Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced Dr. John Dreyzehner will join the administration to lead the Tennessee Department of Health.  He will replace Susan Cooper, who after fulfilling her commitment to assist with the transition and the first legislative session has decided to pursue other opportunities.

“I am thankful Susan served the people of Tennessee as part of this administration,” Haslam said.  “She is a passionate advocate for a healthier Tennessee, and we will continue to focus on initiatives that encourage our citizens to make positive choices to exercise and eat well.  I have enjoyed working with her and wish her the best.”

“When I came to the state in 2005 from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing to develop the safety net, I had no idea that I would have the honor and privilege to serve as Commissioner of Health under two exceptional, health-focused governors, Bill Haslam and Phil Bredesen,” said Cooper, who has been commissioner since 2007.  “I want to thank both governors for the opportunity to serve and their support of policies and programs that improve the health of Tennesseans.

“It is especially fulfilling to see that the hard work of the department, our partners and Tennesseans has resulted in remarkable and measurable gains in the health and quality of life of our residents,” Cooper continued. “It is infrequent that states see this level of improvement in such a short period of time.  I am proud of and want to thank the employees of the department, our partners and all Tennesseans for making a commitment to better health.  I wish Dr. Dreyzehner the best and will work with him to ensure a smooth transition.”

Dreyzehner, 48, currently serves as director of the Cumberland Plateau Health District in Southwest Virginia.  During his nine years in that role, he also spent two years serving as acting director of the Lenowisco Health District.  Dreyzehner began his medical career as a United States Air Force flight surgeon, and prior to returning to public service with the Virginia Department of Health, he practiced occupational medicine as director of the Blue Ridge Occupational Health Clinic in Lebanon, Va.

“I am pleased that John has agreed to join our team,” Haslam said.  “He brings a wealth of experience to the position from his service in the Air Force to his work as a public health official in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee.  I look forward to working with him and appreciate his willingness to serve the citizens of Tennessee.”

“I am honored and excited to be a part of Governor Haslam’s administration,” Dreyzehner said.  “It has been my privilege to work with dedicated Tennessee Department of Health professionals for years in Northeast Tennessee. I know we have a lot of work to do in tackling the significant health challenges Tennesseans face, and I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work.”

Dreyzehner served the Air Force as Chief of Aeromedical Assessment in the Office of the Command Surgeon at Langley Air Force Base, Chief of Flight Medicine in the 1st Medical Group of the 1st Fighter Wing, and as flight surgeon for the 94th Fighter Squadron.  In addition to his occupational medicine and public health practice, he has also practiced in the field of addiction medicine.

He currently serves on the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Health Policy Advisory Committee, as vice chair of the Southwest Virginia Health Authority, chairman of the board of One Care, Inc., chairman of the Mountain Empire Public Health Emergency Coordination Council, chair of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine Master of Public Health Advisory Committee and co-chair of the Appalachian Substance Abuse Coalition.

Dreyzehner graduated magna cum laude from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.  He received his medical degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago and his master of public health degree at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, where he completed his occupational medicine residency.

Dreyzehner is adjunct faculty at East Tennessee State University College of Public Health, founding faculty of the Healthy Appalachia Institute and visiting assistant professor at the University of Virginia.  He is also a fellow of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

As Tennesseans head outdoors to enjoy sunny summer days, the Department of Health reminds everyone to take precautions to protect themselves from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays. TDOH is joining the national observance of UV Safety Month this July. This health observance was created by the American Academy of Ophthalmology to educate people about the need to protect their eyes from the harmful effects of the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

“Most people are familiar with the need to use sunscreen to protect skin from sunburn and skin cancer, but they may not know ultraviolet rays can also damage our eyes,” said Health Commissioner Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN. “We want to make people aware of simple steps that can help keep us safe from these health problems.”

There are two types of ultraviolet rays, commonly known as UV-A and UV-B. These invisible, high energy rays from the sun can damage skin and eyes. Using protective measures against UV rays is especially important during summer months, when the level of ultraviolet radiation is three times greater than in winter.

“Prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays without protection can cause eye conditions that can lead to vision loss, such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration,” said State Epidemiologist Tim F. Jones, MD.

Sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat are the best defense system to protect your eyes against sunlight and its harmful UV rays. To be effective, both should be worn every time you’re outside for prolonged periods of time, even when skies are overcast.

Sunglasses should be designed to block 99 to 100 percent of the UV-A and UV-B rays. The ability to block UV light is not dependent on the darkness of sunglass lenses, and price is not indicative of the level of UV protection. Consumers can check sunglass labels for information about the amount of UV protection the glasses offer.

