who your blood pressure is.

And most Americans unfortunately do not.

So you definitely want to keep your blood pressure below 120 systolic, meaning that higher that first number.

So identifying the problem first.

And then talking to your primary care physician about all of the options.

We know that medications used for blood pleasure have been shown to reduce dementia risk.

In addition, you want to manage a healthy lifestyle.

So this means exercise, this mean proper diet, eliminating the standard American diet and focusing more on a good mediterranean diet.

Reducing your salt intake.

And, of course, reducing stress as well as improving sleep.

>> Yeah.

I know sleep say big thing here But as far as blood pleasure medication is earn canned, if you take the medication and between 40 and 64 and especially in the latter part there.

Can you feel your cognitive differences here?

Is there a results?

>> You will in about 10 to 20 years.

[ Laughter ] >> But not at that time?

>> Not necessarily immediately.

But if you are having symptoms of high blood pressure which can you headaches, dizziness, you may actually notice changes at that point.

>> So, again, it's the LDL that's the most concerning the higher LDL that you really got a watch out.

>> On the systolic blood pressure.

Opportunity to keep it below 120 over 80.

>> 120 over 80.

Got you.

Is dementia, Alzheimer's all of these things, these worrying things, if you have wonderful blood pressure and you have always had wonderful blood pressure, can I still get those forms of dementia?

>> You can.

Unfortunately there are multiple factors that come into play as far as cognitive impairment.

We know that there are genetic far tours that play a risk, environment the exposures that probably increase your risk.

Particularly of the most common form of dementia called Alzheimer's disease.

>> Yeah.

Last question.

What do we take from these studies and from this informs?

>> Well, controlling your blood pressure is vital to maintain your brain health.

And lifestyle does have a huge impact on this.

But first of all, identifying whether you do have a problem or not is the first step.

>> Yeah.

Get your blood pressure checked >> Absolutely.

>> Yeah.

Dr.

Anna Burke Barrow neurological institute.

Interesting stuff.

Thank you so much for joining us, we appreciate it.

>> Thank you.

>> That's it for now, you have a great evening.