Desert Health News - January-February 2025

Earlier this year, students majoring in kinesiology at California State University, San Bernardino Palm Desert (CSUSB) had the unique opportunity to enroll in two courses, Physical Activity and Aging, and Exercise Testing and Prescription. These courses allowed students to interact and connect with adult community members in the Coachella Valley over a three-week experience titled, “Well-Seasoned: Understanding and Managing Your Maturing Health.” The time spent in the classroom providedopportunities for bothgenerations to learnmore about aging and the impact it has on cognition, motor control, bone, muscle, metabolism, and the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Students met in small groups with community members, much like a private health consultation, to discuss the community members’ overall health and wellness. Additionally, they assessed and prescribed exercise to keep the adults moving and staying fit in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This program was seen as a positive, life-long learning experience for both the students and the older adults. The collaboration delivered unique and meaningful activities in the classroom aimed at improving functional performance and quality of life for all involved. The program was designed to educate, assess and address aging health and wellness through the following modules: • Natural Aging Process - Learning about bone, muscle and related bodily systems (heart, lungs, brain, etc.) • Assessment - Checking current health and wellness status and behaviors • Personalized Prevention - Discussing practical ways to improve and maintain health while minimizing disease risk This spring semester, students enrolled in kinesiology courses at CSUSB’s Palm Desert campus will again have the opportunity to match up with adult community members interested in discussing their health and wellness with students. These unique intergenerational partnerships exist to help transform students’ understanding in the classroom and leave a lasting impression on all who take part. The kinesiology department will be seeking volunteers from the community to take part and all who are interested in contributing their time are encouraged to reach out. The CSUSB Palm Desert campus is dedicated to providing a transformative educational experience in the Coachella Valley. With a focus on academic excellence and community engagement, the campus offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs designed to meet the diverse needs of its students and the region. To volunteer to take part in the program, please contact Professor of Kinesiology Sarah L. Dunn, PhD, at sarah.dunn@csusb.edu . Nicole Dabbs, PhD, is chair of the CSUSB kinesiology department. For more information about the CSUSB kinesiology program, visit www.csusb.edu/kinesiology. www.DesertHealthNews.com January/February 2025 Medical News The Valley ' s Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 6 A kinesiology student assesses blood pressure for a community member. Students and community members enjoy their time during the intergenerational visits. Your Symptoms Are Helping You Continued from page 3 Blue Zones Project Continued from page 5 www.palmspringsend odontics.c om www.ranchomirageendodontics.c om www.jordanptcenter.com www.palmspringsendodo ntics.com www.ranchomirageendodontics.com Laser Endodontic Treatment Laser energy enhances the effect of disinfectants used in the canals, further eliminating bacterial infection. Ozone Therapy for Endodontics An advanced preventative therapy that fights off bacteria and pathogens which typically cause most oral health problems. 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F Palm Springs PERSONALIZED CARE FOR THE ENTIRE COACHELLA VALLEY Local Kinesiology Course Creates Intergenerational Connection By Sarah L. Dunn, PhD, and Nicole Dabbs, PhD information, we can give ourselves the best chance at health for years to come. As Chutkan writes: Our bodies have an amazing capacity to wage war on viruses. We can inactivate them with stomach acid, we can trap and expel them in mucus, and we can halt their replication with a fever. These are incredibly well-designed systems that, when allowed to function properly without interference, can keep you safe in the face of harmful viral exposure. When you add in the powerful virus-fighting capacity of your army of gut bacteria, plus the battalions of immune cells they are able to muster, it truly is an impressive array of anti-viral capabilities. Dr. Scherger is the founder of Restore Health Disease Reversal in Indian Wells, a clinic dedicated to weight loss and reversing chronic medical conditions. To schedule a consultation, call (760) 898.9663 or visit www.restorehealth.me. Zepeda echoed his sentiment, adding, "Coachella has long been a city of vision and resilience, and our commitment to health and wellness is woven into the fabric of our general plan. We envision a future where every resident thrives physically, emotionally and spiritually. Blue Zones Project aligns perfectly with our efforts to create family- friendly neighborhoods, expand active transportation options, ensure access to nutritious food and provide safe, welcoming public spaces. By addressing health disparities and fostering equity, we are building a community where every individual has the opportunity to live a better, longer life — grounded in the strength of our history and inspired by the promise of our future." The Blue Zones Project is nowentering its foundation phase, building local teams and creating blueprints for implementation. This effort marks the beginning of amulti-year collaboration aimed at improving community well-being and advancing health equity. To support these transformative initiatives, Blue Zones Project is actively hiring full- time staff for both Palm Springs and Coachella. Stay tuned for updates in upcoming editions as Desert Health continues to cover the progress of this inspiring project. With strong leadership, community engagement, and the support of key sponsors, Palm Springs and Coachella are set to embark on a journey toward a healthier, more vibrant future. Residents interested in joining the Blue Zones Project teams in Palm Springs and Coachella can learnmore about available opportunities at www.bluezones.com/careers.