As with skin, eyes should be protected from damage from repeated sun exposure over time, as well as acute damage that can be caused by a single day in the sun. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet light reflected off sand, snow, water or pavement can burn the eye’s surface. While eye surface burns usually disappear within a couple of days, they can lead to further complications later in life.

The following tips can help people protect their eyes from sun damage:

• Try to avoid being out in the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. UV rays are strongest and do the most damage during midday hours.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat to shade your face.
• Wear sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B rays as possible.
• Don’t be fooled by clouds: The sun’s rays can pass through haze and thin clouds. Sun damage to eyes can occur any time during the year, not just in the summer.

To learn more about protecting your eyes from the sun, visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology website at www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/living/sun.cfm, or the website for Prevent Blindness America at www.preventblindness.org/uv/.

(ARA) - Some research suggests volunteering can have a positive effect on overall health and well-being - and may help improve your disease. Many Americans who suffer from chronic conditions can get involved with volunteering to stay active.

And, for the more than 1 million Americans with the chronic condition rheumatoid arthritis (RA), volunteering may help them better manage the disease. RA is an autoimmune disease that affects the joints and can cause pain, disability and leave people feeling limited or isolated by their disease. Women are two to three times more likely to have RA than men, and the disease is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 50.

A new nationwide initiative - Hand in Hand for RA - aims to change that by demonstrating to people living with RA that they can do more. In fact, results of a recent survey showed that a majority of people with RA want to be more active and not feel limited by their condition. Moreover, four in 10 want to give back through volunteering or public service to prove they are not limited by their RA.

"It's the first time that we are bringing together people living with a form of arthritis like RA who would otherwise be held back a little bit by their condition, and give them an opportunity to help out in their community," says Seth Ginsberg, co-founder and president of CreakyJoints, a grassroots arthritis group and a supporter of the Hand in Hand for RA campaign. "We want people to go to the handinhandforRA.com Web site where they can find resources or share their stories of things they've done in the past, and help out a little bit."

Lending a helping hand
Debbie McGrady, 55, of Greenwood, Ind., has joined the campaign and gives back by driving senior citizens in her local community to doctor appointments and to run errands.

"When I was diagnosed with RA 11 years ago, it was pretty devastating for me," Debbie says. "But after seeking out the right doctor and working with him to get my disease under control, I also changed my life - started eating healthier and exercising more often; then I found volunteerism. It's just been a wonderful thing for me. It takes the focus off your disease and you can help others."

Many ways to give back
When it comes to public service, there is something for everyone. The following are a few activities that may be well suited for those with RA. These include low-impact activities that are easy on the joints, and options that provide enough flexibility for even the busiest of schedules.

* Answering telephone calls for a local crisis support or charity hotline
* Reading to seniors at a local community center or retirement community
* Working at voting booths during election season
* Visiting hospitals or nursing homes to spend time with the patients
* Mentoring youth
* Volunteering at an animal shelter
* Joining a local gardening group or community beautification project

Before starting on any new activity, it is important to talk first with your doctor about what volunteer activities would be the best to pursue.

Get started
For more information on how to get involved with Hand in Hand for RA or to post your personal volunteering story and send kudos to current volunteers, visit www.handinhandforRA.com.

Hand In Hand for RA is a national awareness campaign developed by Genentech and Biogen Idec with the grassroots advocacy group CreakyJoints.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - The beginning of a new year - and a new decade - is the time many people pledge to live differently. For many, that change means living a more sustainable lifestyle. Sustainability, once only a buzz word, is now fast becoming the way to live consciously.

From reducing your water usage to buying organic, here are 10 simple ways to make 2010 the year of sustainable living:

1. Use water more efficiently: Water is a limited resource and limiting it within your household is a cornerstone of sustainability. Rain barrels, largely unheard of even a decade ago, are becoming a popular way to collect and reuse rainwater for purposes like gardening.  Meanwhile, conserving water in the home by taking shorter showers or even fixing a leaky faucet also can make a difference at a time when many communities are experiencing water shortages or are expressing concerns about water overuse.

2. Compost: Turning over leaves by way of a new compost garden is one way to live a more sustainable lifestyle. A compost heap is a simple, effective way to collect yard waste, like leaves and grass clippings, and kitchen scraps such as raw vegetable peelings and coffee grounds, and return them to the ground as organic matter.

