TMA Health Beat

Walk with a Doc Helps People Stay Healthy and Connected

At the beginning of the year many Americans resolve to get healthier by exercising or eating well. But studies show just weeks into the new year, many people have already abandoned that goal. Physician members of the Texas Medical Association participate in a program, Walk with a Doc, to help people stick to their resolution to improve their health. Walk with a Doc [https://www.texmed.org/wwad/] is a doctor-led program that combines walking and conversation to promote a healthier lifestyle in people of all ages. Physicians host free walks every month in their cities where the community can gather to get some steps in and form connections. Anna Buteau, MD, an internal medicine physician, has been hosting these walks in Austin for over two years. “If I can get one person out of their house on a weekend – who may not have a connection, may not get a hug – [it] would make that monthly walk worth it,” said Dr. Buteau. This new TMA Health Beat Podcast explores how physicians’ Walk with a Doc program can help people adopt a healthier lifestyle, to keep New Year’s resolutions and beyond.

Raising Awareness About a Debilitating Pregnancy Condition

Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) is a debilitating pregnancy complication that can initially appear as typical early pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness. At least 60,000 cases of HG are estimated in the U.S. each year. Kenneth Higby, MD, treats women who suffer with HG as a specialist in maternal and fetal care and obstetrics-gynecology in New Braunfels. The consultant to the Texas Medical Association Committee on Reproductive, Women’s and Perinatal Health says there is not enough awareness about the condition, even among some physicians. “A lot of obstetricians don't see pregnant women until much further along in pregnancy, where this occurs very early in pregnancy. So, the patient is at risk of seeing a family physician or an ER physician who knows very little about this disorder in pregnancy,” said Dr. Higby. Ms. Kathryn Clarke, an advisory council member of the Hyperemesis Education and Research Foundation, said she struggled with HG during her pregnancy. “I was so incredibly nauseous, I couldn't leave my bed,” said Ms. Clarke. “By week 10, I was down 18 pounds from where I started of being pregnant.” That’s typical of the disease, which causes severe nausea and vomiting, often well before a prenatal intake appointment with a physician. In a new TMA Health Beat podcast episode, Dr. Higby and Ms. Clarke explain what the condition is, the risks associated with it, and how they are raising awareness about HG among patients and physicians.   NOTICE: This podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. The information provided in this podcast does not constitute legal or medical advice and does not ensure a successful outcome. This podcast does not substitute for the advice of a physician or other health care professional. Consulting a personal physician is always a good practice when faced with health issues to obtain specific medical advice taking into consideration each person’s medical situation. Persons should not rely on this information when dealing with personal health matters; rather medical advice from their own personal physician should be sought. Although TMA has attempted to present materials that are accurate and useful, some material may be outdated and TMA shall not be liable to anyone for any inaccuracy, error, or omission, regardless of cause, or for any damages resulting therefrom. Certain links provided with this information may connect to websites maintained by third parties. TMA has no control over these websites, or the information, goods or services provided by third parties. TMA shall have no liability for any use or reliance by a user on these third-party websites or information provided by third parties. This podcast is also not intended to establish medical standards of care for the purposes of litigation, including expert testimony. The standard of care is dependent upon the particular facts and circumstances of each individual case and no generalization can be made that would apply to all cases.