3. Seek earth-friendly packaging: To better fill that compost heap, alter shopping habits to look for products with compostable packaging. Snyder's of Hanover, for instance, recently introduced a new Pretzel Variety Sack of 100-Calorie Pretzels and Pretzel Sandwiches in the market's first 100 percent compostable outer package made from 100 percent renewable cornstarch-based plastic.  The new Variety Sack includes a special logo indicating that the bag can be composted and is made with sustainable materials. In addition to that example, more manufacturers are switching to cardboard packaging materials, which are made from renewable materials and can be recycled or composted.

4. Buy local, embrace organic: Many farmers, ranchers and, increasingly, food manufacturers, are offering foods and beverages made using sustainable practices. It could be a farmers market tomato, a local dairy's milk, an organic snack food, like new Organic Honey Whole Wheat Sticks and Organic Whole Wheat and Oat Sticks from Snyder's of Hanover, or any number of natural or organic items. The bottom line is that natural, organic and locally produced foods provide both sustenance and sustainability. To learn more about Snyder's of Hanover's sustainability initiatives visit www.snydersofhanover.com/Sustainability/.

5. Go to seed: Take the locally grown movement a step further - like in your own backyard or patio.  An afternoon spent planting seeds or small plants can yield plenty of rewards a few weeks or months later, in the form of fresh, inexpensive and convenient vegetables and fruits.  You don't need a large tract of land, in fact, to start a small  garden.

6. Ride out the trend:  Sustain your own energy level by opting to ride a bike or walk to a destination that isn't all that far away. Add a basket to a bike or take along a backpack to bring something back home.

7. Re-recycle: Recycling is nothing new and most people have been recycling in some form for years. But recycling can be taken to another level, going beyond obvious and traditionally recycled items like soda cans or newspaper to the smallest of waste materials, from plastic straws to the paper straw wrapper. Why not recycle apparel as well, by donating clothes and buying gently used clothes?

8. Plug in: Learn how to operate appliances more efficiently.  For example, use cold water in the washing machine: clothes will still be cleaned, without the use of heated water. Turn off appliances when not in use, whether it's the television, video game player or radio. Better yet, completely unplug. Many electronics and battery chargers continue to draw a small amount of power even when they are switched off. Instead, use a power strip to cut power completely when not in use.

9. Lighten up: Use energy efficient lighting and bulbs when possible and turn off lights when not in a room. That will cut energy use - and the family budget.

10. Get involved: As the sustainability movement gains traction among the public, there are more opportunities to join in. Local communities, schools and organizations often have green committees, and there is a plethora of national and grassroots organizations geared around earth-friendly living that appreciate new volunteers or members.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - When you learn that a friend, family member, coworker or neighbor is seriously ill or recovering from injuries or surgery, do you wonder how you can best show your support?

It depends upon the situation. Sometimes the best way to show your support is to just stay in touch, but other times, it's to provide help that your friend or loved one needs.

"When someone you know experiences a serious health event, or is in the hospital recovering from a major surgery, connecting them with family and friends is very important," says Sona Mehring, founder of CaringBridge. "Often, people in this situation don't know how easy and helpful it is to gather their family and friends and show support in an unobtrusive way."

When you receive news that a loved one is going through cancer, premature birth or another health crisis, consider some of the following ideas in ways to best show your support:

* Offer your help. Make a specific offer like cooking a meal, driving the person to appointments, babysitting for children, picking up groceries, calling other family members, writing thank-you notes, etc. By specifically offering to help in a way that uses your talents and won't overwhelm you, you will be able to show support in a healthy way.

* Be positive. You don't have to be talking about your loved one's illness all the time. Maybe you saw a funny online video that you know will tickle their funny bone. Copy the link and share it with your friend. Or tell him the story about your child's performance in a school concert that had you beaming with pride. By keeping your loved one involved through your stories in real world events, you are helping them stay connected.

* Create an online social networking page. For a person trying to recuperate from an illness, repeating health information time and time again is exhausting - even if the information is good news. Consider setting up an online support network page through CaringBridge, so your loved one can share updates once, post photos and receive messages of support.

CaringBridge is a nonprofit organization that offers free, personalized Web sites for patients to post health updates, photos and connect with family and friends.

"When a family member or good friend is isolated in the hospital or confined to home care, recovery is much easier when supporters are able to easily stay in touch," says Mehring. "And by staying in touch, supporters can provide the assistance and love a patient needs to get them on the road to feeling better."

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - With all the bending, lifting and stretching involved, gardening can be a fun and effective workout - if you know how to make the most of it.