TMA Physicians: Diabetes Complications Can Be Devastating

In a new episode of the TMA Health Beat podcast, physicians are reminding Texans about the dangers of undiagnosed or unmanaged diabetes.   Over 38 million people in the U.S. live with the disease. About 90% have type 2 diabetes – which causes a spike in blood sugar levels and can lead to serious health problems. “The burden of disease is profound,” said Brandon Cantazaro, MD, an internist in the Rio Grande Valley and member of the Texas Medical Association’s Council on Health Promotion. Wound care physician and TMA President Jayesh Shah, MD, said by the time diabetes patients come to him their condition is very serious, including having cuts that won’t heal due to poor blood circulation, sometimes leading to amputation. Drs. Shah and Cantazaro say diabetes can be managed. They say it is important for patients to consult a physician and make lifestyle changes like exercising and improving their diet to reduce their blood sugar levels.   NOTICE: This podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. The information provided in this podcast does not constitute legal or medical advice and does not ensure a successful outcome. This podcast does not substitute for the advice of a physician or other health care professional. Consulting a personal physician is always a good practice when faced with health issues to obtain specific medical advice taking into consideration each person’s medical situation. Persons should not rely on this information when dealing with personal health matters; rather medical advice from their own personal physician should be sought. Although TMA has attempted to present materials that are accurate and useful, some material may be outdated and TMA shall not be liable to anyone for any inaccuracy, error, or omission, regardless of cause, or for any damages resulting therefrom. Certain links provided with this information may connect to websites maintained by third parties. TMA has no control over these websites, or the information, goods or services provided by third parties. TMA shall have no liability for any use or reliance by a user on these third-party websites or information provided by third parties. This podcast is also not intended to establish medical standards of care for the purposes of litigation, including expert testimony. The standard of care is dependent upon the particular facts and circumstances of each individual case and no generalization can be made that would apply to all cases.

TMA Supports Guidelines Recommending Younger Breast Cancer Screening Age

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis affecting women aside from skin cancer – and cases are increasing among Texas women under age 50 – so the Texas Medical Association (TMA) is advocating routine screening for women at age 40. At its 2025 annual meeting, the TMA House of Delegates [https://www.texmed.org/hod/] adopted policy supporting the American College of Radiology and Society of Breast Imaging recommendation that women of average risk begin undergoing annual mammograms at age 40, with no upper age limit. In a new episode of the TMA Health Beat podcast, Terri L. Woodard, MD, co-chair of the TMA Committee on Cancer, said, “We want fewer women to die of cancer.  We want people to have access to screening and literally save their lives.” The committee advocated for TMA to support the policy recommendation. Photo credit: Viacheslav Yakobchuk – stock.adobe.com NOTICE: This podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. The information provided in this podcast does not constitute legal or medical advice and does not ensure a successful outcome. This podcast does not substitute for the advice of a physician or other health care professional. Consulting a personal physician is always a good practice when faced with health issues to obtain specific medical advice taking into consideration each person’s medical situation. Persons should not rely on this information when dealing with personal health matters; rather medical advice from their own personal physician should be sought. Although TMA has attempted to present materials that are accurate and useful, some material may be outdated and TMA shall not be liable to anyone for any inaccuracy, error, or omission, regardless of cause, or for any damages resulting therefrom. Certain links provided with this information may connect to websites maintained by third parties. TMA has no control over these websites, or the information, goods or services provided by third parties. TMA shall have no liability for any use or reliance by a user on these third-party websites or information provided by third parties. This podcast is also not intended to establish medical standards of care for the purposes of litigation, including expert testimony. The standard of care is dependent upon the particular facts and circumstances of each individual case and no generalization can be made that would apply to all cases.

Concho Valley County Medical Society Grows Hard Hats for Little Heads Program

The Texas Medical Association’s (TMA’s) Hard Hats for Little Heads outreach program started in San Angelo in 1994. More than 30 years later, the Concho Valley County Medical Society is ensuring the program continues to grow in the city. “Medicine is a caring profession where we're trying to give back to guide patients for healthier lives,” said Stuart Abramson, MD, the immediate past president of the Concho Valley County Medical Society. He has hosted Hard Hats events for over 8 years. Hard Hats is TMA’s longest-running outreach program. Texas physicians have distributed more than 424,000 helmets to Texas children since its inception. The program aims to reduce head injury among Texas children while on a bike, riding a scooter and skating. A properly fitting helmet can prevent almost all head injuries – up to 85%. “We could care for one or two kids in the ER after they got a traumatic brain injury or after they have a skull fracture or a major concussion, or we could work on ways to … prevent these injuries by just giving them a helmet to protect them,” said Josiah Ward, DO, a pediatrician and the medical society’s current president. In addition to the Hard Hats events, the county medical society also held its first Texas BookShare event – a TMA outreach program that promotes literacy. Learn more about how this medical society is giving back to the community through the Hard Hats and Texas BookShare programs [https://www.texmed.org/communityoutreach/], in a new TMA Health Beat podcast episode.