Stacy Walters, registered kinesiotherapist, fitness director and creator of the Fit to Garden program, provides tips on how to turn a day of lawn and garden care into a day of healthy exercise.

Gardening warm-up
Like any other workout activity, gardening requires a warm-up to prepare the heart, muscles and joints. Begin with five to 10 minutes of stretching the legs, ankles, arms, shoulders and wrists as well as light aerobic activity to help reduce the risk of injury and decrease soreness.

Proper technique
Time spent in the garden can be relaxing, and it's important to make sure you're in a comfortable position when planting or weeding. To keep from getting stiff, try alternating between squatting, kneeling on a pad and sitting on a stool. Remember to keep your work close to you and tighten your abdominal muscles to protect your back when you reach and move.

Garden workout
When lifting heavy bags of soil or mulch, remember to keep your feet shoulder-width apart, tighten your abdominal muscles and bend at the hips and knees, not at the waist. This activity helps strengthen the upper body and the abdominal muscles.

Mulching is an important step when gardening and an excellent way to help conserve water in your garden, prevent weeds and keep your outdoor spaces looking neat. Scotts NatureScapes Advanced is a color-enhanced mulch made of natural forest products that comes in a variety of colors and textures to maintain moisture and create a groomed landscape all year long.

To mulch efficiently, use a wheelbarrow and stand close to your work when shoveling. Scoop and lift the mulch with a shovel while keeping stomach muscles tight and avoid twisting the spine.

Raking is another way to build upper body strength, but make sure to vary your movement during the task. If you've been raking right to left, change direction and alternate arm and hand positions so one arm isn't doing most of the work. When you're finished, use the proper bending and lifting technique to move the product of your labor.

Gardening cool down
Following a garden workout, be sure to cool down. Stretching the hips, hamstrings, back, neck and shoulders will help balance muscle groups that may have been overused and decrease post-gardening soreness.

In addition to the physical health benefits of working in a garden, multiple studies have shown the mental and emotional benefits of creating and working in green spaces. Gardens have a calming effect and can help relieve stress, improve attention skills and reduce feelings of anger, fear and aggression.

For more information on garden workouts, visit Scotts.com or OutdoorLivingWithStacy.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - Schools with only a third of the students sitting in chairs, offices sending out notices to employees asking anyone with a fever or cough to please stay home, and hand sanitizer stations popping up everywhere; the signs are very visible this year that flu season has arrived.

Seasonal and H1N1 flu viruses are making big headlines. And while everyone has the potential to catch either variety, senior citizens tend to suffer more from the complications of flu.

"It's a good idea for everyone - including caretakers of senior citizens - to get the flu shot. And there are many other ways to help prevent the spread of viruses from one person to another," says Richard Bitner with Visiting Angels, a senior home-care service. "If you provide care, or even just frequently visit with a senior, pay attention to their living environment to make sure it is safe and protects your loved one from viruses. And make sure you take care of yourself as well, so you don't pass on the germs."

Seniors are more vulnerable because they spend time with grandchildren, get out and explore new activities and visit with friends and family. The CDC recommends everyone over the age of 50 get a yearly flu vaccine because the flu can be more serious and even deadly for seniors. About 36,000 people die from flu complications annually, and of those deaths, 90 percent are age 65 or older.

In addition to getting both the seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following steps to help protect your health:

* If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone - unless you need to get medical care.

* Even if you aren't sick, keep your home stocked with a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubbing solution and tissues, so that if you do start experiencing symptoms, you don't need to go out and to purchase supplies.

* Wash your hands every day with soap and water - or if this isn't available, hand sanitizer.

* Avoid close contact with sick people.

When you are visiting a senior citizen in senior home care, make sure they have supplies on hand and are practicing good personal hygiene. Do they have a squirt bottle of soap next to every sink in their house? Do the counters and bathroom sinks get cleaned frequently? Are tissues available next to chairs in every room?

Remember, seniors may not pay attention to basic preventative measures when it comes to viruses. But by practicing good health habits yourself, you can help keep them from getting sick from the flu. For more information about flu prevention and seniors, visit visitingangels.com/library.asp.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - It's been called "the disease of kings" because of its association with historical figures like Henry VIII, Benjamin Franklin and Isaac Newton, but gout, a painful and potentially debilitating form of arthritis, is anything but a "historical" condition. In fact, 3 million to 5 million Americans currently suffer from gout, and this number is expected to rise as the population ages.

Despite gout's growing prevalence, results from a survey of more than 2,000 Americans reveal that 65 percent of adults admitted to being "not at all knowledgeable" about gout. The new survey by the Gout & Uric Acid Education Society illustrates major gaps in the public's understanding of the condition.

"Gout has a rich history, but the notion that the condition is no longer a major health problem can't be further from the truth," says Dr. N. Lawrence Edwards, chairman of the Gout & Uric Acid Education Society, a specialist in rheumatology and professor of medicine at the University of Florida, Gainesville. "What many people don't realize is the number of Americans with gout has actually doubled over the past 30 years."

Gout is one of the most painful forms of arthritis and the most common form of inflammatory arthritis among adults. It causes sudden intense pain and swelling in the joints and, if left untreated, can lead to permanent joint damage and destruction of tissue.

The survey revealed that many Americans don't realize just how serious a condition gout can be - almost half (49 percent) of adults were not aware of the potential crippling effects of gout, such as needing to use a cane or walker, or having to stop working because of limited mobility. More than 70 percent did not know that gout is a form of arthritis.

"Advanced gout leads to the same level of work loss, physical disability and diminished quality of life seen in advanced rheumatoid arthritis, but, as these survey results indicate, the severity of the disease remains underappreciated," Edwards says. "People with gout are often stereotyped as being overindulgent or heavy drinkers, and there is a perception that sufferers bring the condition on themselves. If we are going to improve care for the growing number of Americans living with gout, these myths need to be corrected."

If you have gout or think you may be at risk, Edwards and the experts at the Gout & Uric Acid Education Society have some tips to help manage the condition:

1. Know the risk factors and triggers for gout

Risk factors include obesity, previous joint injury or disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, kidney disease, genetics (one out of four people with gout has a family history of the condition) and elevated uric acid levels (hyperuricemia).

Triggers for attacks include surgery or sudden severe illness; consumption of large quantities of purine-rich foods, especially meat products; or excessive intake of alcohol, especially beer.

2. Stay in control of your uric acid levels

Most experts agree that lowering a person's uric acid level to less than 6.0 mg/dL is helpful to reduce urate crystal accumulation and prevent the consequences of hyperuricemia and gout. It is important to work with your physician to monitor your uric acid level.

3. Talk to your doctor and visit www.GoutEducation.org to learn more

The www.GoutEducation.org Web site features a downloadable patient brochure with key information about gout.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - While a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease, is extremely frightening for patients, there is ongoing research, new technology and medications to help make life easier.

"While we are waiting for a cure, people need to know that a lot can be done to make life easier and longer for people with ALS," says Dr. Robert G. Miller, the lead author of guidelines on treating ALS that are published by the American Academy of Neurology in the Oct. 13 issue of the medical journal Neurology.

ALS is a rapidly progressive and fatal neurologic disease that attacks the nerve cells controlling voluntary muscles, or the muscles a person can control. These muscles - for example, the arms, legs, and throat - eventually stop working. About 10 percent of people diagnosed with ALS will live 10 years or more, significantly longer than the three to five years typically predicted.

Tom Kobler, 57, of Eden Prairie, Minn., noticed he didn't have good control of his left foot in the spring of 2007, and received an official ALS diagnosis in May 2008.

"I had a lot of people at work asking why I was limping," he says. "I first thought I had lower back issues."

In addition to seeing his regular physician, Kobler attends an ALS clinic at Mayo Clinic on a quarterly basis to meet with several specialists, including a neurologist, dietician, speech pathologist, swallowing specialist, nurse and a physiatrist (a doctor of physical therapy). They anticipate together the challenges he will face over the next several months, and plan ways to get around those challenges.

"I probably see seven people over the course of four to five hours at that clinic, and they're all talking to each other," Kobler says. "[ALS] symptoms can progress quickly. Knowing what you can do with the use of various types of equipment is very helpful. We try to anticipate when my weaknesses would come and have the equipment in place as I need it."

Dr. Miller says research affirms the importance of multidisciplinary care. "Attending a multidisciplinary clinic will likely increase survival and access to treatments, and may improve quality of life," Miller says. Several ALS clinics have met standards set by well-known medical organizations, and if you've been diagnosed with ALS, your doctor can help guide you in finding a clinic in your area you can work with.

Kobler has been involved in reviewing the last decade of ALS research and agrees with Dr. Miller. "In my battle with ALS, I have tried to anticipate my family's future needs to make living with ALS as manageable as possible. That is not something easily done, but with frank conversations with my medical team at Mayo and at home, we have been fairly successful in having the equipment and expertise on hand when needed to allow me and my family to enjoy my remaining life as fully as possible," he says.

One guideline identified by the American Academy of Neurology recommends people with ALS use the drug riluzole, which slows the rate at which the disease progresses. It is the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ALS, and has a modest effect on prolonging survival.

As ALS progresses, it starts affecting the muscles in the mouth, which can cause eating, talking and drooling issues. The drug botulinum toxin B is recommended by the Academy for patients who are suffering from sialorrhea - also known as drooling - if oral medications aren't working.

Kobler's disease has limited him to a wheelchair, but he continues to prepare for future needs. He says any equipment that allows him to conserve energy helps.

"More recently we have gained access to a lift that lifts me out of bed and into my wheel chair," he says. "I have also recorded my voice for certain requests - 'I need water,' 'I'm cold,' 'I need to go to the bathroom.'"

Recent studies indicate the disease typically proceeds to affect the muscles that control breathing, so people with ALS have problems getting enough oxygen. People with ALS who use an assisted-breathing device usually have increased life expectancy and may have better quality of life. Longer life expectancy is also likely for people with ALS who use a feeding tube known as a PEG tube, since nutrition plays a critical role in extending survival.

People with ALS who develop thinking or behavioral problems will be less likely to initially accept treatment with an assisted-breathing device or a PEG tube. Doctors need to approach these people differently to help them accept these treatments.

The cause of ALS is still a question mark, and it's not known why the disease strikes some people and not others. About 30,000 Americans are currently diagnosed with ALS.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - As cold weather sets in, thousands of retirees are making plans for a winter getaway. If you're one of them, switch to direct deposit for your Social Security payments before you leave - it's the safest, easiest way to receive your money.

"Each year, the U.S. Department of the Treasury receives more than 1.4 million inquiries regarding paper check-related problems," says David A. Lebryk, commissioner of the Treasury Department's Financial Management Service.

Yet, approximately 10.5 million Americans continue to receive their Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments by paper check each month. The Treasury Department's Go Direct (R) campaign encourages senior citizens and people with disabilities to switch to direct deposit.

Increased safety, convenience and reliability

When there's a problem with a Social Security payment, nine times out of 10 it's with a paper check, not a direct deposit payment, says Lebryk.

Paper checks can be vulnerable to financial crimes like theft and fraud. In fact, the Treasury Department investigates more than 70,000 cases of altered or fraudulently endorsed checks each year, totaling $64 million in estimated value.

"In 2008 alone, more than 485,000 Social Security and SSI checks were reported lost or stolen and had to be reissued," says Lebryk.

Direct deposit is also more convenient and reliable. There is no more waiting for a check to arrive in the mail, and there are no more worries about delivery delays due to severe weather, local emergencies and other check related problems. Last year alone, severe weather events forced alternative delivery arrangements for millions of Social Security and SSI paper checks.

"Switching to direct deposit for federal benefits is such an easy way for people to safeguard their money, especially when traveling for extended periods of time," says Lebryk. "Your money is deposited to your account on payment day, so there's no need to worry about delivery delays or a check sitting in your mailbox while you're gone."

Prepaid debit card option

In addition to direct deposit, the Treasury Department recommends the Direct Express (R) Debit MasterCard (R) card as an alternative to paper checks for people without bank accounts.

More than half a million Americans signed up for the optional Direct Express (R) card in its first year of availability, according to the Treasury Department. A recent survey of cardholders finds that 95 percent say they are satisfied with the prepaid debit card, and 86 percent say they would recommend it to family members or friends who receive a federal benefit payment.

With the Direct Express card, cardholders can make purchases, pay bills and get cash at thousands of locations nationwide. Sign-up is free and no bank account is required. While most services are free, there are fees for a limited number of optional transactions and services.

Making the switch is easy

It is easy to make the switch to electronic payments for federal benefits. To sign up for direct deposit, call the Treasury Department's Go Direct campaign helpline at 1-800-333-1795 or visit www.GoDirect.org. To sign up for the Treasury-recommended Direct Express card, or to learn more about the card's features and fees, call 1-877-212-9991 or visit www.USDirectExpress.com. preceding information has been provided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service.

The

The Go Direct (R) campaign is sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Banks. The Direct Express (R) Debit MasterCard (R) card is issued by Comerica Bank, pursuant to a license by MasterCard International Incorporated. MasterCard (R) and the MasterCard (R) Brand Mark are registered trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated. The Go Direct (R) logo, Direct Express (R) logo and Direct Express (R) are service marks of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service.

Courtesy of ARAcontent